From the Peter Worthington in the Toronto Sun today:

“Generally speaking, the JAG sees its role as protecting the image of the institution, not administering justice to individuals,” says Marin [Ombudsman for the Canadian Forces, Andre Marin] “That’s how the whole military functions.”

I was approached by a source just now and informed that food services is an issue at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.
Here is a summary a news article from the Argus (the student newspaper at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay) I was directed and found this at KAPTINHOOKS’ BLOG
Here is the entire article from the Argus (they do not have a permalink for it yet):

Aramark under attack?
Students host sit in discussion over food service provider
Rob Rombouts/ Argus
In a move that many may agree was a long time coming, a group of students hosted a sit-in discussion and protest in the residence cafeteria on March 26th, to voice their displeasure over the services provided by Aramark. The protest, however, appears to have fallen upon deaf ears.
Despite hopes that Nick Burgenia, manager of Aramark services at Lakehead University, John Rose, District Manager of Aramark or even Shannon Foster or David Hare, of Residence, might show up to hear the concerns of the students, those involved were only greeted with the kitchen staff working that evening and a few security guards ensuring that everything was okay.
Still, the students sat and discussed their feelings towards the food. The protest was the product of Allison Skirtschak who had worked over the past week to build support for the cause. An essay had been circulating earlier, which spurred the idea for the protest. Mike Marcus, Ian Daspi and Gavin also helped to develop arguments and concerns.
The concerns were essentially divided into four main themes, which were integrity, quality, reliability and cost. The students feel that they are not respected by Aramark, and demand more respect. On this note, an unnamed Aramark employ stated: “I think that a lot of it has to do with how the management treats the students and how the students teach the management. There is not a lot of respect either way.”
Other students spoke of the lack of nutritional information and ingredients and the lack of quality in the food. “Honestly, even though they say you have a choice, there isn’t” said Muzi N. One student told a story of finding mold in the juice. Another student said “They’ve turned eating from something I enjoyed doing into a chore.”
Finally, others spoke of the costs of the services, suggesting other options that could be implemented, including a declining balance system.
It was a peaceful protest, not meant to bash or attack Aramark. The intent was to provide an opportunity for students and Aramark to make respectful a compromise.
“This is something that will not only impact the students now, but the students of the future” said Skirtschak.
There were, however, some students that spoke in favour of the service provider. Matt Canning provided this comment: “I have nothing but positive comments for both the excellent Aramark food and staff. I don’t even live in residence and I come here almost daily. Nick does a job second to none when it comes to managing this place. I feel sorry for the students who constantly whine and complain about the quality. It must be horrible to live a life with such unreasonable expectations and I’m sure it leads to plenty of disappointment. I’m happy that’s not me.”
There were others that provided a more reasoned comment. Derek Mundle said that he understood that Aramark was a business and that “they doing the best they can.” He also stated that the protest was not a statement against the staff in anyway.
Ian Daspi said that he understood that while Aramark was a business, it still has to suit the students. Daspi previously worked as a secret shopped for Aramark and explained that even when he suggested changes to Aramark, things would only change for a short time.
Daspi stated that “Aramark has the potential to clean up its act. It just needs a management team to enforce it.”
LUSU President Elect Adam Krupper was among those in attendance and praised the students, stating that the protest was constructive, important and assertive. It was student involved and over a relevant issue. Krupper also stated that it was disappointing that Aramark had chosen to avoid the discussions with students. “In five years, I’ve never seen student do something this constructive. It’s too bad Aramark has chosen to ignore it.”
The group now plans to organize a meeting with Nick Burgenia based on his schedule,” so Nick doesn’t have excuses to miss it”
Skirtschak stated “We need to develop change that can be implemented, legitimate and firm.”

While, another day has pass and there are only 39 hours till I hand in my final essay of the year!
Today was a day to relax and celebrate, I achieved what I wanted to achieve yesterday. I got the University and UMSU to start talking about improving Food Services. I promised the University Administration that I was place a note on my blog about my Food Services Presentation about Residence Meal Plans. When I did my presentation, I took the “maximum minimum” for meal rates across the country. Basically if there were different meal plans for different residences, I took the maximum cost that a student could be forced to pay at that University. I should have been more detailed. I do not have figures for other Universities but I do for the University of Manitoba.
The 550 students in Speechly/Tache have a minimum meal plan of 11 meals a week in Pembina Hall for $2889.
The 250 students in University College have to purchase declining balance (good at any Aramark location on campus) of $1700.
The 310 students in Arthur V. Mauro do not have to purchase any meal plans.
Since I am not on Council and am no longer the spearhead on Food Services, I had a chance to do something today that I have not done for awhile: have morning coffee in M.Hall. Today was a beautiful day with the sun out bright and early this morning. M.Hall has very large windows and the sun beams right into the room. So, I got a good dose of Vitamin D with my morning newspaper and coffee. There were so interesting articles in the National Post today but nothing I want to blog on. Which brings me back to Monday when I said “I am Confused”, while it turns out the professor involved Mark Federman runs a blog. On his blog, he points out that he is victim of the soundbite and the quote does not accurately reflect what he was saying. I should know better than to trust the soundbite especially in print. (I was misquoted a couple times when I ran for School Board Trustee).
The UMSU AGM was today and we had a turnout of 20 people, 27 000 members and only 20 show up with most of them being Councillors. The AGM is the biggest chance for students to have their voices heard and nobody shows up! Man, I was disappointed. I brought forward some ideas. I suggested the former Movie Village space be turned into a Pizza Pizza with delivery. I also suggested that the UMSU website be made interactive with the President, Vice-President, and Student Directors having blogs to communicate with the membership. My blog has been very successful for communicating with students about what I am doing on Council and many people have talked to me about issues they read on my blog.
On the whole, a busy day but a fun day!

Soviets behind 1981 attack on the Pope

New documents found in the files of the former East German intelligence services confirm the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II was ordered by the Soviet KGB and assigned to Bulgarian agents, an Italian daily said on Wednesday.
The Corriere della Sera said that the documents found by the German government indicated that the KGB ordered Bulgarian colleagues to carry out the killing, leaving the East German service known as the Stasi to coordinate the operation and cover up the traces afterwards.

Today on his blog (http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings.htm) is taking on Big Tobacco as big Tobacco fights against clear air for Ontarians. Warren is going to fight back! Go Warren!
Warren wrote the following on his blog:

March 29, 2005 – I detect the unmistakable stench of Big Tobacco money. And there’s little I despise more than Big Tobacco.
I’m looking into Tory linkages to this sort of sophistry. If you find out anything, don’t hesitate to email me at warren@warrenkinsella.com. Time to teach these people a lesson.
…
Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario – Who’s Your Nanny?
FOR AN HTML VERSION ALONG WITH VIDEO CONTENT go to: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/faac
TORONTO, March 29 /CNW/ – Tired of the McGuinty government telling you how to live your life? Concerned the government is making too many decisions for you? Today, the Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) launched an electronic video ad to let you know about the latest government measure to further control your life.
While tongue in cheek, the video has a serious message the government won’t share with you: their new smoking ban will result in business closures and job losses in bars, pubs, charity bingos and Legion halls across the province.
In the coming weeks, the FAAC will launch more ads in newspapers and on radio stations across the province to let you know how the McGuinty government ban will hurt Ontario’s vibrant hospitality industry in every town and city across the province.
Fact is, there is a ‘win-win’ solution to the public smoking debate; one that preserves the livelihood of those who work in Ontario’s hospitality industry — the Province’s largest employer — and accommodates both those who wish to avoid tobacco smoke and those who choose to smoke. The solution is ventilation. It is a solution that has been used successfully around the world and in Canada including British Columbia, Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Quebec and is currently available in Ontario.
But not for long if Mr. McGuinty has his way.
Ventilation works. It’s only fair.
The Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC) is a diverse group of organizations, businesses and individuals committed to the promotion of sound ventilation science and support of the hospitality industry. Find out more about the FAAC and ventilation solutions at www.faac.ca .
For further information: For media inquiries please contact:
XXXXXXX, CEO, Fair Air Association of Canada (FAAC), (416) XXX-XXXX
or 416-XXX-XXXX; For a copy of this video for broadcast, please contact:
XXXXXXXXX, The Communicor Group, 416-XXX-XXXX

bound by gravity has a great post about this event.
This is an amazing story, this man has earned his V.C.
Read it here: http://www.boundbygravity.com/2005_03_01_bbgarchive.aspx#111116966768235795

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Okay, I am will not a good rapper but at least I was able to rhyme Big Mac with something!
(Yes I know I am giving McDonald’s free publicity and I have always said: “All Publicity is Good Publicity”)
Reading in the Telegraph today the following article (excerpt):

McDonald’s is tempting rappers to use the name Big Mac in their lyrics, it was reported yesterday.
The fast food chain will offer singers up to five dollars every time their song is played on the radio, the American magazine Advertising Age said.
It said its goal was to have Big Macs featuring in several songs by the summer.

A very smart marketing move, get your product advertised using popular culture!
Before people run off saying how bad this is changing rap to market products, think about every movie, T.V. show and sporting event you go to. It is no coincidence that the actor is drinking Coke or a Coke machine is in the background, Coke paid for it to be there.
… as a sidenote, I was not paid by any of these companies to place there products in my blog …. the reason I choose Coke is because when I am talking to a friend of mine in Hamilton on the phone, and every couple of days she complains about the Coke contract at McMaster.

Reading the National Post Online today and there is this article that confused me:

A University of Toronto professor says consumers want to be more interactive with their news and have greater command over it. “Newspapers have been obsolesced for a long time. With the concentration of ownership, the demise of people like Dan Rather, television is obsolesced as well,” Mark Federman, chief strategist of the McLuhan Program in Culture and Technology, told Global Sunday yesterday. “When something is so widely used, it’s obsolete.” Mr. Federman says the mainstream media, including television and newspapers, are so ubiquitous that they are “obsolete” and must reinvent themselves if they are to remain relevant. That leaves the mainstream media trying to keep pace with Internet and wireless technologies.

“When something is so widely used, it’s obsolete.” – I am confused, if something is widely used how can it be obsolete, could be soon obsolete but not obsolete already.
In terms of newspapers being obsolete, they are not. They do have to change to having at least some form of a PDA download option but alot of GO commuters will keep reading print versions. The wireless world is great but people are saying enough. Recently, the FAA asked flyers if they wanted to use their cellphones on flights and overwhelmingly, flyers said they wanted to remain disconnected from the outside world. To them an airplane is an oasis away from the crazy wireless world they live in.
But I am still confused as to what this prof meant.

Must like the “Merry Christmas sign debate” marks the beginning of the Christmas season, local arts groups screaming that if the city does not increase their budgets by 50-200% they will close up shop marks the beginning of Spring.
Basically, the city gives arts groups millions of dollars every year for a performance here and a weekend there. It is very expensive compared to say the cost of running a community centre for the same amount of time. Do not get me wrong, I fully support arts in elementary and secondary schools (provided that it supports education and does not become the education itself) but these arts groups need to become self-supporting. Some of the best arts groups are the small ones that everyone is a volunteer and does it out of passion without financial gain. Amateur Threatre for example and I support funding for them to carry out their activities as volunteers.
I do not support increasing funding for professional arts groups.
The Festival of Friends is a great event and generates income for many of the artists involved but in light of the tight finances of Hamilton and the fact that taxes have to increase again this year, the Festival should not get a 95% increase like they are asking for. When we have money to increase funding to community centres, schools, amateur arts, amateur sports and volunteer-based events; Hamilton does not have the money to hand over to professional artists.
Next, the regular if you do not give us what we want (more money), we do not think we will have another festival argument. These professional artists say this every single year and the sky never falls….. so it will not fall this time.
But please do this next year as well, it boosts my spirits knowing that Spring has arrived.