Morning Brew: July 16, 2008

So the power went out downtown and CBC tells you everything while CKNW give us the existential version. I've heard one too many people pull the "spoilt bastards can't live without power" card over the last couple days. Hello? We live in the society we live in, and this is the core of the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada. The place is practically defined by electricity, and you can't blame the people who live and work here for feeling a little out of sorts. Though I must admit it was fun walking around the Robson & Granville area on Monday morning and watching the chaos of cars and pedestrians completely unable to share the road before the transit cops arrived. And I suppose you couldn't ask for a timelier reminder of our society's consumptive reliance... and the fact that our hearts still keep pumping after the air conditioners die.

Let's just hope no crazies are taking notes with some epic Olympic shenanigans in mind. Meh, the riot clock shall tick on regardless of downtown power levels, though I'm sure as long as the "french quarter" doesn't blow up everyone'll be as happy as an island of inebriated tourists.

Here's my favourite blog-reaction to the event. A few of those lines are definitely getting added to my found-ESL-poetry collection. And this must be the guy who was actually responsible. Cmon', his mood is 'amused' and he writes in a language I can't even confidently identify.

The Happy Frog have a good interview up with panelists form Saturday's Peak Oil & The Media discussion. Some important stuff that you won't be able to ignore for much longer.

So any takers for solar power yet? Though if BC Hydro does decide to embrace it full force, can we stick the inevitable bundle of combustible wires underneath Surrey?

I say you might as well sell the car now and start saving up for that private island, especially since we'll all be living on a bunch of glorified lily pads sooner or later...

An interrogation video of Omar Khadr, the Canadian who's been imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for the last five years, has just been released to the public. He's been locked up in Guantanamo and he doesn't want a hamburger or a chocolate bar? Terrorist! But to be serious for a moment, the man has been wasting away and subjected to who knows what there since he was 16 years old. Bring him home and deal with this in a sane fashion on Canadian soil. Harper needs to stop the mindless pandering already.

And heres more of the States pushing around their ever-increasing weight, as an American war deserter is deported from BC. I guess dreadlocks and a colorful hemp shirt aren't all it takes to call Vancouver home. Should've gotten a bike. But really, the amount of people who support this on the CBC site is kind of scary... the war in Iraq is unjust and individuals who choose not to participate are making a morally sound decision which this country needs to support.

While we're all loving the heat, it does have consequences besides the dead grass in your beach bag, as BC calls some water bombers home from California while the risks of fire here in BC increases. Here's a bunch of stunning photos from the California fires, courtesy of The Big Picture, a top quality new photojournalism blog.

Here's one piece of locally developed 'social media' even I can get behind: thankyourdonor.ca, a place where recipients of donor blood can share their stories, pictures, and videos. Very nice. Blood: You Can't Even Twitter Without It.

The woman representing Canada at the Miss Universe competition apparently offended some by appropriating and sexualizing the traditional Cree war bonnet.

If I had a million dollars, it's nice to think that I'd keep it real and eat Kraft Dinner... but I'd probably just blow it all on hookers and blow.

Think Vancouver has a progressive attitude towards sexual freedom? Well it's all relative, 'cause from fruit flies and swans to penguins, monkeys, and bulls; homosexuality has always been cool in the animal kingdom. Though it seems to show up much more often when they're in captivity. So maybe I'm not the only one who feels like Yaletown is a bit of a prison...

photo by Magalie L'Abbe of the BR flick group