The Unknown Poster

Long been reported Philly wants Buff. But would have to think they'd want him signed. Im intrigued by the Pens because they might prefer an unsigned Buff. Pens are in for a world of hurt if they arent successful this season. Their "win now" window is closing. Waited too long to move Kunitz. Should probably move Malkin.

There will be pressure to go with Kenney if he wants it. He's their best fundraiser. Going with someone from Ontario makes sense as long as they have party support and prevent the reformers from rebelling. Someone young and fresh would be ideal.

@RichardMadan: Meanwhile, #CPC's Diane Finley to run for Interim leader; manage "transition from a very centralized PMO to a much more collaborative OLO"

Something that impacts many of us. I don't know about you guys but I've found the snow clearing the last couple of years to be atrocious. Free Press The union representing several thousand civic workers says it can save city hall millions of dollars annually by reducing the share of snowclearing work done by private contractors and doing more of the work using city employees. Union sources said a report from CUPE Local 500 will show that city hall can save on average $3 million annually for up to 10 years through a series a measures, relying increasingly on the civic workforce. Mike Davidson, president of CUPE Local 500, which represents about 4,600 city employees across most civic departments, is holding a 10:30 a.m. news conference at the Union Centre, where the report and details will be released. "This is a detailed plan that we believe will show what we’re proposing is workable, will save taxpayers money and provide improved service," Davidson said in August when discussing the findings that will be released this morning. The city contracts out about 80 per cent of its snowclearing work but Davidson maintains private contractors are unreliable, unable to meet standards and cause thousands of dollars in damages every year to private property, for which the city refuses to accept responsibility. Davidson has come to city hall several times in the last two years demanding pubic works demonstrate with a proper study that private contractors are a cost-effective way to clear snow. Davidson said giving a greater share of the snowclearing work to city staff would produce better results with less cost and ensure accountability for prompt and proper snowclearing. Observers have been skeptical of Davidson's claims, questioning how the city could maintain the staff and the fleet of heavy equipment that private contractors are required to have on hand. Davidson was ready to bring his report to city hall in September but held it back after the public works department failed to produce an internal cost-benefit analysis comparing snowclearing work done by the private sector with what might be achieved with a greater reliance on city employees. The department was given an extension to November to produce its findings. The role of private contractors in the city's snowclearing program came under fire during the extreme weather conditions two winters ago, when residents across the city complained about the poor quality of work -- one contractor repeatedly failed to clear the area assigned to it and parts of Sage Creek and South St. Vital were repeatedly missed. Despite that poor showing, public works director Brad Sacher maintained the city was getting good value for the money it was paying contractors. Earlier this year, the union capitalized on public anger over snowclearing efforts and set up a hotline and website to collect those complaints. While not a scientific survey, CUPE 500 said in June two-thirds of those who contacted the union were unhappy with the quality of snowclearing by private contractors; and that using private contractors has impacted the city’s accountability to citizens and its reputation. The public works department was thrown into disarray in September when Sacher unexpectedly announced his resignation. He had been under intense pressure lately, coping with the problematic Plessis underpass project, which is behind schedule and over budget, the snowclearing program and other issues within the department. Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt has been a harsh critic of Sacher and the department, attacking it for failing to complete the Plessis project and most recently questioning the decision to hire a consultant for the pedestrian and cycling strategy who is the spouse of the city's traffic engineer. Wyatt recently called fro Sacher's suspension. Sacher came to the city in 2005 after a successful career with the provincial highways department. He became the department director in 2009. Sacher's wife, Diane Sacher, is the director of water and waste. She has been on an unexplained leave since April.

Read a blog about the Penguins this morning (my #2 team). I guess talk is ramping up that they need to do something. They are in a win-now mode (and does anyone else see a major collapse coming down the road?) Seems like the consensus is they need offensive minded D men. Made me wonder if the talk of Jets scouting Philly and Chicago could be a red herring. Wouldnt the Pens love to have Buff? Not sure what they'd give up. Hornqvist's name is out there. Thoughts?

Anyone else surprised by the sudden layoffs at banks, and ofcourse MTS also? Anyone here impacted? My buddy was offered a package from TD a few weeks ago. He did well, though I think I'd prefer a good-paying job to a nice severance package. Seems to be a few businesses, even very profitable ones, wanting to streamline. TD Bank has begun a massive round of layoffs in Canada and the United States. The move comes after Boston Consulting Group reviewed the company’s operations and suggested cost-cutting measures. Staff were notified two weeks ago and the layoffs began immediately, with another round to continue next week. Reports say the bank plans to cut several hundred positions ranging from consultants to department heads by the end of the year. The bank recently expanded into the American market where it is now in the top 10. Bharat Masrani, who was named CEO a year ago, plans to expand that share over 2016 through acquisitions. TD Bank is the largest lender in Canada by assets and is looking for efficiency the economy struggles along. Scotiabank is the latest bank to slash jobs during a time of healthy profits. CBC News has learned that the company will be eliminating back office support staff jobs across the country. The positions typically involve paperwork for everything from commercial loans to account operations. The cuts will come over the next two years as Scotiabank closes regional operations and consolidates the services into two high-tech hubs in Toronto. Earlier this month, National Bank of Canada also announced job cuts. Canada's sixth biggest bank said it was eliminating "a few hundred employees" as part of a restructuring plan to address a slow-growth economy and new technologies. Staffing cutbacks are coming to MTS. Months after announcing it was cutting staffing levels at its Ontario-based Allstream division by 500 people to prepare it for sale, the telecommunications company has announced its Manitoba labour force will also be scaled down. A voluntary workforce reduction program is being offered to both unionized and non-unionized staff, with the number of reductions dependent on employee interest and organizational needs.

Just watched American Sniper last night. Missed it in the theaters. I cant say Im overly enamored with the Chris Kyle story but its an intriguing one. And the film is very good. Another solid movie from Clint Eastwood.

There are rumors Vince's secret plan for WM is Braun vs Taker. lol They might be at their worst creatively since 95

Adding Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair to Raw last night only bumped the number up to 3.35 million viewers, up 80,000 viewers from the non-holiday low of 3.27 million set last week. They're going to have to do something soon. Orton is out. Cena is about to leave for two months. And Brock and Taker are not scheduled the rest of the year.

How much longer does Bruce Boudreau last in Anaheim?

@GlobalNational: Justin Trudeau's note referencing his father's famous line has sold for more than $12,000. https://t.co/7bt4aKwPxWhttps://t.co/FNaD8tDELN

@CTVNews: Former PC leader Jean Charest rules himself out of race to succeed Stephen Harper https://t.co/iboaUIbUhL#cdnpoli https://t.co/sxpKyhkvlv @CTVNews: Son of former PM Brian Mulroney says no to Conservative leadership bid https://t.co/9RO0Kziiex #cdnpoli https://t.co/J70NTVtEsF @CBCAlerts: Diane Finley to seek interim leadership of Conservative party. #Ontario MP serves as Minister of Public Works under #StephenHarper. #cdnpoli

Yup, very American way of doing things. I remember from the West Wing, they called them "Christmas Tree" bills, because everyone gets to hang a decoration on it in order to lend their support. I miss that show!

I love all the stories about how Torts knows he has to change and has evolved and will be better and different. EXACTLY the same things he and the media said when Vancouver hired him.

I know many people who desperately wanted the Cons' defeated. They disliked his support for TPP and C-51 and the fact he ran deficits. So they voted Liberal.

Of these guys could knock off the petty personal squabbles. Discussion is good. Nonsense isn't. Here's your example of "who, me?" How so. Please provide examples. I was suggesting the end do squabbles. Would you prefer to squabble? That's weird

Of these guys could knock off the petty personal squabbles. Discussion is good. Nonsense isn't.

I accept your apology. In your bid to be as aggressive as possible, you don't always present a well thought-out argument. As others have said, the disingenuity (foxiness was my favourite synonym for this) comes from your ability to act surprised when people call you out for diparaging posts. While you may not always be well informed, you don't strike me as a stupid person. I highly doubt you do this by accident. You don't understand what aggresive means of you perceive my posts as aggresive. But as they say perception is reality even if your perception is wrong. Which disparaging posts. Please provide examples.

Not likely. But nice try. There is nothing wrong with being man (or woman) enough to apologize. Im disappointed you're "not likely" to do so. Ill accept anyway.

Be careful backtracking, wouldnt want you to fall over. Were you able to find some example of me stressing out? Or can I add that to your list of forthcoming apologies (I assume you are penning a masterpiece to the previous apology which is what is taking so long). *looks around to confirm Im not the only one still posting in the election thread*. Yup, Iso gonna Iso. Please explain how you'd like me to follow my own advice. Are you suggesting that I should not take part in the election thread while you and others do? Im not sure that makes sense. Please explain.

So why are you making an issue out of Trudeau's delivery? I'm not. Someone else mentioned his speech and I expressed my opinion. Im sorry, are we only expressing certain opinions here? Speaking of being disingenuous, your "who, me?" act is getting old. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love it!!! Ive been told some people dislike me because of my strong posts. Now Im disliked for being moderate. What sort of people get so personally bent out of shape over message board discussions! Ha! The election is over boys, put away the claws! Sure are a few people here with a bone to pick this morning. My fan club grows! What a strange response. Disliked for being moderate? How did you come up with that theory? My theory? You don't understand what disingenuous means, so you created your own definition that would allow your response to make sense. I was using the definition or synonym if you will, that describes one as insincere. That was evident in the context. Sorry you had trouble with that. Well, for a guy telling others to chill as the election is over, aren't you stressing out? Follow your own advice, then. BTW, I said quit whining. I didn't call you a whiner, idiot, @$$hole, ****, jerk or anything else. In what way am I stressing out. Please provide examples. Wouldnt someone who is whining be a whiner? Please explain the distinction.

So why are you making an issue out of Trudeau's delivery? I'm not. Someone else mentioned his speech and I expressed my opinion. Im sorry, are we only expressing certain opinions here? Speaking of being disingenuous, your "who, me?" act is getting old. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love it!!! Ive been told some people dislike me because of my strong posts. Now Im disliked for being moderate. What sort of people get so personally bent out of shape over message board discussions! Ha! The election is over boys, put away the claws! Sure are a few people here with a bone to pick this morning. My fan club grows! What a strange response. Disliked for being moderate? How did you come up with that theory? My theory? You don't understand what disingenuous means, so you created your own definition that would allow your response to make sense. In other words, you werent able to explain your "who, me" remark.

So why are you making an issue out of Trudeau's delivery? I'm not. Someone else mentioned his speech and I expressed my opinion. Im sorry, are we only expressing certain opinions here? Speaking of being disingenuous, your "who, me?" act is getting old. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love it!!! Ive been told some people dislike me because of my strong posts. Now Im disliked for being moderate. What sort of people get so personally bent out of shape over message board discussions! Ha! The election is over boys, put away the claws! Sure are a few people here with a bone to pick this morning. My fan club grows! What a strange response. Disliked for being moderate? How did you come up with that theory? My theory? You don't understand what disingenuous means, so you created your own definition that would allow your response to make sense. I was using the definition or synonym if you will, that describes one as insincere. That was evident in the context. Sorry you had trouble with that.

I find him smug and disingenuous. Maybe it's his acting background but he always seems to be putting on a bad performance. I thought his victory speech was very smug and while Harper and Mulcair were gracious in defeat, he took some veiled shots. Maybe its just the way he is and he's being genuine. But he doesnt come across that way to me at all. And its not my bias talking as I thought Mulcair had done a good job of putting the Angry Tom stuff behind him and was pretty genuine in his speeches and I would never vote for him. Trudeau reminds me a bit of of Obama except Obama is a much better public speaker. But they both ran on "change" and little else. A winning strategy no doubt. Angry Tom would have come back had he been elected PM, don't you kid yourself. He's my age & you just don't change at that point in your life with the snap of the fingers. e has a temper & if elected he wouldn't have cared. I dont disagree. Im no Tom fan. Just that I thought he did a good enough job of coming across statesmanlike and sincere. Or sincere enough. And I've always thought Harper delivers good speeches. CTV briefly mentioned this while Harper was entering for his concession speech that he's very good with the media and it perplexes people why he is so standoffish with the, But Trudeau? Its like bad Shakespeare in the Park. My opinion, but just seems like a guy putting on an act and not doing a very good job of it. So, you think Trudeau is disingenuos but Mulcair not? You already said that you think the NDP did a good job of trying to change Mulcair's image from that of an angry old man to that of a caring & compassionate leader which isn't true. That's why in the past few weeks seeing his ad where Mulcair's talking softly, smiling & saying he's ready for change if we are came. across as so phony. He looked uncomfortable talking & acting that way because that isn't him.. I voted Conservative in my riding & have always voted that way since the 74 election when I was 18, be it the Tories, Reform, Canadian Alliance & Cons. Even though I was drinking my blue kool aid I could see that Captain Steve O going down with his ship.The Cons election campaign strategy was an unmitigated didaster. Of all the ads shown by the 3 major parties, Trudeau came across the best. His "I'll tell you what I'm ready for" ad sounded the most sincere of all of the political ads combined that I saw. It was hokey but Trudeau looked like he had a chip on his shoulder thanks to the incessant Cons attack ad of him. Not happy the Cons are out but it is what it is. But My God man, quit the whining & just get on with your life. You constantly post about how much you hate Trudeau & give the man no credit at all. Run for public office then in 4 years for the Cons & give your words some meaning. Put your money where your mouth is. . Are you suggesting someone cannot have an opinion that is counter to the governments (or yours) unless they are willing to run for office? Have you every been critical of the Bombers' coaches? If so, have you considered becoming a pro football head coach? If not, you cant criticize. Who is whining? Expressing opinion here is whining? I never said one thing about the Cons losing the election. Get on with my life? Who are you to tell me that? Get over yourself. Im sorry you and I disagree (I guess) but posting here is neither me whining nor is it some evidence that my life is on hold because the Liberals won. Please, assemble my posts where I have repeatedly stated how much I hate Trudeau. Please do that. And again, why is opinion of Trudeau related to opinion of Mulcair? If I think Mulcair is a more genuine speaker, why cant I also think Trudeau is not? Its called opinion. Try expressing yours without needlessly attacking other posters. Attacking? LOL! That's all you do. People who live in glass houses first of all shouldn't criticize others & secondly should not throw stones. Please list examples. Yes, I'm guilty as charged for the crime of having an opinion. For that I am being sentenced to death by hanging. There's the gallows. Throw the lever & drop the floor. Let me hang until dead. Yea, though I walk through the Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, I fear no evil. Thy rod & thy staff, they comfort me. I'm entitled to one last dinner of choice, prime rib on the barbecue. Also a cigarette & whiskey on the rocks before my execution. I also have but one last simple request... I have a letter in my back pocket for my family. Please make sure they get it & tell them... I loved them.. And...I lived to see another day. Maybe you should ask for clemency. And for the record, I wasn't attacking you. I was responding about what you said about Trudeau & Mulcair. You constantly say the same things over & over & over & it comes across as whining. That Harper & the Cons can do no wrong. Well, this past election they did a lot of things wrong. You may not agree about the whining part but that's the perception of you I get. Guess the bottom line for you & me is if we can't stand the heat then don't post. That's the difference though. I can stand the heat. And I dont go off attacking posters. You said I was whining, told me to get a life and move on. And let's be clear, that was responding to my post about Trudeau and Mulcair which was not me saying the same thing over and over since I believe today is the only time I mentioned my feeling that Trudeay was smug and disingenuous. So yes, that was an attack on me, not a reasonable, polite counter point to my opinion. whine (h)wīn/ verb gigive or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound. "tt complain in a feeble or petulant way. Neither the first nor the second. In fact, complaining about my post might fall into the second. But I wont hold it against you. I think you have the bad habit of seeing differing opinions and taking them personally or not being able to see the merit or at least understand the perspective of that opinion, which causes you to lash out. When I was in Junior High, taking debate our teacher insisted we debate both sides saying we cant learn to argue our opinion if we cant successfully argue the opposing perception. I think I see all sides a lot better than many here. But I do have strong opinions. But I do not attack people. How many people in this thread have complained to a Mod about someone else? Not me. How many people in this thread have had posts deleted? Not me, other than when I quoted someone who was deleted (mods can correct me if I am wrong on that point). This is a community not a battle ground. If you're offering up an apology, Ill readily accept it.