The Daily Gist: With Ben Istiphan

coming soon

For everyone out there in the Blogging community that was wondering where I have been for a couple of days, I would like to explain myself. No my computer did not crush, nor did I have some sort of family emergence, and I definitely was not on vacation. I just needed a break from the blog, because to be frank, sometimes I grow tedious towards my thoughts and ideas.

I understand that this is the “daily” gist, but sometimes it is not the frequency nor the quantity that counts. I want to expose my viewers to material that is informative and provocative, even if it takes me a week to complete on single blog. I will continue to try my best to publish on a daily basis, but I refuse to reveal mediocre work simply because it Guarantees my $1 for the day. I would like to take this time to also thank my loyal followers; you know who you are.

Starting Monday, every McDonald’s across Canada will be giving away free coffee during breakfast hours for two weeks. Now what’s the catch? Of course the fast food chain will argue costumer appreciation, but we all know they have ulterior motives. Maybe Tim Horton’s isn’t the only food chain that can attract coffee addicts. I’m not quite sure what special ingredient McDonald’s added to their Java coffee, but i’m sure it will garner the same amount of notoriety as  the Big Mac did with its special sauce. Will this mark a new era in Canadian coffee, or will we soon discover that nothing beats a double-double at timmies?

I managed to get a glimpse of my local politician outside of the political apparatus. Last night, I was at the local Petro Canada, when all of a sudden my local MP steps out of the convenience store with a dozen or so bottles of Coke. I have spent the last few years ridiculing this guy, so I wasn’t necessary overwhelmed with euphoria by his presence. If anything, I was a little dumbfounded by his luxurious automobile, which only exacerbates that “Rich boy” stereotypical view I have towards conservative politicians. Maybe I should have approached him, or at least grabbed his attention. We made eye contact briefly, but I wasn’t going to acknowledge his celebrity status by staring enviously. I think he fells pretentious enough in his Mercedes.

With all the attention on Barack, I thought I would change it up a little and see what Michelle is up to these days. Turns out that she is not the only Obama coming under criticism. It has been revealed that the First Lady has recently planted an organic garden at the White House. Why would someone take exception to such a common and harmless activity? Well if you’re in the pesticide business, it is a slap in the face to discover that the wife of the most powerful man in America doesn’t want to use your product. It’s a relief to finally hear something genuine and real coming out of the White House, as opposed to the toxicity and distortion that the pesticide companies have grown to love.

Vermont has become the first state legislature to legalize same sex marriage. Other states have previously recognized gay marriage, but only through the jurisdiction of the judicial system. Elected representatives finally took the initiative, with the strong backing from community and grassroots organizations of course.  Now compared to most states, Vermont is quite liberal, so I assume many were expecting this historical occasion to come soon, even with a Republican governor. After all, Vermont is the only state to have currently elected a self-subscribed “socialist” into either Congress or the Senate. How do we account for what seems to be a left leaning political culture? It must be those dam Canadian hippies infiltrating the border.

American/Cuban relations seem to be reaching new heights, as a delegation of Democratic Congress-members arrived in Havana a few days ago to meet with Fidel and Raul Castro. Their objective is to lift travel restrictions for Cuban Americans, as well as increasing the financial compensations that  family members are allowed to send  back home. The issue regarding the trade embargo has yet to garner much attention, and even if it did, it is uncertain whether or not the delegation’s goal to end the embargo reflects the aspirations of the Obama Administration. Until Hillary is in Havana, don’t expect any significant policy reforms.

Just when we thought the snow was gone for another season, mother nature once again spoils it for us. More snow in Toronto, in other words, more accidents because of stupid drives who refuse to adapt to the weather conditions. More snow also means more Canadians envious towards regions that have tropical like weather. Constantly I listen to my mother complaining as she says, “I wish I was living in California,” and I pretty sure she’s not the only one. Shoveling my driveway in morning, followed by another round of shoveling during the evening, is not how I imagined spending my weekend, but it could be worse. Oh yes… I could be living in America.

It was bad enough that AIG executives were awarded millions of dollars in bonuses after the tax-payer funded bailout, but the list is only getting longer. It was recently discovered that Merrill Lynch executives received 3.6 billion dollars in bonuses just before merging with Bank of America. That’s right, Merrill Lynch was performing terribly, and had no choice but to get bought out by a larger company, yet they were rewarded billions for their dismal performance.

It’s naive to think that such a scenario was an isolated incident, and that only those within AIG are susceptible to such egregious acts. Yesterday it was AIG and today it was Merrill Lynch/Bank of America; who will it be tomorrow?

The media is still raving over the friendly confrontation between Queen Elizabeth II and Michelle Obama. While the two were greeting each other, the Queen placed her arms on the First Lady’s back and Michelle proceeded to do the same. Plenty of photographs captured this exchange, as some describe it as a mutual and spontaneous act of affection.

I think this was a case where the Queen was excited to chat with a cloured individual, other than her personal servants of course. Aging also tends to make the elderly a little delusional, even if you are the Queen. In Fact, she apparently thought that George Bush was still President, as she asked Michelle “What happened to the President’s whiter wife?”