Now you hear it, now you don't

Tuesday, I went to apply for a job. Afterward, I stopped by a Future Shop to get CD-RWs and a cable, so I can transfer all the phone messages I've recorded on audio tape.

Now, before you go thinking what a techie I am, I'd only been to a Future Shop once before. Yet, I've gone there several times, recently, to look at accessories to help my situation.

I came back around 5:00pm. Tried using a little adapter I have from about 10 years ago that can record phone conversations onto cassette tape (I used this for interviews). Plugged it into the computer: presto -- it works! Now I can record messages directly from my phone onto my computer.


But, today, I came home, and couldn't record. I sense something may have been switched or sabotaged - and this wouldn't be the first time. I was able to record before, and had been speaking to a Radio Shack salesperson by phone the night before, and confirmed the fact that I'm able to record.

I happened to say to someone just today how things go missing from my apartment, how many problems I've had with trespassing and other harassment, etc.

Then, I get home, and the line-in (for sound recording) on the computer doesn't work, but it did yesterday. I also found my slow cooker on -- this is the third time it's been 'left on,' which is driving up my utilities bill. I hadn't even been using the darn thing. Plus, my bedside clock isn't working (low battery).

One could say: 'It's just a low battery -- it happens!'

First, that's three things gone wrong in the same day. Second, my landlords have been known to trespass into my apartment, as well as other people's places. I've even been home, when they were trying to enter -- not just once, but TWICE. Third, I've had almost every single electrical or battery-operated thing in my place go kaputz on me (including my phone) at very specific times.

Here I am trying desperately to record my weird phone calls onto computer. Next day, three things go wrong: computer's audio line-in doesn't work; my clock's battery is suddenly almost dead (it's fairly new), and the time shows 3:15pm, which is when I was out today; plus, surprise, my slow cooker is on. Haven't used it recently, and I KNOW I had turned it off. This is the third time this has happened, and it's a turn dial - not something one could switch on by mistake.

Why, you ask, WHY would they bother playing such mindless pranks?

My landlord has a history of doing these kinds of things. I believe the surveillers have learned from them just how powerless people can be - even in the most mundane of situations.

You'd also have to know that I'm unemployed and struggling. I won't go into all my personal and emotional difficulties, but the fact is, I'm being partly supported by my mother. All these little *breakdowns* are important -- they wear both of us down financially.

The first time the slow cooker had been left on, I didn't notice for several weeks: my hydro bill nearly doubled.

Once I get some tools, I'll be better able to show some of the problems...

Now *69 feature is whacked.

8:20 pm - Dial *69 to find out if anyone has called. When my voicemail box is stuffed full of saved messages, I use *69 to see if anyone, other than the last person who left a message, has called me.

So I dial, and this older man magically answers the phone, "Hello?"

Confused, I say "Hello??" Then, we both wait. I ask, "Who's this?" And he replies, "Who's this?" I can't think of anything clever, so I say, "Just checking." His response: "Keep on checking."

Normally, if you dial *69, it rings and an automated message asks for your password, so you can access your voicemail. Pressing two digits CANNOT connect you to someone else's phone line.

If this was just one bizarre phone incident, I'd simply be surprised and a little amazed. But this is but one of sooooo many telephone anomalies.


(If link above doesn't work, use MisterPrivacy.com, then copy and paste http://oneadventure.tripod.com/id4.html.)

Canada's democratic future

I wanted to share some thoughts and links I recently distributed, regarding: media ethics, grassroots democracy, manual balloting, and Canada-US relations. Diverse coalition-building will be necessary to preserve even a small part of Canada's independence.

Canada's sovereignty and unity - not to mention basic democracy - are going down the tubes. And mainstream media's complicitness with corporate interests is speeding up the process. Shouldn’t there be a (proactive) think-tank for this issue?

See a Wired News article on journalism ethics.


CASE IN POINT: Recent Federal Election


1) Why is nobody questioning the use of *manual ballots*? Hello, US election?!


- This was an important -- and close -- federal election. NDP lost 10 seats by narrow margins, including two highly popular Toronto candidates (Peggy Nash, Olivia Chow). To say manual balloting is more 'accurate' and offers 'more control' is confounding at best. Yet people swallowed it. Wasn't the reason for introducing electronic balloting (as used in provincial elections) to improve accuracy, efficiency, and help reduce possibility of tampering?

[Edit: Based on U.S. election in November 2004, I take this back. Electronic ballots are probably just as bad, possibly worse. Also see thoughts on online voting.


'How I could have voted three times' - NOW Magazine, July 1-7, 2004

[Edit: Author manages to create this little adventure, write and submit this article for the very next issue, which starts the day after the election. Interesting - bizarre - impossible? Why do I question this? I believe public perceptions are being manipulated by indirectly displacing judgements based on race. Some groups are more easily scapegoated than others. To get an idea, see 'Questions about U.S. election.']


'Florida faces election fracas' - Wired News, June 14, 2004



2) Media examination of the various parties, and angles explored, was trite and predictable.

Consider this: we live next door to the world's biggest super-power; there are wars going on, which we are indirectly supporting.

- Similar to Afghanistan and Iraq, Canada is important to the US and its future agenda, both strategically and logistically. We should be examining things from this perspective.

- Right after taking power, Martin had an official visit with Bush and 'vibes were very, very good,' according to media (TTC electronic news). In this same period, Martin axed several heads of crown corporations.

- Piecemeal news events indicate Liberals under Martin (particularly in Ontario) are actively co-operating with US, yet still no major or alternative media outlets are researching the overall implications in any depth.



3) Maclean’s Peter C. Newman’s explanation for Liberals resurging popularity lacks street credibility.

- Perhaps the single largest factor boosting Liberals’ popularity was how much front-page media coverage party leader Stephen Harper and the New Conservatives got. ‘Good cop / bad cop’ interplay between Martin and Harper worked. It stirred palpable fear in people, moving some people to vote who hadn't done so in years, and causing many people to vote strategically, thus, abandoning the NDPs.

(Learn more about Canadian political parties: Thomson Nelson and Politics Watch



4) Analyzing post-election happenings.

a) Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney being considered for Air Canada board speaks volumes. [Award-winning journalist Stevie Cameron wrote a book about Mulroney and the Air Bus kickbacks scandal.]

- Unless citizens and institutions help keep corruption in check, Canada's integration/merger with the US will continue unabated. Canada will become part of the US war machine. PM Martin has already agreed to support weaponization of outerspace.

[Edit: After winning the 2004 elections, U.S. President George W. Bush has announced his first official visit to Canada.]


b) Former Liberal MP Dennis Mills is being considered to oversee Toronto Port Authority. Toronto – Rochester tradings and minglings are speedily underway. Large posters at Dundas-Yonge are already vaunting it as 'The New North' (...um, north of where exactly?)


There is an FBI presence in Toronto. Progressive and marginalized communities and organizations (including alternative media) are being monitored, infiltrated, and manipulated. Frightfully easy to do.

How will conscientious journalists help ensure responsible journalism, now and in future? It used to be one of this country’s key strengths – yet grassroots power is waning. Voices that critique are getting isolated and suppressed. Without depth and variety of information and perspectives, citizens are unable to make informed choices.

Democracy in Canada - and for the free world - is increasingly on the line. Not an understatement, if one considers how little real say and influence the vast majority of thinking people have, both in Canada and the US.

Innovative coalition-building will be necessary to preserve even a small part of Canada's political independence and freedom.


----------------------------------

This may seem out in left field, but the current 9/11 Truth Movement and the Citizens' Inquiry into 9/11 (Phase 1 held in San Francisco, Phase 2 in Toronto, and Phase 3 in New York this September) is critical to Canada's democratic future. This issue needs to be on every person's radar.


Toronto Star: 'Poking Holes in the Official Story,' May 28, 2004.

www.cooperativeresearch.org (**see 'Complete 9/11 Timeline')

www.911truth.org

Citizens' Inquiry into 9-11


(Sent email circulars before the election. This is a post-election compilation.)

Interesting week

Just before and after Canada's Federal Election (June 22 - July 3), I had a bunch of strange incidents. (notes to come)

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday: Wrong number call for 'Pierre' to help with NDP leafletting.

Saturday:

Sunday: Bounced email from Mayor David Miller to my mom's email box; neither of us have ever emailed City Council. I was staying at her place, so she assumed it must be for me somehow.

Monday: ELECTION DAY.

Tuesday:


Note: I got 4 calls concerning the election, yet I have an unlisted number. While discussing this with someone else, they said, 'Really? I didn't get any calls. I would've given them an earful!'