Monday, August 31, 2009
Former Montreal Alouettes quarterback Sam Etcheverry has died at age 79 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
The team announced Etcheverry's death Saturday in a news release.
Etcheverry, who spent the majority of his career with the Alouettes, was one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the CFL during the 1950s.
Nicknamed "The Rifle," he led Montreal to three straight Grey Cup appearances and was named the league's top quarterback in 1954.
Two years later, he became the first quarterback in league history to pass for more than 4,000 yards in a season.
Etcheverry set nearly every quarterback record in Alouettes history, finishing with 30,303 passing yards and 186 touchdowns while becoming one of the franchise's most revered players. He also holds league records for most passing yards in a Grey Cup game (508, in 1955) and most consecutive games with a passing touchdown (34, from 1954-56).
Following a trade to Hamilton and a short stint in the NFL, the six-time all-star returned to the Alouettes as a coach and led the team to the 1970 Grey Cup championship.
Peter Dalla Riva, a former Alouettes tight end who played for Etcheverry in 1970, recalled a coach who was well liked by the entire locker room.
"I met Sam when I started in Montreal in 1968," said Dalla Riva. "Then I only knew him by his reputation as a great player. I remember watching him when he came to Hamilton when I was growing up.
"I think we won the Cup because of him. He had so much respect from the players. He was so good to us compared to what we had before. He was a player's coach."
Dalla Riva said that in June, Etcheverry came to Montreal from his home in North Hatley, Que., for an Alouettes pre-season game and was in "good spirits." That night, they retired the jersey of Hal Patterson, who was Etcheverry's favourite target during his playing career.
"He and Hal put football on the map in Montreal," said Dalla Riva.
Etcheverry continued working with the franchise after his coaching days were over, serving as president of the team's alumni association even when the Alouettes didn't have a team.
Toronto Argonauts consultant Nick Volpe, who joined the CFL club as a safety, kicker and backup quarterback in 1949, fondly remembers Etcheverry as being a winner on the field and a class act off it.
"He was an outstanding quarterback for many, many years," said Volpe. "But he was also a gentleman.
"You couldn't help but like him."
Etcheverry was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
"All of us in the Canadian Football League feel a pang of sorrow, and a debt of gratitude, upon hearing of the passing of one of our legends, Sam Etcheverry," CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement. "He not only led his team on the field and later from the sideline; he was one of the superstars who helped lead our league into a modern, new age.
"Sam Etcheverry will be sorely missed, fondly remembered, and forever listed among the greats who carried our league forward, with each and every pass. Our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Details of Etcheverry's funeral will be released shortly, the Alouettes said in the release.
Monday, August 31, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Canada's approach to vaccinating people against swine flu is too slow to protect the most vulnerable, an editorial in Monday's Canadian Medical Association Journal says.
Health Canada has chosen to include an adjuvant — a substance used to stretch a vaccine's active ingredient and boost immune response to the serum — in the Canadian version of the vaccine against the H1N1 virus. Using an adjuvant requires a slower, more thorough licensing review process but ultimately allows more people to be immunized.
This approach is slower than providing the vaccine without adjuvant to high-risk groups to allow them to be immunized quickly, as the U.S., Europe and Australia are doing, Dr. Paul Hébert, editor-in-chief, and Dr. Noni MacDonald, senior editor of public health, said in their editorial.
"Time is running out," the doctors wrote. "Only by providing fast-track standard vaccine can high-risk groups be protected in a timely way, while the general public awaits the arrival of the adjuvant vaccine."
Protect high-risk Canadians
Complications such as severe acute lung injuries caused by the H1N1 pandemic strain have been mainly in adults, often First Nations people, those with chronic medical conditions and women late in pregnancy. Younger children have also been admitted to hospital at higher rates.
The earlier a vaccine is rolled for these high-risk individuals, the greater the chance to protect them before flu season peaks. It also reduces the burden on hospitals and scarce intensive care spaces, the editorial writers argued.
"Having enough vaccine for every Canadian would make more sense if the pandemic virus were highly virulent for large proportions of the population. But given current evidence, it seems a poorer choice than providing coverage to high-risk groups as early as possible."
Health Canada has chosen to treat this pandemic virus like a new subtype, which requires more extensive review and a slower rollout than if it were considered a variant strain of H1N1, the editorial writers said.
To protect the public, health professionals need access to standard vaccines by early October and vaccine with adjuvant no later than mid-November, they suggested.
The pair stressed they are not suggesting sacrificing safety, but highlighting the need to adjust plans quickly depending on the results of safety and effectiveness trials that will start to be completed soon.
Using an adjuvant might make sense if results suggest that the vaccine is not effective without it, but if results show a good performance from fast-tracked vaccine without the adjuvant, Canada currently has no way to license such a vaccine quickly, the editors said.
No one at the Public Health Agency of Canada was available to comment on Monday. But health officials have told CBC News they are currently studying possibilities for rolling out the the vaccine, and expect to release recommendations within weeks.
by James Heckley · 0
A Calgary woman who tried to throw a pie at Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach in July 2007 was sentenced Monday to 30 days in jail.
Lily Phan was found guilty in June of assaulting a provincial sheriff and resisting arrest at the premier's annual Calgary Stampede breakfast.
Stelmach had just finished speaking to the crowd when a woman carrying a cream pie stepped forward. Most of the pie hit an Alberta sheriff who was part of Stelmach's security detail. A small amount landed on the premier's shoulder.
As Phan was swiftly handcuffed and hauled away, she yelled a comment about homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in Calgary.
In June, the Crown asked for Phan to receive a 30-day sentence, but her lawyer argued she should receive no time in jail since it was her first offence.
In 2003, former Alberta premier Ralph Klein was hit by a pie in the face during his stampede breakfast. A man was sentenced to sentenced to 30 days in jail and 40 hours of community service.
by James Heckley · 0
Thursday, August 27, 2009
By this time next month, about 150 nudists will be cast out of the province’s oldest naturist retreat because their 100 acres of Eden is being sold to a private owner.
The several dozen nudists who live within Glen Echo’s grounds on campsites got their eviction notices on Tuesday.
“We have to be out by Oct. 1,” said Keith Scott, a member since 1995.
“We’re all very disappointed. You suddenly lose your second home, our home away from home.”
The nudist movement in Ontario had its genesis with Glen Echo Park, which was founded in 1955 as a co-operative. Most in the community got their first taste of naturism at the site, which is nestled along the Oak Ridges Moraine in King Township. In its mid-1990s heyday, as many as 350 families were members.
But in recent years, interest in the movement has sagged across the world.
Glen Echo’s owners, Mary and Edward Todorowsky, are approaching 80. Off and on Since 2005, they’ve been trying to sell to someone within the nudist community, who would keep their sanctuary open.
But after fours years of trying and several failed offers, the Todorowskys gave up. The property was sold for a rumoured $2 million.
Many members say they’re worried about where to go next.
There are three other nudist resorts in and around the GTA — Four Seasons, Ponderosa and Bare Oaks, which is not far from Glen Echo.
“Losing a club is not good for naturism,” said Stéphane Deschênes, who owns Bare Oaks. “It just means there’s less space. So many people have grown up in Glen Echo. It’s just really sad.”
Hoping to attract a younger crowd, both resorts are moving away from the old “roughing it with nature” mentality by installing plumbing, electricity hook-ups for trailers and satellite television.
“We just added WiFi,” said Four Seasons manager Tom Landers. “I’ve been talking to the owner of Bare Oaks and both of us feel that this market is in its infancy.”
The pair even discussed launching joint marketing to promote the naturist lifestyle, which Deschênes explains is about being at one with nature and not about being naked.
Reached at Glen Echo, it’s apparent Edward Todorowsky isn’t thrilled about losing the camp. He and his wife had hoped to live on the property under the new ownership.
“It’s a private matter,” he said. “I really have to go, we only have a short time to move.”
Thursday, August 27, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
by James Heckley · 0
Even though her Twitter says she knows who robbed her… and it was someone close…
What do you think?
by James Heckley · 0
Yet another original Jon Lajoie's awesome songs.
by James Heckley · 0
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Absolutely a great spoof!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Monday, August 24, 2009
Professors Christopher Danforth and Peter Dodds, of Vermont University, analysed words used in 2.4 million internet blogs such as Twitter, giving a score out of nine depending on how positive they were.
Words like free, fun, and rainbow all scored above eight, while words such as betray, cruel, hatred and suffocate all scored less than two.
Saturday and Sunday rated predictably well but, perhaps surprisingly, Monday came out as the second happiest day of the week, partly because people were still reminiscing about the weekend. However by Wednesday, these feelings had subsided.
Professor Danforth said: "People's daily experience is being reflected somewhat in what they're saying. And this is more of a story, we think, for Twitter messages, which we've just started to pay attention to, about a year ago.
"They think they are communicating with friends, but since blogs are public we're just looking over their shoulders.
"The weekends tend to be fairly happy and Wednesday turned out to be the saddest day."
He said using the internet in this way enabled them to rate happiness based on higher numbers of people than previous studies.
"What we're attempting to do is measure collective happiness on a much larger scale, similar to measuring the temperature outside," Professor Danforth said.
"The energy of a few molecules bouncing around doesn't give a good indication of heat, you need billions or more."
Monday, August 24, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Sunday, August 23, 2009
This is a really cool song about being Canadian. and it'a awesome!!! Go subscribe to them at http://youtube.com/gunnarolla
5/5 stars!
Sunday, August 23, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Miley Cyrus is locked in a bitter war of words with her ex-boyfriend Justin Gaston.
The 'Hannah Montana' actress - who split from the underwear model in June after around a year of dating - traded insults with Justin through cryptic messages on their Twitter blogs.
Justin started the argument by writing on his page: "People mistake stupidity for bravery way too easily."
Miley, 16, quickly replied: "Yeah. I love when people mistake bravery with writing a few stupid tweets trying to make it seem like they don't care. You're afraid to love."
The pair have remained in touch despite parting ways, and Miley appears to still harbour feelings for the 21-year-old hunk.
Last week, she penned a series of heartfelt messages for her former boyfriend.
She wrote: "I am in between happy and sad today. I'm happy because I love you. I'm sad because I can't get enough of you."
Since the break-up, Miley and Justin have been constantly posting their feelings about one another and the split on Twitter.
Justin wrote: "Just recorded a demo. Now I'm sitting on the couch wondering why we as humans try to pretend everything's OK when it isn't. Just be real."
Miley replied: "Everything IS ok. Honestly. I can't change you're mind and your heart no longer belongs to me. Maybe YOU'RE the one pretending you're fine (sic)."
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Monday, August 17, 2009
WHITEHOUSE, TX (KLTV) - The school year is almost here, and if literature of the Bible is not already offered in your child's school, it will be this fall.
Books are a common sight in classrooms around the nation, but the Bible is one book that is not. Come this fall, a Texas law says all public schools must offer information relating to the Bible in their curriculum.
"By the end of the year, what they begin to realize is that it is pervasive. You can't get away from it. The kids came back and were like 'It's everywhere,'" said John Keeling, the social studies chair at Whitehouse High School. Whitehouse already offers a Bible elective. "The purpose of a course like this isn't even really to get kids to believe it, per se, it is just to appreciate the profound impact that it has had on our history and on our government."
The law actually passed in 2007, but this will be the first school year it is enforced because the bill says, "The provisions of this act pertaining to a school district do not take effect until the 2009-2010 school year."
This has gained mixed reactions from East Texans.
"I think it is a good thing because a lot of kids don't have that experience, and they already want to take prayer out of school as it is, and you see where our kids are ending up!" said Tyler resident Laura Tucker.
Tyler resident, Havis Tatum, disagrees with Tucker.
"I don't want anybody teaching their religious beliefs to my child unless they want to send their child to my house and let me teach them my religious views," said Tatum. "There is no difference."
School officials said schools have not enforced the law because of confusion over the bill's wording and lack of state funding.
For now, each school district must find a way to fill the requirement before the seats are filled with students.
We would like to know what you think about this story. Click here to leave your comments and read the contents of Texas House Bill 1287.
Monday, August 17, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Sunday, August 16, 2009
You know what Lockerz is? Well it's basically lick Swagbuck where you earn free money by playing games and stuff and at the end you can buy something like a iPod and it's complete free and real! They actually send it to you!
Well the site is invite only and if you want an invite, email me at mysteryx294@gmail.com with a legit email and I'll send you an invite! I can only send out 50 invites a day so first come first serve!
It's now or never!
Sunday, August 16, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Saturday, August 15, 2009
go to http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/jamesheckley and sign up for swagbucks and just by using their search engine, you can win free stuff like ipods and laptops! go !!! doo !! it!!
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/jamesheckley
Saturday, August 15, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Monday, August 10, 2009
This is some shocking and disturbing video evidence of a Columbus, Ohio policeman (gender not specifically defined on video). near about 3/4 of the video there is clearly footage of the elderly woman's head bleeding. Please help spread the news about this incident by going to the video and "sharing" is on the web. With the Internet, we can make a difference and make justice for people like this elderly woman who was clearly and undeniably a victim of an abuse of power and force by idiotic armed forces.
Monday, August 10, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hey subscribers and readers of the WTH Blog. I am just writing this to apologize for the fact that I haven't writen a blog in a while or so. I've been caught up in some other important work and exams that I just didin't have time to research any news and write about it.
Please forgive me on this for I will start writing more blogs beginning Aug. 10 when all my other work will be finished an over. I'll try to have at least 3 blog posts a week.
Thanks you for reading and spending your time on the WTH Blog where ever you are reading this either on Wordpress, or Blogger or Tumblr or even Xanga...and Multiply and IMeem...That was just my random moment to list some of the blogs I have that this Ping.FM is going to distribute to...
Friday, August 7, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
This is photos of Vanessa Hudgens ...porno?!?
http://ping.fm/EH2Py
Wednesday, August 5, 2009 by James Heckley · 0
The Xbox 360 Pro has been known to be the middle ground between Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Arcade and their Xbox 360 Elite. Before continuing I want to list the specs that separate these different consoles to help elaborate the magnitude of the situation.
Xbox 360 Arcade: $199.99
-Wireless controller (Matte white)
-Composite AV cable
-HDMI 1.2 output (Cable not included)
-Internal 256 MB memory chip
Xbox 360 Pro: $299.99
-Wireless controller (Matte white)
-Xbox 360 Headset (Matte white)
-Ethernet cable
-Hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical out instead of a composite cable
-Detachable 60 GB hard disk drive
-HDMI 1.2 output (Cable not included)
Xbox 360 Elite: $399.99
-Wireless controller (Matte black)
-Xbox 360 Headset (Matte black)
-Ethernet cable
-Hybrid composite and component cable with optional optical out instead of a composite cable
-Detachable 120 GB hard disk drive
-HDMI 1.2 output (Cable included)
It is plain to differences between the consoles, but eliminating the Xbox 360 Pro can only mean one thing, price cuts! The Xbox 360 Elite will soon decrease in price due to the loss of an Xbox 360 family member, the pro. This price decrease also serves to fight off Microsoft’s competitor game console manufacturers, such as Sony and Nintendo. This competition is a huge bonus to the gaming community, because as these game consoles become cheaper, the overall culture will grow in population.
by James Heckley · 0
A Chinese teenager sent to an internet addiction rehabilitation camp has allegedly been beaten to death by its counsellors, according to reports.
A number of employees of the Qihang Salvation Training Camp in Nanning have been arrested over the death, his father Deng Fei told the Global Times.
The camp had promised to put Deng Senshan, 15, under 24-hour supervision.
China is increasingly taking action against what it sees as a pandemic of web addiction.
Some estimates suggest up to 10% of the country's 100 million teenage web users could be addicted, and a growing number of rehabilitation services exist.
However, there is little consensus on how to treat the addiction. In July, China's Ministry of Health formally banned the use of electroshock therapy as a treatment option.
According to the China Daily newspaper, an agreement the teenagers' parents signed with the camp said: "The centre can take necessary approaches including punishment to educate the teenager, as long as the approaches will not abuse the child or impair his health."
Camp staff are alleged to have put the teenager in solitary confinement on Saturday and then beaten him that evening.
by James Heckley · 0






