Author: Steve Murray

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Not News of the Week

It’s time for another edition of the weirdest and wackiest stories from around the world. It’s time for the not news of the week.

The most heinous of crimes was recently uncovered in Quebec. Thieves robbed a warehouse belonging to the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, making off with an estimated $30 million worth of maple syrup. The volume of maple syrup stolen hasn’t been released but the warehouse held 3.4 million litres of syrup which accounts for 10% of Quebec’s annual production volume and a quarter of the province’s maple syrup inventory. The province of Quebec is responsible for producing 75% of the world’s maple syrup meaning that 7.5% of this year’s total world production of maple syrup has gone missing. Time to start hoarding. Continue reading →

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F1 Italian GP: Need For Speed

It wasn’t quite as perfect as what his teammate did last weekend but it was a victory from pole for Lewis Hamilton in the Italian Grand Prix. Lewis’ win could be considered all the more impressive because this weekend has seen Lewis’ name closely linked with a seat at Mercedes GP starting next season. The Tifosi had something to cheer for as Ferrari-powered cars finished second through fourth but were unable to match McLaren’s pace. Continue reading →

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Sunday Link-Off: A Call To Action

It’s the end of the week. It’s go time for links. Conveniently enough, it’s also go time for the Italian Grand Prix so you’re probably not reading this immediately upon posting. Anyway, since we’re supporters of increasing the popularity of Canadians on the internet, here’s Rachelle Goulding.

I like to think that what we link on these linkdump posts are fact-checking links. However, it’s close so here’s a very detailed look at why Romney and Ryan must be defeated this November. (Kurt Eichenwald)

Documentary film maker Michael Moore has also weighed in with a call to action for people to do what they can to prevent a Romney presidency. (MichaelMoore.com)

The Republicans jumped on President Obama after the recent underwhelming job report. They didn’t mention that their obstructionist politics prevented a further job creation promotion plan from being passed. They’re too busy playing politics to actually try to help America. (Think Progress)

After the jump, an in-depth examination of Bill Clinton’s convention speech, a proper examination of why gay marriage isn’t evil and the Parks & Rec gag reel. Continue reading →

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Entertainment Link-Off: Out of Words

Howdy Lowdown Blogettes! Can I call our readers “blogettes?” Well, we’ll work on it. Anyway, you’ve probably figured out that I’ve drawn in for Jackie who down with a sickness. Not “the sickness.” He’s actually not feeling well so I’m covering for him. Anyway, there are a couple of big releases this weekend including The Words and Bachelorette starring Kirsten Dunst.

After the jump, the end of G4 TV, news on some future movie releases, TV casting updates and more. Continue reading →

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Caption This: September 1 – 7, 2012

Inspired by the Globe and Mail’s caption writing person, we waste our time writing funny picture captions for some of the more interesting photos we come across when blogging. So here are some of the best pictures from the past week with a funny (-ish) caption. Continue reading →

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Breakfast: The Most Important Meal of the Day (Infographic)

With school starting this week for Canadian students (from elementary through university), it’s important to remind everyone of the importance of how you start the day. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day but I didn’t believe it until I read some of the science behind that old adage. It turns out that breakfast will make you both smarter and healthier than if you skip it.

For this and more facts about breakfast, we have a handy infographic for your perusal. Continue reading →

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F1 Power Rankings: Italian Grand Prix

This week’s power rankings were a little more difficult to put together than usual. Hamilton and Grosjean wrecking five cars at the start of the race and completely changing the complexion of the Belgian Grand Prix makes it hard to figure out who are the hottest drivers coming out of F1’s summer break. However, based on qualifying and the 11 races that preceded Belgium, we have another ranking of the hottest drivers in F1 right now. With such a compressed end to the season, momentum is critical to a driver’s chances for the championship. The question is: Who has the momentum? Continue reading →

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Wednesday Link-Off: You Can’t Handle The Truth

There’s lie, damned lies and politics. I know that’s not how the saying goes but it may as well be given how the Republicans have run their Presidential campaign. Anyway, let’s start off with Nina Dobrev. 

Political reporters hate covering this year’s US Presidential election. They’re complaining that the campaigns are trying to control the narrative. Here’s an idea: Grow a pair and be reporters. Make them tell the truth and report the truth if they lie. (Politico)

The problem is that the Republicans’ lies have launched us into something you could call post-truth politics. (Grist)

The Republicans have jumped on the news that the US national debt has increased to $16 trillion. The problem with their glee is that their man is only going to make the debt much, much worse. (Talking Points Memo)

After the jump, more on the truths the Republicans are ignoring, a look inside the big business of ESPN and how the Rebels should have defeated Darth Vader. Continue reading →

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Join The Lowdown Blog Football Pick’em Pool

After our fantasy pool filled up, we meant to open another one but slightly forgot. To make up for it, we’re opening up a more casual and less time-consuming football pick’em pool. All you have to do is join our pool on ESPN.com (link below) and pick the winner of each game. To make the barriers to entry even less, it’s a straight pick’em so you don’t have to worry about the spread.

Click here to join The Lowdown Blog NFL Pigskin Pick’em Pool.

4 Comments Posted on by Steve Murray Video Games

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Review (or The Case Book of Detective Shepard)

Last week, BioWare released their second single-player DLC mission for Mass Effect 3. The Leviathan DLC was accidentally leaked in the code for June’s Extended Cut DLC. Two months later, we finally got our hands on Leviathan. The new mission takes the game for a dark and eerie turn over its three-hour play time for the price of $10. Those statistics put it right in line with Mass Effect 2’s Lair of the Shadow Broker but can ME3’s first post-launch single-player DLC stand up to the epic Shadow Broker DLC? Continue reading →