It’s time for the best race of the Formula One World Championship season! I might be a little biased but the Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve always proves to be one of the more interesting Grands Prix that we see each season. Either we get some great battles or something incredibly weird happens or there’s a highlight reel crash. The teams love the party atmosphere in Montreal and the fans love the racing action in Montreal. This race is a win-win for everyone involved.
Canada
Sunday Link-Off: The Road to 2016
I don’t know about the rest of you but I was really, really busy last week. I thought that weeks before and after long weekends were supposed to be fairly easy. Instead, I’m busier this week and weekend than I have been at any point in the last six months. I’m not sure that I can call this a holiday weekend.
But enough of my petty bitching and moaning. I can’t imagine anyone else cares. So let’s just do the Sunday links. Since it’s a Canadian long weekend, let’s kick off with Canadian actress Nina Dobrev.
It’s been a long time since “mission accomplished” was declared in Iraq but it may play a big part in how the 2016 Presidential candidates security and diplomacy policies are evaluated. (Washington Post)
It’s not just his own record that Jeb Bush will be running on. He’ll also be judged on the actions of Bush’s past. (New York Times)
With new agreements for direct publishing onto Facebook, the likes of the New York Times and BuzzFeed could be compromising their editorial standard for traffic. (TKTK)
Wednesday Link-Off: Budget Blues
You know that you’re gearing up to an election when everyone is talking about the federal budget. I haven’t really gotten into the nitty-gritty of the budget yet but some of what I’ve read about how it’s been put together kind of scares me. That Vice article downright terrifies me.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for us to do the links. Since we’re talking a lot about the Canadian budget, let’s kick things off with Renee Young.
Yesterday was federal budget day in Canada. It’s 500+ pages of campaigning for the Conservative government. (MacLean’s)
By the way, the budget is balanced. That’s thanks to taking money from the Government’s reserve funds which leaves the country in vulnerable financial shape should the economy get worse. (Vice)
Speaking of upcoming elections, rather than deal with a minority government, Canadians want a coalition government. Bad news for the Conservatives? (Toronto Star)
Sunday Link-Off: Meanwhile, in Canada
You know, I’m getting worse and worse at time management. I’m trying to write stuff for The Lowdown and et geekera while holding down a job and trying to have other hobbies. That’s why today’s SLO comes in three hours later than normal. I didn’t get this done until an hour before it went live. And now, it’s immediately on to the next post(s). There ain’t no rest for the wicked.
Anyway, it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Canadian model (though not the democratically voted Hottest Canadian) Danielle Knudson.
The Jian Ghomeshi scandal might be finally coming to an end. The CBC has issued its internal report and cut ties with their now former head of radio and HR director. (Toronto Star)
The Harper Government’s so-called anti-terrorism legislation will undergo its final vote in the Commons this week. People aren’t happy. (Sun Media)
Political discourse is dead in America. The problem is that it’s not much better in Canada. Yes, I realize that right-wingers will find this link following the previous to be ironic. (National Post)
Wednesday Link-Off: Not the Onion
I know that there are some people and even major news agencies who get tricked by satirical news agencies like The Onion but with some of the news stories that come out are so out there that you can understand how these satirical stories can be mistaken for real. Some of the stories in today’s linkdump fall along those lines but we do have some serious stories in here too.
Anyway, it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick off with Kristen Bell.
Remember the Secret Service’s prostitution scandal of 2012? Well, the DEA had them beat. They’ve been having sex parties with prostitutes since 2001. (Associated Press)
Former Ontario deputy minister of education Ben Levin plead guilty to child pornography charges. The problem is that he’s admitted to more than just simple child porn and not been charged. (National Post)
After a 15-month pilot project, Hamilton Police have launched a program that will see mental health workers join police on the frontlines when they receive calls that may involve a mental health issue. (CTV News)
The 2015 Hottest Canadian Is…
Our second Hottest Canadian bracket ran three weeks instead of the four that we ran the original over but we also had more votes this time. After a successful run from 32, the one woman left standing at the end of the battle is…
Continue reading
2015 Hottest Canadian Final: Laura Vandervoort vs. Trish Stratus
Our second Hottest Canadian bracket has taken us from 32 of the hottest Canadian women in the world to 16 to 8 to 4 and now to the last two women standing. As was the case the last time, the favourites have fallen to the side and we are left with two underdogs battling to be crowned the hottest woman from Canada.
In one corner is retired seven-time women’s wrestling champion turned yoga guru Trish Stratus. In the other corner is actress Laura Vandervoort who is looking to join former Smallville castmate Kristin Kreuk who was our first Hottest Canadian champion.
Who will be crowned the Hottest Canadian of 2015?
2015 Hottest Canadian: Final Four
After two weeks of voting, the 2015 Hottest Canadian bracket has gone from 32 competitors to the final four. While the 2012 Hottest Canadian bracket had four actresses in the final four, this time, we have one actress, one former pro wrestler and two models. After three upsets in four matchups in the elite eight, will we have any more in the second-to-last round?
Voting will continue through to late Thursday with the Hottest Canadian grand final starting on Friday night and voting on that continuing through Monday night.
2015 Hottest Canadian: Elite Eight
From 32 to 16 to the Elite Eight. The 2015 edition of the Hottest Canadian showdown has reached the regional finals stages with two women left in each region. In the Sweet Sixteen, we had two #1 seeds go down including #1 overall seed Danielle Knudson and defending Hottest Canadian champion Kristin Kreuk. Of these remaining eight, one will be the new Hottest Canadian.
Who will make it to Hottest Canadian Final Four? Voting starts today and builds to the Final Four on Monday.
Wednesday Link-Off: The Wroad to WrestleMania.
I’m pretty sure that I warned you guys on Sunday that there were wrestling links coming. Wrestling Christmas comes but once a year. But since I didn’t watch New Japan until WrestleKingdom 9 in January, I guess we have to settle for being excited about WrestleMania 31. But there are plenty of links to read that are about more than just Vince McMahon’s ego.
Anyway, it’s Wednesday which means that it’s time for us to do the links. Let’s kick things off with Natalie Dormer. Good time to reminds you that Game of Thrones is back next month. I’m looking forward to it.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that the new national security bill should be fast tracked because everyone supported it. He might want to pump his brakes because the reality is the exact opposite. (Metro)
Talk about irony. The Republicans might get embroiled in their own birther controversy over prospective Presidential nominee Ted Cruz. (Washington Post)
Loblaw’s has a new plan to cut down on waste. They’re taking less aesthetically pleasing produce and selling it for a discount rather than tossing it in the garbage. (Think Progress)
The Lowdown 