{CUPE Locals 416 and 79 on strike}

CUPE Locals 416 and 79 on strike

It's summertime - the season of strikes.

A strategy that nobody likes.

Twenty-four thousand off the job.

That's a pretty huge mob.

To the island, kids can't go.

City parks, should I mow?

In Christie Pitts

The garbage sits.

Left to fester.

What a disaster.

Transfer stations.

To their neighbours devastation.

Like Christmas morning for the local rats.

Will households be forced to adopt cats?

Tourism to disappear.

Way to make true another recessionary fear.

"Pay out our sick days", they say.

Would the private sector pay?

No way!

Fairness?

Or just greediness?

Thousands of autoworkers unemployed.

Of the economic climate, is your knowledge devoid?

Let me say it again.

Jot it down, if you have a pen.

Good luck rallying the sympathizers.

They'll be tough to find among the thousands fired.

If it's job security you want

Newsflash! Your jobs are stable enough to flaunt.

It's time for compromise

Or it's the city's demise.

As they say, timing is everything.

And times, they are-a-changing.

{The iPhone 3G S}

The iPhone 3G S

One day, it's state-of-the-art.

The next, you sell it for parts.

When technology moves this fast,

Even the latest gadgets don't last.

It's a vicious cycle.

Like a sprained ankle.

It makes me sweat.

But I try not to fret.

If you want the new iPhone,

You're not alone.

It's genius, indeed.

It feeds our need.

Can't afford the hardware?

I know, it's not fair.

It's just not right.

But at the end of the tunnel, there is a light.

With the new OS three point oh.

There's something for us, don't you know.

It's a free update.

And it's much more exciting than Jon & Kate.

It's available today.

Hooray!

Shake and shuffle.

Unwanted songs it will muffle.

Cut, copy and paste.

Helps you communicate with haste.

Finally send photos through MMS.

That has been lacking, I must confess.

These little gifts shows Apple does care.

And makes waiting for the fourth generation a pain we can bear.

We're strong enough, I swear.

{The new border security}

The new border security

Who are we electing?
Who are these people that feel we need this kind of protecting?
And what kind of policies are they erecting?

Needing passports to drive across the border.
Only making travel harder.

Or you could opt for those other 'special' documents.
Of these, they are also proponents.

All part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Intitive (WHTI).
Just what we need...(insert sigh).
Another legislated acronym that should curl up and die.

We ponder why our economies shrink.
It makes you wonder if our politicians think.

Please explain.
This strategy seems inane.
Where do I go to complain?

Is there a suggestion box?
Or shall I just throw rocks?

Who does the US fear?
The shoppers or the sports fans and their beer.

They say it's the threat of more Osamas.
Does this really seem like a fear of Obama's?

So practiced at being the bully,
Is it that they're afraid of others acting unruly?

Building up walls,
Forced to stay on our respective side of the Falls.

While Europe tears down its barricades
And their divisions fade.

Some say they're more tolerant
While others say they're ignorant.

Either way, their attitude doesn't seem so adolescent.

{Girl goes missing}

Girl goes missing

She disappeared.
Seemingly without fear.

But her mother would disagree.
She says her daughter's step lacked it's usual glee.

Her step had no skip,
Which was unlike her clip.

Weeks of searching
Led to nothing.

Growing suspicious.
Was this act malicious?

Two people caught.
They believed her cooperation would help a lot.

But nothing.
How devastating.

Now charged separately in her death.
A family holding its breath.

On what could have been, they dwell.
Eyes begin to swell.

They must try to forget.
Despite their regret.

Until you can watch them every minute of every day,
Teach them what you may.

You can only hope for the best,
And hope these lessons are never put to the test.

Look both ways before you cross the street.
Don't talk to strangers that you meet.