Tall Jon was a very good guy. He went before his time. 34 years old. Tall Jon's passage through the ages saddens all his friends. His obituary is viewable online at:
http://www.lifenews.ca/announcement/2876985-clement-jonathan-jon-ryan
I hope his last conscious thoughts included a sense of sadness he has caused his friends.
This pic of Tall Jon, Julie & I was on a boat cruise in Penetanguishine, Ontario with jam band Caution Jam. Good times. Great memories.
Enbridge's Line 9 pipeline crosses Highway Six. Thousands of folks travel this road daily.
How many of us know there may be toxic diluted bitumen beneath it?
It seems that Enbridge may soon get its way if it is permitted to reverse the old pipeline, Line 9, to carry heavy crude from Sarnia to Montreal, through the Westover Terminal in Hamilton.
It might seem a bit drastic to block a road to make a point about Line 9 reversal. This inconvenience today is a mild disruption. Imagine the inconvenience and risks of a tar sands oil spill. Those risks materialized in 2010 when Enbridge's Line 6, substantially similar to Line 9, ruptured in Kalamazoo, Michigan leading to the permanent evacuation of 100 homes and leaving an uncleanable mess in the River. Consider the recent diluted bitumen spill in Mayflower, Arkansas.
The Conservative government is fully backing the Line 9 reversal. They exempted it from an Environmental Assessment in the omnibus budget bill. The only regulatory body overseeing this is the National Energy Board.
The extremist Conservative government has taken drastic steps to stop
people from asking questions, discussing or opposing Enbridge's Line 9. This is totally unacceptable.
This morning commuters were met with a civil, friendly & informed group of protestors. Commuters were offered muffins, and provided information about Enbridge's Line 9 reversal project. Some commuters were informed already, others were sympathetic. The fact that some members of the public already have knowledge of Enbridge's plans with Line 9 is a good sign that shows not everyone believes misrepresentations and outright lies from Enbridge. This is crude oil for export, not for Canadians.
Not all travelers were informed or knowledgeable about the risks posed by diluted bitumen.
Perhaps the sight of the Native Confederacy Flag helped condition some antagonistic feelings from OPP police officers.
The Hamilton City Council and Hamilton Conservation Authority are opposed to having this project rammed through without consultation.
The National Energy Board offered only a two week window for people who want to so much as send a letter to fill out a 10 page application asking for permission to do so. The deadline passed last month, April 2013.
Thank you to Hamilton CBC's Adam Carter for following this story.
For Mr. Carter's coverage of this morning's protest, visit:
http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/05/06/hamilton-enbridge-line-9-protest.html
Big Lady Justice is thrilled at the arrival of her new second cousin, Violet Sumodobila.
No shrinking Violet! At only 2 mths old, Violet said, 'Hello!' to her grandparents when they visited last month from Europe.
Violet has big, beautiful eyes, an engaging smile, a healthy crop of hair. . . and receives loving attention from her family.
Last Sunday, baby Violet hung out with her parents Emma & Mark & Big Lady Justice at Mulberry St Cafe.
Violet took in the ambient sounds of the cafe, James St. North, the pedestrians, etc.
Violet visited us in Hamilton yesterday. Beautiful, warm day in the Hammer for a visit. Violet appears to fancy ceiling designs, unusual (gently chewed) cherry oak pull-out doors, bright chandaliers (details that adults might not notice right away).
Big Lady Justice is looking forward to spending more time with her new cousin Violet.
