Several parties from the left to the right, including the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP, observed the strike or bandh against the Congress party-led ruling coalition’s recent decision that boosted the price of gasoline by about 30 cents a gallon at a time when inflation is on the rise. The prices of other fuels such as kerosene and cooking gas also went up.

Schools, colleges and offices remained closed Monday in many parts of the country and flights were canceled, the Times of India reported. The capital New Delhi was partially affected with BJP workers disrupting movement of vehicles in some parts of the city, the report said.

From: Fuel price hike draws nationwide protest

In India, gas rises by 30 cents a gallon and the entire country goes on strike.

In Ontario, the government raises the price of gasoline the equivalent of 33-36 cents per (Imperial) gallon and we have a national holiday.

Way to bend over and take it, guys. Who voted for evil reptilian kitten eater from another planet (and notorious liar) McGuinty again?

Another election over, and big surprise, another Conservative minority with the Liberals the only party worse off than they were.

I have said it before – economy trumps environment every time. The global warming hype and hysteria is beginning to fade somewhat, but it isn’t gone yet. All I can hope is that the emphasis on carbon and warming will actually bring about a different kind of green shift: the overall awareness that we are polluting our environment with toxic substances daily, harming our water supplies, consuming irreplaceable resources and piling up wastes of all forms at an alarming rate.

If you are going to introduce “Green” taxes, they need to be based on something other than Carbon Dioxide. If you try and tax CO2, you tax EVERYTHING. That’s right, EVERYTHING. Food grown on farms? Fuel-burning equipment is needed to harvest and transport (and even package in some cases) all of it. Those prices rise. Home heating fuel? Headed up, up, up. Clothes? Goods? Appliances? Everything goes up, due to higher all-around manufacturing and transportation costs. This ridiculous idea that you can tax those things, make prices rise, and then give everything back as income tax credit is just wrong, no matter what economist you can get to speak on behalf of the “green shift”. Read the rest of this entry »

I compiled this from several similar but highly variable lists online. The geography of humans:

The Woman:

Up to 18, a woman is like China, developing at a sizzling rate with a lot of potential, but as yet still not free or open.

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa, half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful.

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe, well developed and open to trade, especially for those with cash.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like India, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.
Read the rest of this entry »