Pull The Other One

"Pull the other leg, it's got bells on" is a phrase I grew up hearing, familiar with it?

In other worms: "I find this to be factually untrue, are you trying to dupe me?"

Today I noticed that the article I mentioned in my last journal entry seems to have been deleted from the online version of our local newspaper.

The link provided in this journal entry no longer goes to the article, and searching for it gives the same result, it seems that the story was PULLED.
UPDATE: Aaaaand now it has magically reappeared, surprisingly, without any changes to the text. I have no explanation for the vanishing act this morning, or the reappearance this afternoon.
Marijuana and Media BIASDoes everyone who smokes pot bury a knife in their mom's neck?
http://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/5526877-questions-linger-after-not-criminally-responsible-verdicts/;send=false
Of course not, but let's link the two anyway.
You know what other drug also causes psychosis voices and delusions?
Alcohol.
Legal, relatively cheap, and readily available...yet I noticed Jeremy Grimaldi, journalist, only attempted to demonize cannabis.
Imagine if every case of alcohol-fueled violence was treated this way, with the 'journalist' saying alcohol can lead to addiction, psychoses, hallucinations, brain damage, impairment of motor-skills, and outright death from overdose, among other symptoms. 
http://www.psychtreatment.com/alcohol_related_psychotic_disorders.htm

When Jeremy Grimaldi says "Roelink’s story begins with an addiction to marijuana", he's overlooking one small detail.
The mental health issue that Andrew Roelink was dealing with, seeking help for, and hi

This isn't the first time the Georgina Advocate has published a story, delivered the paper to our doors, then removed or edited an article I commented upon from the online version.
Coincidence, I'm sure.
On one occasion, as I recall, the so-called 'crime reporter' confused methamphetamine with methadone.
I said his incorrect insinuation was detrimental to people who genuinely desired to ween themselves off opiates.

I also once commented negatively after Joe Fantauzzi insinuated, without any evidence, that a teenage runaway was a prostitute.
This kind of disgusting poison-the-well journalism raises my ire, and anyone who practices it will get my criticism.
Same goes for other professions.

If you are a cop who breaks the law, and I find out about it, I will be bringing it to the attention of the public, and those concerned, whenever possible.
If you are a politician who tries to doublespeak your way out of a jam, or if you practice deception through omission or outright lies, I will be telling everyone what I think about it.
If you are an educator who lies to children and parents, or participates in any other untoward activity, you can rely upon me to make my opinion available online and elsewhere.

Thanks to the legally questionable words and deeds of local 'authorities', I have altered my behavior, I no longer take anyone at their word anymore.

If you try and pull either of my legs, don't expect to get away with it...I've got bells on both of them, now.

Journalism is hard, just ask Tracy KibbleHere is a hopefully still ongoing exchange between the Editor of the Georgina Advocate, Tracy Kibble, and I.
This is the e-mail I sent to get the conversation started:
Have you been following the ball ban story coming out of Toronto, Tracy?
Here is today's journal entry, entitled 'Give me balls or give me death' 

I find it fascinating how some media deal with officials who overstep their authority in OTHER parts of Canada.
This brave approach is sadly lacking here in Keswick.
Your silence emboldens criminals in positions of power.
Saying nothing ensures there will be more corruption in Georgina.
"You can take our balls but you can't take our freedom" - Student at Earl Beatty School
"Just go the other fucking way" - "Constable" David Flood, explaining why Canada's Charter of Rights and Privileges are merely an option for York law enforcement officers.
"Question questionable authority" - Craig Wilkins
Sincerely
A victim of torture and persecution at the han SCHOOLING A JOURNALISThttps://twitter.com/KeswickPinhead/status/458303741624872960
The other day, Sun News' Brian Lilley, who calls himself a journalist, said that he would "call out" cops who broke the law, reguardless of the political leaning of the victims of police criminality.
The two men he was jumping to the aid of were protesting homosexuality, on school grounds.
Compare that situation to what happened here in Keswick
A senior citizen cancer patient and I walked across an empty soccer field.
We did not disturb the peace, like the guys Brian Lilley is championing.
 Our "crime" was taking the short-cut through a PUBLIC PARK, that everyone in the neighbourhood uses, to get to Lake Simcoe.
We were manhandled by the cops, and I was handcuffed and thrown in a cruiser, then a cell.
After an extensive fishing trip where I exposed a few cop lies, the charge leveled against me was 'trespassing'
They didn't lay the more serious charges they were considering because I had already shown interest in getting Why does Advocate FEAR the Truth?I posted the comment below this paragraph after a story about a ruling by the Ontario Press Council was published in the Georgina Advocate.  http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1227837--press-council-dismisses-police-complaint
The Georgina Advocate removed the comment, and changed the settings so nobody could contradict their biased take on the ruling....
Here is the opinion they were so frightened you might read that they deleted it, and curtailed any further public dissent:
    "We still have a right to hear the full story, reguardless of what yorkregion.com believes is appropriate.
    When Constable Styles was asked what happened, he chose to say "it's a long story".
    Idolizing and justifying ANYONE who conceals the truth is no longer something I consider wise, after enduring repeated lies, slander, and harassment from YRP cops.
    We the people, have a right to know ALL that transpired Question HONESTY of AdvocateThe Georgina Advocate recently ran a story about a Keswick man who is facing charges of child pornography. http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1309763--georgina-man-arrested-on-child-porn-charges
If this person is, in fact, guilty of the allegations made by the York Regional Police, then I hope the Judge punishes him to the full extent of the law....IF he is guilty.
   But here's the thing about the YRP and the Advocate, they don't always get it right, or act in an appropriate manner, when it comes to issues of morality and law and order.
    For instance, I believe it was reporter Joe Fantauzzi who gossiped about  an underage female, a run-away.
     He insinuated that she was a prostitute.
    Keswick is a small town, when someone makes allegations like that, which, by the way, were not backed by any CHARGES or PROOF, it makes the chance of reintegration into the community that much harder, R AUTHORIZED Ridicule Hatred and Contempt"Taxpayers are footing the bill for a defamation lawsuit filed by Georgina Mayor Rob Grossi" http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1281745--georgina-mayor-sues-former-employee
It sure must be nice to be able to dip into the pig-trough of our tax dollars to defend yourself against defamation.
    I too have been subjected to ridicule hatred and contempt, Mayor Grossi.
      I have also suffered personal embarrassment and humiliation at the hands of the authorities in Georgina and York Region, so I have some questions for the Mayor.
    
Were YOU treated like a criminal by lawless police, Mister Grossi?
Did YOU get handcuffed and have your arm nearly BROKEN in an assault by Constable Jeff Kerr, badge #1431?
Were YOU thrown in a cage and told you'd be locked up overnight by Criminal Cop Jeff Kerr?
Where's MY tax-funded lawyer, Mayor?
Where's MY apology, Rob?


:t Journalism and GrammarFar be it from me, a person who is NOT a "professional journalist", to give advice to someone who claims they are....OK, so maybe NOT so far....

....but I can't help but comment on a mistake that keeps being repeated by the local paper.
Joe Fantauzzi, the reporter who insinuated that an underage run-away was a prostitute, has continually started sentences like this:
"York Regional Police has...."
Or
"York Regional Police is...."
Or
"York Regional Police does not..."
The way I remember it, from PUBLIC school, is this:
if you are talking in the plural, it should be:
"York Regional Police HAVE..."
and
"York Regional Police  ARE...."
and
"York Regional Police DO not...."
"Don't" would also work in the last example.
You don't say:
"Thank goodness the police is coming"
or
"The Police has my trust"
or
"The Police does nothing"
This is particularly true in Georgina...where there are police that are far from trustworthy, and as for being relieved that Letters from the EditorI mentioned my concern about the literacy of the journalists at yorkregion.com in these journal entries.

Here is an e-mail from Georgina Advocate editor Tracy Kibble, explaining to me their view on correctly conveying collective nouns:
***************************************
Mr. Wilkins,
We are familiar with the grammatical rules regarding collective nouns. As well, we follow Canadian Press Style, which asserts: Collective nouns (groups of people and things) take a singular verb unless the individuals are to be emphasized.
In this case, York Regional Police, in reference to the organization, is singular.
Yes, 'thank goodness, the police are coming', is plural.
BTW,  our editors and writers - rather than simply rely on public school grammar lessons for guidance in writing and copy editing - have journalism degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions.
The Advocate editor
Tracy Kibble
****************************************
I suggested Advocate Advocates YOUR SILENCEThis article was posted online by yorkregion.com.
  http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1318764--youtube-video-fuels-publication-ban-debate#.T2Oz_ej4ENh.facebook
Oddly, it was NOT included in the latest edition of the Georgina Advocate Newspaper.
      The title of the article available online was:
     'YouTube video fuels publication ban debate'
It was followed by NO comment section.
Yorkregion.com disabled comments, because they're NOT INTERESTED in any REAL debate. They want THEIR opinion heard, and they are working towards ensuring YOURS isn't...in co-operation with  their pals the police.
It's like saying "We seriously need to discuss this, now shut up and fucking listen".
If anybody can give me a link to the youTube video mentioned in this article, I would be extremely grateful.
It's about time someone spoke out about the nasty gossip-hungry bullies in York Region.
I want this INNOCENT passenger, who t Be careful what you agree to"York Regional Police makes no representations, warranties or guarantees of any kind, express or implied, as to the content, sequence, accuracy, reliability, timeliness or completeness of any of the information or data provided herein".
So starts the document before the Crime Map http://www.yrp.ca/crimemap-disclaimer.aspx that I found out about from following yrp on Twitter.
To that statement I can wholeheartedly attest. From my experience I've concluded the York Regional police take no responsibility for accuracy, reliability, timeliness or completion of any of their duties.
But I will not be looking at the YRP Crime Map, because I would have to go on record as AGREEING to this statement:
"York Regional Police is committed to keeping York Region one of the safest places to live in Canada"
HOGWASH, and I told them so, sending them a tweet saying:
"FTFY York Regional Police are NOT committed to keeping York Region one of the safest places to live in Canada"
I couldn't help but fix this They want you to remain IGNORANTThe York Regional Police Budget is being negotiated in secrecy.
One of every three tax dollars spent in York Region goes to the police.
     Regional Councillor Danny Wheeler is quoted as saying "an open budget process will arm criminals with information about the operations of a police force" http://www.yorkregion.com/news/article/1274394--secrecy-shrouds-police-budget-process
      When GARBAGE theories like this are floated by Danny Wheeler and other law enforcement apologists, I am compelled to respond.
      This is an INSULT to the citizens of York....but let's extrapolate, and take it to it's illogical conclusion anyway, shall we?
- Teaching children to read will almost certainly arm some future criminals with information.
- Freedom of speech will arm criminals with information.
Should we burn books and close libraries and schools too, Danny?
Perhaps the public shouldn't have access to the inter Blame Your Dead VictimMOST of the witnesses where detained for hours, but Sharlene Simon and her husband Jules were allowed to leave.
One boy, Brandon Majewski, died. A result of being hit by Sharlene Simon's SUV.
Brandon's friend Richard McLean, 16, suffered serious injuries that will plague him the rest of his life, another boy escaped with less serious injury.
Questions about whether Sharlene Simon was speeding, impaired, or driving distracted (using her phone), were glossed over by Police.
No breathalyzer test was done.
Police didn't lay any charges against Sharlene Simon, they just let her and Jules go.
Did I mention the profession of Jules Simon?
Can you guess?
If you guessed that Jules Simon is a York Regional Police (YRP) "law enforcement" officer, go to the head of the class, but we haven't even begun the most DISGUSTING part of the story yet.
Sharlene Simon is SUING THE DEAD BOY and his mourning family, for "psychological suffering, including depression, anxiety, irritability and po