Daily Quote(s)

Today, General Stanley A. McChrystal was fired from his post as the commander of American forces in Afghanistan after a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House. Obama called McChrystal in for the meeting after he made comments criticizing administration officials and the War in Afghanistan policies in a highly-publicized Rolling Stone article.

While I tried to find one quote that exemplified McChrystal's detraction from the administration, there was just too much gold to choose from. So here is a series McChrystal quotes taken directly from the Rolling Stone article that best exemplify the former commander of American forces in Afghanistan:

"How'd I get screwed into going to this dinner? I'd rather have my ass kicked by a roomful of people than go out to this dinner. Unfortunately, no one in this room could do it."

- Referring to a dinner in Paris where he is to deliver a speech.The article goes on to describe McChrystal as a man who hates anything too "Gucci."

"All these men, I'd die for them. And they'd die for me."

- At an Irish pub in Paris called Kitty O'Shea's, referring to his inner circle of military advisors, who at the time of this comment, the writer of the article describes as "completely shitfaced."

"We've shot an amazing number of people."

- Referring to the civilian death toll in Afghanistan as a result of the war.

"I ask you what's going on in your world, and I think it's important for you all to understand the big picture as well. How's the company doing? You guys feeling sorry for yourselves? Anybody? Anybody feel like you're losing? Strength is leading when you just don't want to lead. You're leading by example. That's what we do. Particularly when it's really, really hard, and it hurts inside."

- During a discussion with two-dozen soldiers in a tent on an army base in Afghanistan.

"The Russians killed 1 million Afghans, and that didn't work."

- Referring to the idea that American forces can not kill their way out of Afghanistan.

"Even Afghans are confused by Afghanistan."

- Referring to the wild, tumultuous history of Afghanistan

Read the full Rolling Stone article by Michael Hastings here.

C&C Presents: a list of things you will not be able to do in Toronto this weekend

As the G20 Summit gets set to rock Toronto this weekend, make no mistake: this is not TIFF or the Virgin Music Festival. Toronto will literally be ground to a halt as 20* of the most important people in the world flood the city.

Here are just some of things you will not be able to do in the city this weekend:

• The CN Tower: it'll be closed to the public but the elaborate lighting effect system that was added a few years ago will be used to display the flags of visiting nations. Wonder how much that'll cost? Expect rolling blackouts as visiting delegates snap a salute to their 553-meter flag.

• The Rogers Centre: closed too, but we can hypothesize that should city jails become overcrowded, Rogers will be quick to offer up their massive containment facility. Katrina, anyone?

• See a show: all Mirvish theatres will be curtained for the entire week, and many others will be dark this weekend. Not such a downer, since the streets of Toronto will likely be dramatic enough for any critic's tastes.

• The Art Gallery of Ontario: closed for the weekend. However, thanks to protesters, the AGO will be presenting a selection of defaced public spaces when they reopen with a new collection entitled "Fenced Out."

• A club: Yeah, Richmond will be closed off this weekend, so anyone looking to let lose in the Entertainment District will have to settle for Guvernment, Queen West, College West, or if you're feeling really adventurous, Dundas & Sherbourne. There aren't any clubs there - just a lot of crack and guns.

• Go to work: if you are one of the thousands who work in the King & Bay towers, stay home. The Financial District will grind to a halt this week - ironic, considering the G20 Summit is all about finance and economics. Oh well, Canada's economy is doing better than most.

• Second City: it lies within the security perimeter "Red Zone" as it is being called, so there will be no laughs in Toronto this weekend. But hey, I hear that Karate Kid movie is good.

• Drive around: as if Toronto couldn't get any worse for motorists. Well, it will this weekend so DON'T DRIVE!

• Travel: since all the world leaders are expected to arrive and depart through Pearson International, the airport is expected to be a zoo. Union Station is also closed, with some GO and Via trains rerouted to Oakville - but not all. The TTC expects intermittent delays along all lines above and below ground, the PATH system will be closed, and as already mentioned, driving is out.

• Walk about freely: with thousands of cops on the streets, expect random bag checks, security check points, street closures, snipers, helicopters, and those are in the safe areas. If you happen to find yourself in the midst of a protest, expect sound and water cannons, riot police, tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and Tazers. Careful, RCMP, you don't need another one...

That's just a short list of some of the things you will not be able to do. I should also mention if you are looking to catch a glipmse of your favorite celebrity world leader, you will be out of luck. Thanks to the 3-meter high security fence, you won't be able to see a thing. I guess we'll all just have to rely on the fair and impartial media to provide us with the details of these G20 meetings.

Oh God, it's going to be a long week.

*CORRECTION: Although the G20's name would suggest twenty major leaders, there are in fact 25 nations (including six guest nations not typically part of G20 events), 2 regional organizations (the European Council and the European Comission), and seven international organizations participating in this summit. For a detailed list of participants, click here.

Daily Image

The Great Fake Lake was unvieled today at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place. The lake, with a price tag of $57,000, is part of the $1.9 MILLION Experience Canada tourism pavillion in the G20 media centre. The outrageous cost of the media centre, and specifically the fake lake, became a contentious issue in the House of Commons in past several weeks. The lake itself became the icon of the controversial $1.2 BILLION cost of the G20 Summit.

Full story here.

The Prize: The Epic Quest for Oil, Money, and Power

The Prize is an incredible eight-part documentary series that tells the story of petroleum from its first discoveries through its critical role in industrializing the world. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name by Daniel Yergin, the series follows the history of oil from the 1850's when oil was first extracted and marketed in the United States through the 1990's and the first Gulf War.

It is an incredibly fascinating tale and could not be more topical. As the industrialized world struggles to come to terms with volatile oil prices, dependency on foreign sources, oil depletion, climate change, and of course, industrial spills, The Prize offers enlightenment on a subject that we are all completely dependent on for our way of life yet most of us know little about.

The Prize is narrated by Donald Sutherland and contains hundreds of candid interviews, scientific data, and historical footage. Watch the complete series on Google Video.


Chapter One


Chapter Two


Chapter Three


Chapter Four


Chapter Five


Chapter Six


Chapter Seven



Chapter Eight