I regularly get emails that are meant for an ex-Congressman and former Mayor of Minneapolis, also named Donald Fraser. I’ve previously contacted him to let him know that I receive these misaddressed emails. I’ve never heard back. The latest one — received just now — is about “morality in media” and urges people to write the FCC about changes to television standards that could possibly lead to more swearing and nudity on broadcast television. It is a “think about the children!” type message that Americans truly specialize in.

The sender did not “blind carbon copy” the note, meaning that there is a list of about 75 people that this email could be replied to.

I know it is wrong to mischievously act as a very influential former American politician and to reply to all of the people on the list. But what an excellent opportunity to state that the bigger issue is actually the amount of gun violence on television and the impact that this has on young impressionable minds. That a nipple never blew anyone’s head off.

Yes, it is oh-so-tempting to hit “reply all.”

Maybe, just maybe, I’d stop getting his emails.

The Q Media Panel agrees: Star coverage of the Fords has been too much for too long.

Actually, that’s not true. If you follow me on Facebook and Twitter, you probably heard it there first.

In the early days of the Rob Ford “Crackgate” story, I was quick to point out that the Toronto media (in particular, the Star, but they were hardly alone in this respect) had been going after the Ford brothers in a way that questioned objectivity for far too long — and that quite a few people were likely to question the gleeful coverage of the crack story due to the longstanding feud that seemed to exist between the media and Bob Rob and Doug.

Not too long afterwards, I blogged about it.

Turns out that I was pretty much bang on.

Here the Q Media Panel, for the most part, echo my sentiments.

And here are some stories on recent polls that speak volumes:

Globe: Rob Ford’s Approval Ratings Remarkably Steady

The Star: Rob Ford’s Popularity Unaffected

CTV: Torontonian Evenly Split in Their Belief of Rob Ford Crack Allegations

Now, what would be interesting would be a poll that questions the effect of the media on how Torontonians view Ford — and on whether or not Torontonians believe that the media is being objective in covering both this story and the Ford brothers in general.

But, of course, you’re not going to find a mainstream media outlet in Canada willing to pay for that bit of research.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: There is enough damning evidence — even without these latest scandals — to suggest that the Fords should be removed from office. And I also think that it is highly unlikely that reporters from major news outlets are going to risk their careers by making up a story about a fake videotape. Or another one about hash dealing.

But the media sure hasn’t done itself any favours in how they’ve covered this Mayorship — or the scandals that have arisen during it.

More often that not, they’ve been guilty of making themselves a major part of the story.

And that, folks, is just lousy journalism. It is also one of the reasons why the Ford brothers are (somewhat) successfully taking on the roles of underdogs and heroes. At least with a substantial segment of the Toronto population.

Fires are easy to start, but difficult to manage. And it is surprising how often controlled burns blow out of control.

This edition sees us taking a Canadiana angle, focusing on, among many other folks: a Mountie, a now unmuzzled government scientist, a CBC mover and shaker, an aboriginal music promoter, and a successful curling team. In order to cap off the magazine, we drizzled it with maple syrup and lit it on fire from the Peace Flame on Parliament Hill. It gave off an odor reminiscent of frying donuts.

My editorial catches some of this spirit by conjuring images of Bob and Doug, hockey, back bacon, and beer.

As always, enjoy responsibly.

She takes you through the process of planning your garden, picking and prepping your site, planting, and garden management. It’s truly a tasty read.

A few excerpts:

Calgary Roughnecks star, Shawn Evans, is currently leading the National Lacrosse League in scoring. Again. The Peterborough Native cut his teeth in lacrosse playing for the Junior and Senior Peterborough Lakers and making life rough for teams in nearby Whitby and Brooklyn.

“Just being there to play catch or to help you learn skills is a big thing,” he says. “And having them cheer you on and believe in you.”

* * *

It is one of those ultimate cross-training sports. Take a look at the number of really great hockey players that came from a lacrosse background: Brendan Shanahan, Joe Nieuwendyk, NHL fitness guru, Gary Roberts…”
And then, of course, there is the Great One.

Wayne Gretzky has gone on record countless times stating that lacrosse made him a better hockey player – a ringing endorsement from one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Created by Small Print.

Really, I’m all for cutting the Ford’s some slack in the boozing and doping department. What they choose to do when not at work is up to them.

There’s no place for the state in the bongs of the nation.

But here’s the dealio, kids: If, as an elected official, you have transgressed, then fess up. Don’t make things worse by trying to bury it. And definitely don’t take an absolute “tough on drugs/tough on crime” stance if you used to carry your hash by the brick, get caught with a joint in your pocket by Florida State troopers, or like to share a pipe or two of foo foo dust with your gangsta homies.

(I know, I know… allegedly).

What bothers me about the Fords — in particular, Rob — is the fact that they have an astonishing track record for lying.

Rob Ford is a guy who has lied about drinking and driving, lied about past drug use, lied about drunken belligerency and threats of violence, lied about just plain ol’ threats of violence, lied about domestic disputes, lied about how he spends his work time and the taxpayers’ dollars, lied about lying, and probably lied about things we still haven’t bothered to follow up on.

Now, that should be seen as problematic. It means that Toronto can no longer trust their mayor to tell the truth. Period. Actually, they probably shouldn’t have trusted him with truth before he was even elected.

It’s a story that needs to be covered.

That said, I can’t help but think that the Toronto-based media — in particular the Star, but also other local and national outlets — are showing some pretty lousy journalism. And appear to be acting on vendettas.

Coverage is non-stop and, often, gleeful.

Over the top. Frequently unsubstantiated.

And it concerns me.

At some point public opinion is going to turn. You can only publicly chase, hack, bash, and accuse a family for so long before: a) people tire of it, and b) you lose credibility.

And we’re almost there on both counts.

I’ve heard more and more people saying “enough is enough.”

The last thing that Toronto needs is Rob Ford the folk hero.

Tell the story. Don’t sell it.

Cedar the Dog, under the tiny Small Print desk, after the dandelion incident.

If I stand, carefully still, I can actually watch the grass grow. It seems like just Sunday that I spent two hours hacking it back.

And now it stares at me, menacingly. Growing taller. Gaining strength.

Moments ago, at the reaction to a loud popping sound, I twirled to see a dandelion materialize on the lawn. It bobbed its head at me. And winked.

Cedar the dog jumped to action — rushing and barking, losing her little doggie mind.

Before she could get too far, another one popped up. And then another crept from the soil, zombie-like, a malicious look in its lion eye. Two more surfaced, wrapping around Cedar’s front paws and slowly pulling her down. The grass seemed to just grow itself over her.

Letting her fend for herself, I backed my way slowly inside. There will be other dogs, I suppose.

This past weekend of grunting yardwork, I fear, is but a small hint of things to come.

This weekend, I may need to use the machete. The flame-thrower. The last of my physical reserves.

But I won’t back down, friends. I’ll continue to fight.

If not for the dog, then at least for you. Maybe for me.

But mostly for my wife.

Who, after all, seems to actually like yardwork. And seems to think that I enjoy it too.

Wish me luck. Wish me at least a little success.

And God’s speed.

May your lawn die the death that it truly deserves.

* * *

Epilogue:
From my front parlour window, I could hear a young girl walking and singing her way down the street.

“Mommy had a baby and her head popped off.”

I glanced out to see her flicking the flowerhead off of a dandelion stem. In zeal.

Perhaps it is this type of folkloric weed malice that has caused for the dandelion invasion.

For larger versions, please click on the images.

The Globe and Mail prints a pro-fracking column on Earth Day.

Wow. Desperate much?

Photo: Grant Black, Calgary Herald.

An excerpt:
Calgary Roughnecks star, Shawn Evans, is currently leading the National Lacrosse League in scoring. Again. The Peterborough Native cut his teeth in lacrosse playing for the Junior and Senior Peterborough Lakers and making life rough for teams in nearby Whitby and Brooklyn.

He is the only player in history to win Championships at the Junior, Senior, and Professional levels in the same year and has won 3 gold medals at the World Indoor Lacrosse Championships.

With a career like his, there are plenty of moments to look back on, and many people to thank as influences. And yet, his biggest influence remains his father.

“My dad was definitely my biggest push,” he remembers. “He’d give me pointers after each game on what I needed to work on and on what I could improve.”

For Evans, having a supportive family is a must for any young lacrosse athlete.

“Just being there to play catch or to help you learn skills is a big thing,” he says. “And having them cheer you on and believe in you.”