Last week on Forget The Box I wrote about how the mainstream media was ignoring the Occupy Wall Street protest pretty much across the board, just like how the state-controlled media in places like Egypt and Bahrain ignored the Arab Spring.

Now it seems they are reporting on it, now that 80 people have been arrested and others abused by the police for no good reason. Take this report from CNBC, for example. The commentary is bang-on and it should be spread around and seen by as many people as possible:

Now that you’ve digested some of that brilliance, ask yourself: why did it take a thug NYPD for major media to shine the spotlight on such an important subject?

I guess social movements are one thing that can be mentioned or ignored depending on how well connected and financed they or their opponents are, but violence sells regardless so if it bleeds, it leads.

Now don’t get me wrong, while I’m not much of a sports fan in general, I do watch hockey, or at least Habs games in the playoffs, I am a Montrealer after all. But to date, it’s only been in one of two situations: either game’s on TV and there’s nothing else on (or I’m at someone else’s house) or I’m out at a bar.

Quite a good evening for him: Halak

I’ll go out to a bar specifically to watch the game, but only if I’m invited. I do enjoy the competition and cheer for the home team, but I never think of going out to catch the game myself. I’ve also watched a bunch of games this season because Forget The Box was involved with the Joe Two-Four show, but again, that was with a reason.

Last night, things changed and I actually found myself searching for the Habs/Capitals game (I don’t have cable and it’s not on CBC). I found it and was glad that I did.

There’s something about the underdog coming back and last night they did. It’s also nice that I decided to tune in for goalie Jaroslav Halak’s best performance and what is now the Habs’ franchise record for blocked shots.

While I’m not usually a bandwagon jumper, this particular bandwagon feels real comfy.

The system remains profit-driven...is this really what change looks like? (photo AP)

Yes, more Americans are covered and in a few years insurance companies won’t be able to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions (something that is the very definition of wrong). Unfortunately, people in the states now have to sign up and pay an insurance company whether they want to or not and health insurance companies still exist, which is an abomination.

Health care is a community service and should be treated as such. In the states, people are treated like we treat our pets here. How much of a logical leap does it take to realize that healthcare is not a luxury like a cellphone or a car, but a need like water or

True, I did endorse passing this bill, but asked lawmakers in the US to take out anything that helps the insurance companies. I’m not the only one, Michael Moore and others urged the bill’s passing, while remaining against it in its current form.

Now, he’s come out very publicly talking about what’s wrong with the bill and I guess, with this post, I have, too. He can explain it better than me, though…

So, for coming one step closer to being in step with the rest of the civilized world, congrats to the USA, but since it’s half-assed and doesn’t change the fundamental flaw in the system, it’s gonna have to be congrats, sort of…

It came from the web! Dr Horrible

It’s an original musical by Joss Whedon starring Neil Patrick Harris, Felicia Day and Nathan Filion. I won’t go too much into the plot, but I will say that the super villain is actually the hero in this one.

It’s both funny and touching, the songs are catchy and it started on the internet (thanks in large part to the writer’s strike) and has gone on to win an Emmy. That something of this quality can start viral is quite an inspiration for those of us involved in web video.

This song (not even the best number in my opinion) inspired the duet in JC Sunshine that was part of our musical episode:

While I would have gladly embedded the official video on Hulu, that site is not available in Canada where I live. If you like what you heard and saw, though, please visit their site and support them by either ordering the DVD (available in some stores, too) or download it through iTunes.

While admitting that drinking was a factor in the death, police spokesperson Paul Chablo told the media that officers would still be asked to use their discretion when dealing with people drinking at the parade. This is a good thing, because the St-Patrick’s parade is one of the few permitted (though technically not) street parties in Montreal. However, arguments against motorized floats did catch my attention.

This is not during the St-Patty's Parade (photo La Presse)

Around the time that the SPVM was taking a relaxed approach to St-Patty’s celebration, they were also preparing to go hardcore on protesters marching against police brutality. They even sent infiltrators and possibly agent provocateurs into the crowd.

I wrote about this on Forget the Box, but I mainly focused on bias in media coverage of the event (seeing as I wasn’t able to make it down to the march myself). I can only hope (in vain, I’m sure) that they adopt a St-Pattty’s-style approach in years to come.

That means removing agent provocateurs and infiltrators from the crowd and let the march progress, only using “discretion” if things organically get out of hand instead of through being provoked.

What’s good for Irish and wannabe-Irish revelers should be good for people exercising their democratic right to speak out against abuses by the police as well.

Not quite there yet, but close (photo by Alexander Somma creative commons liscence)

Since the last time I was outside for a long stretch of time (St-Patty’s parade day), conditions were less than A1 (it was rainy the whole time) I’m looking forward to pry myself away from my computer and get out into the wilds of near-spring daylight. In a little over an hour, I’ve got the chance to do just that.

No more post re-tagging, promo and writing for me (at least for a while), today is shooting day. Outdoor shooting day! I’m shooting a scene for Sunday’s JC Sunshine where I get harassed by a cop played by the episode’s special guest Emilie Laliberté from STELLA (who I’ve already performed in a video with).

I’m going to walk to the shoot. I know it’s not that far, but still, that will be fun. Afterwards, wherever else I may have to go, I’m going to try and walk there, too! Fun times!

You see, it seems that to be more personal, I need to post more stuff that I like rather than what I do. So this is my first attempt to be less all-promo-all-the-time (as another friend said I came across as).

I love Star Wars. In fact, I have always been a little obsessed with it. While on a whole, the three new films can’t come close to the original series, I do feel that Revenge of the Sith is a strong second best overall (after Empire).

One of the first albums I remember owning when I was a kid was the Star Wars Adventures in ABC, which I found for download here. I’ve even checked out Wookiepedia more than once.

While I may write more about Star Wars and its cultural impact/political ramifications and justify my love in some sort of activist context later, for now, here’s a real funny video from the good folks at College Humor, you’re welcome:

A true statement if there ever was one: the window of McSorley's Ale House (photo Chris Zacchia)

Established in 1854, McSorley’s has been visited by presidents and rock stars alike (according to their website, both Abe Lincon and John Lennon have passed through their doors). It has also survived prohibition (not easy for a bar to do), a Supreme Court challenge and a changing surrounding neighbourhood.

Things inside haven’t changed all that much, the fact that they now admit women, which started in 1970, being a notable exception. When we arrived, we sat down and quickly ordered the house ale, which they brew themselves.

Like it's always been done: the bar at McSorley's (photo Chris Zacchia)

A glass of house ale comes in two glasses. It’s about as much beer as is in a pint, but split. I wondered about this delivery method but was reminded by TJ who had brought us there that they’ve been doing it this way for 156 years, so it was probably best not to ask. I didn’t.

Turns out they also didn’t have any hard stuff, just the ale. While rare, this is appropriate for a place that bills itself as an Ale House. Again, I didn’t ask. I just sat back and enjoyed this little piece of history.

While Montreal isn’t always prepared to deal with the snow we get (just ask someone who doesn’t live on or near a major street), we do have the trucks for it. NYC, on the other hand has to improvise and improvise they do:

Two birds with one stone: snow removal in NYC (photo by Chris Zacchia)

Nope, your eyes are not deceiving you, fellow Montrealers or fellow people not from the five boroughs, NYC equips garbage trucks with snow plows and sends them out to do presumably two jobs at once.

Both snow removal and garbage pickup probably fall under sanitation in a city that doesn’t usually get enough snow to warrant it’s own department, so it does make sense. It’s still a little funny, though, for an outsider from a colder climate to see in action.

It's the way business is done, unfortunately

For months now, the artists of Café Cleopatre and the rest of the Save the Main coalition have been fighting the good fight against the Angus Development Corporation and the Tremblay administration’s attempts to evict them in favor of a skyscraper office tower in the center of the Quartier des Spectacles.  I’ve supported the coalition from the get-go and now have a chance to help out with my acting and writing.

Following on the heels of Lapdance for Prince Charles, a comic appeal to the Prince, a noted heritage buff, on his recent visit to Montreal, comes Demolition in a Box.  This new video that will hopefully go viral (like the last one did) is a mock infomercial promoting a product that is essentially what Angus and the city want to do to the lower Main.

I play the pitchman in the English version (below) alongside Ėmilie Laliberté of STELLA, the sex workers’ rights organization who plays the prospective developper.  In the French version which premiered last Friday at Club Sin in Café Cleo, the roles are reversed.

Enjoy and please spread:

French version is here