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The Hour's Blog

Here are the most recent entries from The Hour's Blog. The Hour isn't your average newscast, it's more like hanging out with someone who's really interested in the world. The Hour - a current affairs show with George Stroumboulopoulos.

Sean Avery is on the show tomorrow and it's gonna be explosive.September 30

Seriously, I wouldn't make this sort of thing up.
Hell, I'm not even that much of a hockey fan, but this interview is incredible.
We've got a clip of it below - considering it ran a good 10 minutes over time, we'll likely have some web exclusive content shortly.
If you are the slightest bit of a hockey fan, or just the slightest bit Canadian, don't miss his interview tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 1st) at 11pm.

Curious about the economic meltdown in the States?September 30

Though this infographic doesn't address the current woes of the financial world, Death & Taxes is perhaps the most amazing display of visual information I've ever seen.
Please tell me there's a designer out there somewhere willing to tackle a similar project for those of us in Canada.

More info on the project is available here.

George wants Stephen Harper on the show - by any means necessarySeptember 30

I'll let the video speak for itself.

America Hates PornSeptember 16

Pretty crazy to say, considering the following stats:

* 89% of porn is created in the U.S.
* $2.84 billion in revenue was generated from U.S. porn sites in 2006
* $89/second is spent on porn

But hate porn it does, as evidenced by these two different posters for Kevin Smith's latest film, 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno'

It turns out that the MPAA got all up in Kevin Smith's grill over the poster on the left (which received no objections in Canada), so in a fit of frustration the poster on the right was doodled out and signed off on.

Kevin Smith was in our studio recently and shared his views on the whole situation, which, suffice it to say, were hilarious. Keep you eyes peeled for his appearance on the show, it's coming up soon.

Oh, and if you're wondering where all the porn stats came from, check out the video below, courtesy of Good Magazine.

Resisting the ResistersSeptember 15

Tuesday September 16th, Jeremy Hinzman will be on The Hour. Hinzman is a United States citizen, in Canada, seeking refugee status as he will receive punishment from the U.S Military for desertion. After serving in Afghanistan, Hinzman was told he would be then sent to Iraq. However, not believing in the reasons for the military action in Iraq and having exhausted every possible option, Hinzman and his wife, fled to Canada.

This story is not unique. Robin Long was deported by Canadian government in June, and on August 22nd was sentenced to 15 months in prison. A quick view at War Resisters Support Campaign and there are various other stories of people who are currently awaiting the decision on their status.

What these stories do is elicit a myriad of questions. Does a soldier, who has dedicated himself to military service for a country, have the right to refuse certain missions? A contract has been signed, a legal commitment has been made. But is that enough to force someone into service against their moral beliefs? However, I can't imagine the chaos within the military if when, where, and how was within the solider's discretion.

Should the Canadian courts/government allow refugee status to deserters?