How many more scorpion attacks can Toronto sustain?

Via CBL we have a privileged window into some inside chat at Steve Munro's - Is local 113 out of its mind?

The comments make for a fascinating read, including the one that caught Lemon's eye concerning the suggestion that the mechanics are upset about the TTC's purchase of new vehicles with warranties, which would mean less work for them.

However, the one that intrigued me was David R's suggestion that we look up the fable of the Scorpion and the Frog, which I did.

It seems to me that Toronto has many scorpions attacking it right now, but if I were to make a generalization, I would point to a population that continues to elect weak-kneed socialist politicians.

The Toronto Sun has started a new series trying to figure out how to save the Centre of the Universe. Rob Granastein suggests that it's up to the citizens to effect change.

I agree. And it should start at the ballot box.

Toronto voters need to stop stinging themselves.

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Update: Toronto Transit Workers ordered back to work.

A few quick thoughts on the TTC strike

This morning's Sun editorial encapsulated most of my personal reaction regarding the surprise TTC strike.

The union acted very irresponsibly by not giving any warning. As I watched the Toronto news stations near midnight, reporters were giving the information to many young women as they were planning to head home via a bus or subway. Several were in shock. I have a young niece who lives in downtown Toronto and I was immediately concerned for her safety.

The supposed reason for not giving a 48 hour warning was apparently to protect workers from abuse, but I suspect that transit users will have a few choice words for the drivers once this situation is temporarily resolved.

It should be a lesson for both David Miller and Dalton McGuinty though. Their union friends will just keep demanding more and more. They will never be able to satisfy their demands, and it will come at a huge cost to the taxpayer and transit user - both financially and in terms of safety.

At some point, they may need to make a tough choice.

And that time may well be now.

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Tony's viewpoint on this is worth reading. Comments are good too.

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Please Note: In the process of doing a bit of technical tweaking. Hopefully nothing here will be affected.