Simon Blackstone

Partner at UPFH. Politics, law, wine and THFC. Probably not in that order. All views are mine alone...

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Muabsent #coys

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Say what you like about the Ontario Liberal Party, they do increase the gaiety of the nation. Well, at least they do in opposition.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Rich Gedman

[Vinny’s Corner @VinnysCorner1]

Age yourself by naming an MLB Catcher you grew up watching…..

I’ll start: Gary Carter

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Correction - it’s not shame that is keeping him from running. It’s because he doesn’t want to be held accountable for his actions. He remains shameless.

[Toronto Star @TorontoStar]

John Tory decides not to seek re-election as Toronto's mayor because of 'inevitable attacks' https://t.co/9Oz0Q1xNRW

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

At last, shame has trumped vanity for Toronto’s worst mayor, @JohnTory

[Robert Benzie @robertbenzie]

BREAKING: ⁦@JohnTory⁩ will not run for mayor of Toronto this year.

https://t.co/tq8hOljHtb

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

@MrCracknell Not enough said about what a terrible jacket that was.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Good news for those of you who miss austerity and managed decline. Toronto’s worst mayor ever has “unfinished business”. He isn’t done grinding the City down.

[Toronto Star @TorontoStar]

‘If he runs again, it will be a very difficult ride’: John Tory critics ramp up attacks as former mayor holds talk on possible mayoral campaign https://t.co/3xCTZPsFuD

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

@bridagul Thoughts and prayers for you in this difficult time. What are you going to do w all the new free time?

[UAW @UAW]

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Roy Reuther, born on this day in 1909 in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Roy was the brother of Walter and Victor Reuther and played a crucial and often underappreciated role in the UAW's success.

After attending Wheeling High School, Mr. Reuther took an apprenticeship with an electrical firm and joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1927.

Laid off from his job in Wheeling, Reuther joined his brothers in Detroit in 1932. He became interested in labor education while a student at the City College of Detroit (now Wayne State University). He obtained a job as an instructor for the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) and attended the Wisconsin School for Workers and Brookwood Labor College. Reuther also served as a faculty member at Brookwood until his return to Detroit in 1936.

Roy obtained a job at the Chevrolet Gear and Axle plant and joined the UAW. He became an assistant organizing director of the UAW in Flint and was an important leader and strategist of the 1936-1937 sit-down strike against General Motors. In fact, it was Reuther who came up with the plan that allowed strikers to successfully take control of Chevrolet Plant No. 4, which manufactured engines for all Chevy assembly plants around the country. The workers' success at taking over Chevy 4 was seen as a major turning point in the strike and workers would end up victorious.

During World War II, Reuther took a leave of absence from the UAW to serve as a labor information specialist with the War Production Board (WPB). He briefly served in the U.S. Army before being recalled to the WPB.

Reuther married Fania Sonkin in 1944 and had two sons, Alan and David. Roy and Fania had first met as students at Brookwood Labor College.

Reuther returned to the UAW, serving as administrative assistant to UAW Vice President John W. Livingston from 1948 until 1949 when he became administrative assistant to his brother, UAW President Walter Reuther.

Roy also served as director of the UAW Citizenship Department and Citizenship-Legislative Department. He was a supporter of California farm workers and also developed a close association with President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy.

He continued to faithfully serve the UAW until his death due to a heart attack on January 10, 1968, at the age of 58.

Remembering Reuther, UAW Secretary-Treasurer Emil Mazey and Vice Presidents Leonard Woodcock and Pat Greathouse wrote in a statement: "He was a leader and a member of the UAW. He belonged to all of us in the labor movement, and indeed, to all of humanity."

Roy’s and Fania’s ashes are buried at Black Lake, along with Walter’s and his wife May’s, and Victor’s and his wife Sophie’s. They are near one another on a small island across from the main building of the Walter and May Reuther Education Center.

Said Roy Reuther as he addressed delegates at the 18th UAW Constitutional Convention, May 1962: “I say we have to lift our sights. We have to look to the stars. We have to dream our dreams, our hopes, and our aspirations, and not our fears."

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

So elbows down. Sigh.

[Laura Stone @l_stone]

Carney to drop some retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. #cdnpoli https://t.co/UtUTJSPYdZ

[Marit Stiles @MaritStiles]

We’ve lost a remarkable New Democrat in Janusz Dukszta, who represented Parkdale in the Ontario Legislature from 1971–81.

Over the past few days, friends have been sharing memories of his deep love for the arts and the courage it took to stand up for LGBTQ2S+ rights and reproductive freedom — even when it came at a personal cost.

In the early 1980s, he was targeted in nasty anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion campaigns, including a city-wide effort against NDP MPPs who supported adding sexual orientation to the Ontario Human Rights Code, and another attacking his backing of OHIP coverage for abortions. Decades later, these protections are now firmly enshrined in our laws.

After leaving politics, Janusz returned to medicine, serving as head of medical staff at Queen Street Mental Health Centre, and never stopped championing the Canadian art scene.

He leaves behind a legacy of courage, creativity, and integrity. My deepest condolences to his friends, family, and everyone who knew him, loved him, and was inspired by his life and work.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

To be fair, @JohnTory knows as much about decline as anybody.

[NEWSTALK 1010 @NEWSTALK1010]

Canadian author @StephenMarche joins @JohnTory on @MooreintheAM to sound the alarm about America's decline and the new vulnerability Canada faces with his new Gloves Off podcast. https://t.co/H9LlYt03qO

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

As he seems to have been relieved of the burdens of office, how long before @beynate joins Adam Vaughan at Navigator?

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

@disorderedyyc @TomPark1n Has anyone seen Danielle Smith and Liz Truss same place/same time? Same vibes.

[Richard @gamray]

Truthfully I can’t be arsed with a new manager. I can’t be arsed with the links with big names, having a couple of days where we think Pochettino is coming back, and ending up with Thomas Frank. I don’t have the energy.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Quisling

[Anthony Furey @anthonyfurey]

The LCBO ban isn’t the wisest decision. While retaliatory tariffs are a reciprocal response, any bans are an escalation — which just invites a further action from the United States. The goal shouldn’t be to ramp things up.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

@SpursCanadaTor To be fair, he has the potency of oregano.

[Simon Blackstone @7smcb]

Will Ford end his other sweetheart contracts with his American friends? Staples? Alcohol sales at American retailers? Circle K? 7-11? #onpoli