If you’re reading this at any time close to the time of writing – April 11, 2007 – there’s a good chance you’re one of the people who used to come here pretty regularly. And if you’re one of those people, you know that the volume of posts here on this blog is not what it used to be.

There are a few reasons for that, including impending fatherhood and the sudden demise of the business I formerly co-owned (my lawyer has advised me to refrain from getting into the details surrounding that demise, so all I will say is that it wasn’t my fault). But one of the major reasons is I’ve shifted focus from writing here to writing for Raise the Hammer.

Writing for RTH continues to be a satisfying experience. I love writing posts here, and it’s my hope that when things settle down a little, I can get back into the rhythm of blogging. Blogging is a freer experience than writing for RTH, since RTH’s focus is more on urban issues, and more on local issues, while here I can write about whatever I want.

On the other hand, writing for RTH is in some ways a more meaningful experience. I greatly appreciate readers of this blog and the dialogue we engage in.

However, writing on just one of the many millions of blogs that are out there is akin to shouting from the bleachers of a football stadium: the people sitting next to you can’t help but notice your yelling, and they may even be slightly annoyed with you, but the course of the game and the opinions of the spectators remain unaffected.

I believe that Raise the Hammer, however, has a genuine impact on Hamilton. I know that we are able to get the attention of some Hamiltonians, some city councillors and even the mayor, and there’s an ongoing conversation with Hamiltonians that is hugely rewarding.

Had someone told me a few months ago that at some point I’d be sitting in city hall, having a meeting with the mayor and two of his aides, I’d have laughed. But Ryan, the editor of RTH, contacted the mayor’s office shortly after he was elected, and not long afterwards we were having a relaxed conversation with him about Raise the Hammer and his agenda for his term in office.

This all sums up to that famous activist phrase, “Think globally, act locally.” As a blogger writing about international events, I’m just one of millions. As a citizen of Hamilton writing about local affairs, I’m one of thousands or maybe even hundreds. Better odds, better audience.

So if you miss reading my posts, maybe you’ll enjoy the writing on Raise the Hammer instead. I wrote an article for the new issue called As Spring Arrives, Perennial Issues and Guerilla Gardeners Resurface, there’s lots of other articles in this new issue, and the Hammerblog is always hopping.

The Hammerblog includes great material that covers national and international issues as well, so it’s not all just Hamilton-based.

Thanks for reading and don’t step checking back in – I’ll keep writing, even if infrequently.

There were some pretty big rollers coming in off Lake Ontario after the storm on the weekend. I managed to grab this shot of one breaking against a big hump of snow (and got some wet feet in the process).

I’m alive but things are crazy. Hope all is well with you.

Labatt Breweries is in negotiations to purchase Hamilton’s very own brewery Lakeport. There has been speculation that Labatt will close the Lakeport brewery, which has some people upset.

Enter hamiltonbeer.com, a website that was clearly created as a protest against this move by Labatt.

If this move by Labatt will have a negative impact in Hamilton – which is certainly possible – then I support the intent behind this website.

The problem is that the website reeks of marketing. This is not too surprising, since it is the brainchild of Michael Manzoni, Executive Partner of FloodGate Marketing Inc., according to the About Us page.

For example, the home page says, “There are two prominent truths about beer drinkers: They are loyal to their brand and they cling tightly to principles.”

As an office colleague said when I read this to him, “Beer drinkers only cling to their principles until they’ve had their first two beers.”

I get the sense that the person who wrote that line was expressing it in the spirit of faint hope, rather than any practical experience with the average beer-drinking Hamiltonian.

The site claims it only exists to solicit opinions and there is certainly no shortage of opinions posted on the message board, including this one posted by “Been There…..” from London:

The Labatt Brazilian folks are going to rape and pillage. Move brewing to London. Fire all employees. Blow up Hamilton plant so that it can never again be used by a competitor. Expansion? They just spent millions in London, closing Toronto and New Westminster. Letting Ontario staff go by the truckload. Clawing back pensioner benefits – big time!! Lakeport is history…

The footer text of the website is also amusing in a oddly self-referential way. It says “You must be legal drinking age to view this website.”

This website is a great example of the perils of marketing, particularly when it comes to grassroots causes.

By the time the designers of the site were finished with it the grassroots opposition to this move by Labatt was unrecognizable. Slicked-up and packaged, it’s now just as fake and just as silly as the beer commercials where hockey-loving alcoholics get all the girls.

Few photos say as much as this one does.

RTH‘s latest is out. I have two articles in this issue:

iProducts vs. weProducts

“The stark contrast between two remarkable devices reaches beyond mere dollars and into the realm of technological philosophy.”

Time for Strong Leadership on the Environment

“Changing consumer behaviour will help the environment, but without strong leadership from business and government we won’t get far.”

There is lots more good stuff as always.

Also, if you’re in the Hamilton area, come to the party on Saturday!