IF YOU SMOKE WEED, RUN FOR MAYOR

I don't know if Mayor Fred Eisenberger ever smoked pot. If he did, he
wouldn't feel out of place at the post-election party of candidates
vying for the mayor's job in the municipal election later this year.

Of the four candidates who have declared an intention to run for the
city's top elected job, two are marijuana activists - Michael
Baldasaro and Andrew Haines.

Maybe Fred did smoke pot when he was a much younger man, but didn't
inhale? If I were mayor of this city, I'd be smoking weed every day. A
good stoner may be exactly what this city needs.

Baldasaro has run for the mayor's job before. Leader of the Church of
the Universe, he also ran for Parliament in 1984, 2000 and 2004.

Aside from his degree in "weedology," Haines is listed as director of
420 Graphics.

Also mulling another kick at the can is former mayor Larry DiIanni. I
spoke to Larry back in late 2009 and he told me that he would never
run for politics again.

I think it would be great to have DiIanni in the race. I wonder if he
smokes dope?

I find it hard to believe anyone who tells me they will "never" do
something again. Take it from a guy who has failed a thousand times to
stick to a "never" promise.

I should mention that Mahesh Butani has also tossed his name into the
race for mayor. He is described as a teacher and architect by
training. Not much else to tell you.

Why don't these people try and run for council before they go straight
for the top job?

I don't mean to make light of those who seek to serve in public
office. I've always said if you've got it, roll (with) it.

A number of names are popping up as candidates in various wards, and I
expect this fall's election will be one of the most exciting in recent
memory. There is a lot at stake, and it's important that we take every
candidacy seriously. Personally, I'd like to see the new mayor bring
forth a puff-puff-pass bylaw. It might actually help our council get
on the same page for a change. Right now, two many people are hogging
the joint.

Bye Bye Habs Well, it's been a great year to be a Habs fan. Although
Montreal bowed out to a tough Philadelphia team Monday night, it was a
good run for a team that barely made the playoffs.

I grew up in Southern Ontario, but have been a Habs fan since I was
old enough to watch hockey. My dad was a Leafs fan, and I've always
been a bit of a rebel, so to go against the flow, I placed my
allegiance to Montreal.

The other day I was walking in a mall parking lot, carrying my little
four-and-a-half month old daughter, when two guys drove by in a pickup
truck. I was wearing my Habs jersey, so I guess they felt obligated to
let me have it.

"The f#$%ing Habs suck, you f#$%ing loser." Then they drove off. I was
stunned. I may not like some teams and their fans, but I would never
abuse someone like that, especially when they are holding a child.
Sports can lift our passions, but there's no place for that kind of
hostility. It's just a game.

I certainly hope fans of all nations taking part in the upcoming World
Cup remember that it's a sport, not life. We will cheer for the teams
we like, and root against the ones we don't care for, but it should
never get personal.

I certainly hope we don't ever see the kind of fanatics that started a
fight in the middle of Hwy. 8 a few years back after a Euro Cup game.