Raise the Hammer
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Michael Borrelli is a social researcher living in the Beasley neighbourhood of Hamilton with his partner Megan. Together they co-hosted My Boy the Riot Girl on CFMU 93.3FM, and Mike still tweets @myboyriotgirl.
Email: michael@myboyriotgirl.com
Why Downtown Hamilton Does Not Need a Casino Now - We downtowners are not anti-casino or anti-gambling: we just recognize a bad deal when we see it. A casino can't fix our problems, and might make them worse. Published November 12, 2012 in Special Report: Casino
Open Letter on Downtown Hamilton Casino - Letter to Councillor Farr from the Beasley Neighbourhood Association, Downtown Hamilton Mosque, The Commons and Living Rock Ministries on the proposed downtown Hamilton casino. Published September 19, 2012 in Special Report: Casino
Review: Celebration Rock by Japandroids - Over these eight tracks, the boys stay true to the mythical spirit of rock: simple, loud, yet unforgettable songs that glamourize the vitality of youth. Published July 18, 2012 in Reviews
Generational Decline in Civic Engagement a Wake-Up Call - Social inertia may be comfortable, but it's just not tenable to allow today's generation of civic leaders to be one of our last. Published March 22, 2012 in Commentary
Buying Now, Paying Later - More than ever, we need our leaders to consider their lasting legacy: will they leave their grandchildren clean water, safe roads, and functioning sewers, or just a huge bill and long to-do list? Published February 01, 2012 in Commentary
The Gift of Gainful Employment - The $30,000 increase Mayor Bratina gave his chief of staff is actually higher than the median income in Hamilton. We need to do something about that. Published December 15, 2011 in Commentary
Buy Nothing Day - Leave your wallet or purse at home, pack a lunch for work, and try a little retail celibacy for a day - you might find you like it. Published November 25, 2011 in Commentary
North End Neighbourhood One of Hamilton's Hidden Gems - Notwithstanding uncertainty around the Barton-Tiffany lands, a number of positive developments bode well for the North End. Published November 04, 2011 in Events
Beasley Neighbourhood Discusses Concerns - As in any neighbourhood that does double duty as a centre of business activity while providing a desirable place for people to live out their daily lives, tensions can build over the speed of commerce. Published November 02, 2011 in Events
Don't Vote on October 6 - Just in time for the 2011 Provincial Election, Ontario has finally taken the leap into the 21st century and made some very progressive changes to the way we vote. Published September 16, 2011 in Ontario Election 2011
Book Review: The Spirit Level by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett - Fighting inequality could accomplish far more to reduce violence and unrest and cost less than imprisoning ever-larger numbers of the poor. Published August 11, 2011 in Reviews
Interview with Slutwalk Hamilton Organizers - Kelly Crawford and Lindsay Hutton provide some insight into what is driving the Slutwalk movement and respond to some of the criticisms thrown at it. Published May 30, 2011 in Events
Flawed Census Isn't Much Of A Census At All - Politically-motivated tinkering has blocked the collection of reliable, valid data that is so important in properly delivering social programs in Canada. Published May 06, 2011 in Opinion
Paying for Canada's National Debt - Our large and growing public debts should be paid off by those Canadians who have most benefited from them. Published April 28, 2011 in Opinion
Raise Your Voice and Support Local Community Radio - As a listener-supported station, once every year CFMU reaches out to the community for support through its Raise Your Voice campaign Published March 04, 2011 in Media
Stadia and Social Structures - Throughout history, stadia have entertained and distracted the public from the plundering of the public purse by ambitious empire builders. Published January 27, 2011 in Special Report: Pan Am
20 Solid Albums from 2010 - Here we provide you with a short list of 20 solid albums from 2010 that might make good gifts for the music lover in your life. Published December 17, 2010 in Reviews
Mass Protests or Community Building? - A successful movement needs to be quick on its feet and adapt, and the goal has to be one of winning over people to our idea of the common good that we can build together. Published June 28, 2010 in Opinion
Update on GO Train Service to Hamilton, Published April 23, 2012 in Revitalization
Letter: Take a Leadership Role on LRT, Published July 06, 2011 in Light Rail
Consuming Information is the Antithesis to Learning, Published September 09, 2009 in Philosophy