Thursday, August 06, 2009
Say Ya To Da U.P.
Wil Rankinen is studying the unique dialect of yoopers. So far it seems the English spoken in the U.P. is a combination of Finnish, Italian, and some Canadian influence. From the IU Linguistics Department: Michigan's Upper Peninsula Vowel Systems: Finnish- and Italian- American Communities (only a PDF of the abstract is available)
The data from the Finnish-American sample show a strong Canadian influence with perhaps some lingering Finnish characteristics. The current study among Italian Americans in the UP will reveal if similar developments show up in other immigrant subgroups.
Labels: canada, history, people
Thursday, April 09, 2009
You'll Be Watched This Summer
DetFreeP: Unmanned spy plane to patrol Michigan-Ontario border
The $10.5 million Predator aircraft, which flies at 19,000 fleet, carries no weapons, but it has an awesome camera that can spot a person crossing the border from 25 miles away, said Juan Munoz-Torres, a spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“It’s a great platform,” Munoz-Torres said. “It’s very, very effective.”
There is no date for the aircraft to start its patrols. Munoz-Torres said the aircraft likely would be based in the Alpena area.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Border News
It appears that the days of getting on your boat and leaving Neebish Island for an easy and enjoyable trip to Richards Landing or Soo Ontario are over.
See the Washington Post: Citizens' U.S. Border Crossings Tracked
And this is on top of the news that any of your electronic devices can be detained indefinitely at the border.
See EFF: Public Pressure Mounts Against Invasive Border Searches
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
See the Washington Post: Citizens' U.S. Border Crossings Tracked
And this is on top of the news that any of your electronic devices can be detained indefinitely at the border.
See EFF: Public Pressure Mounts Against Invasive Border Searches
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Labels: canada
Friday, September 21, 2007
Have You Held Onto Your Loonies?
Ah yes, the Good times are here again - just like 1976 - record high oil prices and 1 US dollar is worth 1 Candian dollar. Maybe that jar of Canadian money that I keep for trips across the border from Neebish Island will be worth a lot more than I thought.
CNBC - US, Canada finance ministers dodge dollar parity question
CNBC - US, Canada finance ministers dodge dollar parity question
