List of contributors to Raise the Hammer, with a brief bio for each author and links to that author's articles.
Kevin Somers is the author of a satire, I'm Gretzky, You're Gretzky (find it here). He is the editor of The Hobo Line, a magazine by and for Fred Heads. He also writes about fashion for The Women's Post.
Talkin' Hockey - Jim Balsille, a brilliant billionaire, wants to put an NHL team in Hamilton, but the league, led by Gary Betteman, says no, as they consider Las Vegas and Kansas City. Published Nov. 26, 2008
Who Do You Owe? - Everybody owes. Graduating students, ostensibly enlightened, are increasingly burdened by banks or Alma Mater. Mortgage-poor is a modern malady more common than mumps and measles combined. Published Nov. 4, 2008
Anxiety - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Nov. 4, 2008
Time - This is no time to be arguing about time. We don't have the time. Published Oct. 2, 2008
Remember The Time - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Oct. 2, 2008
Guys Named Larry - Larry is great name and history has seen a lot of great Larries. Other Larrys, not so much. Published Sep. 11, 2008
Anything - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Jul. 7, 2008
Interesting Circles - Like movies or songs, some books stand out because of the experience we share with them. Some people, too. Published Jul. 7, 2008
I Know No Know - No one really knows what's in another's mind. Not even Dr. Phil or Tom Cruise. Published Jun. 5, 2008
I Know a Guy - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Jun. 5, 2008
The Voice Inside My Head - As long as there's only one, it's mine, and its not telling me to do anything outrageous, I listen to the voice inside my head. Published Apr. 30, 2008
Think - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Apr. 30, 2008
Two Great Willies - Each in his own way, Willie O'Ree and Willie P. Bennett have made indelible stamps on the arenas in which they have passionately lived their lives. Published Mar. 24, 2008
Some Somes, Sums, and Always - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Feb. 14, 2008
Some - Sometimes, a collection of anecdotes is more than the sum of its parts. Published Feb. 14, 2008
Industrious Us - Everything becomes an industry - an opportunity to make money and/or grab power. Published Jan. 18, 2008
My Mind, My Poems, and My Money - Kevin busts out some guerilla poetry in a rant against graft, corruption and waste. Published Dec. 20, 2007
Busy as E.B. and a Bee - To much to do, so little time: a lament. Published Nov. 27, 2007
Write Life Write - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Nov. 27, 2007
Pet Dreams - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Nov. 8, 2007
Beautiful Wendel - There's not much time left for our old dog and I think she knows it. She's not even gone and I miss her already. Published Nov. 8, 2007
My Favourite Things - Not your grandmother's favourite things. Published Oct. 22, 2007
My Favourite Things (a Poem) - A new take on an old refrain. Published Oct. 22, 2007
#$&% Jackson Pollock - Pollock's works, like the man himself, are too self-centered and chaotic to enjoy. Published Sep. 28, 2007
What Can I Write About? - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Sep. 9, 2007
I Could Write About - It's been a summer of little writing, so picking one topic is tough when there are so many to choose from. Published Sep. 9, 2007
Oil and Water - Our abundance gives us the luxury to learn from it. If we manage and preserve our water properly, we can teach the world. Published Jun. 27, 2007
Ships on Father's Day - There's nothing quite like being a dad. Published Jun. 27, 2007
Erin and Claire - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Jun. 27, 2007
Art in the Customs House - The subject and style of Kim Burke's art are complemented nicely by the unconventional space: urban renewal at work. Published Jun. 7, 2007
Shooting Schools - It's time for those who perpetuate and profit from the slaughter of children to bear some of the responsibility. Published Jun. 7, 2007
Independent Hits - The internet has made it easy to check out and support independent musicians, so why not do it? Published May. 18, 2007
Raise Your Hammer - Gravity Climbing Gym, like Hamilton, is a sweet secret destined to get out. Published Apr. 30, 2007
Live Life Like - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Apr. 30, 2007
Word - If words lack succinctness, style, substance, or sincerity, what's the point? Fortunately, many people respect words and put them together beautifully. Published Apr. 10, 2007
Words - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Apr. 10, 2007
Should and Shouldn't - You should read this carefully, but you shouldn't take anything you read here too seriously. Published Mar. 19, 2007
You Should(n't) - A Poem by Kevin Somers Published Mar. 19, 2007
The End of Poets, Poetry, and a Poem - A poem by Kevin Somers. Published Feb. 26, 2007
Revolutionary Pants - Nobody wants a revolting revolution, so I'm going to have to market it well. Published Feb. 26, 2007
A Beautiful Basket Case - Science and surgeons more interested in moolah than treating the sick have enabled me to turn back time and stay one step ahead of Mother Nature. Published Jan. 24, 2007
The Winner - Kevin nipped and tucked this poem before publishing it. Published Jan. 24, 2007
The Good, The Bad, and The Sad - The holidays came with black clouds this year. Published Jan. 10, 2007
Woe for Julia - A small paean to a great spirit. Published Jan. 10, 2007
In My Opinion - Everyone has an opinion. In my opinion, most aren't worth hearing, but a few are worth sharing. Published Dec. 13, 2006
Needs, and A Eulogy for Baby Boomer - Two poems by Kevin Somers. Published Nov. 23, 2006
Why I Remember - Some memories are tragic, which is why we remember. Published Nov. 8, 2006
Big Bob Bratina - After 41 years in radio, Bob Bratina should be ready for retirement. So why did he dive into the cutthroat world of municipal politics? Published Nov. 8, 2006
Someone To Vote For - Brian McHattie, a genuine naturalist, environmentalist, and humanist, brings fresh air to the sprawl, mall, and pave-it-all mentality that permeates most elected offices, especially around here. Published Oct. 20, 2006
A Day in the Paper - Kevin just read the news today, oh boy. Published Oct. 6, 2006
Two Poems - Kevin injects a little class into the RTH oeuvre with a pair of poetic paeans. Published Sep. 20, 2006
The Ten Amendments - Moses' version has been around for millenia. Perhaps it's time for a change or ten. Published Aug. 30, 2006
I Saw It On TV - The world is beamed to my front door, through it, and onto my TV, where the choice of programming grows like cancer. Published Jul. 5, 2006
TV Love - A poem by Kevin Somers Published Jul. 5, 2006
Breaking Concrete - In a few hundred million years, archeologists for a new species will conclude we were dumber than the dinosaurs that preceded us. Published Jun. 16, 2006
Rick Lintack, Architect - It's exciting to think of Hamilton as a city leading the way in urban renewal, seeking its full potential. Rick Lintack is helping to make this happen. Published May. 5, 2006
On and Under - The normally affable Kevin Somers gets a few things off his chest. Published Apr. 21, 2006
For The Road, Girls - If you were going to be on a deserted island and could only bring ten CDs, what would they be? Published Mar. 18, 2006
The Big Top - In a world mired by inefficiency and ineptitude, watching The Big Top staff do their jobs is as good the food. Published Feb. 15, 2006
Funny, Peculiar, Interesting Times - The Chinese curse, May you live in interesting times, is much more malignant than it first appears. Published Jan. 27, 2006
If - If you think about it, if's a little word that provides plenty to think about. Published Jan. 9, 2006
Pick a Card, Any Card - I'm increasingly defined by the cards that are pressed in my wallet, stuffed in a pocket, and riding on the ass of my life. Published Dec. 14, 2005
Sorry, but there are no blog entries for this author.
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ISSN: 1715-1554
Aerotropolis: Will It Fly? - Wednesday, December 3, 2008, at Mount Hope Community Hall, 3027 Homestead Dr., Mount Hope.
Can Harper Prorogue Parliament? (Dec. 3, 2008) - Given the paucity of Prime Minister Stephen Harpers options as Monday's confidence vote draws closer, pundits and analysts are coalescing around the conclusion that he will ask Governor Genera
Picking a Prime Minister: A Parliamentary Primer (Dec. 2, 2008) -
We will use all legal means to resist this undemocratic seizure of power.
-- Prime Minister Stephen Harper
With the Liberals and NDP agreeing to a coalition with the support of the B
Bratina: City Hall Plan Could Save $110 Million Over 20 Years (Dec. 2, 2008) - Councillor Bob Bratina, who has proposed that the City remain at Hamilton City Centre, is claiming that this move will cost only $50 million over the next 20 years, compared to $150 million to com
City Backs Down on Airport Development Size (Dec. 1, 2008) - Citizens at City Hall (CATCH) reports that the city has backed down on at least one aspect of its dispute with the province on the size of the Airport Economic Growth District (AEGD), a planned in
Same Old 'Traffic Trumps Everything' Thinking (Dec. 1, 2008) -
Apparently, the City Traffic department still doesn't get it.
After turning James and John into two-way streets that slowed traffic down, the city is now looking for ways to speed thing
Toronto Council to Vote on Corporate, Union Donations (Dec. 1, 2008) -
Toronto City Council has another opportunity today to decide whether to allow corporate and union donations to be proffered during municipal campaigns.
City Council has voted against such don