Raise the Hammer
List of contributors to Raise the Hammer, with a brief bio for each author and links to that author's articles.
Ben Bull now lives in downtown Toronto after an interesting six years in the Hammer. He plans to stay there for a few years, complain a lot, and then move on somewhere else.
Postcards from Thunder Bay - What's with the grumpy Tunder Bay locals being down on their town? Published Nov. 26, 2008
Three Movies and a Restaurant - Ben got to enjoy (or not) these little treats last week as he took some time off work. Published Nov. 4, 2008
Political Ideology is Simplistic and Naive - A response to the argument that the best way to help the poor is to stop helping them. Published Nov. 4, 2008
Turn Back the Faucet - I'm convinced it's this inherent distrust of government efficiency which I harbour, that lies near the heart of the Conservative upswell today. Published Oct. 2, 2008
Only Love - A poem by Ben Bull. Published Jul. 7, 2008
Freedom 95 - My mid-life retirement makes a lot of sense. The kids are young, everyone is healthy and I'm ready for a change - so what better time to kick back and consider my options? Published Jul. 7, 2008
Ups and Downs: The Fate of the Gardiner - If we can allow ourselves to be a little optimistic, perhaps we can consider: what will the removal of the Gardiner Expressway mean? Published Jun. 5, 2008
Interview with RTH Editor Ryan McGreal - At three and a half years, this seems to me as good a time as any to reflect on just how far RTH has come, how we got here, and where we go next. Published Jun. 5, 2008
Burned - An accidental injury triggers a legal odyssey. Published Mar. 24, 2008
Ben Bull, Inc. - I made the decision to incorporate for one reason and one reason only: to avoid taxes. Published Feb. 14, 2008
Tram Ride an Event in Itself - Bus transit can only get a city so far. If a municipality wants to get people out of their cars they need to provide an incentive - and quite frankly, the bus isn't it. Published Feb. 14, 2008
The Year That Was - Here's hoping next year will be chock full of memories too. Published Dec. 20, 2007
Cheers! From Boston - Boston leaves you wanting more. Surely there is no greater testament than that. Published Nov. 27, 2007
Fixing Our Broken Democracy - Our current democracy is nowhere near 'good enough'. Our democracy isn't working and it's high time we got it fixed. Published Nov. 8, 2007
Nice Chatting With You - Arguments inspire, inform, ignite, and unite. Where would we be with out them? Published Oct. 22, 2007
Last Call In New Preston - A short story by Ben Bull. Published Sep. 28, 2007
How to Effect Change (in Less than 30 Years) - The business of being an activist requires an immense amount of patience - and a lot more besides. Published Sep. 28, 2007
The Shaping of the News - What is the value of good writing, of authentic high quality journalism? Published Sep. 28, 2007
Summer Reading Revisited - Ben reviews three books: Marilyn Meyers' Through Fire and Sea, John King's Headhunters, and Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's Long Way Round. Published Sep. 9, 2007
Down to Earth: Rethinking Air Travel - If we leave it up to the politicians, excessive, unnecessary, environmentally unsustainable air travel will be here to stay. Published Sep. 9, 2007
HtO Beach: 30 Years Late But Moving Fast - It's clear that people are desperate for something to do - together. Published Jun. 27, 2007
Crash! - And they say lightning never strikes twice. Published Jun. 27, 2007
Ten Steps to Strong Neighbourhoods - In the same way that we have a list of criteria for buying a house, so it is we need to create a list of criteria when planning and developing our neighbourhood. Published Jun. 7, 2007
Another Tale of Two Cities - Hamilton was poised to prosper once. With the growing, grumbling consensus that Toronto may not be such a great place to live for much longer, Hamilton is poised once again. Published May. 18, 2007
Discovering June Callwood - Most of the good deeds being done in the world today are small, and done in private. Published Apr. 30, 2007
It's What We Do That Counts - Democracy, like life, can only resemble a rich and meaningful experience if we throw ourselves into it. Published Apr. 10, 2007
Postcards from New Glasgow - RTH jet-setter Ben Bull scours the world in search of exciting locales to share. Published Apr. 10, 2007
Random Thoughts From An Aging Brain - I do believe in the power of positive thinking, that you make your own luck in this world, and that a good friend, a full stomach and a warm blanket are all you really need. Published Mar. 19, 2007
Farewell to Roy Green - Behind that trademark growl is a shrewd and compassionate human being who always shows a genuine concern for the affairs of the people around him and never misses an opportunity to show how much he cares. Published Feb. 26, 2007
Upcoming Apocalypse...Check! - A fun and easy-to-follow End Of The World Checklist to help cheer you up and perhaps even forestall our inevitable extinction. Published Feb. 9, 2007
Checklist for Going Carbon Free - Everybody's full of advice on how to combat global warming - so why should we at RTH be any different? Published Feb. 9, 2007
Global Warming Really is Bloody Inconvenient - Unfortunately, having kids means I don't get to sit back and do nothing about it. Published Feb. 9, 2007
The Purple Testament of Bleeding News - In an ideal world we would all demand unfabricated accounts of the world around us, unbiased appriasals of the stroies that matter. Published Jan. 24, 2007
Back and Forth - You have to look back before you can look forward. Published Jan. 10, 2007
Ottawa Transit Derailed: An Interview with Clive Doucet - Clive Doucet, an Ottawa City Councillor who strongly supported Ottawa's planned light rail system, explains why the plan was cancelled and what cities must do to create good sustainable transportation systems. Published Jan. 10, 2007
Kinetic Potential - Dave Kuruc exemplifies what's good about this city. Published Jan. 10, 2007
Where Good Ideas Go to Die - Whatever the right approach to getting good ideas enacted, our current culture of compromise is not taking us anywhere good. Published Jan. 10, 2007
Postcards from Scranton - Ben assuages his loneliness during a business trip to Pennsylvania by writing to his loved ones back home. Published Dec. 13, 2006
A Refreshing Outcome - My old home town finally did something I never thought I'd see them do: they turned a corner. Published Nov. 23, 2006
Business as Unusual: How to Produce Change - If the citizens fail to fulfill our democratic duties, then we can be certain of one thing when everything stays the same: we'll have only ourselves to blame. Published Nov. 8, 2006
Rewind - Hamilton's activist community lost a dear friend last month. Published Nov. 8, 2006
The Middle Finger of Progress - If high-rise towers are building for the future, what kind of future are we building? Published Oct. 20, 2006
How to Be an (Accidental) Activist - I hope we can all try and put aside any frustrations we may have and replace them with hope, energy, optimism and enthusiasm. Published Oct. 6, 2006
All in All, a Super Weekend - Ben attends his first ever political party leadership polling event, and all hell breaks loose. Published Oct. 6, 2006
Touring Hamilton's Waterfront - With its simple, back-to-nature approach to lakeside strolling and stunning panoramas, Hamilton's Waterfront has something unique and truly pleasurable to offer. Published Sep. 20, 2006
The Road to Boredom - Our kids today, and many parents too, have never known a childhood that includes playing on the street. Published Sep. 20, 2006
Hey, Stoopid! - Pummeled by an epidemic of stupidity, Ben laments the triumph of titillation and the bravado of the banal. Published Aug. 30, 2006
Toronto's Waterfront - Toronto is trying to wrest its waterfront back from the cars and condos that have strangled the shoreline. Published Aug. 30, 2006
Adding Up the Scores: Fun Factor Part II - Ben compares Hamilton with other cities in which he's lived, and highlights some lessons for the Hammer. Published Jul. 5, 2006
The Fun Factor - If we had access to some kind of fun factor scale, then how would Hamilton compare to other cities around the globe? Let's find out. Published May. 26, 2006
Guilty as Charged - What makes a good citizen? How can I go to my grave confident in the knowledge that whatever happens to this little green and blue ball we're spinning on, I'm not guilty? Published May. 5, 2006
The Nightmare is Real - Hamilton politics gets under the skin. Raise the Hammer news stories from the depths of hell haunt Ben's dreams. Published Apr. 21, 2006
Just a Boy's Diary - A diary is a book with no discernable plot and an uncertain ending. It sounds a lot like life. Published Apr. 21, 2006
Look, Pull ... er, Crunch? - Ben hurls himself off the side of a moving airplane. Don't try this at home, kids! Published Apr. 9, 2006
The Treasure Hunt - For some reason, I have no idea why, I woke up one morning and decided it would be a great idea to put on a Treasure Hunt in my local park. Published Mar. 18, 2006
Slow Down - The only thing we need to do in a hurry is slow down. Published Mar. 1, 2006
Five Words Ben Loves - Ben thanks his readers for their awesome acceptance of his willy-nilly swearing. Well done! Published Mar. 1, 2006
Bedtime for Mom and Pop - When I wander around Wal-Mart and look at the rows of stuff lining the shelves, I ask myself - how many shopkeepers have we replaced? Published Feb. 15, 2006
Ten Words Ben Hates - Ben implodes the English language by juxtaposing business blather with suburban culture and segues from boondoggles to stupidites. You so shouldn't miss this. Published Feb. 15, 2006
Homogeneousness - How many times have we seen this happen? Main Street, Quaint Town, Ontario becomes, well, Anytown USA. Published Jan. 27, 2006
Subsidy v. Investment - The world class Tube and TTC systems are not maintained by handouts, but investments. Hamilton had better pay attention. Published Jan. 9, 2006
Good Grief! - Free speech is the fair price of our democracy, and patronizing remarks by our very own free press do nothing to encourage civic discussion. Published Jan. 9, 2006
Hamilton CAN - if we want - It takes more than just a vote to make our democracy work. And it will take more than just a vote, or words on paper, to turn this town around. Published Dec. 14, 2005
You had us from the opening line - We will remember David Hillen for his endless optimism, his never-say-die attitude, and his ongoing message of hope for our embattled core. Published Dec. 14, 2005
Only in Hamilton: Green Thai Curry and Disputed Gouda - Ben somehow manages to use the "s" word in a family magazine, dragging Raise the Hammer to new journalistic lows. Published Nov. 28, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben jingles some bells and recounts the sweet music they play. Published Nov. 28, 2005
Review: A Short History of Progress - Humans share a long history of fouling our nests and moving on. What happens when there's nowhere left to go? Published Nov. 28, 2005
Only in Hamilton - It didn't take Ben long to realize that Hamilton is a town unlike any other. We tell it like it is. Published Nov. 10, 2005
Requiem for Ted and Gloria - Over the years, Canadian Tire's Ted has been the epitome of the Canadian Dream, writes Ben Bull. Published Nov. 10, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull sprinkles pixie dust over the city and describes what unfolds. Published Nov. 10, 2005
Driven to Extremes - There was something dispiriting and distasteful about not having a single reason to get out of your house and walk. Published Oct. 21, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull guides us through the sweet sounds of the downtown Hamilton symphony of life. Published Oct. 21, 2005
Driving Me Crazy - Ben Bull explores the ups and downs of his many rocky relationships with cars over the years (first of two parts). Published Oct. 7, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben's cup runneth over (and his mouth runneth on) as he attempts to hold back the deluge of recent local news. Published Oct. 7, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull shamelessly misappropriates Jason Leach's intrepid field work for another round-up of Hamilton happenings and Steeltown shenanigans. Published Sep. 15, 2005
Bloke Down the Pub: Long-Term Planning, Hamilton Style - Too often, Hamilton City Council seems to pull its ideas and arguments - solar powered planes?! - out of thin air. Published Sep. 15, 2005
Climbing the Tree - Ben Chronicles his long search to rediscover the beautiful chaos of his childhood home. Published Aug. 22, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull channels Jason Leach as he wanders the streets of Hamilton in ghostly torment. Published Jul. 1, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben rattles the bars of his subterranean cage in this month's WOTS. Published Jun. 16, 2005
My Trip to Hamilton City Hall - With all these unhappy residents and all this new information, it seemed obvious that the Councillors would vote to delay the aerotropolis amendment... Published Jun. 16, 2005
People Places (Part II) - If we cannot become a real community we can never again be a proper town. Published Jun. 16, 2005
People Places (Part I) - As people places go, successful public squares have the most important ingredient - people - in abundance. Published May. 31, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull crawls through the filth and emerges with a fistfull of gems. Published May. 31, 2005
Word on the Street - Ben Bull serves up a generous helping of local events, rumours, and rumblings. Published May. 16, 2005
What's the Big Idea? - Sometimes the best ideas are simply the bad ones that go away. Published May. 16, 2005
Self-Respect - How far must we sink into the gutter before we hit rock bottom? Published Apr. 14, 2005
Word on the Street for April - Here's what's been going on here, there, and everywhere in Hamilton this past month. Published Apr. 14, 2005
Time to Grow Up - As a growing city we need to have dreams again. We need to think about what we want to be when we grow up. Published Mar. 14, 2005
Word on the Street - Here's a summary of some of the significant activist happenings from this past month. Published Mar. 14, 2005
Losing It, Learning, and Moving On (Digging Through The Custard Part 2) - Here's to the next twelve months of political pudding. Let's hope we can all make a difference. Published Feb. 19, 2005
Get Real - The best way to change Hamilton's image is to change Hamilton's reality. It's time to stop saying, "I love Hamilton" and start meaning it. Published Feb. 19, 2005
Digging Through the Custard (Pt. I) - At the start of another new year, it seems like a good idea to look back on my first year as a Hamilton activist. Published Jan. 14, 2005
Green Berets 2004 Annual Report on the City of Hamilton - We are pleased to present the Green Berets 2004 Annual Report on the City of Hamilton, to communicate our thoughts, our concerns, and our hopes for the city. Published Jan. 14, 2005
Is the Creative Class Crass? - The Creative Class movement leaves too many citizens behind, but it does recognize that quality of life matters most. Published Dec. 14, 2004
Toronto Council to Vote on Corporate, Union Donations, Published Dec. 1, 2008 under Politics
Kiva: A Great Idea Whose Time Has Come, Published Nov. 14, 2008 under Activism
Billboards and Freedom of Expression, Published Nov. 11, 2008 under Policy
Recession and Resignation, Published Nov. 10, 2008 under Economy
Place-Making in Mississauga, Published Nov. 5, 2008 under Revitalization
Globalization and its Discontents, Published Oct. 29, 2008 under Economics
Toronto Eyes Development Fee Hike, Published Oct. 24, 2008 under Sprawl
What Price Growth?, Published Oct. 22, 2008 under Sprawl
The Only Poll that Really Matters, Published Oct. 14, 2008 under Federal Election 2008
Sad But Funny, Published Oct. 9, 2008 under Humour
Authoritarianism Meets Stylishness, Published Oct. 6, 2008 under Politics
VP Debate: There for the Crash, Published Sep. 30, 2008 under US Politics - 2008 Election
Scarborough Plans Light Rail, Published Jun. 4, 2008 under Light Rail
Ghost Bikes and Safety by Design, Published May. 29, 2008 under Transportation
Big Box Barriers: Minimum Height Requirements, Published Apr. 7, 2008 under Architecture
Two-Way Conversion: Still Waiting, Published Mar. 24, 2008 under Revitalization
Hume: Cities 'Poor, Weak Creatures', Published Mar. 24, 2008 under Policy
Mixed-Use Toronto Waterfront Coming Together, Published Mar. 13, 2008 under Revitalization
Lakeshore Residents Take Matters In Hand, Published Mar. 4, 2008 under Activism
Hume: Integrate University into City, Published Feb. 27, 2008 under Revitalization
London to Triple Gas Guzzler Tolls, Published Feb. 13, 2008 under Transportation
GO Transit Plans Parking Lot Infill Development, Published Feb. 11, 2008 under Revitalization
Growth Is Not Always Good, Published Jan. 31, 2008 under Sustainability
Mississauga Plans Shorter Blocks, Published Jan. 28, 2008 under Revitalization
Real v. Phony Mixed Neighbourhoods, Published Jan. 25, 2008 under Revitalization
Is the US a Third World Country?, Published Jan. 2, 2008 under US Politics
Time to Reconsider Amalgamation?, Published Dec. 21, 2007 under Politics
The Global Commuting Crunch, Published Dec. 14, 2007 under Transportation
Flaherty Dismisses Problem He Helped Create, Published Dec. 3, 2007 under Politics
Understanding Urbanophobia, Published Nov. 26, 2007 under Revitalization
Chance Meetings Produce Successful Neighbourhoods, Published Nov. 26, 2007 under Revitalization
Lessons from a Changing Arctic, Published Nov. 18, 2007 under Climate Change
More Evidence of Sprawl Health Effects, Published Nov. 10, 2007 under Sprawl
Lack of Planning Foresight Proves Costly, Published Nov. 8, 2007 under Revitalization
St. Lawrence Market Design: Pragmatic and Successful, Published Nov. 2, 2007 under Revitalization
Diabetes Rates Higher in the Suburbs, Published Nov. 1, 2007 under Health
Highway Land Hogs and Reclaimed Pedestrian Space, Published Oct. 30, 2007 under Revitalization
UN Global Environmental Outlook: Not Good, Published Oct. 26, 2007 under Ecology
Toronto Property Tax Levy is Counterproductive, Published Oct. 23, 2007 under Revitalization
Matador Sidesteps Demolition, Published Oct. 17, 2007 under Revitalization
Mean Streets, Published Oct. 16, 2007 under Transportation
Why I Won't Vote for John Tory, Published Oct. 10, 2007 under Ontario Election 2007
Myths and Realities of Mixed Member Proportional, Published Oct. 8, 2007 under Politics
People-Centric Initiatives, Published Oct. 5, 2007 under Revitalization
The Dangers of Gentrification, Published Oct. 1, 2007 under Revitalization
A City of Pedestrians, Published Oct. 1, 2007 under Revitalization
City Gambling Revenue Should Benefit the Entire City, Published Sep. 27, 2007 under Politics
Toronto's Got a Fever! And the Only Prescription is More Parking, Published Sep. 26, 2007 under Revitalization
German Town Strips Streets and Goes Naked, Published Sep. 17, 2007 under Transportation
'New Urban' Greenfield Development Sparks Debate, Published Aug. 29, 2007 under Revitalization
Climate Change Camp Demonstrates Innovative Activist Methods, Published Aug. 20, 2007 under Activism
On Tackling the Substance of an Argument, Published Aug. 16, 2007 under Media
Indifference is Not an Option, Published Aug. 15, 2007 under Activism
Successful Activism Requires Imagination, Published Aug. 11, 2007 under Activism
Toronto Council, Do Your Job!, Published Jul. 22, 2007 under Politics
Listen to the Public Conscience, Published Jul. 13, 2007 under Revitalization
The Space Between, Published Jul. 13, 2007 under Revitalization
Businesses Should Disclose What They Spew, Published Jul. 6, 2007 under Air Pollution
The Stroke of a Pen, Published Jul. 6, 2007 under Politics
Reverse-Commuting a Worrying Trend, Published Jul. 6, 2007 under Revitalization
Georgia On My Mind, Published Jul. 5, 2007 under Transportation
WiFi Woes, Published Jul. 3, 2007 under Revitalization
Thou Shalt Not Tailgate?, Published Jun. 20, 2007 under Transportation
Time to Scrap Transit Fares, Published Jun. 15, 2007 under Transportation
Is Culture the New Infrastructure?, Published Jun. 4, 2007 under Revitalization
The Dreaded D-Word, Published May. 22, 2007 under Revitalization
Neglect, Demolition - and Unanswered Questions, Published May. 22, 2007 under Revitalization
Toronto's Lawrence Heights to Become a Mixed Neighbourhood, Published May. 11, 2007 under Revitalization
In Ireland, Economic Justice is a Requirement for Peace, Published May. 9, 2007 under Politics
Breathless (and Speechless), Published May. 9, 2007 under Air Pollution
Sprawl: Obvious Problems but Veiled Solutions, Published Mar. 15, 2007 under Sprawl
An Inconvenient Despair, Published Mar. 9, 2007 under Activism
Don't Wait Until We're Bogged Down, Published Mar. 4, 2007 under Transportation
Working Harder and Making Less, Published Mar. 1, 2007 under Politics
Summit 2007 Raises Questions for Activists, Published Feb. 25, 2007 under Politics
Falling Behind and Catching Up, Published Feb. 21, 2007 under Revitalization
Irritable Bilbao Syndrome, Published Jan. 7, 2007 under Revitalization
A Little Thing We Call Community, Published Jan. 2, 2007 under Neighbourhoods
The Poverty Industry, Published Dec. 21, 2006 under Politics
Let's Make A Deal, Published Dec. 11, 2006 under Politics
Spacing, Published 2006/11/6 under Media
By the Side of the Road, Published Nov. 27, 2006 under Transportation
Neighbourhoods and Poverty, Published Nov. 23, 2006 under Revitalization
Should Ignorant People Vote?, Published Nov. 12, 2006 under Politics
Municipal Political Parties, Published Oct. 21, 2006 under Municipal Election 2006
Eco-Lofts and Eyes on the Street, Published Oct. 16, 2006 under Revitalization
Investigating Low Voter Turnout, Published Oct. 16, 2006 under Municipal Election 2006
Giving Good Conscience a Helpful Nudge, Published Oct. 9, 2006 under Revitalization
Extreme Makeover: Nathan Phillips Square, Published Oct. 9, 2006 under Revitalization
Lessons for Hamilton Waterfront, Published Oct. 2, 2006 under Revitalization
Whither the Gardiner?, Published Sep. 29, 2006 under Politics
Just What Are We Doing for Afghanistan?, Published Sep. 27, 2006 under Geopolitics
How We Demonstrate Our Values, Published Sep. 13, 2006 under Philosophy
Hume Fumes, Published Sep. 11, 2006 under Revitalization
Confused Donors, Confounded Voters, Published Aug. 24, 2006 under Politics
Enough is Enough, Published Feb. 20, 2006 under Transportation
(return to Contributors)
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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