The best lists of the year always include the same groups of people. Where is the diversity? What does a person have to do in order to get recognized in some context? Work for the media? Or "date" someone who does? —Tired of the sheep mentality

In response to the letter carrier…

"...last year, our first year in the red, 7,402 performance bonuses were still paid out, so we can't be doing too badly."

That statement for me sums up what is wrong with CP, and the Public Service in general. Even when they fail financially, they still expect no impact to them..the tax payer is expected to sure up their pension plans,or provide additional funds for performance pay.

In the private sector when a business performs badly or the market goes down people loss jobs or asked to take pay cut, or pensions are impacted. Why can't public servatns and their livelihoods be put at risk just like everyone else? Why do tax payers at any costs have to shelter them from the risks?

Anybody? —Joe Taxpayer

To the guy[s] from a local swimming pool who dampened my night. You went over to the side of the pool while I was in it and said "Why the hell you staring at, it's creepy, stop staring ya creep." I was confused and caught off guard you even said that then after you and your "bros" went towards the locker room I heard with my good sense of hearing "Is he still staring?, fuckin fag." First of all, don't flatter yourself, I'm happily TAKEN with a very sweet man, Second, I usually stare off into space, deep in thought like "Will the weather be nice for Sunday so my family can go see relatives." or "How am I gonna get enough money to go to a convention in Chicago.". Third, I have a part of a right eye in terms of eyesight and I react to sound, touch and smell and usually when I turn to look in a general direction it's usually because I hear a kid laughing, or a swim coach telling his students to do something, or even someone jumping off from the rope swing. You and your buddies really live up to the stereotype gym bully. congrats your utter douches, and when my boyfriend and my friends finally came, they think so too. Have a Unmerry Christmas you judgemental dropout dumb fucks. —Semi Blind Casual Swimmer

It's the longest night tonight. That means something good. The days are only going to get longer starting tomorrow! The sun will be more powerful every day! We are heading towards summer folks. Keep that in mind! —Summer is coming!

There are two (sometimes three) lanes that enter the Armdale traffic circle at each junction. If the lane adjacent to you is entering the circle at a faster rate then your lane, you are doing it wrong. —fudgemorningcommutes

its a scary dangerous place out there. and I know it isn't all your fault. some people don't pay attention when they're walking and /or biking. but I do. so from now on, drivers of all ages, races, creeds and car colors be aware: I'm collecting parts of cars that hit me, cut me off, creep up on me while I'm trying to cross the street, pull way out so I have to go around in an unsafe way. if I can't get a part off like a mirror then I will dent your vehicle. badly.

this isn't a threat, just a statement so people who read it will know: I WILL STAND UP FOR MYSELF. —Opposite of a waving bear in a police uniform

The amount of pedestrians that have been hit by vehicles in the recent past is alarming. I walk everywhere in Halifax and have had a few close calls. I often see drivers who are not paying attention. However, I think pedestrians of Halifax need a little reminder of a poem most of us learned in elementary school. "Stop, look, and listen before you cross the street. Use your eyes, use your ears, and then use your feet." It is awful that people were hurt crossing the road but we need to remember that you should not just walk out on the street even if you have the right of way. Make eye contact with the driver and know they are coming to a stop before you walk out in front of a giant powerful machine that can seriously injure you. As winter brings cold snowy and icy weather, it becomes even harder for cars to stop. Pedestrians of Halifax, pay attention and make the right choice to protect yourself! You may have the right of way but it won't do you any good when you're recovering from bruises or broken bones or worse, dead. —Check yourself before you wreck yourself

I'm a man, and I'm straight up tired of hearing people talk negatively about feminism. It's from both men, and women. But, women are easily the more ironic offenders in the situation, as they talk out loud, in public, with their own opinions.

Feminism is the belief that a woman is capable of, exactly what a man is capable of, and they deserve equal rights. Without it, there wouldn't be women in university. There wouldn't be women working, or walking alone in streets, without a man. She wouldn't own land, or vote, or be considered a human being with rights, because this notion didn't exist only 100 fucking years ago. And guess what? All you women, ALL of you, still don't get payed, what a man gets payed, for doing the exact same job, in a professional work setting.

You're all idiots, congratulations. —A guy within earshot

Not sure who to blame the traffic situation in Halifax on, but I'm betting there are some retired planners laughing their ass' off! Maybe it's all the histerical holiday shoppers out last night but it took me over 2 hours to get out of downtown over to Bayers Lake. All I can say is "it's a good thing there's gun control in Canada" otherwise I'm pretty sure someone would have been firing off rounds near the Halifax Shopping Centre! —Thinkin

I'm tired of explaining how racism is still very much alive in Halifax. I witness it everyday. I hear and see it, and watch human souls get a little more crushed every single time.

When something is not directed towards you, there's a human tendency to ignore it. This is the reason racism still lives. Until it can be faced, head-on, by most of the public, nothing ever gets better. That means openly talking about it, and stopping attempts to censor those of us who are comfortable enough with ourselves, to do so.

Halifax had very public, and high-profile, racism issues (only) around 20 years ago, but most of that seems to have been forgotten. Those people are not dead, or have become enlightened. They are themselves, and they still live here.

There are plenty of open-minded students, who filter in-and-out of this city that gives Halifax the illusion of being very progressive. But, most of the students are temporary Haligonians, and they make up a small percentage of the population, compared to permanent residents. So, every single year, students who complete school leave NS, never to come back. Then they are replaced with a fresh batch of high school children, who are ready to think of the world as more than the walls of their school and home.

I think you can see where this is going.. —Professional People Watcher, Esquire