We Shall Keep the Faith

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet - rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

This poem was written in 1918 by Moina Michael as a response to John McCrae's legendary poem "In Flander's Fields".

Please remember to take a moment of silence and thanks for those who have given their lives for freedom.

Only sky above us

Recently, in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, schools across Hamilton had been planning to release balloons into the sky. While the discovery of insulin is certainly a noble cause and worthy of celebration, doing so through the release of latex balloons into the atmosphere is not an environmentally conscious way of doing so.

Fortunately, in part due to a petition that I helped create, of the 200 schools who had planned on releasing the balloons, all have been told to not do so. Victory!

Toulouse win Fourth European Cup

French rugby club Toulouse took home their fourth European Cup saturday as they edged out Biarritz in a 21 to 18 win. Outside Half David Skrela was instrumental in the victory, slotting three penalties and two drop goals.

While the match started off with a near score, the fast pace was not to last, and turned into a slugfest between the forwards and equally determined defence.

Artist of the Week: Flatfoot 56

Christian Celtic Punk legend Flatfoot 56 recently announced that they will be releasing a new album in 2012 with Paper and Plastick records. Flatfoot 56 is considered one of the best Celtic punk artists, alongside such legends as The Pogues, Flogging Molly, and Drupkick Murphy's, and as anyone who has attended one of their live shows will attest to, they are an exhilarating band to experience.

If interested, Paper and Plastick is offering a free download of an exclusive preview cover of an old hymn "I'll Fly Away" at http://www.flatfoot56.com/home/

New Zealand are the World Champions

The final match of the rugby world cup has been played, and the champions are New Zealand. The All Blacks faced an inspired French team who played a match worthy of the world cup final. It was clear that the game would be no blowout from the very beginning, as France slowly advanced as a team towards the All Blacks while New Zealand was performing the traditional war dance, the Haka.

The final score was just 7 -8 for New Zealand; the lowest scoring final in World Cup history. This ends the 24 year drought and doubt over the All Blacks capabilities, while the French once again play second fiddle.

Unfortunately, the world cup is over. But fortunately, the European Club Rugby will be starting in the beginning of November, so only a few weeks of patience are required before the thirst for good rugby may be sated.

Australia take the Bronze

In a tense and extremely physical match, Australia beat out Wales for third place in the rugby world cup the other night. Multiple injuries on both sides saw many key players leave the field, and their was no shortage of blood being spilled. Brutal tackles made the game an interesting spectacle to behold, although many of the tacklee's likely did not find it as entertaining.

Australian fly half Quade Cooper, who has gathered a number of grudges against him by the New Zealand supporters after his quarrels with New Zealand captain Richie McGraw, was among those to get carried off the field, much to the pleasure of many of the fans present. Cooper was later shown with a full leg brace, indicating that his injury was pretty serious.

With no time left on the clock, Wales managed to end the game on a high note with a converted try by Leigh Halfpenny, but it was too little too late for the Dragons.

Tonight New Zealand face France to determine the winner. All bets are being placed on New Zealand to win the tournament, but then again, the French have made themselves the bane of the All Blacks in the past, so the French could have a chance, assuming they clean up their act from last week's match against Wales.

New Zealand Defeat Australia!

In a brutal match last night, New Zealand obliterated Australia 20 to 6. Australia failed to get any tries, as the hammered away in futile against an iron strong New Zealand defensive side. New Zealand will now have the opportunity to recreate the 1987 world cup final against France next weekend in what is sure to be a great game. However, considering the fact that New Zealand has the advantage of being on home soil, there seems little doubt who will win the final... assuming that the All Blacks don't choke as they have in the past and lose to the French.

Who will take home the Webb Ellis cup? The New Zealand All Blacks, or the Fleur de Francais? find out next weekend on the 23rd at 4 am.