Archive for June, 2008

Canada the good, the bad, the snuggly

Monday, June 30th, 2008 Posted in Politics, Society | 1 Comment »

Canada Day deepens my sense of national identity the way Boxing Day replenishes my personal stores of charity; which is to say, not at all. If I am meant to ... Read more..

A modest proposal for reversing climate change

Sunday, June 29th, 2008 Posted in Humour | No Comments »

To: UN Secretary-General From: John Swift, Policy Advisor on Climate Change Date: 2018   As per your instructions, I have given the matter of rising greenhouse gas emissions considerable thought. It is perfectly accurate ... Read more..

The new economic survivalism

Sunday, June 29th, 2008 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

A friend of mine, whom I’ll call “George”, is a happy drop-out from the rat race that almost cost him his mental health. He doesn’t read the major newspapers anymore. ... Read more..

All work is no play

Monday, June 23rd, 2008 Posted in Humour | No Comments »

A camp counsellor once told me that if I loved what I did, I’d never work a day in my life. That was a week before he was fired for ... Read more..

The politics of consultation

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 Posted in Education, Politics | No Comments »

It’s rare when Canada’s self-proclaimed national newspaper lauds New Brunswick as a glittering example of national virtue. But there the Globe and Mail was, earlier this week, declaring in all ... Read more..

It’s summer and the living is queasy

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 Posted in Humour | No Comments »

I’m not particularly fond of summer. I know I should be. I should be a lot of things I’m not: Tall, handsome, athletic, rich, multilingual, an astronaut. I can’t do ... Read more..

What’s wrong with this picture?

Tuesday, June 17th, 2008 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

I understand the thinly veiled message conveyed by the smiling call-centre woman, flower girl, office worker, and construction engineer. Even the grinning retiree leaves no doubt. But what’s with the ... Read more..

It’s about energy, not oil

Thursday, June 12th, 2008 Posted in Economy | No Comments »

Trusting the developed world’s finance ministers to resolve the global oil crisis is a little like hoping your banker will fix your fuel tank. Unless your banker’s also your arc-welding ... Read more..

A bicycle built for one

Monday, June 9th, 2008 Posted in Economy, Humour | No Comments »

I’m as happy as a seven-year-old on Christmas morning. Who cares that I’m 47 and it’s early June? Today, I pick up my new bike.   It’s a real beauty – sleek, ... Read more..

Dear Barack: Can I be your running mate?

Friday, June 6th, 2008 Posted in Humour, Politics | No Comments »

I must confess a slightly unsettling fissure developing in my otherwise rock-solid sense of national identity. No, it’s not George Clooney or Brad Pitt causing me to wonder. It’s not ... Read more..