Archive for October, 2009

To jab, or not to jab

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Posted in Economy, Society | No Comments »

You’d have to be a hopeless masochist to relish getting stuck with a needle-sharp syringe full of dead cells. But, like many other things in life – dental surgery, dinner with ... Read more..

These gloves were made for working

Sunday, October 25th, 2009 Posted in General, Society | No Comments »

Somewhere in the two adjoining properties I own, I had sprung a leak. The man from the city, the one in the white coat who monitors the municipality’s electronic water-metering ... Read more..

What’s our true colour, Mr. Harper?

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Posted in Humour | No Comments »

Dear Mr. Harper:   As usual, our “friends” in the liberal media are having a field day with your plans for the colour blue in the everyday lives of hard-working, right-thinking Canadians. ... Read more..

When a minority government becomes a majority

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Posted in Politics | No Comments »

Does nothing stick to this government?             In a week that might otherwise topple a ruling party, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives continue to enjoy a comfortable lead in public opinion. Indeed, they ... Read more..

Getting the good, gray news the old-fashioned way

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Posted in Society | No Comments »

I love the smell of newsprint in the morning. That woody, inky aroma beckons me like a bodice-ripper promising delights and disappointments wrought by the hands of those who understand, ... Read more..

Is the peace prize necessary?

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 Posted in Politics, Society | No Comments »

Barack Obama is inarguably the most intelligent, articulate and compassionate U.S. President in a generation. And, outside his own country, he is the most admired since John F. Kennedy.             But ... Read more..

Embrace the anti-social media

Monday, October 12th, 2009 Posted in Society | No Comments »

Civility is contagious. So is, regrettably, incivility. I should know.             A few days ago, I took umbrage to what I considered was a personal attack on my motivations and character. A ... Read more..

Stephen Harper’s new groove

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 Posted in Economy, Politics | No Comments »

It must have happened sometime between the meltdown of the world’s financial system and the first, fragile signs of economic recovery. But when, exactly, did Stephen Harper become. . .well, ... Read more..

Singing a different tune on culture

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 Posted in Economy, Politics | No Comments »

If you can’t quite reconcile the Conservative government’s well-documented mistrust of cultural industries and Stephen Harper’s brilliantly contrived musical interlude at a gala in support of the National Arts Centre ... Read more..

For Iggy, we’ve lost that lovin’ feeling

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 Posted in Politics | No Comments »

Maybe it’s the smirk or that improbably huge melon situated above those patrician shoulders of his, but Michael Ignatieff – the once and future ruler of the Liberal Party of ... Read more..