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| Below
are my Letters to the editor written to the Globe and Mail and
published in 2006. Letters published in other years may be
viewed by clicking the appropriate year above. |
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20 |
Ethics: Go for Joe: It is perfectly
understandable that Ed Broadbent could not accept the post
of Ethics Commissioner, given his family obligations (The
Shapiro Controversies -- March 9). But surely Prime Minster
Stephen Harper has Joe Clark's phone number.
Like Mr.
Broadbent, Mr. Clark is synonymous with integrity and
ethical behaviour. Just ask Brian Mulroney. And like Mr.
Broadbent, Mr. Clark meets a most important ethical
criterion; he was never a Liberal and never crossed from his
party. Actually, the party crossed him. March 10, 2006 |
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21 |
Lack of blond ambition? Thank you, Belinda Stronach, for
your wise decision (Stronach Won't Seek Liberal Leadership
-- on-line edition, April 6). Considering that the Liberal
Party is still making its way in the dark, Canada may be
spared the folly of the blond leading the blind. April
7, 2006 |
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22 |
Ban all provinces: M. A. Wozenilek believes in
re-jigging Confederation by combining provinces with smaller
populations to take care of the equalization problem. He
should know that four have-nots do not make a whole. Four
poor economies combined do not make one healthy one. There
would be small savings from reduced government but it would
not outweigh the increased alienation that would result.
May 18, 2006 |
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23 |
The 2-by-4 terrorists? : As Michel Facon points out
(Talking With Terrorists -- letter, Aug. 23), governments
start out saying they will never negotiate with terrorists
but eventually, as with the FLN in Algeria or IRA in
Northern Ireland, if we want peace, we settle. I guess
Stephen Harper took that view when agreeing to the
softwood-lumber deal with the trade terrorists from the
U.S. August 23, 2006 |
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24 |
Marathon wait: Rick Baker, private medical broker, says,
"You don't want to get sick in Ontario." Well, I live in
Ontario, and I have cancer. I'm undergoing a series of tests
that will include an MRI this Sunday, less than a month
since my diagnosis. My medical team has assured me that
people in greater medical need are bumped to the head of
waiting lists for MRIs. Your health status, not your
financial status, is what counts in caring for you in
Ontario.
If the
medical resources, professionals and patient load stay the
same, then privatizing does nothing to shorten waiting
lists. What it does do is shorten the wait for those who can
pay extra. If you want to get well quickly in B.C., you
better be rich. September 13, 2006 |
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25 |
Of mice and men: Your Nov. 2 on-line Globe poll asks: "A
new study suggests that obese mice can enjoy the benefits of
being thin if they consume red-wine extract. Will this news
influence any of your lifestyle choices?" No. I don't drink
socially with mice. November 4, 2006 |
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26 |
A Christmas Rex: It wouldn't be Christmas without Rex
Murphy battling political correctness (The Last Spasm Of
Humbugitis -- Dec. 23). It isn't about correctness; it's
about consideration. Inclusiveness, or multiculturalism or
tolerance, is the real target when PC bashers begin to rant.
No one
objects to the cheerful cries of "Merry Christmas," but if
major retailers want their employees to say "Happy holidays"
or "Season's greetings," it's probably because, as good
businessmen, they want to please all of their customers.
Likewise, governments in Canada should strive to be
non-sectarian. We celebrate this time of year by propping up
our economy, enriching our self-esteem (through gift-giving)
and reaching out to our brothers and sisters everywhere
regardless of race, colour or creed. If I decorate my Yule
tree, so what? December 27, 2006 |
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