27

Death of a dictator  I would have been happy to see Saddam Hussein get what he deserved: a fair trial and a firing squad. His crimes were well-documented, his fate well-deserved. But what he got was a show trial, not a fair trial.  The Americans needed to cover up their complicity with Iraqi war crimes in Iraq's bloody conflict with Iran in the 1980s. It would be too confusing for the poorly informed American public to find out yesterday's ally was today's villain, that today's threat was yesterday's victim. It's easier to push the public into supporting war when you can paint things in black and white.  January 1, 2007

28

Over the Hillier?  Many will agree with him, but General Rick Hillier, the head of Canada's armed forces, should have waited until he retired before saying our military is coming out of "a decade of darkness" that began with the Liberal government in 1994 (Hillier Decries Military's 'Decade Of Darkness' -- online edition, Feb. 16). In the U.S., many retired generals voice their opinions on both sides of the Iraq debate. The point is, however, they don't speak up until they are free to do so -- they don't cross the line between military advice and political opinion.  February 16, 2007

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Telus about it  Ever notice that telus is an anagram for e-lust. But it looks like the telecommunications giant saw the text message on the wall and decided to delete the dirty downloads. February 22, 2007

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The J2-C2 Code  Re Has the DNA of Jesus been Found? I see a Tom Robbins / Dan Brown collaboration here with a twist of John LeCarre.  The plot: Raelians  steal a sample of JC-DNA and successfully clone cells for in vitro fertilization  into the womb of a virgin. Her child, J2C2, is raised by a secret ‘End of Days’ cult dedicated to fulfilling the prophesies of the Book of Revelations.  In time, the Miracle Child discovers the secret of cold fusion and saves the world from global warming.  But the multi-national oil companies conspire to assassinate him because he is a threat to their power. Here we go again. February 25, 2007

31

Down and dirty : Perhaps the Canadian Patient Safety Institute could publish records for Canadian hospitals indicating staffing changes over the past 15 years (Hospitals Must Report Superbugs By Next Year -- March 10). Have hospital administrators, faced with trimmed budgets and/or rising costs, decided cleaners were expendable? Have we pushed too much work on nurses? Has the bottom-line thinking, so prominent in business and government during the 1990's, once again resulted in a loss of effectiveness at the altar of efficiency?  March 11, 2007

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And the answer is ... Re O'Connor Surfaces In Afghanistan: Does your headline mean he's out of his depth in his portfolio or just up to his neck in hot water in Canada? March 12, 2007 

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June Callwood: A life : June Callwood -- now there was a role model the angels could look up to (Journalist, Activist June Callwood Dies At 82 -- Obituary, on-line edition, April 14). If the Roman Catholic Church wants a saint, Ms. Callwood fits all categories for nomination. She was devoted to those in greatest need, had respect for people, struggled against the thinking and institutions that keep people down, and showed love and understanding to those who once accused her of racism.  April 15, 2007

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On with the show, this is it: My Canada does not include Conrad Black. That was his choice as well - one of his better ones.      May 19, 2007

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Timbit tactics: Re Tim Hortons Serves Up Some Controversy (May 30): Rather than boycott Tim Hortons, I'm going to increase my patronage immediately. Why? Because the company did everything right in response to a teenage staff member's foolishness in posting a sign that declared "No Drunken Indians Allowed." The teen was disciplined, then educated about her company's anti-discrimination policy. And the company made a public apology. Would that our provincial and federal governments were so scrupulous in correcting their treatment of Canada's first nations.  May 30, 2007

36

Kill or be kilt: Your editorial The Tartan Line (July 12) erroneously compares a Scottish tartan registry with our own gun registry. The latter was meant to reduce the number of firearms-related deaths. As everyone knows, dead men don't wear plaid.  July 12, 2007

37

Cruisin' and losin' The two men accused of extortion in trying to broker purloined celebrity photos (Two Charged With Plot To Extort $1-million From Cruise - online edition, July 27) should be ashamed of themselves. The fiendish plot involved repair of "a damaged computer hard drive containing the wedding photos" of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Instead of fixing the computer problem, authorities say, the pair downloaded images and threatened to sell them on the black market. They should have known: If it ain't fixed, don't broker it.  July 28, 2007

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RE Border Blues: Sleeping beside an elephant is dangerous enough, but a paranoid pachyderm? September 29, 2007

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Your latest Globe online poll, in response to Konrad Yakabuski's article Young, Diverse Quebec Is Curiously Attracted To Its Ancestors asks, "Do you think the controversy in Quebec over 'reasonable accommodation' is reasonable or unreasonable?" The poll results are about 50/50. Why? Because, the way the question is worded, it asks either (a) "Is the controversy reasonable?" or (b) "Is 'reasonable accommodation' reasonable?" Two very different questions.  Please watch your words or, without intending any partisan political references, mind your Ps and Qs.   November 4, 2007

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Bad cop / Mal cop: I find it ironic that "taser" is an anagram for "tears." The video of Mr. Dziekanski's death at the hands of the RCMP tears your heart out and leaves you in tears. The message is not so cryptic.  November 16, 2007