Ken DeLuca

Below are my Letters written to the Globe and Mail in 2008. Yellow underlined passages indicate they were published in the paper or on-line the following day. ( As one can see, many are culled but few are chosen.) Letters submitted in other years may be viewed by clicking the appropriate year above.

So the privy council is delaying access to information requests ‘particularly those involving Canada 's mission in Afghanistan ’. And Stephen Harper says the Canadian people just don't seem to understand the Afghanistan Mission. Maybe because they can't get answers and won't unquestioningly accept the government’s line. January 6, 2008

Maxime Bernier regrets embarrassing our American and Israeli allies. A Canadian foreign affairs manual names them as carrying out torture. I guess the truth hurts in more ways than one. January 19, 2008

No doubt

America

has given refuge to people fleeing some dictatorships. But not all. Think of the 1970s when Pinochet tortured and 'disappeared' thousands. Some Chileans fled to

Canada

but would have been returned to face torture had they applied as refugees in the

U.S.

That’s not surprising, in that the torture gangs of

Chile

had been trained by the CIA to help shock and awe the people into subservience. The U.S. has long since abandoned the sentiments engraved on the Statue of Liberty. January 21, 2008

“ An Afghan journalist sentenced to death …for reporting by his brother about abuses by northern warlords….” And I thought Stephen Harper was tough on the media. January 23, 2008

Afghaniquicksand: Having just finished reading the Manley report (Ottawa Must Dictate Terms To NATO, Panel Says - Jan. 23), I'm inclined to label Canada's mission as "Ifghanistan" - if NATO partners commit forces in the same way that Canada and others have, if tribal rivalries and corruption don't undermine government institutions, if the Afghan central government can gain control outside Kabul, if the warlords and drug lords allow a democratic government to function, if an Afghan security force can be recruited, armed and trained, if Western forces are not seen as occupiers, if diplomatic efforts with Pakistan can secure the border from outside interference, if economic, social and political institutions can develop in one of the world's poorest nations ... Yes, the mission may succeed - in 20 or 30 years - and Canada may pull out. January 24, 2008

Premier Stelmach’s Green Plan is like someone at sea on a leaky life boat and he wants to plug only 14% of the holes. It’s a sinking ship, sir. All hands on deck! To use another metaphor, this looks like a case of NIMBY for greenhouse gas emission control. I have news for you, Ed; we’re all in the same backyard. January 25, 2008

Re: Lab-made genome gives new life to ethics debate

It’s like something you'd see on the telly
Or from pages of one Mary Shelly.
Frankenstein finds a home
In synthetic genome.
No wonder I'm called Nervous Nelly.

January 25, 2008

(PMO backtracks on detainees ) The Emperor has no clothes so he wraps himself in lies. The PMO spokesperson gets caught out, admits she ‘misspoke ‘ but still refuses to explain. The Defence Minister even goes so far as to imply mentioning military ‘secrets’ would endanger our troops. What secret? That the government is lying? I am reminded of Jack Nicholson’s line in a Few Good Men, “ The truth? You can’t handle the truth!” No, Ms Buckler, Mr McKay and Mr. Harper; Canadians can handle the truth. January 26, 2008

Silence that speaks volumes: Nihil sed bonum de morte dictum est. Upon the death of Indonesian ex-dictator Suharto, I have nothing to say. January 27, 2008

R2P too UNlikely: The Commentary article by Allen Rock and Lloyd Axworthy urges Canada to promote the ‘ Responsibility to Protect ‘ ( R2P ) within the United Nations. It seems ideal but idealistic. The

United States

, sole super-power, already exempts itself from the World Court and its soldiers from international accountability. The

U.S.

has the veto on the UN Security Council, so it can control that body. January 27, 2008

Losing ones head: Lawrence Martin calls for the Speaker of the House of Commons to exercise more authority to force ministers to give real answers in Question Period. ( The public's right to know: Don't let non-answers stand ) This goes beyond speaking truth to power; it’s demanding power speak the truth to issues. Unwavering and steadfast, such an advocate would be a ‘ man for all seasons ‘. And we all know what happened to Sir Thomas More. February 4, 2008

Sexzzzz: Is sexsomnia a legitimate defence in sex offence cases? The disorder, which may afflict the victim’s brain cells, is alleged to lead to involuntary sexual behaviour forcing a man to have sex in his sleep. That women have been doing that for ages is no matter. The real crime may be that men not afflicted with sexsomnia sleep-walk through sex. February 8, 2008

Well, duh-uh!: In a web exclusive comment, James Murta asks “Why haven't we dealt with this staggering $54-billion Employment Insurance surplus?” then goes on to state, “ … any resulting surpluses drop into the river of revenue, which can be spent as desired by the government of the day.” I believe that’s called “asked and answered.” February 8, 2008

More is less: The US Treasury Secretary warns that the economy is in for a serious and persistent downturn (G7 leaders turn pessimistic on global economy). Perhaps we should heed the words of the 18th century German philosopher, Johann Wolfgang Goethe: "Everything in the world may be endured except continual prosperity" February 10, 2008

1,2,3 what are we fightin' for? About the dog-fight bombing in Kandahar , Correspondent Graeme Smith notes the following: “ Some witnesses described the bomber wearing a police uniform …. claimed they saw frightened police firing at civilians in the aftermath….” And “ The disorder within police ranks was aggravated over the weekend by Governor Asadullah Khalid's decision to fire between 100 and 250 officers…. The police units were accused as a group of rampant corruption and relieved of their posts…. although such an important district may have hundreds of police on its official payroll, usually a small fraction of those forces exist.” Perhaps our government can explain how the Afghanistan mission is in defence of the rule of law. February 18, 2008

Your editorial (Ready, Set, Cheat) draws a connection between sport and society’s values. ‘ I must win, therefore I cheat ’ is a natural consequence of Vince Lombardi’s dictum about winning being the only thing. But sport is more than competition, just as politics is more than election wins and wealth is more than profit. What does it gain a man to win the world series and lose his soul? February 23, 2008

L'important c'est le mot: Warren Clemens’ challenges in the Globe and Mail will be sorely missed. He is retiring after 17 years and 882 columns which inspired thousands of readers to match his and his readers’ verbal shenanigans. A tip of the hat to a muse who never failed to amuse. February 23, 2008

Low blow: Has Ralph Nader decided to change his name to Nadir? By launching a third party candidacy for the third time, he will have sunk to the bottom-most depths of insanity. How low must he be to sacrifice his country for his own ego? February 24, 2008

Grand Delusion: The latest findings indicate Prozac and other such drugs are no more effective than a placebo in coping with stress-related mental illness. What is most distressing are reports that the pharmaceutical industry withheld unfavourable trial data. Are they in the business of health or wealth? February 27, 2008

Let me add my voice to those who hail the Parole Review Board’s decision to free Robert Latimer. A clear signal has been sent but it is not the one feared by Marie White, chairwoman of the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. This decision does not speak to condoning mercy killing; it tells us that mercy, understanding and compassion are also aspects of the rule of law in

Canada

. February 27, 2008

Descriptive Ethics: Here are some adjectives for Margaret Somerville: caring, compassionate, forgiving, merciful. They describe a Canadian society I want. They do not describe Ms Somerville nor the representatives of the Canadian Association for Community Living and the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. Their self righteous stand on the Robert Latimer case affects my ethical conclusions about them. February 29, 2008

Freedom of Suppress: Charles McVety, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition, takes credit for a bill protecting ‘mainstream Canadian society’ from ‘offensive’ art by denying tax dollars to films which promote “ homosexuality, graphic sex or violence.” Maybe Parliament and the Provinces can go one step further by setting up a panel to review religions and deny tax-free status to those it finds offensive. February 29, 2008

Two very different takes on the Eliot Switzer saga in this week’s columns by Rick Salutin and Margaret Wente. Salutin's article is essentially saying boys will be boys and what can you expect from alpha males. Ms Wente's piece, on the other hand, challenged us to examine our relationships, not excuse them. I found Wente shed more light and Salutin gave more cover. March 14, 2008

Like Kate Taylor, I think The Border series on CBC is well written, well acted and well conceived. But I don’t agree that the sultry female characters make the show implausible. What really stretches credulity is the idea that Canadian Intelligence services would ever be that efficient and effective. The real life RCMP / CSIS would be better models for the Keystone Cops. March 17, 2008

Re: Jeffrey Simpson column (Will someone please explain where the NDP gets its moral superiority?) A ruling party rules, an opposition party opposes, and a party desperate for attention does desperate things. " Let us reason together" is hardly the motto of Parliament, although that is its theoretical raison d'etre. Here the media and its realities come into play. If reasoned argument played as easily or as interestingly as nasty sniping, perhaps reasoned debate and substantive issues would occupy all parties in the House; reason and wisdom might be offered instead of mud. April 7, 2008

Of course most people think ‘we’ are not getting enough and ‘they’ get too much. ( Majority believes

Canada

coddles minorities ) When you define the issue that way, dividing it into ‘ us versus them ‘, what else do you expect. Try asking “ Do you think resources should be allocated to meet your needs, regardless of your race, religion or ethnic background? “ Bet you get close to 100%. April 17, 2008

In the

Iraq

civil war the Americans have chosen sides, any side that will do their bidding. The tactic of bribing Sunni factions went only so far and the natives are getting restless in many parts of that unhappy land. Clearly, Muqtada al-Sadr is not as easy to manipulate as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The Americans want a hand-puppet dictator but if the glove don't fit, you must quit. April 20, 2008

Elections Canada is building a case against the Conservative Party of Canada believed to have illegally exceed it’s election spending limits (RCMP targeted alleged Tory spending scheme) It needed the RCMP to gather computer evidence as much of the conspiracy may have been hatched via electronic messaging. So the devil’s in the e-mails? April 21, 2008

A Tory Committee chair flees the room rather than allow questions on the so-called Cadman Affair. The CPC does not want to talk about widening the scope of a public inquiry over the Mulroney/ Schrieber Affair. Conservative Party workers are filmed racing down the back stairs during an RCMP/ Elections Canada raid at Tory HQ. And now Tory campaign organizers try to manage a news conference on their latest scandal only to flee down the back steps to avoid informing some of the press corps. One word comes to mind, dodgy. April 21, 2008

The merciless clubbing by a Newfoundlander has gone on too long and must stop! I am not referring to cuddly seal pups, but Rex Murphy’s vicious attacks against celebrities’ causes celebres. Rex has trashed Paul McCartney many times in this paper and on the airwaves for the former Beatles’ comments and protests about the Canadian seal hunt. But this weekend Rex finds offence in Sir Paul’s NOT returning to the ice floe. Classic damned if you do and damned if you don’t. April 21, 2008

Mexican Standoffish: Cynicism about the Harper government has reached a new high for me. I now must wonder if the Brenda Martin verdict and sentencing might have been influenced by the Canadian government, possibly by the Prime Minister during the Three Amigos Summit in New Orleans . Had Brenda Martin been found innocent, she would have been free on her own and heading back to

Canada

with angry recriminations against the Tory government. But now, with a five year sentence and fine, she gets to be ‘saved’ by Harper who can play the hero. How convenient. April 21, 2008

John Ibbitson speaks of a ‘Common Sense’ anti-intellectualism inherent in

America

which may determine the electorate’s choice for president this year. Moreover, he declares there is ‘ more wisdom to be found in Reader's Digest than in the collected work of the entire Western intelligentsia.” Oh, really? Read John Adams, Thomas Payne or Thomas Jefferson. The American founding fathers were uncommonly intellectual folks and a tad more sophisticated than Humour in Uniform. April 30, 2008

Scott Colbourne writes about video games as a way to “…push physical, ethical, legal and moral boundaries within the relatively safe confines of a virtual play space.” ( The moral lesson that drives Grand Theft Auto IV) Did the Conservative Party of Canada make the polling booth its ‘play space’ when its In-Out scheme bent or broke the rules in 2006? Was that Grand Theft Election? May 2, 2008

Ducks down and dirty: I agree with the letter writer who objected to Globe & Mail Headline “ Dead Ducks Tar

Canada

's Image, PM Says” ( May 2 ). But while the situation is no laughing matter, I can’t help noticing the irony in this story; Syncrude, sounds like the name says it all. May 2, 2008

I found the headline ‘Tamil Tigers using electoral list, RCMP say’ shocking at first. The inference being collusion between a terrorist group and Elections Canada. But after reading the article I realized it could just as rightly said “ Tamil Tigers use the phone book .” Are the Globe headline writers looking for controversy where none exists? May 6, 2008

Eanie Meanies: Re: U.S. MDs advise on whom to aid, whom to let die in next pandemic. What a conundrum! Do no harm but play the odds and let nature take its course. I wonder what Margaret Somerville has to say about this! May 6, 2008

KISS OFF! Keep It Simple, Stephan, Or Face Failure: I’m almost certain Stephan Dion’s latest green policy makes sense, if only I could make sense of it. ( Dion touts carbon tax, billions in tax cuts May 8, 2008 ) It’s described as a tax-shift and not an increased tax. But somehow it will increase revenues which will then be neutralized with tax breaks. “ Now you see it, now you don’t ” fiscal planning is a hard sell at the best of times. It sounds like a Shell game. May 8, 2008

Strange Bedfellows: “Harper says Bernier's ex-girlfriend nobody's business”. Government does not belong in the bedrooms of the nation. But the nation does belong in the bedrooms of the government. Does Stephen Harper not remember Gerda Munsinger or Christine Keeler, to say nothing of Monica Lewinsky? Security, sir. May 8, 2008

Tim's conduct a Timbit much: There's a crumb of comfort for the fired, then rehired employee: She can rest assured she won't be fired again any time soon, whether for cause or not. In fact, she's got them by the Timbits. May 9, 2008

Been there, done that: I agree with letter writer BRUCE CAMERON’s call for an all Canadian League, but I would add two more cities to his ten team roster: Halifax and St. Johns Newfoundland . It could be called the Canadian Hockey League and teams could vie for a memorable trophy. Hmm, is this sounding eerily familiar. May 10, 2008

Capital Idea: Military intervention, whether sanctioned by the U.N. or not, would merely compound the disaster in

Burma

. But

China

could gain many kudos by living up to its Olympic motto , ‘one world, one dream’, by pressing the junta in

Burma

on disaster relief. Sadly, if Darfur is any indication,

China

will be more interested in The People than in people. May 12, 2008

The case of the Georgia tavern owner selling racist tee-shirts ( Obama as a banana-eating monkey ) reminded me of my first picket line protest. It was summer of 1964, we were picketing a realtor on Long Island for discriminating against blacks. A counter picket was set up with signs bearing the ‘N word’ and good ol’ boys were there in KKK style hoods. Some of the counter picketers carried a large banana stalk and taunted us about ‘N’- lovers eating bananas. There was hate in their laughter. Later that night news broke of the discovery of the bodies of Civil Rights workers Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney. I don’t think the tee shirt in Georgia is funny at all. May 14, 2008

Etymological dust-up: I would like to thank Russell Smith for clearing up a few things (Jesus wept over the past participle). There are many arguments over evolving language and proper derivation of words. His explanation of the ‘led’/ ‘lede’/ lead’ quandary was most enlightening. Even more so was his reference to the shortest line in the Bible: ‘Jesus wept.” As a child I had thought it was a reference to Jesus cleaning out the temple; Jesus swept. May 15, 2008

CBC The National Your Turn: Rex Murphy has delivered a preemptive eulogy for Stephane Dion by referring to the Liberal Leader's call for a carbon tax as 'courageous'. As 'Yes, Minister' character, James Hacker famously remarked, " When a politician does something innovative, he loses votes. But when he does something courageous, he loses the election." May 16, 2008

Whose side? Pray tell.: Your panel debate on religion and politics notes that many provincial legislatures in

Canada

start a working session with a non-denominational prayer or a moment of silence. Fine. But to use The Lord’s Prayer, one religion’s text, offends Canadian legal and societal values where we are all considered equal under the law. Neither courts nor law makers should be seen to take sides. Besides, a moment of reflection would be a welcome change in Parliament or any of our legislative bodies. May 18, 2008

Insite insight: Norman Spector wonders why Ottawa pundits are so keen to keep the National Portrait Gallery in the nation’s capital but won’t fight for Insite needle exchange programs in Ottawa. If Insite is so good why aren’t they demanding one? The answer is simple, sad but true. The Gallery is a much desired treasure and junkies are not. Vancouver’s support of Insite shows it cares. Rather than rail against Vancouver, Mr. Spector should direct his scorn at Canada’s other major cities which have shown a lack of compassion. May 19, 2008

A Sorry State of Affairs: Re Jeffery Simpson’s column on the apology-seeking industry in Canada: remember the line “Love is never having to say you’re sorry’. Perhaps more to the point, as a few women over the years have told me, “Forget the apologies and flowers, just don’t do anything like that again!” May 20, 2008

Something to chew over: Prime Minister Harper has announced changes to food labeling in

Canada

to better inform the public about where our food comes from. Under the new regulations, a ‘Product of Canada’ label will signify all Canadian content. That’s great as far as it goes. But if the ingredients are imported, the label may say ‘Made in

Canada

with imported sources’. The only added information in that case will be that the product’s source is not Canadian, but the label will not specify from which country the food was sourced. So, if for health or political reasons I want to avoid food from a particular country, I’m still no better informed. May 21, 2008

Sneaky right hook: I agree with John Ibbitson that swing states and swing demographics may well decide the U.S.presidential election in November. ( A proliferation of purple ) But the surprise punches in this fight might be swinging below the belt. The Bible Belt and the Rust Belt are likely to see Republican ads that pander to the intolerance of the lowest elements of the religious right and poor white voters. May 22, 2008

Distressed litigating hairdresser may be pulling his hair out: The logic put forward by distressed plaintiff Waddah Mustapha (Supreme Court tosses out fly-in-the-water case ) flies in the face of common sense. The fly in the bottled water was Culligan of Canada’s fault, but going loony-tunes over seeing the fly was the plaintiff’s problem. Chalk one up for sanity and the S.C.C . May 22, 2008

Common Nonsense: I see with the choice of Guy Giorno to replace Ian Brodie as the Prime Minister's chief of staff, we will have another Common Sense Revolutionary from Ontario to help direct the right wing agenda of Canada’s new Conservative, but not Progressive, Party. Let me remind you of Samuel Johnson’s comment about ‘common sense’. He called it “ merely widely held prejudice.” With the Common Nonsense approach of the Mike Harris era at the PMO as well as in cabinet, Stephen Harper makes it clear where he wants to take the country. God help us! May 24, 2008

Jumping to the wrong conclusion: I wholeheartedly agree with your editorial about the women jumpers’ reaction to the IOC’s decision to exclude women ski jumpers from the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games . You call their use of Canadian Courts to try to ban their male counterparts as “more than unsportswomanlike, it is a sullen and nasty tactic.” I have to wonder, are they getting tactical advice from Hillary Clinton? May 24, 2008

Don't let the bed 'bugs' bite: The Foreign Affairs Minister bugged in bed while with his girl friend! If Top Secret documents were left lying casually about, what kind of pillow talk was whispered into a hidden mike? It’s all speculation at this point, which is why an investigation is needed. But if the assertions by Julie Couillard prove true, the Maxime Bernier scandal will be of the gravest concern and must be carefully investigated and made as public as national security allows. This goes well beyond Profumo or Gerda Munsinger! May 27, 2008

Bordering on inanity: Taking John Doyle’s T.V. musings a step further: Producers of CBC’s The Border present a plot wherein three quarters of the Harper cabinet are kidnapped by eco-terrorists at the B.C./Washington State border. Mimicking the popular 24 series, they dedicate two entire seasons to weekly one-hour episodes as our Border security team frantically uses every computer system and SWAT team the federal budget can afford in tracking them down. Luckily, with Stephen Harper’s management style, the public hasn’t noticed their absence. May 29, 2008

Hanging out with foreign affairs: Rather than describe Ms Couillard and M Bernier as ' two boobs', Margaret Wente might have called them braless and brainless. This scandal and that infamous photo at Rideau Hall have indeed been revealing; they exposed their best assets and greatest weaknesses. May 29, 2008

Rats, star in reverse: "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception" by former Presidential Press Secretary, Scott McClellan, is billed as a tell-all book. It is telling; that’s for sure. But at this point it’s a tale more than twice told as former high ranking generals, aides and others publish their own memoirs and mea culpas. That tells me the rats are leaving the ship before it sinks. May 29, 2008

Location, location, location: After reading several reviews, I am amazed at how many people don’t like Sex in the City. May I suggest they move to the suburbs or to any small town in

Canada

. It’s great out here. May 31, 2008

Cast the first Stone: Sharon Stone seems to be out of touch with a ‘basic instinct’ for human decency, although her comment about karma and Chinese earthquakes was in line with her cruel, psychotic character in the film of the same name. Contrast her tactless words with the mild rebuke by the Dali Lama when he urged moderation and understanding on all sides in the dispute over

Tibet

. The people of

Tibet

, and indeed the whole world, need more holy men and fewer stones. May 31, 2008

Depths of Regression: Rex Murphy rightly calls the Tory front bench in Parliament shallow. Its deepest members are Stephen Harper, erstwhile Liberal David Emerson, and a few rag-tag leftovers from the vile Mike Harris cabinet. That's the hapless Harper team, stars of the party which took the Progressive out of Conservative. June 1, 2008

Cops and robbers: So, a "posh prison" in Brazil is raided and police find a plasma TV set, gym equipment, two pistols and cash worth $173,000 (U.S.) in a prisoner's cell (Posh Prison - online edition, June 4). Obviously, such things could not have gotten there without the help of prison officials. When I was a kid, we played cops and robbers; these days, it seems you can play that game on your own. June 4, 2008

Am I ' seeing things'?: The C.B.C. has told John Ciccone, president of Copyright Music & Visual, that the public broadcaster is moving in a new direction and will no longer use the HNIC theme on its hockey broadcasts. I would as soon have them dispense with the two national anthems, as lose that iconic Canadian music. Given the international makeup of NHL players today, O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner hardly do the game justice; but the HNIC theme is for everyone. June 5, 2008

The new series on CBS, Swingtown looks like ‘Bob, Carol, Ted and Alice’ meets ‘Desperate Housewives’. It’s all about boredom. And in this case the message is the medium. June 5, 2008

The most unkindest cut of all: In the summer of 2000, I had my head shaved to fund raise for Cancer research. It seemed a good idea at the time. I was proven right five years later when I underwent surgery for bowel cancer. The following year, I underwent radiation treatment and six months after that, surgery to remove cancer in my throat. And now I read about a waitress in Owen Sound who lost her job after she shaved her head to raise money for a cancer charity. Clearly, the boss who fired her understands little about community, charity or the value of people. He won’t last long in business. June 5, 2008

Tory strategy revealed!: Julian Sher’s article on Stéphane Sirois was more revealing than Julie Couillard’s famous dress. The ex-biker turned police informant claims Ms. Couillard once told him, “… the best way to win a fight with someone ( is to) "Act confidently and bark louder…Because the one who barks louder looks like the person who is telling the truth.” No wonder Ms Couillard considered running for Parliament as a Tory. She’s got the Harper strategy down pat already! June 6, 2008

3P= P-Poor-Performance: Let’s see if I have the basics on Private/Public/Partnerships (3P); let’s take the auto industry in Canada as an example. Ontario taxpayers give millions of dollars to GM to make trucks they can’t sell to consumers. So GM lays off workers ( taxpayers and consumers ) but keeps the money, only to have the Federal government ( taxpayers ) offer them more money. 3P? No wonder we’re P’ed off; we keep getting P’ed on! June 6, 2008

Let us go with BHO: Barak Obama would do well to come up with a catchy oratorial refrain like the one used by the LBJ campaign in 1964 against Senator Barry Goldwater. In his speeches, Vice President Hubert Humphrey chided the Republican opponent by chanting a list of liberal programs and policies the Democrats supported. After each item he noted everyone supported it, ' But not Senator Goldwater!' It soon became a mantra. 2008 version might be, "Yes, we can! But McCain can't! " June 9, 2008

No shame: I think letter writer Avi Goldberg is 180 degrees off the mark. He finds everyone to blame in damaging “ a community's culture and soul” with the sale of a hockey theme to CTV . He thinks we should feel shame for the loss of this cultural icon. Nonsense! We all benefit by the CTV purchase and its airing on TSN hockey broadcasts. The composer gets a handsome payment, CTV gets a musical branding worth its weight in trumpet blares, hockey fans get to hear the popular anthem during Olympics 2010 and once a week ( just like before ) but on another network’s game telecasts, Canadian taxpayers are off the hook for millions of dollars that now will come from private coffers and, best of all, those CBC executives who brought us the greatest Canadian canoe, can now bore us with a hockey tune contest. June 11, 2008

Price Tag, you're it! Your photo in the June 11^th on-line edition ( Canadian Shoppers still pay more… ) is either misleading or misses the point. It shows a sale sign reading Backpacks $15.00 CND - $13.50 US. We don’t mind buying US dollars at or near par and then paying the lower US price. What gets Canadians furious is finding an item with two currency prices but having no option but pay the higher Canadian price. June 11, 2008

Tunnel vision? Two years ago, General Rick Hillier referred to ‘… seeing a little light at the end of the tunnel’ in reference to the hopes of the Afghan people who had suffered 25 years of war. ( NDH media statement April 22, 2006 ) I fear, after the events of the past few days, the Afghanis and NATO forces may be seeing only more tunnel. To quote a Doonsbury comment during the

Viet Nam

war, ‘ Why, when the military finds itself in a hole, do they insist on calling it a tunnel?” June 17, 2008

Gastax jacks sacks hacks: It’s refreshing to see a journalist, if not a politician, honestly change his mind. In his column ( Carbon tax: the right policy, the wrong time ) Jeffrey Simpson, a published proponent of Carbon Tax strategies, admits to its political bad timing. As Joe Clark suffered defeat in 1980, so will Stephane Dion if he offers Canadians immediate and long term pain for a questionable future gain. June 17, 2008

A rolling stone gathers no votes: Liberal leader, Stephan Dion has presented Canadians with a Green Plan that is the ecological equivalent of tough love. Joe Clark offered a similar approach for reducing the deficit some 30 years ago. You can’t always get what you need; but when you vote sometimes, you get what you want. In a democracy, the majority is always right, even when it’s dead wrong. Just ask Joe. June 20, 2008

A peanut of a leader: Stephan Dion unveils his party’s Green Initiative and all I can see is Lucy Van Pelt handing Charlie Brown the baseball as he stands determined on the mound. The last frame of the comic strip says it all: Lucy cries out “ There goes the ballgame! “ June 21, 2008

The thunderous sound of silence: ‘Mad Max’ Bernier has held a rather tardy news conference. (Bernier pleads ignorance on bikers) Only yesterday did he deny last month’s televised allegations by his ex-girlfriend that she had informed him of her various connections with biker gangs in Quebec . His silence for a month speaks volumes. The former Foreign Affairs Minister also claims he did not remember leaving classified documents in her apartment. In scandals like this, the press usually asks, “ What did you know and when did you know it?” The answer seems to be ‘ Not much and never.” June 24, 2008

Time to retire?: In comedy it’s all about timing. So they must be laughing a lot in Ottawa where the third major powerhouse has decided to leave the public service at a convenient time. Communications Officer Sandra Buckler joins PMO boss Ian Brodie and General Rick Hillier in retiring at the end of June. Had they delayed retirement until July 2^nd, when the new lobbyist rules come into effect, they would have been restricted from lobbying for five years. June 26, 2008

Many are appalled that Dr Henri Morgentaler may be awarded the Order of Canada. Just as many will be shocked if he is not. Should controversy disqualify one for high honour? By that measure, great men and women who move society forward would never be so honoured. Susan B. Anthony was seen as divisive and immoral in her time. She became the first woman to grace American coinage. Dr. Martin Luther King was a controversial figure in his day. America has granted him its greatest honour, the dedication of a national holiday. The abortion issue may always be controversial and Dr. Morgentaler will be viewed by some as a devil, by others as a saint. The matter should rest not on how universal his praise, but whether society as a whole has benefited by his efforts. July 1, 2008

Chalk & Cheese, Rex: In touting Don Cherry as a good nominee for the Order of Canada, Rex Murphy draws a parallel between Dr. Morgentaler and Don Cherry because both are contentious figures and both are either wildly popular or deeply hated by roughly half the country. By such specious logic, if “A” is not “B”, then anything “not-B” equals “A”. If comparisons must be made, let us look to the

United States

where race remains a divisive and contentious issue. Yet the Americans have seen fit to give Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. their highest accolade, designation of a national holiday. I don’t recall there being a Don Imus Day. July 5, 2008

The upside-down ins and outs of a broken economy: Jeffrey Simpson paints a very gloomy economic picture (The U.S. economy is broken), but the fiscal and political analysis rings true. My mother always said the deadliest of the seven deadly sins was greed. Her homily, spoken fifty years ago, seems relevant today: “ When your outgo exceeds your income, the upshot is your downfall.” July 16, 2008

Rex moriandus est ( from envy ): Why does Rex Murphy constantly berate celebrities? There’s a repeated theme in his column where he derides people such as Paul McCartney, Bono, George Clooney or, most recently, Barack Obama for daring to be popular. Is it empty celebrity Rex abhors, as he has claimed, or is he simply jealous of those seen in a greater spotlight than he? Is he suffering from ‘seen-us envy’ ? July 26, 2008

Sex sells but crime doesn't pay?: The exhibitionist couple who had sex at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and sold the images of their sexpolits on the internet ( Swingers who defiled Vimy ordered to cough up cash ) doubly prove the old adage “ There’s a time and place for everything. “ The memorial to the fallen of WWI was clearly not the place. But the internet is, it seems, is a place you’ll find anything. July 29, 2008

Where there's smoke, there's profit: Cigarette firms are drug pushers and native bands are drug smugglers. It looks like organized crime to me. They are just like Mafia gangs dividing the profits made from preying on addicts. The only time the government seems interested in stepping in is when they think they’re being cheated out of their cut. This has been going on for decades since taxes on tobacco were raised to discourage smoking. It will continue as long as there’s money to be made. So ( shrug ) fogetaboutit. July 31, 2008

Spit and Polish shining example: China

’s manners manual may seem excessive, as your editorial opines, (Where Beijing is right ) but free-wheeling liberty does not freedom make. Social responsibility assumes social awareness. As the Steve Gibbons Band wrote “ You can beg, you can borrow or steal/ But as long as I'm holding the wheel/ I don't want No Spitting on the bus....” (Down in the Bunker). And as to a ban on wearing bedroom slippers at Olympic sites or Mac’s Milk, my caring wife has the same rule and backs it up with this admonition, “Move more, eat less, and, for God’s sake, Ken, look in the mirror before you go out the door!” August 2, 2008

Moral lies!: Tony Clement was not engaging in rational discourse in

Mexico

this week ( Globe Editorial, An Illogical Line ) he was practicing low politics. His public rejection of safe injection sites proclaimed at the International AIDS conference was meant to send a message to the right-wing faithful of Mr. Clement’s party. A moral stand would align

Canada

with the scientists, social workers and health professionals. But a moralizing stand puts him on the side of his voter base. To make a moral decision is to choose between right and wrong; to moralize is to tell everyone else what’s right. It’s not surprising that a former member of Mike Harris’ cabinet promotes moral lies! August 8, 2008

MI? My, my!: Good morning, Mr. Phelps. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to capture and bring home eight gold medals from Beijing . This mission is very difficult but not impossible. Good Luck! August 8, 2008

Respect Parliament: To some politicians political goals are an aid to promoting social principles. To others, it is a power game wherein the principles are used to promote political goals. And there we have the difference between the statesman and the demagogue. Prime Minister Harper must not be allowed to ‘play’ Parliament. August 26, 2008

The politics of health: More than 20 years ago, tainted tuna toppled a Tory minister in Ottawa. Walkerton water was seen as one of the main reasons the provincial Tories went down to defeat in Ontario a few years ago. Now, we have deadly deli meats on the eve of another election (Inspectors Failed To Adopt More Rigorous U.S. Measures - Aug. 27). The latest accusations in this health tragedy include inspection systems that allow the industry to, more or less, oversee more of its own sanitation procedures: "New rules pulled lone watchdog off floor of contaminated meat plant, union says." Bring on the election! August 27, 2008

Another Arctic meltdown, Sarah Palin: Globe and Mail editors my be shocked but they should not be surprised at the poor judgement shown by Senator McCain’s and the Republican Party’s choice of Sarah Palin as Vice-Presidential candidate. ( Shadow cast on McCain's judgment). After all, this is the party that chose Dan Quayle, Spiro Agnew and Richard Nixon for that position. None of them were presidential timber either. September 3, 2008

Words as mighty as sword: Congratulation to Howard Richler for his excellent piece on the many aspects of the symmetrical rhetorical device, chiasmus (X marks the spot in chiasmus). One chiastic device is use of the homonym to balance two aspects of one line. As Mr. Richler used examples as diverse as Mae West and the Bible, let me offer this which combines elements of both those extremes: Eve seeded the Garden of Eden with lust and so, Eve's lust ceded the Garden of Eden. September 3, 2008

DisMayed and disgusted: Steven Harper dismisses the Green Party as worthy of debate because their leader, Elizabeth May has some policies very close to that of Stephan Dion. (Greens out of leaders debate) This bazaar logic, to say nothing of his cavalier attitude, should disqualify Stephen Harper from being Canada’s Prime Minister. September 8, 2008

May Day: The tenor of Bill Curry’s interview (On the Train: A Q&A with Elizabeth May ) captures the genuine sincerity of Ms May which the recent Harper ads try and fail to achieve. The Conservative ads come off as fake sincerity in that they try to portray Steven Harper as warm hearted when his record shows him to be a cold blooded politician. No wonder the Prime Minister is dead set against Ms May participation in the debates; the contrast between the two would be so revealing. September 9, 2008

Hats off to Dion: The photo of Stephan Dion adjusting his ski goggles belies the headline, ( Liberals show 'another side' of Dion ). If the Liberal Party wants to show their leader in a different, complimentary light, they shouldn’t show him wearing a winter cap with ’idiot flaps’. That extremely sensible yet ridiculous looking piece of clothing has been the bane of Canadian children and has led to their humiliation at the hands of school yard bullies for decades. It’s worse than Gilles Duceppe’s hair net from a previous election campaign. September 9, 2008

Taliban Steve: Monday saw two declarations: George W. Bush announces the

will shift 8,000 troops from

Iraq

Afghanistan

by year’s end; then Al Qaida warned Canadian politicians to pull their forces out of

Afghanistan

. Tuesday, Steven Harper announced his intention to pull all our troops out in 2011. I assume he was influenced as much by the American declaration as by election hopes in Quebec and not at all by the Al Qaida threat. Still, I wonder if those who labeled the NDP leader ‘Taliban Jack’ will now apply a similar sobriquet to Steven Harper? September 10, 2008

Bell dinged: Congratulations to newspaper reporter and it-outta-be-a-crime-fighter, Peter De Wolf in his successful class action suit against the big boys of Bell . (Court finds Bell ExpressVu fee illegal) Peter argued that the telecommunication giant “was charging more than 60 per cent in annual interest, which violated the Criminal Code.” So now we know not only for whom, but also how much the Bell tolls. Right on target, Peter; in fact, a dead ringer! September 16, 2008

That was funny?: Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz's death by a thousand cold-cuts comment was decidedly insensitive, but I guess death wishes against a fellow MP is what passes for humour in the Harper cabinet (Cold Cut Quip Puts Minister In Hot Water - Sept. 18). Still, it won't be the first time this government has given Canadians a load of baloney. September 19, 2008

Doom mood, any way you look at it: The American public has a right to be shocked at the financial abyss which columnist Margaret Wente has so painfully but accurately described ('They knew they had to pick a number with a lot of zeroes' ) But no one, economists least of all, should be surprised. Greedy Wall Street , hapless Main Street and politicians from both parties kept the blinkers on and share in the blame but will not suffer equally. I recall year s ago reading in these very pages of how the housing market in the U.S. was a bubble about to burst, how America was on the wrong end of a trade imbalance and going deeper and deeper into debt. In fact, since the Reagan years, the ultra right swing in economic, tax and fiscal policy has been building up to another great depression.

There I’ve said it: the word on everyone’s mind and no one’s lips. The elephant in the room turns out to be a jack ass too. How fitting an image in this election year. September 27, 2008

Cut out for the White House? So near yet so far out... After reading about the cornfield cutout of Vice Presidential hopeful, Sarah Palin, ( A walk inside Palin's head ), I have to wonder if there is a kernel of truth hidden here. Although the ‘vegi-form art’ is on a farm land not far from Whitehouse , Ohio , she’s still out in right field and not in the White House yet. Also the news clips I’ve seen of Ms Palin addressing political topics makes me think she is less wheat and more chaff. We’ll have to wait until next week’s debates to find out. So, like the Sara Palin, I’ll be all ears. September 29, 2008

Debatable value: An additional leaders’ debate, one solely devoted to the economy as suggested in your editorial ( Not a matter of minutes ) might be of benefit to Canadian voters; but an improved format will be even more helpful. I hope debate moderator, Steve Paikin will keep the five candidates in line in the English language debate. On TVO’s The Agenda, Paikin manages to keep debate on topic and prevents speakers from talking over each other. Such intelligent discourse was sadly missing from debates in previous elections. October 1, 2008

'No news is good news' is not news to me As I review the past week’s headlines about the political and economic situation in the

United States

, I grimly recall a few poignant quotes from three great Americans. (1) “ You can fool some of the people all of the time…. “ Abraham Lincoln; (2) “No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public.” H.L. Mencken; and (3) “ When your outgo exceeds your income, the upshot is your downfall.” My mother. October 4, 2008

Keep the Change? It's bad enough that governments around the world are tripping over themselves to save banks from the dire consequences of the banks' own greed and mismanagement. Now this country's banks want to do a little sidebar-gouging by not following the Bank of Canada's interest-rate drop. I assume these are the same banks that are tightening up and raising their own lending rates. Oh well, banks gotta eat too. October 8, 2008

You do the political math: I concur with your editorial “Their own worst enemies” that the Conservatives should not have harped on Stephane Dion’s bumbled interview. But coming so late in the campaign, this Tory misplay will not be as self-destructive as either the Liberal " soldiers with guns in the streets” dumb statement nor the Kim Campbell campaign ad that made disparaging remarks about Jean Chretien's appearance. All bad form. Each deserving of public backlash. But does a negative times a negative make a positive in politics? October 11, 2008

What is the sound of one stock market collapsing?: The sound of the stock market crashing is probably drowning out the ‘voices of a generation’ to which Cambridge University historian David Fowler refers. Rather than the Beatles or Rolling Stones, he finds the true voice of a generation to be that of capitalists whose soul Tom Wolfe captured so well in Bonfire of the Vanities. I guess Mr. Fowler wasn’t listening when the Beatles sang about “greedy little piggies “ or Mick Jaggar warned “You can’t always get what you want.” The right-wing ‘neoconomists’ of the past 30 years have been playing the music of a degeneration. October 11, 2008

Jack of All Tirades: Lawrence Martin notes NDP leader Jack Layton’s call for negotiations with the Taliban came long before it was promoted by the Afghan government or US military leader, General Petraeus. The idea in general goes even farther back. In January 1961, during his inaugural speech, John F. Kennedy made the same point in reference to world affairs: “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.” Perhaps it’s because of Kennedy’s superior oratory style, but he was never labelled “ Commie Kennedy” as Layton was tagged with “ Taliban Jack”. October 13, 2008

Wait a minute, Mr. Postman!: Is this a revision of "Please Mr. Postman" to the beat of an indifferent drummer ?( ‘Ringo to fans: No more mail’): It looks like Ringo Starr will have to get by without a little help from his friends. The Fab Four drummer is turning some other Beatles lyrics on their heads too, as in “ You say ‘Yes’; I say ‘No’; you say 'Stop' and I say ' Go, Go, Go!' “ October 14, 2008

Exclamation mark, please!: Is it a matter of punctuation? This should be of concern to the Globe and Mail which rightly prides itself on grammatical if not political correctness. Your headline, “Liberals deny Dion quitting today”; should that read “ Liberals deny! Dion quitting today.” ? Or perhaps, “Liberals deny Dion, quitting today.” The party may allow Stéphane a period of adjustment but, in the end, they have to call it a full stop. October 16, 2008

Fair Ball!: Rex Murphy rightly points out that ‘politics is an all or nothing game’. I would suggest the usual sports analogies also apply to what happens to the head coach in hockey, football or baseball when their team has a miserable season. The owner cannot fire the players or totally revamp the organization, that would spell disaster. But shake-ups are needed and the coach gets dumped; sometimes it seems unfair. But in the case of this particular election, the Liberals’ poor showing reflects directly on the party’s choice for leader. It’s a fair call. But as the Brooklyn Dodgers used to say, “ Just wait ‘til next year.” October 19, 2008

Orange in the Red? Go ING Down!: The Dutch government has bought into ING for ten billion euros ( $13.5 Billion US. ) to strengthen the financial group’s capital holding. Is this not the same ING that scooped up bank shares this month during Iceland’s economic meltdown? What were those sage words of advice? “ Be smart, save your money.” October 19, 2008

What is Truth?: AFN chief, Phil Fontaine says the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, “ has to be partial to the interests of the survivors, because the truth commission… is about the survivors.” (AFN meddling blamed for exit of commission's chairman ) I thought it was about getting at the truth and reconciling, not dividing, sides. Impartiality is at the heart of justice. Justice is a Lady, Vengeance is a Bitch. October 23, 2008

G is for Greed: Doesn’t Marcus Gee know that greed is one of the deadly sins? (Cheer up, greed will save us ) Greed may reflect human behaviour, but it is inhumane. Surely, humankind is capable of more than its basest instincts. October 24, 2008

McHousing? Millions sold!: Jeffery Simpson notes the government’s pledge to first time home owners of “ a tax credit of as much as $5,000 for closing costs (that) will cost …$680-billion over five years.” ( Mr. Harper, it's time to ditch some campaign vows) I hope this was a typo, as that would mean 136 million homes would be sold to first-time buyers in five years. We don’t have that many forests or other resources, natural or otherwise. October 25, 2008

Murphy's Law: thou shalt not have fame: Poor Rex! That Quixotic Knight of Blether who tilts at celebrity wherever it's found, must now choose opposing targets, i.e. Sarah Palin or Madonna. He's already objected to Obama for the ghastly sin of stirring 100,000 Germans in Berlin and for being praised by Oprah, another celebrity whose claim to fame is fame itself ( at least according to Rex. )

Rex is a critic and a blandiloquent one at that. But the source of his fame is a Thesaurus, whereas the celebrities he mocks and derides have a better source for their fame: the public who, not unlike the customer, is always right; at least in the fame game. You lose, Rex! October 25, 2008

More trick than treat: Your Halloween headline, Ontario Cities Bailed Out On Welfare Costs (online) will prove to be more trick than treat for towns and cities. The treat is found in the article's second paragraph: "The McGuinty government will assume all social assistance benefits and security costs from cities." The trick is in the next line: "But the 10 years for the move to reach its full effect is much longer than cities had initially hoped." In effect, municipal ratepayers are getting less of what was promised for now, but a promise of more in the far distant future. A case of "jam yesterday and jam tomorrow, but never jam today." Not sweet. October 31, 2008

Socialism and ECE: Re Rick Salutin’s column, “An election on socialism, without a socialist in sight.”: As a town councilor, I used to present to grade five classes on government. I would tell them that all they needed to know about government they had already learned in Kindergarten: caring, sharing and getting along. As individuals and collectively, we must be socially aware because we all live together. October 31, 2008

The king's jester, Rex Buffo I: Rex Murphy lives in his own little world where celebrities are mocked and mockers are celebrated. It’s the land of the literary/ art/ drama/ political critic where stones are for throwing, not building. And so, Globe & Mail readers are treated to yet another diatribe against actors and musicians who voice an opinion outside their profession. (Hark! I hear a celebrity oracle, Nov1,2008 ) Rex, a king of critics and jester in the court of public opinion, has decreed all celebrities’ opinion, save his own, to be mock thought. November 1, 2008

Jest for Laughs?: Saturday Night Live will probably have Tina Fey phone CKOI in retaliation. ( Quebec comedy duo prank call Palin) This blending of politics and comedy must stop soon. Otherwise the electorate won’t know which laughing stock to pillory at the polls. Maybe we should just turn them all off. November 1, 2008

Pain in the ..: It will be more than Jane Fonda’s back that is aching this week if The Republicans win the White House. The whole body politic of America will be in dire need of a massage. And if John McCain wins by cheating at the polls, as happened in the 2000 Bush election, the back of democracy itself will be broken. November 3, 2008

Olympian deities: The IOC gods on Mount Olympics have spoken and Team Canada , mere mortals, must submit. ( Team Canada gets jerseyed by strict Olympic logo rules ) Captain Stevie ‘Y’ wonders why. It’s simple; IOC commissioners are above everyone and everything. They make the rules which cannot be questioned. Why? Because they made the rules. In philosophy, this is called tautology. In real life it’s called bunk! November 3, 2008

Blowing my top: What nonsense is this? (CLASH OVER A CUP) The city of Toronto has a recycling contract; residents sort recyclables as prescribed. Plastic in one bin, paper fibre in another etc. A Tim Horton lid comes off, goes into one bin. The cardboard cup goes into another. Simple. Hold your grounds, Timmy! November 4, 2008

A pothole is a pothole is a pothole: Antonio Batista is a poet who did not get poetic justice. (Testing the limits of poetic licence) An city councillor does not notice pot holes; she hits one and it becomes her grave. Her political grave is what I took from Mr. Batista’s lines. It was fair comment and good political satire, not a death threat. John Ibbitson recently wrote Gallup's verdict: It's all but over for McCain and Gallup puts another nail in McCain's coffin . I think John McCain deserved the beating he took at the polls yesterday. Was that a threat or a premise ( sic ) ? November 4, 2008

You can't always get what you want, Mr. Gates: Microsoft made a great splash thirteen years ago with Windows 95; they bought the rights to a Rolling Stones hit and made the iconic “Start Me Up “ their own. But the lyrics continue, “Start Me Up and I’ll never stop” . Not so, (Embattled Vista set to ride into the sunset ) as the latest MS version stumbles. Perhaps a later line in that song would have been appropriate for Vista : “ You make a grown man cry…” November 5, 2008

Gut Groot? As Orange goes in the red: I was impressed with Russell Smith’s column (Why you want to bank with this guy) and his analysis of the psychological effect of Dutch actor Frederik de Groot who promotes ING Direct and cautions us to save our money. I googled ‘Groot’ and came up with the Dutch translation of groothandel , merchant or a handler of goods. So de Groot is giving us the real goods on banking? ING Direct fell into the same investment folly as other financial institutions and has had to be bailed out by the Dutch government to the tune of ten billion euros. Save whose money, Frederik? November 8, 2008

Which will prevail?: While I do not disagree with John Ibbitson’s premise that 'Love is love.' Eventually, all

America

will accept it, I fear the forces aligned against such a dramatic cultural change in the

U.S.A.

will make it a long and rough row to hoe. The farthest right-wing and most vicious supporters of the McCain/Palin ticket were the Evangelical Right. Their extremist medium is their message: Hate is Hate. November 13, 2008

What comes around goes around?: I agree with the premise of Margaret Wente’s column (Toronto's tempest in a Tim's cup.), that Toronto City Council is over-reacting and over-reaching, that the recycle cup issue has easier and saner solutions. But let’s not underestimate the power of symbols. Recycling efforts set an example for individual mind-set as well as behaviour. Shouldn’t we be returning to a ‘ waste not, want not’ outlook and not an “ I’m alright, Jack’ ethic of greed where the individual is all. That said, Toronto Council’s plan to ban the lid is just plain dumb. November 15, 2008

Up to our necks in debt: Maybe Citigroup wouldn’t be in such a financial mess (Citigroup slashes 52,000 jobs) if it hadn’t lent money it didn’t have to people who couldn’t afford to borrow. For the past five years Citibank has aggressively sought my business with unsolicited mailings on average once a month. I didn’t want their bargain credit cards or lines of credit because I knew easy credit leads to faster and deeper indebtedness. It was like throwing a drowning man a glass of water. November 17, 2008

Bending over backwards? Like the rack?: Your editorial (The costliest way is not the only way) suffers from tortured logic. It’s unfair to keep Mohamed Harkat in jail, too costly to watch over him, possibly too dangerous to deport him so, what the heck, let’s gamble and throw him to the wolves. Not what I expect from a newspaper whose motto warns against arbitrary measures! It’s also cheaper to bring back the noose than imprison people for life. But civilized states don’t think or act like that November 18, 2008

Black and wait and read all over: If I were Conrad Black ( dread the thought ) I would wait for president-elect Obama to take office before applying for a ‘ get out of jail free’ card. (Conrad Black pursues clemency from Bush as way out. ) Obama is known to greatly admire FDR and he might be impressed with what Mr. Black has written about a great man who saved a nation in crisis. There’s no point in Conrad sending his latest book to George W.; not enough pictures. November 18, 2008

The Big 3 little piggies: I was inspired by Warren Clements’ review of TALES FOR LITTLE REBELS, A Collection of Radical Children's Literature. (Kids, capitalists and commies) Mr. Clements warns that some of the book’s writing is ‘dated or heavy-handed’; so I humbly submit the following light-hearted kids’ lit commentary of political matters very much in the news.

This little piggy cornered the market,
This little piggy foreclosed your home,
This little piggy made a mint in the Bull Market,
This little piggy bought sub-primes and made none,
And the Big Three little piggies went “ Me, Me, Me!!! “
All the way to the House of Representatives. November 23, 2008

Report trumps PC: The Canadian Human Rights Commissioner is looking for reaction to the report that examines the controversial extension of the CHRC’s mandate. That report’s author, Richard Moon notes “Freedom of expression trumps overbroad minority-rights laws”. Hear, Hear! I can only shake my head in disbelief at the Canadian Jewish Congress’ negative reaction to the report’s findings. They, of all people, should know eroding their foe's rights puts their own rights at risk too. November 25, 2008

The cost of democracy: Tory plans to eliminate the subsidy for federal political parties is a step backward for democracy. Fair representation in Canada is already hindered by our electoral system; Ontario voters are disadvantaged by the inequitable distribution of seats in Parliament; urban voters have less say than voters in rural areas. Now Stephen Harper wants to revoke the one policy that seemed to promote democratic fairness. November 27, 2008

All H.G. Wells that ends well: Is this a question of what’s old is new again? ( Chrétien, Broadbent brokering coalition) What year is it this? Have I entered Dr. Who’s Tardis? Or are the political machinations to topple the Tories a scene from Rocky Horror Picture Show? Let's do the time-warp again! It's just a step to the left.... November 28, 2008

Climate Change? : Will wonders never cease. I find myself in agreement with both Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy whose columns this week rightly roasted the Carleton University Student Union for their Shinarama shenanigans. But I should have known; the signs were there. After all, New Democrat Linda Duncan was elected to Parliament from an Alberta riding last month. Clearly hell has frozen over. November 28, 2008

Harper's Waterloo?: “War is but the continuation of politics by other means” said Carl von Clausewitz, 19^th century military thinker. This week in Ottawa we have seen that politics is but war by other means. In one stroke Stephen Harper tried to blitzkrieg his opponents into oblivion. It didn’t work and now he is in retreat. His opponents would be well advised to remember their military history and go for the jugular. December 1, 2008

Checkmate and the King falls: So which royal image inspired you? (Globe editorial board editor on why Harper should resign) Was it that King Harper should get the axe for being arrogant like Louis XVI? Or egotistical like Louis XIV ( L’État, c’est moi )? Or were you inspired by Louis XV ( “ Apès moi, le deluge! “ ) because of your dread of the Lib/NDP coalition? In any case, we are seeing Stephen Harper as a latter-day Napoleon meeting his Waterloo. December 2, 2008

This rogue's a pro, which is why I'm anti.: Jeffery Simpson rightly warns that “ It will be for Canadians to decide whether the Conservatives are scoundrels ‘ as the Tories wrap their political attack ads in the Canadian flag. Not content to attack electoral reform, disrespect a minority Parliament and alienate the civil service, Stephan Harper is doing his damnedest to fan the flames of discontent and our national separation anxiety. The disunity card the Prime Minister is using outside Quebec this week trumps his “ Québécois as a Nation” motion two years ago. Prorogue Parliament? I hope Canadians everywhere will see Mr. Harper for the pro rogue he really is. December 3, 2008

Joe, that's who!: Karl Moore’s interview with Joe Clark is worthy of note in these days of leadership woes. Clearly, the right honourable Joe Clark has the integrity and graciousness very much lacking in the current Conservative leader. It’s a shame the Tories turned away from Mr. Clark when the party dropped ‘Progressive’ from both its name and its thinking. December 3, 2008

Political heat? Political hate: It is a bitter irony that Stephen Harper and his conservative caucus viciously accuse Stephan Dion of joining with separatists when it’s the Tory attacks which are fanning the flames of division and distrust. The Bloc Quebecois was losing support this summer until Harper’s plans to cut arts and culture. Result: a major come-back for the Bloc in the federal election in October. Now the Quebec bashing comes a few days before a provincial election in Quebec. Jean Charest had been expecting a majority; but, thanks to Harper, the P.Q. is on the rise. Stephen Harper will do everything possible to hang on to power even if it destroys Canada. Shame! December 4, 2008

Confidence men? It’s clear Stephen Harper does not have the confidence of Parliament, Jack Layton does not have the confidence of most Canadians, Stephan Dion does not have the confidence of his own party, and Gilles Duceppe does not have confidence in Canada. December 4, 2008

The right and honourable Michaëlle Jean: She faced a ‘ damned if you do and damned if you don’t ’ situation this week, but Governor General, Michaëlle Jean got it right both in the letter and spirit of the law as well as her role in our parliamentary democracy. Technically, Stephen Harper still enjoyed the confidence of the House and was, therefore, her trusted and legitimate advisor. True, Harper did an end-run around Parliament, but he was just within the rules. More importantly, the Governor General’s decision reflected the will of the Canadian people who voted for stability and leadership less than eight weeks ago. The coalition is not stable and Stephane Dion is nobody’s leader. It remains to be seen how right or honourable Stephen Harper will be. December 5, 2008

Take a proper gander at Christie's latest: I am shocked and appalled! Christie Blatchford is a good journalist. Does she have to rely on Conservative Party PR notes to write a column now? ( Harper not out of line for wanting to crush the opposition ) It followed exactly the form letter being circulated by the Tories. I'll have to check to see if Rick Salutin is toeing the Layton Line. Will Lawrence Martin promote Liberal Logic? December 8, 2008

Games Tories play: House rules? Game over?: The point of Lawrence Martin’s column (Our Robert Mugabe moment, and other unpleasant memories) seems to be that half-lies trump half-truths. Why do Tory leaders gamble so with our future and democratic institutions? First Brian Mulroney tossed the dice, now Stephen Harper snookers Parliament. And Harper’s ‘House Rules’ seems to be that it doesn’t. December 8, 2008

Literally stupid: The recent proroguing of Parliament reminded me of a line from T.S. Elliot’s Murder in the Cathedral: “The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason. “ But perhaps a quote from Schiller is more appropriate for this entire political mess, “Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." (Maid of Orleans) December 8, 2008

Mob rule?: Two Illinois governors in a row, one Republican and one Democrat, run afoul of the law ( Illinois governor arrested over Obama's Senate seat ). And we think we have a problem with crime in

Canada! The scum-bag crooks here are in chains; in Illinois they wear the chain of office. December 9, 2008

Economy biting the biscuit: Margaret Wente thinks the growing recession cloud has a silver lining with a ‘shakeout in doggie bakeries’ who charge $13.95 for six gourmet doggie-cookies. Most of us are concerned about a shake down, the one from the banks with their tightened credit and increased charges. Loss of our homes, jobs and savings is the dark cloud over many Canadian heads. So, as to Ms Wente’s pampered pooches; let them eat Milk Bone. December 12, 2008

Getting a kick out of the news: It was a member of the Iraqi press who gave the boot to

U.S.

President G.W. Bush yesterday. The American press should have been as unequivocally critical some seven years ago and the American public likewise four years ago. December 14, 2008

Allah be appraised: The central bank in the

United States

, is making it cheaper for banks to lend by reaching near zero interest charges. Islam also forbids the charging of interest. Talk about your irony! Perhaps some of the money that went into National Security should have been spent on financial regulation. December 17, 2008

Attacks on the poor: For a province governed by a party which calls itself ‘Liberal’, New Brunswick is acting like the most illiberal, unprogressive conservative government

Canada

has ever seen. The flat-tax proposal ( often touted by neo-cons in the States ) benefits upper-income earners and sets on its head the graduated income tax which has been around in

Canada

since 1917. Worse yet, the proposed revenue generator of upping the sales tax by 2% means tax increases of the most regressive kind. This tax change amounts to attacks on the poor in New Brunswick . December 19, 2008

Cryptic Cross sword: Christie Blatchford calls the Canadian Senate a sinecure, which comes from the Latin, ‘without worry’. Note: ‘ sinecure’ is also an anagram for ‘sure nice’ an equally apt term when referring to appointment to the Red Chamber. Under the current rules for term of service in the Senate, one thing it’s not is insecure. December 27, 2008