"I rather like materialism. The poor need it."

"V.S. Naipaul, Nobel laureate in literature, answering a question from an audience in India”
 quoted as "Thought du jour" in "Social Studies" in Globe and Mail August 12, 2009

In my latest Mercatornet article I say the extended version "making of" DVDs show that The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was an amazing logistical and creative achievement that unhappily missed much of the moral point of Tolkien's masterpiece.

"Do unto others as they would like to be done unto"

Attributed to "various U.S. management consultants” in Globe and Mail March 10, 2000 p. A18.

My latest crowd-funded documentary project "Israel for Canadians" is now live on Kickstarter.

Too many Canadians have somehow acquired a mistaken impression of Israel as a regional bully, a fortress under siege, an intolerant, chauvinistic or even theocratic culture, or a colourful museum. I want to dispel all such illusions, showcasing its technological achievements, its contemporary culture, its environmental movement, its vigorous debates on everything from religion to security, its very real security challenges and its inhabitants' abiding desire for peace.

If you value the only democracy in the Middle East, a dynamic, open society, an ally of the West, the home of one great world religion and the birthplace of another, please visit Kickstarter and make a pledge.

Because as the late George Jonas once put it, "Truth unasserted is a lie unopposed."

In my latest National Post column I say the emptiness of "a plan that puts people first" puts conceit first... and puts us all at risk.

If you're concerned about the direction government budgets are headed in this country at the federal, provincial and even municipal level, and you're in the Calgary area, please join us Friday and Saturday for the EEA's 5th annual Freedom School Conference, on "Stemming the Tide of Red Ink." You can see the list of speakers, get details and register here.