Imagine an anthropologist came to study Canada’s strange public rituals from some unspoiled region where only birds tweet and “reality television” could not be explained even if someone could be found who wanted to know. Upon encountering the thing known as a “federal budget,” he might well release a cloud of arrows to cover his precipitous flight back to a blessed homeland where “fiscal federalism” would be ceremonially incinerated if it ever intruded. But if not, what would he record for his bewildered fellows? Click here to read the rest.
Prime Minister Harper’s Mideast trip was going pretty well until I opened the paper and saw him handing Jordan about $100 million. Man. That’s one expensive photo-op. Click here to read the rest.
Apparently the U.S. is putting “pressure” on Israelis and Palestinians to advance the “Mideast peace process.” Pressure, I think, is a colourless, odourless gas that causes journalists to write headlines. But I have no idea what this “peace process” might be. Click here to read the rest.
The year started with horrible news out of Africa. And Russia, Iraq and other places. But Africa produced three of the most hideous and heart-wrenching stories. So where’s our famous “Responsibility To Protect” gotten to? Click here to read the rest.
What is it with JFK? Why the enduring fascination? Click here to read the rest.
To put this U.S. government shutdown in perspective, forget for a moment that all right-thinking persons know Republicans are ignorant fanatical bigots and imagine it was happening in Canada. Click here to read the rest.
Almost 20 years ago, Bill Clinton said “The era of big government is over.” He was lying, of course. But for a reason: To convince voters he wasn’t too dumb to grasp that painful experience over at least three decades had proved big compulsory bureaucratic state programs weren’t just wasteful but actively harmful. So why do politicians go on creating them in response to every problem, real or imagined? Click here to read the rest.
The middle class is hurting. Maybe the government should do something. Click here to read the rest.