Over the past few months I have talked to people who have experienced difficulties at the US border.  Often this involves having to leave one’s vehicle and being subjected to intense interrogation.  What has, in the past, been a routine “friendly” crossing has turned into a “negative” interrogation by abusive American border guards. There appear […]

By Marian Wang in ProPublica. The tear gas canisters used by Egyptian police against the protesters bore the label “Made in U.S.A. [1],” stirring controversy and bolstering the impression among Egyptians that the United States has propped up a dictatorship [1] at the expense of its citizens. Two government agencies, the Department of State and […]

Tony Blair, with the blood of Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine dripping from his fingers, says Egyptian dictator Husni Mubarak is “immensely courageous and a force for good.” The opinion is based on working “with him on the Middle East peace process.” Mubarak’s record on the pacification process involves helping the Palestinian Authority transform itself into a […]

The focus of politics has shifted over the past two to three decades from issues to personalities. Media reports refer to Conservative or Liberal governments or to Harper or Campbell governments, as if federal and provincial governments were owned by political parties or their leaders. Such references are indications that our parliamentary democracies have become […]

Dear Editor, Recently, a local chapter of the Council of Canadians invited me to speak at a forum about CETA.  The forum will play host to our current MP as a speaker as well as MP Peter Julian, the NDP’s International Trade Critic.   Shortly after that invitation, various editors throughout the BC Southern Interior ran […]

I hate to be jaded and cynical, but limits of my credulity can only be stretched so far.You probably know that the B.C. Liberals are shopping for a new leader. You probably also know that they have six contenders, one of whom will soon become B.C.'s newest premier. What many people don't know is that they are voting, on Feb.12,...

The fourth of six contenders for the B.C. premier's seat has come to Castlegar - Kevin Falcon, accompanied by Minister of Forests Pat Bell. More than 30 people were on hand at the Complex Tuesday afternoon to hear Falcon's pitch to govern the province through what he called the "Three Ls": listening, learning and leading....

 Dear Editor, There has been some discussion in your paper about the Canada European Free Trade Agreement (CETA).  The Centre for Civic Governance (CCG) last year commissioned the law firm of Sack Goldblatt Mitchell LLP to provide a legal opinion of this agreement.  Mr. Steven Shrybman, a lawyer with the firm, submitted a 22 page […]

Parliament resumed yesterday and Canadians could be forgiven if they decided they would rather stick pins in their arms than watch another round of Stephen Harper’s cynical manipulation compete with Michael Ignatieff’s inept political meandering. I haven’t seen a recent poll on whether or not people want an election, but it wouldn’t surprise me if […]

The president of Egypt has suffered a “devastating blow” after the country’s army announced they would not use force against their own people, who continue to protest against the government tonight. The news came hours after six journalists who reported on the protests were released from custody. Hosni Mubarak yesterday announced a new cabinet, which […]