William Bedford

Ode to Winter

MISSING WINTER

Snow banks shining in the cold sunlight frosty noses glowing in the chill the laughter of children throwing snowballs

Politics

International politics is a blood sport where every nation seeks to advance its own interests regardless of moral issues.

Black Friday bargains

Canadians are so lucky. We have a choice of two Black Fridays for a shopping spree.

Snowed in

With apologies to Robert Frost The frigid streets are deep in snow the traffic inches to-and-fro

Mayor Rob Ford Prayer

The Mayor's prayer:

Our political Augean Stables

With the Prime Minister, various senators and sundry politicians lying, cheating, passing the buck and preoccupied with protecting their own assets, what we need is a Canadian Hercules to redirect the Ottawa and Rideau rivers through our Augean stables, AKA Parliament, flushing the whole lot of them out of their cozy dream-world to make way for a slate of new members who would deserve to be called honourable.

Rob Ford

New York once had a controversial, but highly popular, mayor named Jimmy Walker whom the media called Beau James.

Media

Rob Ford's biggest mistake, and it boggles the mind that he didn't know better, was his inability to understand that a politician is toast if he or she alienates the media.

Toronto's beleaguered Mayor

As we all know, the media do a far better job of comforting the afflicted and, especially, afflicting the comfortable than the churches do.

Honouring Alice Munro

Ireland honoured its Nobel Prize winner William Butler Yeats by putting his image on its five punt bill.

Politicians

Most people think the biggest problem in politics is that Liberals, NDP and Conservatives have nothing in common.

Conrad Black as PC leader?

The Liberals are plagued by various financial scandals, the NDP is losing face by propping them up and the Conservatives can't win a majority with Tim Hudak as their leader.

Oh, Canada

Not that many years ago O Canada was seldom heard. Many older Canadians called it a Quebec song and recognized only God Save the Queen/King as Canada's rightful anthem. O Canada is not steeped in history like most national anthems, so a few minor changes are not worth getting steamed up about.

Stupid Politicians

Countries like Russia and China must find the U.S. system of governance totally beyond their comprehension.

The Other Canada Day

Turkey, squash and yams as well cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie Thanksgiving with kith and kin beneath the cool October sky.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Turkey, squash and yams as well cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie Thanksgiving with kith and kin beneath the cool October sky. A respite from the workplace din for neighbours all across the land giving thanks for all the gifts bestowed on this beloved land.

Endangered Christians

Across the Muslim world Christians are becoming an endangered species.

Saint Pamela

Pamela Wallin sells her New York apartment in order to repay money she claims she doesn't owe.

A U.S-led global police force

According to most polls the American political left and right are, for once, agreed that the U.S shouldn't be "the world's policeman."

Democratic Values

A democratic society means a lot more than a free vote, it also means freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the protection of minorities and the rule of law.