SHOULD ASSISTED SUICIDE BE A CRIME?

The College of Physicians in Quebec has just announced that it favours euthanasia and wants a public debate on the issue.  This is very relevant because  just last week one of B ritain’s most distinguished musical conductors  travelled to Zurick where he and his wife were helped to commit suicide.
The context was this.  The conductor, [...]

WAS WALTER CRONKITE THE GREATEST.

I go back along way.  To Huntley and Brinkley.  They were good too.
Cronkite I Think was in a class of his own.  I remember exactly where I was when he announced historic events. 
I had just walked home from the dentist in Toronto when I saw Cronkite tear up and announce the death of President Kenndy.  [...]

SHOULD JUDGE SOTOMAYOR BE CONFIRMED.

I watched agood deal of  the Senate hearings on Jundge Sotomayor.  (Did you.)
I thought she was enormously impressive
with clear answersalthough ,understandably, she refused to be nailed down on how she would rule on controversial matters such as abortion, gun rights and capital punishment.
 
 
There were only two areas where her Republican \critics may have laid a [...]

IS THE MONARCHY WORTH IT?

I was astounded to learn that we Canadians are now payiung more per capita  to support the Queen ($1.53)  than the British ($1The price for Canadians to support the monarchy ( including the Governor-General and 10 lieutenant-governors) comes to $50 million annually.
A recent poll says only 30 percent of Canadians feel a connection to the [...]

IS CREMATION THE WAY TO GO?

Victoriaville Caskets, the largest maker of luxxury wooden caskets in Quebec (and in Canada) has announced it is closing its doors. The company blames its imminent death on several causes – foreign competition, the strengthening loonie, a lower death rate and cremation.
The key to the casket company’s demise seems to be cremation.  Cremation now represents [...]

IS YOUR MONEY PROTECTED?

A  short  time after I  moved from Toronto to Montreal in 1972, I put my investments with Earl Jones, a financial investment counsellor.  We did so on the recommendation of a close friend.  Fortunately, as it turned out, we left Jones and turnedfor investment counselling to Scotia McLeod.  (My  wife  and I  became conce ned [...]

SHOULD THE U.S. CONGRESS HONOUR MICHAEL JACKSON?

Democratic leaders in Congress are trying toquash a resolution honouring Michael Jackson.  Nany Pelosi says she fears it would produce a contentious debate that would detract from Jackson’s legacy.  Nancy says individual congressman can praise Jackson any time from the floor.  “I don’t think it is necessary for us to have a resolution.”
On the other [...]

SHOULD TAX DOLLARS BE USED TO FUND GAY PARADES?

Tourism Minister, Diane Ablonczy, gave $400,000 in tax dollars to support the recent Gay Pride parade in Toronto.
This donation has prompted a backlash from some members of her own Tory caucus.  As result Ablomczy has been stripped of responsiility for disbursing a $100 million tourism fund.  Former  Tory Miniister, Monte Solbe erg, charges that Ablonczy [...]

SHOULD A PROTESTANT RECEIVE COMMUNION?

A  brouhaha has erupted over an incident at the state funeral of  former Governor-general Romeo Leblan c which was attended by many dignitaries including Prime Minister Harper. 
At communion time one of the priests approached Mr. Harper in tC
There is some dispute about what happened next.  At least one observer told the Catholic authorities that the [...]

DID HITLER DO ANY GOOD?

Jews in Germany and elsewhere (including Canada)  are outraged by comments made by the boss of Formula 1 racing, Britisher Bernard Ecclestone, 78. 
Ecclestone  said this a few days before a major Formula 1 race to be held in Germany:  “In a lot of ways, terrible to say this I suppose, but apart from the fact [...]