These thaws are coming in very nicely. It was -18 C yesterday but it will be plus 40 F tomorrow. I can't explain why I am better with Celsius below zero but Fahrenheit above. Just another of my wonders. I think it is going to be OK. After all, I have gotten this far into winter and have not …

This is good. Good stuff, too. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney working with PEN and even author John Ralston Saul, honorary patron of PEN and husband of former governor-general Adrienne Clarkson to get a political dissident out of China and into Canada:  •  Mr. Kenney issued a special … read more »

Don Martin has a very interesting observation in this morning's National Post:  •  Mr. Obama’s massive fiscal stimulus has a preoccupation with tougher fuel emission standards, renewable alternatives, hybrid cars and assorted cleanup priorities, all aimed at putting the producers of dirty oil out …

This is not really following the script at all.

If January were a person I would not like him. The guest that never seems to leave soon enough and doesn't bring enough when he does show. The month that starts with a hangover. The only reason we do not celebrate the end of January is that February is coming up behind. I used to hate February … read more »

I am a little surprised that Iggy is not completely on board but what is the guy to do? What would he look like if he jumped up and down clapping his hands and shrilly screamed "I love it, I love it!!!" like a school girl? He has to buck at the reins but I don't see an election this spring. Who …

All the town is abuzz with the budget day news. Half the street had their lights on before 5 am, faces pressed to the windows waiting for the newspapers to be delivered. It's budget day! It's budget day!!!  •  Budgets used to be so drab. In the 70s and 80s there was a guy like Marc Lalonde stoking …

Things are loosening up. There is no minus sign in front of today's temperature and that is in Celsius. It's back to the deep cold tonight but one day of a lighter jacket and slushy rubber boots not mountain climbing gear is good. Things are lightening in the political world as well. Obama (aka …

It is a funny old world. We walk around in a haze of assumptions and build up layer upon layers of accepted truths which can leave us amazed by the unexpected things we hear on any given day, which leave our beliefs challenged:  •  The Dalai Lama, a lifelong champion of non-violence candidly … read more »