Opinion

Patriotism, English essayist Samuel Johnson wrote, is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Johnson clearly never met a Canadian interest group. Patriotism is always their first refuge.

You have to wonder where the Green party’s interpretation of a major federal research project on the north coast leaves the B.C. Liberals.

Contrary to what you might have heard, there is no “bee-pocalypse.” There is lots of alarmist talk about colony-collapse disorder. People are blaming pesticides and talking about hundreds of billions of dollars at risk.

It may be that the charter of Quebec values never becomes law. It may be that this is a trial balloon, a little late-summer silliness, a taunt, tease or test, with no purpose but provocation.

I was so busy spending money in the commercial tents at the Saanich Fair that it took a while to notice something significant. I’m a sucker for all the marmalades, preserves, chutneys and spice mixes on offer.

For some reason I had wanted to go to the pub. I was already drunk — really drunk, because I somehow realized I was in no shape to get behind the wheel of my truck.

I haven't been writing nearly as much in recent months as I used to. I have been caught up in trying to make a living, which isn't a bad thing, and in fact is going quite well, but still... It takes up a lot of time.

Normal.dotm 0 0 1 235 1344 Times Colonist 11 2 1650 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.

Sovereignty, security, patriotism and pride are attractive and powerful concepts that have played prominently in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s rhetoric surrounding the Arctic since he was elected in 2006.

Several untested assumptions and a few erroneous conclusions are revealed when government indicates to school districts that it will pick up the tab for a proposed 10-year deal with teachers, but that school districts will still be on the hook for in