A lot of issues are very complex today but some are just no-brainers. For example:
The world relies on oil and no amount of conservation and alternative energy sources will end this. Alberta’s oil-rich tarsands offer the United States a bountiful, secure supply from a friendly neighbour—unlike Saudi Arabia, for example, where proceeds from sales to the Americans finance terrorism and support a society without regard for environmental concerns and human rights.

I long ago gave up on resolutions but I have my own new year wish list that I’m glad to share.
I wish police would clamp down on those motorists who insist on breaking the law by hiding behind darkened windows.

In my ongoing struggle against becoming cynical, I try to be positive but sometimes it’s not easy. This past month has been especially challenging.

In the beginning, I considered the Occupy movement a needed reminder that we have to do more to correct the inequities in society.

Old age is challenging enough and an epidemic of scammers targeting seniors is making it a whole lot worse.

In recent weeks, close friends have fallen victim to greedy and shameless people who target the aged and prey off their generosity, trust and limited technical skills.
This is not a new experience for our family. In her late eighties, my mother became the victim of fraud by mail, which robbed her of her money but, more importantly, her dignity. Police described the practice as epidemic.

I’m not often embarrassed to be a Canadian.

But it happened two weeks ago when the head of our military was reduced to defending his sterling reputation to reporters and politicians, who dragged his name through the mud over his use of government aircraft.

It was the summer of extremes and maybe it’s just as well it’s over. A visiting aboriginal friend reminded us recently that her people believe winter is mother Earth’s opportunity to rest under a blanket of snow and awake refreshed and renewed in the spring.I feel like I could use a little bit of that rest myself.

The local daily newspaper did us a big favour recently when it raised the issue of the need for full-time city councilors. It was a blessed relief from complaining about the heat—but equally a waste of time.

This city needs higher paid, full-time councilors like we need bigger and noisier parties on Aberdeen street and more congestion on the Causeway.

How is it that our national game could lead to our national shame?

We are known around the world as polite, civilized and generous people and a few hundred hooligans who tore the guts out of downtown Vancouver won’t change that.

The cows aren’t coming home to the prison farms but get ready for a hen coop in your neighbour’s back yard.( Not to worry—it has to be at least four feet away from your property line.)

At the time of writing, we have nine days to go in the federal election and I don’t know whether to laugh
or cry. What I do know is that working in a local campaign is a test of stamina and an act of courage and I
congratulate those from all parties who did so. It is not for the faint hearted.