I was schooled in Powell River and at the University of British Columbia where I studied Economics and Political Science. Wife Gwen and I, our three adult children, and seven grandchildren live in North Vancouver. After a career in accounting and small business management, I began writing Northern Insights in April 2009.

When I began, blogging and citizen journalism were on the rise. Barack Obama had just begun his first term as U.S. President. I naively expected that major changes would occur in the country of my paternal ancestors. The plan was to examine the restructuring of American political life and comment on how that might affect and influence Canadians.

I did not realize that America’s reactionary forces were so disturbingly powerful. As expressed by Harvard Professor Elaine Kamarck, Obama, a historic president, presided over a somewhat less than historic presidency. My focus shifted to issues directly affecting Western Canada. The blog was renamed IN-SIGHTS.

I worry about the future my generation is leaving to younger people. We are ignoring science and continuing to damage the environment. Climate issues are important today and will be more important tomorrow. Material wealth seekers do not care at all, politicians care too little.

As this is written, the threat to democracy is real. Not just in the USA but in other nations, including Canada. Ordinary citizens must involve themselves in how government operates, or we will watch democracy disappear.