Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations this year. Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news […]
A friend says we need levity here
Norm Farrell
Before retirement, I worked in accounting and small business management. I have published commentary about public issues at IN-SIGHTS.CA since 2009.
Lying with dogs, rising with fleas
From Andrew MacLeod at The Tyee, Sun’s Olympic Reporter Was Paid to Write for IOC’s Magazine: The Vancouver Sun’s lead reporter on the Olympics, Jeff Lee, has over the years written […]
Synergy?
From a forum at RadioWest.ca I was listening to the 11:30 news on CKNW yesterday morning. It was sponsored by doggydoo.ca, a pet waste removal company. Could there possibly be a more […]
Privatization offers one sure result
As you read this American story, consider how BC Liberals aim to privatize health services to corporations who will put profit before people. Exclusive: Temp Firms a Magnet for Unfit Nurses By […]
A story evolves
April 1, 2009, Statement from Metropolitan Police: A member of the public went to a police officer on a cordon in Birchin Lane, junction with Cornhill to say that there was a […]
Time for something completely different
In the news we find another community sports person accused of sexual misconduct with a child. This one hits close to home, literally and figuratively, because it originates in my home area, […]
Meddling in affairs of wizards
Returned from a quick visit south of the border, I cast the one good eye over news of recent days. There is a target rich environment but I couldn’t decide on a […]
Not keeping the waters pure
Thomas Jefferson: The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be […]
Monumental monumentality
Alex G. Tsakumis, online journalist, describes Gordon Campbell and doing so, provides a text book example of word economy. When the American Psychiatric Association, which knows naught about word economy, describes Narcissistic […]
They gots some ‘splainin’ to do
The platinum crew on the bridge of the good ship B.C. Ferries has got some ‘splainin’ to do. The provincial comptroller-general reported that executive salaries and director’s fees, which exceed public-sector guidelines, […]
Global TV, one thumb up
I complained repeatedly about reporting inadequacies of Vancouver’s Global TV News so, to be fair, I’ll say well done for tonight’s story reporting on West Vancouver School Superintendent Geoff Jopson. Strangely, the […]
Patronage, applied Liberally
Northern Insights recently reminded readers about the BC Liberal Gravy Train that rumbles through obscure and remote locations, boarding a few special travelers. Despite disposition of its main operating assets in 2003, […]
Sell Out
“Sell Out” is a song by fabulous California ska punk band Reel Big Fish, released as the first track on their 1996 album Turn The Radio Off. It may be a good […]
Justice still waiting – Why?
October 25, 2009 was the one year anniversary of Orion Hutchinson’s death. There are still no charges against the driver of the car that struck the young cyclist. Attorney General of BC […]
The transparent fog
Bob Mackin writes at The Tyee:VANOC’s last board meeting opaque. His piece is longer but this interested me: On May 16, 2007, VANOC pledged to increase transparency by posting agendas before and […]
Falcon’s cry
Qu’ils mangent de la brioche! BC Liberal privateer Kevin Falcon has no sympathy, he says, for paramedics who should work overtime whenever demanded. Falcon accused the paramedics of jeopardizing patient lives by […]
Nov. 17/09 UPDATE from BCCLA
This is a development that adds information to the Northern Insights article Kinder, gentler mold.——————————————————– The Vancouver Police Department has responded to BCCLA demands that it refrain from using their newly acquired […]
About a pointless pickle
Allen Garr of the The Vancouver Courier recounts a tale worth reading. It is the story of Tom Prendergast, TransLink CEO, a transit manager with an established record of success, fast tracked […]
Poverty – parent of revolution and crime
The title to this piece was written in the 4th Century BC by Greek Philosopher Aristotle. It speaks a lesson still unlearned. Perhaps not entirely unlearned because democracies mimic totalitarian regimes in […]
Gentler, milder mould
Soon, Sgt. Pepper and his virile squad of spraying constables may represent a kinder, milder mould. Weapons technology is advancing rapidly and the 2010 Olympics provides Canadian police with opportunity and funding […]
I hope Canada hurries up no tolerance based rules. I also hope this country has at least a clue of…