EYE VIEW
This page provides an Index to my columns
for 2001 published in the Kamloops Daily News
EYE
VIEW
Gun control justified in that it is aimed at preventing violence. It's not just criminals that we have to worry about. Most gun related deaths are not done by criminals, but by a close family member or friend of the victim. We need to know which gun owners act in a threatening manner. Canada's new Firearms Act does that. January 9, 2001
The invisible hand of the marketplace is blind to hardship Free enterprise has given us high natural gas prices as a result of deregulation and privatization of our resource. They hope to repeat this "success" with our water. January 23, 2001
University ranking system too often based on wrong criteria While Canada's universities try to outdo each other in a climate of dwindling resources, they should re-think the rational of universities. Universities should serve the public, not corporations, yet in courting private funds that is what they are doing. February 6, 2001
Musicians could capitalize on music download from Net The recent court ruling against the music sharing program, Napster, will do little to stop the exchange of free recordings on the Internet. Things have permanently changed. The music industry will have to find someone else to exploit and musicians will find creative ways of making a living -- as they have done for thousands of years. February 20, 2001
Campbell's doom and gloom message strikes responsive cord Premier Dosanjh is trying to win British Columbians with good news about the economy. Opposition leader Campbell has a better idea -- gloom sells. March 6, 2001
Liberal leader Campbell will do anything to stall treaty talks Campbell proposes a referendum to provide "principles that will guide treaty negotiations" in BC. The only effect of such referenda would be to continue what Campbell started --to stall treaty talks at a cost of $1 billion a year. March 20, 2001
Fix stumpage fee system, put B.C. companies on equal footing Let's fix the immediately repairable problem before going on to the larger one. B.C.'s forest companies are not collectively paying what they should for our trees. Once they do, we can fix the American complaint that we are flooding the U.S. market by drying it up. Let's see how the Americans like high lumber prices. April 3, 2001
When looking at health care, Romanow should examine U.S. Disease isn't what it used to be. At one time infectious agents were the chief cause of disease. Now most deaths in the industrial world, and increasingly in the majority world, are the result of chronic ailments. Like cancer and heart disease. These chronic diseases are caused by poverty and environmental hazards. April 17, 2001
Federal inaction on trade amounts to giving corporations power The so-called Summit of the Americas was not as the name would suggest, a meeting of the governments of Americas to discuss the common good of all citizens. Rather, it was a pretense of a meeting, a show to let citizens of this hemisphere know that corporate rule is inevitable. Those not invited, the visiting thoughtful citizens, were portrayed as mindless protestors. That, too, was part of the plan. May 1, 2001
Campbell has challenge ahead with party built from discontent. The B.C. Liberals aren't. Liberal that is. They are a collage of Social Credit, Conservatives, Reform and even a few liberals. As the new government of B.C., they have a challenge in defining who they are. Perhaps the biggest opposition will come from their own ranks. May 15, 2001
SUVs are dangerous but they make big profits so they are here to stay. This article was not published because of its sensitive nature. Sport Utility Vehicles pollute, guzzle gas, kill occupants, don't handle well, and yet they are very popular. To provide fuel for them, President Bush is willing to risk damage to the Arctic. But it's all worth while if it saves the fragile egos of babyboomers.
Liberal majority means newspapers must fight for fairness The massive Liberal win in B.C. means that the NDP will provide little opposition. The media must demonstrate that they can fairly represent the views of the opposition NDP, a party that they have vilified in the past and hunted down its leaders as blood sport. I may be a foolish optimist but I think they can.
Public insurance cheaper because profits aren't main goal The Insurance Bureau of Canada knows "How to make ICBC better". At least that's what they claim in their full page newspaper ads. But they can't make ICBC better through profit-taking. They say they will do it through competition. I have my doubts.
Let's get on with water meters, building water treatment plant The experience of other cities and common sense indicate that universal water meters save water, and save the cost of treating that water. If we can build a new water treatment plant for less, then why not? It's not like we have an option regarding the new plant: it has been ordered by the regional medical officer.
Right will never unite because Tories are a party of the centre The only way in which the Canadian Alliance will unite with the Progressive Conservatives is for the Alliance to move considerable to the left. In fact, left of the Liberals, who have become a centre right party under the neo-Liberal leadership of Chrétien/Martin.
Obesity problem could place huge strain on health-care system Obesity is increasing in children at an alarming rate. Since medical problems of obesity manifest themselves at an earlier age, the new generation could be seeking medical attention at the same time as the baby boomers. The consumption of empty calories is a symptom of empty materialism.
Chretien's attitude towards legitimate protest is not acceptable Prime Minister Chretien is more concerned with protecting the rights of corporations and leaders of dubious distinction than Canadians. And its convenient for the government of Canada to stage confrontational scenes like the fortress Quebec debacle of the FTAA.
Good environmental record best card to play in Canada's deck Canada's Prime Minister can talk tough and the Minister of Trade can express his devotion to the North American Free Trade Agreement, but meanwhile B.C. will lose tens of thousands of jobs. The federal government is prepared to let B.C. bleed, even at the expense of their namesakes, the new B.C. Liberal government.
Studies in favour of fluoridation stronger than those against it Fluorides have been a proven method of reducing tooth cavities in young and old, rich and poor, for decades. No wonder that fluoridation is so effective -- it's natures way. Artificial fluorides are no different than natural fluorides. A fluoride ion is a fluoride ion, regardless of source.
America's new strategy must rest on managed impatience Colin Powell, former U.S. general and now Secretary of State, must guide his president and his country through a political minefield. Wars are won in thoughts and ideology before they are won by soldiers on the battlefield. Powell must stall for time to develop a speakable response to unspeakable terrorism.
Referendums won't solve real problem with public water supply Against the advice of health professionals, Kamloops voted fluorides out of its water supply. In the same referendum, they voted against water meters. Meters would have decreased water usage and the cost of our new water treatment plant. October 16, 2001
Oil more precious than truth when it comes to the Middle East If the United States military doesn't find the evil Osama bin Laden in the Middle East, there is always lots of oil to be found. Even though they have to get it from Saudi Arabia, a country that supports bin Laden. October 31, 2001
Neskonlith has failed to establish a claim at Sun Peaks The strategy of the Niskonlith Indian Band to use the Delgamuukw court decision might work if they could establish occupancy. But that claim is of occupancy is in doubt. Does the Neskonlith use of confrontation at Sun Peaks indicate that they have no legal recourse? November 13, 2001
Absurdities of other beliefs seen most clearly from a distance Just as a fish is unaware of water, we are unaware of the belief system that we live in. Islamic martyrs may seem as foreign as air to a fish but try to imagine how weird our belief in the nebulous marketplace might seem at an equal distance. November 27, 2001
Private opinion poll would hold as much weight as referendum The BC Liberals are hell bent on holding a meaningless referendum. The results will have no relevance politically or legally. To save us a lot of money, why not privatize the referendum by having a polling firm conduct a survey? December 11, 2001
Return to my Home Page