EYE VIEW
This page provides an Index to my columns for
2002 published in the Kamloops Daily News
EYE
VIEW
Canadian newspapers have responsibility to tell Palestinians' story The owner of Canada's largest newspaper chain is unapologetically pro-Israel. What chance will Canadians have to hear the other side of the Middle East conflict? Without that understanding we can only view with horror, not understanding, events like September 11, 2001. January 8, 2002
Look for Campbell to approve Mazankowski's health report The B.C. Liberal government will find the report on how to save Alberta's health care useful for two reasons. First, it creates a diversion for the deep cuts that Premier Campbell has in mind. Also, Campbell won't have to go though the public scrutiny, effort and expense to produce his own report. The template is already there. January 22, 2002
Campbell's Liberals keep failed neo-liberal experiment alive While the world lurches forward to a new era, B.C. is oddly out of sync. Post twin-towers, doubt is being raised about neo-liberal experiments of punishing the poor and globalization. Now, B.C.'s new government has decided to travel the path well worn to failed ideology. February 5, 2002
In the case of acne, the cure is sometimes worse than the ailment Many prescription drugs, like accutane, are being marketed directly to consumers. This practice creates consumer demand and profits for big drug companies. But it doesn't serve patients well. They end up taking potentially dangerous drugs. The inflated costs of these drugs also drives up the cost of health care. February 19, 2002
When the economy turns around, it won't be thanks to the Liberals When the BC economy turns around, it won't be because of the BC Liberal's voodoo economics, it will be in spite of them. The irony is that the BC Liberals are applying economic principles that have failed elsewhere and are yesterday's politics. March 5, 2002
Lotteries are a government's way of taxing its poorest citizens The B.C. Liberals have slapped the hand that feeds them. They have cut jobs in one of the few revenue generating operations that they have -- B.C. Lottery Corporation. BCLC needs to be nurtured. After all, it's a convenient distraction for the poor and unemployed. Without a dream to gamble their money on, citizens might start taking government from of the hands of the elite. March 19, 2002
Following Bush down the road of nuclear war is clear insanity President Bush's inventions of evil are taking increasingly warped twists. His success in winning support for retaliation for the horror of September 11 has apparently gone to his head. Now he wants to lead the free world on the road to Baghdad to finish off Saddam Hussein. Next he threatens use of nuclear weapons in his latest invention of evil, the "axis of evil (Iraq, Iran, North Korea)." Bush will have to walk down the road to hell by himself. April 2, 2002
Wacky referendum takes province back through the looking glass. If B.C. Attorney General is serious when he says that two out of three votes in the upcoming referendum on native treaty negotiations will be binding on his government but two votes against would not, you have to marvel at the fantastic world that this government lives in. It's comparable to the fantasy castle that former premier Vander Zalm lived in, in the middle of a theme park, while in office. April 16 , 2002
Receding Aral Sea could be a stern warning of disasters to come "The story of the Aral Sea is a parable of twentieth century development and industrialization, a parody of progress," says Tom Bissell. You don't have to go to the Aral Sea to experience environmental disaster. It's coming to a neighbourhood near you. April 30 , 2002
We could make elections in B.C. a whole lot more fair The system we now have produces stable governments, but at a cost. Our "first past the post" method of electing MLAs means that the winner takes all. The problem is that a vote not for the winning candidate is a vote wasted. A mix of first past the post and proportional representation would mean that every vote counts. May 14, 2002
Here's your free explanation of what the B.C. Liberals are doing With the departure of the B.C. Liberals' deputy of communications, Irene Chanin, a new powerful communicator needs to be appointed. The Minister of Truth will explain how profit can be taken from out public services in the name of choice, and how wages of the working poor can be reduced in the name of efficiency. May 28, 2002
Canadians suspicious of biotechnology's tinkering with DNA "DNA did not create life; life created DNA," says Barry Commoner, senior scientist at City University of New York. The biotechnology industry would like us to think that they have the science figured out when they tinker with genes in plants and animals. The traditional theory of Watson and Crick has been held up as gospel but there are serious doubts. June 11, 2002
Capitalist game won't be over until China plays its hand In the political discussions of capitalism versus communism, capitalists paint the communists as the has-beens of history. They have been focusing to closely on a county in ruin, Russia. Look to the largest county on earth, China, as a successful communist country. June 25, 2002
Don't believe Fraser Institute - taxes are money well spent Don't be fooled into thinking that the Fraser Institute wants to save consumers money by privatizing publicly run services, like health care. Their primary goal is to discredit public services with the purpose of extracting profits for business. If that was to happen, we would all be poorer; either by paying more to receive those services, or by earning starvation wages to provide them. July 9, 2002
Are we willing to continue living with dirty, dangerous water? Outbreaks of infection from water borne parasites, like cryptosporidium, happen all across Canada. Yet some Kamloopsians want to delay the installation of a water treatment plant that will remove the mud, crud and bugs. Meanwhile, Kamloops most vulnerable citizens are put at risk through inaction. July 23, 2002
Peaceful protestors victims of security hysteria around Chretien The arrest of two protestors in Vancouver recently shows the ridiculous lengths that the police will go to protect Prime Minister Chretien from pie. The PM has little patience with protestors as demonstrated by his wrestling tactics. And the police have picked up on the PM's impatience. They are determined to vindicate themselves after the break-in at the PM's residence. August 6, 2002
Drought-stricken farmers have Klein thinking like a socialist Alberta premier Ralph Klein thinks that Alberta farmers who have hay should share with their drought-stricken neighbours. That's a fine sentiment but Klein should walk the talk and share Alberta resources with all Canadians at a price made in Canada. After all, before 1930, all Canadians owned them and the transfer of mineral rights by the feds was a treasure. August 20, 2002
A year later, a missed opportunity for redemption and healing The War on Terrorism is wonderfully vague and allows US president Bush to do what he wishes. One thing that the War on Terrorism does not do, however, is to provide comfort for the survivors of September 11. The friends and family of the dead thirst for justice, not blood. They seek a conclusion to the grieving process -- acceptance. September 3, 2002
Canada isn't paying proper attention to developments in Arctic While we promise to stand on guard for the "True North, strong and free," we have been reluctant to display a real commitment to the region. Other nations of the northern hemisphere watch the barriers to global shipping melt away. In typical fashion, we wait for others to validate our resources so we can believe in them. September 17, 2002
Teachers are ready for challenge, including the impossible BC's Education Minister, Christy Clark, has grand plans to fix our public education system. She expects a lot from school boards. Clark's educational goals are often contradictory, difficult. But teacher have seen it all. They are ready for the improbable and the impossible. October 1, 2002
Industry's capacity for innovation will fuel future prosperity Canadians support the Kyoto protocol because it's the right thing to do, not because Canada's contribution will amount to much in the global scheme of things. And it helps that Canada will develop new technologies, as well as simple but effective ways of using old technologies --like using carbon dioxide to force previously inaccessible oil out of old wells. October 15, 2002
George Bush has sown the seeds of war, now we reap terror. US President George Bush's war on Afghanistan has spread the terror that the war was supposed to eliminate. Now the Islamic fundamentalists, Jeemah Islamiyah, are striking terror in Bali. Bush's statement's in January about North Korea developing weapons of mass destruction have become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now North Korea is developing a nuclear arms program. Bush's war-mongering has made the world a more dangerous place. October 29, 2002
Fight against gene-testing patent is the right move for B.C. women Myriad Genetics is just doing what big businesses are doing world wide -- collecting patents on genes. In British Columbia, it's stopped the province's health care from testing for the presence of a gene that indicates a possibility of breast cancer in women. The government of B.C. should challenge the patent under provisions of the World Trade Organization that allows denial of patents for diagnostic tests. November 12, 2002
Campbell eager to sacrifice well-run utility on altar of ideology Why do governments keep messing with well-run public utilities that provide cheap electricity and stable prices to consumers? Ideology is the answer. They truly believe, in the face of contrary evidence, that private corporations and market driven prices will deliver the best services. A little extraction of profit is good for the public, these right-wing governments think. It's a bit like belief in blood-letting as a medical cure. November 26, 2002
Beauty Pageants just irritate, no longer serve any function The advancement of women's place in western society have been due to the struggles of women activists. Although women have not achieved equality in pay and in positions power with men, western women are greater participants in society. The beauty pageant is an anachronistic throwback to when women we not legally persons. In a ironic twist, Muslims and sexist male thinking coincide in Islam heaven. December 10, 2002
Unholy terror continues to bring no rest, no peace for Bethlehem The dream of a home for God's chosen people has turned into a nightmare. Israel was founded on leftist, egalitarian principles such as the kibbutz and the Histadrut. Israel has God, capitalism and U.S. weapons on its side, but it won't be enough to stop the unholy terror. December 24, 2002
