Democracy is an ideal, a fragile state that requires our ongoing attention in order to be preserved. It is a gift passed to us by our parents and grandparents, paid for by their blood and tears. Democracy has finally arrived after millennia of serfdom, dictatorship and slavery. Finally, we hold the privilege of voting for someone to represent us in...

  I always enjoy your very lucid and insightful writing, Mr. Olson. Our family lost $3 million with Bernie. Yah, I’m angry with him, a fellow “Yid” – non-pejorative when pronounced in the Old Yiddish as “Yeed” – who just mowed ahead as if the bulimic frenzy could never end. But, as my brother says, to the mostly...

  I was thrilled to see a full-page photo, with headlines linking brain tumours to teen cell phone use, on the cover of The Province on March 16. Finally, mainstream media is also reporting on the hazards of cell phone use. This is cause for celebration. Many of us are overwhelmed with information coming at us from all directions, most of it...

  Recently, the news media has reported on a Swedish study, which showed a five-fold increase in malignant brain tumours among young people who used a cell phone for at least a year before the age of 20. This study was included in the peer-reviewed journal, *Pathophysiology, along with 15 other studies from researchers in six different countries, which...

  Dear Dhammanusari: (those who love Truth) Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” When an individual first starts to walk a spiritual path, they find that, in contrast to the loving kindness they are trying to develop, they see more negativity in the world and in the people around them. Perhaps negativity that they...

  Truce not war Thank you very much for the article about the events that took place on December 24, 1914 [Remembering war, Geoff Olson, November 2008]. It’s a very beautiful and inspirational piece and the question of where to mark events like December 24, 1914, on the calendar is so important. I think many more people are asking this question these...

  Never voted for Bush Greetings from Punxsutawney Pennsylvania and the Inner Circle of the Punxsutanwey Groundhog Club. Believe it or not, we track what people are saying about our friend Phil so I read your commentary. In no way is Phil commenting on your remarks. He is really much more concerned about weather. I on the other hand say:  I never...