No Smoking (Except at the CBC) Department:
A quirk in the law allows smoking rooms at the CBC. Seems our national broadcaster is subject to Federal law, and therefore can get around Ontario’s smoking ban in public buildings.
Conspiracy Theories Department:
Who killed Lincoln? Or Kennedy? Such questions have occupied many for years. More recently, the Da Vinci Code made a fortune exploring the subject, and this week The Lost Tomb of Jesus is getting a ton of press coverage for James Cameron’s “documentary”. Hang a “conspiracy angle” on almost any story and media leaps to the cause. Such is the case for a phenemenon known as “The Secret”. Put together by Rhonda Byrne, it features a book, a DVD with a collection of self-help authors and motivational speakers, and a two-hour Oprah special: Good recipe for hot sales numbers. Marketing hype tells us the mysterious idea has been hidden from mere mortals throughout time, and is now revealed for about $40.00 for the DVD. Think positively and positive things will happen to you. Yup, that’s it. Norman Vincent Peale said as much in the fifties and made no attempts to conceal it. Some things don’t change: They just get re-packaged and featured on Oprah.
Save the Liberals Department:
Stéphane Dion is on a cross-country tour trying to resurect his image, and the fortunes of the Federal Libs. Sources tell your Intrepid Reporter the tour will focus on his intellect and his vision for the country. Seems to W&W there is an entire government portfolio to handle the “vision” question. We eagerly anticipate M. Dion’s contribution to the dialogue.
Re-thinking the Me-generation Department:
Two recent studies are causing some concern that constant praise of children might not be the best way to create well-adjusted adults. For decades parents have been told to heap approval on the munchkins, regardless of performance. “You are special” became the mantra of well-meaning folks trying to raise their kids in a supportive atmosphere. It may well have created an almost institutional narcissism, with the key questions revolving around “what’s in it for me?” Oh dear, now what do we do?
A quirk in the law allows smoking rooms at the CBC. Seems our national broadcaster is subject to Federal law, and therefore can get around Ontario’s smoking ban in public buildings.
Conspiracy Theories Department:
Who killed Lincoln? Or Kennedy? Such questions have occupied many for years. More recently, the Da Vinci Code made a fortune exploring the subject, and this week The Lost Tomb of Jesus is getting a ton of press coverage for James Cameron’s “documentary”. Hang a “conspiracy angle” on almost any story and media leaps to the cause. Such is the case for a phenemenon known as “The Secret”. Put together by Rhonda Byrne, it features a book, a DVD with a collection of self-help authors and motivational speakers, and a two-hour Oprah special: Good recipe for hot sales numbers. Marketing hype tells us the mysterious idea has been hidden from mere mortals throughout time, and is now revealed for about $40.00 for the DVD. Think positively and positive things will happen to you. Yup, that’s it. Norman Vincent Peale said as much in the fifties and made no attempts to conceal it. Some things don’t change: They just get re-packaged and featured on Oprah.
Save the Liberals Department:
Stéphane Dion is on a cross-country tour trying to resurect his image, and the fortunes of the Federal Libs. Sources tell your Intrepid Reporter the tour will focus on his intellect and his vision for the country. Seems to W&W there is an entire government portfolio to handle the “vision” question. We eagerly anticipate M. Dion’s contribution to the dialogue.
Re-thinking the Me-generation Department:
Two recent studies are causing some concern that constant praise of children might not be the best way to create well-adjusted adults. For decades parents have been told to heap approval on the munchkins, regardless of performance. “You are special” became the mantra of well-meaning folks trying to raise their kids in a supportive atmosphere. It may well have created an almost institutional narcissism, with the key questions revolving around “what’s in it for me?” Oh dear, now what do we do?
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