Posted: December 18, 2001

Consumer Power
Fair trade apples give consumers a safe and healthy choice - Carole Pearson
  And a chance to help improve working conditions for the 250,000 people working in Washington State orchards.

The great Christmas tree debate - Suzanne Elston
  Shop carefully if you plan on getting a real tree - local farms are the better choice.

Buying safe toys
  Find out about recalls and get tips on how to choose quality toys. A link to SAFE.
 

The Straight Goods Cyber Forum with Larry Solway America's new message to terrorists   We don't have an overwhelming need to take prisoners... Join the Straight Goods Cyber Forum with your views on war tactics, Ralph Klein, street people or any other favorite rant. Exchange your thoughts and ideas with other SG readers. Take the Straight Goods Cyber Survey. Tell us what you think of school closures, mouthy politicians, top-gun southern justice and qualify for a prize in the weekly Straight Goods draw.

Media files
Attack on Journalism a main feature of 2001 - Ish Theilheimer
  And why Connie Black's version of yellow journalism was less dangerous than Izzy Asper's polka dot infotainment.

Do editorials matter? - John Miller
  Speak up or let one of Canada's major media owners get away with one of the worst abuses of corporate ownership in recent history.

Gazette writers protest national editorials
  An open letter from journalists at Montreal's Gazette.

CBC lock-out intended to force out CEP - Peter Murdoch
  Broadcaster going to the wall to force merger of all employees into US-based union.

The "T" word
  Why are the media complicit in propaganda-laden use of the word terrorism? Commentary from Vision TV media critic Barrie Zwicker.
 

Just another corporate welfare bum - FFWD Weekly
  Despite the right-wing magazine's supposed hatred of "hand-outs", Alberta Reports accepted $200k in government subsidies last year.

Insight
It takes a city
  Cities are examples of social inclusion for Canadian communities to follow, say city councilors David Miller and Alex Munter.

Did Minna go too far?
  Aaron Freeman on conflict of interest in government.
 
 

Nancy Myers wonders how some Ontario MPPs could vote to help puppies but not special needs kids - or vice-versa.
  Both private members bills were voted down by the Legislature on the same day.

Future of Afghanistan
The trees at Tora Bora, Afghanistan
  Environmentalist Stephen Fuller on the connection between deforestation, poverty and the country's future.

Fighting the wrong war - Jonathan Steele, Guardian Unlimited
  Afghans have paid a high price for a campaign that has failed to meet its original aims.

Why is there is a war in Afghanistan? - John McMurtry, Phd, FRSC
  Signs of an emerging totalitarian pattern of world corporate rule without limit or accountability.

Health Care
Botched cancer privatization exposed - A Special Audit of Cancer Care
  Ontario's new private clinic has revealed higher costs and the removal of vital services.

Senator Kirby's conflict of interest - From Michael McBane

Take action

Teddy Bears protest against Bill-36
  A group called the Teddy Bear Brigade has occupied a Liberal MP's office to oppose the government's proposed 'anti-terrorism' bill.
 

Canuck quilts stitch together support for Columbia human rights defenders
  Thirteen human rights defenders have died in Colombia in the last year. From Amnesty International.

Holiday Humour
Santa - An engineer's perspective

Farewell to Harris - As performed by MPP Rosario Marchese and NDP Caucus in the Legislature December 13, 2001

Feeling youthful today?
  The mindset of this year's incoming freshmen - courtesy of the staff at Beloit College, Wisconsin.