A BoB Short Despite new laws regulating the production of medical marijuana, including limiting grow ops to industrial areas, some jurisdictions remain unmoved in their opposition to the burgeoning industry. After six companies in Sudbury, Ontario applied for commercial licences to grow medical marijuana within the city, local police chief Paul Pedersen got a little, […]
Rob Ford is us
By TJ Dawe “#RobFord is the perfect picture of our age: capitalism in its underpants, slouched drunk on the couch saying “what r going to do, leave me?” — Naomi Klein” A point that keeps coming up in the never-ending Rob Ford train wreck is that the man was elected. He wasn’t open about his […]
The birds of Spring
By Montreal Simon The birds have been flocking back to the island as they do every spring. Flying in from south of the lake, on their way north. But this year I’m not as glad to see them, as I usually am. Because this year they can’t help reminding me of what’s going on in China. The outbreak […]
Harper’s stealth attack on Medicare
By Montreal Simon Oh boy. Trying to keep up with Stephen Harper these days is like trying to keep up with a pickpocket working a crowded railway station. Or a pimp working a Republican convention. One moment he’s selling us out to the Chinese Communist Capitalist Party. The next moment he’s preparing to sell us […]
Out of the woods
By Montreal Simon I went for a walk the other day through the leafy lanes of The Shire, with a friend of mine who has suffered from severe depression from about this time last year. It was such a beautiful fall day. He was so happy, at having made so much progress on the road […]
Popping iodide pills in BC, despite the Experts
By Frank Moher Updated below I travelled to a local health food store on Monday and bought some kelp tablets. I was actually after potassium iodide, but they were already sold out. I am not naturally a health food store habitué — as I write this, I’m finishing up a Teen Burger meal — but […]
Red, warm, and close to the heart
By Jodi A. Shaw I’ve never been shy about my distaste for Valentine’s Day. I don’t endorse or encourage celebrating it, I don’t accept Valentine’s Day gifts from anyone other than small children who have an innocent appreciation for the “holiday.” Instead, every year I close my eyes, plug my ears, and wait for it […]
Say goodbye to Meridia — and all other diet pills
by Jodi A. Shaw Surprise, surprise, another diet pill may be pulled from store shelves. Meridia, manufactured by Illinois-based Abbott Laboratories, is under review by the FDA after a study raised concerns that the pill increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Yesterday, fully half of the FDA’s advisory panel recommended that it be […]
Bionic Kitty
Poor Oscar got his back feet chopped off by a combine harvester! Did farmer Coates say “Now, Travis, Oscar’s your kitty. You’ve got ta shoot him clean through the head so he don’t suffer none.” Nope. Instead Oscar got prosthetic feet, and not just any prosthetics, but a revolutionary new variety which are permanently inset […]
Leaping Flames
By Jodi A. Shaw From the very beginning of the H1N1/Swine Flu drama, I’ve had zero intention of getting a flu shot. Nevertheless, even I am infuriated by the preferential treatment given to the Calgary Flames players and their families. I don’t blame the Flames’ medical team for requesting special treatment (it doesn’t hurt to […]
