I have noticed of late that various public commentators are using terms that mask rather than clarify the true meaning of what they are saying. Whether intentional or not, such obfuscation is not helpful to meaningful discussions of some important issues. Consider the current plague inflicting that portion of the population who use "recreational" drugs that contain fentanyl or carfentanyl which, even in extremely minute quantities, can cause death. How risking one's life is be considered to be recreation is beyond me, so maybe it's time to revive an old-fashioned term: illegal drugs. [continues 567 words]
Prime Minister Stephen Harper seems determined to stick to preconceived notions he "knows" to be right and to ignore contrary evidence. Two recent examples come to mind. First, at the recent Summit of the Americas he was the lone supporter of the U.S. in rejecting inviting Cuba to attend future meetings. That President Barack Obama would say no is understandable. There is a rabid anti-Castro voting block in Florida, a key state he must carry if he is to be re-elected. Agreeing to allow Cuba to attend was not on. [continues 563 words]
In a single generation, says David Lovibond, drugs and drink have turned Devizes into a place of incoherent rage In better days the world left Wiltshire alone. Blighted by neither coastline nor famous hills, the county was merely on the way to somewhere else. In the heart of this fortunate backwater, Devizes was the very archetype of an English market town. There is a castle, a square big enough to have burned at least one Protestant martyr in, and fine curving terraces of Georgian houses paid for by Wiltshires fat cornlands. [continues 1216 words]
