Commentary – I really feel alone
Jeff Burgar Hey there! You! The person who keeps saying, “We are all in this together!” I want you to tell me if Amazon is in this. I want to know if the online movie and show people like Amazon…
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Editorial – On Remembrance
Jeff Burgar The history of mankind, from the perspective of a casual observer, seems mostly one of battle. The unfortunate view of many, limited as it is seen through a not-so-educated lens, is of many empires. Many conquests that destroyed…
Commentary – A thousand ‘dreadlocks’ of cranes
Pearl Lorentzen Several years ago, I was in Japan in April. It was a cold spring, so the sakura [cherry blossoms] weren’t blooming yet in Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. However, when I reached Hiroshima they were in bloom. Sakura and…
Editorial – Not forgotten
Jeff Burgar Rodeos, hoedowns, fairs, graduation ceremonies, club dine and dances, church suppers, Canada Day celebrations, tournaments of all kinds, even many family suppers. All cancelled, because of COVID-19 disease fears. These cancellations are very sad. But the events will…
Commentary – What to do with free time?
Chris Clegg One has to look long and hard to find anything good coming from the COVID pandemic. So much misery! So much panic! So much confusion! Who to believe with so much information in the media, much of it…
Editorial – Ugly new world
Jeff Burgar What would North American news do without American President Donald Trump? Would they actually report “news” as most of us understand happenings of the day? Would they ever talk about the inner workings of what cynics call “the…
Commentary – My story, I’m sticking to it
Joe McWilliams So…have you read any good books lately? I have, and I might get around to mentioning one or two before the end of this article. You never know. People in general, I find, don’t talk much about what…
Editorial – Together in this, or not?
Jeff Burgar The lady in the old Ikea TV ad runs across the parking lot. She screams to her [presumably] husband, “Start the car! Start the car!” The idea for the characterization, now appearing in other similar ads, is “Ikea…
Commentary – Small business the backbone of community
Richard Froese Small businesses are the economic backbone of a community of any size, rural and urban. Most small businesses have been hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic that was declared March 11. One good thing about COVID is that many…
Editorial – Remote living much trouble
Jeff Burgar Going to jail for drunk driving is too much of a hardship. But, you ask, isn’t that what jail is supposed to be all about? Punishment for one’s bad deeds? Apparently not. Sure, punishment, but these days, one…
Commentary – Your hair is burning
Jeff Burgar A fellow once told me, “We’re sure missing out on all kinds of great news stories. Since I started working at the hospital, it’s just unbelievable I’m learning how much is happening.” Well, what newspaper doesn’t love some…
Editorial – Insurmountable afflictions
Jeff Burgar “He is ugly,” the person said. “I never thought about how ugly he is. But he’s really ugly. I’m not going to vote for him.” This talk was over last week’s presidential debate – Donald Trump versus Joe…
Commentary – Let’s make robots by the lake!
Pearl Lorentzen “Showcasing Alberta’s AI advantage” was the headline of an Alberta government news release in September. It made me think about options for rural economic development. Artificial Intelligence sounds like science fiction: “An evil robot overlord dominates mankind. The…
Editorial – Just another Band-Aid
Jeff Burgar They call it the Political Suicide Tax. As in PST, Provincial Sales Tax, the tax idea in Alberta that just won’t go away. Politicians keep saying they hate the idea. Rachel Notley, as premier, said such a tax…
Commentary – Trying to find bigfoot and little green men
Chris Clegg Last week in this space, Joe McWilliams wrote about Bigfoot. I share his fascination about the possibility of big hairy apes roaming the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Did you know bigfoot sightings have also occurred in Florida…