Friday, August 7, 2009, Vol. 4, No, 37 — 188
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Friday, August 7, 2009
True North Perspective
Vol. 4, No. 37 (188)
Canadians should not be too smug about the nonsense being spewed today in the United States about President Obama’s attempt to rationalize America’s health industry.
When the Saskatchewan government of Tommy Douglas introduced the concept of Medicare in 1961 there came a great hue and cry of opposition by the private health care system financed and led by such as the insurance and drug companies and doctors groups.
The party in power was the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), the predecessor to the New Democratic Party (NDP).
The newspapers, radio and television stations conducted an anti-Medicare propaganda campaign that was, like almost all propaganda campaigns, laced with lies.
I was working as a desk editor at United Press International’s Montreal bureau when the debris from the proverbial fan was at its peak. My job was to handle copy that came in from all over the country, edit it and send it out on the national wire with a U.S. feed.
One of the biggest whoppers to arrive from Saskatchewan was the hysterical claim that Medicare was a Communist plot that would undermine the moral fibre of the country.
Today, Canadians (all Communists of course) would defend Medicare as if their lives depended on it. Come to think of it, they do.
But back then, the propaganda was so intense that the good sense of Saskatchewans buckled. They voted the CCF/NDP government out of office. In the following election they recovered sufficiently to vote the CCF/NDP back in.
For the sake of our American cousins, let’s hope Obama’s ability to persuade can keep the unbelievably dishonest liars and their gullible supporters at bay, and fire the courage of enough members in both houses of congress to pass a bill that has already been shamefully compromised to satisfy opponents even within the Democratic party.
When will we ever learn…when will we ever learn?
Meanwhile, be sure to hit the button for today’s selection from our Archives.
See you Friday, August 14, for our Special 2009 Summer Holiday Edition, Number Five.
Take it easy but take it.
Looking forward
Carl Dow
Editor and Publisher
True North Perspective
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The short story, The Old Man's Last Sauna, a groundbreaking love story, in the Friday, April 24 edition of True North Perspective, concludes the collection titled The Old Man's Last Sauna, written by Carl Dow. On Friday, April 17, you'll find O Ernie! ... What Have They Done To You! The series began Friday, February 20, with Deo Volente (God Willing). The second, The Quintessence of Mr. Flynn, Friday, February 27. The third, Sharing Lies, Friday, March 6. The fourth, Flying High, Friday, March 13. The fifth, The Richest Bitch in the Country or Ginny I Hardly Knows Ya, Friday, March 20. On Friday, March 27, One Lift Too Many, followed by The Model A Ford, Friday, April 3. The out-of-body chiller, Room For One Only, Friday, April 10. The series closed Friday, April 24, with the collection's namesake The Old Man's Last Sauna, a groundbreaking love story. All stories may also be found in the True North Perspective Archives.
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Ottawa author Randy Ray and his co-author Mark Kearney of London, Ont. have published their ninth Canadian book, The Big Book of Canadian Trivia, which is now available in stores and on the authors' Web site at: TriviaGuys.com.
The latest Ray-Kearney effort is best described as a "greatest hits" book that contains the best Canadiana from their previous eight books, plus a considerable amount of new material.
In one big book readers will find all the trivia and facts about Canada they need to know: there are stories of important Canadian artifacts and history including what became of Canada's World War II spy camp.
All regions and provinces are covered, as well as important Canadian figures like John Molson, Elizabeth Arden and Russ Jackson.
If that isn't enough there will also be pieces explaining whatever happened to such Canadian icons as the last spike, labour leader Bob White, hockey tough guy Dave "The Hammer" Schultz, the first skidoo, swimmer Marilyn Bell and the first Tim Hortons donut shop.
Some items are "classics." Others are little known facts. Approximately 25% of the material has never before appeared in print.
This fascinating Big Book brings together for the first time in one package the most notable facts and trivia from the archives of the trivia guys' collection.
The Big Book of Canadian Trivia is published by The Dundurn Group of Toronto.
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Prolific best-selling Ottawa author and publicist Randy Ray has developed a website to promote his publicity services, which he offers to authors, publishers and companies. Mr. Ray has helped many clients get their message out across Canada on CTV, CBC Radio, CH-TV, A-Channel and Global TV, and in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Sun, Halifax Herald and many Ottawa-area weekly newspapers. Mr. Ray's web site is: www.randyray.ca. He can be contacted at: (613) 731-3873 or rocket@intranet.ca.
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Link not working? Story not loading? Can't click on the links? Got another computer problem? Never fear! Carl is here!
If you have any problems with accessing the newsletter or problems with your computer, send an email to Carl Hall chall2k5@gmail.com , and he will be more than happy to assist you.
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Archives
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Carl Dow, Editor and Publisher
Geoffrey Dow, Managing Editor
Yvette Pigeon, Associate Editor
Dennis Carr, Sustainable Development Editor
Benoit Jolicoeur, Art Director
Ian Covey, Director of Photography
Carl Hall, Technical Analyst and Web Editor
Randy Ray, Manager, Business and Publicity
Contributing Editors
Anita Chan, Australia
Canada
Alex Binkley, Ottawa
Rosaleen Dickson, Ottawa
Tom Dow, Sudbury
Bob Kay, Montréal
Randy Ray, Ottawa
David Ward, Ottawa
Harold Wright, Ottawa
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