Friday, November 20, 2009, Vol. 4, No, 52 — 203
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"I am sorry for the Canadian families who have lost their sons in Afghanistan. The soldiers are themselves victims of their government's policies, just as our civilians are. Their families should raise their voices against the misguided policies of their governments ... they must turn their sorrow into strength."— Malalai Joya, 1,354 words.
From the Desk of Alex Binkley, Contributing Editor
'It is Asia, not the U.S., that is lifting the world out of recession and that has not happened before. The burgeoning economic growth of China is palpable in many ways, as is the entrepreneurial, deal-making zeal of many Chinese.'
By Derek Burney
Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute
Derek H. Burney is a Senior Strategic Advisor for Ogilvy Renault LLP in Ottawa, the Chair of CanWest Global Communications, Chairman of the GardaWorld International Advisory Board, a Visiting Professor and Senior Distinguished Fellow at Carleton University, and a Senior Research Fellow with the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute.
If nothing else, a visit to China confirms that the economic centre of gravity is shifting to Asia and that trend is being accelerated by the global recession. It is Asia, not the U.S., that is lifting the world out of recession and that has not happened before. The burgeoning economic growth of China is palpable in many ways, as is the entrepreneurial, deal-making zeal of many Chinese.
Confidence and pride are rising too, fuelling strong nationalist impulses which, in turn, can be aroused from time to time to counter "splittist" tendencies, whether from Tibet or Xinjiang (Uighur country.) Despite the obvious benefits of strictly guided capitalism, there is unease in China about the underlying causes of the global recession. Major flaws in the West's financial systems and regulatory oversight seem to be quelling some reformist ardour in Beijing. At least that was the candid view of senior reform elements in the state apparatus who see their more conservative counterparts acting now with greater swagger. No longer is the prevailing objective to emulate the U.S. or the West on economic policy. Many senior Chinese are convinced that their approach and their system, even with its flaws, withstood the shocks far better and they are much less inclined to learn from those who have stumbled badly. — 1,749 words.
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CBC News
All detainees transferred by Canadians to Afghan prisons were likely tortured by Afghan officials and many of the prisoners were innocent, says a former senior diplomat with Canada's mission in Afghanistan. — 673 words.
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Your support makes it possible for True North to clear the fog of "publicity" and keep you informed on what's really happening in the world today. Please send your donation to:
Carl Dow, True North, Station E, P.O. Box 4814, Ottawa ON Canada K1S 5H9.
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Editor's Notes
Friday,November 20, 2009
True North Perspective
Vol. 4, No. 52 (203)
By Geoffrey Dow, Managing Editor
Truth North Perspective
For a Canadian, there is a miserable irony in the fact that "our" ostensible ally, Afghanistan's "re-elected" President, Hamid Karzai, was sworn into his second term of office during the same week that a former Canadian diplomat testified that every Afghani captured by Canadian troops and subsequently turned over to Afghan authorities, was tortured. No, not some of them, not most of them. All of them. — 1,005 words.
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CBC News
Allegations that detainees in Afghanistan transferred by Canadians were likely tortured made headlines in China on Thursday, just weeks before Prime Minister Stephen Harper's first visit to the economic superpower. China Daily's website ran the headline "Canada Handed over Afghans for Torture" (click here for the story) after senior diplomat Richard Colvin blasted the detainee policies of Canada before a House of Commons committee on Wednesday. — 409 words.
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By Alex Binkley
True North Perspective
To be polite, it would be a stretch to call Ottawa's last independent expert either. But the choice of Deputy Agriculture Minister John Knubley to head a special committee working to improve the federal response to and handling of food safety crisis may still be the best move. — 526 words.
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From the Desk of Dennis Carr, Sustainable Development Editor
By Ian Robertson
Sun Media
Toronto's economy has slipped below the Canadian average and lacks a sustainable competitive edge despite a high population fuelled by immigration, a government-commissioned review says. In its report Monday, November 10, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommends more links between universities and businesses — especially high-tech firms, plus improved transportation with less emphasis on cars. — 405 words.
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By Brian Stewart
CBC News
According to surveys, fewer than half of Canadians know of or can state the purpose of our grandly named, once proud, once vigorous Canadian International Development Agency. I can't say I'm surprised. — 1,117 words.
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By Gloria Galloway
The Globe and Mail
Canadian military officers in Afghanistan approve millions of dollars each year for private firms that guard military bases and development projects in the increasingly dangerous Kandahar province. — 720 words.
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Rejections unlimited
By Leslie Shepherd The Canadian Journalism Project
Anna Maria Tremonti is passionate in her belief that Canadians have a right to know why politicians make the decisions they do. But when the host of The Current invites federal cabinet ministers to appear on the CBC Radio One morning news program, she is turned down more often than not. A lot more often. — 1,885 words.
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Charles Who?
The Canadian Press
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... and friend |
A new poll suggests a lot of Canadians paid little or no attention to Prince Charles's recent visit and many of those who did were 50 or older.
The Canadian Press-Harris Decima poll found only 42 per cent of respondents paid at least some attention to the visit.
But the 11-day tour did little to win new support for Charles in Canada, the survey suggests.
Almost 90 per cent of respondents said the tour did nothing to change their opinion of the prince.
The poll results indicate people aren't likely to pay any more attention to a visit by the Queen.
The poll involved questioning 2,014 people as part of an omnibus phone survey from Nov. 12 to Nov. 15 and is considered accurate to within 2.2 percentage points, 19 times in 20.
17 November 2009
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By Randy Ray
True North Perspective
OTTAWA, Canada — If you love to read books, don't miss the Ottawa Authors 2009 Book Fair at the RA Centre on Riverside Drive on November 21 and 22. The annual event will feature more than 50 Ottawa-area authors and publishers, all willing to talk about their books and the challenges of writing and getting their work off the press and onto bookstore shelves. Fiction and non-fiction books on display and for sale cover a wide range of topics, ranging from children's stories, Canadian trivia, cooking and dieting, to leadership, war, Canadian history, murder mysteries, short stories, relationships, and advice on family matters. — 349 words.
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By Ben Farmer and Mary Riddell
Telegraph.co.uk
Foreign dignitaries heard Mr Karzai promise to fight corruption, hold a grand tribal assembly aimed at bringing peace and target the opium trade as he was sworn in for a second five-year presidential term. Mr Karzai was inaugurated amid tight security in his fortified palace a day after President Barack Obama said he was preparing to unveil an "end game" for the involvement of US troops. — 541 words.
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By Robert Naiman
TruthOut.org
Is it just me, or is the pontification of Western leaders about corruption in Afghanistan growing rather tiresome? There is something very Captain Renault about it. We're shocked, shocked that the Afghans have sullied our morally immaculate occupation of their country with their dirty corruption. How ungrateful can they be? — 667 words.
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By Bernardo Alvarez
The Hill
Bernado Alvarez is Venezuela's ambassador to the United States of America.
WASHINGTON — A recently signed agreement allowing the use of seven military bases in Colombia by U.S. soldiers and intelligence officers will have negative consequences in the hemisphere that the U.S. will not be able to avoid. The agreement expands upon a military strategy that by all accounts, even according to U.S. agencies, has failed in its stated objectives and has instead provoked regional instability. — 909 words.
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Open Letter
By Malalai Joya
Raek.nl
As an Afghan woman who was elected to Parliament, I am in the United States to ask President Barack Obama to immediately end the occupation of my country. Eight years ago, women's rights were used as one of the excuses to start this war. But today, Afghanistan is still facing a women's rights catastrophe. Life for most Afghan women resembles a type of hell that is never reflected in the Western mainstream media. — 542 words.
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By David Edwards and Stephen Webster
RawStory.com
Ten-year-old Will Phillips may have just become the new cause célèbre of the gay rights movement. It all started when he refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance in a West Fork, Arkansas elementary school. — 366 words (and video).
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By Norman Solomon
TruthOut.org
This week began with a significant new straw in the political wind for President Obama to consider. The California Democratic Party has just sent him a formal and clear message: Stop making war in Afghanistan. — 836 words.
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By Kiraz Janicke
Venezuelanalysis.com
CARACAS — The United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) held nation-wide delegate elections on November 15 for its First Extraordinary Congress which will be held over the next several weekends in Caracas. — 811 words.
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By Eva Golinger Raek.nl
Henry Kissinger said that diplomacy is the "art of restraining power". Obviously, the most influential ideologue on US foreign policy of the twenty first century was refering to the necessity to "restrain the power" of other countries and goverments in order to maintain the dominant world power of the United States. Presidents in the style of George W. Bush employed "Hard Power" to achieve this goal: weapons, bombs, threats and military invasions. Others, like Bill Clinton, used "Soft Power": cultural warfare, Hollywood, ideals, diplomacy, moral authority and campaigns to "win the hearts and minds" of those in enemy nations. The Obama administration has opted for a mutation of these two concepts, fusioning military power with diplomacy, political and economic influence with cultural penetration and legal manuvering. They call this "Smart Power". Its first application is the coup d'etat in Honduras, and as of today, it's worked to perfection. — 1,735 words.
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SpaceWar.com
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil and China have agreed to build military cooperation that will include development of joint defense industries, collaboration in science and technology, and personnel training. An outline of a "five-point consensus" between the two governments was revealed as Brazil announced a major military exercise on the Paraguay border that will include simulated warfare over a strategic hydroelectric dam. — 422 words.
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Russia Herald
MOSCOW — A drunk Russian man decided to end it all by jumping from a fifth floor balcony, but when the first attempt did not work, he went for a second and still survived. — 199 words.
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Military intelligence
Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON — A crash between a nuclear-powered US submarine and a warship in the strategic Strait of Hormuz was an "avoidable" accident caused by complacent sailors and weak leadership, a Navy report said. — 324 words.
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TerraDaily.com
WASHINGTON — Soaring interest by Chinese students has led to record foreign enrollment at US universities, offering a potential boon to the United States both economically and politically, a study said. — 651 words.
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Obituary
By Dick Meister
TruthOut.org
It's November 19, 1915, in a courtyard of the Utah State Penitentiary in Salt Lake City. Five riflemen take careful aim at a condemned organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Joe Hill, who stands before them straight and stiff and proud. "Fire!" he shouts defiantly. The firing squad didn't miss. But Joe Hill, as the folk ballad says, "ain't never died." — 1,420 words.
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As went to press we learned that Gilbert Levine (February 3, 1924 - November 16, 2009) died peacefully after a brief illness.
He was a pioneer trade unionist and long-time research director of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE).
He was happiest when he was fighting for change, winning rights for workers, and organizing everybody.
True North Perspective will publish a comprehensive review of Gilbert Levine's life Friday, November 27, 2009.Health Watch
By Larry West
About.com
The growing controversy over the health effects of bisphenol A, more commonly called BPA, is bound to heat up even more with the publication last week of a new study that links BPA exposure to erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems in men. — 1,027 words.
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CBC News
Sexually active Canadian snowbirds may be taking unnecessary risks with sexually transmitted infections, according to preliminary research from the University of Waterloo. People aged 50 and over account for a growing percentage of HIV cases in Florida, yet few older Canadians who winter in the state take precautions against STIs, said gerontology researcher Katie Mairs. — 319 words.
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From the Desk of Nick Aplin, Ottawa Canada's paramount humourist
Sven and Ole went camping in the desert. After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep.
Some hours later, Sven woke Ole and said, "Look towards the sky, what do you see?"
Ole replied, "I see millions of stars."
"What does that tell you?" asked Sven.
Ole pondered for a minute then pontificated, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you, Sven?"
Then
Then
Then
Then
Then
Then
Then
Then
Then ...
...
...
...
...
...
"You're dumber than sand, Ole. It means someone stole the tent."
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The curse of the mummies' hearts
By Laura Bell
ScienceNews.org
ORLANDO, Fla. — The curse of the mummy may truly be fatal. An examination of mummified bodies has revealed that ancient Egyptians suffered from hardening of the arteries in surprising frequency, suggesting that blame for heart disease extends beyond the modern culprits of smoking, fast food and the remote control. — 574 words.
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In case you missed it ... and always worth repeating
Let's say that news throughout human time has been free. Take that time when Ugh Wayne went over to the cave of Mugh Payne with news that the chief of his group had broken a leg while chasing his laughing wife around the fire. That news was given freely and received as such with much knowing smiles and smirks to say nothing of grunts of approval or disapproval. — 688 words.
Science
By Shanta Barley
NewScientist.com
The world is on track to warm by a whopping 6 °C by the end of this century, unless steps are taken immediately to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to research published yesterday.
The Global Carbon Project, a group of 31 scientists from 7 countries led by Corinne Le Quéré at the University of East Anglia and the British Antarctic Survey, used satellite and national inventory data to track emissions of carbon dioxide. — 439 words.
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By Kate Ravilious
NewScientist.com
Just months — that's how long it took for Europe to be engulfed by an ice age. The scenario, which comes straight out of Hollywood blockbuster The Day After Tomorrow, was revealed by the most precise record of the climate from palaeohistory ever generated. Around 12,800 years ago the northern hemisphere was hit by the Younger Dryas mini ice age, or "Big Freeze". It was triggered by the slowdown of the Gulf Stream, led to the decline of the Clovis culture in North America, and lasted around 1300 years. — 535 words.
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By Bruce Bower
ScienceNews.org
Unlike most Western guys and gals looking for love, Africa's Hadza foragers pair up without regard to each other's size and strength, a new study finds. And that stature-may-care approach underscores the often unappreciated variety of human mating strategies, the researchers say. — 600 words.
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CBC News
NASA has announced that it found a "significant amount" of water on the moon as a result of the LCROSS impact last month. Anthony Colaprete, a scientist on the project, estimated there were about 100 litres of water in the crater where the LCROSS spacecraft hit the moon on Oct. 9. — 631 words.
True North Perspective invites our readers to join us in celebration of our 200 series, that began with the Friday, October 30, 2009, Edition — #200.
While most of our readers are in Canada and the United States we are being read in growing numbers in as many as 88 countries. October saw us reach a record number of 59,493 hits. Ever more high-end readers are finding satisfaction in what we publish. However, we're operating at a severe financial deficit. That's why we're asking readers, effective Edition 200, to become True North Perspective 10 per centers.
Ten per cent of 200 is $20. If all readers were to send in $20, it would help ease us back from the edge of financial desperation. We need the nourishment. We are happy to rely on our readers to provide. Please take time to give this request a key moment of attention by mailing your 10 per cent to:
Carl Dow, True North Perspective, Station E, P.O. Box 4814, Ottawa ON Canada K1S 5H9.
Nice work if you can leave it or,
Quitting is such sweet sorrow
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By Amanda Terkel
ThinkProgress.org(November 16, 2009)
Although Lou Dobbs has been saying that his departure from CNN was an "amicable parting on the best of terms," the New York Post reports that CNN wanted him gone so badly that it gave him an $8 million severance package.
Dobbs "had a year and a half to go on his $12 million contract." He was to appear on Fox News on Tuesday night to talk with Bill O'Reilly, who has called the former CNN host a "stand-up guy."
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By Larry West
About.com
In the 1920s automaker General Motors (GM) began a covert campaign to undermine the popular rail-based public transit systems that were ubiquitous in and around the country's bustling urban areas. At the time, only one in 10 Americans owned cars and most people traveled by trolley and streetcar. — 561 words.
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From the Desk of Mike (The Hammer) Garvin
The Associated Press
Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the U.S. insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles while Toyota and BMW were shut out. The Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded its "top safety pick" Wednesday to 19 passenger cars and eight sport utility vehicles for the 2010 model year. The institute substantially reduced the number of awards compared with 2009, because of tougher requirements for roof strength. — 672 words.
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CBC News
The economic rebound in developed economies is still timid and not enough to make a dent in unemployment, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said Thursday.
"The good news is that the recovery — albeit a weak one — is underway," Angel Gurria, the group's secretary general, said in its latest economic outlook. But "with millions of jobs lost and public budgets under strain, governments will have to tread carefully in the months ahead." — 492 words.
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Spirit Quest
By The Rev. Dr. Hanns F. Skoutajan
There was a tall tree just off our farm yard which became my favourite observation post. This poplar wasn't really very high; 3 to 4 m perhaps. Measurements tend to blur with age, but for me at age 11 its was pretty tall. After scrambling up the lower trunk, clinging to the first branch that was just above my head, I made my way up as high as it seemed safe. I was no daredevil. I then gained the last branch that seemed capable of bearing my pre-teen weight. I sat on the branch close to the trunk, my legs straddling it, ankles locked. The branch came out at an angle for me to rest against. From that high perch I could see far, feeling I could transcend both space and time. — 2,168 words.
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By Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair
TrueNorthPerspective
Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair is the author of The Neglected Garden and two French novels. Visit her website to learn more www.albertevilleneuve.ca.
There are many ways to celebrate life and Sue McGarvie, a registered sex therapist and former host of "Sunday Night Sex with Sue" decided to host a fun, informative Libido Day event at the Tudor Hall in Ottawa on this November 18th. I wasn't able to attend but I agree with Sue that good sex brings vitality to a relationship and improves your outlook to every day life. Sue says, "Sex is like chocolate cake" and she is on a mission to help people enjoy the treat. — 789 words.
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By Karen Allen
True North Perspective
Karen Allen is a senior communications consultant and founder of The Written Edge. She holds a Master of Journalism from Carleton University and has won numerous work and academic awards for her writing, project management and leadership.
Where do good — make that great — book ideas come from? According to veteran author and freelance writer Phil Jenkins, they come from deep within the hippocampus region of your brain, the area thought to store memories. That's right: your best source of inspiring story ideas is actually, well, your own noggin! — 856 words.
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From the Desk of Harold Wright, Doctor of Punology:
Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.
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The Book End
Every Friday in this spot True North will feature a book by a Canadian writer. The presentation will not be a review. It will include a profile of the author and about the product of the author's literary labours. If a reader wants to file a review we'll publish it. Today we present The Honourable Athletes, by Neven Humphrey — Geoffrey Dow, Managing Editor.
As in all international sports events, the 10th editions of both the Summer and Winter Honour Games had, among its participants, athletes with some very interesting stories to tell. — 790 words.
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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 per cent 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.
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.
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
Dennis Carr, Vancouver
Rosaleen Dickson, Ottawa
Tom Dow, Sudbury
Bob Kay, Montréal
Randy Ray, Ottawa
Alberte Villeneuve-Sinclair, Ottawa
David Ward, Ottawa
Harold Wright, Ottawa
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