War historians, as only they can, have ventured a rather fulsome, if not hubristic license–over centuries, on Napoleon’s retreat during the Russian Campaign of 1812. Imagine the audacity–and an audacious move it is, to question one of history’s (mostly self-proclaimed) “great” leaders. Or was he? The finest Frenchman in saddle and stirrups, took the same [...]

There are moments in the lives of public figures that define them. You become the moment. It can be quite ethereal. President Kennedy asking what you might do for America. Prime Minister Trudeau declaring the Pequistes “double blackmailers.” Brian Mulroney extolling the great virtues of a free Nelson Mandela. Sir Winston Churchill fighting “on the [...]

In all the ‘Basi-Virk’ trial documents I’ve provided for you, (at great risk to myself) never before have I seen a simple, single page with such startling revelations contained thereon. And the implications are, once more, crystal clear: This matter, had it been at trial for even one more witness, would have surely brought the [...]

When pressure builds under any cap, the blast is always equal to the amount of pressure. Perhaps this is an imprecise analogy in physics or science in general as the detonation may not always equal the pressure, but in public life–specifically in politics, the explosion often exceeds what’s been building below. Even when it doesn’t [...]

It’s amazing how one story folds into another. When last week we left VPD Chief Constable Jim Chu, we discovered he was collecting north of a whooping, faint-inducing, $300,000 dollars and major raise/bonus in the year his failed leadership of the VPD resulted in the Stanley Cup riot. It didn’t matter that he looked the [...]

So, this was GaryA’s idea. It’s not like I hadn’t thought of it, but I was hoping for more of a varied set of topics. What you might like to see more of, less of, etc. Support, criticisms, love letters, hate mail (careful!) and the like. Gary, bless him, wants to say ‘thanks’. Well, I’ll [...]

There are no words to describe my disgust with VPD Chief Chu. Morale at an all time low…..’Porngate’…..the pussification of an entire department…..officers in complete depression…..the missing women’s inquiry revelations…..Penny Ballem barking orders during the Stanley Cup playoffs and the accompanying cover-up…..and of course, the riot, which could have been totally preventable if the Vancouver [...]

Dear Prime Minister: Ottawa is lovely in spring, isn’t it? The daffodils and the tulips bloom pretty colours of yellow, crimson and violet. The wind off the Rideau retracts its claws and is no longer anything even remotely close to menacing and the skies above, as the days grow longer, turn a pale but rich [...]

In the waning days of the Richard Nixon Administration, the late President was in the kind of turmoil for which no leader would ever bargain, in the worst of his nightmares. One week prior to the fateful day of August 8th., 1974, former Nixon aide, General Alexander Haig, met with then Vice President Gerald Ford. [...]

Think of it as a perverse Jesus Doctrine gone terribly bad that Danielle Smith lost to an inferior competitor. Last night, Alberta elected Alison Redford Premier instead. A middle-aged, well-adjusted, intelligent woman of considerable means, she’s hard not to admire. But I don’t like her much, frankly. Firstly, she’s mentored by former Prime Minister Joe [...]