By Mary Chan
Writing a column about fiction is difficult because the columnist must convey in prose the power of often-lyrical, brutal or transcendent writing. In other words, the authors I am about to discuss are much better writers than I am. I have been thinking a lot about fiction in the past week, mostly because I have… Continue reading Fiction better than reality of war
The last Iraq war started live on CNN. Back then, that was about as intrusive as the media got into the activities of the military. Of course, every war brings about new revelations in media coverage. We’ve come a long way since World War II, when Lorne Greene–the “Voice of Doom”–read the casualty lists over… Continue reading The best news isn’t embedded
By Mary Chan
It is likely that the war in Iraq will begin before this paper hits the stands, and as such, we the viewers will be able to watch coverage from the front lines on TV. The journalists, however, will be “embedded” with American troops, meaning that they eat, sleep and travel with soldiers and therefore only… Continue reading You can’t depend on the media–trust me
By Mary Chan
Poor Reality TV. Sure, you’re popular, but it seems like no one has anything good to say about you. When people confess to watching you, they use a hushed tone as if divulging a shameful secret. You have been accused of being stupid, dumb and cheesy, pandering to the lowest common denominator, and setting feminism… Continue reading Inherent need for superiority fuels reality TV
Once upon a time, Canadians were very fond of wine and gardens. However, one national leader came very close to destroying the country. This is how it all happened:Young, and sporting a hockey jersey on his days off, he looked like the kind of guy you would want running the country; he was one of… Continue reading Harvey’s world
By James Keller
What are you buying when you pay your tuition? Instruction? A quality education? Unfettered access to experts? According to Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Dr. Michael Collins, we are paying for the latter and nothing more. After a number of student complaints, Collins sent out an e-mail to students in the faculty addressing… Continue reading As tuition rises, does quality go up?
By Mary Chan
Does poetry have any place in the political arena? Late last month, First Lady Laura Bush cancelled a Feb. 12 poetry symposium at the White House when some poets planned to turn it into an anti-war protest. Among the protesters are Washington-based poet and publisher Sam Hamill, who declined his invitation and encouraged the poets… Continue reading Censoring poetic dissent in the US
By Mary Chan
Every Chinese New Year, I realize to what extent my identity is in a state of flux. Last year, I watched Toronto residents celebrate the New Year on TV, explaining to reporters the symbolism of the food eaten, the lion dance, and so on and so on. To my dismay, many of the facts were… Continue reading Being Chinese Canadian often means feeling torn between two cultures–but that’s not necessarily a bad thing
By Mary Chan
Thank you, Gordon Campbell, for driving this country to drink. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But ever since the British Columbian premier soundly failed a breathalyzer test after being pulled over in Hawaii almost two weeks ago, Canadians have had booze on the brain. Among other questions, they’ve pondered just how much… Continue reading Laughing about drinking and driving
According to an American protest group, driving an SUV fuels terrorism. Gas profits incurred by corrupt oil companies in the Middle East are used to blow up buildings, build secret weapons of mass destruction and pay Osama Bin Laden’s utility bills. SUVs consume more gas than most vehicles, therefore SUV drivers are mutually responsible for… Continue reading Do SUVs fuel terrorism?