The story was vintage Toronto Star. Under the October 1, 1998 headline “Computer glitch keeps cash from needy” ran a story detailing a techno debacle that had left a single mother unable to cash her social assistance cheque. Accompanying the 13-column-inch piece was a photo captioned “Scary situation” showing the 43-year-old woman, illuminated by a… Continue reading Manufacturing Concern
The Unblinking Eye
“Four minutes to air!” Four minutes until the launch of the fall 2997 season of programming for CPAC, the national Cable Public Affair Channel. Four minutes to the start of the season’s new political interview show called The Roundtable. Four minutes and one of the four guests scheduled to appear has still not arrived. It’s Sunday… Continue reading The Unblinking Eye
Unhealthy Competition
When Medical Post staff writer Pippa Wysong called Dr. Vivian Rakoff’s secretary last August to try to talk to him about his controversial psychiatric profile of Lucien Bouchard, her editor didn’t actually expect Rakoff to cooperate. After all, dozens of reporters were desperate to talk to the high-profile psychiatrist. Surprisingly, Rakoff’s secretary called back, saying he wouldn’t… Continue reading Unhealthy Competition
The Faith and Films of Simcha Jacobovici
Simcha Jacobovici’s black and white limo pulls up to a red carpet outside the Princess of Wales Theatre. Floodlights roam the downtown Toronto skyline as he and his entourage-wife, sister, mother and in-laws-arrive at the reception for the screening of Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream, a film he codirected and produced. In front of the… Continue reading The Faith and Films of Simcha Jacobovici
Putting First Nations Last
After the federal government made headlines this past January by apologizing to native people for past abuses inflicted on them in residential schools and pledging $350 million to the cause of native healing, an editorial cartoon appeared in the Calgary Herald with the word “sorry” spelled out in $20 bills. Native people in Alberta could be forgiven… Continue reading Putting First Nations Last
