Appeared in North Shore News – July 9, 2010 Vancouver allows chickens. But the biggest cluck in the city’s backyard is Mayor Gregor Robertson. With his trusty allies at his side — mountain-biker Health Minister and former transport minister Kevin Falcon, pedalling force behind the disastrous Spirit Trail whose effects are being visited on West…
You are entering a (Keystone) police state
Appeared in North Shore News – June 25, 2010 All states are police states. Canada included. Even in our vaunted democracy we live in a permanent Tow-Away Zone. Doubt it? Then answer this: Who has the guns? Who are the enforcers? Most of all, who are the certified snoops? It’s a matter of degree. As…
Upmarket waterfronts are sterile and boring
Appeared in North Shore News – June 11, 2010 “Urban waterfront redevelopment in Metro Vancouver has made our shorelines sterile and boring.” So Bob Ransford begins his May 29 Vancouver Sun column, followed by this left-right to the solar plexus: “This is in contrast to the gritty, bustling and eclectic waterfronts of Metro Vancouver’s past.”…
Literary Review of Canada Letter
In the April 2010 edition of the Literary Review of Canada, Christopher Moore wrote a piece entitled “The Calamity of Caledonia.” In response, I wrote a letter which appeared in part in the June 2010 edition and in full on the Literary Review of Canada’s website. The original piece by Moore can be found here:…
An early Christmas schnoodle
This is not a new column, but since we recently passed the one-year mark of having Kaylan in our lives, it seemed fitting to post the piece on the new website. TL From Winnipeg Free Press – December 24, 2009 VANCOUVER — In the household where these words were written, Christmas arrived early this year….
Five days that saved the world
Seventy years ago, civilization hung in the balance — and Churchill tipped it Appeared in Winnipeg Free Press – May 29, 2010 You would not be reading this, nor I writing it, if it were not for the five most important days of the 20th century — 70 years ago this week. Those who lived…
Argyle’s changes point to a new type of town
Appeared in North Shore News – May 28, 2010 West Vancouver town hall is busily hyping its vandalism of the district’s most peaceable, genuine “people’s place” — Argyle Avenue from 13th to John Lawson Park — having detected that the feel-good but bad-vibes Spirit Trail project isn’t universally loved. This area is West Vancouver’s equivalent…
Render Unto Santa The Things That Are Santa’s
For release Dec. 19, 2008 The elves had filled the sleigh beyond full. The young elves were certain it was far too heavy and would never, ever budge. The old elves looked wise, as the old in heaven and on earth and everywhere in between do, and quietly advised them to wait and see. The…
Election Fanmail
Here’s a piece of fanmail from the municipal elections: Pamela Goldsmith-Jones has been re-elected Mayor of West Vancouver! This must provide you with an opportunity to continue with negative reporting for the next three years or until your progressing senile decay sends you to the care of geriatric attention. I will be glad to offer…
Nothing like a negative post to get things going…
Dear Mr Lautens, To my surprise I attended the North Shore Mayors’ Debate at the Capilano Golf Club this afternoon. The surprise came from a misunderstanding led by my friend who believed that he was inviting me to a North Vancouver All Candidates meeting. I am a North Vancouver resident and since my Mayor enjoys…