Our Northern Ontario correspondant surveys the mayoralty candidates in Toronto’s upcoming civic election.

The Italians think Germans are louts. Stan Persky checks out national stereotypes.

Part homage to Orwell’s "Why I write" and part pro-smoking polemic, in this essay Max Fawcett comments on the cultural and social implications of the anti-smoking movement.

Brian Fawcett celebrates Gay Pride week, and asks some questions about what’s being celebrated

Max Fawcett raises a question about same-sex unions that needs to be asked – and answered – by those opposing the recent Ontario Appeals Court ruling.

Stan Persky finds out what Berliners believe.

Brian Fawcett wonders whether hostage-takers are the mass media’s culture heroes, among other things

Stan Persky checks out the sounds of springtime in the German capital.

What would Orwell have to say about the SARS epidemic? Max Fawcett has a suggestion.

Now that the shooting’s almost over, Stan Persky disembeds from his foxhole. Some reflections on the Big Iraq Attack.