Posted: January 07, 2009

GEOPOLITICS OF OIL by Linda McQuaig
  Prices may have fallen but black gold retains its unique ability to fuel international conflicts.
 
 

FACING THE INEVITABLE COMMON MARKET by Anthony Westell
  US protectionism could really hurt the Canadian economy.
 
 

RAMPANT SEXUAL VIOLENCE KEY TO CONTROLLING CONGO by Stephen Leahy
  Much of Congo's misery due to lust for "blood coltan" that powers our electronics.
 

CANADA'S FIRST NATIONS TO DEMONSTRATE IN WASHINGTON, DC from Manitoba Treaty One First Nations
  Protests over oil exploitation spur visit to the "Great White Father".

SG will turn 10, this year! ... and to celebrate, we're giving away ten prizes of StraightGoods.ca stuff! We want to find out more about you, our readers, so we can serve you better. Please take the time to answer our quick 20-question survey and, if you leave us your name and eddress, we'll enter you in our draw! Last chance to save! Next week, our paid subscription rates are going up... Subscribe, renew or make a gift subscription... and save now!

Editorial
CANADA HAS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DESPITE CRISIS, IF WE ACT by Ish Theilheimer
  Low interest rates and falling costs offer opportunities to invest for the next generation. (Featuring an exclusive video interview with economist Armine Yalnizyan - CCPA)

Science matters

BASKING IN SHAME by David Suzuki and Faisal Moola
  Canada must atone for its treatment of gentle, giant, basking sharks.
 
 

Canadian Politics
GORDON FAIRWEATHER GAVE POLITICS A GOOD NAME by Geoffrey Stevens
  After 25 years in elected office, he became the first Head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
 

WEST URGES HARPER TO ACT QUICKLY by Gillian Steward
  Twenty-five Western economists send PM budget advice.
 
 

THE SCOOP BEHIND BC'S NEW SENATORS by Bill Tieleman
  Despite Harper claiming he wants a triple-E Senate, the Senate remains a partisan pork barrel.
 
 

CHILDCARE NEEDS GOOD GOVERNANCE by Elsie Hambrook
  Canada tied with Ireland for last place in UNICEF's recent report on childcare standards.
 
 

MeanToons
FISCAL BASICS by John Meaney
  Prudence is the new black.

www.meantoons.com

Workplaces

NEW IN THE WORLD OF LABOUR by Harry Kelber
  News from Russia, Israel, China, Montreal, Tunisia, South Africa.
 
 

AMBROSE USES FEDERAL POWERS TO ORDER OTTAWA BUS VOTE from NUPGE
  New Labour Minister sides with Mayor Larry O'Brien, who refused to negotiate with striking drivers.

Consumers
FIVE CREDIT MYTHS from The Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Literacy
  Credit rules have changed in the last decade.

Media files
JOB CUTS HURT QUALITY OF JOURNALISM from the Canadian Association of Journalists
  Canadian Association of Journalists fears industry "death spiral".

World beat

ATTACK ON GAZA A CYNICAL ELECTION PLOY by Uri Avnery
  Polls show Ehud Barak's projected victory rose by five Knesset seats after the attack.
 
 

PICK OF THE WEEK

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE BUDGET Finance Minister Jim Flaherty invites all Canadians to share their views and priorities as the Government prepares Budget 2009. "The Government is open to innovative new ideas that would help shape the plan for economic recovery in the 2009 budget," said Minister Flaherty. Well, no doubt they have their agenda, but it wouldn't hurt to make some suggestions.   www.fin.gc.ca/scripts/prebudgetsurvey/selectMainPriorities_e.asp

Hot headlines
YEAR OF THE MELTDOWN, OBAMA AND THE END OF BUSH by Gwynne Dyer
  Gwynne Dyer reviews the key international events from a tumultuous 2008.
 

INSURANCE HASSLES KILLING OFF FAMILY DOCS by John Brady
  Paperwork actively interferes with time US doctors can spend with patients.

Take action!
SIGN AVAAZ PETITION from Avaaz.org
  Demand that world leaders take strong diplomatic action to stop the bloodshed in Gaza.

Feedback from our readers
SALMON FARMING SAVES WILD FISH by Mary Ellen Walling
  Salmon farmers are worried about environment too, and do have some First Nations support.

Humour
MILITARY WISDOM from the Internet
  Good reasons not to go to war.