Posted: February 11, 2009

ABOUT THOSE BANK CEO SALARIES... by Linda McQuaig
  There is no evidence that phenomenal pay packages inspire higher performance levels.
 
 

ASK AN ECONOMIST by Mel Watkins
  Governments' responses will determine whether the recession is short, long or catastrophic.
 
 

TROPICAL FORESTS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL by Stephen Leahy
  Although 60 percent of rainforests are gone, satellite photos show some are growing back.
 
 

OFFSHORE TAX HAVENS KEY TO ECONOMIC MELTDOWN by Peter Gillespie
  Havens offer secrecy in order to escape scrutiny by regulators and tax authorities.
 

Straight Goods publisher Ish Theilheimer talks with Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza and United Steelworkers national director Ken Neumann about their call for a "Buy Canadian" policy in this exclusive SG video.

Editorial

BACK TO BASICS SHOULD BE CANADA'S NEW ECONOMIC STRATEGY by Ish Theilheimer
  Opposition politicians must advance vision of a new economy that works.
 

Science matters
IT'S TIME TO TAKE A DEEP LOOK AT THE WORLD'S OCEANS by David Suzuki, with Faisal Moola
  Google Earth 5.0 will give us more information about the oceans than we have ever had.
 

MeanToons
Recession reaches new low by John Meaney
  Another sign that we're in for some hard, hard times.

www.meantoons.com

Canadian Politics

CONSERVATIVES VERGE ON CIVILITY by Geoffrey Stevens
  By showing two glimmers of sense, Harperites raise hopes for the minority government's survival.
 

FIGHTING FOR FIRST NATION STATUS ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF CALGARY by Jeremy Klaszus
  Forced out of the Tsuu T'ina reserve, elder plans to live off the land in Kananaskis.
 

NEW ONTARIO NDP LEADER TO BE ELECTED IN MARCH by Ish Theilheimer
  Exclusive SG interviews offer unfiltered messages direct from the candidates.

STOP THE GANGS by Bill Tieleman
  Executions and drive-by shootings make Metro Vancouver streets unsafe.
 
 

WHEN COUPLES NEED A 'PLAN B' by Elsie Hambrook
  The idea is to avoid unprotected sex; but sometimes, a woman needs "morning after" contraception.
 
 

MCGUINTY CHANGES DIRECTION OVERNIGHT from Inside Queen's Park
  And, Ontario gains from equalization; hospitals brace for decreased funding.
 

There is still time to take the Straight Goods reader survey. Ten lucky respondents will win great gifts of SG swag! And if you feel like responding to anything you see on SG, now you can click on "Comment" at the bottom of the story page, and express yourself... or leave your comments on the Reader's Forum.

Workplaces
BACK-TO-WORK LEGISLATION VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW by Roy J Adams
  Ontario's law to end York University strike probably would fail in court challenge.
 

AUDITOR-GENERAL RAPS FEDS FOR UNDERFUNDING SCIENCE from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
  Food inspection, weather tracking and forecasting drastically understaffed.

Consumers
GREENEST CARS from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
  Consumer group rates "greenest" and "meanest" cars for 2009.

Media files
PROJECT CENSORED ANNOUNCES NEW LIST from Project Censored
  Here are titles of the top 25 censored stories of last year.

PICK OF THE WEEK

FOR THE TIMES AHEAD If you are squeezing every nickel until the beaver grins, you might be interested in Gen-Yer Trent Hamm's website about how to save money and still live well. After going through "a complete financial meltdown" in 2006, Hamm threw himself into figuring out how to get the most for his money. His headstart can work to your advantage.   www.thesimpledollar.com

Hot headlines
AFGHANISTAN COULD BE OBAMA'S VIETNAM by Gwynne Dyer
  History shows how easy it is for a president to be sucked into escalating foreign conflicts.
 

PUT WAR WASTE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK by David Swanson
  If the US really wants to save money, it should examine the Pentagon's budget.
 
 

NEW RULES STOPPED 450,000 CANADIANS FROM VOTING by Andrew MacLeod
  Upped ID requirements may have affected some close federal races.
 

Take action!
MAINTAIN THE INTERNET FOR ALL from Save Our Net
  Tell the CRTC not to permit ISPs to slow down internet videos or websites from their competitors.

Humour
LOOKING FOR WORK... from the Internet
  One of these people is not like the others.