Posted: February 25, 2009
Updated: February 26, 2009

OBAMA'S STAR POWER DAZZLES by Linda McQuaig
  Real question is whether he can get the job done.
 
 

UN REACHES LANDMARK AGREEMENT TO REDUCE GLOBAL MERCURY POLLUTION from the National Resources Defense Council
  Obama administration reverses USA position, takes leadership role in negotiations.

EURO LOSES STRENGTH AS EUROZONE RECESSION DEEPENS by Charles Recknagel
  Currency value dips as economic growth falters.

EXPOSING FAKE PREGNANCY CRISIS CENTRES IN BC by Joyce Arthur
  Studies show that most CPCs misinform and try to intimidate women out of having abortions.
 

At Straight Goods we're entering our tenth year... and we are giving away ten great prizes of SG gear to people who participate in our readers' survey.

Editorial
BARACK OBAMA OFFERS FRAMING LESSONS by Ish Theilheimer
  Fight for public and early childhood education calls for winning language.
 

Science matters

A GRUMPY OLD MAN PONDERS THE PAST by David Suzuki, with Faisal Moola
  Modern conveniences do not make up for lost connection with nature.
 

CANADA LOSES STATUS IN GLOBAL INTEGRITY 2008 REPORT from Democracy Watch
  Canada drops from "Strong" to "Moderate" level in detailed assessment of government integrity.

Special ONDP Leadership Section

ANDREA HORWATH FOR ONTARIO NDP LEADER by Vicky Smallman
  We need a leader who can take on two distinct, but equally difficult challenges.
 

WHY I SUPPORT PETER TABUNS by Andrea Moffat
  Tabuns is genuinely interested in issues and in building a more inclusive party.
 
 

WHY I'M SUPPORTING MICHAEL PRUE FOR LEADER OF THE ONDP by Chris Watson
  Although all the candidates are attractive, Prue is the only one who has actually led a government (as Mayor of East York).
 

WHY WE'RE SUPPORTING GILLES BISSON FOR LEADER OF THE ONDP by Charlie Angus, Tony Martin and Wayne Lessard
  There is no substitute for experience.
 
 

[Note: Straight Goods solicited testimonials from supporters of all four candidates. We are pleased to present the responses we received, above. Readers may also view SG's exclusive video interviews with all four candidates in a February 03 article. SG subscribers are welcome to join the Comment section to discuss the candidates.]

MeanToons
IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS... by John Meaney
  Choosing a new career? Follow the money.

www.meantoons.com

Canadian Politics
HARPER BENEFITS BECAUSE OBAMA AND JEAN GET ALONG by Geoffrey Stevens
  Historic meeting between President and GG should facilitate USA-Canada relations.
 

JOBLESS NUMBERS EXPOSE THE UTTER INADEQUACY OF THE HARPER BUDGET by James Laxer
  Ottawa's $12 billion plan is not nearly enough to lift our $1.5 trillion economy out of the downward spiral.
 

AND THE AWARD GOES TO... by Bill Tieleman
  Spoof awards for poorest performances by BC politicians.
 
 

COMMON-LAW COUPLES NEED INFORMATION by Elsie Hambrook
  In NB, family law does not provide common law couples equal claim to shared property, even when they have children.
 

QUEEN'S PARK IS JUMPING from Inside Queen's Park
  Green Energy Act, NDP leadership candidates, Sudbury salutes Seguin, John Tory weak in the polls.
 

"CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST" TARGETS PROF, POLICE INVESTIGATE by Jeremy Klaszus
  Anti-gay flyers described as "bizarre and offensive".
 
 

Workplaces
PUTTING PAIN- FREE WORKPLACES WITHIN REACH by Dave Killham
  Devastating injuries are pervasive but preventable.

OBAMA WANTS TO MAKE NAFTA LABOUR- AND GREEN-FRIENDLY from NUPGE
  Make existing "side deals" part of treaty so they can be properly enforced, USA president says during visit to Ottawa.

Consumers
FACEBOOK REVERSES PRIVACY POLICY CHANGE from CNN
  Massive protest over perceived copyright grab makes social media site backpedal.

Media files
BE HAPPY YOU CAN READ THIS by Scott Harris
  Freedom to Read Week brings authors and audiences together.

PICK OF THE WEEK

FREE MOVIES ONLINE Canada's National Film Board has an international reputation (and a few Oscars) for outstanding films, especially animation and documentaries. Now the NFB is putting its entire oeuvre available online, to watch or download for free. Brilliant!   www.nfb.ca

Hot headlines
OBAMA INVITES GG TO DC by Tonda MacCharles
  President and Michaëlle Jean discuss how West can help Haiti.

Take action!
SIGN THE MANIFESTO FOR QUALITY NEWS AND INFORMATION by Paul Boin
  Tell the CRTC not to expand media cross-ownership.

Feedback from our readers
HARPERITES ATTACK WOMEN'S RIGHTS by Don Wright
  Retired union workers continue to lobby for fair wages for all.

Humour
YOU KNOW YOU ARE ADDICTED TO COFFEE IF ... from the Internet
  (I think I'm safe!)