When Israeli troops start pulling out of the Gaza Strip on Aug. 15, they will leave behind 38 years of painful memories. Most non-settler Israelis who have been to Gaza were there as soldiers. To them, Gaza meant danger, often death. The pullout will mark a blessed exodus from a place to which no one wishes to return. Ironically, I … Read More
WINNIPEG – Sitting in the Crystal Ballroom of the Fort Garry Hotel, I could hardly believe the words I was hearing. Here I was at the conclusion of the Canadian Association of Journalists’ national conference, a weekend in which we could take pride in our often-maligned profession. There were lectures and panels devoted to highlighting journalistic ethics and integrity, workshops … Read More
With a wide grin and a warm chuckle, Sean Egan welcomed me into his modest office at the University of Ottawa. His mumbling Irish-accented voice instantly put me at ease. From that first meeting in early February to our last phone conversation a week ago from the Everest Base Camp, I developed a more intimate relationship with an interview subject … Read More
I remember the boots. They were red. There were about 20 pairs of them, lined up in a neat row. But I could hardly distinguish their true colour — the bright burgundy boots of the soldiers were splattered with thick red blood. The boots were all I could see; they poked out from beneath the single white sheet, stained with … Read More