Bios
Rafe Mair
Stories by Rafe Mair
Can NDP Tiptoe to Victory?
Polls show BC's Liberals are wounded. Carole James had better not assume they are dead.
Economic Worst Is Yet to Come
Reform-averse world leaders will suffer the wrath of ignored citizens. In BC, too.
The Tanker Threat to Georgia Strait and Vancouver
Why are we risking all to promote addiction to tar sands oil?
My Deep Bond with The Sun and Province
I was a paper boy for The Province, and to this day, can't wait to read certain pages.
Bill Clinton's Washington, Unzipped
'The Death of American Virtue' is a cautionary tale of justice and libidos out of control.
Times-Colonist, Sun Shrink Protests, Ignore Crisis
Farmed salmon fighting rally, historic in size, rendered puny by BC's big Canwest papers.
Where Is BC's Game Changing New Party?
Voters are mad as hell, but that's a long way from building a serious 'third party.'
Site C Confirms Libs' Energy Claims Don't Compute
BC's river giveaway to private producers was never about self-sufficiency, we now see.
Fighting a Good Fight, Against the Odds
Vander Zalm and colleagues should be proud of taking the fight against the HST into the public sphere.
Mair: Time for a New BC Party?
If NDP can't win voters in middle, maybe someone else should try.
In Search of 'Communist' Vietnam
Notes from a quick, guided visit to Saigon, er, Ho Chi Minh City.
'After Her Brain Broke'
Susan Inman's memoir is a must read for any family faced with schizophrenia, and for our health system, too.
Machines Sense My Fear
Each new wave of digital device takes an extreme disliking to me.
Prorogue Revolt Based on False Beliefs
Why demand MPs go back to work if they can't do real work once there?
Now They're Aiming Nukes at Me
My critics are wrong to say I 'support' nuclear power. Plus: Steve Fonyo's fall.
Looking Back, Squinting Ahead
Some notes on 2009 and prognostications for the year underway.
Vancouver Council's Sucker Punch
Given what's now known about concussions, there's no excuse for approving extreme fighting.
Rafe Mair Goes Nuclear!
Well, he at least invites a hard look at nuclear energy as an option.
Say It Ain't So, Tiger
I was your biggest fan. Now I say to your wife Elin, 'Sue the bastard!'
NDP Doesn't Hide Its Divisions
Carole James is no autocrat -- and her party, for better or worse, lacks discipline.
Layton Needs a BC Strategy
And here it is: campaign hard, with Carole James, on saving our natural environment.
Just Don't Call Me Right-Wing
I was raised conservative, but look where I've ended up!
SFU Profs Slam Campbell's Energy Plan
Hobbling BC Hydro so private firms can profit big is bad public policy.
Campbell's Energy Plan: Music to Ears of Private Power
Far be it from me to ruin the happy tune, but here are three key questions.
NDP Is Right to Call for Sockeye Inquiry
The catastrophe doesn't seem to concern Tories, Grits. In fact, they don't want to know.
Chris Shaw Was Right!
My apologies to the early 2010 critic, now stalked by cops. He tried to tell me the Olympics were a bad bet.
Best Reason for a Referendum
Because the BC government and its media friends don't want one.
Campbell Is Damaged Goods
Like Socred Bill Bennett, he's made himself too disliked to win another election.
Politicians and the Mirage of Popularity
They court your love, then seek to please unelected power brokers.
Sorry, I'm an Editorialist
Those who complain I'm not even-handed don't get my purpose.
Betrayed by Our Fisheries Minister
As BC's sockeye disaster unfolded, she flogged fish farms in Norway.
Let Us Honour the Example of Roy Jacques
He belonged to a fierce group of BC news lions. Who roars now?
Assassins of the Wild
Our rivers and fish face premeditated murder. To stand by is immoral.
BC Liberals Need to Look for a New Leader
The premier is piling up political liabilities. His party will have to pay for them.
The Ruinous Illogic of Private River Power
Memo to media: time to expose Campbell's fallacy.
Will Campbell Rescue Plutonic?
Utilities commission nixed Libs' river power push. Now what?
Simply Unbelievable
Dubious bluster from BC Libs on e-mails, river power.
The 2010 Plan to Crush Our Freedoms
Olympics security overkill: Why so afraid of protest?
Gordon Campbell's Big Fraser Institute Idea
Who inspired our premier to privatize nature? Michael Walker, maybe?
In Kaslo, a Big No to River Power
More than 1,000 turn out to oppose Kootenay project.
London, No Escape from Politics
I sought a holiday from BC's fights, but it's just the same here.
Canada and the Big Powers
We should strive to play broker to China, Russia and the US.
How Grits Can Win
Ignatieff's road to victory leads through BC. Here's a map.
Let Lennikov Stay
In this nation of second chances, he's earned one.
Can NDP Reinvent Itself?
Notes on Huntington's win, James's loss, Campbell's heir.
Fight for Our Fish!
Now is the critical time to rise to the defence of salmon habitat.
Where Was the Media?
I tried to raise key election issues. Some big enviro groups, and most reporters, looked away.
It Hurts, and Here's Why
Fish farms won. Private river power won. STV is dead.
No Sleaze, Please
Campbell set the bar so low, no wonder his team stoops.
Campbell's Hypocrisy Habit
Libs' top cop has license yanked, stays in race. Too typical.
Anger the Polls Don't Yet Catch
Three issues gaining traction as the campaigns unfold.
Hey Gordo, What's Going on Here?
For Premier Campbell, unsavoury questions pile up.
Our Soulless Government
Its war on nature speaks of a spiritual void.
Goodbye Gag Law
Good riddance to Campbell's clamp down on free speech.
Spare Us from Gullible Gord
He's star struck by big biz beyond BC's borders.
Take Back our Waterways!
Harper and Campbell want to gut a good old law. Here's why.
Mourning Media's Meltdown
First we lost muckrakers. Now we're losing newspapers.
Campbell, Fudger of Finances
Wasn't his party supposed to have business brains?
How to Fight Gang Killings
Take the profit out of their murderous business. Make drugs legal.
Gordo's Eco-Credibility Is Shot
Premier strains belief on river power, sea lice.
May Contest Is NDP's to Win
Eight issues pecking away at Campbell's re-election chances.
Ten Timely Questions About Our Rivers and Electricity
Life is short. We want answers.
The Path to Obama
His message of hope is hard won, and vital.
WAC Bennett Would Be NDP Today
Who has preserved the Socred premier's province-building legacy? Not Gordon Campbell.
Gordon Campbell, House Flipper
Offer to buy power line homes is cynical, bad business.
How to Create a Depression
Why we're in this mess despite so many warning signs.
2010? I've Changed My Mind
Why I went from Olympics booster to boo bird.
Obama's Daunting Job
Can he fix entire economies? The world?
Coalition? Tories? A Pox on All!
In crisis times, what childish games all parties are playing.
Am I Paranoid?
Issues I fight for never seem to be 'news.' Wonder why?
The Great Collapses
Communism and capitalism, two sides of a coin.
Guess I'm a Leftist Now
Energy minister would rather cry conspiracy than address issues.
Presidents I Have Known
I recall FDR's radio chats, an inept peanut farmer and an overrated Reagan.
Premier Poised for Snap Election?
Last week's speech, pure politics, set table for early run.
Harper Win Good for Campbell?
Provincial contest will be night and day different.
When Wall Street 'Flu' Hits BC
Where will Campbell point the finger this time?
Did Libs Shush Their Scientist?
Big real estate projects threaten Mission habitat.
Even I Sensed Bubble Must Pop
But then, I trusted my gut, not a broker.
Vice Prez? It Matters
And not just because McCain's 71.
Why Federal Elections Bore
The fun action happens at democracy's local level.
Political Savvy Meter
Why Harper's smart, McCain's not and James needs to be.
London Calling
Indulge me a last fling before the political season in BC.
How I Changed Libel Law
My victory in Canada’s Supreme Court should free up speech.
The Gizmo Gods Hate Me
Must electronic gadgets toy with me so cruelly?
A Killer Commute
Even after its upgrade, the road to Whistler won't be safe.
I'll Vote NDP in May
BC's stakes are so huge and lasting, change is a must.
Sailing into History
Summer reading voyages with Captain Vancouver and Gandhi.
All Buda, No Pest
A tale of two cities. And why Budapest beats Paris.
How Much Pay Is Too Much?
Five guys running Canaccord make $35 million.
Taking Liberties
Ban the NFL here? Prevent men from running for office? No, and no!
Stumbles and Comebacks
Notes to Premier Campbell and Tiger Woods.
Behind the 'Green' Screen
Despite premier's emissions progress, BC nature is under attack.
Obama Tests US Progress
Let's hope voters are ready for a black president.
Don't Feed the Americans!
Why risk our rivers to satisfy US energy hunger?
Let's Get Our Own King and Queen
Peter and Autumn will do just fine.
Don't Count Out NDP
Campbell provides issues to attack this year.
End of Public Power in BC?
That's where the Liberals are taking Hydro.
Raised on Cricket
The great global game has some BC roots.
London, a Spring Tonic
In search of happiness again, I knew where to look.
BC's New Enviro Moment
Lots of new faces at eco-protests these days.
Save Our Rivers, Indeed
Why the private power battle is so critical.
Kosovo and Quebec
How our Balkan decision may haunt us.
Pitt River Victory
Will stopped power project start a citizens' revolt?
How to 'Fix' Big Ridings
Give rural voters more service, not more MLAs.
Hubris Is Gordo's Enemy
High flying governments can get too cocky.
Why I'm for Clinton
As US stumbles in risky world, she's our best hope.
How Zhou Survived Mao
No mere puppet, Zhou-Enlai was China's 'last perfect revolutionary.'
Go in Peace, Church Dividers
This Anglican says get lost to anti-gay wing.
Campbell's Power to Harm Rivers
500 BC streams risked for private profit.
Hong Kong Notebook
Pundit takes holiday, sends postcard.
Albertans' Power
Thumbing their noses at Harper and the rest of Canada.
The Big US Vote
Maybe Clinton, Obama should run united.
Don't Let Me Near the Kids
I refuse to tell students political fairy tales.
Kiwis' Political Journey
How New Zealand's Labour party turned right.
Apology
Dec. 24 column contained errors.
Who Crowned Gordo?
Our premier acts like Louis the Sun King.
Cut Our Losses
Bhutto's murder magnifies the Middle East mess.
City State on the Fraser
Metro Vancouver remains hobbled by provincial tendency to strong-arm municipalities.
TransLink Hijacked
How Gordon Campbell stole your vote on region's fate.
Bet on Mayor Taylor
Why she'd win Vancouver's civic crown.
Charge Mulroney
If the former PM lied, he owes us $2.1 million.
Memo to the Mulroney 'Probe'
Some vital questions that need answering.
We've Broken Faith with the Poor
The gap, to our shame, is widening.
Remember the Brave Civilians, Too
Citizens in war-torn places are also heroes.
Belgium's Lesson for Canadian Unity
Separatism never dies, and will rear its ugly head.
Mair Argues Religion with Tyee Readers
Focus: Catholic hierarchy.
Sex, Religion and, Yes, Politics
Harper's party too sure God is on its side.
BC Needs a Truth Squad
Campbell shuns facts, gets away with it.
Texada Gas Project Raises Safety Fears
Scared islanders mad at no-show politicians.
Bruce Allen's 'Shut Up and Fit In' Blast
Punish him? How?
Sea Lice Letter to Campbell, Harper Deserves Honest Answer
Fish farms threaten wild smolts: 18 scientists.
The Russians Are Coming!
And we'd better take them damn seriously.
Do We Still Need the Lt-Gov?
Why the job of lieutenant-governor is obsolete.
Raise the Driving Age
The privilege should go to 19 and up.
How to Handle Sex Criminals
Step one: forget jails.
Memo to NDP: Oppose!
Tsawwassen treaty another missed chance.
Debacle in Delta
How the Campbell government is engineering a disaster.
Shilling for Sea Lice
How to detect fish farm swill.
Who Is Your BC Hero?
Let us make a list of our history’s giants.
The Art of the Politics of Art
What gets funded?
NDP Needs New Leader
Why I don't see James getting it done.
How Campbell Killed Debate
And why the NDP should make it their issue.
God and Science, Riddle Me This
What gave existence its first shove?
Progress Without Brakes
Monster road in Delta runs over local rights.
Give MLAs a Real Job
With pay raise should come responsibilities.
Fish Farm Committee Nails It
Lice harm is real. But Campbell won't act.
Boisclair's Bye Bye
Don't think it bodes well for a unified Canada.
MLAs Paid Too Much Now
But here's how they could earn a raise.
Confession of a Dirty Trickster
But at least we never paid to fake support.
If Quebec Goes
Could Ontario's elite be trusted to remake Canada?
Get Your Act Together, Carole
NDP leader must hammer a theme. Here's one.
Democracy, Gordon Campbell Style
His 'process' angers even conservative people.
Quebec Vote Signals Canada's Split
How most of the media got it wrong.
Comuzzi's Mortal Sin
Egads! Grit MP put good of his riding first!
Lousy Judgment
Bad politics, weird decisions: a system in need of reform.
This Time, Abusers Are Lawyers
Residential school victims endure shameful legal process.
Harriet Nahanee Did Not Die in Vain
Let's learn from Eagleridge Bluffs protest.
Free Speech: A True Test
Should anti-Semitic rants be made criminal?
Harper's Judge of Judges
Why he can get away with court stacking, and how BC does it better.
Bennett Should Have Stayed
E-mail flaming MP was a damn fool. So what. Tell us more.
The Years the Locusts Ate
Shame on enemies of action on global warming.
News Hounds Sleep
While questions linger over 'Airbus affair.'
Why BC's Fish Farms Threaten Patagonia's Penguins
We're stealing their food.
Rewriting Israel's Story
Nation's claim to moral high ground attacked by Israeli authors.
Why Nature's a Loser
Eco-priorities will lag until our system of government changes.
New Year, New Leader, Last Chance?
Dion might be able to keep Canada alive and in the game.
Merry Christmas. It Can't Hurt
Where's the harm in celebrating peace and good will?
Bring Back the Mental Health Advocate
Campbell can show he really cares about the mentally ill.
With Grits, Canada Splits?
Country keeps drifting towards the big break-up.
Why Grits Will Rule Again
Tories come off nasty and rich. Liberals get along to win.
If Salmon Could Vote
Where are Lib candidates on fishery? Nowhere.
Why A-G Oppal Must Resign
His dumb comment could cause a mistrial.
'I Did Not Have Public Relations with that Fish'
And other PR half-truths.
Fish Crash No Surprise
But it's not too late for us to spring into action.
As Nature Dies
What does it take to end industry's denial?
Endangered Free Speech
Eroded by 9-11 fears and anal retentive pussyfooters.
Can I Still Root for Dryden?
I’d like to, given who’s left.
A Fish Farm Critic Vindicated
New research bolsters Morton's claims of sea lice devastation.
I Miss My Panic Button
And a few other things about being on radio.
Now Quebec's a 'Nation'?
Ignatieff's term bodes ill for a united Canada.
Fixing Our Democracy Disconnect
In which I dare to disagree with Will McMartin.
The Truth about Stockbrokers
And why I don't have one anymore...
Today's Sermon against Dogma
How the Church made Jesus a mean guy.
News Media, Defanged
Politicians, not too long ago, feared the press.
How to Tell if a Politician Is Brave
If he's in power, and would change what got him there.
J'Accuse! Sauvez la Terre!
I accuse our officials of failing to protect our future.
How Lawyers Get Rich
And why the late Dugald Christie was deemed eccentric for trying to redeem his profession's reputation.
Farmland's Fate in Local Hands
Those who rule on removing farmland unduly susceptible to community pressure.
What to Do with Pedophiles
Don't let them out unless and until they are cured.
What Will Native Kids Learn?
Deal could open, or close, doors of learning.
Prediction: Next Liberal Leader
And why it won't be Michael Ignatieff.
Nice: The Most Useless Word in Politics
Carole James doesn’t understand the legislature’s limited purpose.
Oil May Grease Quebec Separatism
Nation could split over Alberta's resources.
Get Used to Gay Marriage
God's not the issue. He's not even in the game.
Pick Your Middle East Myth
Western, Israeli or Muslim leaders: no one is innocent.
Make Justice Swift and Cheap
AG Oppal could overhaul BC's civil system if he wanted.
Harper May Slip on Oil
Because some are more 'equalized' than others.
Law Requires More Common Sense
RCMP independence and jury-trial reform should be federal priorities.
Holy Papal Hypocrisy!
My quarrel with the Roman Catholic Church.
Better Parole, Not More Prisons
Catering to vengeance isn't cost effective.
Defrost, Drill, Guzzle
Oil companies have a recipe for the Arctic. Enjoy!
Mulroney the Eco-PM?
And other assaults on natural common sense.
A Palestinian Viewpoint
To gain a Muslim perspective, listen to Ali.
Rafe Mair's Family Secret
My father 'legally' stole assets from interned Japanese-Canadians.
Free the Trained Seals
Create a parliament for grown-ups who represent us.
Jottings from a Cruise Ship
Notes on privilege, luck and how nations pull apart.
Running up the Middle
Libs, New Dems take shaky aim at the centre.
In Denial about Mental Illness
Humane care? Government doesn't want to know.
The Dam Truth?
The war on fish, and a motive, perhaps, to kill off BC salmon runs.
Beware of 'Subsidarity'
Governments don't download out of generosity.
John Reynolds' Fun New Job
Guru? Enabler? Just don't call it lobbying!
Fastest Flip-Flop on Record
Who's responsible for the most breathtaking broken promises?
Emerson's Jump: 'Immoral' and 'Cynical'
Even old political hands Mair and Schreck are queasy.
How Deep the Liberal Divide?
Rift could hand Conservatives a long reign.
Liberals' Strength Surprised Me
But Harper has a huge opportunity.
Don't Call My Vote 'Wasted'
I'm buying influence on the environment.
Liberal Panic
How Martin's fumbling spooked the troops.
Martin Badly Needs a Break
Harper surfing strong wave of voter anger.
The Lure of Nuclear Power
It grows with opposition to other options.
Harper's Appeasing of Quebec
Suddenly it's the Conservatives who look soft on sovereignty.
Give Us a Real Debate
Friday's was more like a picnic sack race.
Why I'm Voting Green
The big parties are puny on the biggest issues.
The 'X Factor' Working for Harper
Sometimes it's enough that people are just fed up.
Larry Campbell's RAV Reward
The route he pushed may have saved MP Owen's seat.
Oil May Be Canada's Undoing
Political pressure bubbles and flows.
Petroleum Armageddon
Why the election cycle is our worst enemy.
What I Told the Gomery Commission
Wimpy media enables corrupt officials.
A Teachers' Strike Postmortem
A political war without end?
Where Was James?
NDP leader shrewdly ducked while everyone else got spattered.
On Being Yanked Off the Air
What it says about free, fierce speech.
Untangle Libs and BCTF
Change a losing game. Try compulsory arbitration.
More Wild Salmon Wiped Out
How long can officials ignore sea lice connection?
Is the United Nations Worth It?
In defense of the mother of all 'talk shops'.
Mulroney's Whoppers
The failed PM's worst BS.
Get Real about BC's Next Disaster
Threats loom. Politicians cross their fingers rather than lead.
Does Winston Churchill Still Matter?
A visit to London's new Churchill Museum confirms the answer.
A Press that's All Bark and No Bite
Today's big news outlets are losing their teeth. Witness CKNW.
Wanted: A Real Governor General
Don't get me wrong – I'm not upset about separatism or lack of qualifications.
How We Got Screwed on Terasen Deal
Thanks to BC Libs, Texans control our gas profits, and supply.
Revisiting the Hiroshima Horror
Did US have to use the Bomb? And wipe out Nagasaki?
Sea Lice and Lousy Excuses
Are a BC ministry and the DFO in cahoots to explain away wild salmon toll?
Campbell, James, Swim for the Centre
But does going for the middle just muddle their politics?
Questions about Power in BC
Offered here, a handful of dots that may, or may not, connect.
Gay Marriage and the Church
Sure, religions are entitled to their opinions -- but these have no bearing on civil law.
Roll Over Tommy Douglas!
I say take money from Medicare to pay for more important services.
How to Deal with Our Next Unity Crisis
We must rethink Canada. And raise stakes high for a seceded Quebec.
Why Canada Is Unraveling Again
Add up the bumbling by Trudeau, Mulroney and Chretien.
Beware the Tory God Squad
The problem with pre-programmed politicians.
Why Tories Can't Win
Sorry BC. It's all about Ontario appeasing Quebec.
An Elephant Named STV
Politicians who ignore the majority will get stomped.
The Truth about a 'Strong Opposition'
It's vital. But don’t expect the 'level of debate' to improve.
Campbell Skillfully Picked His Enemies
Most victims of his policies never would have voted Liberal anyway.
Sea Lice and Government Lies
The Premier sounded fishy when farmed salmon came up in the TV debate.
Libs' Lead Is Big but Soft
If the NDP gets a bit lucky there’s still room for an upset.
Free the MLAs! Vote STV!
Vote reform would give reps spine – instead of the Liberals’ appalling enviro record.
Campbell’s Liberals Are Fat Targets
But the NDP and its ‘nice gal’ leader have yet to hit them.
Why I'm for STV
I’ll gladly take on opponents, because the way we vote now produces bizarre results.
Mair: Salmon a Huge Election Issue
Given dire findings, I asked Premier Campbell if he’d close fish farms. His emphatic answer: No!
The Soft Muzzle
Fear, and self-censorship, muffles the muckraking in Canadian journalism.
