Angel >> The think tank wars and the utter confusion they bring to us all Study after study by conservatively minded policy klatches like the Frazer and C.D. Howe Institutes show the same results: Canada's taxes are too high, lower taxes will result in economic growth, and so on. Now the social-democratically-minded Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives has released the results of its own breakthrough study, which shows that tax cuts won't spur growth. Who's right? Who knows? But at least someone is daring to defy the accepted neo-con wisdom.

Insect >> Canada, land-mine hypocrite extraordinaire So the Canadian government spends years championing a worldwide ban on land mines, wagging a finger of shame at the nations of the world. Treaties are signed, and Canada grabs all the credit it can. Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy makes a big name for himself on the global stage; some even suggest he should get the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Then Canada sends troops to East Timor, and has them plant land mines. The defense department prefers to call them "anti-personnel fragmentation devices" because they are detonated by remote control, but peace groups insist a mine is a mine. Shame indeed.