With the U.S. wallowing in a financial disaster of its own creation (see sequester, debt ceiling, possible government shutdown and $16 trillion in deb...

The exurban neighbourhods of El Paso County, Colorado seem, to this observer, environments designed for alienation and loneliness: street after street of developer-built houses fronted by enormous, power-operated garage doors, which display an defensive attitude to the street, and to the larger world. It all makes The Netherlands, where I currently live, seem mighty urbane, and civilized.

I love the very philosophy that guides our society: peace, order and good government. Our constitution is wise to mention these principles as foundations of our way of life. Although the American motto of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" explicitly mentions freedom, it is in fact the Canadian incantation that provides for real liberty.

Like Canada? For sure. Appreciate Canada? Definitely. But it should not be in our nature -- it certainly isn't in mine -- to love this country. In fact, loving Canada goes against the proprietary level-headedness that makes us so great.

Recently, the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies will be hosting a gala event -- the Spirit of Hope Gala Benefit -- to benefit the organization's advocacy, human rights and outreach efforts here in Canada and abroad. There will also be a debate by distinguished Americans on the resolution "Be it resolved, the world is safer under President Obama." Well, is it?

If you bothered to look North you'd realize we aren't all that concerned about gay people. There are still a few things to be worked out, but there's something different, something malicious about the debate in your country.

The government is aware that American guns are travelling into the hands of very dangerous people, however nothing is really done. Rick Perry has spoken of a potential American involvement in Mexico, complete with sending troops over the border and maintaining order. But is this effective?

On the eve of René González's release Friday from an American prison -- but not his prison America will now become -- it's worth reminding ourselves...

As a Canadian living in Washington, D.C., with a green card and an American-born son, hockey has been a means for me to emotionally gain entry to a foreign land -- a sporting way for a man to fortify the ideas and habits that define patriotism.

One cannot help but feel a bit pessimistic about American politics these days -- a contrasting feeling to the heady days of Barack Obama's election, w...