Baires, I think comparing universal healthcare to war is kind of ironic. Which is better, sending out soldiers to die, or making sure your population is healthy?

Of course, this is coming as a Canadian that takes universal healthcare for granted. Healthcare spending contributes a lot more to the economy than buying tanks. Not counting the fact that you still have to have some private sector spending, there's the increase in productivity. There's the increase in confidence in the American people.

I watched "Sicko" back in November. Michael Moore certainly has his own axe to grind. But what I found interesting was the misconceptions and spin put on the Canadian health system by many Americans.

Truth is, I like to visit the U.S., but I wouldn't want to live there.

I went out on a canoeing expedition here in the Yukon a few years ago, with a bunch of Americans. One of them developed a severe allergy near the end of the trip. We're talking severe rash, all over herbody. She was terrified to go into the local Canadian clinic where I knew the nurse, and she would have gotten topical cream practically free. (The clinic treats primarily first nations people so all the supplies are billed $5.00, regardless of cost, and the nurse always forgets to charge.)

She coudn't get her mind around that one. She was convinced it would cost her a fortune, and refused to go to the clinic. I can't imagine living life like that.

I watched a CBC special last week on Iran. CBC reporters were allowed to roam freely, and to interview Iranians. I also watched a "Lonely Planet" special just before Christmas on travelling in Iran. The reality they found was very different from the one portrayed by the U.S. governemnt.

What I find really really interesting is that the U.S. government always has to create an enemy. I actually believe that the U.S. has created more instability in the region. Before the U.S. invaded Iraq, we had the former chief arms inspector for the U.N., who was American, going around Canada, telling us that the weapons of mass destruction did not exist. He couldn't sell his message in the U.S.

So now it's Iran. Iran wouldn't be posturing or pushing for nuclear weapons if the most powerful nation in the world wasn't threatening them. As it is, this is the only power leveraging tool they have, and it's logical that they would use it. The rest is just rhetoric.

I think Obama is right. The best way to deal with Iran is to actually talk to the government.

MR