First Person Series

As a reporter I tend to shy away from writing in the first person. I feel it takes away from the story, distracting the reader and focusing attention away from the subject, where it belongs. There are those unique times, though, when I feel my voice has to be heard, or on those rare occasions when I indeed am part of the story.

July 28, 2005

The lost promise of Gaza

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…

May 20, 2005

Promoting U.S. idealogue tarnishes journalism group

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…

April 30, 2005

Sean died while living his dream: ‘Mr. Egan’ soon became more than an interview subject

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…

January 22, 2005

The day that changed me forever

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…