Like all proud Canadians, I have been swept up by the 2010 Vancouver Olympic spirit. So when I considered heading west to check out the festivities, I discovered a problem. A ticket at the opening ceremonies in the upper deck can go for more than $500. It's like any average citizen across Canada can't attend the Games without paying a hefty price. It's also as if all the airline companies have jumped on the bandwagon and increased their prices. I understand you can't attend the Games for nothing, but then don't promote the spirit of the Games to entice participation without offering some kind of deal. So I will likely be seeing the Games from the comfort of my living room, but that won't diminish any of my Olympic cheers.

Indeed they can. The question is how? My suggestion is to let the countries of the world put armed personnel, military or civilian, on merchant ships passing through the region, with water cannon and firearms, to "ride shotgun" and "repel boarders" and reserve the use of naval ships to cases where that doesn't work.

How about "Winnipeg: Al Capone wuz never here", or maybe, "Winnipeg: Bigger than Moose Jaw, just as boring." Or better yet, in the wake of our harsh winter of 2009, "Winnipeg: No Hot Springs, just Cold Springs."