Sunday digest

- Those around my age who are familiar with the history of rasslin' will be interested to learn that the latest mid-to-late 80's/early 90's personality to go to that great squared circle in the sky is "Sensational" Sherri Martel, pictured above, who passed away this past week at the age of 49.

It still doesn't change the fact that she was probably the most irritating manager EVER.

- The big picture concerning the ongoing disagreement over fiscal federalism as it relates to the Atlantic provinces boils down to this: Ontario and Alberta pay the bills for everyone else in Canada. Whether it be the universal $7 a day government babysitting program in Quebec, overly generous EI programs that perpetuate chronic unemployment in the East, or subsidies income security programs for farmers on the Prairies, it comes out of this Ontarian's pocket, and I think it's high time to say "enough".

- I haven't read the Ontario Conservative party platform yet, but given that John Tory was Kim Campbell's campaign manager, I think I pretty much know what to expect. Andrew Coyne's column here brings to mind an observation from the indefatigable Clare Hoy, who, when discussing Tory, has recognized that the Toronto intelligentsia judge him as "the right kind of conservative - which is to say, he isn't".

- Things continue to look good for Sarko. Here's hoping he shows Stephen Harper how it's done when it comes to taking government a couple of steps back.

- Just like Osama bin Laden referred to scenes from "Fahrenheit 9/11" for his own propaganda purposes, Cuba's Health Minister has thanked Michael Moore for "Sicko". I understand that a significant part of Moore's latest screed is dedicated to the greatness of Canada's medicare system. Too bad he didn't get to interview my 59-year old mother-in-law, who has to wait almost a year in order to get an appointment with her general practicioner.

- If you think that the Canadian Arab Federation and the Canadian Islamic Congress are committed to pluralist values, you're sadly mistaken. See here.

- Finally, a tip o' the hat today to everyone out there who is a dad. A couple of noteworthy articles on the vitality of fatherhood, here and here.