At this point we would like to remind them, that cheap populism might be good for circulation, but does nothing to help Canadian soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, Cyprus, or on the Golan Heights.

May we suggest that, instead of printing a picture of the Peace Tower with flags at half–staff every time a Canadian soldier falls in combat, they might better serve these valiant men and women - as well as their own readers - by using their considerable resources to bring us insightful and in-depth exposés on the various difficulties the Canadian Military faces in combat and peacekeeping missions around the world.

Instead of serving up their usual unimpressive pastiche of Canadian Press releases and two-page spreads on the Queen’s birthday, why not send reporters all over the world to tell Haligonians what our men and women are up against on a daily basis? Let them ferret out our military’s needs, let them find out how morale can be improved, and what concrete and meaningful support each and every one of us can give to our troops on the ground.

Honour our soldiers, not through empty gestures, but by finally providing them – as well as the rest of us- the sound journalism that might lead to meaningful and lasting change.