Perception is so often reality.

And the thought of high school principals spending a week on our tab in the Dominican Republic is too much for most of us to stomach.

Yes, they were on a professional development trip

And I'm sure the principals from English high schools learned something. Although I'm not sure what we could learn from the school system of the Dominican Republic which ranks 103rd in the world in literacy according to the UN

But the perception is that it was an all inclusive beach vacation. And perception is reality the type of vacation that most people can't afford. The Hilton in Santo Domingo looks pretty darn nice

When schools don't have enough books. When parents have to dig deeper every year to pay all those extras. When most our schools need a paint job and much more.

When students are dropping out like flies it's not really appropriate to be spending 21 thousand dollars on a mid winter trip to learn about education in the Dominican Republic.

In fact it's more than in appropriate, It's outrageous.

Will that be a scan or a pat down?

I really have no sympathy for those passengers complaining over new screening procedures.

If you don't want the scan because you think you are so much different underneath from everyone else on the planet and if you feel the pat down is too intrusive,

Then don't fly.

Flying is not a right. It's not in the Charter of Rights.

Or charter of flights for that matter.

Canadian airports are setting up private booths if you don't want your parts touched in public.

The thing is the world is a dangerous place. And airplanes are the targets of choice for those who hate us most.

So it's really a small price to pay.

The Liberals may still have the confidence of the assembly but not of Quebecers.

Day by day Quebecers are losing faith in the public institutions and leaders.

A poll in La Presse found 3 quarters of Quebecers say the province is corrupt

Mr. Charest continues to want to protect his party. This will not be the last vote Charest will face. And the results of Monday's by-election will be telling.

Changing the party fundraising law is a good first step. But it's a little late

As the critic from the ADQ put it: once you lose your virginity, it's hard to get it back

Finally, whose bright idea was it to hold a Grey Cup in Edmonton at the end of November? Nothing against that fine city. But weather shouldn't decide championships it's going to be a cold Alberta day.

That being said. Go Als !

And see you at the parade