I thought these were 
quite readable essays, all with good points to ponder.  

As if it needs reinforcing, Paul Martin reminds we are an aging society. That alone should be impetus to do everything we can to stop the tragic waste of thousands of young aboriginal Canadian lives to the despair of drugs, booze and crushing poverty.  I don't know what the answers are and I'm not suggesting we just toss more $billions at this without measurable outcomes.  However, Canada must do something to arrest this God-awful nightmare of ruined native youth.