"What was 40 years ago is most likely no longer true today."

This is absolutely true, on the word to me by Craig Oliver with CBC or CTV nearly 20 years ago, inveigling me to come back to put some fun in the newsroom.

"You wouldn't believe what it's like now," he said. "The newsroom is quiet as a morgue, everyone in a tie and three-piece suit carrying a brief case." I always had a case of Molson's Blue or bottle of pinch in my typewriter well.

For all that, I'm impressed with some of these kids coming out of journalism school. I'm miles apart from Conrad Black but think he's the right stuff as writer and newspaperman. His Rise to Greatness, History of Canada is truly great.