The Sunday Edition — September 16, 2018

On this week's episode with host Michael Enright:

Michael's essay: The furor over Ontario's use of the notwithstanding clause is a tempest in a teapot

"Members of the National Association of Explainers, mostly academics, adore constitutional crises, because it gives them a chance to parlay their stuffy credentials into 15 minutes — or even a minute thirty — of national exposure."

A Canadian gun rights lobbyist says banning firearms won't stop gun violence

After a summer of gun violence, the federal Liberals are contemplating a national ban on handguns and assault weapons. Tracey Wilson, a registered lobbyist for the right to bear arms doesn't think it will work.

When your 'to do' list is taking over your life, try a 'to don't' list 

Emelia Symington Fedy realized her 'to do' list was turning her life to rubble. So she decided to go another way. Her essay is called, To Don't.

You can't stop checking your phone because Silicon Valley designed it that way

Every ping, ding and vibration is designed with a purpose — to hook you, reel you in and keep you glued to your device for as long as possible. Is addiction inevitable? Is resistance futile? Ira Basen explores the past, present and future of persuasive technology in his documentary, Open to Persuasion.

Romance fiction is so much more than swashbuckling bodice-rippers

Romance novels are written for women, by women, and the market is huge (about one third of all books sold in the U.S.). Today's heroines are plucky, smart and ready to risk all, to live happily ever after. Michael talks to three Newfoundland writers about about why romance novels deserve more respect.

Think cloth bags are better for the environment? Think again 

A British government study looked at the environmental impact of the life cycle of various shopping bags. Joanna Meyhoff Fry, a co-author on the study, says cloth bags have a much greater environmental footprint than plastic bags.