“Without knowing the force of words,” Confucius said, “it is impossible to know men.” He was right of course. It seems he always is. Words start fights and stir yearning hearts to acts of bravery and bloodshed. We use words to debase others and exalt ourselves. We pray with words. We shout, organize, slander, teach, threaten, understand, share ideas in Internet chat rooms, and boast in blogs. Words of our lovers, mothers, and enemies roll around in our heads when we can’t sleep making us mad with jealousy, regret, revenge.

Gail Asper is clutching a metallic, Thermos travel mug of coffee with her left hand and, with the other, swinging a bulging crimson purse near an electronic security pad by the door leading to the Canwest Place underground parkade.