Duff Roblin back in the news with a vengeance

Duff Roblin: ditch sold separately.

Duff Roblin called: he wants his ditch and building back.

In a strange confluence of stories - much like the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine at The Forks only, like, stranger - former Manitoba Premier Duff Roblin is all over the news today.

First: Not Quite the Flood of the Century is on its way, and the Red River Floodway is again being heralded as our savior (unless the ice doesn't melt and we're all screwed).

As any Winnipegger worth his or her Nip knows, the real name of the Red River Floodway is "Duff's Ditch," named for Mr. Roblin, whose government had the foresight, wherewithal, money, gumption, spunk, and alliteration to pull it off.

Second: the Duff Roblin Building at the University of Manitoba was on fire until about two hours ago, where the Psychology and Zoology departments are located. I think I know what happened: I saw 28 Days Later, damn those monkeys.

I'm not a superstitious person, but I wouldn't drive down Roblin Boulevard today.