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It is true, and sadly so, that this dread of a modern plague has buried many stories and much news that would otherwise have commanded the front pages and prime-time screens of our most esteemed press outlets. And even in the lowliest sphere of journalism — this would be commentatorism — we, venal jades that we are, have forgone topics and personalities which, in a quieter time, would have busied a thousand laptops and prompted hourly TV “stand-ups” by the score.

Like my brethren and sistern in the trade, for example, I have neglected, even to total silence, the near-covert departure of Meghan (and Harry)* from our most hospitable shores.

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In better days I would have advocated that Canada declare a day of mourning, to mark Meghan’s (and Harry’s) abrupt escape from the tranquil and most beautiful island of Vancouver, where they squirrelled away for a while in a rented $11-million cottage — a mere outhouse to the palaces of Buckingham and Windsor. While there, according to the eternal laws of Canadian etiquette, they were given quiet and deference. When they went out, people gave them “space,” and they were only waved at if they waved first. Canadian politesse is the best politesse.

I have neglected, even to total silence, the near-covert departure of Meghan (and Harry)

Still, Victoria, we must agree, is not L.A. Who would want to skip down to Tofino Beach when settling in L.A. puts Malibu down the road?