I just finished participating in my first darts tournament. It sounded like a fun way to spend a Saturday so I signed up a team from the St. Paul's Council of the Knights of Columbus and we made our way down to Terra Nova Council for 9:30.
It was loads of fun. Of course I hit the rubber and the mat as often as the board. I knew it was going to get interesting when most of the players were into the beer with the first toss.
The first thing I realized was that I had become numerically illiterate over the years. Those triples! Aidan is working on his multiplication tables every night. Forget are you smarter than a fifth grader, try are you smarter than a 3rd grader.
Suffice to say we won a couple of games and lost a lot more.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
DANNY IN THE HOT SEAT
George Stroumboulopoulos put Danny Williams in the hot seat on his show The Hour last night.
In the session the guest gets pummeled with as many questions as they can answer for two minutes. Williams' good sense of humour comes shining through. It is a fun segment. If I can find it on YouTube I will post it.
In the session the guest gets pummeled with as many questions as they can answer for two minutes. Williams' good sense of humour comes shining through. It is a fun segment. If I can find it on YouTube I will post it.
Montreal or Toronto? TorontoThe Premier seems to be getting more at ease with these sorts of appearances all the time. He is scheduled to be a judge for "Canada's Next Great Prime Minister" on March 23rd.
Cod Tongues or Fish Cakes? Cod Tongues
Favorite East Coast Expression? What yea at?
Most Trouble You Ever Got Into At School? How Much Time Do You Got? (I got the hands strapped off me)
When You Drive And Talk On The Phone, Are You Holding The Phone With The Left Hand Or The Right Hand? The Left Hand, and trying to get the window down with the right hand.
CLIMATE CHANGE WILL BRING MORE EXTREME WEATHER
Al Gore may find some solace in the soon-to-be released report from Canada's Department of Natural Resources. Leaked details reported by the CBC say the report will focus on the impact that climate change will have on weather and drinking water.
Canada can expect more ice storms, torrential downpours, floods, droughts and landslides, as well as more days of extreme heat and smog.
Gordon McBean, a geography professor at the University of Western Ontario in London, says Canadians will have to adapt to more extreme weather and damaged homes and property, roads and bridges will take a beating, and coastlines in some communities will erode more rapidly than usual.
Another dust bowl for the west! Western Canada, in particular, could face short winters and long, dry summers.
Canada can expect more ice storms, torrential downpours, floods, droughts and landslides, as well as more days of extreme heat and smog.
Gordon McBean, a geography professor at the University of Western Ontario in London, says Canadians will have to adapt to more extreme weather and damaged homes and property, roads and bridges will take a beating, and coastlines in some communities will erode more rapidly than usual.
Another dust bowl for the west! Western Canada, in particular, could face short winters and long, dry summers.
Water levels in rivers in Alberta and British Columbia are already dropping significantly, as are the levels of the Great Lakes. The result could be a shortage of drinking water.
Some scientists in the United States released a study last week saying that Al Gore's charge that extreme weather was tied to climate change was incorrect. Someone may want to forward the link to this story to former Mayor Andy Wells.PANCAKE DIPLOMACY - PART TWO
The 3rd annual pancake breakfast went off without a hitch this morning. Well, I had less syrup than we needed but that problem was quickly solved. Over 500 parents, students, teachers, community leaders, business people, school board officials and politicians visited our school this morning.
Dozens of volunteers helped man the griddles, cut up the fruit and serve up the pancakes and juice. MacDonald's and Breens were great donors.
It is always great to see a community event come together. We have a great sense of community, a new school on the way and all we need now is a bigger catchment area. I cannot understand why Eastern District continues to bus children out of the area when they could walk to Virginia Park Elementary. Now that the planned extension to MQP has been scrapped, we are hopeful that some rezoning will be in the mix.
Dozens of volunteers helped man the griddles, cut up the fruit and serve up the pancakes and juice. MacDonald's and Breens were great donors.
It is always great to see a community event come together. We have a great sense of community, a new school on the way and all we need now is a bigger catchment area. I cannot understand why Eastern District continues to bus children out of the area when they could walk to Virginia Park Elementary. Now that the planned extension to MQP has been scrapped, we are hopeful that some rezoning will be in the mix.
SEX AND BOILED EGGS!
We recently purchased an egg timer as a tool for measuring time-outs and to time-share usage of the Wii. Perhaps it might be used to time other things.
The International Journal of Sexual Medicine is running article today about how long sex should last. A recent study done in the USA and Canada says the best sex should last between seven and 13 minutes. Three minute sex is adequate.
Americans expect penetrative sex to last between 15 and 20 minutes, even though self=reports indicate it is over in less than half this time. It appears that many men and women have the fantasy that men have large penises, rock-hard erections, and can sustain sexual activity all night long. It is a perception that is leading to disappointment and dissatisfaction in the bedrooms of the nation.
Perhaps we can take some advice from Mr. Breakfast. It seems to me that the time and method for soft boiling eggs and sex has a lot in common.
The International Journal of Sexual Medicine is running article today about how long sex should last. A recent study done in the USA and Canada says the best sex should last between seven and 13 minutes. Three minute sex is adequate.
Americans expect penetrative sex to last between 15 and 20 minutes, even though self=reports indicate it is over in less than half this time. It appears that many men and women have the fantasy that men have large penises, rock-hard erections, and can sustain sexual activity all night long. It is a perception that is leading to disappointment and dissatisfaction in the bedrooms of the nation.
Perhaps we can take some advice from Mr. Breakfast. It seems to me that the time and method for soft boiling eggs and sex has a lot in common.
- Remove desired number of eggs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Place eggs in a small sauce pan and add just enough water to completely cover eggs.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil. Covering the pan will lead to a quicker boil and is recommended.
- Immediately reduce heat to simmer and remove the cover from the pan.
- The amount of time the eggs are allowed to simmer will determine the degree to which the yolk is cooked. A cooking time of less than 4 minutes is not recommended.
Soft-cooked runny yolk:
5 minutes (4 minutes for medium eggs; 6 minutes for extra-large eggs)
Medium-cooked creamy partially-firm yolk:
7 minutes (6 minutes for medium eggs; 8 minutes for extra-large eggs) - Carefully remove the pan from the stove top and place beneath the kitchen faucet. Run cool water into the pan for a minute until the water is cool to the touch. This reduces the temperature enough so the eggs won't continue to cook under their own internal heat. It also brings them down to a more appropriate serving temperature.
THE CONSERVATIVES SCARE ME
Yesterday folks in St. John's West- Mt. Pearl received a piece of mail from their Conservative MP, Loyola Hearn. The cover depicts a scruffy male adult, slouched back on a sofa with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in another. The caption reads "Jail".
Inside the question is asked in big bold letters
They go on to say Liberals are soft on crime and Conservatives want to keep criminals in jail where they belong. It is an in-your-face propaganda tool. Putting the word websites in quotations implicitly suggests that these people are visiting seedy sites. The whole flyer is offensive on a bunch of levels.
Consider the fracas in the House of Commons yesterday that resulted in NDP MP Thomas Mulcair losing his temper when he was heckled by Conservative Gerald Keddy. Mulcair was reading a statement about a Malaysian man whom the government is deporting to his home country. The man faces the possibility of time in prison and whipping for committing homosexual acts. The man has previously been imprisoned in his home country for being a homosexual.
Is this man a victim of the Conservative government’s indifference because of his sexual orientation and because of his ethnic origin? Will I be getting a flyer from some Conservative with a picture of some "stereotypical" homosexual on the front and a note inside on how it is an affront to god and we need to change the laws. Sure, Harper needs a majority all right.
These guys really scare me
Inside the question is asked in big bold letters
Why should convicted thieves, arsonists and vandals serve their sentences watching TV, playing video games, and surfing "websites" on the internet?
They Shouldn't.
The Conservative Government Supports Ending House Arrest for Serious Offenses.
They go on to say Liberals are soft on crime and Conservatives want to keep criminals in jail where they belong. It is an in-your-face propaganda tool. Putting the word websites in quotations implicitly suggests that these people are visiting seedy sites. The whole flyer is offensive on a bunch of levels.
Consider the fracas in the House of Commons yesterday that resulted in NDP MP Thomas Mulcair losing his temper when he was heckled by Conservative Gerald Keddy. Mulcair was reading a statement about a Malaysian man whom the government is deporting to his home country. The man faces the possibility of time in prison and whipping for committing homosexual acts. The man has previously been imprisoned in his home country for being a homosexual.
Is this man a victim of the Conservative government’s indifference because of his sexual orientation and because of his ethnic origin? Will I be getting a flyer from some Conservative with a picture of some "stereotypical" homosexual on the front and a note inside on how it is an affront to god and we need to change the laws. Sure, Harper needs a majority all right.
These guys really scare me
FIGHTING FIRES IN RURAL NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR
A few days after government offered volunteer firefighters special license plates as a token of appreciation for their selfless commitment to protecting families and properties across this vast province, the very real impact of staffing rural fire departments is being discussed.
The Association of Fire Services, MNL and the Department of Municipal Affairs have struck a working committee that is meeting today to discuss the recruitment and retention issues facing community volunteer fire departments. In the past, P&P has posted examples of concerns about the impact of outmigration and the Alberta waltz which are leaving fire halls without members to fight fires.
It is a vexing question for all involved.
The Association of Fire Services, MNL and the Department of Municipal Affairs have struck a working committee that is meeting today to discuss the recruitment and retention issues facing community volunteer fire departments. In the past, P&P has posted examples of concerns about the impact of outmigration and the Alberta waltz which are leaving fire halls without members to fight fires.
It is a vexing question for all involved.
WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN OR DOES IT?
Wait for the next poll boys, he is a train wreck waiting to happen! He is gonna fall like a lead balloon. I wish I had a quarter for every time I've heard that logic from some of my old friends in the opposition since Danny Williams was elected leader of the P.C. Party and then Premier.
The latest Corporate Research Associates Poll show the premier's support continues to grow to unprecedented heights. For his handful of critics it must be galling. The polls have to be wrong! Too much weight is placed on the results in St. John's. Shoot the messenger, or at the very least poke holes in the polling methods.
The reality is the people of the province like this premier. Yes, Liberals, New Democrats and particularly progressive Conservatives respect him. All fluff no stuff some will argue! The battle with Ottawa over an equitable arrangement that sees us benefit and prosper over the long term from our non-renewable resources is not a red herring, it is something most of us support.
The public feel that Williams has the best interests of the province and future generations at heart. It's a love in, and for the most of the last seven years, that's the way it has been.
The opposition parties say they are not surprised. They realize the Premier is popular. The Liberals are rebuilding at glacial speed. They see no need to have an elected leader. When Danny wrecks some name will step forward and bring the party back to power. Yes boy, there is no need to worry. Some clique or another will simply grab control of the brand at the right time. That's what it is really all about when we really only have two parties. The New Democrats and the Liberal/Progressive Conservatives.
It is a mistake. To rebuild the party needs a real leader and a real vision to provide direction. The concept of a series of caucus-appointed and executive board rubber stamped interim leaders is a sure recipe for rigor mortis. A leader needs a mandate to lead, not a leash and a collar.
Perhaps the opposition leader should find a way to bulk postage her letter to the editor of the Telegram a few weeks ago to every home in the province. The message does not seem to be getting through.
The hard working, ultra-democratic Liberal Party of Newfoundland is not getting any respect while Danny Williams soars. That's the rub!
The latest Corporate Research Associates Poll show the premier's support continues to grow to unprecedented heights. For his handful of critics it must be galling. The polls have to be wrong! Too much weight is placed on the results in St. John's. Shoot the messenger, or at the very least poke holes in the polling methods.
The reality is the people of the province like this premier. Yes, Liberals, New Democrats and particularly progressive Conservatives respect him. All fluff no stuff some will argue! The battle with Ottawa over an equitable arrangement that sees us benefit and prosper over the long term from our non-renewable resources is not a red herring, it is something most of us support.
The public feel that Williams has the best interests of the province and future generations at heart. It's a love in, and for the most of the last seven years, that's the way it has been.
The opposition parties say they are not surprised. They realize the Premier is popular. The Liberals are rebuilding at glacial speed. They see no need to have an elected leader. When Danny wrecks some name will step forward and bring the party back to power. Yes boy, there is no need to worry. Some clique or another will simply grab control of the brand at the right time. That's what it is really all about when we really only have two parties. The New Democrats and the Liberal/Progressive Conservatives.
It is a mistake. To rebuild the party needs a real leader and a real vision to provide direction. The concept of a series of caucus-appointed and executive board rubber stamped interim leaders is a sure recipe for rigor mortis. A leader needs a mandate to lead, not a leash and a collar.
Perhaps the opposition leader should find a way to bulk postage her letter to the editor of the Telegram a few weeks ago to every home in the province. The message does not seem to be getting through.
The hard working, ultra-democratic Liberal Party of Newfoundland is not getting any respect while Danny Williams soars. That's the rub!
DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO
The Telegram editorial today looks at the hypocrisy in recent provincial government decisions related to safety. There seems to be one set of rules and expectations for government facilities and another for private facilities. The nexus of the discussion is sprinkler systems and weight limits for trucks.
There does appear to be one set of rules for those that enforce the rules and another set of rules for those they regulate. The Government has not had a good couple of weeks from the vantage point of the Editorial page of the Telegram.
Hypocrisy — insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have.” — Definition of hypocrisy from thefreedictionary.com
There does appear to be one set of rules for those that enforce the rules and another set of rules for those they regulate. The Government has not had a good couple of weeks from the vantage point of the Editorial page of the Telegram.
KNIGHTS IN ACTION
The organization that I have the longest track record with celebrates its 100th anniversary in this province this year. The Knights of Columbus is one of the province's oldest service organizations.
On Wednesday we marked our 100th anniversary by helping Daffodil Place in a special way. The Knights of Columbus are donating 50-thousand dollars to the campaign.
We have a history of community involvement. Cancer impacts everyone and assisting to make Daffodil Place a reality is something I am pleased to see the Knights commit to.
Our council, St. Paul's, has committed $2,000 to the project.
On Wednesday we marked our 100th anniversary by helping Daffodil Place in a special way. The Knights of Columbus are donating 50-thousand dollars to the campaign.
We have a history of community involvement. Cancer impacts everyone and assisting to make Daffodil Place a reality is something I am pleased to see the Knights commit to.
Our council, St. Paul's, has committed $2,000 to the project.
PANCAKE DIPLOMACY
The Virginia Park Elementary School Council has our annual community pancake breakfast this morning at the school. I’ll be flipping pancakes and hiding behind the grill from 7-8.
We started doing this a few years ago when it looked like the school was going to close and we wanted to illustrate to the powers-that-be that the school was the anchor of the community. It has turned into a big event. Municipal, provincial and school board officials always attend.
This year's event comes the day after we learned that the boards new draft multi-year plan does not include any changes to our catchment area. Which means our intake will not change. When schools have fewer than 300 students, they can't afford to hire many of the support staff full time.
At 400 students, schools can staff an elementary with a full-time principal, librarian and "specialists" to teach art and P.E. They can offer two to three classes per grade, which in addition to flexibility in assigning students to teachers, also gives teachers same-grade colleagues.
In debate on the reform of the denominational education system, a major justification of the reform was to ensure the viability of neighbourhood schools in urban areas.
Obviously we are pleased that the recommendation from phase one to redevelop the school at Virginia Park was reiterated this time around.
I guess we keep up the lobby.
We started doing this a few years ago when it looked like the school was going to close and we wanted to illustrate to the powers-that-be that the school was the anchor of the community. It has turned into a big event. Municipal, provincial and school board officials always attend.
This year's event comes the day after we learned that the boards new draft multi-year plan does not include any changes to our catchment area. Which means our intake will not change. When schools have fewer than 300 students, they can't afford to hire many of the support staff full time.
At 400 students, schools can staff an elementary with a full-time principal, librarian and "specialists" to teach art and P.E. They can offer two to three classes per grade, which in addition to flexibility in assigning students to teachers, also gives teachers same-grade colleagues.
In debate on the reform of the denominational education system, a major justification of the reform was to ensure the viability of neighbourhood schools in urban areas.
Obviously we are pleased that the recommendation from phase one to redevelop the school at Virginia Park was reiterated this time around.
I guess we keep up the lobby.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
LOONEY TUNES AND THE RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE
Now here's the Obama-Clinton parallel: In every modern presidential election in which the candidates have personified a clear choice between Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, Bugs has prevailed.
Nancy sent me this link to an article at Slate called "Bugs Bunny vs Daffy Duck." The author, Jeff Greenfield, posted this on Tuesday before the results of the primaries were known but the logic is still relevant.
Enjoy it!
WHERE IS THE TIPPING POINT?
Talking about happiness and depression, gasoline prices could rise to about $1.40 a litre within a few months if record oil prices remain fixed and demand increases with the summer driving period. Oil hit a new record today trading at $105.97 US a barrel!
CBC looks at the potential for buck and half a litre oil this summer.
Every time fuel prices rise I react with shock. At one point my consumption dropped but after a while I just adapted to it and continue with old habits.
At what point do we change our patterns. Will I start riding a bike to work? Sounds good, but will I? It makes a lot of sense from an economic, environmental and health perspective...but will I. Will people start using public transit in this city? We have one of the lowest rates of public transportation usages in the country? Why is that?
CBC looks at the potential for buck and half a litre oil this summer.
Every time fuel prices rise I react with shock. At one point my consumption dropped but after a while I just adapted to it and continue with old habits.
At what point do we change our patterns. Will I start riding a bike to work? Sounds good, but will I? It makes a lot of sense from an economic, environmental and health perspective...but will I. Will people start using public transit in this city? We have one of the lowest rates of public transportation usages in the country? Why is that?
Research into happiness isn't a traditional subject for psychology, but it's become something of a hot topic. The news yesterday that yet another study questions the effectiveness of anti-depressants has people examining what happiness is and at what levels are optimum.
Yesterday on the drive home local CBC Radio discussed a recent happiness study with the host of Quirks & Quarks. In this study people judged their personal happiness on a sliding scale. The gist was that most people are at a 6 or 7 and that is about where you should be. People that are too happy may not be as productive and attentive as those a little lower down the scale.
They also discussed the return of one of the most effective treatments against depression, electroconvulsive - or shock - therapy! The stigma associated with mental illness has started to fade away and the popular misconceptions about shock therapy are falling away to allow the controversial therapy to make a comeback.
Quirks & Quarks airs Saturday right after the noon news on Radio One.
PLATES FOR FIRE FIGHTERS BUT WHAT ABOUT FIRE FIGHTERS FOR FIRE HALLS
The Province's Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs' gesture to volunteer firefighters in the form of a special license plate is being warmly received by the Association of Fire Services.
Municipal Affairs Minister Dave Denine unveiled the new plate yesterday and presented the first one at the CBS south fire hall in Kelligrews. I am sure that the men and women who volunteer as fire fighters will appreciate this special gesture. Every volunteer fire fighter in the province is looking for their new plate today.
In its release ,the Province says it has contributed nearly $1 million ttowards volunteer fire departments this year. This will be a nice boost to morale, but what about the issues being faced in places like Marystown and other towns around this province where out-migration and an aging population have decimated the ranks of fire halls and fire protection is in jeopardy?
Municipal Affairs Minister Dave Denine unveiled the new plate yesterday and presented the first one at the CBS south fire hall in Kelligrews. I am sure that the men and women who volunteer as fire fighters will appreciate this special gesture. Every volunteer fire fighter in the province is looking for their new plate today.
In its release ,the Province says it has contributed nearly $1 million ttowards volunteer fire departments this year. This will be a nice boost to morale, but what about the issues being faced in places like Marystown and other towns around this province where out-migration and an aging population have decimated the ranks of fire halls and fire protection is in jeopardy?
OPPOSITION WANTS MOVEMENT
Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones is concerned about the lack of progress with offshore oil projects. She told VOCM news that the failure to finalize deals for the expansions at Hibernia South and the development of Hebron-Ben Nevis is to blame for Hibernia's lay-off of 50 people this week.
She is suggesting government get moving on these files.
She is suggesting government get moving on these files.
OPINION LEADERS - WHEN HAVE MEANS MORE HAVE NOTS
When 'have' means more 'have nots'
The Aurora
The Aurora
No one likes to see the price of gas go up but it's something that many people are getting use to. Not because they accept the atrocious cost but simply because there's seems to be little anyone can do about it unless you make government decisions.
One option for the provincial government-though not a likely notion they'd take-is to drop its taxes off. This provincial government has .16 cents tacked on every litre of gas purchased. Add that to the federal .10 cents excise tax and another .14 cents for HST and that amounts to a big part of the expense at the pumps.
No matter how much governments like to blame it all on world oil prices, it's certainly is not all about global demands and markets.
Our own government is gouging us. The profits this province will receive in non-renewable resources this year alone will rake in at close to $2 billion. It seems an unnecessary evil to take part in a tax-gouging gimmick that has people paying $1.20 per litre that would cost them 79 cents per litre without the government's gouging.
Many people are conserving these days, buying small cars with smaller engines, taking less leisurely family drives, not driving to see relatives or even walking to work.
In a number of ways we can control and reduce the amount of gas we consume.
The biggest hit though comes to those relying on furnace oil to heat homes. In Labrador West not many rely on that source of heat but many have relatives and loved ones in other parts of the province that are bearing the load of home heating costs.
Last week the cost of furnace oil climbed setting a record in this province rising by almost 3.5 cents per litre.
Depending on what part of the province a person lives who relies on furnace heat, the cost can now range form 94.16 cents to $1.11 cents per litre.
That's a rise of about 23 cents since this time last year. It's a safe guess it's costing as much to as $600 to heat an average size home this winter for those depending on furnace oil.
That figure alone can cause anyone to conjure up very sad images especially of seniors on fixed incomes.
We can visualize seniors bundled up in blankets, going to bed very early and staying in very late because their homes are too cold to be comfortable.
Seniors cutting their groceries in half in order not to freeze to death. They are forced to be half fed and in order to be half warm.
The little old widow who lives alone who once looked forward to her weekly game of bingo can no longer go because that money must now go to the extra cost of her oil bill.
The grandparents that can no longer afford to buy Christmas gifts to bestow on their grandchildren.
The simple things in life are what this unfair burden can take away from those who least deserve the chain of taxes that government hangs around our necks.
It's a heavy levy for all who are forced to fork over the amounts that are truly more than necessary but it's almost sinful when it kicks the vulnerable of our province squarely into the gut.
Isn't it ironic that many of our seniors can't afford to live a quality form of life in this 'have' province that they've waited so long for? In all fairness, those are the ones who fought longest for this 'have' status we are experiencing today. It's absolutely shameful and if nothing is said or done, more will live out their golden years cold and hungry and longing for the days when 'have not' was a lot warmer and a little kinder.
OPINION LEADERS - TAKING A SECOND LOOK
Last Thursday, the Conservative government's Tackling Violent Crime Act [Bill C-2] received Royal Assent and became law.
The Conservatives touted these changes to Canada's Criminal Code, saying they would better protect citizens against those who commit serious and violent crimes.
Under the changes, there will be longer mandatory jail time for serious gun crimes; and new bail provisions requiring those accused of serious gun crimes to show why they shouldn't be kept in jail while awaiting trial.
The new law also increases the age of consent for sexual activity with someone at least two years older, from 14 to16-years-old; increases sentencing and monitoring of dangerous, high-risk offenders; finds new ways to detect and investigate drug-impaired driving; and imposes stronger penalties for impaired driving.
While these reforms have a feel-good ring to them, especially for a government based in ultra-rightwing ideologies, they deserve a closer inspection.
For those people who commit serious gun crimes or have sex with underage youth, tougher jail sentences are unlikely to deter them from committing these crimes.
If a Canadian citizen actually has the mindset to carry around a gun and take out innocent lives with it - or take sexual advantage of an underage person - it's unlikely they keep themselves abreast of what sort of penalties they face if caught.
Even if offenders are kept away from the general public for longer periods of time, one wonders how that will actually benefit society in the long run.
These people will likely be freed at some point, and those long sentences are likely to further 'harden' these criminals - possibly make them just as likely to re-offend when reintroduced into society.
What was lacking from the government's reform was any sort of extra plans to aid in the rehabilitation of offenders.
If criminals are going to be kept away from society for long periods of time, it would be beneficial if they can somehow be helped to become law-abiding and productive members of society when released.
In conjunction with that, the government should also be looking for the root causes of criminal activity - finding out what exactly makes a person commit serious crimes in the first place.
What they would likely find with these offenders, and even those charged with lesser offenses, are alarming backgrounds of abuse and neglect.
A young man was sentenced at Stephenville Provincial Court recently for his role in a robbery.
In the pre-sentencing report, it was noted this person was neglected and abused by his mother and others from a very early age, and was bounced in and out of foster care - all of which was noted to manifest itself into his troubling conduct.
His attorney also noted while this teenager needs to learn accountability for his actions, he should also be given the opportunity to be re-educated on what is acceptable in Canadian society.
While it may not sound overly voter-friendly, helping criminals cultivate lives as productive members of society is by far more beneficial than just leaving them to fester in jail for extended periods of time.
OPINION LEADERS - TIME FOR A RECKONING
Hindsight, unfortunately, will not raise the dead.
There's no saving Larry Parsons and Christopher Oram, who perished at sea when their tugboat went down off Baccalieu Island last month.
However, information released by the coast guard following the tragedy leaves the families of these two men to constantly dwell on the most distressing of questions, What if?
According to coast guard officials, the two men were in the water and appeared to be alive when the Cormorant helicopter arrived on the scene.
Yet, the helicopter crew determined it would be safer to wait for a nearby coast guard fast rescue craft.
By the time that vessel arrived 15 minutes later, both men had succumbed to the freezing north Atlantic. Their survival suits had filled with water and, unbeknownst to the helicopter crew, the men were dying of hypothermia while the helicopter hovered.
This tragedy is just one more chink in the waning confidence Newfoundland and Labrador mariners have in rescue operations.
In September 2005, four men drowned when the Melina and Keith II rolled over and sank on the northeast coast. All four men survived the initial sinking, but when the hull they were standing on eventually slipped beneath the waves, they were lost forever.
The 'what if' their families live with is the 'What if the coast guard rescue helicopter had arrived sooner?'
In that tragedy we learned that helicopter crews are on standby during normal business hours and can be airborne in 30 minutes.
But if you happen to run into trouble on the sea after the coast guard's normal working hours, it will take crews one or two hours to respond to your emergency distress signal.
When the Ryan's Commander went down off Cape Bonavista on a stormy night in 2006, the coast guard helicopter that was dispatched to help ran into trouble with the hoist used to lift the men out of the water.
No one can say for sure whether the hoist trouble led to the loss of two lives. But in an emergency situation, every second counts.
No doubt, the families of the Ryan brothers have their own 'what ifs' to live with.
We are a province bounded by the ocean, with marine traffic passing by our shores at all hours of practically every day of the year and oil rigs pumping wealth from sea. Hundreds of people, men and women, who hope to return home safe to their families are working on board those ships and rigs.
Our waters are important highways and workplaces, thanks to oil exploration, fishing and the transportation of goods. It is time for Ottawa to consider marine emergency services as an integral part of that system. It's time for a reckoning of how the coast guard search and rescue system operates and how it can be improved.
Ottawa is now tasked with restoring faith in this service. They can start with the addition of sufficient personnel to ensure there's always a standby crew, and by ensuring the equipment used by the crews is top notch and up-to-date.
They can begin by acknowledging the importance of the coast guard service to Newfoundland and Labrador and its role in saving lives.
And they have to start the process of improvement now before another family is faced with having to live with 'what if?'
OPINION LEADERS - TAMING THE PAPER TIGER
Taming the paper tiger
One hopes the provincial government does well in recycling its paper – after all, it’s accusing Ottawa, and particularly Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn, of recycling its funding announcements.BY SUE HICKEY
TRANSCONTINENTAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
TRANSCONTINENTAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
What made news throughout the media really didn’t turn out to be news at all.
Take Peterview, for example, the subject of a release dated Feb. 15, which stated the town was getting money for water work. Turns out, however, the work was actually done months ago.
The result for news organizations across the province was a waste of fax and computer paper.
It goes to show how we really take paper for granted. Newsprint aside, thousands, if not millions of sheets of paper come out of our printers and fax machines a year. At our schools, both grade and post-secondary institutions, wastebaskets are stuffed to overflowing every day.
And our government is wasting even more paper on releases with little validity because they’re old news.
Businesses aren’t exempt either from hand-rearing paper tigers. Most Newfoundlanders don’t bother to do anything about their paper waste, though many are eager to set up bins for beverage containers to be recycled. Some even compost, though they might balk at putting their paper in with their carrot peelings and eggshells.
When the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board was first established, it launched its advertising campaign, all related to being more environmentally response and making this province green in every sense of the word.
But how far have we come?
Give the MMSB credit for promoting environmental ‘do-goodism’, but it seems the heart of its promotions has lain in beverage containers and occasionally cardboard. But where’s the paper chase?
The government really needs to make paper recycling (and composting) a higher priority.
Consider this: 40 per cent of the content of landfills is paper. Not plastic (another evil in its own right, but that’s for another editorial). Not electronics or used appliances. But paper.
One may say, ‘Yes, but paper is biodegradable! You can compost it and if it ends up in a landfill, it rots away anyway.’
But not necessarily. It only decomposes if it’s exposed to oxygen.
One National Geographic article several years ago illustrated this point. A professor and some of his archeology students decided to make New York City’s ‘Fresh Kills’ landfill a project of theirs. They explored, took notes and above all, dug – deep.
They found meat products decades old that hadn’t decayed, because they were deep in the refuse. And they found newspapers – fully intact and readable, some dating back to several decades earlier.
And why? Because they weren’t exposed to oxygen and aerobic bacteria, the friendly kind that helps break down your compost.
So, if the provincial government is really sincere about realistic waste management, they should make a bigger deal about paper. Encourage its employees and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in general to recycle paper, not consign it to a landfill where it could stay in tact for centuries.
Otherwise, some future historian could find all those damning press releases – and reflect on how stupidity hasn’t really changed over centuries.
SCIENCE FAIR MEMORIES
An article in the Southern Gazette brought back some fond memories. The article by Paul Herridge was about preparations for the Regional Science Fair on the Burin Peninsula. School children have spent hours working on their projects at the school level and now the winners get to compete for a chance to go to the provincials.
My brother Mike and I looked forward to the science fairs. I do not think we missed the regionals and normally made it to the provincials. One year I won at the provincials with a computer program about the Solar System. Personal computers were relatively new in the early and mid 80's and I was really into them.
Mike and his buddy Leo spent all year getting ready for the next science fair. Nothing that generated electricity in our house seemed to be safe. Nothing they took apart was ever rebuilt the same way. From my precious R2-D2 remote controlled robot to mom and dad's hi-fi stereo. It was an excuse to be curious.
What I remember most was the excitement of getting out of St. Bernard's to a bigger centre. The camaraderie, the new friends, movies and malls. They served to open up a bigger world to me.
Of course Mike met his wife at the Regional Science Fairs.
My brother Mike and I looked forward to the science fairs. I do not think we missed the regionals and normally made it to the provincials. One year I won at the provincials with a computer program about the Solar System. Personal computers were relatively new in the early and mid 80's and I was really into them.
Mike and his buddy Leo spent all year getting ready for the next science fair. Nothing that generated electricity in our house seemed to be safe. Nothing they took apart was ever rebuilt the same way. From my precious R2-D2 remote controlled robot to mom and dad's hi-fi stereo. It was an excuse to be curious.
What I remember most was the excitement of getting out of St. Bernard's to a bigger centre. The camaraderie, the new friends, movies and malls. They served to open up a bigger world to me.
Of course Mike met his wife at the Regional Science Fairs.
ET PHONE HOME
It is called the New York Talk Exchange project. Researchers from MIT have designed a project that reveals the complex dynamics of talk that exist between the Big Apple and other cities around the planet.
This is an interesting project from a bunch of perspectives.
"It is like showing how the heart of New York pulsates in real time and how it connects with the global network of cities," said Carlo Ratti, director of the senseable city laboratory and associate professor of the practice of urban technologies at MIT.
"We are interested in visualizing and exploring the connections that New York entertains with the rest of the world, how they change over the course of a day, and how the city's neighborhoods differ from each other by maintaining special and distinct relationships with particular cities and countries," said Kristian Kloeckl, project leader.
This is an interesting project from a bunch of perspectives.
IS THE LOWER CHURCHILL STILL A TREAURE BOX?
Today's editorial in the province's largest daily newspaper may have a few people rethinking the potential of the Lower Churchill as an economic development tool, at least in the short run.
The Telegram comments about a new arrangement that the government of Quebec has entered into with Alcoa to expand aluminum smelting in the province. The deal is worth $1.2 Billion and is built on cheap long-term hydroelectricity.
It raises some interesting questions, opinions anyone?
The Telegram comments about a new arrangement that the government of Quebec has entered into with Alcoa to expand aluminum smelting in the province. The deal is worth $1.2 Billion and is built on cheap long-term hydroelectricity.
Well, beyond the obvious rankling - they're powering Quebec jobs and the Quebec economy with Labrador power - there's the question of what the deal signifies in terms of a change in the long-term economics of new hydro projects like the Lower Churchill.
If markets are softening to the point that long-term, low-cost power deals make sense, we'd better be watching carefully when it comes to what we could get cornered into to make Lower Churchill move ahead. There's also the question of what nearby megaprojects will mean to the availability of skilled workers.
Finally, there's scary notion that just having the juice is not enough.
It has always looked like customers would beat a path to our door. And maybe they will - but maybe they'll want long-term deals and upfront cash, too.
It raises some interesting questions, opinions anyone?
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
THE DREAM TICKET TACTIC
With last night's win, Hillary Clinton's team embarks on a new strategy heading into the next round of voting. She talked about a possible so-called dream team ticket which would feature her and Obama.
She added that what has to be decided is who will be on top and that the choice in Ohio was experience and than means her. The Obama campaign has avoided the issue altogether. They insured that stories of a Bloomberg/Obama ticket made the rounds last week.
I think this is a shrewd move by Clinton. Democrats are obviously divided up the middle. A lot of them are torn. They like both candidates for different reasons, and as the candidates keep pointing out, they are not far apart on the major issues.
If Clinton can get Democrats believing that she will ask Obama to be her running mate than Democrats have the opportunity to get two for one. A vote for Hillary will give them both candidates. It propels Hillary to the top of the list and relegates Obama to second in-command. The real question is what will Obama do? or say? Will he stop dodging the issue and say he will work with Clinton or just flat out say, that is not on with me.
She added that what has to be decided is who will be on top and that the choice in Ohio was experience and than means her. The Obama campaign has avoided the issue altogether. They insured that stories of a Bloomberg/Obama ticket made the rounds last week.
I think this is a shrewd move by Clinton. Democrats are obviously divided up the middle. A lot of them are torn. They like both candidates for different reasons, and as the candidates keep pointing out, they are not far apart on the major issues.
If Clinton can get Democrats believing that she will ask Obama to be her running mate than Democrats have the opportunity to get two for one. A vote for Hillary will give them both candidates. It propels Hillary to the top of the list and relegates Obama to second in-command. The real question is what will Obama do? or say? Will he stop dodging the issue and say he will work with Clinton or just flat out say, that is not on with me.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR PARLIAMENT
A new lease on life. The Conservatives took the initiative on three hot button issues and the opposition gave them a free pass to keep on trucking. An election is not needed constitutionally until October 19, 2009, so the Conservatives have the reins for a while yet.
An article in the Toronto Star today looks at one of the most productive Parliaments in recent memory.
An article in the Toronto Star today looks at one of the most productive Parliaments in recent memory.
TODD RUSSELL VOTES NO!
Labrador Member of Parliament Todd Russell was one of 11 Liberal MP's who showed up to vote on the budget yesterday. True to form, Todd voted against it!
HAVE NOT WILL BE NO MORE, AT LEAST FOR A LITTLE WHILE
The Chronicle Herald has published a story about our province's move into have status in the next year by Newfoundland journalist Greg Locke .
The article quotes economist Wade Locke, who predicts that oil revenues and the nuisances of the new equalization program will mean Newfoundland and Labrador will not be eligible for equalization next year.
He is optimistic that a royalty arrangement for South Hibernia and Hebron will happen as soon as the technical people work out the details.
While Newfoundland and Labrador leads Canada in economic growth based on Gross Domestic Product, the only way we will see the benefits is if the government decides to spend money on infrastructure and other programs.
The article quotes economist Wade Locke, who predicts that oil revenues and the nuisances of the new equalization program will mean Newfoundland and Labrador will not be eligible for equalization next year.
He is optimistic that a royalty arrangement for South Hibernia and Hebron will happen as soon as the technical people work out the details.
While Newfoundland and Labrador leads Canada in economic growth based on Gross Domestic Product, the only way we will see the benefits is if the government decides to spend money on infrastructure and other programs.
FLIP SIDE OF THE EDUCATION COIN
Jennifer Howlett's latest Community Editorial Board commentary in the Telegram sheds light on some of the issues facing schoolchildren that need more enrichment. She talks about parents who have resorted to home schooling because they felt their child's academic needs were being ignored by a system that teaches to the middle.
Integration has come at a cost and she asks the question, are children getting the education they deserve? The article is not online.Publish Post
Let's make school a place where everyone can succeed. Teaching to the middle leaves a lot of kids curbside. That is not the kind of recycling we need.
Integration has come at a cost and she asks the question, are children getting the education they deserve? The article is not online.Publish Post