OPPOSITION PARTIES PISS OFF NAPE

I never had a chance to comment on this over the last few days, but I have to say I was shocked to hear the two opposition parties getting hell from the NAPE and the Federation of Labour over a private member resolution calling on government to end pattern bargaining.

NAPE President Carol Furlong reacted with "Shock and Dismay" to the opposition parties' attempt to interfere with collective bargaining in the public service. I have not seen Federation of Labour Chair Reg Anstey as worked up since Danny Williams sent NAPE out onto the picket lines four years ago.

I am not sure I have ever heard the NDP get blasted by these groups. What really puzzles me is why the opposition would have gone forward with a motion that would bring forth the ire of NAPE in the first place. Surely the Leader of the Opposition met with and discussed the resolution with labour leaders before bringing it forward in the House of Assembly! I mean, the first thing you would do is speak to the unions and line up their support to ensure maximum impact in communicating your message.

One would think that input would have been sought on the wording of any resolution. That basic research would have prevented the opposition from scorn. Furlong said "Uninformed interference at this critical juncture can only make a difficult process more difficult.”

I doubt this was an attempt by the Opposition to curry favour with one particular union over another. It seems really amateur to leave yourself wide open to criticism from the Federation of Labour and NAPE who represent 19,000 public sector employees.

For future reference here is a link to some contact information at NAPE.

Come on gang, get it together. This did not need to happen!

A LITTLE HELP

I could use a little help. (stop snickering) I like to re-post a few editorials and letters to the editor, but the are usually lengthy. My purpose is to just provide a bit of an idea of what is going on outside the overpass.

Would someone know how I can implement some sort of plug-in that will allow me to display just the first paragraph or so with the ability to show all of it if the reader wants to. I know I can just provide a link but others like being able to find the posts in one place.

Thanks

THE VEXING QUESTION OF DNA TESTING

The United Kingdom is forcing people charged with shoplifting to submit DNA for inclusion in their national data banks. In Canada only offenders convicted of serious crimes are forced to surrender DNA samples for the data bank.

The DNA bank currently has 40,000 samples on file which have been taken from serious crime scenes. Many of these samples are from unsolved crime scenes. As of March 31, DNA from a crime scene had been matched to a criminal 8,895 times and cleared a number of people who were falsely accused.

I tend to think that if you have done nothing wrong, than why not allow your DNA to be on file. It certainly could ensure that you behave yourself in future. However many people are concerned about privacy rights.

Toronto Chief of Police Bill Blair hopes that as soon as 2011, police will have the power to demand DNA samples from anyone charged. He thinks there is intrinsic value in having the broadest possible database, in that it would make many investigations easier.

Today's Toronto Star has an interesting story on the issue. One of the cases profiled is that of 35 year old Michael Briere who was convicted of murdering Holly Jones.

In 2003, investigators knocked on doors in Holly's west-Toronto neighbourhood asking men to voluntarily provide a DNA sample. Briere refused and said he thought it was just a way for the government to track people's movements. He was one of a handful of people that said no. Briere was placed under around-the-clock surveillance. His DNA was removed from a discarded pop can. It matched DNA found under Holy Jones' fingernails.

On the other side of the coin. 16-year-old Josiah Sutton was tried and convicted in Houston for allegedly pulling a woman from her car at gunpoint and raping her. The case's sole eyewitness was unreliable but the crown had DNA evidence matching Sutton. Four years later an audit of the lab showed Sutton was wrongfully convicted.

Some advocate that DNA should be taken at birth and put into the data bank right away. The U.S. military requires every serviceperson to give blood for future DNA analysis, presumably for body identification. I am not sure if that is the case in Canada or not.

The typical argument made by those advocating widespread DNA testing is that we already routinely take fingerprints from suspects, and that genetic fingerprinting is really just a higher-tech version of the same thing.

The problem with DNA however, is that it's more than an identification mechanism -- it's also a predictor of future health issues. From a privacy perspective, it's like the difference between ID-checking a driver's license and looking through your whole wallet. Analytic data derivable from DNA is getting better all of the time. It's conceivable that DNA analysis may soon become the preeminent predictor of future health.

I guess I could be convinced to support a government run universal DNA registration system, as opposed to an ad hoc system managed by unregulated organizations set on using DNA data mined from other sources to prevent me from getting insurance or a job. There would have to be a system of checks and balances. Than swab away, tie it to taxes or getting your driver's license.

It is about finding a balance that protects all of society and finds the crooks.

THE COST OF FREE SPEECH

They have always taught and trained you to believe it to be your patriotic duty to go to war and to have yourselves slaughtered at their command. But in all the history of the world you, the people, have never had a voice in declaring war, and strange as it certainly appears, no war by any nation in any age has ever been declared by the people. - Eugene Debs

In 1918 a Socialist leader in the United States of America was arrested, prosecuted and given a ten year jail sentence for an anti-war speech he delivered to the Socialist Party Convention in Canton Ohio on June 16th ,1918.

Eugene Victor Debs died in a sanitarium from health issues related to his confinement which ended when his sentence was commuted to time served on Christmas Day 1921.

So why I am raising the spectre of a long dead and perhaps forgotten American socialist? Because much of the speech that led to his imprisonment, and eventually his death, are as relevant today as they were in 1918! Also people around the world continue to be censored, imprisoned and murdered for the right to freedom of speech.

Here is a link to his speech.

STUCK IN PERPETUAL MOTION

"There appears to be very little elasticity in the vote and not much movement in support. Normally, the only way the numbers can change is if you get into a campaign -- and then all bets are off,"- D Bricker, Ipsos Reid

A new poll conducted for Canwest News Service/Global National shows the Conservatives frozen with 35 per cent of the vote while the Liberals dropped to 30 per cent; the NDP rose three percentage points to 16 per cent support while the Green party went up two points to 10 per cent.

Considering the issues surrounding Dion's leadership, the Liberal Party's hypocritical actions of criticizing bills and than voting for them it does not seem to be affecting public support. The national parties are locked in a stalemate.

Darrell Bricker, the president of Ipsos Reid Public Affairs, says, "It just doesn't seem to go anywhere. You know, as bad as Dion looked last week, it doesn't seem to matter. And as good as Harper looks on the national stage sometimes, it doesn't really matter."

The survey, conducted Tuesday to Thursday, involved phone interviews with 1,000 adults. The national results are considered accurate to within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, with the margin larger for regional findings.

DO AS YOU SAY

It is the infrastructure development that is so important to our ecology and the environment that smaller municipalities should not bankrupted trying to pay for it. In today's Telegram, Conception Bay South Mayor Woody French expresses concern about the costs associated with meeting new Federal Guidelines banning communities from dumping raw or partially treated sewage into the ocean.

It is a serious problem. CBS is not alone in this funding quagmire. However the new regulations are long overdue. For too long we have been able to just flush our crap out into the sea, out of sight out of mind. We have not considered the impact on the ecology of the ocean. It's a huge ocean, it can handle it!

I never quite understood how a province that survived for dozens of generations on harvesting the resources of the sea could so easily pollute it. As a boy growing up in St. Bernard's there were sewer outfalls going into the harbour all over the place, from just about every home. Fishermen would change their oil and throw the waste into the sea along with plastic herring bags and lobster bands. It always puzzled me.

In the past I have volunteered with a few environmental groups and worked with the Department of Environment in areas related to municipal waste. Every spring it seemed that the larger municipalities would invite the minister out for a supper meeting, and for some reason it would always be Chinese! They would discuss solid waste and softer issues and finally, after the Minister was tired, would be a request for permission to allow a couple of new outfalls to the sea to allow for more development. I think the plan was to ensure the minister and his officials were so full they were too tired to fight.

Considering how important aqua-culture is becoming in this province, we must do all we can to limit the contamination of our coastal waters. The taxes and employment created by the industries tied to the ocean more than justify a larger expenditure by the Province and Ottawa to ensure that no municipality has to dump water and sewage into our pristine bays.

Municipalities that are struggling under the loss of Municipal Operating Grants cannot be expected to pick up the significant extra costs associated with crumbling infrastructure. If we are to continue making the argument to Ottawa that the province needs a transition period to catch up, so we can make the best use of our new found wealth, than we must also remember that as a province we have neglected municipal infrastructure and they need help as well. It is a sort of micro-equalization issue and to ignore it would be hypocritical.

ANONYMOUS COMMENTS REVISITED

A topic that gets some discussion here from time to time is how to handle and post comments. This blog has a system where I read comments before posting them to protect myself from someone posting something that is slanderous or in bad taste. I allow autonomous posts to facilitate those who do not have blogger accounts, on the condition that they identify themselves to me. It works most of the time. Unlike some of my fellow bloggers, I do not fail to post criticism or arguments that run contrary to my own opinion.

News readers and newspaper editors disagree widely on how comments should be moderated on news websites. It brings up the good point that if editors are expected to avoid anonymous sources unless absolutely necessary, then anonymous commenting should be similarly shunned.

A story over at Wired shows that there is a gap between how newspaper readers and editors think online conversations should be ruled.

DAVIS TO CONTEST WARD FOUR

It is official, there will be a race in Ward Four. Bernie Davis is dipping his toes into St. John's municipal politics. The former Young Liberal President, current CLB Business Manager and all around nice guy released a press statement today. You will read a little more about him in Saturday's Telegram. It is good to see young up and comers making a run for it. He has a good campaign manager and a great network build from community activism and sports organizations. It is his first run at elected office and I expect he will be the guy to watch.

Bernie will be running against Debbie Hanlon. Sam Kelly is expected to join the race as well but has not made an official announcement.

I am still watching the deputy mayor's race. It looks like Ron Ellsworth may get the job by acclamation. A couple of potential candidates are considering a run but money is an issue. It is a city wide campaign and the next municipal election is just over a year away. It is an expensive way to get your name out there. Not to mention the fact that Ellsworth's machine will steamroll the competition. Paul Sears and Ed Hollett have been rumoured to be considering a run. Sears has lots of name recognition and would be able to do okay without spending a lot of money on building his profile.

No new names for the mayor's chair. Surely there has to be an alternative candidate lurking around out there somewhere.

NEWFOUNDLAND GAVE THE CANADIAN WOLF A TUMMYACHE

Colby Cosh has written a tongue in cheek article for the National Post's Canada's Biggest Mistake series.

INCOMPETENCE IS HARDLY THE WORD

What kind of operation are they running at Eastern Health? Interim Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones questioned the Minister of Health and Community Services about a breast cancer patient who only learned only a few days ago that her tissue samples had been retested. Eastern had previously stated that it had notified all patients involved in a review of hormone receptor testing!

CBC is reporting that the women was told by her doctor and it was the first time she had been notified that she was part of the retesting group. So not only has Eastern Health misled the Minister and the Department, they are still misleading patients.

Health Minister Ross Wiseman had been providing misleading information on the number of retests, the number of people impacted and those contacted for much of the past year, based on inaccurate information he received from Eastern.

On a positive note, Eastern Health said chief operating officer Pat Pilgrim is investigating the matter "through a number of avenues." This has got to be the most dysfunctional administrative organization in the world.

OPINION LEADERS - MEDIA DOING ITS JOB

It's not our fault, Danny - we're just the real Opposition
SUE HICKEY

We must be really important, Mom and Dad - honest!

It's not our fault; it's Uncle Danny's.

That's what our premier said, anyway, in relation to the latest installment - complete with swelling organ music - of So Are The Scandals of Our Lives. (Of course the only racy part in that earlier mess was the revelation that MHA Walter Noel spent some of his constituency allowance on ladies' lingerie.)

But this time, the premier was commenting in response to a much sadder chain of events, that being the inquiry into faulty hormone receptor tests.

Because of those faulty tests, many women were denied valuable drugs like tamoxifen, which could have saved lives. Instead, these women lost breasts, lost lives. Children lost mothers and grandmothers. And men entered a second stage in their lives as widowers.

Premier Williams denied allegations that his office sat on pertinent health care information about faulty hormone receptor tests for several months. However, former health minister John Ottenheimer revealed the premier's office was notified in July 2005 of the problems.

But the public only discovered the mistakes through an article in The Independent three months later.

And when the premier responded to a reporter's question at a scrum after he exited the legislature - the reporter had asked, essentially, who is to blame for the testing problems - he did so in an angry tone, accusing print and broadcast media (especially the CBC) for their treatment of the story. Premier Williams even claimed lawsuits aren't out of the question.

The premier and his supporters, however, are forgetting one substantial fact: in this day and age, and especially in a province where dissenting voices are practically nonexistent in the House of Assembly, the media is the Opposition.

We have to be in our province. With just three Liberals and one New Democrat, someone has to provide the voices of questioning or support, sometimes gentle critiquing, and sometimes searing investigative journalism.

Look at what journalists do on a bigger scale. In the United States they helped topple Nixon in the days of Watergate. In our own province, they helped to put the spotlight on clergy sexually abusing boys. Reporters snuck into countries where they put their lives on the line for the sake of giving the oppressed a voice.

And with our own region, we keep our own provincial, municipal and federal representatives on their toes. In a province where the official Opposition doesn't really exist, we have to step in.

With the faulty testing, we reporters have been doing our part to share the results of the current inquiry as they unfold.

One of those is particularly callous, yet sad: a communications officer, Deborah Thomas-Pennell, with Eastern Health in December 2005, described how she had been dealing with queries from a CBC Radio reporter working on a story about delays in retesting at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.

She sent an e-mail to another PR person with this response - "I managed to hold him off until today. That way, the issue should be dead by the time the house opens again next week."

The issue should be dead? Wonder what - or who - else is dead, Ms. Thomas-Pennell?

This is where the "unofficial Opposition" steps in. Like it or not, Premier Williams, the media's handling of stories is what's needed to share them with the public.

If we left those stories in government or corporate hands, they would probably stay there for a long time.

OPINION LEADERS - MI'KMAQ DIVIDED

Making choices
CHRISTOPHER VAUGHAN
The Georgian

It's been quite the Spring for Mi'kmaq people in the province.

The Federation of Newfoundland Indians recently voted to ratify a deal with the federal government that will have them receive official recognition under the Indian Act.

Around the same time, representatives for the Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance were preparing to head back to provincial court to see if they could move ahead with their class-action lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments. [In fact, lawyers representing the Alliance and two other groups are in court this week to argue the merits of moving forward with the case.]

In the lead-up to both the vote and the court case, the Georgian had the opportunity to speak with leaders of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the Ktaqamkuk Mi'kmaq Alliance.

Both FNI president Brendan Sheppard and KMA chief Bert Alexander had a clear passion for the perspectives on what's best for the Mi'kmaq people of the province.

Each man was well spoken, taking time to explain both the big picture and small details. At no point did it seem either man felt threatened by the other.

Rather, they both made the point that they respected each other's viewpoints, regardless of how divergent they seemed to be on some of the issues.

The decision by both men not to take shots at each other was appreciated as the Georgian sifted through the subject matter without wanting to get involved in personal politics.

Around the same time, The Georgian heard from some astute members of the FNI, KMA and other Mi'kmaq people on the state of aboriginal affairs.

However, the Georgian also heard comments heard from other aboriginal people who were far from fair or even rational. On more than one occasion, the Georgian heard about personal vendettas and unsubstantiated rumours when asking people about the FNI agreement-in-principle or the KMA court case.

In our quest for the big picture, we heard from a number of non-aboriginal people, too. Opinions ranged from the genuinely concerned and understanding to the almost unbelievably bigoted and racist.

Now, the Georgian doesn't pretend to be supreme experts in aboriginal affairs. When researching and writing articles, often seemingly basic and mundane questions are asked of the Mi'kmaq people just to get a handle on what it means to be aboriginal in Canada's most eastern province.

However, it's clear after speaking to all the aforementioned groups and individuals that there was/is no easy choice in deciding whether or not to support the FNI's agreement-in-principle with the feds or the KMA's lawsuit.

As the debate is far from over, we would like to help disseminate and clarify some aboriginal issues for all of our readers.

The Georgian is inviting people to write in with their thoughts on what can be done improve and advance the lives of the Mi'kmaq people. To be clear, we're not looking for rants on who disagrees with who, or to publicize malicious agendas solely meant to take a swipe at an enemy.

Rather, we're looking for thoughtful and upfront ideas, perspectives, suggestions, or plans on how the future can be a positive experience for the Mi'kmaq people in our province.

We're accepting your submissions for consideration to be published on our editorial page. Don't worry about grammar or punctuation, we can fix that up. And try to keep your thoughts respectful and clear, so we and the reader can best understand your point-of-view.

Drop off your submissions at our office on Main Street in Stephenville (we're across from Domino Pizza); mail them to P.O. Box 283, Stephenville, NL, A2N 2Z4; fax to 643-5041; or email to editor@thegeorgian.ca.

The future is yours. Be a part of the change you want to see.

NO FLY ZONE

The Combined Councils of Labrador passed a controversial motion at their AGM in March that supports potential Labrador workers flying in and out of the mine site as part of the IOC expansion.

The resolution does not have much support in Labrador West where two towns grew up around the establishment of Iron Ore Mines in the 1960's. The motion has the support of coastal communities but is not flying in Wabush or Labrador City

The issue is turning into a struggle between Labrador West and the Labrador Coast where jobs are desperately needed to sustain the communities. Cartwright-L'Anse au Clair MHA and Liberal party leader is in support of flying coastal Labradorians in and out of the local mine site.
Labrador West MHA Jim Baker says he can't possibly support the notion. "I think it's very shortsighted on the part of Yvonne Jones and the Combined Councils of Labrador to come out and support such an idea." he told the Aurora newspaper.

IOC recently announced a 500 million expansion for its operations in Labrador City.

OPINION LEADERS - THE COST OF ADDICTIONS

Education is always key
The Labradorian

When you say the word "Addiction", most people relate this with illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin or other hard drugs, but the truth of the matter is, there are more people addicted to legal drugs such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, then hard drugs.

Just take a drive by Tim Hortons around 7:30 a.m., and watch as cars line up in the drive through, with drivers in a rush to get their morning fix.

Most people don't think of caffeine as a drug, but it actually is. It's a stimulant that's found in pain relievers, cold medications, coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and other foods and beverages.

A person who consumes two to four cups a coffee per day can become addicted. If you stopped drinking coffee you could experience such side effects as headaches, sleep problems, irritability and depression.

Some long term side effects of caffeine use can include increased blood pressure and urination, tremors, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, decreases iron absorption, nervousness and anxiety.

Alcohol is another legal drug that is widely abuse. A recent study by Health Canada estimated alcohol accounted for $14.6 billion of Canada's total social costs (death, illness and economic cost) of substance abuse.

Health Canada estimates there are four to five million Canadians who engage in high risk drinking, which is linked to motor vehicle accidents, fetal alcohol disorder and other health issues, family problems, crime and violence.

Alcohol can have tremendous effects on judgment, behaviour and attitude. Extreme intoxication can kill. People who are dependent on alcohol can experience such withdrawal symptoms as sleeplessness, tremors, nausea and seizures. Some people experience delirium tremens, or "the DTs," which consists of frightening hallucinations, extreme confusion, fever and racing heart. If untreated, severe alcohol withdrawal can result in death.

Tobacco continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada and accounted for $17 billion in social costs to combat the effects.

A Health Canada report revealed that more than 37,000 people would die this year due to smoking. Of those, more than 300 non-smokes will die of lung cancer and at least 700 non-smokers will die of coronary heart disease caused by exposure to second-hand smoke.

Smoking is responsible for one in five deaths in Canada, which is five times the number of deaths caused by car accidents, suicides, drug abuse, murder and AIDS combined.

Withdrawal effects can include such symptoms as irritability, frustration, anger or anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite, problems falling asleep or frequent waking, slight depression or feeling down.

Some of the health effects of smoking include, lung cancer, heart attack, emphysema, lung disease, asthma, respiratory problems, oral cancer, blood circulation problems, bronchitis, stroke, addiction, yellow teeth, bad breath, breast cancer, poor physical condition, gum disease, high blood pressure, smaller babies, premature birth, wrinkles, allergies, coughing, headaches, impotence, gangrene, dizziness and nausea.

No one is too young or old to become addicted to legal drugs. No one is above the hold that these drugs can have on your system, not doctors, health care professionals or Hollywood stars.

For some, beating the addiction can be done easily, for others it can be a life long battle.

As parents and members of this community, we teach our children about the dangers of illegal drugs, but how many of us don't think twice when handing our child a can of pop or a chocolate bar.

When children ask for more, parents simply respond with "too much will make you sick," which is true, but there is the problem of addiction and the side effects of too much, that should be explained to children.

While illegal drugs continue to be a serious problem in our community, it is the legal drugs that claim more lives in Canada.

Education is always the key, so taking time to do the research and passing along our knowledge will go a long way in helping to combat addiction problems, legal and illegal, in our community.

OPINION LEADERS - KILLER RUTS

Those killer ruts
Where (studded) rubber hits the road
JOHN ADAMS
The Compass Editorial Board

With Opposition members calling for legislation that would require all drivers to buy and use snow tires, and government ministers on the open-line radio telling us about their SUVs being equipped with four studded tires, this might be a good time to talk about safety on our roads.

In particular I would like to target the ruts that in any season can toss your vehicle around like a cork on a rough sea.

After scanning the media I came up with two of the most popular anecdotal causes for these dangerous ruts. The most popular belief was the failure of successive governments to man weigh-scale stations and to enforce load limits, thereby allowing these big 18-wheel transport trucks to run with excessive loads and tear up our highways.

In close second place was a belief in a rip-off by the road construction industry; that is to say road builders were using low quality materials and failing to meet adequate standards.

A couple of other scenarios were suggested, but I didn't judge them to have any significant clump of believers.

What the two main theories have in common is that the blame is being placed on somebody other than you and me, the average driver.

I have to confess I have absolutely no expertise in this area. But if for no other reason than to request a study of the problem I would like to suggest a different cause and present what I believe is credible evidence to support my beliefs.
It is my contention that the killer ruts are caused totally by our use of studded tires.
My response to belief number one (heavy transport trucks) was to actually measure individual ruts at various locations.

When the average rut measured 12 to 14 inches across I have to question how these ruts could possibly have been caused by a transport truck whose track or "foot print" measures 24 to 30 inches across.

It is comparable to suggesting that those rabbit tracks across a bog were left by a 1000-pound bull moose.

As Mr. Spock might say "It is not logical, it does not compute".
In order to present my second observation, I would suggest it is self evident that a vehicle is propelled forward by the friction presented where the rotating tire meets the stationary surface of the road. To use the cliché, "It's where the rubber hits the road". In other words, every law, every principle, every rule and formula that applies to a grinding wheel applies to the propulsion of a motor vehicle on the roadway. When the "grinding wheel" that we call a studded tire has to push a car uphill, it becomes necessary to use greater force, to a point where we may observe slippage.
If the grinding wheel analogy is correct it is logical to expect to find our deepest ruts on the up-grades, average rut depth on level ground and minimum rut depth on down hill runs. It should come as no surprise to anyone that this is exactly what we find on our highways. Coincidence? I think not.
After being convinced by my own travels and observations I turned to the Internet in search of data from stud manufactures, stud pushers and from other jurisdictions.
In 1971, just around the time that front-wheel drive started to sweep through the auto industry, Ontario banned the use of studded tires. In 1985 that province re-visited the issue and brought in legislation that permitted the use of studded tires in Northern Ontario. At one point there was even a movement to ban the use of studs in Sweden, the home of the studded-tire concept.
As might be expected the ban in Ontario and the stirrings in Sweden set off a massive lobby campaign by the stud manufactures, stud sellers and installers. This lobby group argued that studs were not the cause of the ruts, which had triggered the ban in Ontario.

Maybe they took their cue from the tobacco industry, which gave us light cigarettes. The stud manufacturers came up with a cure for the problem. Eureka! The miracle cure was a lighter stud, made in Sweden, of course.
As I mentioned earlier, Ontario banned the use of studded tires at the same time as the auto manufacturers moved from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. Instead of this being a mere coincidence I suspect the Ontario studies would have taken into account the front to rear weight distribution of the average motor vehicle which in turn would impact the "grinding wheel" effect of studded tires. I would also suggest the Ontario study would recognize that in the days of rear-wheel drive only the rear driving wheels would get studded tires. With front drive technology it becomes desirable to put studs in all four tires to compensate for the over-steer tendency of a front-wheel drive vehicle when equipped with studded tires only at its front end.
During a recent drive from Ottawa to historic Old Quebec City I couldn't help but notice that where any rut existed, its depth was directly proportional to my distance from the Ontario border. Again it is logical that Quebecois living close to the provincial border would not use studded tires for fear of running afoul of Ontario's regulations.

There are exceptional situations where studded tires or even tire chains are mandatory, such as Highway 93, aptly named "The Icefield Highway" running north from Lake Louise to Jasper, Alberta. However, such conditions are rare and it is worth noting here that our local RCMP patrol vehicles do not use or endorse studded tires.

Suffice it to say I believe our province could save millions of dollars in highway maintenance costs by banning the use of studs. What is far more important is that we could save lives by eliminating these killer ruts, which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle at any time of year.

John Adams operates a business in Bay Roberts and resides in Riverhead, Harbour Grace. This is his second opinion piece as a member of The Compass editorial board. Anyone who would like to avail of this opportunity to share their opinions on issues of public concern with our readers should contact the editor for more information. 01/04/08

OPINION LEADERS - NORTHERN PEN

Too quick to judge
07/04/08
EDITORIAL
Northern Pen

It was a gut-wrenching and tragic way to open the 2008 sealing season. A small fishing vessel from the Magdalen Islands, under tow by a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker as a result of a damaged rudder, capsizes. Six crewmembers are hurled into the ice-infested waters near Cape Breton - only two are rescued and four are drowned.

Ever since large vessels started taking to the ice in April to pursue seals, the seal hunt has been cloaked in tragedy. The nature of killing seals on moving and unstable ice in the worst of weather conditions makes it one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Yet, that doesn't deter sealers who feverishly look forward to the challenge of taking as many seals as they possibly can in the shortest possible time. In order to be engaged in such a dangerous pursuit, sealers have to be risk-takers and prepared to push the limits of their boats, the conditions and themselves.

What made the most recent tragedy different was the fact that the Coast Guard - and not the weather or the ice - was targeted for causing the death of the sealers. The glare of public scrutiny came down hard on the federal agency, as everyone from sealers who were on the scene, to politicians, and even animal rights groups slammed the Coast Guard for its "reckless" actions. It's the kind of criticism that stings the Coast Guard and the people who work on the rescue and icebreaking vessels. They're professionals, trained to do their jobs to the best of their ability with the resources at their disposal, but more than that, they possess a deep-rooted passion for assisting those who are in distress.

The sealers and the Coast Guard were operating in adverse conditions, with ice and darkness the predominant factors. As with any mishap at sea, the Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the circumstances that will piece together why misfortune struck early on that fateful morning. In advance of the board's report, is it fair for others to judge so harshly the actions of the Coast Guard? Since when did politicians or protestors become self-proclaimed experts on mishaps at sea? If it's determined there were procedures which the Coast Guard or the sealers could have taken to lessen or avert the risk of an accident, that will come out through the course of the investigation and the writing of the recommendations.

Whatever the outcome of the board's report, it's certain there will be significant changes in the definition of the roles and responsibilities of the Coast Guard when it comes to responding to fishing or sealing vessels in distress. That will have a huge bearing on the fishing boats in this region that leave their berths each spring to take part in the seal hunt. Remember the vessels and crews who were locked for several weeks in the grip of thick, unrelenting ice off the northeast coast and the entrance to the Strait of Belle Isle last April? If laws are passed which restrict the Coast Guard in carrying out its duties, sealers may be contemplating taking on even greater risks should they choose to venture into ice-infested waters. Will sealers be prepared to roll the dice and and pit hope against hope that they will be able to return to their home ports without damage to their vessels or, worse yet, loss of life?

They are big questions, none of which can be answered for some time to come. Nevertheless, with reports of heavy ice conditions off the northeast coast and in the Northern Gulf, you can be sure that the tragedy which brought grief to the Magdalen Islands and the fishing community in general will be weighing heavily on those who have an attachment to the seal hunt.

IN THE UN-EASY CHAIR

Reading, watching and listening to the reports coming out of the House of Assembly, the Cameron Inquiry and from scrums with politicians regarding the botched breast cancer tests by Eastern Health has me feeling dazed, confused and angry.

How do we give the government "The benefit of the doubt", keep our heads and wait for the complete story with daily revelations that just boil your blood. Health Ministers kept out of the loop, non-elected officials managing files with lives hanging in the balance and significant briefing notes going unnoticed by the Premier while Eastern Health wasted time covering its ass instead of saving lives. It is all a little hard to take.

Last week I was warning about the dangers of witch hunts and this morning I am looking for the highest tree to swing a rope over!

The government is on the hot seat. As well they should be. The current administration is correct when they say the faulty tests may not have occurred on their watch but the discovery of the depth of this horrible issues did. The premier, his three health ministers and dozens of non-elected officials have at some point or another over the past three years held the balance of life or death for dozens of people in their hands.

It is one thing to say Eastern Health had a plan and we listened to the experts. It is another not to ask questions and demand weekly or monthly updates on how the proposed solutions were working out. Have all the patients been contacted? Why, why not? What are the numbers? What is the impact? Those who had that responsibility and failed to discharge it should be accountable for their dereliction of duty.

In 1985 Federal Fisheries Minister John Fraser was forced to resign his job in disgrace after overturning an order from his inspectors and allowing a million cans of tainted tuna from a St. Andrew's Star-Kist plant to be sold to the public. That is ministerial accountability.

Robert Thompson had it right on July19th, 2005 when he was advised of a major issue brewing at Eastern Health and he said, "One the solution is set in motion, we will expect the Department and the Board to undertake evaluation to determine why this happened." Instead the Department and the government let the arsonists take over the fire department while the fire commissioner stuck his head in the sand.

So we let this thing run its course. Each day we get angrier. Each day we watch politicians deflect blame with threats of law suits and hyperbole. In the meantime women are dying and others are no longer feeling the pain because this inquiry cannot save the dead.

Perhaps it is time someone constructed a wall of shame, photos of those impacted, dead and alive. To remind us that we are not talking about numbers or statistics but mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, co-workers and neighbors.

COPTER ATTACK

I must get me one of these palm sized RC Helicopters. They are tiny and durable. These mini copters can take off from your hand and circle your desk as your co-workers gape in amazement. I can just imagine the reaction.

Full control allows you to hover and turn left or right as your copter moves slowly forward.

We have an on-going battle with mice at the office, so unexpected flying objects could be the final straw.

Looks like a trip to the Source is in my future. Now where is the sound track for Apocalypse Now!

AND YOU THINK YOUR OFFICE IS CLUTTERED

Someone needs a PDA! Now where did I put that phone number?

THE QUEEN'S ENGLISH

English accents are cool or dorky. All depends on your point of view. When I was in university my girlfriend's parents were both English. At first I felt a little lost as they had different vocabulary than I did for a lot of things. After a while I learned that a buttie was a sandwich, spotted dick was a nice dessert and curry was a staple.

Here is a link to English words and slang. Your own inter-Atlantic translator.

JONES SHOWS SHE HAS THE RIGHT STUFF TO DO THE JOB

Just caught an exchange in question period between Interim Liberal Leader Yvonne Jones, Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Patty Pottle from today's question period.

Jones was on target, quick on her feet and showed that her years of experience count for a lot. She wanted the minister responsible for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs to address concerns related to the proposed Mealy Mountain National Park. Apparently the provincial government walked away from a MOU and has been avoiding steering committee meetings for months. At issue is the size of the park. It would appear the province wants a smaller park than originally discussed. This could be for a number of reasons but I suspect mineral deposits and timber stands to be the reason for the change of heart.

Jones asked the question to Patty Pottle. She ducked it. Instead, Jackman who is the first alternate for the Minister responsible for Parks answered the question. Charlene Johnson was not in her seat today. Jones asked the question again to Pottle. Jackman rose to answer the question again. Jones changed the question on the fly, she was not reading it, and forced Pottle to her feet. This must have been Pottle's first answer in the House of Assembly. She was timid and nervous and gave a non-answer. Yvonne went back at her with her original question seeking confirmation that the government wants a radically downsized park. Clyde Jackman jumped up again to provide the answer.

By the way neither minister answered the question asked, which was how much smaller is the provincial position proposing the park be and what areas are they proposing not be included?

The only answer: We are committed to a park in the Mealy Mountains! Yes, we know that but what size of a park?

Of course with only three members, committees, budgets, estimates, question periods, scrums and media inquiries Jones has a tough job and is going to need to muster all the stamina she can find.

LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN.....

So blogging is not an homage to perfectionism but rather an homage to the art of being curious. And while old journalism was hell-bent on being Right and being The Authority, new journalism understands that news is a commodity and opinion-makers are the layer that goes on top of the news to make it resonate. So stop wasting your time in the comments section parsing grammar and start contributing to the discussion. - Penelope Trunk

I swear to god if Ed Hollett ever met the Pope he would tell him how to say mass! Over at the Bondpapers today the ever obsessive nitpicker has decided to pick at typos on Polemic & Paradox, which he does not name but refers to as a "typo-farm."

I admit to my fair share of typos. Sometimes in a rush to get an idea out, I just click my spell checker or press send without taking the time to give each article a through review. You will find the occasional grammatical mistake and a few words that I might have made up. I write on the fly. I think my mind works much faster than my hands. Truth be told, it’s more likely I don’t have the eye for detail. That’s why I always use a proofreader to review my professional copy.

When I was broadcast journalist I made a few mispronunciations as well. The UK declared war on Argentina not Argentia and it is hay-sues not geez-us for Spanish trawler captains, they sail over the water as opposed to walk on water!

My blog is my place for discourse on a range of topics from my passion for board games, my boys, my volunteer work to political and social commentary. It does take a bit of commitment and eats up my spare time but I really enjoy doing it.

So if I have an occasional post that is disjointed, a spelling error or god forbid a mistake in grammar sue me. I would rather worry about throwing an idea out there for discussion or debate. People can usually figure out what I am saying.

Penelope Trunk at the Boston Globe has written a more appropriate response to Ed's obsessive bitching than I ever could.

In summary:

1. Spellchecker isn’t perfect.
2. Spelling has nothing to do with intelligence.
3. You don’t have unlimited time, so spend it on ideas, not hyphens.
4. Perfectionism is a disease.
5. Use the comments section for what matters: Intelligent discourse.

UP UP AND AWAY

I inadvertently beat the system yesterday. Rushing between heritage fairs I stopped for some gas and decided to fill my tank. Apparently, according to my wife, that is a rarity for me. It cost me $7o bucks but today I would have paid 2.o cents a litre more for that same gas.

The Petroleum Pricing Office responded to turbulence in the oil market and raised the prices of all grades of gasoline this morning. Diesel fuel prices are up by 1.5 or 1.6 cents per litre; furnace oil prices by 3.29 cents per litre; stove oil costs are also up by 0.43 cents per litre; and residential propane is up 1.1 cents per litre.

CBC Radio was reporting this morning that prices are higher than they were for gasoline this time last year, and we don't even want to do a comparison on furnace oil.

I keep getting told that stove oil and diesel are the same thing. One has a dye in it. Is this really the case?