The Last Thing They Need

December, 7th, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/worldview/as-bombs-rock-afghanistan-whispers-of-civil-war-grow-louder/article2261589/

The last thing that the country of Afghanistan needs…a civil war. Although it might be the worst thing for that country, it is a great possibility. The Afghan people have been amongst gangs, bombs, and gunfire for far too long. It is a corrupt place with large amounts of poverty and famine. Civil war is almost upon Afghanistan and could be the start of the end for this country. On the morning after the conference, delegates rose to the news that overnight, there had be two attacks killing more than 50 people. They are on the brink of nasty and damaging warfare, if nobody tries to stop or figure away out of this situation. I think that it's time for more than just Canada and the US to step up and try to do their peacekeeping. We were in Afghanistan for about 3 years trying to keep the peace among the different religions, but more specifically the Taliban. We lost many young and good soldiers who gave their lives for the purpose of helping that country and it's someone else's turn. 

Abdullah Khadr

October 28th, 2011

Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/top-court-wont-hear-abdullah-khadrs-extradition-case/article2223937/

A possible suspect for an act of terrorism was let off the hook on a case the US were trying to persecute him in. Abdullah Khadr had been a detainee in Guantanamo Bay because of self-incriminating statements he'd given to the Canadian Court about admitting to being a terrorist. Ottawa ruled that is was wrong to prevent a terrorist from US court. After a lot of conflict and discussion, the court concluded that the US had broken its fundamental justice during Khadr's mistreatment in Pakistan. Typically the Supreme Court never discusses its reasoning…and that's exactly what they did. I feel like Khadr should have gone to trial in the US because of all the terrible history that terrorism has played a role in the US. The United States have suffered greatly from terrorism and its attacks and should always have the chance to put away any suspected or "self-admitted" terrorist".  My biggest fears are things that are real like terrorism, murderers and people who have no regard for anyone's life. 

US Border Checks No More

October 28th, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/us-border-patrol-quietly-halts-routine-bus-and-train-checks-along-canadian-border/article2218354/

The US Border Patrol has stopped its routine bus/train checks along the Canadian border for illegal immigrants. Typically the patrol would board the vehicle and question anyone who might look suspicious. During the period when this check was enforced, they had received many complaints and accusations for racial profiling from immigrants rights groups. This build up of accusations finally caused the shut down of these routine checks lowering the security. Many people may think that this is a step down from what the security needs including Border Protection spokesperson who said, "It's up to the local commander to position his agents the way he wants to position them. What we've done is gone to a risk-based posture".  I personally am impartial to this decision for two reasons; One, because of the image of racial profiling that the bus/train checks create and Two, because in our country we already have many, many immigrants, some illegal, and we don't need any more especially illegal ones. If these immigrants want to come to Canada or the US, they should apply for a citizenship that goes on record for proof. 

Near-Death Experience

October 24th, 2011

Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/rescued-hiker-was-sure-he-was-going-to-die/article2211039/

Have you ever had a near-death experience? If not, then you're lucky unlike Michael St. Laurent, 45, who was found Hanes Valley near Grouse Mountain. If not for chance, he may not have survived. The only reason he was discovered was because a off-duty staff member was out jogging in the Valley.  This is the first case that  have heard of that someone had been so sure of dying. St. Laurent was so positive that he was going to die in the forest that he had written and name and ID on himself to identify the body if he was ever found. He had arranged a self search-and-rescue for himself and gave his approximate position. This story reminds me of the movie 127 hours, where a man gets stranded in the desert with no way out and not much water. His solution for getting out, is amputating his own arm off which I don’t think I could ever do. The suffering and pain that Michael St. Laurent went through while he was stranded on Grouse Mountain would have been unbearable and what he did, calling in a search and rescue, and tagging himself for identification was really brave and courageous. 

Ontario Election Debate 2011 - Healthcare

October 4th, 2011

CBC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbZl_dz3aR8

The leaders of all three of the main parties gathered to discuss and debate on topics and ideas brought to light by the Canadian public. The segment that I am talking about it healthcare, and opinions in investing in the private sector. Each of the leaders had their own view on how it should be handled. Andria Horwath's (NDP) view on the healthcare system is that their need to be major changes in the public system; wait lines are too long, not enough nurses and doctors. She believes in the public, universal healthcare 100% and not in the private sector. Dalton Mcguinty (Liberal) really brought to surface the fact that Ontario has the shortest wait lines in the country. I felt that he sort of avoided the question, rather than directly attest to it by bringing up their support in the auto sector during the recession. He really harped on the fact that the PC party had a huge shortfall on their numbers of 14 billion dollars, and that Tim Hudak had not had an economist look at his numbers. Tim Hudak (PC), I felt, gave a really personal touch to his opinion on the healthcare. He understands how hard the doctors and nurses work to serve the patients of all the hospital, and that there needs to be more of them. He also intends to add more nurse and doctor practitioners. If I were legal I would vote Conservative because of all the high spending and debt that McGuinty has put Ontario in. As Tim Hudak said, "We can't afford another four more years of Dalton McGuinty."  

50/50

October 2nd, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/movies/how-seth-rogen-learned-to-laugh-at-cancer/article2185503/

Seth Rogen, a well-known, Canadian, actor has taught us to see the bright, happy side in a not so bright situation; E.g. Cancer. Seth's good friend, Will Reiser, was diagnosed with cancer and, at Will's expense, Rogen decided to help his friend's situation by adding a little humour to his illness. The doctor's told Reiser that he had a 50/50 chance of overcoming his sickness. Although this wasn't the news he had hoped for, it still gave him the chance to fight-off and overcome the cancer, and with the comfort and support of his friend Seth, he overthrew his enemy. I think that Seth Rogen's view of laughing at the one thing they should be afraid of is a good way keeping everyone's mind off the negative thoughts. I think that he has shown us that you don't always have to down on things that are sad or bad. Thank you Seth for showing us that you can laugh at Cancer. 

Out-Living Your Previous Generations

September 27th, 2011

The Globe and Mail 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/canadians-living-longer-than-ever-statscan-finds/article2181851/

Ever thought you would out-live your extremely old grandparents? Well you just might. According to recent Statscan studies, Canadians are living longer than ever before at 80.9 years old. British Columbia is leading the country with an average life span of 81.4 years, with Ontario and Québec above averages. Typically, women have longer life spans than men. From 1996-1998 it was a difference of 5.6 years, whereas in 2006-2008 it came way down to 4.6 years. I think that this new "discovery" is a good sign that Canadian citizens are taking care of themselves and treating their bodies with respect. It shows that we are not sloppy and generally organized in the sense that we take pride in our health, looks, and hygiene. 

Compensation for Crime Victims

September 25th, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-election/ontario-parties/ont-pcs/hudak-vows-greater-compensation-for-victims-of-crime/article2179399/

The loss of a family member is always a terrible loss, and nothing can fill that void, but when the death of a family member becomes a result of a criminal offense, there is cash compensation from the government. The Liberals allowed the Victim's Justice Fund surplus to build up to 34 million dollars, which means that lots of grieving families were not receiving compensation for their losses. I think that this vow of Hudak's that he will ensure that the money put aside for crime victim's would get to them, rather than grow as surplus, will grab, if not lots then some, the votes of those who have suffered from criminals. This section of government finance if one that becomes personal when people have suffered.

Compensation for Victims of Crime

September 25th, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-election/ontario-parties/ont-pcs/hudak-vows-greater-compensation-for-victims-of-crime/article2179399/

The loss of a family member is always a terrible loss, and nothing can fill that void, but when the death of a family member becomes a result of a criminal offense, there is cash compensation from the government. The Liberals allowed the Victim's Justice Fund surplus to build up to 34 million dollars, which means that lots of grieving families were not receiving compensation for their losses.  

"Phone in one hand, ticket in the other"

September 20th, 2011
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/opp-takes-aim-at-drivers-using-cellphones/article2162204/

"Phone in one hand, ticket in the other" - that is the new slogan for this week's campaign. The OPP are cracking down on texting/talking drivers with fines of $155 if caught using a cell phone while driving. Since the beginning of the month, officers have had to hand out double the tickets and fines than the same period of time in 2010. Even though these have caused already 5, 000 crashes, this month alone, drivers continue to use their phones while driving. I think this is a good thing...in fact I think they should have done this a long time ago. This should be a wake-up call to everyone who talks or texts behind the wheel of a car. These types of distractions are what send people to the hospital and lose lives every month. There is a thing called Bluetooth or "hands-free" which allows people to talk without using there phone to do so. People should invest in such an instrument so that we can reduce the amount of collisions on the roads! Wake up society and realize that you could be putting yourself, your passengers, or other drivers and passengers in danger of a trip to the hospital or worse.

Hudak and McGuinty...Related?!

September 19th, 2011
The Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ontario-election/on-the-hustings/ontarios-mcguinty-and-hudak-laugh-off-their-new-found-family-ties/article2171381/
Dalton McGuinty and Tim Hudak are the furthest from companions, yet somewhere deep down, they share a small connection. If you are not familiar with the website Ancestry.ca, it is a website that, once typed in information, can track down your ancestors and family tree. So, one day, someone decided to plug in both Provincial Governor General candidates, and well whattya know; they're related. Turns out that they are tenth cousins going back all they way to 1655, when Louis Jobidon married Marie Deligny in Quebec City. Both, Hudak and McGuinty, just laughed off this recent news of their newly discovered relation to each other. In other words I doubt this piece of news will affect either of them in the election campaigning, but this will also give the media something to jump on, so be expecting more talk of cousins, Hudak and McGuinty.