Whoever writes press releases for Air Canada should get a raise. I think every media outlet that I tuned into on Sunday used the term ‘hard landing’ when referring to the Halifax airport crash late Saturday night. Fortunately, there were no fatalities and all injuries sustained were not believed to be serious. The question I have is what is the difference between a ‘hard landing’ and a ‘crash landing’?
The Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons spent the weekend debating the conscientious refusal policy, which states a doctor can decline to provide a service, such as a blood transfusion or an abortion, but they would be required to refer that patient to another doctor or nurse. Originally, I had no problems with this. But, now that I’ve had time to reflect on it a little deeper, I wonder where the line is drawn. If Canada is a country that allows abortions or blood transfusions, then as a practicing doctor you are required to carry out those duties. If certain requirements go against your personal moral beliefs, then there are plenty of other jobs out there.
Saturday afternoon, the Boston Bruins went down to one goaltender as starter Tukka Rask headed for the showers after the first period, suffering from dehydration. To get a second keeper on the bench, the Bruins dressed 50-year-old consultant Bob Essensa just in case Niklas Svedberg got hurt during the final two periods. I’ve asked around and, apparently, I’m in a very minority type of group that thinks dressing 50-year-olds is a joke. To me, hockey is a team game just like baseball and football. In baseball, you see a few times a year that a regular fielder has to come in and mop up a game by pitching an inning. In football, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a non-quarterback come in and play significant time; but teams do have a receiver or a player from another position that could fill in if an emergency arises. To me, you strap the goalie gear on a regular teammate and he goes in if the situation warrants. If a team lost four defensemen to injury over the course of a game, a couple of forwards would drop back.
Hopefully there are grander plans for the former Terry Ortynsky Royal Ford dealership site. I recall a plan of seeing nice RTM homes set up with a makeshift front yard and flower arrangements. For the longest time, there was nothing and now it looks like a lumber yard. I’m sure that’s not the long term plan and I’m sure the City of Yorkton will be vigilant at making sure beautification bylaws are upheld. I’m just saying that to a guy that knows nothing, it appears as though a lumber yard is being created in downtown Yorkton.
Global TV decided to stir the pot on Sunday night by airing an hour-long investigation into the training RCMP received prior to the June 2014 shooting in Moncton that left three officers dead. The feature actually concentrates on the lack of training RCMP receive to prepare officers for an active shooter situation. While I feel there can never be enough training, I think it’s also just as likely that Global would have thrown the police under the bus had they ended up killing the shooter and not lost three valuable lives. Law enforcement never wins when a media outlet comes in a year later and plays the hindsight game.
There’s a video circulating about a Regina cop who kicked a man during an arrest in 2012. What I see is a police officer getting out of his car and a suspect making an attempt to charge at him and the officer defending himself before the man can get the first shot in. He kicked him once, and then cuffed him. Is there something wrong with that? Those with keyboard courage, including a judge, would tell you he should have waited to get assaulted before kicking the man. That, of course, is poppycock. Fortunately, the ruling was overturned. The officer, in the meantime, was fired from his job but has been rehired. Thanks for the support.
There has been a lot of news items lately regarding cruelty to animals and I am a big proponent of harsh penalties to people found committing such heartless and gutless crimes. Some people say ‘they are just animals so why penalize them as bad as if it was a person’ and the answer is simple. Animals like dogs and, especially, cats are unable to defend themselves. They rely on people for their well being. If you don’t wish to care for your pet, there are plenty of avenues to explore before torturing the poor thing.
I’m often late to the party when it comes to television programs, but The Blacklist has to be the best drama on, currently. The Shield is a show that’s about fifteen years old and went for eight seasons that I’m, just now, figuring out is a classic.
Nice person mentions this week to Dave Esslinger, Gary Gawliuk, Jackie Roberts, Colby McConnell, and Scott Shiels.
