As a rookie Yorkton Chamber Director, I had the opportunity to witness my first ever local provincial candidates forum a couple of weeks back. Unfortunately, the only candidate running against Greg Ottenbreit who opted to take part was Liberal Aaron Sinclair.
I give him full marks for getting up in front of a lot of people and absorbing the questions that Ottenbreit, clearly, was more schooled on. Sinclair had to know going in that he’d be overmatched, but for a first time potential politician, I was impressed with his honesty.
What I was not impressed with was the NDP candidate’s no-show appearance. To me, if you are not serious about trying to win the riding, don’t embarrass your good name by letting it stand only to get a shellacking at the ballot box.
I wonder if people who have the NDP candidate’s lawn signs up are actually aware of the minimal effort put in to take part in this very important part of the campaign.
The debate last week between Brad Wall and Cam Broten fell short of its potential. When you have two people talking over one another, all you end up hearing is the one you ‘want’ to hear. And, that’s no good. It doesn’t give the political leader of either side much of a chance to win over someone who hasn’t made up his or her mind.
I will say it’s easier for the challenger no matter what political stripe he is because you can focus on what government has done wrong rather than what you can offer as an alternative.
We saw this federally in October and, I think, there are a number of Canadians who wish they could have their vote back now that it’s the end of March.
Jian Ghomeshi was found not guilty last week in his assault trial, stemming from allegations made by two women who, legally, were made out to be liars by the judge. I think the one point I want to make when analyzing this case is that any contact these women had with Ghomeshi after the incidents was overblown. The judge made it sound like because these women continued to seek Ghomeshi’s attention after the alleged assaults, they were willing participants and consented to his rough behaviour.
My opinion on that is that a battered wife will continue to stay with the husband and do all of the things you may expect in a ‘normal’ relationship, including love her husband; but this does not mean she consents to physical abuse.
I’m not an expert in this field, but it isn’t a stretch for me to think these women liked a lot of things about Ghomeshi and did want to be with him, but that does not mean they consented to the rough play. I think they were attracted to many of his other qualities and that was a factor in continuing to communicate; but that doesn’t mean the women weren’t assaulted. Just my opinion, but I think self-esteem is an issue with these women.
I do find it curious that Ghomeshi was smart enough to keep emails from a few years ago. If you don’t have a guilty mind, why keep these at all?
I also am suspicious that his stuffed teddy bear seems to have disappeared. He seemed to have a certain infatuation with it, wanting it in the room during his ‘activities’.
Remember, there are other women out there who came forward, anonymously through the media, but did not press charges. I can see why now.
Perhaps my favourite television show ever was Prison Break. It seems like I’m not alone in this regard as the series, over for the last seven years, is making a comeback this Fall.
My understanding is that there will be ten episodes and just about all of the main characters have agreed to come back.
The only one I haven’t seen committed yet is William Fichtner, who played Alex Mahone. Everyone else is back, including Paul Adelstein (Kellerman).
Major League Baseball’s regular season begins this Sunday and I don’t see any reason why the Toronto Blue Jays shouldn’t be odds on favourites to repeat as American League East division winners.
The one point of caution is that they have two very significant free agents at the end of the year in Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.
My advise would be that if their situations cause a distraction early on, to fish or cut bait immediately. Don’t drag the matter out like the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets did. When you have your two best players working (playing) under a dark cloud of uncertainty for a prolonged length of time, it can take a toll in the win column.
The Yorkton Terriers have a hole to fill in their marketing office as long time SJHLer Don Chesney resigned last week. He opted not to provide an explanation, but it sounds like he wants to continue working in a sales capacity.
It would be wise for the Melville Millionaires to reach out. To my knowledge, the Mils are the only SJHL team who doesn’t employ a paid office worker.
This has Chesney’s name written all over it. As far as the Terriers go, I hope they are able to find someone who can pick up where Ches left off, but it won’t be easy. Economic times are not the best, but the cost of doing business in junior hockey continues to go up.
Nice person mentions to Curtis Stepp, Aaron Kienle, Rob Hart, Marty Sharp, and Mike Malayney.
