Accidents and Tragedies: The New Form of Lottery ???

Today I read the story from CBC online about the call from not ONE, but TWO law firms in Ontario for passengers who were on the VIA train on Sunday that derailed in Burlington and tragically killed three VIA employees.

(CBC.ca story: VIA derailment passengers sought for class action)

While part of me remembers the old example of a bus accident in the US that had dozens upon dozens of people stepping up in a class action lawsuit following an accident. I don't remember the specific story, but it was essentially a bus with a dozen or so people was involved in an accident, but when the EMT folks showed up there were several dozen people on board the bus, and ALL of them had 'injuries' requiring attention. The fly in their lottery dreams was the onboard camera that was able to identify the actual people ON the bus when it had the accident, and those who rushed on following the accident ... I've never read how the class action suit turned out on THAT one, but I would hope the Bus Company launched one for FRAUD.

But in this case, a tragic accident has happened, and even before the tracks are cleared and restored the lawyers are circling ... they truly illustrate the bad joke about lawyers chasing ambulances !!!!

People are entitled to some level of compensation for their suffering and losses they may experience from their injuries and the trauma the event represents. BUT, too often though, these moments become like a lottery with people wanting to sue for HUGE cash settlements that are out of proportion with the actual accident itself.

We have moved into a very litigious era in our human history. Years ago when someone slipped and fell they would get up and walk it off. But today when someone slips and falls the threat of a law suit is real and immediate ... the potential for devestating court findings is no longer a remote possibility, but increasingly it is becoming a certainty.

Am I the only one who thinks that this is just WRONG???

If there is negligence, I'm all for ensuring it never happens again. But too often these class action suits help ONLY to put money in the pockets of the law firms, and don't do much other than leave some people wealthy and others losing services as settlements bankrupt businesses and organizations AND drive insurance costs through the roof.

These class action suits are NOT a lottery.

When it comes to something like a plane, a train or a bus, we ALL end up paying when the business passes its losses on to the consumers.

When it comes to a business or an organization, we ALL end up paying through the loss of services, and/or the increase in the cost of insurance which drives up what we pay ourselves, and drives up what we pay for goods and services as business models require that cost to be passed on to users.

The bottom line is simply this: THIS AIN'T A LOTTERY, why do we continue to allow class action law suits that are clearly about cash rewards, not addressing dangerous situations and preventable tragedies?????

Makes me think about the old joke: What do you call 100 lawyers drowning at sea??

A GOOD START.

I have respect for many in the legal profession - but modern ambulance chasers deserve ONLY contempt !!!

Life in Comics ...

Anyone out there remember Northstar? The first superhero to boldly step out of the closet and reveal his sexuality by admitted that he was gay in the early 1990's only to have the story line down play it until societal tolerances changed ??

Today on CBC it is reported that Archie's world is about to become a little more inclusive with the arrival of Kevin, an openly gay character who reveals his orientation in the above exchange with Jughead (see the story here).

Personally, I think this is great, though it will no doubt cause concern and fear amongst those who are uncomfortable with notion of gays and lesbians being a normative part of the human family. I can even see Pastor Phelps and his Westboro loonies standing outside 7/11s and comic conventions bearing enormous signs saying "God Hates Archie!!"

I do however, find this story interesting given the veiled threats of death and violence against SouthPark creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone who have offended some Muslim extremists by their outlandish and boundary pushing humour ... On one hand I applaud the ability of our comic and cartoon industry to push the envelope and tackle issues that others fear to confront (remember when SouthPark had the Boxing match between Jesus and Satan? or when they introduced the gay relationship between Satan and Sadaam Hussein?) What better way to promote tolerance and respect, then to have our two dimensional worlds show us the foolishness of our ways ??

It's a sad state of affairs when the tolerance of the cartoon/comic universe is curtailed by the fear of offending those who are close minded ... if the lessons of Salman Rushdie have taught us nothing else, it has taught us the importance of protecting, promoting and encouraging FREEDOM of EXPRESSION and not letting the threats of violence curtail openness, tolerance and inclusion ... if we can't speak of religious themes and if our comic books fail to reflect the diverse rainbow reality of our society, then we are failing to live the very values we claim to support and promote.

"CAR !!!"

Okay - there is simply nothing I can say about this beyond - SERIOUSLY ???

On CBC today The Current had a discussion about the story out of Quebec about a father fighting a seventy five dollar fine that he and his kids received for playing STREET HOCKEY!!!

(click here to read the story: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2010/03/23/montreal-street-hockey-fine.html)

There are bylaws against kids playing in the street in our country!

This is one of those moments when you really have to wonder what the heck our politicians and bureaucrats are thinking ... no scratch that, they clearly ARE NOT THINKING. In a time when we hear over and over the concern about obesity among our youth, and the levels of inactivity amongst our young people is reaching epidemic proportions, this is unbelievable ... we want our kids to exercise and be active, but then we have by-laws that prohibit the most Canadian of ALL outdoors activities - STREET HOCKEY !!!

I can remember as a kid when we used Burritt street in Stratford as our Hockey rink ... Rick, Bruce, Dave, Paul, Steve, Karen and any others who came along were part of the ever changing circle of players ... there were days we hit the icy pavement not long after dawn, and played long into the night ... when it got dark we moved our nets closer to the street lights and played in their glowing cone !!

We would head home for lunch only when called repeatedly by our parents, and we would take snack and refreshment breaks by heading over to Joe's Pinto ... keeping score wasn't as important as keeping the game going ... and the cry of "CAR !!!" and the necessary relocating of the nets to let the intruding vehicle pass was simply part of the game ...

Like the commentators on The Current said - "every street has it's grouch" ... unfortunately, we seem to live in a world where the desire to appease these grouches has prevailed, and our legislative decisions have disempowered those who chose to have spontaneous, low cost and healthy fun ...

Man ... this is unbelievable ... makes me want to start a campaign of civil disobedience ... organize a National Street Hockey Day that fills our streets with kids, nets, sticks and frozen tennis balls - all in the name of Nationalist Pride !!

Hmmm ... might be an idea ...

Tequila and Tantrums ... the Travelling Conservatives !!

It's appropriate and somehow apt, that as I write this about 14 blocks away, Mr Harper is wow'ing the local Conservative Constiuency (the white, middle class vote) with his presence in the Wheat City ... he's the first sitting PM to visit since 1997, when Jean Chretien made an appearance.

Thus far voices that would criticize, or critique Mr Harper and his visit have largely been silenced and quelled ... can't have Mr Tweed's grip on the riding questioned, can we??

I like Merv, our current MP, and I think he does a good job for this riding - but - his leader, our PM is someone who needs to remember that criticism and critique is part of the Canadian political landscape. There is a reason why we have Her Majesty's LOYAL Opposition - you can be loyal and opposed simultaneously. Democracy, particularly in the Parliamentary tradition demands the full and vigorous debate of issues from two (or more) sides - not just the blind adherence to the Party line, regardless of where that party falls.

So, to honour Mr Harper's visit to our fair city today ... I would offer the latest installment of the Conservative Watch feature I've implemented here ... This go round presents some absolutely fascinating and amusing examples of the Conservative Party and their utter failure to live by the principles they claim to promote:

I have yet to tire of Ms. Guergis and the soap operatic happenings in her life ... first her hubby gets caught for a variety of offenses while driving one night north of Toronto, then in a single week he gets a slap on the wrist by pleading to lesser charges while the BIG charges are quietly dropped, AND Ms Guergis herself reportedly has a infantile melt-down in the airport in Charlottetown ... but the story isn't yet finished ... I really like Rick Mercer's take on this from his latest rant (click here to read Rick's take on this) - but the cherry on the sundae in this is the little news item that slipped by largely unnoticed this week that announced that the benevolent Ms. Guergis has elected NOT to sue the airline, the employees or any one else for defamation and a violation of her privacy for leaking details of her tantrum. My only reaction is - WTF ??? This only strengthens the contention that Ms Guergis needs to resign her post as Cabinet Minister and spend sometime getting her life in order ... (click here to see CBC's story - Guergis Won't Sue Airline Over Tantrum Details)

Then, not to be outdone, Minister Blackburn - the Veterans Affairs Minister for the Conservative Government tries to circumvent the security screening AND argues with the security personell at the Ottawa airport while travelling last month ... the goal Mr Blackburn seeks?? The exemption of his bottle of tequila from the confiscation we ALL face should we violate the rules. CBC's report on this is amusing and unbelievable ... it would appear that he actually wanted them to let him carry the bottle on board in violation of the rules, THEN he asks them to hold the bottle for him when he returns, and when is unreasonable requests are refused, he then becomes combatant ... personally, I can't help but wonder if an encounter with a tazer might teach some of these MP's a touch of much needed humility ... Obviously though, Conservative MP's are showing the perils of travelling ... (click here to see the CBC story - Blackburn sorry for airport tequila incident)

And finally, on the "denying democracy" front, we have two interesting stories that are floating around out there that cast into doubt the willingness of the Conservative Government to face the people and run a democratic AND transparent process ... First is the 'oops' story of the Police in Saskatoon congratulating themselves at keeping Mr. Harper safe from nasty protestors on a recent visit. Rather then letting protesters exercise their DEMOCRATIC rights of free speech within earshot of the PM, the police kept them out of the way lest, Mr Harper be EMBARASSED. Nice job Officers - you spared Mr. Harper embarassment in the moment, but managed to embarass the hell outta him across the nation - GOOD CHOICE !!

And then, the Afghan detainee issue still won't go away ... this week the Opposition parties asked for a Parliamentary ruling on the request for documents that the Government keeps stonewalling on ... this week no less then three cabinet ministers invoked the phrase - "relevant documents" when addressing the issue in the House of Commons. I might have read far too much Brecht in the past, but moments like this cause me pause and make me wonder what back room pep-rallying has been done to maintain the party line??

Moreover, citing 'national security' concerns when it comes to the House of Commons is complete and UTTER crap. At the end of the day, the House of Commons is the sole entity responsible for National Security - the Prime Minister and his Cabinet answer to the HOUSE.

Looking back over this week, I can't help but wonder if Mr. Harper sees how bad his government is looking with each passing week ... Maybe he should crack open the beer he just got from President Obama, and spend a 'good ole Canadian style weekend' watching hockey, debating politics and getting back in touch with reality, because right now the Conservatives are showing themselves amazingly out of touch ...

A NEW Feature - "Conservative Watch:"

Today I noticed a little story on line that mentioned Jason Kenney's office demanding the exclusion of any mention of Gay and Lesbian rights in the recently republished handbook being given to all new immigrants. Initially, Minister Kenney had tried to dismiss the absence of something so central to the political and social experiences of many Canadians by saying it was simply an editorial oversight, then when Canadian Press learned his office formally ASKED for the omission of any mention of these rights, Mr. Kenney offered up excuses that are both lame and insulting.

As I read this article and the revelation within that Mr. Kenney's office had also appointed a long standing Conservative who has very publicly opposes both same sex marriage and equal rights for gays and lesbians to the Board over seeing refugee claims I couldn't help but wonder what happened to the transparent processes that were promised by Mr Harper prior to his ascendancy to the throne ???

Moreover, I started to think about the many quiet little actions being undertaken by the Conservative Government since Parliament was prorogued for the Olympics ... the list I came up with is pretty long ... AND with the House of Commons due to return this week, it is worth putting ALL of these stories in one place for folks to think about them, and whether our Government is seeing to OUR best interests' or whether they are simply trying to keep themselves in power ...

So, in honour of the pending return of Parliament, I would like to offer the stories I have found that should be considered as we evaluate the job Mr Harper and his merry band are doing in Ottawa ... there are more then a few stories that should cause us to pause and ask - WTF ???

For now, here's what I found with a reading of the CBC, CTV and MSN news sites today

- Mr Kenney and the quiet mention of equality rights for gays and lesbians in the new immigrant handbook

- Mr. Baird quietly raising the airport security costs to be paid by travellers just prior to the pending budget that has been promising "NO NEW TAXES" ... reminds me of the first Bush - remember?? "read my lips - no NEW taxes" ... just increase the old ones, and pass off user fees to pay for stuff as a non-tax solution ... a tax is a tax whether it is called a user fee or not !!

- Ms Guergis' now infamous temper tantrum ... seriously, this one is like shooting fish in a barrel ... I will actually just leave it alone ...

- Mr. Bernier expressing the need for skepticism on the issue of Global Warming ... yeah, tell me that Mr Bernier doesn't represent the dominant opinion of his party ??

- Mr. Harper continuing to appoint senators while we still WAIT for his promised Senate reform that would put an end to political patronage appointment ...

- the awarding of 25 MILLION dollars to build and maintain wilderness trails across Canada - a noble project on the surface, until you realize that OVER a third of that money has been given to Snowmobiling clubs to build and maintain their trails ... hmmm, a couple of issues arise here - one is the whole global warming-greenhouse gas thing ... second is the issue of snowmobiles and the environment and the third is - isn't this simply a straight and blatant attempt to win votes ???? I mean - who is represented in the sledder demographic ???

- speaking of government funding - the Feds have announced the provision of 9.4 BILLION dollars for infrastructure funding - again a noble goal designed to get the economy rolling (almost a socialist ideal) - when it is matched by funding from all three levels of government it amounts to over 27 BILLION dollars being invested into the Canadians economy ... the problem arises with the lack of transparency in the whole process and the preference SHOWN to Conservative ridings over regions, areas and ridings that have been hardest hit by unemployment and job loss ... even something as helpful as infrastructure funding has become a political patronage opportunity !!!!!

- and today the Conservatives are already becoming belligerent on the issue of the Afghani detainees ... there is a formal request for information and paper work to allow us to get to the bottom of this, and the Conservatives are already stonewalling ... Come on Mr. Harper - with the stories of a soldier in Afghanistan allegedly executing a wounded Taliban soldier, the murder-rape investigation in Trenton, and the murder investigation here in Brandon, our Military deserve to have the truth revealed!!! The issue of mis-treatment of the detainees is not reflective of our troops in Afghanistan - the issue is about the BUREAUCRATS and their political task masters. Mr Harper - support our troops and release the necessary documentation to get to the bottom of this issue !!!!!

So, there you have it - a partial list of the questionable things our Governing party is up to while Parliament takes a break ... stay tuned. Conservative Watch is about to become a regular column here ... in addition to raising questions about the actions of our Government, Conservative Watch will also be about advocating for issues like housing, poverty and homelessness to be raised in political circles. I don't expect everyone to agree with what I might post here, but I will raise issues that pop up in the media and might otherwise slip away under-noticed.

For now ... I wonder if Mr Harper even realizes how bad lists like this look for him and his government, and if he does realize if he even cares ...

I guess time will tell.

A study in what Ahimsa is NOT ...

The exchange went something like this:

Social activist, "we are practising Gandhian non-violence ..."

Me, "um, no you're NOT."

Social activist, "yes we are. We are practising Gandhian non-violence in our opposition to what is happening in the woods ..."

Me, "um, NO YOU'RE NOT. The first principle of Gandhian Non-violence is NO HARM, and you're causing harm all over the place ..."

Social Activist, "No we're not causing harm ..."

Me, "There are families divided - brothers not speaking to each other, fathers disowning their children ... the community is divided by anger and hatred ... that is not only HARM, it is the most visceral form of violence. YOU are NOT practising Gandhian non-violence ..."

Social Activist, "We have members of our team who have studied Gandhian Non-Violence with Dr. Graham McQueen at McMaster University ..."

Me, "So have I ..."

And there the exchange ended ... a community remained divided ... and when the meeting broke up I had a half dozen environmental activists descend on me like jackals on a carcass insisting that THEIR take on Gandhian Non-Violence was indeed consistent with the teachings of the Mahatma, and that I was wrong to dub the damage being done to the community, to families and to individuals as VIOLENCE ... they were insistent that they were not responsible for the anger that welled up in a community as they engaged in their acts of "non-violent civil disobedience". They likened thier actions to that of BOTH Gandhi and King ... I shook my head and suggested they need to go back and read the lessons offered by these great men, because when you are harming the very people you are claiming to help you are not embodying anything close to Ahimsa nor Satyagraha as envisioned by the Mahatma.

After that the activists tended to avoid me ... and the lawyers for the Forestry Company they were fighting called me to learn more about the McMaster programme and the writings of the both Gandhi and King ...

Today I thought of that exchange in Bella Coola almost a decade and a half ago as I read the coverage of the riots in Vancouver, CBC Coverage here: Anti-Olympic rioters smash Vancouver Store Windows and the foolish insistence that they were merely acts of "civil disobedience."

I don't think so.

I agree with those voices on all sides that are condemning the actions of these yahoos and hooligans who mask themselves with anonymity and engage in violence while purporting to champion the cause of the poor, the homeless and the otherwise marginalized.

Tossing a garbage can through the window of a faceless corporation is an act of violence ...

Breaking windows and looting are acts of violence ...

Rioting in the streets, even for the most just cause imaginable is an act of violence ...

I applaud the restraint of the Police who have met these demonstrations with surprising restraint ... and I applaud the BC Civil Liberties Union that has condemned the violence.

The cause of helping the marginalized and the homeless might well be just and right - but the facts being cited by those organizing these violent protests is unfortunately suspect at best ... and in the process they cross the line of "no harm" on many levels ...

They are causing harm to business owners ... they are causing harm to themselves and the peace officers charged with keeping order ... and in the long run they are causing harm to the very people they claim to be helping ... how many hearts are hardened to the poor and homeless by what has been seen in the media?? How many donations of time, money and resources have been truncated by the senseless violent actions of people who are not interested in real and lasting help to the marginalized, but only in grand standing for their own egos?

No harm means doing something meaningful and tangible to help those you claim to be speaking for ... breaking store windows hurts not only the cause you champion, it hurts those who need help to begin with ... and it makes us all look bad.

No harm means NO HARM any where ... the demonstrations in Vancouver like those in Bella Coola are harming everyone, and the well heeled children of privilege who have appointed themselves as spokes people for the marginalized are the last to realize this ...

In the meantime ... poverty continues ... the Games continue ... the majority of people are left angry about what they've seen.

There is a better way to address poverty and homelessness that remains consistent with Gandhian principles of non-violence ... but it means working tirelessly away from the spot light and the media glare ...

MY Olympic Protest ...

I seriously can NOT believe that the International Olympic Committee is asking the Aussies to remove a Boxing Roo flag from the balconies of the Athletes' Village in Vancouver (click to read the current CBC story) ... the reason cited is that the symbol is a TRADEMARKED symbol and is therefore in-eligible to be displayed at an Olympic Venue ...

Really???

Between VANOC and the IOC the grip they have on reality is a fleeting thing ... the marketing juggarnaut has been nothing short of OBSCENE, and then there is the whole "made in China" fiasco that includes the marketing of Made in China "authentic" Cowichan wool sweaters available at HBC locations everywhere ...

I for one am SICK of the whole Olympic Hype. I am interested in the success of Minnedosa's Kyle Parrot who is appearing in FOUR speed skating events ... and I hope our athletes do well, but as for VANOC and the IOC - I say a pox on all their houses ... they've lost sight of what the Olympics are supposed to be about ...

It's about the competition ... the whole higher, stronger, faster, further bit ... but the Olympics today are about profit, marketing and control ... I yearn for the days of Eddie the Eagle Edwards, and the Jamaican Bobsledding team that showed us what the Olympics are supposed to about ... unfortunately, the rules have been changed and the standards have been set and the joy of competiting has been replaced by the marketing juggarnaut's desire to squeeze every last penny out of the events ...

So, to the Aussies who in thier own indomitable way have reminded us what's important - I say "Cheers Mate !" ... I wish there was an outlet in Brandon that sold Aussie flags bearing the boxing Roo - I for one would proudly hang it in front of my house and wear it as my personal protest against what the Olympics have become ... I'm all for competition and doing the best you can ... sadly though, our modern world is about being the best, the first and winning gold at all cost ... Thankfully there are still voices out there who remember what the Olympic Spirit is !!!

Richard Colvin is WRONG ...

He's ALL over the news and media in Canada today.
He has been labelled a "whistle-blower" by the press.
His allegations have been the latest cause celebre in Ottawa.

The Conservative Government in Ottawa is doing EVERYTHING he can to sully his character, question his motives, and refute his allegations about the abuse and torture of detainees in Afghanistan.

The Media has found his source is the Red Cross, his information WAS conveyed to the appropriate members of the chain of command, and there is evidence to suggest that his allegations have validity.

The Government and the Military is suddenly singing a parallel tune - almost NOTE for NOTE ...

And today on CBC Radio's morning programme The Current guest host Susan Ormiston gathered three former Canadian Diplomats to speak on the topic of Diplomats who have had their careers ruined for standing in the role of 'whistle blower' and identifying corruption, and problems in the service of the Government.

As I listened, I couldn't help but laugh at the futility of trying to change a bureacracy like the Government ... today we see what happens when a lone voice dares to stand up and say - "there's a problem" ... instead of responding in a way that is open and willing to investigate the problem and seek a just and lasting solution, the Government, like ANY good bureacratic institution, rallies to villify the lone voice ... Instead of opening up the conversation and hearing the voices, they instead say - "he had his opportunity," "there was no undue pressure to be silent" and other nonsensical statements that ring hollow to ANYONE who has had ANY experience in a bureacracy that is under threat.

The JOB in a bureacracy is to "DO YOUR JOB" ...

It ALL sounds remarkably familiar ... when confronted with a toxic, politically charged bureacratic chain of command the status quo - the proverbial party line MUST BE MAINTAINED. The image of "everything is fine" must be supported. The notion that there are problems are anathema ...

It's ALL about secrecy and censorship ... it's ALL about denying the reality of the situation and painting a pretty picture in warm pink fuzzy terms that villifies those who will NOT tow the party line, and who dare to speak out - even if it is an appropriate, and democratically sanctioned setting ...

Mr. Colvin is simply wrong ... he spoke of things that are best hidden away, and NOW the Foreign Affairs department will slowly push him out of the civil service, and end his career. The villification that we've heard from Minister MacKay, Prime Minister Harper, Senator Wallen, and others will slowly continue and expand, and his career will be OVER.

No one likes a whistle blower ... no one like to have the harsh light of reality shone into the dark hidden corners where toxins, corruption, petty politicking, and bullshit lingers in a bureacracy ... listening to the three career diplomats I heard echoes of voices I've heard over the years within the Church ... every bureacracy is ultimately the same - it will protect itself no matter what, and any one who discovers cracks in the foundation, or imperfections in the paint, or concerns in the construction - WILL BE DEALT WITH swiftly and harshly ... the only difference between the Government and the Church is we expect these things from the Government, while the Church purports to be a place of JUSTICE and FAIRNESS.

Richard Colvin is wrong ... he should have "grown up", "moved on," "let it go," "stay silent," and all the other phrases those anonymous voices in the Church keep lofting at me ... no one likes to hear the truth, especially those insecure frightened people cowering in bureacracies ... they will stop at NOTHING to silence the voices that dare to utter a truth that is uncomfortable to hear ...

From where I sit ... Colvin is a hero ... he is standing up for the work our troops are doing on the ground in Afghanistan, and wanting the values of freedom, justice and democracy (and ALL the other things we've wrapped in the flag) to be maintained ... otherwise, why are we in Afghanistan any way??

... the story continues ...

Burger take out in Kenora ...

There have been numerous occassions that I have witnessed LAVs from CFB Shilo driving around the highways and by-ways of WestMan with the soldiers sitting in the various turrets and openings on those massive vehicles enjoying an Iced Capp from Tim Horton's ... I remember being in Minnedosa one afternoon when an entire convoy of Military vehicles including LAVs stopped at the Coop for slushies, pop and chips ... so, this story on CBC doesn't surprise me at all ...

According to the story on CBC this afternoon, a Military Chopper set down in the baseball diamond across the street from the A&W in Kenora and one of the pilots walked over to get a take out order of burgers combos !!!

Hey - let's not forget that the men and women in uniform are men and women first and foremost ... if they were flying around Kenora and got hungry, they had to get food somewhere !!! Too bad they didn't have a "fly-thru" !!

Check out the story at - "Military Chopper Lands for Kenora Burger Take Out" on cbc.ca