Assisted Suicide Revisited

I don’t mean to flag a dead horse here and no pun intended either but with the news a week ago that the woman from Winnipeg who went to Zurich to die by assisted suicide had died, I can’t help but revisit this very sensitive issue.  Read my take on that here.

After reading about her final moments, a few questions came to me.  take this excerpt for example:  In the moments before she died, Griffiths walked, talked and sang with family members in a sunny, warm garden on the Dignitas property just outside Zurich.  So she had all her faculties before she died, right?  So then why spend all that money when she could have done it herself in the privacy and comfort of her own home?

Next excerpt:  “Then Griffiths settled in and took the first of two drinks that would end her life. The first was bitter, so she ate chocolate to temper the taste.” If someone is really dead set on killing themself, do they really care about taste?  And why does it take two glasses of whatever it was?  Why complicate the process?

Coincidentally, I read in the papers today that the founder of the place where Susan Griffiths died, admitted to disposing of the ashes of those that died there by throwing them in Lake Zurich in the dark of night.  I hope Susan did her research.  She wanted to die with dignity but I doubt being dumped into the lake is dignifying.  

Just my take.

Related articles

• Winnipeg woman dies with aid of doctor in Zurich; wished it could have been in Canada (globalnews.ca)
• Susan Griffiths’s final blog entry (cbc.ca)
• Winnipegger’s assisted suicide completed in Swiss garden (cbc.ca)

Tell Ovechkin I’m Sorry

Alexander Ovechkin (Photo credit: davidkosmos)

Done? Me done? With Ovechkin? I don’t think so.  I admit, I was mad at him for his lackadaisical attitude on the ice and it drove me to write that I was done wearing his jersey in public.  I was disappointed in him as he would have been if the situation was reversed.

Soon after writing my blog, ‘Tell Ovechkin I’m Done’,  The Great 8 went on fire!  Six goals and 3 assists in the last five games!  Maybe he follows my blog…  He also got the attention of the league, so much that he was named the week’s first star!  Now that’s my boy!

I watched him play the first of back-to-back games against the Winnipeg Jets.  He was nothing like the ‘drag-my-ass-around’ Ovechkin that I saw in his first game in the city.  He had fire and purpose.   I was happy.  Welcome back sir!

When asked about his turnaround, Ovechkin had this to say:

“I just try to do my best,” Ovechkin said.

“Right now I’m scoring goals and I’m the king of the world. And a couple weeks ago I was almost in the toilet. So maybe you just forget to flush me.”

Sounds like the old Ovie I once knew!  The line ‘I’m king of the world…’ reminds me of my other hero, the great Muhammad Ali.

Good luck Ovie!  Keep on rolling and I’ll keep on wearing that jersey.  If you are not done, then I’m not done, son.

Interestingly,  Oveckin is fourth in the league for goals, (5 less than leader, Stamkos) and his total points are good enough for 10th.  Pretty decent.

Related articles

• Tell Ovechkin I’m Done! (myvuze.wordpress.com)
• Don’t ‘flush’ Ovechkin, Capitals away just yet (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Ovechkin dominant in Capitals’ 4-0 win (shawglobalnews.wordpress.com)
• Holtby, Ovechkin help Capitals down Jets, 4-0 (miamiherald.com)
• Holtby and Ovechkin lift Capitals over Jets (theglobeandmail.com)
• CSN: Oates asks Ovechkin to ‘earn his keep’ (csnwashington.com)
• Alexander Ovechkin: ‘I’m King of the World. A Couple Weeks [Ago] I Was in the Toilet’ (nesn.com)

Monday Musings: Are home-based missionaries irrelevant?

Pardon me here, I don’t mean to undermine or question the good work done by those who unselfishly travel overseas, sacrificing themselves and their families in the name of spreading goodwill and the gospel.   Overseas missions are very important in reaching the hard-to-reach places and bringing them hope.  Saying this, I do however, have some questions.

Recently, I was talking to friend about his church and he boasted to me that they had missionaries in 23 countries around the world.  I casually asked him, with no intent to judge, if they had any in Winnipeg, their backyard.  He thought about it and said he doubted it.  I wasn’t about to start a debate on where and how missionaries should answer their calling but I thought to myself,   “Why does it seem that much cooler to do missionary work abroad than in your own backyard?”  The same thing can be said of adopting.  It’s more trendy to adopt say an Ethiopian child than an aboriginal kid from the reservation.  It even sounds cooler too.  Admit it.  It’s gone Hollywood.

So, is sending aid to poor people in Africa worth double or triple that of giving  our local homeless man or woman money to buy food?  I know many of us do so with altruistic purposes while some of us have personal goals and egos to feed.  but again, it’s not for me to judge and that’s not what this blog is about.

We are usually bombarded with photos and televisions broadcasts of the millions of people starving in the Africa but rarely of the guy down the street.  If I step over that guy to reach out the ones that are across the ocean, would that make me a better missionary?  Is it still considered missionary if it’s only practiced in my neighborhood?  If I don’t adopt my cousin’s kid that she abuses and starves, but instead travel to Uganda to adopt the little girl I always wanted, am I still considered an effective missionary?  Also, is it ok if I maintain the outside of my house, keeping it clean and spotless, while inside looks like it was hit by a tornado?

Just my take.

Related articles

• Living as a Missionary in Your Community (christianitymatters.com)
• The Call to be a Missionary (timothymessenger.com)

Sexual Assault Case Tossed Over Technicality

In yet another gross and blatant miscarriage of justice by our Justice system, a case involving sexual abuse of a minor was tossed out based on a flimsy technicality.  Tossed out like dirty dish water.  If there ever was a right time to yell B**L  S**t! this is it. Totally BS if you ask me.

Let’s talk.  In a nutshell, the victim who was just seven at the time of the alleged abuse, which included fondling and oral sex, is now 17.  She went to the cops with a statement of the incidents when she was 14 but a request by the police to speak to the accused, her mom’s ex boyfriend, was refused.  A warrant for his arrest was served but never executed until 18 months later and that my readers, is where the technicality lies.

The presiding Judge tossed the case out because it took too long.  My question is, would he have felt the same way if the victim was his own daughter?  So now we have a child molester and pedophile out there somewhere probably preying on some other kid as we speak, and a girl who was betrayed by the very system that was put in place to protect her and other kids like her,  from this nightmare.  Unfortunately, because justice was never served, her nightmare will continue.   For her, it would not just disappear because time elapsed.  The judge felt that the accused rights were violated.  Well, seems like this judge has his sense of responsibility all confused.  How about the rights of the young victim? Wanna talk about violation?  The perp violated her and you, your honor, violated her further.

A sex crime against a 7-year old is disgusting and disturbing to say the least.  It is reprehensible.  No technicality should exist that would enable the perpetrator to get off the hook once he’s proven guilty.   Granted, this guy was not proven guilty.  The court never got the chance to prove his guilt or innocence.

Injustice and lack of compassion is what this is all about.  I hope that the victim could find strength to make a full recovery from her abuse and subsequent misrepresentation by a toothless Justice System.

Related:

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/girls-sex-assault-case-tossed-177816061.html

Remember The Soldiers? Or Go Shopping?

November 11 is Remembrance Day (Photo credit: Enokson)

On November 11th, the commonwealth countries will show their respect for the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could enjoy the benefits of living in a free world.   It is recognized as a national holiday here in Canada and up until a few years ago, the entire day was set aside to reflect and remember.

A recent editorial in the local newspaper bore testimony to how even a day such as Remembrance day is no match for commercialization.  The editorial was titled “Sunday shopping affected on Nov. 11″.   Sunday shopping affected?  Affected?  Doesn’t that sound to you as if Remembrance day is intruding on one’s right to shop?  Yes, that’s what I got from that also.

I have always had an issue with the new Sunday shopping laws that now allow stores to opening earlier on Sundays to help those who make shopping their hobby.  Read my blog here.  When a holiday as important as this falls on a Sunday, the least we could do is show some respect and observe it to the fullest.  It’s only one day versus how many days some of these soldiers spent in war zones fighting to make it possible for us to go shopping.

Remembrance day is a great opportunity for us to sit down with our kids and tell them stories about the wars.  Children love shoot em up stories with villains and heroes so we could take advantage of this and spin an interesting story for them.  This way,  the fading memory of our soldiers would never be forgotten when we are gone.

The editorial should have been, ‘Remembrance day halts Sunday shopping’.

Just my take, Lest We Forget.

Related articles

• Vets say bar is ‘sexualizing’ Remembrance Day (lfpress.com)
• Remembrance Day 2014: Calls To Close Shops (news.sky.com)
• Why Wear a Poppy (insidehalton.com)
• Sunday Shopping Affected On Nov. 11
• Shop or Family?

Thursday’s Thoughts: Winnipeg’s Praying Police Chief

A few weeks ago, the City of Winnipeg got its first black police chief when Jamaican born Devon Clunis got the nod for the position.  Devon, who has over 20 years of service, also served as the police chaplain.  Since his selection, his strong Christian faith has been a topic of discussion.

In one of his first meeting with the media,  (A Christian news magazine), Clunis wore his faith on his sleeve and said the following:

EXCERPTS from the ChristianWeek story, New police chief: prayer will play a role in reducing violent crime

– “I’m a little tired of us… being ‘(the) murder capital of Canada,’ ” says Devon Clunis, who was appointed chief of police at the beginning of October. “People consistently say, ‘How are you going to solve that?’ It’s not simply going to be because we’re going to go out there and police it away. I truly believe that prayer will be a significant piece of that.

“What would happen if we all just truly — I’m talking about all religious stripes here — started praying for the peace of this city and then actually started putting some action behind that?” he adds. “I believe something phenomenal is going to happen in our city. I truly believe it’s coming. I don’t think I’ve arrived at this position just by chance.”

– Clunis attributes his success to God. He says he has never asked God to make him a powerful person, but rather he has prayed that God make him a leader who treats people with dignity and respect and who is successful in his endeavours.

– Clunis says at the end of the day, he just wants to give of himself to help the community.

– “God still cares, He’s still involved in our lives,” Clunis says, “and I believe without a shadow of a doubt the only reason that I am in this position is because God is involved in it. Without a shadow of a doubt.”

Yesterday, the media was in a frenzy.  ’Chief urges prayer to fight crime’ was the general headline, his words sadly taken out of context.

Chief Clunis has my support.  I am happy to see a man of strong christian values in his position.  I have seen, read and heard of too many ‘bad cops’ and ‘dirty cops” that I, for the most part, have lost faith in them.   Clunis has given me a reason to have at least a glimmer of hope.

As for using prayer as part of his arsenal, why not?  With Winnipeg the nation’s crime capital, what do we have to lose? And while you kneel in prayer for our city,  don’t forget to say one for Clunis.  He needs our prayers and support and we need him to stay strong in his faith no matter what comes.

Oh, and like him, I also believe that the only reason he’s in this position is ‘because God is involved in it’.

All the best, Chief!  Keep the faith!

Just my take.

 

Related articles

• Winnipeg police chief proposes prayer to help combat crime (cbc.ca)
• Winnipeg police chief says comments on prayer and crime misconstrued (ctvnews.ca)
• Combat crime with prayer urges Winnipeg police chief (metronews.ca)
• Local Hero: Devon Clunis preaches the power of prayer (stjohnscathedral.ca)
• Winnipeg police chief to speak to media (cbc.ca)
• Police chief ‘misconstrued’ on controversial prayer statement (theglobeandmail.com)

Takes of A Background Extra. Take One.

Yesterday, my wife and I spent the better part of the afternoon and evening on the set of the sequel to a popular horror series.  We signed a waiver not to divulge any information on or about the movie so I’m not saying what it was.

I enjoy studying people and how they interact and react in their environment, so as I sat in the extras holding area waiting for our call to the set, I watched and listened. Some of the extras walked around as though they were the main actors and actresses on the set.  They spoke to their friends and other extras about the amount of calls they got and who they met.  I thought, who cares? You are still just an extra.   

Then we were told that a ‘big actress’ was going to be in the movie so we were not only supposed to keep mum on that bit of info but also stay away from her. Have no contact, verbal or otherwise.  I thought, Really? I hate to break it to you people but I’m here for the money, not the fame. My ship has sailed.  When I finally saw her, neither her name nor her face rang a bell anyways.

We were herded like cattle from set to holding and back by a young punk who looked like he was there to impress his bosses.  He kept shushing us as we sat in on a courtroom scene even though the only sound came from the crew people.  Maybe he shouldpay more attention instead of seeking more attention.

Our first snack consisted of sandwiches.  I hate sandwiches! But I ate a tuna sandwich all the same and hid a roast beef sandwich just in case.  I hate sandwiches! I am serious!  Five hours after that, we were called to lunch/supper.  I could smell the hot food aroma before I entered the room and rubbed my hands in anticipation.  It was not for us.  It was for the crew and extras who were part of the ACTRA. (Extras were automatically members if they had a speaking part.  No matter how small or insignificant).

So the crew and the important extras, were treated to lasagna, rice, salad and the works while we were given a bagged meal.  It consisted of a sandwich. AGAIN? an orange, a cookie and a small sample-size bag of chips.  I felt like a kid again.  I later watched as the leftover lasagna was taken to be tossed.

In the hallways outside the set, a table was decorated with bananas, coffee, apples and other nice snacks.  Right across from the table was a water fountain.  We were only allowed access to that.  Talk about teasing and tempting…I suddenly had a craving for a banana.

A female from the production crew told us to wait in room 214 but while we were walking there like docile cows, we were turned back by another crew member who told us to retreat to where we were.  It’s amazing how no one found all this irritating.  No one complained about anything. Not the food, not the herding, not the shushing, not the kids talking to grown and respectable adults as if they were stupid children.  I didn’t understand it.  Put them in a car and try to tell them where to go and you won’t hear the end of it.  Is it the chance to feel like they are part of something? Rubbing shoulders with the elite? Bragging rights? I don’t know.  I was ready to tell this guy where to go with his, “Go here, go there, don’t talk, don’t move.” You can take your job and shove it! You young greasy hair, lasagna-eating punk!

After all that, I will do it again and again because  I love the feeling of rubbing shoulders with the elite and feeling like I’m a part of something.  I also know that the food does not always come in a brown bag.  So see you on the next set!

Bus driver gives own shoes to homeless man

Official logo of Winnipeg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In Winnipeg, the daily news is scary.  Stabbings, muggings, shootings, all sort of acts of violence and criminal activities.  That all changed yesterday when a transit driver pulled over, abandoned his bus and gave the shoes off his feet to a homeless man.  What a selfless act!  The good Samaritan did not want the accolades that would accompany such a gesture and has opted to remain nameless.  If only we could duplicate this, what a wonderful world it would be.  Apparently, his passengers were moved to tears by what he did.

Note:  (Sept. 21 update) Bus driver Kris Doubledee finally came forward to admit he was the good Samaritan.  His story gained worldwide media coverage and this morning, he will fly out to New York to be on CBS This Morning. I hope his story helps to awaken something in us that drives us to do selfless acts.

Related articles

• Winnipeg bus driver gives his shoes to man in need (cbc.ca)
• Food for the Soul: Hey Bus Driver … (sagehaven.wordpress.com)
• Dying Man’s Daily Journal – I could do something (hudds53.wordpress.com)
• Video: Winnipeg bus driver gives shoes to barefoot man (theglobeandmail.com)

Disrobed Judge faces disrobing

In a case that is taking the country by storm and putting my city on the map, but not in a good way, a local judge is on the hot seat defending herself against allegations that she knowingly hid her spotted background during the screening process for her job.  She failed to disclose the naked truth about herself, so to speak.

The story has more turns and twists than a bait worm contorting on a fish hook.   Apparently Jack King uploaded his wife’s photos sans robe, on a website without her knowing.  She did however, knowingly took the pics but had no idea what became of them after that until she got the call from Hugh Hefner.  Just kidding, jeez, can’t a guy have some fun with this?

Jack also tried to coerce and twist the rubber arm of a brother, (As in black guy) Alex Chapman, to get him to engage in some hanky panky with him and his unsuspecting wife, in her chamber perhaps?  Alex at first had no issue with  seducing ‘your honor’ but later voiced objections, which were sustained.  Anyways, cash was exchanged and a confidentiality agreement was signed by Alex to keep mum about the nudes and the offers Mr. King made to him.  After all, risqué photos never come back to haunt anyone.

This all happened in 2003.  Time passed and the potentially lethal volcano lay dormant but still highly explosive.   (Wow! Did I just wax poetic there or what?) then in 2010, it exploded.  Alex, sill harboring thoughts of what could have happened, decided that he could maybe squeeze some more money out of this situation.   He tried to sue Lori and Jack  on the grounds of sexual harassment and the resulting investigations and court hearings got us to where we are now.  Read it here for yourself or Google the sordid circus act.

So Jack the lawyer, moonlighting as a Hustler photographer, was ordered by whoever lawyers report to, to pay a few thousand dollars for his major part in all of this.  His practice was left intact.  His law practice that is.   Not sure if he’s still practicing photography and solicitation.  His wife, who still maintains her ignorance, is faced with losing her livelihood.  The scales of justice seems a bit unbalanced here, doesn’t it? Or is it just me?  Jack started this whole mess and that’s all he got? I guess his buddies at the law firm didn’t know Jack.

I realize she may be lying through her teeth but her husband confirmed that she was not privy to any of his dirty deeds past the  nude photos taking.  It is difficult to prove that she did indeed know so it boils down to her word against the judiciary council’s and if it doesn’t fit, then they must acquit.  Right? Isn’t that how it works? If not, what do I know? I am not a law student but it sure did work for OJ.

When asked if there was anything in her background that would reflect on poorly on the judiciary,  Lori was quoted as saying, “Well this one time at band camp…”

ORDER!

 

Related articles

• Judge’s lawyer calls for sex scandal inquiry to fold – CBC.ca (cbc.ca)
• Internet nudie judge faces inquiry Monday (lfpress.com)
• Husband of Manitoba judge in sex scandal set to testify (cbc.ca)
• Christie Blatchford: Jack King falls on his sword over nude photos of judge wife (fullcomment.nationalpost.com)
• Inquiry into judge sex scandal to resume in Winnipeg (cbc.ca)
• In Canada, it’s dandy for a judge to pose for nude bondage pics (fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com)

Beheading monster to be given greater freedom

Four years ago,  a sick man, Vince Li, took the life of an innocent fellow passenger on a greyhound bus.   It was one of the most gruesome cases to ever take place in Manitoba as the victim, 22-year-old Tim McLean, was stabbed, beheaded and cannibalized.  Read here.

The sheer shock value of the crime was enough to warrant the public and even myself, to call for revenge of kind.  Li was found not criminally responsible for the murder due to insanity and was placed in a psychiatric institution, much to the chagrin of many.

To add insult to injury,  Li, who according to his doctors, has been responding very well to his medications, is being recommended for greater freedom.  This basically means that he would allowed to go on escorted walks. (A police would be present). Click here for full story.

The public say nay but I say yay.  Why not? Li has done something bad, very bad.  Something most of us would never wish to have done to anyone we remotely know.  The evilness of it makes us crave revenge and revenge only, but Li did it because he was sick and needed help.  He had no hate for his victim. He was driven to do what he did because of a wiring problem in his brain.  Should he be made to pay for the rest of his life? No matter how much he suffers, the fate of Tim McLean would be the same.

Mental illness is serious and it is real.  There are potential Vince Li’s walking among us.  It could be me and it could be you.  I would hate to lose my life as I know it for a crime I have no recollection of committing.  Wouldn’t you?  As bad as this may sound, if the killing of Tim helped Li to get the treatment he needed and maybe thus saving him from killing more people, then he did not die in vain.

Maybe I am a little sick to see it that way but it’s my take, popular or not.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Related articles

• Doctor asks bus beheading hearing to allow Vince Li escorted trips into community (thestar.com)
• Review set for man who beheaded bus passenger (ctv.ca)