ARE YOU WATCHING THE PUKE SHOW ON TV?
Every Fall we are blessed with a scintillating array of new television programs that make their debut. I have become instantly enthralled with a wonderful Canadian production called the Perpetually Uninteresting Kanadian Election or PUKE for short. It is a game show where contestants compete in a series of bizarre contests to become Crown Prince (or Princess) of Kanada, based on the voting by fans.
This year’s four contestants only known by their pseudonyms, to protect their true identity and prevent potential libel suits against me , are Mr Apology, Mr Happy Roundface, Blackbeard and Granny T. This short television series runs for only forty day (thank the Lord) and the royal personage will be crowned on October 21.
The first competitive event is the Race to Dud, more specifically called the Race to Dig Up Dirt. Each candidate and their team must delve into the entire life time of each of their opponents to determine the most repugnant and disgusting elements they can find. Did they march in a Gay Pride Parade or not? If not, why not? Have any of them made any anti (fill in the blank) comments about any race, religion or creed in their lives or in their dreams or daydreams. They must dig as deeply as is humanly possible. The best dirt dug, wins the most points.
The next event scheduled is the always anticipated televised debate. The country comes to a standstill awaiting the duelling dialogue, the crisp conversation and the enthralling interaction of the four superior minds of the Fab Four, (unless one is a no show). Fearless finger pointing can earn extra rewards and if all candidates can manage to all speak at once for over thirty seconds, bonus points are awarded to all for their endurance, stamina and poor manners.
This wonderful TV series winds up with the most fascinating element of competition over the last three weeks - The Promise Parade. Each of our four sterling competitors attempts to construct a basket of promises that the electorate will find impossible to turn down. Promises can be either subtraction or addition items. We will scrap the GST or reduce the income tax to middle class Canadians or eliminate the carbon tax. I am veritably drooling already!
As fascinating as the subtraction elements are, the additional initiatives are overwhelming. We will arrange for free canoe trips for all Canadians every summer in a national park. We will increase the child allowance to those with, and for those who are thinking of having, seven children, no questions asked. We will provide free drugs, medicines, pampers - baby and senior, wheelchairs and hair implants for any Canadian who votes for me. We will provide free rides on any Greenpeace ship and you only have to pay one garbage bag of recyclable cans. My head swoons as I try to make an informed decision on who to vote for! Their promises boggle my mind!
In the final show on October 21, at 9 pm EST (10:30 in Newfoundland) one of our four fearless candidates will be selected to be Crown Prince or Princess! The winner will be elated with their victory, the new Lexus first prize, the all expenses trip to Sandals resort in the Jamaica, and a lifetime supply of gummy multivitamins.
The three second place finishers will grudgingly offer their congratulations and slink off on a consolation prize trip to Disneyland to begin plotting their strategy for the next season of PUKE. The winner will send back photos, wearing traditional Jamaican beachwear and dreadlocks , and promising to recall parliament when the weather warms up in March. You and I will suffer withdrawal from the conclusion of the PUKE show and be forced to watch either Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune to bring us down from our election season high.
And life will go on, with little change! The dirt will have been swept back under the rug, the debate will be a distant non-memory and the promises will be delivered - soon - but don’t hold your breath!
What ever happened to great television shows like Car 54 Where Are You and Mr. Ed, The Talking Horse?
Monday, September 30, 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
WHY DO WE PICK ON POLICEMEN AND TEACHERS?
WHY DO WE PICK ON POLICEMEN AND TEACHERS?
Very often, if we read a news story, the central figure in the story is usually just identified by name. Unless you are a policeman or a teacher. If a teacher or police officer might be caught for a DUI offence, the name and profession of the individual is highlighted. Why do we pick on these two professions in particular?
Police officer Joe Blow was stopped for driving with a breath alcohol reading of over .08, the standard for excessive drinking. Or Calgary primary school teacher Jane Jones was sentenced to community service for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. What does their profession have to do with the news story? Have you ever seen a headline such as, “Dentist Dr Tartar, was sentenced to a month’s probation for failing to yield in a school zone.” Or, newscaster Billy Babble was charged with failing to remove the snow from his sidewalk for the fifth time.
For some reason, teachers and police officers, have been singled out by the media to be held to a higher standard of behaviour than the average citizen. In daily life, teachers are often the target of public criticism for doing little work and having long holidays and police are often disdainfully referred to as pigs. But when it comes to them acting in ways that are commonplace to the rest of the population, they are singled out for criticism.
Did you hear where six police officers having coffee in a US Starbucks, were asked to leave, by the barista, as their presence was making one of the customers nervous. It’s true! On the other hand, I bet you didn’t hear of the three policemen who paid for the shoplifted food in the bag of a poor women who was penniless and was hungry? We use very different standards for reporting news when we know the profession of the news makers! Report the bad and ignore the good.
If the offence committed by either group is related to their job responsibilities then identifying their profession is fair game. If a teacher might inappropriately strike a child, their teacher status is relevant and should be identified. If a police officer uses excessive force in shoving an arrested person into a squad car, it should be reported as well. Priests should be identified if they violate a child, but we do not need to highlight anyone’s social position if they violate a non smoking bylaw.
I am just assuming that the media believes that identifying the profession in a news item will help sell more newspapers or attract more viewers. That is the primary reason for singling out my fellow teacher friends or my police neighbours. It is not really fair, but there is little that I can do to prevent it. I wouldn’t want to read a headline the reads, “Former Calgary Catholic school principal slams the media for biased and sensationalized reporting!”
Very often, if we read a news story, the central figure in the story is usually just identified by name. Unless you are a policeman or a teacher. If a teacher or police officer might be caught for a DUI offence, the name and profession of the individual is highlighted. Why do we pick on these two professions in particular?
Police officer Joe Blow was stopped for driving with a breath alcohol reading of over .08, the standard for excessive drinking. Or Calgary primary school teacher Jane Jones was sentenced to community service for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk. What does their profession have to do with the news story? Have you ever seen a headline such as, “Dentist Dr Tartar, was sentenced to a month’s probation for failing to yield in a school zone.” Or, newscaster Billy Babble was charged with failing to remove the snow from his sidewalk for the fifth time.
For some reason, teachers and police officers, have been singled out by the media to be held to a higher standard of behaviour than the average citizen. In daily life, teachers are often the target of public criticism for doing little work and having long holidays and police are often disdainfully referred to as pigs. But when it comes to them acting in ways that are commonplace to the rest of the population, they are singled out for criticism.
Did you hear where six police officers having coffee in a US Starbucks, were asked to leave, by the barista, as their presence was making one of the customers nervous. It’s true! On the other hand, I bet you didn’t hear of the three policemen who paid for the shoplifted food in the bag of a poor women who was penniless and was hungry? We use very different standards for reporting news when we know the profession of the news makers! Report the bad and ignore the good.
If the offence committed by either group is related to their job responsibilities then identifying their profession is fair game. If a teacher might inappropriately strike a child, their teacher status is relevant and should be identified. If a police officer uses excessive force in shoving an arrested person into a squad car, it should be reported as well. Priests should be identified if they violate a child, but we do not need to highlight anyone’s social position if they violate a non smoking bylaw.
I am just assuming that the media believes that identifying the profession in a news item will help sell more newspapers or attract more viewers. That is the primary reason for singling out my fellow teacher friends or my police neighbours. It is not really fair, but there is little that I can do to prevent it. I wouldn’t want to read a headline the reads, “Former Calgary Catholic school principal slams the media for biased and sensationalized reporting!”
Thursday, September 26, 2019
DO WE NEED BILINGUAL SEATBELT BUCKLES?
DO WE NEED BILINGUAL SEATBELT BUCKLES?
One of the many groups of people who really aggravate me are those who try to take advantage of a situation for their own profit. Conmen and their get-rich-schemes seem to be reported regularly. Seniors and the aged are often targeted with schemes to get them to invest their money or pay for fabricated income tax claims. Recently a couple from Ontario tried to repeatedly charge Air Canada with violations of Canada’s Official Languages Act.
Air Canada has been ordered to pay a French-speaking couple 21,000 Canadian dollars and write them a letter of apology for violating their linguistic rights. The couple complained that some signs on a domestic flight they took were only in English, while others gave the French version less prominence. A judge ruled that the airline had breached Canada's bilingualism laws.
I don’t know about you but I have several thoughts on the decision. First of all, I don’t know where the figure of $21,000 came from. Did the judge just pick it out of the air? Secondly, what difference would the absence of the French version make to the couple? Is the Official Languages Act designed as a national policy or a chance for people, who have too much time on their hands, to look for loopholes?
I became even more indignant when I read that the couple argued that the word "lift" was engraved on the buckles of their seatbelts in English, but not in French, and French translations of words such as "exit" were in smaller characters. They also said the English-language boarding announcement for their Montreal-bound flight was more thorough than the French version. If that is not the definition of “picky”, I don’t know what is.
My ire continued to escalate when I read the Ontario couple, Michel and Lynda Thibodeau, (and I think their names should be plastered everywhere) filed 22 complaints against the airline in 2016. These people are not concerned with an Official Languages Act violation, they are the equivalent of ambulance chasing lawyers. They are playing a game and it appears that so far they have won $21,000 for their efforts.
They are the equivalent of the telephone conmen who scare the elderly with threats of facing a criminal charge unless the comply with the caller’s demands. In fact, it is not the first time the couple have accused the airline of violating their linguistic rights. In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that they could not sue Air Canada over a mistaken drink order on an international flight and would have to settle for an apology.
How much court time has been consumed and wasted by these two individuals? I would suggest that a court order be issued so that if either party again applies for settlement against the Act, that they be charged and fined with being a public nuisance. Or preferably, sent to Devil’s Island, where I understand all of the signage is in French!
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND WHAT IS NOT, ANYMORE?
WHAT IS APPROPRIATE AND WHAT IS NOT, ANYMORE?
In recent days, two incidents have crossed my bow that had to do with the concept of what is or is not appropriate, in the public purview. It made me wonder what has happened to any standards of acceptability or unacceptability. Let me explain.
In the first incident, a Calgary man on a recent tour of the Senate was told to remove a shirt that displayed his support for the oil and gas industry. William Lacey, a chief financial officer for Steelhead Petroleum Ltd., wore a shirt which said “I (heart) (maple leaf) OIL & GAS” during a tour of the Senate. He was swiftly taken aside by security and told to either wear the shirt inside-out or leave.
“The security guard looked at me and said: ‘Excuse me sir, I'm going to have to ask you to remove that shirt.’ And I looked and him and I said: ‘Excuse me?’ And he said: ‘Yes, you're going to have to remove that shirt because some people may view that as being offensive,’” Lacey was told the Senate prohibits political messages in the building, including those on clothing.
His response what that the logo on the shirt was not a political message but simply a supportive statement for the industry in which he works. He judiciously turned the shirt inside out and was allowed to continue his tour. A simple solution to a non-issue. At least in my mind.
My second incident occurred when I chose to drop in to a Gay Pride Festival that was recently held in Calgary. I was curious as to what would be on display. There were about two thousand people at the venue, many curiosity seekers like myself, genuine supporters, and hundreds of members of the LGBT community.
The festival comprised about 100 acres with three beer gardens, several musical stages, dozens of food vendors and numerous information booths from various social agencies. The LGBT participants were decked out in their rainbow paraphernalia with flags, banners, wigs and enough unusual costumes that the event seemed to be a pre-Halloween or Masquerade Carnival event. There was a lot of milling about and the LGBT participants seemed to be pleased and proud to display their individuality and uniqueness.
Everything was fine, until I saw THE sign! A sign that caused me to stop cold for a moment. On a two by three foot cardboard sign held skyward on a stick, I read the message “Love is Love”, and just shrugged. Then the woman carrying the sign turned it around and I read “ Don’t kill animals, eat pussy”. I am a pretty tolerant individual, but the latter sign made me angry.
The sign was totally inappropriate to be paraded about in a public park where there were numerous young children also in attendance. I thought it was completely unacceptable and pondered if my 12 year old granddaughter had been with me and asked what the sign meant, how would I explain it. I think that the woman(?) holding the sign should have been made to remove it, if not by the police who were “chaperoning” the event, but more appropriately by the LGBT community itself.
If the LGBT community want to continue to appeal for tolerance, acceptance and understanding, then they had better clean up their act. If someone thinks that a sign on a t-shirt that says “I love Canadian Oil and Gas” is offensive, the second sign was not only offensive, but disgusting and totally unacceptable! We obviously no longer have standards of what is socially appropriate and acceptable. Very sad, indeed! How do you feel?
Sunday, September 22, 2019
WHO IS THE WORLD’S SMARTEST PERSON?
WHO IS THE WORLD’S SMARTEST PERSON?
If you were asked to select the “Smartest Person Alive” the names of Gates and Buffet and Bezos might be near the top of the list for many people. I would like to nominate former Major League baseball player Bobby Bonilla who played from 1986 to 2001. So why is Bonilla my nominee for the “Smartest Person Alive” award? Let me explain.
In 2000, the New York Mets agreed to buy out the remaining $5.9 million on Bonilla's contract. However, instead of paying Bonilla the $5.9 million at the time, the Mets agreed to make annual payments of nearly $1.2 million for 25 years starting July 1, 2011, including a negotiated 8% interest, until July 1, 2036. Of course the next question is why would they agree to pay more than 25 million dollars over time, instead of $5.9 million up front?
While Bonilla might be nominated as the smartest person, the management of the New York Mets baseball team has to assume the dumbest (or perhaps greediest) collection of business minds in baseball. Mets ownership was involved with a Bernie Madoff account that promised double-digit returns over the course of the deal, and the Mets were poised to make a significant profit -- if the Madoff account delivered. It did not. Consequently, Bobby will be cashing in until he is 72 years old in 2036!
On July 1, 2019 Bonilla collected a check for $1,193,248.20 from the New York Mets, just as he has since 2011 and will again every Canada Day until 2036. But that is not the end of the story. Bonilla negotiated a second deferred-contract plan with the Mets and Orioles that pays him an additional $500,000 a year for 25 years until 2039! That will add another 12.5 million dollars to Bobby’s petty cash drawer. He not only hit the jackpot once, he hit it twice! Now that is what I call really smart!
Bonilla is not the only baseball player to outsmart management over the years. Pitcher Bret Saberhagen, who most people don’t remember, is being paid $250,000 a year again from the Mets for 25 years until 2039. Manny Ramirez, who has not played for Boston since 2008, will continue to collect $24.2 million total from the Red Sox through 2026. Anyone who can negotiate to collect millions of dollars for decades without doing anything whatsoever to earn it, has to be considered not only smart, but it probably elevates them to genius status!
Come to think of it, I have been paid thousands a year for 22 years to stay at home and not go to work. Although my money is called a pension, it is kind of Bonilla-esque! Perhaps someone might like to nominate me!
Thursday, September 19, 2019
WHAT’S THE VALUE OF “VICTORY PARADES”?
WHAT’S THE VALUE OF “VICTORY PARADES”?
Throughout the year, some team in all major sports wins the championship. Within days of the final victory, the city of the winning team hosts a victory parade usually in the downtown core. Why?
The obvious answer, of course, is that it allows fans the opportunity to cheer on their victorious heroes and share in a celebration. Really?
Recently, the Toronto Raptors, won the NBA championship and Toronto hosted the traditional victory parade. It was estimated almost a million fans descended on downtown Toronto to view the parade and a reception for the team. From a personal point of view, there is no way I would try to fight my way to the event and have to contend with the traffic and congestion that would be caused by shutting down most of the roads in the city core for at least half a day. Subways and buses would be jammed and it would be a dogfight to get anywhere near the stage, where the event was held. Would you want to do that?
If you were just willing to find a location on the parade route, it might be a little less crowded but there would still be hoards of people. Just as in Calgary for the Stampede Parade, you would find yourself, for what could be hours, waiting for the parade to pass your vantage point. The players in the Raptor parade rode on the top of buses or trucks waving at the thousands of spectators. Within five to ten minutes the parade would have passed and you would then be required to try to escape downtown along with thousands of others. Sound like fun?
Those “blessed” with a standing location in front of the stage would then witness a rather boring couple of hours of introductions of players, team staff, owners, and league officials. Be still my beating heart! My observation is that nothing really meaningful happens as most professional athletes are not known for their eloquence or carefully articulated speeches. Is this rather mindless exhibition worth attending?
As hoards of readers prepare to chastise my perspective as being curmudgeonly and lacking team and city spirit, I defend myself by asking what is the cost of this non event. When a major city shuts down its core, all businesses and schools generally close as well. Can we afford to let the 80% of children who don’t attend the parade miss school for this rather lame reason? I don’t think so! What are the clean up costs of sanitizing the downtown area after hours of intentional and unintentional litter? Thousands of taxpayer dollars!
Let’s face it - a championship celebration is an unnecessary event. The victory has been won, the parade is a boring drag, and the whole thing could have just been a televised event from a TV studio! For the millions who watch pathetic reality TV shows already, a televised studio based Victory Party would fit right in. Bah! Humbug!
Throughout the year, some team in all major sports wins the championship. Within days of the final victory, the city of the winning team hosts a victory parade usually in the downtown core. Why?
The obvious answer, of course, is that it allows fans the opportunity to cheer on their victorious heroes and share in a celebration. Really?
Recently, the Toronto Raptors, won the NBA championship and Toronto hosted the traditional victory parade. It was estimated almost a million fans descended on downtown Toronto to view the parade and a reception for the team. From a personal point of view, there is no way I would try to fight my way to the event and have to contend with the traffic and congestion that would be caused by shutting down most of the roads in the city core for at least half a day. Subways and buses would be jammed and it would be a dogfight to get anywhere near the stage, where the event was held. Would you want to do that?
If you were just willing to find a location on the parade route, it might be a little less crowded but there would still be hoards of people. Just as in Calgary for the Stampede Parade, you would find yourself, for what could be hours, waiting for the parade to pass your vantage point. The players in the Raptor parade rode on the top of buses or trucks waving at the thousands of spectators. Within five to ten minutes the parade would have passed and you would then be required to try to escape downtown along with thousands of others. Sound like fun?
Those “blessed” with a standing location in front of the stage would then witness a rather boring couple of hours of introductions of players, team staff, owners, and league officials. Be still my beating heart! My observation is that nothing really meaningful happens as most professional athletes are not known for their eloquence or carefully articulated speeches. Is this rather mindless exhibition worth attending?
As hoards of readers prepare to chastise my perspective as being curmudgeonly and lacking team and city spirit, I defend myself by asking what is the cost of this non event. When a major city shuts down its core, all businesses and schools generally close as well. Can we afford to let the 80% of children who don’t attend the parade miss school for this rather lame reason? I don’t think so! What are the clean up costs of sanitizing the downtown area after hours of intentional and unintentional litter? Thousands of taxpayer dollars!
Let’s face it - a championship celebration is an unnecessary event. The victory has been won, the parade is a boring drag, and the whole thing could have just been a televised event from a TV studio! For the millions who watch pathetic reality TV shows already, a televised studio based Victory Party would fit right in. Bah! Humbug!
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
SO YOU THINK LIFE IN PRISON IS EASY, EH?
SO YOU THINK LIFE IN PRISON IS EASY, EH?
Recently, actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison for her role in a massive college admissions scam. Huffman, who was accused of spending $15,000 to have the scam's mastermind boost her daughter's SAT scores had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She is not spending her time in a hard core prison like Alcatraz nor breaking rocks on a chain gang in Georgia. She will probably be incarcerated in a local prison. And boy is she in for a rough time!
Your intrepid blogger has found a copy of the Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, California Admission and Orientation handbook. From this 73 page manual I present some of the restrictions that will be place upon Huffman’s daily life. Read further, only if you have a strong constitution.
Some of the rules and regulations include:
Baggy pants and excessively large shirts are not acceptable. Khaki shirts worn underneath sweat shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Khaki shorts may be worn after 2:30 p.m. and on weekends
Hand holding or other physical contact between inmates is not allowed.
Clothing items may not be black or navy blue.
Inmates may have one completed hobby craft item in their room and one project in progress.
Inmates may shop in the commissary Monday-Wednesday during the lunch hour, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Inmates may shop only ONCE a week.
Beds must be made and the room inspection ready by 6:30 a.m. each workday. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, the beds will be made prior to 10:00 a.m.
Removal of food from the dining room is not permitted, with the exception of one piece of fruit.
Lobby televisions may be viewed on the weekdays after 4:30 a.m. and until 8:45 p.m.
When moving to and from showers, robes with undergarments must be worn. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Inmates are not allowed to feed the wild life; animals or birds.
Caps are to be worn appropriately. Caps will not be worn to the side, backwards or inside any building.
Sun bathing for FCI inmates will only be allowed on the sun decks. This will occur during weekend and holiday hours only. Sun decks will be open after 4:00 p.m. on Friday until Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Personal towels will be permitted on the sun decks. No sheets, pillows or blankets are allowed on the sun deck. Proper attire for sun bathing consists of a shirt and shorts, which must be worn properly.
I don’t know about you, but I find the conditions are a little harsh and don’t know if Huffman will be able to cope. No black or blue jeans, only shopping once a week and able to sunbathe only on weekends! This is cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion. She will probably cave under all of the restrictions, but if she can cope, you can be assured that she will integrate back into society completely rehabilitated and a far better person, after her two week incarceration!
Nobody said that life in the Big House was going to be easy!
Recently, actress Felicity Huffman was sentenced to 14 days in prison for her role in a massive college admissions scam. Huffman, who was accused of spending $15,000 to have the scam's mastermind boost her daughter's SAT scores had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. She is not spending her time in a hard core prison like Alcatraz nor breaking rocks on a chain gang in Georgia. She will probably be incarcerated in a local prison. And boy is she in for a rough time!
Your intrepid blogger has found a copy of the Federal Correctional Institution, Dublin, California Admission and Orientation handbook. From this 73 page manual I present some of the restrictions that will be place upon Huffman’s daily life. Read further, only if you have a strong constitution.
Some of the rules and regulations include:
Baggy pants and excessively large shirts are not acceptable. Khaki shirts worn underneath sweat shirts must be tucked in at all times.
Khaki shorts may be worn after 2:30 p.m. and on weekends
Hand holding or other physical contact between inmates is not allowed.
Clothing items may not be black or navy blue.
Inmates may have one completed hobby craft item in their room and one project in progress.
Inmates may shop in the commissary Monday-Wednesday during the lunch hour, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Inmates may shop only ONCE a week.
Beds must be made and the room inspection ready by 6:30 a.m. each workday. Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, the beds will be made prior to 10:00 a.m.
Removal of food from the dining room is not permitted, with the exception of one piece of fruit.
Lobby televisions may be viewed on the weekdays after 4:30 a.m. and until 8:45 p.m.
When moving to and from showers, robes with undergarments must be worn. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Inmates are not allowed to feed the wild life; animals or birds.
Caps are to be worn appropriately. Caps will not be worn to the side, backwards or inside any building.
Sun bathing for FCI inmates will only be allowed on the sun decks. This will occur during weekend and holiday hours only. Sun decks will be open after 4:00 p.m. on Friday until Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Personal towels will be permitted on the sun decks. No sheets, pillows or blankets are allowed on the sun deck. Proper attire for sun bathing consists of a shirt and shorts, which must be worn properly.
I don’t know about you, but I find the conditions are a little harsh and don’t know if Huffman will be able to cope. No black or blue jeans, only shopping once a week and able to sunbathe only on weekends! This is cruel and unusual punishment in my opinion. She will probably cave under all of the restrictions, but if she can cope, you can be assured that she will integrate back into society completely rehabilitated and a far better person, after her two week incarceration!
Nobody said that life in the Big House was going to be easy!
Sunday, September 15, 2019
DID YOU EVER KICK OR SPIT ON A TEACHER AT SCHOOL?
DID YOU EVER KICK OR SPIT ON A TEACHER AT SCHOOL?
I just read a disturbing article in The Globe and Mail about the increasing violence against teachers by students in our Canadian schools. Biting, kicking, spitting, scratching, punching, blows to the head and other aggressive behaviour by students against teachers is on the rise. During my 34 year career in education, I can honestly say this kind of behaviour was extremely rare and almost non existent. In one BC school division, incidents of violence have increased from less than 200 in 2009, to over 1600 in 2018. I shake my head and wonder what the hell is going on?
Of course, our rather permissive society has presented a number of reasons to explain this new violent phenomenon. Educators and district administrators cite a handful of factors including mental-health issues, child poverty, and the integration of special-needs students with complex behavioural issues into mainstream classrooms.
The result? Classrooms being repeatedly evacuated because of a disruptive child; staff on medical leave for prolonged periods after being physically hurt; families increasingly asked to pickup their children early or keep them home for an indefinite period because of behavioural issues; and other parents fearing for the safety of their own children.
One very extreme example of the problem involved a special education teacher in Ontario. Because of the unpredictable behaviour of one of her autistic students the teacher wore a Kevlar coat, gloves and a baseball hat lined with hard plastic. When the teacher attempted to break up an attack by the 15-year old student on a smaller child, the teacher was hit about the head over 40 times by the student. The teacher was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. a ruptured ear drum and in the aftermath of the attack, suffered a stroke, which partially numbed her left side. The teacher was not able to return to work for 18 months.
This extreme example is not common, but it should never occur under any circumstance. The fact that the teacher had to arm herself with protective clothing obviously foretold the possible danger that the student might pose. There is absolutely no reason that any teacher should ever be placed in this position. A child who poses a physical threat to anyone - himself, other students, or the teacher - does not really belong in a regular classroom setting.
Of course, every parent of a special-needs child, will argue that their child has the right to attend a regular school. If that is true, then there are a number of parallel responsibilities that accompany that right. Parents have the responsibility of preparing their child for the kind of behaviour that is acceptable and expected at school. The student has the responsibility of being accountable for his behaviour and deportment. If either the parent or child cannot assure appropriate behaviour, then, the “right” to attend has to be questioned. If my granddaughter is in danger in her classroom because of the potential violence of a high-needs student, then I believe that her right to a safe and secure school learning opportunity is being denied! Her rights will have been violated! Who is advocating for her?
The purpose of schooling is to educate. They are not branches of the medical profession nor arms of mental health treatment centres. They were not instituted to provide food and clothing for needy children nor to provide babysitting or act as a social services centre. They are not there to provide for the special requests and philosophies of every parent regarding each individual child. Public schools are only mandated to teach the prescribed curriculum to the best of their ability. In doing so, they should not need to tolerate any acts of violence or aggression in carrying out their mandate to teach!
When is the silent majority going to take a stand on the issue?
I just read a disturbing article in The Globe and Mail about the increasing violence against teachers by students in our Canadian schools. Biting, kicking, spitting, scratching, punching, blows to the head and other aggressive behaviour by students against teachers is on the rise. During my 34 year career in education, I can honestly say this kind of behaviour was extremely rare and almost non existent. In one BC school division, incidents of violence have increased from less than 200 in 2009, to over 1600 in 2018. I shake my head and wonder what the hell is going on?
Of course, our rather permissive society has presented a number of reasons to explain this new violent phenomenon. Educators and district administrators cite a handful of factors including mental-health issues, child poverty, and the integration of special-needs students with complex behavioural issues into mainstream classrooms.
The result? Classrooms being repeatedly evacuated because of a disruptive child; staff on medical leave for prolonged periods after being physically hurt; families increasingly asked to pickup their children early or keep them home for an indefinite period because of behavioural issues; and other parents fearing for the safety of their own children.
One very extreme example of the problem involved a special education teacher in Ontario. Because of the unpredictable behaviour of one of her autistic students the teacher wore a Kevlar coat, gloves and a baseball hat lined with hard plastic. When the teacher attempted to break up an attack by the 15-year old student on a smaller child, the teacher was hit about the head over 40 times by the student. The teacher was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. a ruptured ear drum and in the aftermath of the attack, suffered a stroke, which partially numbed her left side. The teacher was not able to return to work for 18 months.
This extreme example is not common, but it should never occur under any circumstance. The fact that the teacher had to arm herself with protective clothing obviously foretold the possible danger that the student might pose. There is absolutely no reason that any teacher should ever be placed in this position. A child who poses a physical threat to anyone - himself, other students, or the teacher - does not really belong in a regular classroom setting.
Of course, every parent of a special-needs child, will argue that their child has the right to attend a regular school. If that is true, then there are a number of parallel responsibilities that accompany that right. Parents have the responsibility of preparing their child for the kind of behaviour that is acceptable and expected at school. The student has the responsibility of being accountable for his behaviour and deportment. If either the parent or child cannot assure appropriate behaviour, then, the “right” to attend has to be questioned. If my granddaughter is in danger in her classroom because of the potential violence of a high-needs student, then I believe that her right to a safe and secure school learning opportunity is being denied! Her rights will have been violated! Who is advocating for her?
The purpose of schooling is to educate. They are not branches of the medical profession nor arms of mental health treatment centres. They were not instituted to provide food and clothing for needy children nor to provide babysitting or act as a social services centre. They are not there to provide for the special requests and philosophies of every parent regarding each individual child. Public schools are only mandated to teach the prescribed curriculum to the best of their ability. In doing so, they should not need to tolerate any acts of violence or aggression in carrying out their mandate to teach!
When is the silent majority going to take a stand on the issue?
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE HULA HOOP LESSONS?
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE HULA HOOP LESSONS?
As I wander about in my daily travels, I often encounter various signs and posters that kind of stop me in my tracks. I often have to read them twice and I am now in the habit of taking a photo of them with my iPhone so that I can blog about them. This week I came across three such intriguing signs.
The first was a sandwich board outside a supermarket that was advertising a Daycare Centre for ages 3-5 that was “sports-based”. It further informed me that spaces were limited and that they offered an “emergent curriculum”. Of course, my teacher background immediately kicked in and caused me to reflect upon the sign.
First of all, this was obviously just an attempt to lure parents into a false sense that their little boy or girl could get a head start in becoming a successful super athlete. Most pre-schoolers could care less if their daycare was sports-centred, had a fine arts focus or introduced them to Mandarin. Little kids just want to play, socialize, have fun and eat a large mid-morning snack. Only naive parents would fall for this commercial “sport-centred” venture. The fact that the facility has an “emergent curriculum” (whatever that is) is just another attempt to impress Mommy and Daddy, that is totally meaningless.
Later in the day I drove past a sign on a post that advertised Hula Hoop Classes. I don’t know about you, but I never considered twirling a hula hoop was so complex and difficult to learn that it required children to take classes. We must have been gifted as children to learn how to swing the hoop with absolutely no instruction, other than watching the last person do it. I wondered how long a Hula Hoop Class lasted? If a child learned the hula hoop in the first two minutes, would the rest of the time - hours or days or weeks - just be spent twirling the hoop? Could a child fail hula hooping and require remedial hooping classes? My concerns are endless!
Today, I passed a new men’s store in the mall that seemed to only be selling men’s shirts. The large sign in the window informed me that they sold, “The Original Untucked Shirt”. Well, you can imagine how delighted I was to make this discovery. A store specializing in shirts that you don’t tuck into your pants! Given that the other option was to tuck your shirt in, I will be on the lookout for the competition to offer this other sexy option - The Original Tucked In Shirt - very soon!
Then the questions began to well up! What would happen if you tucked in an “untucked” shirt or wore a “tucked in” shirt over the top of your pants? Would anyone notice? Would you be laughed at? Would you be ostracized and not invited to parties because of your inappropriate attire? Issue after issue after issue!
My eye is always scanning the horizon for signs and posters and advertisements for products that are intended to improve our quality of life. I am just having another senior moment trying to determine if the above three services really contribute to that goal. Sorry for being so skeptical!
As I wander about in my daily travels, I often encounter various signs and posters that kind of stop me in my tracks. I often have to read them twice and I am now in the habit of taking a photo of them with my iPhone so that I can blog about them. This week I came across three such intriguing signs.
The first was a sandwich board outside a supermarket that was advertising a Daycare Centre for ages 3-5 that was “sports-based”. It further informed me that spaces were limited and that they offered an “emergent curriculum”. Of course, my teacher background immediately kicked in and caused me to reflect upon the sign.
First of all, this was obviously just an attempt to lure parents into a false sense that their little boy or girl could get a head start in becoming a successful super athlete. Most pre-schoolers could care less if their daycare was sports-centred, had a fine arts focus or introduced them to Mandarin. Little kids just want to play, socialize, have fun and eat a large mid-morning snack. Only naive parents would fall for this commercial “sport-centred” venture. The fact that the facility has an “emergent curriculum” (whatever that is) is just another attempt to impress Mommy and Daddy, that is totally meaningless.
Later in the day I drove past a sign on a post that advertised Hula Hoop Classes. I don’t know about you, but I never considered twirling a hula hoop was so complex and difficult to learn that it required children to take classes. We must have been gifted as children to learn how to swing the hoop with absolutely no instruction, other than watching the last person do it. I wondered how long a Hula Hoop Class lasted? If a child learned the hula hoop in the first two minutes, would the rest of the time - hours or days or weeks - just be spent twirling the hoop? Could a child fail hula hooping and require remedial hooping classes? My concerns are endless!
Today, I passed a new men’s store in the mall that seemed to only be selling men’s shirts. The large sign in the window informed me that they sold, “The Original Untucked Shirt”. Well, you can imagine how delighted I was to make this discovery. A store specializing in shirts that you don’t tuck into your pants! Given that the other option was to tuck your shirt in, I will be on the lookout for the competition to offer this other sexy option - The Original Tucked In Shirt - very soon!
Then the questions began to well up! What would happen if you tucked in an “untucked” shirt or wore a “tucked in” shirt over the top of your pants? Would anyone notice? Would you be laughed at? Would you be ostracized and not invited to parties because of your inappropriate attire? Issue after issue after issue!
My eye is always scanning the horizon for signs and posters and advertisements for products that are intended to improve our quality of life. I am just having another senior moment trying to determine if the above three services really contribute to that goal. Sorry for being so skeptical!
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
DO YOU WANT A SCARY GLIMPSE INTO OUR FUTURE?
DO YOU WANT A SCARY GLIMPSE INTO OUR FUTURE?
Every year millions of books are written, published, and sold around the world. Most of them deliver little impact and do not live long in the memory of the readers. I have just finished reading a book that I must recommend. The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells is a very disturbing book, but very informative and well researched. And well worth reading!
Over the years there are four related books that have made strong impressions on me. Two were futuristic and two captured the current reality of the time in which they were written. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, with text and photos, helped elevate and expose the issue of global warming to the general public. One of my favourite authors, Thomas Friedman, wrote The World is Flat, wherein he described the impact of the use of personal computers by individuals in a globalized world and thus placing individuals on the same plane as corporations, in terms of conducting global business.
The two futuristic books are Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and Wallace-Wells’ book above. Silent Spring documented the adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides and was very prophetic. The Uninhabitable Earth extends the message of Gore’s book to the level of terrifying.
Wallace-Wells examines the effects of climate change and the accompanying environmental and social problems that have emerged in a warming world over the past twenty years. He then extrapolates such issues as hotter temperatures, more frequent wildfires, reduced farm lands, increased global hunger, diminished fresh water sources, rising ocean levels and the flooding of coastal cities around the globe.
His book does not just stop there, it further examines more current topics that can be traced to the Earth’s temperature increasing by one degree over the past couple of decades. The Paris Climate Accord warns the adverse effects of a two degree temperature rise. This very likely temperature increase doesn’t just escalate the above problems by a factor of two, but it increases the negative effects exponentially.
Wallace-Wells describes with actual real life examples the effects of the reduction of fresh water, more polluted oceans, unbreathable air, decreased insect and animal populations, force migration from lands that are unliveable and the impact of millions of displaced refugees from poor to richer countries. We do not have to look much farther than the refugees from Syrian or Sudan or Central America as a sample of the impact of this growing phenomenon.
With very little effort, the author paints a very dark and powerful picture of a world - over the next thirty to forty years - that is going to be very much impacted by the above issues.
This little blog cannot explain all of the ramifications of the different climatic elements that are addressed in the book. I am simply recommending the book to my readers as a very serious and well written examination of a very scary future. Perhaps not for us, but our children and grandchildren will be effected for sure.
Reserve a copy at your local library today! It is well worth reading!
Every year millions of books are written, published, and sold around the world. Most of them deliver little impact and do not live long in the memory of the readers. I have just finished reading a book that I must recommend. The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells is a very disturbing book, but very informative and well researched. And well worth reading!
Over the years there are four related books that have made strong impressions on me. Two were futuristic and two captured the current reality of the time in which they were written. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, with text and photos, helped elevate and expose the issue of global warming to the general public. One of my favourite authors, Thomas Friedman, wrote The World is Flat, wherein he described the impact of the use of personal computers by individuals in a globalized world and thus placing individuals on the same plane as corporations, in terms of conducting global business.
The two futuristic books are Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and Wallace-Wells’ book above. Silent Spring documented the adverse environmental effects caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides and was very prophetic. The Uninhabitable Earth extends the message of Gore’s book to the level of terrifying.
Wallace-Wells examines the effects of climate change and the accompanying environmental and social problems that have emerged in a warming world over the past twenty years. He then extrapolates such issues as hotter temperatures, more frequent wildfires, reduced farm lands, increased global hunger, diminished fresh water sources, rising ocean levels and the flooding of coastal cities around the globe.
His book does not just stop there, it further examines more current topics that can be traced to the Earth’s temperature increasing by one degree over the past couple of decades. The Paris Climate Accord warns the adverse effects of a two degree temperature rise. This very likely temperature increase doesn’t just escalate the above problems by a factor of two, but it increases the negative effects exponentially.
Wallace-Wells describes with actual real life examples the effects of the reduction of fresh water, more polluted oceans, unbreathable air, decreased insect and animal populations, force migration from lands that are unliveable and the impact of millions of displaced refugees from poor to richer countries. We do not have to look much farther than the refugees from Syrian or Sudan or Central America as a sample of the impact of this growing phenomenon.
With very little effort, the author paints a very dark and powerful picture of a world - over the next thirty to forty years - that is going to be very much impacted by the above issues.
This little blog cannot explain all of the ramifications of the different climatic elements that are addressed in the book. I am simply recommending the book to my readers as a very serious and well written examination of a very scary future. Perhaps not for us, but our children and grandchildren will be effected for sure.
Reserve a copy at your local library today! It is well worth reading!
Sunday, September 8, 2019
IS THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT GETTING UNDER YOUR SKIN?
IS THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT GETTING UNDER YOUR SKIN?
I have been avoiding writing about any LGBTQ issues in the past. Today, I feel it is time to be brave and forward a few comments and criticisms. I know that this is a dangerous position to take, in today’s multicultural and multi-sexual world, but I will take my chances.
To begin, I have no problem with everyone choosing or living with the sexual identity they prefer. I don’t really care if a person identifies as gay or lesbian or bisexual, that is up to them. But in recent years the LGBT community seem to be assuming a level of self importance that I do not accept.
For years the LGBT members have been fighting for recognition of their right to be what they are. They do not wish to be closeted by our larger society, but rather they want to be able to profess their sexual identities openly without fear of retribution and ostracism. Again, I have no issue with this. Their basic goals are acceptance and inclusion within our larger society and the elimination of discrimination against their personal life styles.
However, I find it very hypocritical of the LGBT membership for their decisions regarding a recent local Gay Pride Parade. The first parades held were opportunities for any members of the community, whether gay or straight, to just show up and march together in solidarity to uphold the acceptance of people who were LGBTQ. Today you must apply to march in the Gay Pride Parade. Consequently, this year no politically elected supporters or political parties are allowed to march in the parade and last year, no policemen in uniform were allowed.
The above decision is discriminatory and exclusive and I am not really interested in the rationale for the decisions. Politicians and police have been excluded and not accepted as marchers. It just seems so ironic that these two basic principals that are fundamental to the LGBT movement are now being used against other groups. Am I wrong?
Just recently I read the headline “LGBT youth demand meeting with Premier Jason Kenney”. Dozens of LGBTQ community members and allies stood at the steps of city hall to protest the passing of Bill 8, the controversial Education Amendment Act, which protesters say restricts the creation of gay-straight alliances. The protest, I cannot criticize, but the “demand” for a meeting with the provincial premier is unacceptable.
The LGBT movement has made strides in gaining acceptance in many areas. However, it has not elevated them to the status of “demanding” anything from anyone. They are a minority group with no legal entity status and yet some of them feel that they can be politically assertive well beyond their unofficial status.
I would suggest that they tread lightly and work at strengthening relations with the non LGBT community and develop a profile that is characterize by cooperation, service, and humility, rather than demanding anything.
If you belong to the LGBT community and I have offended you, too bad! That is how I feel and you can tolerate and accept it, or not!
Thursday, September 5, 2019
HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO GO OUT FOR LUNCH?
HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO GO OUT FOR LUNCH?
Once upon a time, I used to think that going out for lunch was a really simple event. Who wouldn’t want to dine luxuriously on a hamburger with fries and probably a milkshake? That was the ultimate lunch of choice when I was a youth. But that was during the last century. Today, going out for lunch requires finally tuned decision making skills, the ability to decipher menu offerings from foreign countries and a carefully cultivated palate.
Our nearest food court in a mall, hosts about twenty different food outlets. The majority of them offer ethnic food selections from countries such as China, Lebanon, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Greece and Italy. You need to know that a kiosk offering KFC is not from Kentucky, but rather is selling Korean Fried Chicken.
Are you versed in the taste temptations of chicken or falafel shawarmas? Have you enjoyed Pad Thai noodles or Vietnamese Pho Soup? Are you a connoisseur of the five types of sushi: nigiri, sashimi, maki, uramaki and temaki? Do you know the difference between a taco, a burrito and a chimichanga? Do you prefer a shish kebab or a doner kebab? It’s hard to select a simple luncheon meal from exotic food outlets when you are just a plain old down-to-earth country boy from Drumheller.
For this latter luncheon audience, there are still a few options that do not require gourmet tastes and palates, but they can also be a challenge. If you want to order a hamburger you need to know there is a big push on these days for a “Beyond Beef” burger that is made from plant sources. Even if you want just a basic sandwich, you have to be knowledgeable about the variety of condiments possible : aioli, honey or dijon mustard, alfalfa or bean sprouts, on whole wheat, sour dough or multigrain bread, with lettuce, onions, jalapenos, tzatziki sauce, siriacha sauce, chipotle sauce or just plain ketchup. In the good old days, a sandwich comprised a slice of ham between two slices of white bread smeared with plain old yellow mustard. Apparently, the times have changed!
Of course you can take some consolation in knowing that a pizza is always a pizza! Some baked dough covered in tomato sauce, with lots of cheese and some sliced pepperoni. A lunch fit for a king! Yesterday, I received a flyer in the mail informing me that I am way behind the times again. The Super Pizza Company in the food court was trying to lure me with a Super Plant Pizza featuring NEW Plant-based Pepperoni and Plant-based Spicy Sausage Crumble! I could hardly keep the saliva from drooling onto my shirt. Then they kicked their promotion up to a whole new tantalizing level. I could order my pizza with a cauliflower crust containing two servings of vegetables that made the pizza gluten-free and vegan. Well, Yahoo!
If I try, I can find a place that will still serve me a hamburger, fries and a shake like I enjoyed as a kid. Sort of. I just need to decide if I want one, two or three patties, beef or beyond beef, with regular or curly or sweet potato fries, with or without gravy, on the fries or on the side, and then select from 26 milk shake flavours!
Like I said, it can be hard work to go out for lunch! Despite the challenges, I would just like my Calgary friends to know that I am available to share my luncheon knowledge with them, any time they would like to meet for lunch!
Once upon a time, I used to think that going out for lunch was a really simple event. Who wouldn’t want to dine luxuriously on a hamburger with fries and probably a milkshake? That was the ultimate lunch of choice when I was a youth. But that was during the last century. Today, going out for lunch requires finally tuned decision making skills, the ability to decipher menu offerings from foreign countries and a carefully cultivated palate.
Our nearest food court in a mall, hosts about twenty different food outlets. The majority of them offer ethnic food selections from countries such as China, Lebanon, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Greece and Italy. You need to know that a kiosk offering KFC is not from Kentucky, but rather is selling Korean Fried Chicken.
Are you versed in the taste temptations of chicken or falafel shawarmas? Have you enjoyed Pad Thai noodles or Vietnamese Pho Soup? Are you a connoisseur of the five types of sushi: nigiri, sashimi, maki, uramaki and temaki? Do you know the difference between a taco, a burrito and a chimichanga? Do you prefer a shish kebab or a doner kebab? It’s hard to select a simple luncheon meal from exotic food outlets when you are just a plain old down-to-earth country boy from Drumheller.
For this latter luncheon audience, there are still a few options that do not require gourmet tastes and palates, but they can also be a challenge. If you want to order a hamburger you need to know there is a big push on these days for a “Beyond Beef” burger that is made from plant sources. Even if you want just a basic sandwich, you have to be knowledgeable about the variety of condiments possible : aioli, honey or dijon mustard, alfalfa or bean sprouts, on whole wheat, sour dough or multigrain bread, with lettuce, onions, jalapenos, tzatziki sauce, siriacha sauce, chipotle sauce or just plain ketchup. In the good old days, a sandwich comprised a slice of ham between two slices of white bread smeared with plain old yellow mustard. Apparently, the times have changed!
Of course you can take some consolation in knowing that a pizza is always a pizza! Some baked dough covered in tomato sauce, with lots of cheese and some sliced pepperoni. A lunch fit for a king! Yesterday, I received a flyer in the mail informing me that I am way behind the times again. The Super Pizza Company in the food court was trying to lure me with a Super Plant Pizza featuring NEW Plant-based Pepperoni and Plant-based Spicy Sausage Crumble! I could hardly keep the saliva from drooling onto my shirt. Then they kicked their promotion up to a whole new tantalizing level. I could order my pizza with a cauliflower crust containing two servings of vegetables that made the pizza gluten-free and vegan. Well, Yahoo!
If I try, I can find a place that will still serve me a hamburger, fries and a shake like I enjoyed as a kid. Sort of. I just need to decide if I want one, two or three patties, beef or beyond beef, with regular or curly or sweet potato fries, with or without gravy, on the fries or on the side, and then select from 26 milk shake flavours!
Like I said, it can be hard work to go out for lunch! Despite the challenges, I would just like my Calgary friends to know that I am available to share my luncheon knowledge with them, any time they would like to meet for lunch!
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
ANOTHER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: BETTER OR WORSE?
ANOTHER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: BETTER OR WORSE?
My last blog on school opening was unintentionally rather dark and somber in its reflection of today’s reality, especially in the US.
Today, I would like to share a different story of a first day of school that is true. It occurred when we lived in Turkey and was printed in The Turkish Daily News. I am sure the same scenario is still playing out in many countries around the world today.
‘Yesterday Was the First Day of School - For Some
Millions of students woke up early in order to return to school yesterday, holding their parents’ hands on the first day of the new school year. They are cheerful in their brand new uniforms, a warm smile on their faces thanks to their excitement. There are ceremonies in school gardens - students praising education and their teachers. This week is Primary Education Week. The children are talking about what they want to be in the future. Some would like to be doctors and some engineers. Their targets vary, but is is obvious that none of them want to end up shining shoes in the future...
And no doubt, no small boy or girl who is out on the streets shining shoes ever wanted to be doing so in the beginning. Every child wishes to be as lucky as the others, celebrating the beginning of the new school year with their shoes as bright as any shoeshine boy could make them...
Ozkan Aktas is a 12 year old shoeshine boy who was left to his fate on the streets of Ankara. Today there is nothing more important in Ozkan’s life than those days when he can earn a little more money polishing students’ and teachers’ shoes to help out his family. Ozkan lives on the outskirts of Ankara with his aunt and her family. He leaves home at 7:00 a.m. every day dreaming of earning a few dollars more.
It takes Ozkan about two hours to reach his place of work. He makes $10 to $12 for about 12 hours of work each day. No one knows what he eats or drinks throughout the day. He had to quit school in grade four. This means he could not even complete Turkey’s eight-year compulsory education program. He tells us that his father works as a guard in their village. Ozkan goes on to say, ironically, that he has a brother who is not old enough to work, as if he is...
Oskan tries to remove the polish stain from his little hands as he talks to us. He asked that no one take photographs of him as he does not want his picture to be seen. It is obvious that he is scared of someone - maybe street bullies or his family, who are annoyed by the vision of the little children whom they force to work.
Recep Demir is also 12 years old and Ozkan’s companion. They work and play together at their leisure when they do not have to shine their customers’ precious shoes. He is also uneasy and introverted. Recep is one of six children in his family. He had to leave school a year ago for the sake of contributing to his family’ budget.
So, yes, September 1st had a particular significance for millions of children, but it was an ordinary tiring day of labour for the working children of the streets of Ankara, Turkey.”
Both first day of school blogs are very troubling and I just share them to again provide a tiny reminder of the privileged life we live in Canada. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Lest we forget!
My last blog on school opening was unintentionally rather dark and somber in its reflection of today’s reality, especially in the US.
Today, I would like to share a different story of a first day of school that is true. It occurred when we lived in Turkey and was printed in The Turkish Daily News. I am sure the same scenario is still playing out in many countries around the world today.
‘Yesterday Was the First Day of School - For Some
Millions of students woke up early in order to return to school yesterday, holding their parents’ hands on the first day of the new school year. They are cheerful in their brand new uniforms, a warm smile on their faces thanks to their excitement. There are ceremonies in school gardens - students praising education and their teachers. This week is Primary Education Week. The children are talking about what they want to be in the future. Some would like to be doctors and some engineers. Their targets vary, but is is obvious that none of them want to end up shining shoes in the future...
And no doubt, no small boy or girl who is out on the streets shining shoes ever wanted to be doing so in the beginning. Every child wishes to be as lucky as the others, celebrating the beginning of the new school year with their shoes as bright as any shoeshine boy could make them...
Ozkan Aktas is a 12 year old shoeshine boy who was left to his fate on the streets of Ankara. Today there is nothing more important in Ozkan’s life than those days when he can earn a little more money polishing students’ and teachers’ shoes to help out his family. Ozkan lives on the outskirts of Ankara with his aunt and her family. He leaves home at 7:00 a.m. every day dreaming of earning a few dollars more.
It takes Ozkan about two hours to reach his place of work. He makes $10 to $12 for about 12 hours of work each day. No one knows what he eats or drinks throughout the day. He had to quit school in grade four. This means he could not even complete Turkey’s eight-year compulsory education program. He tells us that his father works as a guard in their village. Ozkan goes on to say, ironically, that he has a brother who is not old enough to work, as if he is...
Oskan tries to remove the polish stain from his little hands as he talks to us. He asked that no one take photographs of him as he does not want his picture to be seen. It is obvious that he is scared of someone - maybe street bullies or his family, who are annoyed by the vision of the little children whom they force to work.
Recep Demir is also 12 years old and Ozkan’s companion. They work and play together at their leisure when they do not have to shine their customers’ precious shoes. He is also uneasy and introverted. Recep is one of six children in his family. He had to leave school a year ago for the sake of contributing to his family’ budget.
So, yes, September 1st had a particular significance for millions of children, but it was an ordinary tiring day of labour for the working children of the streets of Ankara, Turkey.”
Both first day of school blogs are very troubling and I just share them to again provide a tiny reminder of the privileged life we live in Canada. We are truly blessed in so many ways. Lest we forget!
Sunday, September 1, 2019
HOW HAS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL CHANGED?
HOW HAS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL CHANGED?
The first day of a new school year was always filled with excitement when I was a child. Although we usually knew who our teacher would be, there was occasionally the mystery of a new teacher in town. I would often meet with friends the day before school started and decide what time we would arrive at school and what seat we would try to claim in our homeroom. We were filled with positive, anticipatory excitement. In many schools today, especially in the USA, the first day of school is marked with trepidation, fear, and concern. The US history of mass school shootings has left its mark!
In the US, a lot of school opening activity revolves around student safety. Teachers learn about conducting lockdown drills and evacuation procedures. In the event of a hostile threat in the school, teachers in some schools have been provided with pails, kitty litter and shower curtains, in order to assemble emergency toilets if children cannot leave the classroom. Schools have installed electronic locks to all classrooms so that they can be instantly sealed in an emergency.
Various states have implemented a wide variety of safety measures that attempt to make schools more secure. Many have armed security guards at the doors and in the halls and some counties in Texas have recommended that teachers carry arms to class. Outside doors are locked all day and security bars trigger alarms to identify illegal entry. Some American high schools have installed metal detectors at school entrances.
Parents are encouraged to teach their children at home what to do in case of lockdown emergencies. One of the biggest sellers for the new school year are bulletproof backpacks for students. How far we have fallen, from the joyous first day experiences of my youth!
One extreme case of over reaction has occurred in Michigan where $48 million dollars has been spent to design a high school with curved corridors, hiding places and concrete barriers in the hallways in an effort to thwart mass shooters. Classroom windows will all be bulletproof and each room will have a corner called a “shadow zone” not visible from the hallway. The design firm that is preparing these features has previously worked on prison design. How sad a commentary is that!
While no one can argue the major importance of child safety, I do wonder if we are laying the ground work for another serious problem. The precautions and procedures that are being implemented cannot be faulted, if there is a gunman hunting within the walls of a school. On the other hand, I am wondering how many small children will be attending their local school with a little fear and anxiety as the new school year begins. How will this regular tension and concern manifest itself over the twelve years a student is in school? Will many emerge with a modified form of PTSD - a PRE-traumatic stress disorder? Children can develop many social and emotional issues as they grow up. Are our safety conscious strategies going to contribute to a whole new set of fears, paranoias and frightened young adults? By converting schools into small fortresses, are we creating young fearful adults who have lost a significant part of their childhood?
As years pass, I do believe that the joy of the first day of school which I enjoyed, will no longer exist for many. How tragic is that? Even more tragic, I have no idea how the issue of school shootings can be eliminated!
The first day of a new school year was always filled with excitement when I was a child. Although we usually knew who our teacher would be, there was occasionally the mystery of a new teacher in town. I would often meet with friends the day before school started and decide what time we would arrive at school and what seat we would try to claim in our homeroom. We were filled with positive, anticipatory excitement. In many schools today, especially in the USA, the first day of school is marked with trepidation, fear, and concern. The US history of mass school shootings has left its mark!
In the US, a lot of school opening activity revolves around student safety. Teachers learn about conducting lockdown drills and evacuation procedures. In the event of a hostile threat in the school, teachers in some schools have been provided with pails, kitty litter and shower curtains, in order to assemble emergency toilets if children cannot leave the classroom. Schools have installed electronic locks to all classrooms so that they can be instantly sealed in an emergency.
Various states have implemented a wide variety of safety measures that attempt to make schools more secure. Many have armed security guards at the doors and in the halls and some counties in Texas have recommended that teachers carry arms to class. Outside doors are locked all day and security bars trigger alarms to identify illegal entry. Some American high schools have installed metal detectors at school entrances.
Parents are encouraged to teach their children at home what to do in case of lockdown emergencies. One of the biggest sellers for the new school year are bulletproof backpacks for students. How far we have fallen, from the joyous first day experiences of my youth!
One extreme case of over reaction has occurred in Michigan where $48 million dollars has been spent to design a high school with curved corridors, hiding places and concrete barriers in the hallways in an effort to thwart mass shooters. Classroom windows will all be bulletproof and each room will have a corner called a “shadow zone” not visible from the hallway. The design firm that is preparing these features has previously worked on prison design. How sad a commentary is that!
While no one can argue the major importance of child safety, I do wonder if we are laying the ground work for another serious problem. The precautions and procedures that are being implemented cannot be faulted, if there is a gunman hunting within the walls of a school. On the other hand, I am wondering how many small children will be attending their local school with a little fear and anxiety as the new school year begins. How will this regular tension and concern manifest itself over the twelve years a student is in school? Will many emerge with a modified form of PTSD - a PRE-traumatic stress disorder? Children can develop many social and emotional issues as they grow up. Are our safety conscious strategies going to contribute to a whole new set of fears, paranoias and frightened young adults? By converting schools into small fortresses, are we creating young fearful adults who have lost a significant part of their childhood?
As years pass, I do believe that the joy of the first day of school which I enjoyed, will no longer exist for many. How tragic is that? Even more tragic, I have no idea how the issue of school shootings can be eliminated!
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