Archive for the ‘Social Commentary’ Category

Nineteen deaths, youth between the ages of 14 and 22, gone because…

“I want to get high and party.” > “I feel less shy.” > “It makes me feel good.” > “I want to escape” > “When I do drugs it is much easier for me to say and do things I normally wouldn’t do.”  > “People like me better when I’m on drugs.” > “My friends do it.”

So many reasons to take drugs, seemingly harmless in the eyes of the user, until you wind up six feet under from an overdose or hospitalized from misuse or tainted drugs. Ecstasy holds no joy or rapture in those final moments.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ecstasy it is related to amphetamines, stimulants with some good ol’ fashion hallucinogenics thrown in for an extra kick. The chemical itself, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine or to make it easier to say, MDMA has some far reaching appeal. Those who have taken it, talk about the euphoria, the confidence they get and boost of energy. On chat rooms you can find people who say they felt more love, less inhibitions, hyper sensitive to feelings and more sexual. That might not sound so bad until you get a dose of the truth; there is a far more sinister side to this drug.

Ecstasy causes increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, anxiety attacks, vomiting and a whole host of other not so nice side effects that can sometimes last for days or weeks. Given that many users like to partake during raves, dances, concerts or in other mass gatherings, all that extra exertion can make things worse. On top of that, you don’t have scientist concocting this stuff. Instead, you have some low life, most likely affiliated to a gang who doesn’t give a crap about the safety of his product. Gathered in some basement or warehouse is all the chemicals these people need to kill.

What makes these deaths stand out, as if the loss alone shouldn’t be enough, is the emergence of PMMA a highly potent extra amphetamine that is cheaper to produce but has a long history of being lethal. Where was it first developed? According to an online resource Enotes.com PMA  ,it was first produced by a Canadian laboratory in 1973. (Wow, that is not something to be proud of) Of course, this drugs apparent rise in use lately may be attributed to the fact that British Columbia made the chemicals that make ecstasy illegal. Always one up on us, the mad non-scientist gang members find another way to bring product to market.

An RCMP report on illicit drugs states that ” in 2008, successful law enforcement investigations resulted in nationwide seizures of MDMA totaling an estimated 1.5 million tablets and 273 kilograms. These figures underscore the entrenched MDMA trade in Canada, as well as the sustainability of this drug’s popularity and its central role in the illicit synthetic drug trade at the global level. ” Its popularity is evident and apparently hasn’t waned much as we find ourselves in 2012 still discussing the affects on our society. Piggy back popularity with the “it’s not going to happen to me” attitude and what we have is dead kids.

Inevitably, when these things occur, the debate opens up about other drugs. The gateway drug argument and a whole host of other youth in crisis discussions begin to surface again. Checking out the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse I came across the following information. In a Cross Canada Report on Student Alcohol and Drug Use, there were some stats that may be surprising. Based on data collected during 2007-2008 for students in grades 7, 9, 10 and 12 (i.e. , youth approximately 12-18 years old)... alcohol use in the past year is about twice as prevalent as cannabis use for all grades combined (46% to 62%) versus (17% to 32%) respectively.

So, that leads me to wonder just what is the real gateway drug? and At what point does taking ecstasy become the next step up to getting high? All I know for sure is there are people’s children dying, families ripped apart by something so small but powerful. Manufactured by maniacs who are grateful for the innocence of their consumers. A tiny pill that gets rave reviews by users until they see their friend lying dead on the floor.

So, how do we get the message out that this stuff is going to kill you? Can we change what has been inherent since the beginning of civilization, people want to get high? Where do we go from here?

Career criminal Tracy Lloyd Caza must be laughing at the justice system while the rest of us are hanging our heads or raising our fists.

With 78 convictions notched on his belt he continues to whip us all. Labeled 'a high risk to re-offend' Caza lived up to his designation by re-offending soon after release from prison in December. Despite arrest and charges of sexual assault, assault and uttering threats against a female, Mr. Caza was released on bail the following day; not even a full two weeks into January. Unaffected, he was later found in possession of drugs which, of course, is a breach of conditions.

How can there be anyone left in this Province of British Columbia that can say, the system is working! Really?  Certainly not in this case. Given the length of Caza's record it is safe to say it has been broken for some time. This a joke that anyone could repeatedly break the law and still be released into our communities. What does it take for our Government to see the need for an overhaul of this laughable system.

By now, everyone is focused on the conviction numbers associated with this man's despicable life but there are victims whose singular experience with him changed how they live. A string of stories that chronicle the impact this lowest form of human has had on our society. He doesn't even have a preference for his criminal activity, he breaks all the laws, drug possession, theft, assault, sexual assault and a host of other acts dating back to 1977.

People across this country are looking for help from the powers that be. Whether it is through Federal crime bills like c-10 or Provincial clout that will take cases like this one and blow it wide open. We want action! There are more questions than answers that need to be addressed from the parole board through to judges and crown counsel. Who is protecting us from people like this? The police can't just hand out a warning to the media without clear information that warrants such a measure. Though, they tried, it is impossible to keep guys like Caza from claiming his next victim.

The only place, angry but law abiding citizens should be in order to defend our rights, is occupying our court rooms. Taking up the challenge to keep a spotlight on cases such as this. Mr. Caza may hold some uniqueness in his convictions but he is certainly not the only criminal to be perpetually enjoying the revolving door of our courts and prisons. If the general public had a chance to see the files of many who pass in and out of our system they would most likely be stunned by how many charges were dropped not because the person didn't commit the crimes but because our justice system is either too slow to convict or too quick to simplify the counts against.

We are weak and though we will momentarily rise up to address Caza he will prove only one of many who laugh as they leave our courts or prisons. We are all just one moment away from living amidst the likes of Tracy Lloyd Caza.

This past year I set out to read three books on the topic of Human Sex Trafficking. The first was Invisible Chains by Benjamin Perrin. The second was The Natashas by Victor Malarek and the third was The Johns also by Victor Malarek. Through the pages I traveled into the dark recesses of this perverse world of slavery. Not because I enjoy reading about the suffering of others but because I am desperate to understand how this crime against humanity continues to prevail.  I want to share with you what I learned.

* There are hundreds of thousands of women and children every year who are trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Near to me and probably close to you there is a place, whether it be a brothel, a strip club, a massage parlor or a porn establishment, that is connected to the business of human trafficking.

* Wherever the military, peacekeepers and large sporting events are, so too are the traffickers. They set up shop or expand on the existing sexual services to accommodate the influx of men ready to pay for play. In many countries in which these men are stationed it is not uncommon to find that a short trek down the road will lead straight to booming music, booze  and the solicitation from an abused, prostituted girl, who pastes a fake smile on her face.

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“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.” This quote by Albert Schweitzer came to mind as I heard the story about the dead blackbirds in Beebe Arkansas by fireworks. It astounds me that for a second year in a row, an area that has been blessed with these beautiful birds, couldn’t find a way to protect their habitat. 

What will happen to the idiots that set the fireworks off? Is there any investigation? If they find the person’s responsible, do they pay a fine? Do community service at an animal shelter? Do they participate in the clean up of the dead bodies?

Part of the problem, I have found, is people’s complete lack of education about animals in general. In trips recently to three different states, as an example, I couldn’t believe how many times I listened to parents providing the wrong description/name of a bird or animal to their child. They had no clue! Then there is the absolute crazy reactions to defenseless animals that results in disturbing behaviour.

I watched a woman scream bloody murder when a bird landed on the top of her husband’s head as it was trying to get to the other side of the pool. It was clearly not well and was simply trying to reach the other side as its mate had been continuing to call. It’s last gasp and flight was sealed when the woman freaked out, screaming “It’s attacking my husband!”, waving her hands around, she subsequently drowned the bird. The husband was not as phased,somewhat embarrassed and seemed surprised by his wife’s reaction. The other bird, who had been calling its ailing companion realized, as my friend and I placed the body under the tree , that its mate was dead. After a look to confirm, it then flew away.

I saw a comment on a site by a person from Virginia who contemplated whether the death of these blackbirds “could have been caused by them eating bad fish or whatever they eat.”…WHAT? OMG, at least do some research before commenting.

My sister started a wildlife rescue association back in the 1970′s, it has since grown to be an extremely valued and utilized society. What we saw at the hands of man was something even though I was a child I remember vividly. Raccoons rescued because people had boarded up their dens, with babies inside. Birds shot with pellet guns, left injured and in need of treatment. Beaver dams destroyed with beaver inside. Nest’s bashed out of trees for fun, household poisons drained into waterways or left improperly stored and many other examples of human insensitivity and cruelty.

There are plenty of examples I could give of how little people either know or care about the critters that inhabit our local areas; let alone the rare species we are gifted. In the case of the blackbirds it is not rocket science, fireworks disturb nature. It seems only fitting that if local agencies can’t protect the birds from stupid people maybe families can have a discussion with their members about the importance of compassion to living things.

This made me very angry and the citizen’s of Beebe should figure out a way to stop this from happening in the future. This wasn’t an accident and that makes it particularly shameful.

Cell phones, iphones, whatever the device it has made its way to the gym and I hate it! Yes, this is strong language because I’m tired of the fact there is nowhere to go anymore without being invaded by people and their phones. What irks me more is the lack of policies in place to combat this take over of supposed health centres.

I watched a young woman take a picture of her friend while on the treadmill and wondered where’s that going to end up? I’m walking up on an angle towards her friends machine, another woman is on the treadmill next to her, neither of us gave permission to be in that shot but I’d lay money we were in it. Yes, she may crop the picture and maybe she has no intention of putting it up on Facebook or blog but that is not guaranteed nor the point. The point is my right, and every other persons right to privacy.

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Canada finally grows some ***** and sets down a rule that makes sense despite some minor opposition. Niqabs, burkas and other veils will no longer be aloud when new Canadians take an oath of citizenship. The announcement came this week and I for one say “Hooray!”

I mean, really…does it make any sense to have a masked person take an oath? You can’t see if they are saying anything which makes it meaningless. Can you even tell that the person you have in front of you is the person who should be sworn in? I don’t know. What is the protocol for ensuring this is indeed the right individual? I’m a little ignorant about the pre-ceremony process but I have no problem with this rule being set in place.

The diversity of our country is amazing! Love it! Love teaching new Canadians about career options and even conversational English. Immigration, is not a bad thing. Though, it could use some work to make it a better system. (But, that’s for another blog post) What didn’t make any sense was this idea that someone can stand before our officials, participate in a ceremony and supposedly recite the words they must in order to become a Canadian citizen, without even showing who they are.

I also don’t agree with coverings in court or anywhere else where testimony or security is key. This isn’t anything against Muslims. Whether the women choose to where their coverings or not, is up to them. (if it is their choice alone) This is about the very fabric of our Canadian values, our laws and everything that goes with walking through our open door. You have to give up things in order to adopt a country as your new home. Things change and you have to be willing to bend a little to conform with policies and procedures that are built into a system that is designed to serve and protect.

Eventually, this may not be an issue at all. The use of these coverings may not be what future generations subscribe too; at least to the degree it is now. However, for right now we have a situation that needed to addressed and I’m glad it was. We have long been soft on so many issues that have cropped up to the point where it has caused bad blood between new immigrants and Canadian citizens. If we stand up for our heritage, values and laws we are called racist, intolerant and a whole host of other labels but this is not how it should be.

We need to protect the very things that attracted people to our country in the first place and we need to be diligent in taking in only those who are ready and willing to accept those principles. People may give up a lot to come here but that doesn’t mean we need to give up everything we have to make them feel welcome.

In my column this month I decided to tackle another prickly topic… the use of the words “MERRY CHRISTMAS.” For those that haven’t been keeping up, saying those two words in some circles is taboo. There are groups or individuals that find all manner of ways to circumvent using this greeting that has been in existence since the 15th century. The philosophy behind this omission is that you don’t want to offend someone who doesn’t celebrate Christmas ie: Non – Christians or offend those that feel so strongly about inclusion that they have to find a generic way of greeting everyone. Either way you are scrooged!

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I just can’t support Occupy Vancouver, plain and simple. I really believe the whole thing started out with legitimate empathy for the plight of people in New York and solidarity with worldwide movements for change. However, weeks in, everyone is still in the dark as to exactly what the the agenda and plan is for Occupy Vancouver.

Most likely, hijacked by the same groups and individuals that trash our city during summits and events, it has become a frustrating mess! Hardly inclusive and safe for anyone who dares to question their intention or legitimacy. The same heavy-handedness and disrespect they say they hate in our Government/agencies is exercised in their dealings with fellow citizens who oppose their action, media and all those trying to uphold laws. They complain about the establishment not listening to their concerns but they aren’t listening to the citizens of Vancouver who want their art gallery back and would prefer peaceful protest.

I would submit that the majority of the people camping out there will never be able to fully identify what their agenda is nor come up with a comprehensive and inclusive plan for action. They are certainly not representative of the 99% and I’m sorry but I have to question how much they contribute to our communities beyond their personal agenda.

Are they concerned where their hard earned tax dollars are going? If they themselves are homeless, was it the governments over- taxing that caused them not to have a roof over their head or was the affordable housing just not in the chosen area?  How much of their money is going back into helping their fellow 99%? Because, I know mine is going out weekly and that is on top of  donations of money, service and goods to charities.

If they are unemployed, did they walk into their local employment agency and not get the service necessary to in order to secure employment? If they can camp out for days on end and stay up late into the night hatching plans and developing strategies for their comfort and protest then I would say they have a lot of skills worth exploring for paid employment. Is it also an environmental cause as indicated on site and media coverage? If so, what’s the environmental impact on a portion of our city with this temporary housing? Now, that the city has paid out close to million on this occupation, how is that benefiting us? If it is against the takers in our society who through their wealth have failed to be honest about their dealings, how far back to do we go in the pursuit of justice?

I agree that we are definitely not getting treated well by our government all of the time; I have lost confidence in so many of them. I also believe that our utility companies are really helping themselves to our wallets. Greed abounds on some many levels. However, I find it funny to complain about Big Business, Corporations and Government in general when you think about what we use day to day. For example: Occupy Vancouver themselves are utilizing services while sitting in their tents on public property.

Last I checked it was the utilities that kept lights on around that encampment …corporation. Police, Fire and emergency crews, city workers responding to health crisis, death, bylaws, clean up and peace keeping….municipal/government. If  any of these individuals are on social assistance or employment insurance….government. Is Occupy Vancouver participants using cell phones, Twitter, Facebook or any other techno/social media communication? If the answer is “Yes”…big business/corporations. For all the things they purport to despise they sure don’t seem to mind using them.

Here’s my bottom line:

Occupy Vancouver has been hijacked!

What started out as movement of support has turned into individual agendas and vendettas.

If you want housing for yourself or others than do what the rest of us do – educate yourself in something of interest, get a trade, save money, move to a more affordable location, find roommates to offset cost,  build your way up from renting to ownership and spend the rest of your life trying to pay it all off.

If you want a job there are plenty of agencies willing to take you through from career planning to job search. Plenty of employers who need help. If we are hiring so many people from outside the country to do certain jobs I’m sure you wouldn’t mind filling some of those positions to complete the goal of housing.

If you want a better government then vote and make sure when you vote you are informed.

If you want to send a message to the powers that be and inspire others to join in, we need focus and manageability. It can’t be so chaotic that the message gets lost in multiple translations.

If you want change then peaceful protest is your right but OCCUPATION is very militaristic… don’t you think? And militarization ‘control exerted by group action’ is something you oppose. See, right now it looks like a you are trying to exert your control over our city and I have to say that isn’t good.

If you want respect than demonstrate the respect to others around you!

___________

Of course, this is only one woman’s opinion but I believe I have a right to speak as a tax paying citizen and a card carrying member of the 99%.

Terry Thompson of Ohio released his exotic animals into the community before killing himself which then caused the unfortunate deaths of 49 of those animals. The question is “Should any private citizen have the right to purchase and keep exotic animals?

Now, I understand that there is a myriad of wild animals, birds, fish and reptiles that qualify under that category but how far do we need to go to protect those animals and protect communities from this type of captivity? Private ownership I believe should not be aloud especially when we are talking about tigers, lions, monkeys and other types of animals that require vast roaming areas, need specialized care and are potentially lethal to anyone who comes in contact with them.

I’m not an expert on this stuff but I just don’t know why any person who is not directly involved in the conservation or rehabilitation of an animal should be allowed to keep these creatures. If plain logic doesn’t prevail then there should be strong regulations in place, animal protection agencies in constant contact and when a law is broken be swift with punishment. That is always in our ideal world but that is precisely why no state should allow private ownership. There simply is not enough funds available, boots on the ground and eyes on these compounds to ensure compliance.

Here’s another question “Why does private ownership exist?”

* Human interest in possessing a non-native or rare creature

* Financial gain from the use or viewing of these animals

* Status

I think this incident was tragic due to the loss of so many beautiful animals who were not living the life they were designed to live. It was scary for a community that was plunged into a chaotic situation that nobody could prepare or be trained for. There is accountability that is needed at top levels to find out why the state did not see the value in banning such ownership. It is the chance to see the bigger picture that there was no justification for keeping these creatures and little compassion granted until they laid dead. (except for the efforts of some to deal previously with animal abuse complaints)

Jack Hanna mentioned on a news broadcast that the wife of Mr. Thompson was devastated that “her children” were taken or killed. That right there, is a statement that for me outlines our unhealthy relationship with wild animals. They are not our children, they are not even ours to keep. They are not best served by being kept in cages or peering from behind glass enclosures. By transferring our human feelings and needs to wild animals we lose sight of their purpose for living. A purpose that never once was to collide with ours; but it does and it has.

What is your opinion? Should private ownership of exotic animals exist? If not…Why? If so…Why? and Is there specific animals that should be banned from that ownership?

As Canada celebrates the death of one serial killer, Clifford Robert Olson and as British Columbia continues its inquiry into the handling of the case against serial killer Robert Pickton we are now hearing about another alleged killer in our midst. Cody Alan Legebokoff is 21 years of age and has been charged with the deaths of four women in the Prince George area. A total of 18 women have been missing between the Prince George and Prince Rupert communities (the highway of tears) and it is quite possible that this individual may have contributed to more disappearances and murders. However,again it must be said at this time Legebokoff has only been charged not convicted of the deaths of four women.

For all intense and purposes this guy didn’t stand out in any way to family or community. In fact, he seemed to have a very average young mans lifestyle; he had family, friends, worked and played sports. Legebokoff had traveled between both BC and Alberta for employment and raised no red flags as far as we the public have been told. However, isn’t that always the case. Men who abuse women, buy women, torture and kill women can not easily be singled out of the crowd. They often become suspects only by a miscalculation on their part or a witness coming forward. Before that occurred, they were just somebodies son, brother or  husband.

Behind the shock of a community is the unimaginable suffering that befalls his family. What if you truly didn’t know that your son, as in the potential case of Cody, was a killer? How do you as a parent come to terms with what is happening? How do you reconcile the emotion with facts? Where do you go from here? I have sympathy for the secondary victims in cases such as these. Cases in which a family or spouse had no inclination that their loved one participated in such horrific crimes. With Olson (I am reluctant to even keep saying his name) I was incensed with the money his wife received as a result of his confession; I truly believe she should have given that to the victims families. Having said that, it is hard to ever know how these families cope.

When I think too about the family of these women, my heart aches. I can only hope that many people continue to surround them with support and speak their daughters names with the respect they deserve. If  Cody Legebokoff is found responsible we need to stand in solidarity with them to see this killer never makes it out of prison. My hope is that our system does not make the mistake in the future of allowing anyone to profit from confessions; no bargains should be made with the devil.

There still is so much work to be done to address the violence against girls and women; in particular aboriginal women. Prostituted women and those whose lives have been affected by drugs and child sexual abuse need the most protection from these types of predators. Our mentality must change, that we see all women as precious not dispensable.

The mindset of these men are the extreme versions of what is intrinsic in our culture. Lack of empathy, distorted views about male and female relationships and misinformation about women/girls in general that fuel a misogynistic fire. There is no respect or dignity in half of what we see projected about the lives of women and their value in our world. In a sick mind this is compounded ten fold. If you are a women who has been marginalized, commodified and ostracized by community you are very vulnerable. This must stop!

We all need to take a long, hard look at how we participate in the acceptance of abuse against women. How we continue to raise sons in a way that still accepts an outdated “boys will be boys” attitude, that is not substantiated by science but more so cultural influence. How we turn a blind eye to our prostituted sisters because we can’t see that they feel, breathe and bleed as we do. That our laws still protect money better than they protect human life.

We may not be able to eradicate the existence of serial killers, torturers and abusers but we sure as hell can turn our attitude and laws around to move towards protection, prevention, compassion and healing for those who are marked as prey.

With peace and remembrance for Loren Dawn Leslie (15 years old), Cynthia Frances Maas, Natasha Lynn Montgomery, Jill Stacey Stuchenko.