opinion. information. evolution.

Thanks for the hate mail, sir!

2012-04-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

In the event of Titanic's 100th anniversary, I wrote a number of articles, one of them entitled "Titanic tales: Women's voices missing from history of disaster", although it was also on other websites under the title "Where were the voices of the women?"

Although I hate to direct traffic to this anonymous person's blog, here's some hate mail I received in response to my article. It's not really a traditional method to give feedback, but sometimes you can't expect much from certain readers.

I tried my best to clarify this gentleman's issues. This is the email I sent him:

Dear anonymous,

Thank you kindly for your feedback. The way you approached the situation says a lot about you, so I'll be sure to explain myself carefully to ensure your understanding.

First off, let me clarify something that you obviously don't understand. My job, like many other journalists (with the exception of columnists), is to organize information based on fact and/or expert opinion. It's also my job to find the most appropriate person or expert to give their opinion — in this case, Deborah Welch, a PhD professor with a current research focus on societal reaction to widows throughout American history. There is no trace of my opinion in the article, and I don't remember discussing the topic with you, so maybe you disagree with Dr. Welch's opinion, but not mine.

Next, you brought up the number of deaths in women and men, saying that my information was inaccurate (note: children were not included). Although the numbers fluctuate slightly from various sources, they are all with 25 or so, making my statement of "virtually the same number of men and women" correct. Your link to the Globe and Mail article confirms that.

Why didn't I compare the survival rate of women and children? Because that's not what my article was about. There are endless stories to be written about Titanic, which makes it important for each and every one to have a strong focus to keep the attention of the reader — another fact of journalism that you overlooked.

Although I didn't choose the title "Where were the voices of the women?", I think it's appropriate. Yes, you're right, men often spoke for women and their daughters. The article was not written to conclude that or otherwise, it was to put that in perspective. Dr. Welch said Titanic was "almost exclusively the playground of men," and it's true. It's fact.

That answers everything important that you brought up, the rest is childish name-calling and irrelevant accusations — ironic, considering you signed as "Dad" and your blog promotes fairness for fathers.

Hopefully you will make the best of this.

Best,

Kyle

A touching letter by Roberta Maioni

2012-04-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

With Titanic's 100th anniversary approaching, I've done a significant amount of research for some of the articles I've written - among them a profile of Hilda Mary Slayter, another about Titanic's feminist perspective - and came across a touching letter that is worth sharing. It was written 14 years after the wreck as a submission for a newspaper contest.

To give you a bit of context, her name is Roberta Maioni and she was 19 when she was on the ship. She's from London, England and she was on the ship as a personal maid for one of the first-class passengers. She was rescued on lifeboat 8. This is her story.

---

Roberta Maioni

1926

When I say that I am a survivor of the Titanic     you will know at once
 that my story is to be one of great tragedy, for     even after 
fourteen years, the name of that ill-fated vessel brings     a shudder 
of horror to those who remember it's wreck. 

On the day the Titanic set out on her first and only     voyage (10th 
April, 1912) I was just a girl in my teens looking forward     with a 
schoolgirl's anticipation to a voyage in the worlds latest and     
finest liner on a tour through North America. 

The weather was brilliant and the docks at Southampton
     were crowded with bustling people; for this was no ordinary boat 
departure.     It was the departure of a wonder ship - a floating palace
 that far excelled     all others in size and magnificence, and men 
said that she could not     sink.



We passengers were crushed and pushed about by excited     crowds as we struggled to reach the gangway, but once across we were     swallowed up in that great vessel. 

The noise made in getting the luggage aboard was deafening,     but when
 the Titanic started on it's journey and even greater pandemonium     
broke loose - the cheering of thousands of people and the shrieking     
of many sirens. 

Then - as if some unseen hand had silenced them, a     hush suddenly 
fell upon the people. I went to the side to see what was     the matter 
and found that the passing of the mighty Titanic had drawn     another liner - the New York - from her moorings into the fairway. 

Tugs
 soon took the New York back to her place and     the majority of us 
went on our way without giving further thought to     this incident, but
 some passengers took it as a bad omen of ill-fortune     and were 
further discomforted by the fact that large numbers of seagulls     
followed the ship to the sea. 

This, they said, was a sign of impending  
   disaster. I had no time for such forebodings, for I had entered a fairy     city and spent the first few days of the voyage in exploration and in     making friends. 

On the fateful Sunday evening I went into the music     saloon to listen
 to the band and found myself in company of a man who     had previously
 taken a fatherly interest in me. He was travelling alone     and seemed
 to suffer from his loneliness, for he had been one of the     
passengers most affected by forebodings. 

When ten o'clock came and I was called away to bed,     he begged me to 
remain with him a little longer, saying he was sure     something awful 
was about to happen. Perhaps he was influenced by the     fact that the 
band was playing such pieces as 'Ave Maria' and 'Nearer my God, to Thee'. 

His seriousness and pessimism frightened me, so for     once in my life I
 was quite glad to be sent to bed. I bade him 'Goodnight'     and never 
saw him again. 

After I had been in bed for about an hour and a half,     I was awakened by a terrific crash, followed by the rending of metal,     the rushing of water and the shouting of men. 

I was about to get up when a steward came and said,     'Miss we have struck an iceberg, but I don't think there's any danger.     Should there be I'll come back and let you know.' 

I prepared myself for sleep once more, but in a few     minutes the 
steward was back again, telling me not to be afraid, but     to dress 
quickly, put on my lifebelt
 and go on deck. I put on the first     clothes that came to hand and 
found my lifebelt. I could not fix this,     but the steward came and 
did it for me.



Still realising nothing of the danger I was in, I     joked with him 
about the funny way in which it was fixed. He did not     answer, but 
smiled very sadly, and shook his head. Then I knew that     something 
serious had happened. 

I was carried by a swarm of other passengers to the     boat deck, and shall never forget the strange sight that met my eyes.     There were pieces of ice
 all over the deck and groups of men and women,     looking gaunt and 
fearful in their night attire or in odd garments hastily     donned.



Some of them were talking calmly, firmly believing that her     
watertight compartment would save the Titanic from sinking. Others were 
    frantic with excitement or dumb with terror, huddled closely 
together     in silence as though they knew they were about to be parted
 by death.     

There were men swearing horribly and women quietly     sobbing and I knew that many of them were praying as they never prayed     before. 

But there was no panic, and I, with the fortitude     of youth, looked on in wonder. 

It was bitterly cold. 

I watched them preparing to lower the lifeboats. I     heard the order, 'Women and Children first'.
 I saw women parting from     their husbands and fathers. Some women 
clung to their husbands and refused     to leave them, but the ship's 
officers pulled them apart - the women     to live and the men to die. 

An elderly officer, with tears streaming down his     cheeks, helped us into one of the lifeboats. He was Captain Smith -     the master of that ill-fated vessel. 

As the lifeboat began to descend, I heard him say,     'Goodbye, remember you are British'.



We dropped over 60 feet down the side of that huge     vessel and it 
seemed an eternity before the lifeboat reached the water.     There were
 about thirty-five of us in the boat including three of the     crew - a
 seamen, a steward, and a cook. 

These men had been told to get away from the Titanic     as quickly as they could, lest the lifeboat be drawn under by the suction     of the sinking vessel. 

When we were at a safe distance they stopped rowing     and we watched 
the Titanic sink rapidly into the black depths. She was     ablaze with electric light until the last minute. 

Then I heard the terrible last cries of the twelve     hundred men, 
women, and children left aboard her, rising above the din     of the 
explosion of the boilers. For a moment the sky was lighted up,     with black masses thrown up into the air and we saw that dreadful iceberg     towering above us, like some grim monster about to devour it's prey.     

Then came the awful silence - more terrible than the     sounds that had gone before.

The sea was calm, otherwise no one would have been     saved, but by now
 it was studded with the wreckage and with bodies of     the dead and 
dying.

Some poor souls reached the lifeboats, only to be     pushed back into 
the relentless ice-cold sea, for the boats were full     and in grave 
danger of swamping. 

We had one loaf of bread in our lifeboat and this     had been trampled 
upon. There was neither drinking water, compass nor     clock and our 
single lamp would not light. Because of this we drifted     away from 
other lifeboats. 

We rowed all through the night, taking turns at the     sweep. 

I took my place and remember that my long hair was     very much in the 
way for it often caught between my hands and the oar     and caused me 
terrible pain. 

They steered our boat towards the lights of a tramp steamer in the distance, but we had no means of attracting attention     and the steamers lights slowly passed out of sight. 

The disappearance of the tramp steamer seemed to leave     us on the 
ocean - a handful of people in an open boat - and we were     faced with
 a worse fate than drowning. 

To add to our misery the sea became rough and our     boat was pitching and tossing helplessly. 

At last the morning came and we saw several icebergs     around us, grim
 spectres that would crush our frail craft like an eggshell.     

As our eyes became accustomed to the light, however,     we saw the 
objects that we had taken for a iceberg was a ship - the     cunard 
liner Carpathia
 - called to our rescue by the heroic wireless     operators of the 
Titanic, Mr. Phillips, whom we left behind to perish.     He stayed in 
his cabin to the very last, directing vessels to the scene     of the 
disaster. 

We soon reached the Carpathia and were taken     up her great 
side one more time in a kind of a cradle- just a piece     of board, 
strong hands and a willing hands at the top. 

This was no easy operation, for the lifeboat was being     dashed along 
the Carpathia's side and while waiting to be taken up we     were jerked
 backwards and forwards by the fury of the waves. 

As soon as I reached the deck, kindly hands put a     rug around my shoulders and pressed brandy to my trembling lips. 

I was safe, thank god, and little the worse for my     adventure. 

It was a terrible story, but I shall never shrink     from telling it, 
for above the horror of the tragedy there stands out     the noble 
British gentlemen who perished that we women might live.

Here's what randomly inspired me today

2012-02-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

You’ve probably noticed that social media is on the rise. You may not have noticed that it’s at full-speed, and it’s taking over.

You, like many others including myself, are probably struggling to understand it. It’s overwhelming to even consider answering the flurry of questions that come to mind.

One particular question has been poking me in the sides more vigorously: how are artists taking advantage of these tools and claiming their fame so efficiently?

Here’s what made me wonder. Here’s what randomly, yet pretty significantly, inspired me.

Two weeks ago: My friend shows me a YouTube video on his iPhone of five people that produced a song with only one guitar.

Five days ago: I’m at a get together with a group of friends when someone plays that same video, but this time, I sit down, listen and watch closely. I realize that the group is amazing. They’re five unique pieces to one incredible puzzle.

I noticed that each person had a special job, whether it was singing a verse or the chorus, using the body of the guitar to establish a beat, or even adjusting the machine heads to tune the guitar accordingly as the song progressed.

We ended up watching the video about four times throughout the evening.

Today: I’m on my way to a coffee shop to do some homework and I turn on the radio. You know exactly what was playing.

I needed to know more. Homework could wait.

It turns out the video has almost 60 million views and it’s only been hosted for one month. Who are these people?

It turns out that the song I heard on the radio was the original song, called Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye. The cover video, done by Walk Off The Earth caused so much hype that the original song has gotten some extra spotlight.

I’ll go as far as saying the cover is very different, and in my opinion, better because of the variety in character and overall quality of the song. I think the YouTube community will agree, considering the original only has about 80 million views. Yes, it's a lot more, but the cover has gained 3/4 of the views in a much shorter amount of time.

With a bit more research, I’ll admit that I was disappointed to find out that their fame has stemmed from a compilation of cover videos—I was really hoping for more original music from the fivesome.

On the bright side, watching their videos is still enjoyable. It’s easy to see that they love their fans and that they keep them in consideration when they produce their music (although I can only take so much of recycled music.)

Usually covers are hit or miss and if you produce so many, you’re bound to have a few misses, which drives people away. In this case, the success of Somebody That I Used To Know has carried the audience past that.

Finally, I haven’t figured out why this WOTE group is so famous. My only guess is that people love their character. Each individual has a distinct style and plays an important role when they participate in the videos. Personally, I’ve subscribed to them and I’m going to follow their journey, but that’s only temporary. If I don’t see any original music soon, I’ll slowly drift away and go back to my iTunes library… I just can’t help it. They’ll become some indie band that I used to know.

Ovechkin: Nothing left but personality

2012-01-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

It looks like it’s time for Alexander Ovechkin to start looking for a back-up plan as his career continues to head downhill—and faster than expected.

Although the Washington Capitals are sitting in a playoff spot just past the midway point in the season, Ovechkin is caught in a serious struggle trying to match his last season’s measly 85 points.

Don’t get me wrong, someone who’s in the range of getting one point-per-game is not someone to look down on, but if this same person had three 100-point seasons just two years ago and racks in $9.5-million per year, it’s a different story.

He was an exemplary athlete for all aspiring Russian hockey players.

Now, with a gold and a silver medal under their belt, the Russian WJHC team is producing a number of players with the potential to bump Ovechkin into the history books.

At a staggering 6’3”, hovering around 230lbs with the occasional big hit, maybe Ovie should switch his NHL path and aim to be the next Scott Stevens. And… maybe not.

Excuse my bias, but I’m one of the countless hockey pool buffs who completely wasted their first-round picks on this sluggish, wide-shooting, ex-star. I should’ve taken Crosby, at least then I’d have a good excuse for lack of performance.

On the bright side, yeah, he scored—no pun intended—a spot on the all-star roster. This came as a bit of a surprise to me, especially after having found out which players didn’t make the team.

He surely wasn’t chosen as a result of his latest performances, which brings me to one of his strong points: his extravagant personality. I can honestly say that I don’t care if his attitude is unnecessary, cocky or flashy.

You don’t often see low-budget rap videos and bad chocolate bar commercials from hockey players, but Ovechkin seemingly has no standards when it comes to media. It’s so over-the-top that it’s enjoyable and worth watching.

All in all, I guess I don’t really have a point to prove with this post, but I do have a question for the Caps management. How does $124-million for 13 years sound nowadays?

Americans get support to stay in shape

2012-01-09T07:50:00.000-08:00

Widely known to be one of the most obese countries in the world, our southern neighbour has been given another opportunity to trim the fat.

Medicare is an American health insurance program that now includes preventative care for their clients who have a body fat percentage over 30—and that’s a big step forward.

Specifically, this new coverage includes screenings, counselling and anything that plays a role in preventing obesity. It also includes coverage for symptoms or diseases relative to being overweight, such as strokes, diabetes, etc. The counselling sessions are provided for the first six months and can be extended to a year, as long as the patient manages to lose at least 6.6 pounds after the initial time period.

This is all good news because it’ll serve as a reminder for the U.S.'s questionable reputation concerning their healthy lifestyles, or lack thereof. Films like Sicko, Super Size Me and a number of YouTube documentaries hold a mirror up to Americans' above-average waistlines.

Even with this new opportunity, the path to physical fitness is not any easier for the average American. Medicare is not for everyone and the new support is merely a couple of prevention methods, leaving the already-overweight population--all 33.8 per cent of it--right where it was standing.

Medicare’s criteria narrows the eligible population to seniors over 65, people who are disabled, people with rare conditions, etc. The program covers approximately 43 million Americans out of the entire U.S. population. However, this could spark the interests of private insurance companies and put them in a position where they'll need to extend their coverage as well.

Some Americans have been given the tools to stay fit. Now it's up to them to take advantage of that.

Ottawa Zombie Walk 2011

2011-12-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

This may not be your thing, but it's worth taking a look at the creativity and labour that people put into their costumes. Let me know what you think.

This year's Zombie Walk was accompanied by great weather. The route, which zig-zagged throughout the city, was from MacDonald Park on Cobourg St. all the way to Parliament Hill. Crowds showed up in big numbers and the turnout was much greater than the past couple of years.

If you are in this video, or would like access to the photos, please feel free to contact me.

Follow me: http://www.twitter.com/kylekipp

Students organize "Dance for a Wish"

2011-11-15T12:20:00.001-08:00

Algonquin’s event management students have donated over $300,000 to the children’s wish foundation over the past four years, all through events they setup with no budget.

Students who enroll in the program must organize one major event in their second term—based on what they learn in class—to raise as much money as possible for charity.

“It’s hard because people want to help by waiving venue fees, but that still leaves us with costs for equipment,” said Sonya D’Silva, who is currently in the flurry of organizing everything with her team.

D’Silva and her five classmates are putting on an urban hip-hop showcase, which will host dance troupes such as Culture Shock Ottawa, Driven, Thrive, and Hype, to name a few.

“We’re performing a very high-energy set that will get people up and having fun,” said Nicolas Najm, artistic director of Ottawa's Culture Shock troupe.

He explained that donating to causes like the Children’s Wish Foundation is exactly what his troupe stands for. It’s a non-profit organization that prioritizes giving back to the community. More specifically, youth at risk.

“Youth outreach is our mandate,” he explained.

The entire setup must be complete by January so that the group can begin putting up posters and selling tickets. Again, these steps aren’t covered by any budget, although the college does lend each group $100. It’s the students’ job to find a company interested in the cause that is willing to help.

In the end, they must raise a minimum of $1,000 and entertain one silent auction. The minimum can be achieved by selling food during the intermissions, searching for sponsors, independent donations, etc.

“You can’t do it if you’re not organized. You need to have time management skills and work well as a team, because you rarely ever work alone in this industry,” said D’Silva.

http://twitter.com/dance4awish

http://facebook.com/cultureshockottawa

TEDxOttawa connects with Algonquin college

2011-10-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

Ottawa’s first ever TEDx event took place in the new ACCE building with volunteer support from 43 of the college’s students and alumni.

The not-for-profit event took place on Saturday, Oct. 22, thanks to a team composed of social media volunteers, public relations representatives, photographers, marketing agents, sponsors, etc. Sarah Ormon, who was the lead organizer, graduated in business-marketing at Algonquin.

“We thought we could really leverage what the programs have to offer,” said Ormon. She is well aware of Algonquin’s broad range of media- and business-related programs, and she jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of this.

TEDxOttawa was themed “creative actions”. It hosted close to a dozen speakers who took the stage for up to 18 minutes each. The lineup included popular figures such as Nigel Beale, Nicholas Charney and Stephen “Buddha” Leafloor—who all gave riveting speeches.

Although TED (technology, entertainment, design) events generally suggest an “ideas worth spreading” platform, independent events—where x=independent—can incorporate a theme that will ensure a more narrow focus from the speakers.

“The rule of TED is that you can’t promote yourself or your company. You have to promote your idea,” explained Amy Chamberlain, marketing manager of TEDxOttawa. Chamberlain is also a business-marketing alumnus from Algonquin.

TED is based in the U.S. but holds events across the globe. They also provide the opportunity for entrepreneurs to apply for a TEDx license, where as long as the applicant follows the rules and guidelines of TED, they can organize their own independent event once a year in any city.

The events always include a wide diversity of speakers and topics, as long as they can get the message across in less than 18 minutes and it’s of an innovative or inspiring nature.

The process for attending a TED(x) event starts with an allotment of number of seats, which is set by TED and dictated by the organizers’ abilities and experience. TEDxOttawa seated 100 guests and has the potential to double at next year’s event.

Once the number is set, organizers provide an application form. They then sort through the pile—which was well over 300 applicants for Ormon and Chamberlain—and choose the best-suited personalities for the occasion in question. “It’s nice because you could be seated between a CEO and a farmer,” said Ormon.

The TEDxOttawa team was proud to say that all their speakers are local. They hope to capitalize on the once-a-year appropriation set by TED for our city.

“Ottawa’s cool but just doesn’t know it yet,” says Ormon.

One political war defined by 107 political battles

2011-10-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Despite Canada’s conservative government, the province of Ontario remains Liberal with Dalton McGuinty ready to serve his third consecutive term as Premier.

The Ontario Liberal Party finished with a stunning 53 seats over the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, who managed to prevent a majority government with 37 seats.

The NDP were still present with 17 seats, but they didn’t accomplish nearly as much as they had hoped.

Ontarians have made it clear that in a province that is proudly bilingual, a monolingual candidate such as Tim Hudak is not likely to take the race. In this election, language was a strongly valued factor that forced a Conservative Ontario to slip away.

The Liberals held a somewhat distant lead throughout the evening, but never managed to maintain the desired 54 seats. The PC party had a very strong campaign for advanced voting, which gave them a promising lead that slowly faded away.

As election night progressed, most people had a general idea how the seats would be divided. However, some of those who zoned in on specific ridings were experiencing neck-and-neck battles between the two dominating candidates.

Amidst the most watched ridings, Liberal Bob Chiarelli managed to hold his grip on the Ottawa West-Nepean riding over PC candidate Randall Denley, who was projected to have a good chance at unseating Chiarelli.

“I’m feeling elated. It was a difficult campaign and it was also a difficult campaign provincially and it’s an historic victory for Dalton McGuinty and the Liberals,” said Chiarelli, who held his breath until finally being re-eleted as Liberal MPP. It was a photo finish.

Denley, who is formerly an Ottawa Citizen reporter, received a warm welcome at his campaign party at Grace O’Malley’s regardless of his shortcoming in the Ottawa West-Nepean poll.

The Glengarry-Prescott-Russell riding, which is among the most widespread geographically, was one of the most suspenseful. Liberal candidate Grant Crack and PC candidate Marilissa Gosselin were in a dead heat up until all 242 polls were counted.

In a riding that was red since 1977, GPR residents were relieved to see Crack finish this political race on top. The Liberals had a significant lead as the polls starting coming in around 9:10 p.m. but the PC party didn’t waste any time before making it a see-saw battle until the final results were official.

Gosselin, who lost a heavy amount of votes after false reports that she didn’t speak French, almost took over the GPR riding. She was given a rare opportunity when former Liberal MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde recently stepped down after holding this position for the past 25 years. This made for an equal advantage between both candidates.

The New Democrat Party candidate Bonnie Jean-Louis was a distant third.

“We were hoping for more of a thriller, but now we are seeing a lot of colour across the province,” said Jean-Louis about the results in her riding. “I am curious, surprised, and I will keep actively following the polls.”

Have rosaries jumped onto the trends bandwagon?

2011-07-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Before I get started, let's make sure we're on the same page. A fashion statement is described as a piece of clothing or an accessory that expresses attitude or lifestyle. In other words, something unique that will likely draw attention to the person wearing it. Right?

Lately, rosaries have fallen into this category.

In case you're wondering... yes, I am talking about a combination of beads and a cross used to count prayers. Don't get me wrong, this isn't to take away from people who are truly religious and wear it for the right reasons. If you dedicate yourself to your beliefs and take the time out of your day to follow them, then you get full respect from me. However, if your lifestyle doesn't allow for you to practice your religion but you wear this religious symbol, you should have no problem describing its purpose and what it represents—at the least.

So, here's the question. Is wearing a rosary as a fashion statement crossing the line? If you don't have an answer, I can help. Keep reading.

Maybe this has become so popular because celebrities like Justin Bieber, Rihanna and David Beckham are sporting the look. Wait a second, isn't Victoria Bekcham a fashion designer? I haven't seen any of these fashionistas at Sunday morning mass, but then again, I don't go very often... nor do I wear a rosary.

Let's look at another perspective. According to USA Today, some schools across the states are suspending students wearing rosaries for gang-related behaviour. The school officials were told by police to look for the whole "package", which means violent behaviour, gangster clothing, rosaries, etc. Personally, I don't see how you could ever classify a rosary as a gang symbol.

At this point, the stimulus could be not only defying authority, but defying religion. If you go against everything that is considered normal or accepted, it must give you some sort of thug reputation or scary image. That's as close as I can get to a rational theory when it comes to gang members wearing religious jewelry.

The new millennium has introduced so many questionable styles, whether it's Lady Gaga's controversial outfits, the bowl haircut from Bieber, the overall jersey shore look or the rosary as a fashion statement. These all root from people with strong influence on the general public, or at least from someone who sits somewhere in Hollywood's spotlight. I guess it's a personal decision to choose which trend to follow, if any, but I just don't see the point for most of them.

This leads to another question. If making a statement is about taking it up a notch, what comes after the rosary?

After considering each aspect, I can honestly admit that I haven't gotten very far. I still don't know why anyone would wear a rosary other than for religious reasons. Most of the individuals I've seen wearing them don't seem to be famous actors or singers, nor do they seem like they're part of MS-13 or the bloods. Hopefully one of the real celebrities or gang members will read this and send me a quick tweet or an email.

Profile: Josh Curley

2011-03-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

Despite the hardships that accompany becoming a police officer after graduation, Joshua Curley-Lanthier, an alumnus at the college, has worked his way through the majority of the testing stages and will soon have the job he always wanted.

The dream of joining the police force was not some sort of slow bloom for Curley. He woke up one morning in high school, and somehow his mind was set. His desires were confirmed when he hopped into a cruiser and took part in his first ride-along, where he witnessed the opportunity to help people firsthand.

Curley, 21, has formed strong ties within the Ottawa community and its surrounding areas.

“I enjoy building relationships with the clients,” said Curley about his current job at the High Support Program, a group home in Cumberland.

“I work with developmentally delayed, dual-diagnosed, high risk youth. That means they are either suicidal, self-harming or aggressive,” he added.

Curley is also a frontline worker at the Ottawa Mission. He helps people who are homeless, suffer with mental health issues, have suicidal tendencies, financial breakdowns and/or drug addictions. “My main duties include shelter security and some counselling,” he said.

He believes his work is furthering his career aspirations.

“I consider networking, building relationships and applying the skills I have learned to be the key success factors in becoming a police officer,” said Curley.

Since 2008, he has volunteered his time at the Bayshore Catholic School as a big brother figure with the Ottawa Police Service, where he teaches french and math to children with attendance issues and negative perceptions towards authority. He also lends a helping hand at events with the O.P.S. race and relations unit.

“He showed evidence that he knew policies and procedures of the law very well, and was very well police oriented,” said A/Sgt. Nathalie Perras of O.P.S. “Joshua was very open and flexible to learning new ways to continue to be a competitive applicant.”

“I’ve come to know Josh as a very approachable, personal and mature young professional with a passion for serving his community and upholding the rights of its peers,” said Rob Nettleton, former President of Algonquin’s Students’ Association.

He graduated from the two-year police foundations program with honours in 2010.

“I’ve already been able to apply the knowledge of all of my classes at one point or another, but the most useful ones were conflict management and criminal code and federal statutes,” he said.

He volunteered as a student leader for orientation week during the 2009 fall semester.

“Part of what made this event so successful was our student volunteers, like Josh” said Nettleton.

Curley considers his job in loss prevention, where he has worked since 2008, to be the most useful in terms of building his network, primarily because of its close ties with police services. “I met Joshua in spring of 2008 while attending a theft call at a grocery store where he worked as a Loss Prevention Officer,” said Cst. Renee Carter.

Certain workshops and certifications also proved helpful on his journey to becoming a police officer. Curley received a Certificate of Appreciation from the O.P.S. in 2009. He is also certified in American sign language, dealing with high risk youth, basic intervention techniques, immediate recall professional law enforcement, and use of force and open hand tactics. The Ontario Provincial Police awarded him the opportunity to attend the Eastern Police Experience, where he was chosen out of 31 candidates.

However, Curley’s pursuit of a law enforcement position has hit a few bumps in the road so far. After applying for O.P.S. and O.P.P., he was deferred by both in 2010.

“It was hard to swallow after putting all that work into it. But, good things come with time, dedication, commitment and more hard work,” he said. Support from family and peers kept Curley motivated and helped keep him on track.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Normally, I wouldn’t endorse the hiring of a police officer of somebody at this young age; however, I feel that Joshua is an exception. He is definitely mature well beyond his years, well grounded and has shown that he possesses the character required to excel in the role of a police officer,” said A/Sgt. Steven Malo.

As of today, Curley has passed his physical, aptitude, written communications, psychology and interview stages. He is now in O.P.P.’s auxiliary background-investigaion stage. This is the final stage.

Higher fares, worse service.

2011-02-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

That's what James Woods, a pre-animation student, feels he has been experiencing as an OC Transpo rider.

“I’m stuck paying higher fares but I’m not getting better service,” he said.

Students like Woods, 25, bought their bus passes to avoid the worries of having to buy and maintain a car, but buses haven’t been on time, and he relies on the bus schedule to get him to school and work, which has resulted in a couple write-ups and being late for class.

“It’s embarrassing. I’m punctual on my end,” said Woods. “Why bother with the automated phone system if it doesn’t actually matter,” he added.

Not only is OC Transpo going to hike up the prices in 2011, they are going to cut costs by eliminating and/or shortening local routes. By cutting these routes, it is likely they will implement more express routes—which aren’t perfect either.

In fact, according to a report by the Ottawa Citizen, more than half of the city’s buses are more than five minutes early or late.

Express buses have been reaching maximum capacity within the first three or four stops, which obligates the driver to ignore all other passengers until space frees up. “There’s a shortage in buses and in drivers,” said OC Transpo driver Bob Larose.

“That’s fine on a neighbourhood route, but not on an express,” said Larose. Although these issues don’t affect him directly, Larose believes there is a gap in the service and the climbing prices.

“We’re being pushed around by a major corporation,” said Woods.

From 2007 to 2011, bus tickets have jumped from $0.95 to $1.25, and student monthly passes have jumped from $59.75 to $73.25, but buses are still overcrowded and rarely on time. Prices will go up again as of July.

Military student finally awarded peacekeeping medal

2011-01-31T08:48:00.000-08:00

Pte. Ross Nixon, former army infanteer turned Algonquin engineering student, was awarded the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM) on Jan. 20 for his participation overseas — nearly 10 years ago.

“Congratulations,” said Major Mathieu Primeau, Commandant of the School of Military Mapping, as he shook hands with Nixon and handed him the medal. The CPSM was created in support of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to the Canadian Forces.

“It really highlights and recognizes the many missions that Canada served in overseas,” said Nixon. “It made me feel proud to have received it. It sounds just like any other medal, but it’s not. It is vital, regardless of some of its flaws,” he said.

Nixon worked in collaboration with the United Nations in three separate peacekeeping missions. He was stationed in Croatia in 1994, Bosnia in 1998 and Kosovo in 2000. During his tours, he was either placed in the weapons detachment or second in command (2IC) of a section, which is usually composed of eight to 10 soldiers.

Soon after his return from Kosovo, Nixon left the military to spend more time with his family. He had taken part in three tours over a span of seven years, which left him with very little spare time. He rejoined in 2007 and eventually received the CPSM, which had temporarily been awarded to his unit.

Nixon, born in Sardinia, Italy, is currently studying geospatial information systems (GIS) here at the college. Combat engineers do their part in the military by constructing bridges, roads, obstacles, and by detecting and using explosives in the battlefield.

The GIS program is a specialty which furthers the abilities of standard combat engineers. Upon graduation, he will have elaborate mapping skills including analysis, reproduction, distribution, surveying and management.

After a total of nine years of service, he completed the basic courses and qualifications, then advanced himself with courses such as Basic Reconnaissance Patrolman, Junior Leadership, and Advanced Machine Gunner.

I'm bored, so I'll write

2010-12-18T15:37:00.000-08:00

There aren't many things in this generation that are enjoyable and free... usually I'm stuck making my pick between the two. So, I'm sitting here at Bridgehead, drinking coffee, attempting to make a list of possibilities. Then I paused and realized, what I'm doing right now is free, and well, maybe it's kind of fun too. I'm writing.

I don't usually write personal blogs because I didn't want to appear as a bandwagon jumper. But, like everything else, I figure if I do it in moderation, it's acceptable. As long as I've got something interesting or different to say, it could be worth saying it. I'm sure one of you people out there are reading it. Actually, maybe you're sitting there, trying to think of something enjoyable and free too. I wonder what the maybe count will be when I'm done with this.

Now that school is done for a bit, and my job is on pause until January, I'm left with a lot of extra time to find something that makes me feel productive. Nothing to study, no timing to prepare for. I've eaten a panini sandwich, slept ten hours, played Call of Duty: Black Ops, cleaned my room, showered, I'm seeing all my friends tonight, so what now? I guess I'll write.

Here, I'll tell you something random instead of just writing about writing. For some unknown reason the other day, my friend Jean-Marc and I went to the Christmas Arts & Crafts show. It took place at Lansdowne Park. Basically, it's a compilation of maybe 300 booths, where people set up their life's work and show off their expertise. It's unfortunate that the prices are so high, although it makes sense. You're paying for the labour. It really limited what was affordable for us as students, though.

As a pretentious, 20-year-old know-it-all, I didn't expect much of the show as we drove over in JM's vintage tropical green 1994 Mercury Topaz. We walked in and I told myself I was right, as I passed a booth with candles, another with a variety of chocolates, one with some photography, etc. It got old very quickly. What a waste of time.

I looked over at my buddy, and knew he was thinking the same thing when we made eye contact. Then, I stopped, walked past him and found myself in a booth where everything was made from seat-belts: purses, laptop bags, backpacks, etc. I was slightly impressed. Then I ended up in another booth. It wasn't long before I was sitting on a chair made from a bicycle, with my feet on a table made from a bicycle, holding a glass made from a bicycle, and yes, a bottle opener made from the chain of a bicycle. All that was missing was a nice bottle of wine.

A young Caribbean man called me over to try his sauce. He argued that it was better than Frank's, so I had to do it. I told him to give me his spiciest stuff, but he wouldn't budge. "Island fire's not for you", he told me. So I started off with his original blend. As I swallowed the cracker, he continued to tell me about how he makes it, and the reason the flavour is so pure. During this time, I held back my tears and began to hiccup. He then described what I was feeling as I was feeling it. Spicy as hell. The man knew his sauce.

Before we knew it, it had almost been two hours. We were on our way out and we stopped by a woodworker's booth. JM picks up this small box and tries to open it, but he couldn't. The sign read "Mystery Box - Open it if you can." We tried everything for 15 minutes: slide, twist, tap, pull, push, squeeze. Not only that, the stubborn old man wouldn't tell us the secret. "Either you figure it out or you buy the box," he said. The only hint he would give us is "it opens smooth as silk."

Unfortunately, an $80 box is not part of my budget. Maybe I'll start saving though because I remain frustrated and curious to this day...

I think that's all I've got. Either that or I need more coffee, but I'm going to call it quits. I wonder if you read the whole thing. I don't see how this could possibly be enjoyable for you. I'm not even going to ever read it again. On the other hand, it is free.

Oh, by the way... maybe count: five.

Bryce Dymond and the "One Nation Run"

2010-12-13T17:45:00.000-08:00

Bryce Dymond couldn't believe his eyes when he visited the Beren’s River First Nations' Reserve in February of 2009, when he saw kids wandering around late at night in below 35 degree Celsius weather because their parents were busy playing bingo. Some of these children, as young as seven years of age, weren't even wearing mittens. "When I went there, I heard about the family situations, high school systems, malnutrition and became very frustrated that these things were happening in Canada," he said. These troubling pictures made him want to help, and help in a big way. He wanted to raise funds, but he also wanted to raise awareness. Dymond sat down and picked the two things he is best at, speaking and running, and decided he is going to take Canada one step closer to eliminating child poverty with the One Nation Run.

Dymond, originally from Mississauga, Ont., is organizing a cross-Canada marathon in partnership with World Vision. It will begin May 1, 2011, and will last until Sept. 29, 2011. Dymond and his best friend Zaya Kuyena, who he considers a brother — along with anyone willing — will run from St. John’s, N.B., all the way to Vancouver, B.C. “The ONR is kind of like ‘Terry Fox meets the Olympic Torch relay’,” he said. The plan is for a combined 71 km to be run daily. Dymond will run 21 km a day, Kuyena will run 10 km a day, and the remaining 40 km is left for the public to run. This marathon is different from most other cross-country marathons because of its relay style. “People can join on the day that the relay is traveling through their region,” said Dymond. The only requirements are for the participants to sign a waiver and make a small donation to World Vision. His goal is to raise $2 per person. Mondays there will be no running, it is a day for the runners to rest, recuperate and prepare. There will also be a four-day break somewhere close to halfway through the marathon. When the runners reach Winnipeg, they will visit the First Nations community to connect with the youth on the reserve that inspired Dymond from the beginning.

It’s hard to pinpoint where it all started for Dymond, but there is one significant moment that stands out from the others. When he was seven-years-old, sitting on his mother’s lap, he found himself watching a movie called Cry Freedom. It’s a 1987 drama based in South Africa that reflects on the issues of discrimination, political corruption and the repercussions of violence. “I didn’t understand why they were killing black people,” he said. He was struck with a sense of confusion and frustration. He didn’t like the situation at all. In the midst of his confusion, he decided that he was going to figure out why this happened and make sense out of the whole thing. From this point on, he surrounded himself with black people, making friends with them, playing basketball, listening to hip-hop, etc. He started playing basketball at that same age. He was a shooting guard at Lorne Park Secondary School for the Mississauga Marauders and Monarchs from 1991 until 1996. As for hip-hop, he liked to listen to artists like KRS1 and Public Enemy, and even considers them to be some of his life influences. He described himself as an athletic and outgoing kid, but he definitely had a softer, more caring and curious side.

“Bryce and I, as very close cousins, got to grow up together playing a lot of sports, spending time with mutual friends and time with our close, loving and very supportive family,” said Clark Hughes, 32. Hughes considers himself lucky to have had a sports-oriented cousin to grow up with. More specifically, they loved playing baseball and basketball throughout their childhood. He’s not the only grateful one, though. “We don’t naturally have a lot in common but we make time for each other. We go for a walk and have a heart to heart. We eat a meal. And perhaps our most shared interest, we watch soccer,” said Luz Iglesias, a close friend of Dymond’s. She appreciates the fact that they can be such great friends, undeterred by their differences, and respects him as an individual: “Bryce is disciplined — about athletics, about his diet, about staying in touch with friends,” she said.

He began his education at Homelands Senior Public School, then Lorne Park Secondary School, and then chose to study African-American History, with a twentieth century focus, at the University of Western Ontario in London. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree. “When I first watched that movie [Cry Freedom], it made me gravitate towards studying culture that black people are a part of,” said Dymond. He knew what field he was going to enter throughout high school, having written a number of papers on African-American figures. He then took some classes in Theology at McMaster University. As Bryce grew up, he really had a knack for surrounding himself with extraordinary people. His relationship with his best friend, Zaya Kuyena, 25, is something so unique and unheard of in this generation. Despite living in different cities, they have volunteered together, they have worked together, they run together, and they have a never-ending compilation of road trips together. “We found in each other someone who was willing to be vulnerable and honest, but also open minded to what life and the world has to offer,” said Kuyena, a 25-year-old Toronto man. “My grandmother is his grandmother, my friends are his friends and my house is his house,” he added. He explained that he really envies Dymond’s ability to listen to someone, anyone, and really understand them. He also mentioned Dymond’s interests, including seeking better environmental policy, improving living infrastructure for First Nations people in Canada and concerns with alleviation of extreme global poverty.

After his studies, Dymond began working on community programs and did some counseling as a Pastor at his local church, Kingsway Baptist Church. He taught there for six years, and then three years at Lorne Park Baptist Church. The programs targeted people aged between 10 and 25 years old, but they concentrated mostly on high school students. “I loved helping students find out who they are, encourage them in what they’re gifted in,” explained Dymond. He changed paths to organize the run, but knows he will continue to be a leader and a teacher to those who need it, wherever this path takes him. The Church and Jesus are a huge part of his life, in every aspect. “I am amazed by how he lived,” he said. Tammy Thibodeau, another close friend of his who also works with youth, summed up her time with him through common activities: “we read, we pray, we try to love people like Jesus did, we try to love God like Jesus did, we cry, we fail, we suffer, we get up again, we keep going, we keep watching.”

There is a Jamaican saying that relates very closely to Dymond as a person: “show me your friends, and then I will know you.” Catherine Taylor, his girlfriend, found it very easy to let him into her life for that exact reason. Dymond used to drive from Mississauga to Ottawa to visit her before he had moved over to the capital city. On one particular occasion, he had reached out to a friend for help with a ride. This friend covered the costs for a car rental. This shows who Dymond is. “This alone speaks volumes about his trustworthiness, intelligence, integrity, and his big, giant heart. But to have a friend who would without thinking twice pay for a rental car for you, also reflects the heart of his friends, and it also speaks to the fact that Bryce really is that incredible,” said Taylor, 24.

Dymond’s life path has been impacted since the day he had watched Cry Freedom, but to this day, it is not the only movie to have changed him for the better. When he watched Without Limits, a 1998 biographical type of film based on the true story of Steve Prefontaine, he began to run. This hobby quickly turned into a routine, a practice. Running eventually became a big part of his life, especially when he completed the Boston Marathon, with a qualifying time of 3:08:35 (the limit is 3:11:00 for ages 35 and under). Dymond is similar to Prefontaine: although some people stick to the facts and believe there is a mathematical way to improve your running — such as Prefontaine’s coach Bill Bowerman — others will run as far as their hearts take them.

Today, at 32 years of age, Dymond feels he has acquired the skills and will power to organize something as huge as the One Nation Run. He may be new to Ottawa but he has settled in quickly, having already found the Rideau Canal as a great spot to run. “Children are not living glorious and free in our own country and all we can do as a collective group is sweep the problem under a carpet. I was disappointed,” he said. “They provide me with the inspiration I need everyday to train for the run when it is below 15 degrees Celsius,” he added. With the help of World Vision as a partner and the support of his family, friends, and runners across Canada, this marathon is going to be a big deal. In addition to raising awareness throughout the Canadian population, the funds will be funneled through World Vision to Canadian programs helping child poverty. For example, Christian Direction in Montreal, an organization motivated by God, aiming to reflect unity with diversity, with a mission to pursue the transformation of people. Dymond looks forward to Sept. 29, when he will cross the finish line in Vancouver, and be one step closer to a new beginning for children around Canada.

Do you believe in third chances?

2010-11-29T09:35:00.000-08:00

John Smith, a 77-year-old retired man, has been given one last chance after being charged for assaulting and stalking his wife.

His daughter, Louise Desjardins, and ex-wife of 50 years, Gail Smith, have proposed themselves as assurities. This unusual plan means they will let him stay in their home — as an alternative to jail — and supervise him throughout the day until his trial is over.

Desjardins hadn’t had much contact with her father since her parents divorce. They drifted apart due to busy lifestyles, but she assures it was like a “regular father-daughter relationship” when they did see each other. “He’s been a good father even though the allegations against him are pretty bad. He’s family and I love him. It’s the right thing to do,” she said, when the Crown asked why she was doing this for him.

Desjardins then confirmed with the Crown that there were firearms in her household, but that it wasn’t an issue to have them removed if it was mandatory for her father’s release.

John Smith sat behind glass with a blank expression, leaned back, and under the watch of a police officer throughout most of the trial. His body language changed completely when his ex-wife took the stand. He faced her, sitting up, with his head down and hand on his forehead.

The defense lawyer, Tremblay, asked Gail Smith how she could possibly take her unfaithful ex-husband into her home after not saying a word to him since their divorce seven years ago. “Because I care about him and I think I don’t believe the charges against him were that severe,” she said.

Despite the Crown’s statement that Smith had a developing aggression that would be troubling to the plan, Tremblay argued that the family’s proposition to act as assurities stands as proof that they are separating themselves from the past.

On June 4th, 2010, he assaulted his wife of one year, Rita Helms, in their home on 641 Bathgate Avenue. He grabbed her wrists, pushed her into a reclining chair, then punched her in the chest and face. On Oct. 25th, he ignored his restraining order and was caught parked in front of Helms’ new address. On Nov. 9th, he was caught again, this time peering into the victim’s window.

The Judge gave a summary of the trial and repeated the charges, then concluded that Smith will be released on the conditions that both assurities pay $1000 each and that the firearms are removed from the Desjardins household.

An inside look at The Ottawa Mission

2010-11-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

  

The Ottawa Mission is a nonprofit organization based on faith. Their goal is very straightforward: to provide food, shelter and clothing for those in need. The shelter, located in the heart of downtown on 35 Waller St., is often misinterpreted by the general population. The establishment is thought-out, well-organized and has a disciplined staff who are there to help while enforcing a set of rules. According to Josh Curley, a 22-year-old social worker, the mission’s rule set includes the prohibition of drinking, smoking, drugs, weapons, paraphernalia. There are also set times for the clients to check-in and be in bed. “There is a program in place through the government called PNA (Personal Needs Assistance). This program gives all clients with no income $4 for every evening they sleep over. I think it’s a good idea, however, I feel these clients should have chores to do in order to get this ‘allowance’ every week. Chores with regards to keeping the mission clean, and their place of living,” he said. They strive to accommodate the needs of those suffering from hunger and poverty by keeping their services – such as client, health and addiction services — up to date with the needs of the residents. According to their website, they managed to obtain an average rate of 93 per cent occupancy throughout 2009, with a total of 1,627 registered clients.1

Next, this establishment doesn’t only offer the bare minimum to assist the poor and hungry. According to their pamphlet, their services and programs include client services, which targets those that are scrambling to make a positive life change. The Ottawa Mission’s Stepping Stones Learning Centre is a school within the organization, in conjunction with a certified teacher and several volunteer tutors. They will help with issues ranging from education to housing, and everything in between. Health services are also offered through a primary care health clinic, run entirely by volunteer dentists and hygienists, who successfully treat about 200 patients monthly. Addiction services are also offered through drop-in group counseling sessions. More specifically, there is a 30-day stabilization program to help maintain sobriety and suggest further treatment.This further treatment includes a number of choices, for example: “Lifehouse — an intensive five month drug and alcohol residential treatment program at the Mission.2” Upon completion of this rehabilitation program, there is two years of group support offered.

As a nonprofit organization, the Ottawa Mission need all the help they can get, that’s why they make it easy for those who have something to give. The volunteers are what make the whole operation run smoothly. Especially around times of increases hunger and adverse weather, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, more help is needed. According to their website, items in need range from furniture, time, money, appliances, etc. You can donate directly through their web page or even through the United Way. There has recently been an update so that citizens can donate through texting. This is mainly to target Ottawa’s youth, but since the world is home to over 4-billion cellphone owners, it can’t hurt. “Your generous donation of $2.97 provides a warm and nutritious meal for someone in need in your community,” says their online homepage.3 The shelter averaged a daily 214 residents overnight throughout 2009, while 1,136 meals were served. This adds up to a total of 414,520 meals all year.

SOURCES:
1. The Ottawa Mission pamphlet.
2. http://www.ottawamission.com/index.php?q=fastfacts.html
3. http://www.ottawamission.com/index.php?q=lifehouse.html
4. http://www.ottawamission.com

Anti-Zionist protest on Elgin

2010-11-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

This isn’t typically how I write my articles, but this one’s a bit different because I wasn’t looking for a story, it just found me. I was walking on Elgin Street earlier today and noticed a protest in front of the Ottawa Courthouse. I wanted to know more.

The protest was held by approximately a dozen Canadian Orthodox Jews. They are promoting Anti-Zionism, saying that Zionism itself is Judaism’s worst nightmare. They are protesting the acts of Zionists and their misrepresentations of Jews.

According to Oxford’s online dictionary, zionism is “a movement for (originally) the re-establishment and (now) the development and protection of a Jewish nation in what is now Israel. It was established as a political organization in 1897 under Theodor Herzl, and was later led by Chaim Weizmann.”

There have been brutal acts of violence emerging from Israeli Zionists against Palestinians and Jews. Zionist archeologists have gone as far as excavating graves in towns within their Holy Land (1). Israeli police and military have also gone too far when dealing with protests (2).

The protestors were modestly dressed in black suits with long curled sideburns, in accordance to the Torah’s commandments. Some were holding Anti-Zionist flags, some were holding signs that expressed messages such as “Judaism rejects the state of Israel‘, and some were praying directly from the Torah.

Amrom Rosenburg explained the issues in detail and informed interested pedestrians where to get more information.

(1) http://israelversusjudaism.org/oppression/20100309/index.cfm

(2) http://israelversusjudaism.org/oppression/20100707/index.cfm

(3) http://israelversusjudaism.org

(4) http://nkusa.org/

This is why we wear a poppy

2010-11-15T07:59:00.000-08:00

Master Corporal Terry Cash, a 38-year-old infanteer, has been a member of the Canadian Forces since 1990, but his most fulfilling and proudest moments are tied to his recent tour in Afghanistan.

Cash, a member of the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, was deployed for over seven months, from Sept. 15, 2008 until April 29, 2009. He considers this tour to be the biggest accomplishment of his military career.

He was stationed in Kandahar City at Camp Nathan Smith, where he worked as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team. One of his most memorable moments on tour was a three hour trip by convoy to Spin Boldak, a small town near the Pakistani-Afghani border in southern Kandahar.

“Plenty of interesting people in Afghanistan, none that really stand out from others. We did have an old local Afghan that lived in our camp and worked there. Popeye had worked for the Russians when they were there, was an extremely hard worker,” explained Cash. Unfortunately, the local worker was eventually found murdered.

In addition to Popeye’s death, Cash lost a good friend to an IED strike, along with 19 other Canadian soldiers throughout the same tour rotation. Those kinds of situations are what define Remembrance Day for him. “Honouring the memory of those who have gone before us and have sacrificed their lives. They gave us all so we could live the way we do,” he said.

Cash joined the 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders in February 1990 and transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment, a regular force unit, in December of the same year. He released from the military in January 2000 and re-enrolled with the Camerons in November 2006. His time in the regular force included tours in Croatia and Bosnia.

MCpl Terry Cash was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He moved to Halifax at the age of five, and moved back to Cape Breton for a year. That’s when his career with Canada’s army began.

A new way to get around Ottawa

2010-11-12T08:24:00.000-08:00

What is Ottawa's best choice when it comes to transportation? The truth is, there may not be a best choice, but that will all change within the next decade. Throughout the city's history, the implementation of a Light Rail Train was always considered illogical due to its high costs and time consumption. These issues are unavoidable, but with the city's rapid growth, a drastic measure is becoming more and more necessary. This plan will have an exceptional effect on traffic congestion and will reinforce safety issues that revolve around transit. The entire project is based around the citizens' needs. Specifically, once it is completed, underground tunnels will avoid crowding downtown Ottawa and other intensified areas of the city, which are already very limited on space. The train's stops will be located in areas that have been ruled most accessible for its future users (schools, highly populated areas, downtown, malls, etc.) The LRT plan has now started.

First and foremost, traffic congestion is an issue that has been rapidly worsening in the Ottawa area over the past 10 years. Throughout any weekday — notably rush hour from 6 a.m. until 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. — it has become very time consuming to travel to and from the east and west ends of the city. This affects everybody that leaves their house, whether they’re driving, taking the bus, or taking the train. It applies to all modes of transportation during regular work commute hours: roads and highways are bumper-to-bumper and OC Transpo services are overfilling their vehicles with passengers. Despite the extension of bus schedules and the creation of the O-train, the growing population has slowed down the services and rendered them much less effective. The implementation of a Light Rail Train Plan will help dissipate the population across four modes of transportation as opposed to the existing three. Also, taking into account the LRT’s higher efficiency, it will be able to move more passengers and move them faster. This will eliminate overcrowding, increase riders’ safety, lower the number of drivers on the road, etc. In North America, 13 per cent of all deaths are related to falling, particularly those over the age of 45. Thirty per cent of bus-related death falls take place when the passenger is leaving the bus. According to On The Road (a book on transit safety), this is due to adverse conditions, unfamiliarity with stairs and setup, failure to grab the handrail and poor lighting. In addition, 54 per cent of bus-related crimes happen to, from and at the bus stop. Again, these problems are caused by overcrowding, poorly lit bus stops and bus stops located in unsafe or questionable areas. These issues are easily avoided and will be prevented with the upcoming LRT system. It is a long-term investment that is well worth it, financially and environmentally,

In Canada, transit is an issue dealt with at the municipal level. There are three main groups in charge of proposing, discussing, approving and controlling the LRT project: the city’s mayor, the city councillors, but most importantly, the residents of Ottawa. The mayor is responsible of a majority of the planning, incorporating the appropriate businesses and the budgeting. The city councillors must observe the issue from their ward’s perspective and as an overall view for the city. Once they have obtained all the necessary information to make a decision, a majority vote is mandatory to approve the plan. The citizens, who will be living the effects of the project first-hand, are there to voice their opinions and sway the mayor and his councillors. Although there are no agencies currently involved with the LRT plan, Ottawa’s Mayor Jim Watson had previously suggested connecting with Infrastructure Ontario [a provincial agency] to assist in the competitive bidding process. Watson also said he is planning to appoint a management board to oversee the expensive plan as well as a transit commission to oversee the construction and management of the project. He doesn’t feel comfortable leaving this huge project in the hand of city councillors, but rather in the hands of people who ride the transit and have experience with transit issues.

Now, with a new mayor in place, Ottawa’s LRT plan is under way. The funding has been resolved, and study estimates have led to the conclusion that the overall costs will be a total of $2.1 billion. The federal government is providing $600 million, the provincial government is also providing $600 million, and the municipal government is in charge of covering the remaining costs. According to City Councillor Rick Chiarelli, the municipal government is currently working on the funding through property taxes and user fees, as well as negotiating with the provincial and federal governments to bump up the grants. According to The Rapid Transit Expansion Study, several LRT plans were reviewed from Seattle, Pittsburgh, and Boston. It was ruled not cost-effective to convert the Transitway to LRT due to service disruption during the actual conversion as well as the issue of value for money. The study, which was conducted in 2003, estimated that the transitway from Orleans to Kanata would cost $1 billion. It was decided that this would money would be better invested in establishing new rapid transit corridors rather than replacing existing ones.Once the functional design was finalized, the environmental assessment had been approved, the geotechnical and hydrogeological investigation was completed, the plan was underway. The LRT plan is currently in the preliminary engineering phase of the project In other words, “This work will advance the OLRT design to allow a more refined project cost estimate and prepare specifications for final design and construction. It will also include a value engineering process that will investigate options to manage project costs.” This should all be finished by 2012. Construction is planned to take five years, and full service is expected by 2019.

The Light Rail plan should have been put into action much earlier than today, but it's better late than never. It's important for Ottawa's population to have its mind set on long term goals, especially as Canada's capital, a place flowing with tourists, and most importantly, a rapidly growing region. The funding has been acquired from provincial and federal governments, which means that all that is left is for the municipal governments to carry out the procedure as effectively and efficiently as possible. As Ottawa's population multiplied, they had the option to dig their grave or dig a 44-meter tunnel and enable a state-of-the-art transit system — they made the right decision.

SOURCES:

City of Ottawa. (2010). Ottawa Light Rail. Retrieved from http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/en/project-plan

City of Ottawa. (2010). Ottawa Light Rail. Retrieved from http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/en/project-plan/current-status

City of Ottawa. (2010). Ottawa Light Rail. Retrieved from http://www.ottawalightrail.ca/en/project-plan/fast-facts

CTV Ottawa. (2010). Watson wants management board to oversee LRT. Retrieved from http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100915/OTT_Watson_100915/20100915/

Government of Alberta, Government of New Brunswick, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. (1971). Roadside Surveys Drinking-Driving Behaviour. Alberta and New Brunswick, Ministry of Transportation.

Grafftey, H., and McInenly, R.A., (revised edition 1990). Safety Sense: On The Road. Ottawa, ON: Safety Sense Enterprises Inc.

Transport Canada. (2003). The Rapid Transit Expansion Study. Ottawa, ON: Transport Canada.

Willing, J. (2010). Create board to oversee Ottawa's LRT project: Watson. Retrieved from http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/09/15/15358576.html

It's all about delivery

2010-10-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

Jim Watson stopped by Algonquin College last Wednesday to discuss his policies and to hear what some of the eager learners of a Local Government class had to say. Although he did have an answer ready for every question, they were too long and lacked direction.

Watson was the third candidate to visit the school within the past month, and the first to show up with a media team. He walked in with his assistant, a CBC News crew, an A Channel news crew and Joanne Chianello, a reporter from the Ottawa Citizen. He introduced himself, talked about his past political experience and then moved on to a question period.

One student asked what would happen to the city wards if the number of city councillors was brought down from 23 to 17. Watson started off: “We have one of the largest city councils per capita apart from Montreal [...]” and eventually concluded that he plans to expand the wards that are excluded, should the adjustment in number of city councillors ever take place. It took him about five minutes to answer a simple question.

In the end, his idea is a practical alternative for Ottawa. It would save money within the municipal government and would lead to more effective decision-making at city council meetings, but the way he trails off and recites everything he knows related to the topic of the question causes his listeners to lose interest. Jim Watson knows what he’s talking about, he just doesn’t know how to talk about it.

Friday Morning Smile

2010-09-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Two jazz musicians put a large toothless smile on an elderly gentleman’s face as he walked into Loblaws on Friday morning in Ottawa’s west end.

This man’s facial expression made it obvious that these easy-listening-type tunes had made his day. He calmly strolled in on his walker and raised an eyebrow, then, looked around to find out where the melody was coming from. As he spotted the band, right beside the corn and the melons, he paused, turned slightly in their direction and continued walking more and more slowly until he finally came to a stop and listened.

The band is composed of Mark the drummer and Tom, who plays the baliset. “We’ve still gotta come up with a band name,” says Mark.

This group has a unique sound, thanks to Mark’s booming bass drum and clashing cymbals matching up perfectly with Tom’s ability to play such a rare instrument. The wide-necked baliset is played by tapping the strings against the frets. “It’s a commercially built instrument that I have personally tweaked to make it my own,” says Tom.

There seemed to be a crowd slowly gathering throughout the fruits and vegetables section. This wasn’t because of the sale prices, but because of the nameless band’s willingness to chat and have a laugh with the community.

Their purpose was to set the mood throughout the supermarket. The cluster of shoppers and the grinning old man served as the perfect examples.

SOURCES:

1. http://www.tommcmahon.ca/baliset.htm

WHAT ROLE DOES RELIGION PLAY IN WAR?

2010-05-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Realistically, there has never been a war where the cause was solely and specifically because of a religion. At the same time, almost every significant war or conflict has had a religious aspect to it, or some sort of link to a religious issue. It has played a strong role in numerous minor and major conflicts, in the World and Civil Wars, and in most of today’s wars.

As of late, there has been a number of minor conflicts that were linked with religion. The types of conflicts vary, but the number of conflicts is still growing rapidly. Scientology caused an outrage and many protests, riots, mobs throughout North America with its sudden growth at the beginning of the millennium. Certain people who claimed to be scientologists had said certain things and acted certain ways, which affected this particular religion’s reputation as a whole (note: not everyone agrees that Scientology is a religion but that is how I will refer to it for this article). It caused large numbers of people to make assumptions about the religion and decide what they thought of it without even looking into its set of beliefs. Tom Cruise, for example, confirmed his interest and belief on national television, which was all it took to convert some of his fans. In the same timeframe, there were implied terrorist threats made through YouTube videos and protests with individuals that wore masks and used voice translators to hide their identities. This turned many people against Scientology and automatically caused Tom Cruise and his converted fans to look bad.

Religion is one of the most discussed and disputed topics in the world. To take part in a discussion or a dispute, it is obvious there is a minimum of two sides that will either agree or disagree with each other. Much like any other argument in the world, disagreement can escalate and eventually lead to aggression. In other words, someone will take action. This can be especially dangerous depending on what kind of status and power the person holds. Although World War II was started because of a list of events and bad relationships between Nazi Germany and others countries, the entire event would have been avoidable if it wasn’t for one man’s ideologies. Adolf Hitler strongly believed not only that Germans and the Arian race were dominant, but he also believed that Jews and Gypsies should literally be killed and tortured. His sense of superiority and way of thinking literally started a war against a religion.

In comparison to the Holocaust, a country will normally declare war or initiate a conflict based on a strong desire or need of another country’s resources, a dispute over land, or to adjust a balance in power. In many cases, there will often be one of the countries involved that is remarkably weaker than the other and that will need to fight the war with a more unusual method. Iraq, for instance, who is fighting their war with an insurgency instead of with their army, need to resort to religious reasoning to recruit civilians to fight and maintain a large enough force to withstand the American troops and their supporting allies. This is an effective method because Islam can eliminate the fear of dying (if interpreted a certain way), which is often why a person would avoid joining an active fighting force. The Iraqi insurgency is divided into two main groups, the Shi’a and the Sunni people, who are either fighting to keep the opposing forces away or simply for survival. These two groups have many sub-factions, but they all have an Islamic background. The war in Afghanistan was originally to capture the most wanted man in the world, Osama bin Laden. Today, this is still one of the focuses of the mission, but with the war’s recent progressions, religion has become a serious underlying factor.

Although no major wars or conflicts have been caused directly by religion, it is not uncommon for both sides to be grouped into one religion each. It is always easier to fight for something when you are surrounded by people like you. For example, the North Ireland issue between Roman Catholics and Protestants, the Rwanda genocide issue between Hutu people and Tutsi people, and even the Bosnian war which was between three religious groups: Muslims, Roman Catholics and Serbian Orthodox.

To sum up, arguing that religion is a cause of war is a lazy excuse to avoid looking deeper into the issue. It is a false justification for those who do not understand or who ignore underlying issues like those named throughout this article. It is true that wars often cross the lines that separate two religions, but that does not mean that the religions are the causes. Religion is often present during times of war, but its role is always different. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the war, and sometimes it can determine the outcome.

SOURCES:

1. Peterson, Anna Lisa. Martyrdom and the politics of religion: progressive Catholicism in El Salvador’s civil war. Albany, NY: University of New York Press, 1997.

2. Religious Tolerance: http://www.religioustolerance.org/curr_war.htm

3. Religious Cause of War: http://wais.stanford.edu/Conference/conference_religioncausewar20401.html

4. Religious Cause of Violence: http://www.catholicanarchy.org/cavanaugh/Cavanaugh%20-%20Does%20Religion%20Cause%20Violence.pdf

5. Fast Facts on Religion: http://didyouknow.org/fastfacts/religion/

6. Exactly Who Are We Fighting in Iraq?: http://www.infowars.com/articles/iraq/exactly_who_are_we_fighting_in_iraq.htm

7. Picture Link: http://singlemindedwomen.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/tug-o-war.jpg

Prison Gangs: A Serious Risk

2009-12-07T16:06:00.000-08:00

A gang is a group of persons associated for some criminal or other antisocial purposes. As of late, the number of gangs in North America has been increasing drastically. Gang-related crimes occur under all circumstances, whether it is in a minimum or maximum security prison. Most of the time, they are formed based on similarities. People who do not know where they belong naturally approach others that are like them. Therefore, gangs are organized based on ethnicity, religion, race, sexual orientation, etc. Many people overlook the seriousness in prison gangs, often thinking they are not dangerous because they are behind bars. In reality, they play a big part in everyday crime in the streets and in prison. The crews keep their wheels rolling by creating and maintaining links with individuals outside of prison walls, by growing as a gang and strengthening through tools called principles and values, and by merging itself comfortably and safely within other gangs throughout the entire prison demographic. Namely, gangs are a serious risk.

First off, a close look at street-to-prison activity. Although it is not very obvious, crime in the streets and crime in prisons, jails and correctional facilities are strongly connected. In a situation where a trade is being made between a prison gang and a civilian, there are two major players. One end of the trade will be the convict and the other end will be the civilian. Both ends are in need of something and both ends are willing to give something up to obtain it. In most cases, the civilian who is involved in the trade will be an ex-partner with remaining ties to the prisoner. The trades will almost always consist of drugs or cigarettes, considering their high popularity levels in prisons due to their high value, strong effects and of course, addictions. According to an Internal Corrections Canada memo obtained by Cancrime, one marijuana joint now costs $50 inside a federal prison, roughly 10 times the price on the street(1). These will be brought in by the civilian and will be traded for money. For example, a situation where a prisoner trades with his ex-wife will often involve blackmail. Once the trading begins, it is extremely difficult to drop out of it. The prisoner often needs drugs due to his addiction, to pay off debts to other prisoners (maybe even his gang boss), or simply to conserve his status within the facility. The ex-wife will be struggling now that she was thrown into a single-life, possibly making every effort to take care of a child and paying off debts such as mortgages and insurance. The trades take place during visiting hours or through corrupt prison guards. No matter how sophisticated the security is, the dyad will always find a way to smuggle something (this is done through handshakes, kissing, touching, sharing a coffee, etc.)

Next, gang classification and methods used to stay together and grow together. What separates one gang and makes it unique from all the other ones is their date and place of origin, their reputation, their joining restrictions, their allies and their rivals. Many of them have sub-gangs depending on the population and location of the gang. Fundamentally, there are 4 main categories of prison gangs: Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and other. The aforementioned are primarily based on racism and stick together as a group for protection purposes. A prominent white gang is the Aryan Brotherhood.

They have multiple nicknames such as Alice Baker, The A.B., Aryan Resistance, etc. Their main territory is federal prisons. According to Matthew Duersten from LAWEEKLY, this gang makes up 1% of the prison population yet are responsible for 18% of the crimes. They are well-known throughout North America in and out of prison for murder, conspiracy, drug and arms trafficking, racketeering and more(2). The list of crimes they have committed is practically endless and unfortunately ongoing. A noteworthy ally would be Hell’s Angels, and a rival would be the Black Guerilla Family (B.G.F). Speaking of the BGF, they are the main Black gang in North America and present in most US prisons. Created in the late 1960s, there was a necessity for Blacks to be able to stick together due to other overpowering gangs. Although they take part in the same crimes as all other gangs, they have also been labelled with serious situations involving grand theft auto.They are allied with Nuestra Familia and they rival The A.B. As for Hispanic gangs, they are all closely related, but MS-13 would be the most striking as a whole. The Mara Salvatrucha (Mara means crew, Salvatrucha is slang for a gangster from El Salvador) is spread throughout North America despite originating from Southern American countries. Their drug smuggling and trafficking abilities are incredible, especially with control of some parts of the American-Mexican border. They are the biggest gang in America. One odd fact about this gang is they ally many Latino gangs and rival many Latino gangs. Finally, the “other” category. This encompasses every other gang. For example, the Texas Syndicate, which is primarily composed of Southerners yet it accepts self-hating minorities. Their strange joining instructions make them different and throws them into the general category. In spite of all the alliances and rivalries mentioned, they are all subject to change and undergo drastic shifting very often.

Last but not least, gangs have been emitting strong presences and growing in numbers. It is a chain reaction: populations are growing everywhere, crime is growing everywhere, prisons are filling up, gangs are not slowing down(3). Each crew has its own territory or has a particular territory it is trying to take over. Certain gangs are becoming renown for an entire state or an entire prison, and some are even gaining international recognition. Not only are gangs claiming territories, they are also sticking to specific types of crimes. Patterns have become evident showing that auto crimes are popular with Black gangs, murders and conspiracies are popular with White gangs and drug smuggling or trafficking is popular with Hispanic gangs. Granted all of these links are simply generalizations, they are true when taking a broad view at the subject.

Conclusively, the issue of gangs being a grave risk to society is one that should not be taken lightly. They are undoubtedly dangerous in and out of prison walls and it is wise to always expect the unexpected. There will always be links from the in to the out and vice-versa, there will always be discrimination, and there will always be gangs. Prison gangs will forever dominate a fluctuating percentage of the earth we live on. The intent is to be hopeful and encourage control of the situation rather than trying to completely eliminate the overall existence, which is surely an impossible mission.

SOURCES:

1. Elevated Drug Prices: http://cancrime.com/2009/08/secret-memo-reveals-deadly-price-of.html

2. Aryan Brotherhood crime involvement: http:// www.laweekly.com/2005-02-03/news/who-ll-stop-the-reign/

3. Number of gang increase statistics: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/august10/politics/facts_stats.html

4. For more information on a specific gang mentioned: http://www.insideprison.com/prison-gangs-canada.asp

Do energy drinks work?

2009-11-02T18:21:00.000-08:00

Energy drinks are one of the many trends that seem to have rolled into the new millennium and made itself comfortable with the younger generations. To some, this is a new aid for getting through the day, but in reality, this is just one more item to watch out for. As for those lacking sleep, or those in need of that extra burst of energy, these products can be a solution, but to what extent? Surprisingly, the long-term effects are the questionable issue as opposed to the short-term ones. Here is the real question: Is a short period of alertness worth the soon-to-follow “crash” period? I suggest you keep reading before you decide.

Let’s make sure we are all on the same level before getting into this. Energy drinks and sports drinks are very different. Energy drinks are used to temporarily improve awareness, alertness, concentration, etc. Again, that is what they are used for, this does not necessarily mean they work for everybody. They work by providing a large dose of caffeine or ginseng, usually in a small dose of liquid. They have absolutely no relation with absorbing or providing liquids. As for sports drinks, they are used to maintain hydration during or after a period of exercise or anything physically demanding. Although many people drink Gatorade or Powerade because they enjoy the taste, that is not what they are meant for. They work by regenerating electrolytes and they help retain water.

Next, the truth about health-related effects and possible dangers related to energy drinks. The two ingredients that are worrying are the only two significant ones that come in every energy drink: caffeine and sugar. Sure, you know what those are, you consume them everyday in your morning coffee and your afternoon chocolate bar. There’s no way they can be harmful, right? Wrong. The excessive amounts included in a majority of these canned boosts is astounding. Anyone with diabetes or any type of heart problem should not even go near them. As for everyone else, it is still worth looking into and should always be consumed in moderation, no matter how soon your deadline or how important your upcoming exam is. Like many things in life, completely avoiding the product is the best solution.

Instead of icing on the cake, you get a crash after your drink. If you were wondering why you felt weak and tired after an energy drink, or whether it was all in your head or not, you are not alone. The crash is real and there is a concrete reason for its occurrence. Some time after the consumption, you will end up with a low blood sugar level. A simple way to look at it is to compare it to mild malnutrition, but liquid form. When you eat unhealthy foods, or not enough food, you are left feeling nauseated, tired, many other kinds of sick. Energy drinks are equally unhealthy and have the same results.

At this point, you should be able to decide whether the downtime is worth the more short-lasted high time. If you answered no, you are in my boat. Although the temporary boost can be great at the start and have positive effects, it ends up leaving you in worse shape than you were before you drank it.