I have long held the belief that the three stooges of the Provincial Government are the Ministry of Labour (Larry), the Ministry of Transportation (Curly) and the Ministry of the Environment (M.O.E.). I readily admit that this opinion is based upon twenty years plus observations and interaction with the M.O.E., fourty years plus dealing on a much more intermittent basis with Larry and also fourty years plus of dealing at best indirectly with Curly (M.O.T.).
Today's Kitchener-Waterloo Record has a Letter to the Editor by a Mr. Dan Tier of Kitchener. The title is "Provincial road conditions are terrible". Mr. Tier outlines what he feels are greatly reduced safety standards and maintenance particularily on highways in northern Ontario. My long standing contempt for the Ministry of Transport has to be based upon my fourty-five years of both personal and commercial driving in this province. Nevertheless this Letter to the Editor really hit the bottom line for me. Mr. Tier describes recent multiple deaths in car accidents at least partially due to road conditions. It is accidents, deaths and injuries on our roads for decades that turn my stomach. Throughout this four decades plus timeframe we've had massive enforcement against drunk driving for only the last couple of decades. We've always had massive enforcement against speeding but it's been perverse enforcement. Speed enforcement is generally active under perfect weather and road conditions outside of rush hours. As our cars and trucks have seen major technical improvements in tires, brakes, steering and suspension our maximum speed limits on highways have generally remained at eighty or ninety kilometres per hour. These maximums are way too low under good conditions. Yes on snow covered, busy or foggy roads they are too fast which is exactly why they are referred to as maximums.
I have long figured out what is obvious to all long time drivers who are students of driving. That would be at best 1/4 of us. Speed does not kill under ideal conditions with an alert driver. What kills is what I've long referred to as HUA. HUA means head up ass and is how the majority of drivers, whether male, female, young or old drive. HUA means staring ten feet in front of the hood of your moving vehicle. It means conversing intently with your passenger(s). It means planning your work day, free time, upcoming weekend etc. It means driving by habit and by rote. It means slowing down to stare at accidents that are off to the side of the road. It means focusing on anything and everything unrelated to your one and only primary task at hand, watching carefully everything in front, beside and behind you on the road that is either moving or potentially about to do so. For the last couple of years, at long last, the idiots at the M.O.T. have finally begun to realize that HUA kills far more than drunk driving and speeding combined at the same time. They now call it "distracted driving". Fine I'm not going to stand on terminology. Laws against cell phone use in cars are finally on the books yet no surprise still generally ignored. Far too many injuries and deaths still result in minimal charges, fines and imprisonment provided alcohol and speed are not factors. "Distracted driving" or HUA will not be reduced until the police quit chasing speeders under ideal conditions and start focusing on all the other bad driving that are the symptoms of not paying attention and the precursers to death and mayhem on the roads.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
APPROPRIATE PARDONS PERHAPS
"New rules, fewer pardons" is the headline of the story in Wednesday's (Jan.4/12) K-W Record. This story raises a number of questions for me, the first being why didn't the writer tell us the real reason for these federal legislative changes to the parole system? This story written by Jim Bronskill claims that the legislation was changed last year by toughening the requirements and increasing the waiting times. These two changes I have no problem with. The third change is an increase in cost to the applicant from $150 to $631. This cost increase is too much and the claim by the government that citizens shouldn't have to subsidize applicants is spurious. Citizens are already "subsidizing" staff costs in all departments and programs through the tax system. As far as the reason for these changes, although long overdue, the reality is that it was a convicted, notorious pedophile (Graham James?) easily and quickly obtaining a pardon that brought this nonsense to light. Another question I have is the claim in this story that ten percent of Canadians have a criminal conviction. This would be over 3 million Canadians??? If this claim is accurate then something is seriously out of whack with our Criminal Justice System . Speeding tickets are provincial offenses not criminal ones. Simple trespass is also a provincial offense only. Perhaps marijuana possession adds dramatically to the total numbers of criminal convictions? All this being said I will admit that I personally escaped a criminal conviction here in Waterloo Region by the skin of my teeth. During a serious dispute with the Waterloo Region District School Board, they attempted unsucessfully to deny me access to my son's public school. At one point in order to avoid trouble I phoned the Police detachment in Elmira for permission to pick up my son after school, as his Mother was unavailable. This request was verbally permitted but when I showed up at the school the Regional Police were waiting, charged me with Trespass and arrested me. They held me in custody overnight and woke me up in the middle of the night to advise me that the charges had been upgraded to Obstruct Police. This utter and complete bullshit blew up in their faces when my lawyer (Wayne Rabley) presented my recording of the conversation to the Crown. Hence at that time I did become aware that Police have no compunction against laying frivolous or politically motivated criminal charges. Still 10% is an astounding and shameful number and I submit the shame belongs to the Justice System not to those convicted for standing up for their rights as human beings.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
BLOG MAINTENANCE
Took me nearly two weeks but I finally figured out how to activate more broadly the Comments section at the end of each posting. The simplest way is to either use your name or use anonymous. These last two choices under "Select profile" in the Comments area weren't available to readers until I fixed things a few minutes ago. Sorry world !
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
SECOND TIME AROUND THE SENTENCE IS MORE APPROPRIATE
O.K. this is a tough one. The Ontario Court of Appeal has stated that a life sentence handed out to a Cambridge man was out of proportion to the crime he committed. The crime committed was counselling to commit murder. On the face of it, without further evidence, a life sentence with nobody dieing does seem excessive. It's the details that are so chilling. He stalked his ex-wife for fifteen years, threatened her, assaulted her, vandalized her property and THEN he hired a hit man. Good Lord ! Now I understand why Judge Peter Hambly imposed the life sentence.
At the same time the Appeal Court had to look at the issue of sentences given to similar offenders for similar offences. The reality in Canada is that very few first dgree murderers actually spend the rest of their lives in prison. This multi convicted felon did not kill anyone. His sentence was reduced from life in prison to the maximum for counselling to commit murder, namely sixteen years. I still wonder at the details. He received 23 convictions for offenses involving his ex-wife and her boyfriend between 2002 and 2007. This front page story in today's K-W Record claims that he is a long time alcoholic with no diagnosed mental disorder. Fair enough if he has no DIAGNOSED disorder. That doesn't prove that he isn't completely off his rocker and I think his long term behaviour suggests that he is. Shouldn't this person be in a secure mental hospital such as in Penetanguishene? When he is finally released, at least with regular interviews by psychiatrists, there might be some reasonable expectation about his future behaviour.
O.K. this is a tough one. The Ontario Court of Appeal has stated that a life sentence handed out to a Cambridge man was out of proportion to the crime he committed. The crime committed was counselling to commit murder. On the face of it, without further evidence, a life sentence with nobody dieing does seem excessive. It's the details that are so chilling. He stalked his ex-wife for fifteen years, threatened her, assaulted her, vandalized her property and THEN he hired a hit man. Good Lord ! Now I understand why Judge Peter Hambly imposed the life sentence.
At the same time the Appeal Court had to look at the issue of sentences given to similar offenders for similar offences. The reality in Canada is that very few first dgree murderers actually spend the rest of their lives in prison. This multi convicted felon did not kill anyone. His sentence was reduced from life in prison to the maximum for counselling to commit murder, namely sixteen years. I still wonder at the details. He received 23 convictions for offenses involving his ex-wife and her boyfriend between 2002 and 2007. This front page story in today's K-W Record claims that he is a long time alcoholic with no diagnosed mental disorder. Fair enough if he has no DIAGNOSED disorder. That doesn't prove that he isn't completely off his rocker and I think his long term behaviour suggests that he is. Shouldn't this person be in a secure mental hospital such as in Penetanguishene? When he is finally released, at least with regular interviews by psychiatrists, there might be some reasonable expectation about his future behaviour.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE
The following has been copied from a comment I made on an excellent website called the Cambridge Advocate. I am responding to a friend's posting today on the Cambridge advocate in which she recommends that Regional Council approve the most recent request for more funds from the Regional Police.
O.K. here goes. Bev: Hundreds of postings later and I finally found something I can disagree with you about. Firstly you’re right that police are a priority and should come way before LRT or any other fads of the day. BUT…..
In my humble opinion they are grossly unaccountable to you and I and Joe taxpayer on almost everything. Budgets & $$$$$ Two examples would be horses of all nonsensical things. When this was first being implemented I couldn’t believe the long term maintenance costs as well as the short term up front costs. These horses stank and yes they stank of horseshit, the political kind. Once again our beloved Regional Councillors want to be seen as innovaters and leaders. Secondly guns. yes guns. Literally for decades the City police (prior to regional gov’t) , Regional Police, U.S. State Police, and most of North American police did just fine with either Smith & Wesson or Colt 6 shot revolvers. To this day these model 10′s (S&W) and Colt Official Police are still in use and they are so durable, like the energizer bunny they just keep going. But they weren’t sexy enough. They weren’t badass enough. Revolvers only held six shots and some of the semi autos would hold 10 up to 16 or 17 bullets. Check the Regional Police statistics on use of firearms. Whether it’s putting down an injured deer or shooting an armed robber, one or two usually do the trick. If you need more than use the proper tool, such as a shotgun or rifle. Most importantly revolvers weren’t expensive enough. Remeber Bev nothing is too good , too expensive or too frivolous when it’s on the taxpayers dime. A new quality revolver nowadays could set you back around $500. In 1980 it was $229. A new Beretta or Glock semi auto starts around $1000 . That’s what the idiot police officer lost a couple of years ago outside Kitchener- Waterloo Collegiate on King St. in Kitchener. They’ve already charged one individual for the crime and lost in court. They are still looking for the gun. I repeat no accountability. Guess who’s on the civilian Police Board? Sure as heck not you or I or anyone unconnected politically will be on there. From what I’ve seen the Police Board are primarily lap dogs.
The following has been copied from a comment I made on an excellent website called the Cambridge Advocate. I am responding to a friend's posting today on the Cambridge advocate in which she recommends that Regional Council approve the most recent request for more funds from the Regional Police.
O.K. here goes. Bev: Hundreds of postings later and I finally found something I can disagree with you about. Firstly you’re right that police are a priority and should come way before LRT or any other fads of the day. BUT…..
In my humble opinion they are grossly unaccountable to you and I and Joe taxpayer on almost everything. Budgets & $$$$$ Two examples would be horses of all nonsensical things. When this was first being implemented I couldn’t believe the long term maintenance costs as well as the short term up front costs. These horses stank and yes they stank of horseshit, the political kind. Once again our beloved Regional Councillors want to be seen as innovaters and leaders. Secondly guns. yes guns. Literally for decades the City police (prior to regional gov’t) , Regional Police, U.S. State Police, and most of North American police did just fine with either Smith & Wesson or Colt 6 shot revolvers. To this day these model 10′s (S&W) and Colt Official Police are still in use and they are so durable, like the energizer bunny they just keep going. But they weren’t sexy enough. They weren’t badass enough. Revolvers only held six shots and some of the semi autos would hold 10 up to 16 or 17 bullets. Check the Regional Police statistics on use of firearms. Whether it’s putting down an injured deer or shooting an armed robber, one or two usually do the trick. If you need more than use the proper tool, such as a shotgun or rifle. Most importantly revolvers weren’t expensive enough. Remeber Bev nothing is too good , too expensive or too frivolous when it’s on the taxpayers dime. A new quality revolver nowadays could set you back around $500. In 1980 it was $229. A new Beretta or Glock semi auto starts around $1000 . That’s what the idiot police officer lost a couple of years ago outside Kitchener- Waterloo Collegiate on King St. in Kitchener. They’ve already charged one individual for the crime and lost in court. They are still looking for the gun. I repeat no accountability. Guess who’s on the civilian Police Board? Sure as heck not you or I or anyone unconnected politically will be on there. From what I’ve seen the Police Board are primarily lap dogs.
Monday, January 2, 2012
CRITICS COMPLAIN ABOUT NEW WORKPLACE SAFETY LAW
Saturday's Kitchener-Waterloo Record carrys the following story " Critics fear safety act changes will kill jobs". My first response to that title was better that title than one that said "Critics fear safety act changes will kill people". Is the system broken. Yes it is. Too many people, young, old ,male and female are dying or being horribly injured in this Province and in this Region. Perhaps these "critics" haven't lost someone they know; ... yet. Perhaps these "critics" might want to have embraced the current legislation more enthusiastically. My experience (construction & factory) is that there are a ton of labour, health & safety laws, all of which are ignored by small companies with impunity. Impunity that is until someone is hurt or dies. Most Ministry of Labour inspectors seem to focus on the big guys. How is it that I could work for years on end in small construction and never wear a hard hat? How could I work laying 350 degree fahrenheit asphalt with my shirt off? How does an employer for the sake of thirty seconds permit a loaded dump truck to raise it's box, full of hot asphalt without the safety chains on? How does that same employer who the previous year buried a young employee up to his waist in hot asphalt, then order another employee to go behind and under the back end of the truck with a wheelbarrow in order to fill up out of a small manual chute... with the safety chains still off and fifteen tons of asphalt overhead? Give me a break. Ontario workplaces maim and kill, year in and year out. More laws won't help but more enforcement would. Also more training would help. This training isn't just for the workers, it's also for the owners and supervisers. When the problem is fixed, then whine about more health & safety costs.
Saturday's Kitchener-Waterloo Record carrys the following story " Critics fear safety act changes will kill jobs". My first response to that title was better that title than one that said "Critics fear safety act changes will kill people". Is the system broken. Yes it is. Too many people, young, old ,male and female are dying or being horribly injured in this Province and in this Region. Perhaps these "critics" haven't lost someone they know; ... yet. Perhaps these "critics" might want to have embraced the current legislation more enthusiastically. My experience (construction & factory) is that there are a ton of labour, health & safety laws, all of which are ignored by small companies with impunity. Impunity that is until someone is hurt or dies. Most Ministry of Labour inspectors seem to focus on the big guys. How is it that I could work for years on end in small construction and never wear a hard hat? How could I work laying 350 degree fahrenheit asphalt with my shirt off? How does an employer for the sake of thirty seconds permit a loaded dump truck to raise it's box, full of hot asphalt without the safety chains on? How does that same employer who the previous year buried a young employee up to his waist in hot asphalt, then order another employee to go behind and under the back end of the truck with a wheelbarrow in order to fill up out of a small manual chute... with the safety chains still off and fifteen tons of asphalt overhead? Give me a break. Ontario workplaces maim and kill, year in and year out. More laws won't help but more enforcement would. Also more training would help. This training isn't just for the workers, it's also for the owners and supervisers. When the problem is fixed, then whine about more health & safety costs.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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