A Manitoba Provincial Court Judge is taking a lot of heat for suggesting a recent rape victim played a role in her ordeal, saying 'sex was in the air' and that she was wearing a top with no bra, admitted to returning the perpetrator's initial sexual advances, and also talked of swimming in a nearby lake despite the fact she had no bathing suit. I think it's very important to note that the man was, in fact, found guilty. The judge also said that 'no means no'. I'd like to think we live in a society where it's that simple; but we don't. Women should be allowed to wear what they want and they are allowed. But, it should also be noted that certain forms of dress and certain actions can result in what is called high risk behaviour. That doesn't mean the woman is asking for it, but it does mean if a seedy man is out there, he's more likely to target the one who is dressed trashy. It's also important to realize there is a difference between dressing sexy and dressing trashy.
It's not unlike a time when I went vacationing to the Dominican Republic and befriended a local person, who said if I was to venture into a non-tourist area of the town that I should be aware of what I'm wearing. He said things like watches, rings, a chain around your neck, and any other form of jewelry could bring unwanted attention from potential robbers. It's true I'm not asking to be robbed, but what I'm wearing determines a level of risk.
Nevertheless, I think what we should be debating in the rape case from Thompson is the punishment. The man got off without an actual jail sentence. That's the part we should be appalled about. As I have said in an earlier paragraph, 'no means no' and if that's not respected, then you have committed rape and should, without a doubt, go to jail for it.
Some mistakes in life should cost us a job. The case in Saskatoon where two pediatric ward nurses put a crying baby in a closet for over 20 minutes is one of them. The local health region made the right call by dismissing both of these women (women term is used loosely). But, a board of arbitrators overturned the ruling and said a three month suspension is suitable enough for the poor judgement. Both ladies (again loose term) are scheduled to be back on the job soon. If you know of someone scheduled to have a baby at Royal University Hospital in the near future, ask her how comfortable she now feels knowing these two may actually end up on the same shift 'caring' for your newborn. I'd like to ask the arbitrators that very question as well.
What's the world coming to when a bunch of jailbirds are allowed to form a certified union? That's happening in Fraser Valley, BC where inmates are in the final stages of forming an actual labour union. Once again rights of criminals trump the rights of regular taxpayers.
When I was in Fredericton over Christmas, I attended a UNB Reds hockey game. The Aitken Centre is much like the Gallagher Centre in that there is really nothing you can do about installing actual parking stall lines for us idiots who don't know how to properly park with courtesy. What the Aitken Centre had, though, were parking attendants who guided you into an appropriate area. For major events at the Gallagher Centre, I think it might be time to explore this idea. It's going to cost money, of course. But, we really have no good reason to complain. We have proven, as a city, that we can't police ourselves in the parking lot and, therefore, may have to pay a few more tax dollars to hire a handful of people who will do it for us. Think about this: handicapped stalls are intended to be the closest you should be able to get to the building. When others park even closer than that, well that tells you all you need to know.
Charlie Sheen's world is going to come crashing down someday, and I suspect it could be someday soon. I, usually, don't get caught up in the TMZ world of celebrities, but I have caught myself watching and reading a number of Sheen interviews over the last week. I guess it's true: everyone likes a good train wreck.
Here's why I dislike a system in hockey where points are awarded for overtime and shootout losses: the Melville Millionaires went 2-0-and-3 against the Estevan Bruins and are out of the playoffs. It should be like baseball. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. End of story.Nice person mentions this week to Judy Frederickson, Craig Read, Jeff Bahrey, organizers of the Flin Flon Skating Club, and Sherry Grunert.
