Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Yes I am going commercial. Still it's free for you to read my posts. Please comment if you visit. I would like to know what you think about what I have to say. Poetry, articles, other writing and sometime pix will be posted here. I guess this is more of my journal than anything since I don't keep a hard copy one anymore. You can also see what I'm up to on Twitter (bevnik) and Facebook. Consider yourself invited to my world.
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
In Memoriam Garry Ronald Cousins (Gaz)
March 11th, 1983 26 years ago today.
We still miss you. You taught me about modern music. Elvis, the Beatles, T-Rex, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Like Elvis, Hendrix and Jon Bonham, You climbed that Stairway to Heaven to Kiss the Sky too soon.
"Death makes Angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws". Jim Morrison/The Doors
Kiss the sky forever!
Monday, March 09, 2009
The "last word" was not. I think you can figure it's meaning.
A NIGHT FOR CICERO
Shadows fall across the lustful plain as they drive into the darkness.
The night is unwieldy, yielding shadows full of pain, bereft of mercy.
Mercy is a shadow of cool darkness which light cannot contaminate.
Wheels roll forward, the road stretches out ahead,
lazy asphalt corridor a lace between cities,
skeletal and now infamous, traced into the prairie dust.
Bound between homes, passengers tire, sigh and sleep, lolling in seats
not invited to a party of wakeful terror,
as are others are who must purge their demons.
There is nothing proper, no saving as violence springs up
lurching, jilting, slashing, shadows taking form towards an innocent target
like Cicero, guilty of nothing, only wanting to be home.
End of season returning, simple journey to loving arms
ends here tonight on this conveyance, among strangers
in a public horror.
Afterwards, unspeakable details stretch out across a country
maimed by this night, transfixed in darkness, thoughts shudder
from city through town to unbelieving, horrified minds.
Strike the demon, down in the darkness, who can tell if it lingers, still
in the taught light of day, remorseless shadow across the face
as the courts, mere ciphers decide to protect the guilty.
The road still twists and swallows all, near this place
voices now lost on a prairie wind if ever they were heard at all
where fate pulled up one night and dealt death
on this guiltless road, in a gutless, gutted country
which can now settle back down into the prairie dust.
A NIGHT FOR CICERO
Shadows fall across the lustful plain as they drive into the darkness.
The night is unwieldy, yielding shadows full of pain, bereft of mercy.
Mercy is a shadow of cool darkness which light cannot contaminate.
Wheels roll forward, the road stretches out ahead,
lazy asphalt corridor a lace between cities,
skeletal and now infamous, traced into the prairie dust.
Bound between homes, passengers tire, sigh and sleep, lolling in seats
not invited to a party of wakeful terror,
as are others are who must purge their demons.
There is nothing proper, no saving as violence springs up
lurching, jilting, slashing, shadows taking form towards an innocent target
like Cicero, guilty of nothing, only wanting to be home.
End of season returning, simple journey to loving arms
ends here tonight on this conveyance, among strangers
in a public horror.
Afterwards, unspeakable details stretch out across a country
maimed by this night, transfixed in darkness, thoughts shudder
from city through town to unbelieving, horrified minds.
Strike the demon, down in the darkness, who can tell if it lingers, still
in the taught light of day, remorseless shadow across the face
as the courts, mere ciphers decide to protect the guilty.
The road still twists and swallows all, near this place
voices now lost on a prairie wind if ever they were heard at all
where fate pulled up one night and dealt death
on this guiltless road, in a gutless, gutted country
which can now settle back down into the prairie dust.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Outrage Continues over Li Verdict (The Last Word)
It's been a tough day all across the online community where concerned citizens have expressed their outrage over this ruling today in a Manitoba court. About the time of the incident last summer I expressed concern to the Canadian Justice department via an email. That was in August. In December I finally received a response from them. It seems justice is not swift by any means. I mean we're dealing with the government here, I think it I heard somewhere that they need to stop campaigning and start governing. Don't expect it to happen anytime soon though. By the way the response was almost a form letter, which is probably not a surprise. As always with the government, it's too little, too late and of that we are all victims. Good luck with your tax returns folks! If I recall in a little place across the pond, there's the option of being "crimminally insane". I guess we don't have that here in Canada, just this NCR bs.
Oh and by the way, I'm not literally responsible for this writing, even though my fingers did the typing.
It's been a tough day all across the online community where concerned citizens have expressed their outrage over this ruling today in a Manitoba court. About the time of the incident last summer I expressed concern to the Canadian Justice department via an email. That was in August. In December I finally received a response from them. It seems justice is not swift by any means. I mean we're dealing with the government here, I think it I heard somewhere that they need to stop campaigning and start governing. Don't expect it to happen anytime soon though. By the way the response was almost a form letter, which is probably not a surprise. As always with the government, it's too little, too late and of that we are all victims. Good luck with your tax returns folks! If I recall in a little place across the pond, there's the option of being "crimminally insane". I guess we don't have that here in Canada, just this NCR bs.
Oh and by the way, I'm not literally responsible for this writing, even though my fingers did the typing.
Outrage Stirs Over Li Ruling
The horror and outrage that was felt across the country last summer when Tim McLean, 22 was savagely attacked and killed on a Greyhound bus in Winnipeg has once again gripped the hearts and minds of Canadians. Today a Winnipeg judge ruled that Vincent Li is NCR, "not crimminally responsible" for the killing of this young man.
I've been following Bruce Owen of the Winnipeg Free Press on Twitter as he reported details of the hearing live over the internet. One can't help the feelings of outrage and anger when hearing the details of this terrible crime and then to find that the person who perpetrated it is not going to be held responsible as he was "psychotic" at the time of the incident. I find myself not only negatively emotional over the crime itself but toward the justice system. Just as the mother of McLean, Carol deDelley explained after the ruling, that NCR "has it's place but not in this case".
How would it be possible for any mother not to feel this way after what was done to her child? I know I would certainly want to kill the guy if this had happened to my child. Emotions run very high in a situation like this and people tend to react at the emotional extreme. But let's just take a look at what in my opinion is the obvious hypocrisy in our justice system.
Case in point number one, Ronald Smith is a canadian who has been on Death Row in Montana for the last 26 years for shooting two men in the back of the head. In Canada we don't have the death penalty but Canada has done nothing to get this Canadian's sentence commuted. Of course the US courts may have found him crimminally responsible, hence the sentence they handed down. But was he? Maybe he was on drugs or alcohol at the time, does that make you less responsible? Your mental state must surely be questionable in that case because you are "not in your right mind." Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases too right?
Case number two in point, what about the Saskatchewan father, Christopher Pauchay, 25 who got drunk and took his two little girls out in a blizzard resulting in both children freezing to death? Surely he was "not crimminally responsible"? He was drunk, not in his right mind?? Right? In which case this is also a mental AND physical illness case which should be treated. So why not we sentence him to x number of years or months in rehab instead of jail time.
Let's just go South with this line of thinking for just a minute. Was Ted Bundy insane? Did he know what he was doing? What about Jeffrey Dahmer? Maybe they should have been declared "not crimminally responsible"? Did they know what they did was wrong? Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz claimed he was "commanded to kill by a demon who possessed his neighbour's dog". Sounds like a clear cut case of psychosis and NCR to me but on June 12, 1978 he was sentenced to 6 life sentences in prison, a total of 365 years. Bundy got the death sentence and was described as a man "born to kill" and "consumed with murder all the time". As for Dahmer, although he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity he was imprisoned for 15 life terms and finally beaten to death by a fellow inmate with a bar from a weight machine in the prison gym.
I think you get the drift of where this argument is going. Who's to say that Li is not like these infamous serial killers? It's just that he was caught on his first one.
I think our justice system needs a tweeking. I can't help thinking of the adage, fair but not always equal. Don't we need to have a justice system that is fair and equal? Is that even possible? What frightens me is how many more like Li are there out there? But even more terrifying, how many people will do heinous things like this and then more or less get away with it by being found NCR??
To conclude I'd just like to express my sympathy to the McLean family once again at what has to be the second part of the most difficult time in their lives. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers are with you.
The horror and outrage that was felt across the country last summer when Tim McLean, 22 was savagely attacked and killed on a Greyhound bus in Winnipeg has once again gripped the hearts and minds of Canadians. Today a Winnipeg judge ruled that Vincent Li is NCR, "not crimminally responsible" for the killing of this young man.
I've been following Bruce Owen of the Winnipeg Free Press on Twitter as he reported details of the hearing live over the internet. One can't help the feelings of outrage and anger when hearing the details of this terrible crime and then to find that the person who perpetrated it is not going to be held responsible as he was "psychotic" at the time of the incident. I find myself not only negatively emotional over the crime itself but toward the justice system. Just as the mother of McLean, Carol deDelley explained after the ruling, that NCR "has it's place but not in this case".
How would it be possible for any mother not to feel this way after what was done to her child? I know I would certainly want to kill the guy if this had happened to my child. Emotions run very high in a situation like this and people tend to react at the emotional extreme. But let's just take a look at what in my opinion is the obvious hypocrisy in our justice system.
Case in point number one, Ronald Smith is a canadian who has been on Death Row in Montana for the last 26 years for shooting two men in the back of the head. In Canada we don't have the death penalty but Canada has done nothing to get this Canadian's sentence commuted. Of course the US courts may have found him crimminally responsible, hence the sentence they handed down. But was he? Maybe he was on drugs or alcohol at the time, does that make you less responsible? Your mental state must surely be questionable in that case because you are "not in your right mind." Alcoholism and drug addiction are diseases too right?
Case number two in point, what about the Saskatchewan father, Christopher Pauchay, 25 who got drunk and took his two little girls out in a blizzard resulting in both children freezing to death? Surely he was "not crimminally responsible"? He was drunk, not in his right mind?? Right? In which case this is also a mental AND physical illness case which should be treated. So why not we sentence him to x number of years or months in rehab instead of jail time.
Let's just go South with this line of thinking for just a minute. Was Ted Bundy insane? Did he know what he was doing? What about Jeffrey Dahmer? Maybe they should have been declared "not crimminally responsible"? Did they know what they did was wrong? Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz claimed he was "commanded to kill by a demon who possessed his neighbour's dog". Sounds like a clear cut case of psychosis and NCR to me but on June 12, 1978 he was sentenced to 6 life sentences in prison, a total of 365 years. Bundy got the death sentence and was described as a man "born to kill" and "consumed with murder all the time". As for Dahmer, although he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity he was imprisoned for 15 life terms and finally beaten to death by a fellow inmate with a bar from a weight machine in the prison gym.
I think you get the drift of where this argument is going. Who's to say that Li is not like these infamous serial killers? It's just that he was caught on his first one.
I think our justice system needs a tweeking. I can't help thinking of the adage, fair but not always equal. Don't we need to have a justice system that is fair and equal? Is that even possible? What frightens me is how many more like Li are there out there? But even more terrifying, how many people will do heinous things like this and then more or less get away with it by being found NCR??
To conclude I'd just like to express my sympathy to the McLean family once again at what has to be the second part of the most difficult time in their lives. My heart goes out to you, and my prayers are with you.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
February is Heart Month!
February is here so it's time to give the post-Christmas, January blahs the heave to and get a new burst of energy to put your new year into gear. It's Heart Month and Valentine's Day is on the horizon so why not strive to do something good for you and your heart; literally and metaphorically. First, get working on a Food Journal. To make changes in your eating plan (I won't even use the word "diet" here), first take an inventory of what you eat on a daily basis. Most people are not aware of how often they eat or what portion sizes they are consuming. Get yourself a little notebook and keep it with you. Jot down when, what and how much you eat. You'll soon see where you need to adjust amount and type of food. It'll make it easier to lose weight if that's what you need to do. You'll also be able to see how much you've cut back and what you've had to cut out. In the milder weather, get outside and walking, take in an outdoor activity or walk to the store instead of driving.
Second, try and be more loving. Think about saying and doing only kind things to people, even if they don't treat you the same way. You'll feel better about yourself and you'll soon find out that people will respond to your good will. Try making homemade Valentine cards and gifts yourself to keep the romance of the season and avoid the commercial ploys that are all around us.
Have a great February!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Can Change Come to America? YES it CAN!
Change, the Day After. Okay so here we sit, the day after the historic election of the first black US President. The history is being written now, today and in the days that will inevitably follow. There is hope for a new age, there is global goodwill and international support. Not since the Kennedy years has there been such hope, such faith, in the America that was envisioned hundreds of years ago, by one Abe Lincoln who said, that "government for the people by the people will not perish from the Earth." We have all felt, in the United States, in Canada and on a global scale that America, in the last few years had taken the wrong path, that government was not for or by the people, that other agendas, however dark, were being fullfilled. But now there is light where darkness once stood. Among other things Obama brings to the presidency is the unfaltering light of hope for change. Last night he said the words which we have long awaited to hear from the lips of an honest president, "to those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you." The United States under Bush has come under much scrutiny by the nations and in effect it has seemed that the world was, by forces we little understand, being torn down. Obama brings light and hope to the world again and promises to not tear down, but build up all peoples. He is Kennedy, he is Lincoln, he is everyman, he is us. If the dark times are upon us, Obama is the bringer of Light. He will not try, he will do. It remains to be seen if the dark forces do not attempt to bring him down. We will wait and see. But his strength is shining through. His speech last night is proof. This man is determined, this is a man of faith courage and strength for fair play, for justice for equality for all. But most importantly to restoring the America that has been lost for so long, since 911, the fall, with this election the light shines, the recovery is begun.
Change, the Day After. Okay so here we sit, the day after the historic election of the first black US President. The history is being written now, today and in the days that will inevitably follow. There is hope for a new age, there is global goodwill and international support. Not since the Kennedy years has there been such hope, such faith, in the America that was envisioned hundreds of years ago, by one Abe Lincoln who said, that "government for the people by the people will not perish from the Earth." We have all felt, in the United States, in Canada and on a global scale that America, in the last few years had taken the wrong path, that government was not for or by the people, that other agendas, however dark, were being fullfilled. But now there is light where darkness once stood. Among other things Obama brings to the presidency is the unfaltering light of hope for change. Last night he said the words which we have long awaited to hear from the lips of an honest president, "to those who would tear the world down, we will defeat you." The United States under Bush has come under much scrutiny by the nations and in effect it has seemed that the world was, by forces we little understand, being torn down. Obama brings light and hope to the world again and promises to not tear down, but build up all peoples. He is Kennedy, he is Lincoln, he is everyman, he is us. If the dark times are upon us, Obama is the bringer of Light. He will not try, he will do. It remains to be seen if the dark forces do not attempt to bring him down. We will wait and see. But his strength is shining through. His speech last night is proof. This man is determined, this is a man of faith courage and strength for fair play, for justice for equality for all. But most importantly to restoring the America that has been lost for so long, since 911, the fall, with this election the light shines, the recovery is begun.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Revealing the Urban Landscape
My new project, "Sight Seeing" takes the reader on a journey through the "landscape" of a life. Life's landscape is our relationships, the people in our lives, the lovers, the colleagues, the famliy, friends and enemies. It is the physical landscape, where we live, the cities, the towns, the urban and country. The identity of our overall landscape is different depending on whether it is connected to the urban or to the rural, fortunate or unfortunate relationships. Landscape is how we relate to our world, our emotions our experiences, how we see things internally and externally to create our "landscape".
This landscape is not only portrayed and revealed in words, it is a photograph history in black and white that encompasses the physical and the emotional. To condense it to fewer words, landscape is the people, places and things we encounter in our lives.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Lighting a Candle for the Lost Boys
On this weekend of all times when I'm usually commemorating those lost in Japan when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed, I just can't think of it as I think of the recent tragedy of Tim McLean killed on that bus, Craig McDougall shot down by police in Winnipeg, Travis Catellier and his family and all the other lost boys and girls who died under tragic circumstances whether by their own fault or no fault of their own. They just seem so much more important right now than a war that happened 63 years ago. In tribute I would invite readers to go listen to the song written for Tim by Chilly City Souljas http://www.myspace.com/pegcitysouljas and light a candle for these lost boys tonight. Thanks and God Bless you all. GOD IS LOVE, LOVE OTHERS.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A Memorial
As the grisly details of the Greyhound bus slaying and the focus of media attention falls on the alleged killer, I think it's only right that we remember the victim. I myself find I am too in the thick of diseminating the facts and forming my opinions to actually write a poem about it all yet at this point. Simply the words of Jim Morrison echo in mind my as they have since the last days of April when my mother passed away and I think they say it better than anything. Also I want to remember the tragedy of Red Deer's Travis Catellier and his family.
For Tim and Travis, Rest in Peace
"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws. "
From An American Prayer
Jim Morrison US rock singer (1943 - 1971)
Stay tuned, the memorial for the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will feature original poetry from Beverley-coming August 8.
As the grisly details of the Greyhound bus slaying and the focus of media attention falls on the alleged killer, I think it's only right that we remember the victim. I myself find I am too in the thick of diseminating the facts and forming my opinions to actually write a poem about it all yet at this point. Simply the words of Jim Morrison echo in mind my as they have since the last days of April when my mother passed away and I think they say it better than anything. Also I want to remember the tragedy of Red Deer's Travis Catellier and his family.
For Tim and Travis, Rest in Peace
"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws. "
From An American Prayer
Jim Morrison US rock singer (1943 - 1971)
Stay tuned, the memorial for the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will feature original poetry from Beverley-coming August 8.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Why Don't They Just Shoot Them?
They do. In some cases. Regarding my most recent post about the bus incident, a friend brought up this question this afternoon. In Winnipeg just around the same time as we are all getting angry about the bus incident, Winnipeg police shot and killed a native guy, Craig McDougall, for reportedly brandishing a knife at police during a domestic disturbance and police shot and killed him. Hmm so then there's this guy holed up on the bus, police are called to the scene, it's a standoff of sorts since he is not getting off the bus and is surrounded by law enforcement and guess what, he is brandishing a knife and does not get shot or even tazered???
What's up with that. For some strange reason they shoot this Craig fellow who didn't do anything I understand and yet this other guy has already killed someone and is showing off his head and the police don't shoot him??? I don't get that. For heaven's sake even the family of McDougall made this same comment in their interview for the news story. Li should be dead. Poor Craig is and really, if you read the stories in the news, he did diddley, nada zippity. Some politician should try to explain this bizzare and rare incident to me-and soon because the faith I have in law enforcement is going into the tank in a great big hurry. Nuff said.
They do. In some cases. Regarding my most recent post about the bus incident, a friend brought up this question this afternoon. In Winnipeg just around the same time as we are all getting angry about the bus incident, Winnipeg police shot and killed a native guy, Craig McDougall, for reportedly brandishing a knife at police during a domestic disturbance and police shot and killed him. Hmm so then there's this guy holed up on the bus, police are called to the scene, it's a standoff of sorts since he is not getting off the bus and is surrounded by law enforcement and guess what, he is brandishing a knife and does not get shot or even tazered???
What's up with that. For some strange reason they shoot this Craig fellow who didn't do anything I understand and yet this other guy has already killed someone and is showing off his head and the police don't shoot him??? I don't get that. For heaven's sake even the family of McDougall made this same comment in their interview for the news story. Li should be dead. Poor Craig is and really, if you read the stories in the news, he did diddley, nada zippity. Some politician should try to explain this bizzare and rare incident to me-and soon because the faith I have in law enforcement is going into the tank in a great big hurry. Nuff said.
If Jesus Was on the Bus
I don't think I need to introduce this topic do I? We all know by now the horrific events that transpired on that bus in Manitoba last week. The question that keeps running through my mind is what if Jesus was on that bus? What would Jesus do? You remember the story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a victim beaten by the side of the road when no one else would. Where were those Samaritans on that bus? Where was God? If God was on that bus he would have helped. Yes I feel the passengers, should have done something. If you believe in God you believe it's your duty to help others, even at the risk of your own life. The exact cliche/quote is "greater love hath no man...etc. You give your own life to save another person. God rewards you in Heaven for that. I believe that, I have to. Otherwise there's no point to life at all.
There's a lot of emotion going around right now about this incident. One comment I read said something about "welcome to the world where 98% of people only care about themselves." Gee, wouldn't I like to have been on the Titanic with these folks! But you see this is not new thinking. In fact if you read the history books, there were very few people who helped others during the sinking of that ill-fated ocean liner. If there had been more "Samaritans" on board, helping others get to those few boats, more people would have survived the sinking and we all know that c'mon! This was in 1912. I guess the world hasn't changed, just our perception of it.
So on the premise that faithful people would try and do what Jesus would do, I would have to say that if I had been on the bus I would have tried to help. Get the guy off the victim, even if he came for me. Common sense is he's one guy with a knife, and there's two of you say, you and the victim. I don't see how he could kill us both at the same time. Perhaps also if one person came forward, others would also be motivated to step in. The more people you have then of course the guy is going down, he can't get us all. Is it that "mob rules" only works if you are in the bad mob? Can't a mob of good people develop to stop an evil act?
This whole thing makes me quite angry. I thought these kind of things happen in countries like Afghanistan or Sudan. To have this happen in Canada on our blessed prairies is a real shocker.
People say " oh well you say this and that but you weren't there, you're safe at home saying you'd do something but what if you really were in a situation like that?" Well to those people I say just try me. I have been in some scary situations and I've reacted to protect myself and If you get on a bus with me you can be damn certain that I would help you. And if this was my child killed in this manner I would hnt the guy down myself and make him pay because let's face it, the Canadian government isn't going to do anything to him. Even if Li is found fit to stand trial and found guilty, he'll eventually be "rehabilitated" and set free in a shorter time than you think. Now you might think that's in conflict with my faith. Well I guess God will judge me too.
Another thing I keep thinking about is were there any children on the bus? Well of course it should always be women and children first. But someone could be getting them off while I help. Would it not be better for the children to walk away knowing that someone tried to help? I think it would be more traumatic for them knowing no one helped.
So what's the bottom line here? The worst part of it for me and I'm sure for the victim's family is not knowing why the attacker did this thing. My friend Ron Oswald was murdered not far from here and the same question haunts me about his death. Why did they do it? Does knowing the reason help the pain go away? Maybe not. But it helps us to understand the perpetrators. Perhaps if they turn out to be disturbed, we can have some sympathy for them. It's unavoidable that knowing the reasons for these acts changes how we judge them but it does not change the fact that we do judge them. Understanding makes it possible for us to heal and perhaps for us to take some action that will prevent these kind of things happening in the first place.
If Jesus were on the bus he would've done something and believing this I know that I would have to have done something too.
I'm almost done, hold on. There's another issue here as well. The police are getting it in the neck lately because they are only trying to do what I say I would do. The guy with the knife who won't put it down when the police ask him too, well they have to shoot him or tazer him. Well the tazer could kill but what if it saves someone elses life? My friend who is ex military says if you point a gun at someone you aim to kill. I don't think that's necessary. Just incapacitate. You don't know what effect a tazer is going to have on an individual so the chance of it being fatal is certainly there. I'd rather they shoot me in the leg and put me out of commission temporarily than kill me. The police should be good enough marksmen that they can aim to take you down without killing you. Obviously gun takes knife as long as the knife is not close enough to stop you from shooting. Unless a guy can throw a knife with accuracy, chances are if you shoot him in the arm or leg he is not going to get you. The assumption of criminals who carry a knife I think is that your victim is not armed. At least you hope not. But we all know what "assume" does.
Well it feels good just to get that all off my mind. I do want to say in closing that my heart and prayers go out to the young man's family in their time of need. I hope God can bless them and give them the strength to get through their ordeal. My prayers are also with Mr. Li's family because it's going to be hell for them too, living with what he did and because having some sympathy (for the Devil)well, that's just what Jesus would do.
I don't think I need to introduce this topic do I? We all know by now the horrific events that transpired on that bus in Manitoba last week. The question that keeps running through my mind is what if Jesus was on that bus? What would Jesus do? You remember the story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a victim beaten by the side of the road when no one else would. Where were those Samaritans on that bus? Where was God? If God was on that bus he would have helped. Yes I feel the passengers, should have done something. If you believe in God you believe it's your duty to help others, even at the risk of your own life. The exact cliche/quote is "greater love hath no man...etc. You give your own life to save another person. God rewards you in Heaven for that. I believe that, I have to. Otherwise there's no point to life at all.
There's a lot of emotion going around right now about this incident. One comment I read said something about "welcome to the world where 98% of people only care about themselves." Gee, wouldn't I like to have been on the Titanic with these folks! But you see this is not new thinking. In fact if you read the history books, there were very few people who helped others during the sinking of that ill-fated ocean liner. If there had been more "Samaritans" on board, helping others get to those few boats, more people would have survived the sinking and we all know that c'mon! This was in 1912. I guess the world hasn't changed, just our perception of it.
So on the premise that faithful people would try and do what Jesus would do, I would have to say that if I had been on the bus I would have tried to help. Get the guy off the victim, even if he came for me. Common sense is he's one guy with a knife, and there's two of you say, you and the victim. I don't see how he could kill us both at the same time. Perhaps also if one person came forward, others would also be motivated to step in. The more people you have then of course the guy is going down, he can't get us all. Is it that "mob rules" only works if you are in the bad mob? Can't a mob of good people develop to stop an evil act?
This whole thing makes me quite angry. I thought these kind of things happen in countries like Afghanistan or Sudan. To have this happen in Canada on our blessed prairies is a real shocker.
People say " oh well you say this and that but you weren't there, you're safe at home saying you'd do something but what if you really were in a situation like that?" Well to those people I say just try me. I have been in some scary situations and I've reacted to protect myself and If you get on a bus with me you can be damn certain that I would help you. And if this was my child killed in this manner I would hnt the guy down myself and make him pay because let's face it, the Canadian government isn't going to do anything to him. Even if Li is found fit to stand trial and found guilty, he'll eventually be "rehabilitated" and set free in a shorter time than you think. Now you might think that's in conflict with my faith. Well I guess God will judge me too.
Another thing I keep thinking about is were there any children on the bus? Well of course it should always be women and children first. But someone could be getting them off while I help. Would it not be better for the children to walk away knowing that someone tried to help? I think it would be more traumatic for them knowing no one helped.
So what's the bottom line here? The worst part of it for me and I'm sure for the victim's family is not knowing why the attacker did this thing. My friend Ron Oswald was murdered not far from here and the same question haunts me about his death. Why did they do it? Does knowing the reason help the pain go away? Maybe not. But it helps us to understand the perpetrators. Perhaps if they turn out to be disturbed, we can have some sympathy for them. It's unavoidable that knowing the reasons for these acts changes how we judge them but it does not change the fact that we do judge them. Understanding makes it possible for us to heal and perhaps for us to take some action that will prevent these kind of things happening in the first place.
If Jesus were on the bus he would've done something and believing this I know that I would have to have done something too.
I'm almost done, hold on. There's another issue here as well. The police are getting it in the neck lately because they are only trying to do what I say I would do. The guy with the knife who won't put it down when the police ask him too, well they have to shoot him or tazer him. Well the tazer could kill but what if it saves someone elses life? My friend who is ex military says if you point a gun at someone you aim to kill. I don't think that's necessary. Just incapacitate. You don't know what effect a tazer is going to have on an individual so the chance of it being fatal is certainly there. I'd rather they shoot me in the leg and put me out of commission temporarily than kill me. The police should be good enough marksmen that they can aim to take you down without killing you. Obviously gun takes knife as long as the knife is not close enough to stop you from shooting. Unless a guy can throw a knife with accuracy, chances are if you shoot him in the arm or leg he is not going to get you. The assumption of criminals who carry a knife I think is that your victim is not armed. At least you hope not. But we all know what "assume" does.
Well it feels good just to get that all off my mind. I do want to say in closing that my heart and prayers go out to the young man's family in their time of need. I hope God can bless them and give them the strength to get through their ordeal. My prayers are also with Mr. Li's family because it's going to be hell for them too, living with what he did and because having some sympathy (for the Devil)well, that's just what Jesus would do.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Muriel Louise Cousins 1920 - 2008
It is with great sorrow that we must announce that "Louise" passed away at the age of 87 years in Lacombe hospital April 12 after a brief illness. We send our special thanks to all the nurses of Units A and B, Dr. Darnell and all the friends who have helped us during this difficult time. There will be a Memorial Tea at the Lacombe Legion, the afternoon of Friday, April 18th (time TBA) to celebrate Louise's life. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted on behalf of the Lacombe Palliative Care Society, Box 5576, Lacombe, AB T4L 1X2.
We miss you Mom and Grandma!
Ron, Beverley, Avalon, Rachel, Ashley, Leo and Alvin.
It is with great sorrow that we must announce that "Louise" passed away at the age of 87 years in Lacombe hospital April 12 after a brief illness. We send our special thanks to all the nurses of Units A and B, Dr. Darnell and all the friends who have helped us during this difficult time. There will be a Memorial Tea at the Lacombe Legion, the afternoon of Friday, April 18th (time TBA) to celebrate Louise's life. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted on behalf of the Lacombe Palliative Care Society, Box 5576, Lacombe, AB T4L 1X2.
We miss you Mom and Grandma!
Ron, Beverley, Avalon, Rachel, Ashley, Leo and Alvin.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
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