There seems to be so much going on in the world both around and in front of us that I thought I’d make this week’s report a ‘mixed bag’ of sorts, throwing my two cents (maybe it’s worth less or more?) at a number of topics making the news both around the globe and here at home.
A lot of Canadians are unhappy (that’s a safe term to use instead of how they’re REALLY showing their unhappiness on social media!) that the federal government gave Omar Khadr $10.5 million, and they’re particularly unhappy that they seemed to rush the money through without any sort of response to the public backlash. This is an issue with a lot of layers, and I don’t think one can look at it with a cut-and-dry stance. That being said, at its very core, the headline still reads, “Feds Give Terrorist Millions”, and that’s obviously going to produce some very visceral and guttural reactions from people. It’s terrible that Khadr was tortured and that his rights were violated, but I also don’t believe Khadr should’ve received any financial compensation, certainly not to the tune of making him a multi-millionaire. How someone could be compensated without money, I don’t know. But hey, if I were given a cheque for $10.5 million, I’d want those funds pushed through as fast as possible too!
Donald Trump as President of the United States isn’t just worrying me, he’s apparently causing concern within his own circles. The media war on CNN and every newsgroup he describes as “fake news” is only adding to the embarrassment that the United States is looking like with each ridiculous headline involving “The Donald”.
Let’s switch to more local stuff, huh?
I couldn’t be happier with how everything Canada 150-related went off in Outlook. The actual Canada Day weekend was fantastic, but I’m sure everyone will remember that this town’s celebration of everything red-and-white started in mid-June with the human flag, which is something you just don’t see being done in communities of this size.
On the flip side of that particular coin, I’ve heard the odd complaint or two from some after the Canada Day weekend that they weren’t interested in what was offered, and that some events should’ve taken place in the Outlook Regional Park. That’s a fine idea in theory, but the reality of it is that with the size and scope of what was being offered for a big celebration such as this, I don’t think the park was a viable option. On top of that, vehicle access is typically cut off with any big event in the park, and accessibility for seniors is tricky down in the park bowl, and if I know people, it’s that they like being able to drive their vehicles anywhere they please, and that older people like being able to access…..well, anything they too please.
Keeping on the subject of the park, I think it’s awesome that organizers are offering free weekly programming for the summer. With the absence of the swimming pool and camping numbers apparently not very encouraging, it’s great to see the park making something of a comeback and showing people what the area still offers.
Switching gears now…
Just a week after this community celebrated Canada Day, Outlook residents woke up to find flowers ripped out of their planters and thrown on the street. Not the first time this has happened, either. In this particular case, it was apparently the handiwork of a 47-year old and a 23-year old, as well as a youth that can’t be named. Seriously? Have we become so bored in our small town lives that activities for a Friday night include destroying town property and putting on a very public display of disrespect? Even more baffling is the fact that one of the people in this case is someone just a few years shy of being half a century old. Incidents such as this highlight two things; one, you can’t point fingers at one specific age group when vandalism happens; and two, adults are just as capable of doing some stupid, disrespectful things.
It’s disappointing that some people take it upon themselves to decide a community shouldn’t have this or that by way of violently removing them and tossing them on the street like garbage. I don’t know what the solution to something like this could be, that’s for your mayor and town council to decide.
Speaking of street garbage, I see the parking lot of the D&E is relatively cleaner now that school’s out. Wonder if it’ll be a return to form when September rolls around?
For this week, that’s been the Ruttle Report.
