The hazing situation with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Neepawa Natives has come to the forefront in the wake of news a 15-year-old boy and six of his rookie teammates had an object tied to their genitals and paraded around the dressing room. The reality is that special treatment of rookies is always going to be an issue in sports and when it comes to hazing, the line can be blurred. I feel there are places for rookie initiations, such as eating last at the restaurant, cleaning the dressing room, or loading the bus for a road trip. Where it gets a little foggy is when a rookie is asked to sing an embarrassing song in a crowded restaurant or is given a funky haircut. There are instances where people will disagree on what would be a hazing matter and what wouldn't. I don't like to see the politically correct fanatics out there take over, but if there is any doubt as to whether or not the activity causes humiliation, then you have to consider the event is hazing.
I've had a few critics tell me I'm eerily quiet when the Saskatchewan Roughriders win. Which, I guess is to say I'm not quiet very often. In light of those critics, I'm pleased to report the Rider back-ups defeated the Hamilton Tiger Cat back-ups 19-3 over the weekend, begging the question as to why the Rider back-ups weren't in sooner if they are the better players on the roster.
Speaking of politically correct, there was a story Monday morning out of Hamilton that one particular school had cancelled Halloween because it takes away from 'instructional time in the classroom' and creates 'safety and security' concerns.
Some more quirkiness from this week: an Arizona mother of four has been banned from eight McDonald's restaurants where she repeatedly swabbed play areas for bacteria in a personal crusade for better cleanliness.
Police in Georgia say a suspect in a car break-in used a phone stolen from the vehicle to take his own photo, which was then posted to the car owner's Facebook page.
I also ran across a classified ad from someone trying to sell slightly used dentures. It says only two teeth are missing. The asking price is $100 or best offer. Yet, another dimwit tried to sell a partially eaten 8-day old turkey. Before you dismiss this ad, understand the drumsticks are still intact.
The NDP says, if elected, they will twin Highway-10 from Balgonie to Yorkton. Yet, another pie in the sky promise from a party that is hoping to simply steal a few extra votes in what is, surely, going to be a lopsided SaskParty victory in next week's election. Having said that, I think this is a good idea. Traffic has definitely increased in the ten years I've travelled on that stretch of road. Still, the costs are enormous and I would still like to say portions of the Yellowhead Highway twinned before that one.
The SaskParty isn't without flaws either as evidenced by local MLA Greg Ottenbreit's words concerning handouts that could be used for alcohol and drugs for First Nations people in relation to resource-revenue sharing. My comment would be that no matter what race people are, I think it's very difficult for most of us to use government cheques wisely. I am aware of several families (multiple cultural backgrounds), who got disaster relief money from the July 1, 2010 flood and did not put it towards their losses. Unfortunately, all people (not certain cultures) need parameters and rules. I think very few of us are capable of managing finances the way government handouts are intended.
Nice person mentions this week to Bryon Priebe, Ron Holloway, Cam Mehling, Adam Chernoff, and Branden Crowe.
