Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is under a lot of pressure as the public has really backlashed on his online surveillance bill that he introduced. Vic hasn't done himself any favours with a few comments that have come out, such as the one where he said, "You can either stand with us or with the child pornographers." People that read my column frequently know I can't stand the politically correct extremists that have taken over our country; but Vic and the government have gone a touch too far with this one. I'm all for surveillance on child pornographers or any form of law breaking that might be going on with a computer. But, let's just make sure it's not invading ones privacy. There are a lot of things that folks do on a computer that could be considered embarrassing or with questionable ethics. That maybe makes you a little strange; but it is not illegal. And, that is the stuff that should be protected. I also don't want Mr. Toews snooping on my baseball research for my upcoming fantasy draft. He might tell the rest of my friends my secrets.
A man in his early 20's from Quebec is dead after a tragic couch surfing stunt. Apparently, his friend was towing him with a van at a high rate of speed when a vehicle coming in the other direction hit the couch and killed the surfer. We've all been guilty of doing stupid things from time to time; but it's incredible to hear someone actually lose a life from something as dumb as this. I feel bad for his friends and family who are left behind and have to come to grips with why this young man isn't in their lives anymore. And, remember before you take part in any kind of goofy incident like this, there may be serious consequences. The young man driving the van is being charged with a number of serious criminal offenses and could spend time in jail. I'm sure the dead man wouldn't have wanted this to happen to his friend, but now there are all kinds of repercussions stemming from this incredibly juvenile act.
The Yorkton Harvest ended their season on the weekend. Thank goodness. It was harder for me to watch than it was for the players to play. I'm not sure if any of them read my column, but it's important to know that as young hockey players (supposedly elite) you are being watched all the time by someone. That someone just might be a potential organization for you after your midget career is over. My impression is that these guys 'mailed it in' pretty much after Christmas and for that, they should be ashamed. I'm on the team's Board of Directors; but I feel if I can praise these kids in a column when they are playing well, I can also criticize them when they quit like they did. They were outscored 15-1 in the last two games of the year against Prince Albert. The Mintos outshot them by a combined 114-25 in the two games too. The Mintos are a first place team and the Harvest are 11th out of 12. Still, that's no excuse. The worst was earlier this month when the last place Battlefords Stars came into Yorkton and beat the Harvest 8-0. One prominent SJHL coach (not Jamie Fiesel or Trent Cassan) told me he would have to think long and hard about taking any player off this team on his club in the future. Wow. They were 2-10-and-2 overall after Christmas. There are some building blocks.Hopefully, they can help turn things around next year.
One of the worst feelings in life has to be jealousy. It happens at home with siblings. It happens at work with fellow employees. It can happen in relationships. And, it can even happen in sports when it comes to the media and professional athletes. Jeremy Lin is the best thing to come along in basketball in many years. And, yet this poor guy is picked apart nightly by the so-called experts. His team is winning, he's pouring in points and registering double figures in assists; but the focus is on seven turnovers. Give me a break. And, ESPN has had to suspend and/or fire employees for racial headlines and statements made by a few of their people. Just when you think we left the stone ages.
Nice person mentions this week to Ron Risling, Andrea Wolf, Aaron Kienle, Jason Knox, and Taryn Romanowich.
