A story a couple of weeks ago about Yorkton having the seventh highest crime rate amongst cities in Canada should really send shock waves and spark a debate in our community about what we can do to curtail it. Furthermore, three Saskatchewan cities rank in the top seven in Canada.
This is one area where the Saskatchewan Party government needs to take serious measures to improve living in our province. When they talk about a high crime rate, they are not talking about the epidemic we, apparently, have when it comes to rolling stops while driving or jaywalking on Broadway Street. So if Yorkton needs help from neighboring detachments, let's hope it can be done by solving violent crime.
That's five losses and counting for the Saskatchewan Roughriders after they fell to the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon. It was extremely windy, but the Riders still tried to pass the ball and moved away from star running back Kory Sheets, who has seven touchdowns this season. Instead, it was Stamps running back Jon Cornish, who finished with, roughly, 160 yards keeping the Rider defense on the field longer than they should be.
I never thought I'd say I feel bad for a cheater, but I do feel sympathy for Lance Armstrong. He is, quite possibly, guilty as charged of using illegal performance enhancing substances; but nothing has ever been proven and here he is admitting he can't fight anymore and now it appears as though his seven Tour de France championships are going to be taken away.
How many times have we seen, in a court of law, people walk away free based on technicalities or because guilt wasn't proven beyond a reasonable doubt? There is some doubt here. Besides, what are the chances whoever finished second to Armstrong in each of those races was competing clean? Cycling is an extremely dirty sport when it comes to cheating.
NBC News was the first media outlet to report the death of astronaut Neil Armstrong over the weekend, although the credit should be taken away as they, originally, said it was astronaut Neil Young who passed away. Neil Young, of course, is not an astronaut and is not dead.
Norway has past Canada, in my mind, as a leader in bleeding heart justice for criminals. A serial killer of 77 people has just been sentenced to life in prison; which means he gets three cells instead of one. Each is about eight square metres. One has gym equipment, another has a bed, and the third has a desk with a laptop computer. For, at least, one hour a day; he has access to a small courtyard surrounded by barbed wire. He is, otherwise, held in isolation. It's a wonder there isn't more crime in Norway as prisoners get better conditions than those who grow up in poverty.
I have seen countless jokes about the engagement of Canadian music superstars Chad Kroeger and Avril Lavigne. Something I've never understood is how we love to make fun of our highly successful musicians (Nickelback, Lavigne, Justin Bieber); but when it comes to Canadian athletes or actors we will defend them to their death. Is Corner Gas really a funny show or do we like it because it's Canadian, and more specifically, Saskatchewan? Was Rosie MacLennan's gold medal in Trampoline at the Olympics a really big deal or are we just proud of her because she's Canadian? Will there be a spike in trampoline athletes for the next ten years?
Bravo to all of the construction going on in our city. It's going to be something else when all of these places are open for business. I've lived in Yorkton since 2001 and can't believe how much it's changed in 11 years. I can't imagine what it has felt like for someone who has been here for 20 or 30 years.
Let's hope staffing isn't an issue for these new retail outlets, because we know that's been a major hurdle for our existing businesses.
My thought provoking Tweets of the week come from First World Facts. "People read as much as ten percent slower from a screen than they do from a paper." Here's another: "Studies show if a man and a woman meet in a dangerous situation, they are more likely to fall in love." And, I can't believe this took an actual study, but First World Facts also claims, "Men are put off by groups of loud women." And, a cue we need to take at our place: "Families who turn off the television during meals tend to be healthier."
I have discovered I have an illness called Mageirocophobia, which is the intense fear of having to cook.
Is it just me or did summer go by quicker than ever this year? Teachers are back to school, kids go back right away, and it's the Labour Day Weekend in just a few days. Our Christmas Wishbook has already arrived in the mail.
Nice person mentions this week to Phil DeVos, Jeff Sedor, Wayne Henley, and Ashley Restau.
