Disaster Strikes

*First Reported by CNN's The Situation Room"*

British Petroleum's ongoing nightmare has now become a global nightmare. Oil being leaked by the thousands of liters per day has reached the shores of the Southern Gulf Coast United States.

The development of coastal oil and gas has now endangered the delicate ecosystem of the southern coastal United States. Also at risk is the thousands of Americans who make a living off of the Gulf coast through tourism, fisheries, etc.

This is an accident that should never have happened and only further discredits those who stand by fossil fuels as a long-term fuel source. If offshore drilling is to continue, it must be the responsibility of the corporations to ensure that it is done safely. If they are unable to do so, it must then be passed on to government to legislate protection against such ecological disasters.

If we cannot adapt our energy sources then we must be able to accept the punishable consequences of destroying the natural world as well as robbing the business men who make their living off of areas like the Gulf coast.

Accountability at the highest level needs to be enforced.

-Todd Colin Vaughan
Journalist

Los Suns

The Phoenix Suns are doing something very rare to proffesional athletic organizations. In protest to new anti-immigration legislation in the great state of of Arizona, Robert Sarver and the Suns organization are wearing their 'Los Suns' jerseys in honour of the large latino population within the state.

The game is being played tonight and is taking place at the same time as a large rally lead by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

This type of bravery is very rare for a sports organizations. In an industry dominated by dollars, women, and machismo; the Suns are setting an example for the rest of the sports world to take notice.

As athletes and millionaires, these people have the capability to be leaders in their communities. Unfortunatly, this is an ideal situation and is often replaced with law, gambling, and bank problems that many of these athletes face.

By honoring the latino community of Arizona, the Phoenix Suns are rising above this stereotype and providing an example that others should surely follow.

Anti-immigration laws based on prejudice and stereotype are baseless and borderline racist. Kudos to the Suns for taking notice.

-Todd Colin Vaughan
Journalist

Golf Maybe Not Meant for the Beer-Swelling Frat Boys

The Masters began today with the Par 3 tournament. I admit not the most glamorous event that one that makes the issue golf faces because of Tiger more poignant.

The event was showcased by the threesome of Golfs greatest outside of Eldrick; that being Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Gary Player. Three men who carried the game of Golf from a country club aristocratic game to one that even the lowliest of plebs can enjoy.

The Day featured these three legends laughing, talking, and signing autographs for an audoring crowd that featured a distinctly young age group and was capped off by a 60-foot putt by Mr. Palmer.

What become clear is that the class these men carry themselves with, and the way they showcase the game is nothing but legendary. This is in stark contrast to that of Tiger; even before his indiscretions were made public.

What these men have that Tiger lacks is respect. Although Tiger has made it clear that he is on the mend; this epiphany seems to contrived to actually be true, coming from a man who relied on sheer will and focus to excell.

Tiger does make the game more global and TV ratings thrive, no question. His behavior however is in stark contrast to the expectations of a game that is polite, humble and unassuming. Golf is a game that belongs to those who respect the serentity of the game; not a club throwing frat boy who doesnt understand how to delete a phone history.

This reporter would take an Arnold Palmer autograph over an Eldrick Woods any day of the week

1/4 Polls Prove that Polls are Usually Trying to Prove Sterotypes

So today is International Women's Day. Congratulations to all women who are supporting this momentous day. A couple events have come up today that begs attention.

Apparently 1/4 Canadians still feel that the woman's place is at home rather then the workplace. What a wonderful poll to put out. Im glad sociologists have the time to study such needless studies to add offensive dribble to our daily news. This may be a trendy feeling about women but on a day that celebrates the achievements of women this does nothing but belittles them.

Indian Parliament proposed that 1/3 representatives should be female. Parliament was subsequently thrown into an uproar as people threatened to topple the government. The issue with this is not what is proposed but how it went about it. Not voting for women is different then not allowing them to be representatives. This will be portrayed as anti-women movement when it should be viewed as a pro-democracy.

Just a couple thoughts on the day. Now lets sit tight until International Men Day. Oh wait.

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

The Journey to Gender Neutral

So 'O Canada' is being torn apart by those who feel it is a sexist symbol. A song that men and women throughout this country sang and cried for just last week. I guess it would be a fitting end for a ditty that was just beginning to catch on.

"In all thy Sons Command" is apparently putting the apron on all our sisters of confederation. As you can see the line is clearly malicious at heart and honestly, what sort of government would allow this perversion of language into a lovable tune.

This is our anthem people. This is not some building on the other side of the country. This is the closest tie of culture Whitehorse has with Quebec City. People fought and died for our anthem, and we will let it fall to a few worked up malcontents.

This is something Canadians don't want to hear but our neighbors to the south would be in full scale revolution if congress attempted to destroy the Star-Spangled Banner. Don't destroy our history, even if you think we have none.

Canada has a few supporters who remember that we have our own past. Lets not let Rosie the Riveter box in that history.

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

Uneasy Feeling

The country is in the midst of hysteria. Yes yesterday's historic victory over the dreaded US of A was a watershed moment in Canada's brief history. It is indeed 1812 on Yonge Street again. Kudos to our boys for pulling it out.

The patriotism expressed though is definitely an an uneasy one. We are all bringing out the Red and singing the anthem(the wrong one, the real one was bought by TSN for a few million). But is Canada more together now then it was two weeks ago?

Yes and no. The joy brought by the hockey game is indeed inspiring, but the one thing it does even better is, cover, rather then heal continuing problems against Canadian unity. I suppose though as long as Sid scores, its okay to ignore proroguing parliament, attempted coalition coup's, a crippled economy, an estranged Francophone sibling. etc.

I guess its sour grapes to question patriotism, but I think part of being Canadian is not going into things blindly. So maybe that is patriotism in a twisted way.

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalism

Legend Awarness Week

Some of you may not know; but the greatest songwriter who has ever lived, is right here in Southern Alberta.

No I'm not talking about the skills of Murial Radar, I'm referring to Mr. Ian Tyson. Longview's own.

Yes at the heart of the folk world was Mr. Tyson playing along with Dylan and the gang in Greenwich Village. So why has the young generation not caught on?

Maybe because his Albertan majestic melodies don't appeal to the new age beer swilling Nashvillites or maybe because he's more known as a song writer; it's hard to say.

What I can say is this. Ian Tyson will make you love your home. It makes me love being Albertan. If your not Albertan, he'll make you wish you were.

May I suggest "4 Stong Winds" and then move on to "Big-Horned Sky"

-Todd Colin Vaughan
Journalist