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

Free Willy...before he kills again

It appears we have serial killer on our hands. No its not the regular wispy-bearded psychopath that we assume when we hear that word. Its an orca...Killer whale for us 'Joe the Plumber types.'

Seaworld in Florida has become the background to the tragic death of a trainer. Indeed a sad day for Aquatic centers everywhere. Amazingly enough, this is the same whale that also killed another trainer in Victoria back in 2001.

Now obviously it is difficult to report on the death of anyone, especially someone who had a strong passion for the orca in question, but the issue of penned Whales needs to be brought to the forefront in the face of this issue.

They are absolutely a beautiful and intelligent creature that has the ability to perform tricks for peasants at the fair, but to hold such a creature in a tank continues to be a tragedy in itself. If we want to avoid injuries to ourselves then we have to consider the livelihood and false habitats we are creating for these majestic creatures.

Everyone is in shock when something happens like the death of a trainer but maybe we should start to admit that we actually do know why these things happen.

Orcas are not Poodles

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalism

Brutal Racism

So there was a cross-burning in our great country. Even more appalling was the location of this travesty. The historical end of the Underground Railroad, Nova Scotia.

This type of indignant behavior is unacceptable. We allow incidents like this to carry on because we choose to ignore it and say it is only the select few crazies with nothing to lose. Even if this is so, the punishment needs to fit the crime.

We all hear about these people protesting their racist and horrible propaganda throughout the year, and we do not condemn them, for reasons like free speech. Cross Burnings are not free speech. No matter how these gun-toting yahoos play it.

These people are villains of decency and humanity and do not deserve the comfort of western society. One of our countries great value is diversity and multiculturalism and we let people who call themselves our friends and neighbors destroy this great value.

Anyone who commits crimes like cross-burnings deserve the medieval treatments they wish to condemn others too. This is our world, our country. It is up to us as a society, as well as our government to deal with people who choose to deal in hate appropriately.

Unfortunately, people with horrible beliefs rarely change their mind, but to any who believe that Canada is more then what these cross-burners would allow. I call to you to help the change towards an accepting society.

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalists

Want to be a Wolf Management Agent?

So Grande Cache, Alberta is the home for an amazing public service. For a small price you can go up in a helicopter, go for a spin, and headshot wolves from a vantage point. Fun no? Who wouldn't want to go up into the air and spit in natures face with a scope?

I am of course referring to "wolf management system" that is in place to protect Caribou herds in Northern Alberta. It is rather impressive that we can put money into such a system to control one animals population by destroying another. I suggest another solution, close the damn oil well that is creating sludge swamps!

It is just like this government to protect oil and gas, even if it means the depletion of Alberta's natural beauty. It is sheer asinine behavior to think that wolves are the reason caribou populations are dropping. But I suppose a grazing animal wont die if you destroy its grazing lands right?

I understand that this country relies on Oil and Gas. However, I think this government and those companies responsible for the desecration of our land, at least attempt to take responsibility, rather then creating bogus programs so hillbillies can fire off rounds without honor.

Despicable

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

Wackarnolds

Global Recession, War in Afghanistan, Genocide in Darfur, childhood obesity. Wait, what?

Yes the lovely First Lady is taking on the pot bellies of the midwest in her war on childhood obesity. A pressing issue obviously, but one America has little hope of winning politically.

Now obviously it's in families best interest to promote healthy lifestyles to their children. But it seems a national campaign headed by the First Lady Michelle Obama seems a little thin.

After-all, in one hand the government is attempting to promote vegetables and soy milk; however on the other, their hoping they can rely on the backs of Mcdonalds and Cocacola to save them from from on ongoing economic decline.

I guess it comes down to that it is rather easy to promote healthy living with the most attractive first family since little Johnny was still giving the salute. It could be supposed that such a family would have a large gap between the realities of middle America and the White House.

I digress, maybe healthy living can be promoted through social programs and positive reinforcement, rather then Public chastisement and political pandering

-Todd Colin Vaughan
Journalist

EURO TRIP

So Amsterdam has legalized Sex in public places, including parks. Thats all fine and well I suppose, but dogs in the same park have to be on leash! Understandably dog-lovers are enraged in the home of world-wide debauchery.

It seems Amsterdam is always facing the problems that the rest of the western world is too smart to pay attention too. This legislation coming after a bitter battle between the Dutch government and the thousands of squatters who live throughout the windmills and bicycles.

Squatters, dog-lovers, and exhibitionists. Thank you Holland for continuing to provide amusement over the media's that will carry your governmental precedents. And thank you QR 770 for carrying such worthy news to the people of South-central Alberta.

Indeed when the governments of the world have reached a point where only the comedic will reign, I might have to discontinue my love of news.

But alas I have to walk my dog through the park. Hopefully I wont see my Dutch neighbors exercising their political freedom

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

Have you been up to k2?

Children everywhere are braving the slopes. No I'm not refering to the mountain of Chris o Donnell fame. I'm refering to the legal substance that mimics the effects of the ole Mary Jane.

Yes k2 has the same feeling and is undetectable. What are the ethical ramifications of this substance. Obviously it depends on your opinion of the legality of cannabis in general, but how do you form an opinion on something that has yet to be prooved harmful or harmless.

The real issue of this is governments unwillingness to legislate the real thing. If they were to legalise it, we would certainly see that national debt go in a hurry. Imagine a tax infused cannabis system that can charge exponential times the street value and still have people buy it. That and a legal age limit would lead to the end of kids inhaling untested products.

But I guess they could be huffing paint like the wierd kids did when I was young. Pick your poisons I suppose

-Todd Colin Vaughan
Journalist

Basketball News: Ridiculous Trade

Cleveland gets Antawn Jamison and Bassy Telfair. Washington gets Thorton, Ilgauskas and Skiner, the Clippers get Drew Gooden The NBA has to solve trades like this. Cleveland will end up with Ilgauskas in 30 days after he is waved.

This is absolutely ridiculous, the NBA should have a moratorium on GM's being allowed to make moves like this. Especially if your a suffering Clipper fan, under the ongoing reign of the the miser Donald Sterling.

Book it, Cleveland - LA in the finals. You have to wonder if David Stern had something to do with this deal. I guess this is the reality in a league that has no money, and owners that only care about the economics of the game.

This deal is bad for anyone who has any appreciation for basketball

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

The Return of Eldrick

So the second coming of Ben Hogan returns to continue his run towards 18 major championships. Amidst the comedic catastrophe that has become the the golfer's life, Friday will be the day that Tiger will undoubtably announce his return to the Masters.

This is an important time for the game of golf. Whether your a fan of Tig's personal life or not, golf cannot survive without him. Phil does not have the consistency, nor the longevity to carry the sport without Mr. Woods and nor will anyone else.

The simple fact is that Tiger has the most killer instinct in sport, and not since his airness has anyone willed himself to victory the way that he does. Golf needs this.

Obviously Tiger loses some fans, but the PGA gains exposure from people wanting to see him lose...or win if your a tad morbid like myself.

So bring on Golf's most interesting season in years. It would go a long for golf to have Tiger win four majors this year. Although, I think Elyn would disapprove.

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

Own the Podium

The Vancouver Winter Games carry on with some trepidation. With critics at home and abroad, contention seems to be one of the international themes of the game. I would like to address two of these. One being the British newspaper "The Guardian" referring to these games as the "worst ever" and the issue of the phrase "own the podium."

I am unsure where the Guardian is coming from with their assertions about the games but as a Canadian I have never been more proud as a Canadian then I have these past few days. It is interesting that a nation with no real chance at winter sports would be so critical towards a country that excels at them despite a significant population disadvantage.

With the London Summer games 2 years from now, I would imagine that this criticisms stems from their own hopes. I will say however that it will be difficult not to chuckle a little if their games faces some difficult moments

"Own the Podium." It may sound like some silly slogan that CTV is force feeding us, but the underlying theme is being questioned for being unCanadian. The assumption is usually made that Canadians are polite and well-mannered. Is the idea of owning a podium therefore arrogant?

It is not. In fact it is a sentiment that this country has been lacking, not only in sports excellence, but in general. Canadians are always facing an identity crisis. Unlike our neighbors to the south, we do not have a mystical history to turn too in times of question. Therefore when it comes to backing sports, our patriotic fervor is perhaps lacking.

These are our olympics. Lets fill BC place with golds and perhaps be a little less humble then usual. Our athletes and our country deserve this moment.

Vancouver 2010 can be the new Expo '67

-Todd Colin Vaughan

Journalist

Canadian Olympics - Protesting

Protesting. It has become a recognizable fact of the Olympic Games in Vancouver. It is also a basic principle of a modern western government. However, the Olympics have brought up an interesting facet of the idea.

The games has indeed, cost taxpayers a considerable amount of money. This becomes most poignant when considering we are in the midst of the largest economic recession since the Great Depression. However, I personally fail to see how protesting a games will have any desired effects other then sour grapes. The games have already been paid for and whether the taxpayer agrees or not, the check is already in the mail.

Now as a citizen with mild Western Canadian values, I do not exactly agree with wild government spending, but when I see the look on Frederick Bilodeau's face when his brother Alex won Canada's first gold, the economic issue of the games suddenly become irrelevant.

The Olympics, while expensive, bring out out the best of the human spirit. Indeed, even when you jeer against the other country, it is in good-natured and the excellence of craft comes through.

To protest the value of this spirit is counterproductive

Todd Colin Vaughan - Journalist