James Piper - Entries on Current Events

Saturday, March 21, 2009

...what is with some people?...

n Thursday, March 19, 2008, the Globe and Mail published a front page story on the death of Natasha Richardson. To my surprise, when the story broke on the Tuesday, I followed it with great interest. I wasn't alone. It captured the attention of millions. I'm not entirely sure why that happened, but it did. I'm not sure why I got caught up in it. I was reading everything I could to get the facts on the story--something I rarely do.

In reading the comments about the article I came across this entry:

Golden Locks from O'bama Land, United States writes: This death is on the hands of Canada for not having the proper medical capabilities and instead having to airlift her to the Good Ole USA; your favourite country to hate.

Posted 18/03/09 at 8:35 PM EDT | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment

First, it's impossible to know if this person truly believes the comment or is simply throwing lighter fluid on a fire, but let's assume it's believed in which case there are a number of problems with the comment.

I don't like the fact people hide behind pseudonyms and aliases. If you're going to make comments, tell us who you are.

Next, she was treated in Montreal. They have world class medical facilities. McGill University is the home to the founder of modern medicine--Dr. William Olser. To say there was a lack of "proper medical capabilities" is absurd. It simply isn't true.

Second, she wasn't airlifted to the US to get proper medical treatment. The last thing you would want to do with someone with a head injury is put them on a private jet and fly at 45,000 feet. Unfortunately, she was brain dead before she left Canada at which point there was nothing more that could be done.

I'm not sure what compelled me to write an entry on this. I could spend all day finding such examples of ignorance and not change one thing.

Posted 2009/03/21 at 08h05ET in Current Events. [View single entry]

Friday, April 20, 2007

...new limit to what television newscasts will broadcast...

n April 16, 2007 I clicked on a Toronto newspaper's web site and learnt about the shootings in Virginia earlier that day. Two days later when I clicked on the same site, I saw a photo, the size of a paperback, of a man pointing a gun at me. A second newspaper had the same image. I wasn't pleased.

The saying goes: don't point a gun at someone unless you intend to shot. I don't intend to get shot and I don't like the idea of a gun pointed at me even if it is a photograph.

How many movies have you seen where an actor points a gun directly, in close-up, at the audience? Rarely. There is a famous early sound film where that stunt took place, but it failed miserable as people keeled over from freight.

Why did The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail think the photos were appropriate? Money.

Today I read in the G&M that TV news broadcasts were playing video of this killer over and over. A backlash started. Good. (See G&M article.) But where's the backlash at the newspapers? I'm doing my part.

I suppose there is one thing for which I'm thankful, I rarely watch TV so I didn't have to endure video of this killer.

Posted 2007/04/20 at 06h57ET in Current Events. [View single entry]