Friday, August 8, 2008

You're Silly. Go Sit Down.

There's a difference between nonsense that gets spouted on insignificant blogs and what gets said in situations where people are actually listening. Press conferences, sessions of legislative bodies, courtrooms - what gets said in places like those matters, and people should choose their words carefully in such a venue.

Sometimes someone goes simply beyond the pale, and it's time to stop giving them an audience. Hyperbole is fine in some circumstances; in fact, on blogs, it's the absolute greatest thing in the history of the known universe. When someone in a position of authority goes too far in a venue where they really should know better, though, then it's time to stop taking them seriously. It's time to tell them, "You're silly. Go sit down."

This is a fantastic example of what I'm talking about. Grand Chief Morris Swan-Shannacappo of the "Southern Chiefs Organization" has called for an inquiry into recent police shootings on reserves. OK, it's entirely possible that there are valid questions to ask in that area. However, here's how he chose to express his position (emphasis added):

"I also want to take this time ... to extend an olive branch to (police chief) Keith McCaskill so we can sit at a table and talk about how we are going to reduce not only crime, but the killing sprees that seem to be enjoyed by the Winnipeg Police Service."

I've said it before, I'll say it again: Wow.

Methinks it may be time for the election of a new Grand Chief. This one is silly, and needs to go sit down.


On another completely tasteless note, the problem here is that people keep coming at police officers with weapons and refusing to drop those weapons. When that happens, the police officers sometimes choose to shoot them instead of trying out the role of a pincushion or pinata. I know it's just a figure of speech, but the line between "extend an olive branch" and "come at them with a stick" may be a little too fine. I wouldn't want anyone to get shot.

And I certainly wouldn't want anyone else to enjoy it.


Enough rambling. Here's a picture of my father-in-law's hat.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Just a thought-may be a lam one- but concerning the riots in Monteal. Do the rioters not undersand the police are to uphold the laws and NOT let themselves get swarmed by idiots intent on harming the officers? Well, that officer had to use his weapon to secure his safety and I say Bravo. Perhaps these rioters would like to return to their own countries where killing of innocents is some what of a sport. Its time they and the Khadrs were deported so they can have their fun and games where bloodshed is king. Just a rambling thought. Don't come to Canada to hide behind we Canadians and throw bombs at the country you left. After all, the lives you lived in those countries were so awful that you were allowed to come here. It is time you acted like Canadians or were sent back on the fastest ships available - which by the way won't be Canadian Warships - they are both busy.