It was Juvenalis, the brilliant first century Roman satiric poet, who so aptly observed in his fourth Book of Satire that in their politics the people "long eagerly for just two things: bread and circuses (panis et circenses)."

Juvenalis also wondered "who is to guard the guards themselves (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes)?"

The people of the Northwest Territories have been treated to their very own version of a Roman circus for the last seven months in what might in short be simply called the conflict fiasco.

And we have seen who guards the guards.

With the players in this epic saga and its denouement now matters of public record, it is time for the legislative assembly to return to its primary purpose, the people's business.

There's human rights legislation to debate; how to fix the territorial highway system now the road toll is dead; as well as a pipeline, housing, education and health issues.

The stiff four-month sentence issued to Bruce Mabley, who was convicted for uttering death threats to the RCMP after he had a bad experience with a bylaw officer, is proof that the justice system isn't messing around when it comes to idiotic antics.

Mabley, who led the police right to his door with the help of call display, also went on to make matters worse when he muttered to the arresting officer that he had placed a bomb in the RCMP headquarters.

Clearly what may have received a lesser sentence, had this happened before the Sept. 11 bombings in the U.S., is not being tolerated by the justice system. We couldn't agree more.

Anger erupts in the public arena when elected officials waste taxpayers' dollars. Yet we do not blow up at ourselves when we blow off doctor appointments, which are costing taxpayers thousands.

It takes about 10 days to see a doctor. During July, August and September, 14,800 appointments were made, 2,162 missed. With the average doctor's visit costing $30, we wasted $64,860. Using the three-month figure as an average, we waste about $259,440 annually.

The number of no shows and costs should be posted monthly at clinics, hospitals, and government agencies. If that does not work, follow the lead of the Family Medical Clinic and let doctors refuse patients who repeatedly miss.

Perhaps the embarrassment of telling emergency room staff why they could not wait to see their doctor will deter no shows.

It's time Yellowknifers reached into their pockets to help out one of the most ambitious projects our city has ever seen -- helping out the new Side Door Youth Centre.

The new centre, which wouldn't have become a reality without the $550,000 in donations, is calling on the public to donate furnishings. Futons for the homeless, a microwave and refrigerator are just some of the items they need.

Youth themselves can get involved in this donation drive by seeing if their parents have any items that wouldn't be missed.

So, what are you waiting for?

Start looking in your basements or storage. Your gift will go to good use.

Editorial Comment
Darrell Greer
Kivalliq News

It was good to see the number of family members who turned out for the Ranger parade in Rankin Inlet this past week.

The pride in becoming a Canadian Ranger is, perhaps, stronger today than at any other time.

These brave men and women help out in many dangerous search-and-rescue attempts. They also help keep Canada strong as a nation. And that's a darn good reason to be proud!

Zero tolerance for animal abuse

No word comes readily to mind to describe the shameful act committed on Maria Quqsuut's dog, Misty, earlier this month. This random violence committed on animals in Rankin Inlet has to stop.

True, not everyone appreciates nor understands the nature of being an animal owner.

And there's nothing wrong with that. However, not understanding why people would want to own animals certainly does not condone the heinous act committed on Misty or other violent acts like it.

Many dog and cat owners come to look upon domesticated animals as part of the family. When violence is committed on their animal, pet owners often feel violated and extremely angry.

We sincerely hope judges cut little slack in handing out sentences to those who wilfully abuse or kill an animal for no reason.

If the acts of violence continue, it's only a matter of time before the violence is escalated by a pet owner who puts revenge above self-control.

Blazing a path

Full marks go out to Fiona and Heather Main of Arviat for signing up to spend seven months in the Katimavik program. The program enables youth to build many interpersonal and career-orientated skills that will be of great future benefit to them.

Katimavik is an option more Kivalliq students should seriously consider. Not only do you learn many useful skills during your tenure, you also travel to some nifty locations and meet plenty of new friends.

And, as Fiona pointed out, Katimavik experience can also help a new graduate make up their mind on choosing a career path to follow. Sounds like a pretty good deal to us.

Editorial Comment
Malcolm Gorrill
Inuvik Drum

A snowmobile accident which occurred this past Sunday is a timely reminder of the importance of helmets, and their proper use.

The two young people involved were wearing helmets, but did not have them strapped on properly. As a result, their helmets went flying off, just when they needed them most.

Luckily, both escaped with minor injuries, but this should serve to remind people -- especially youngsters -- that straps aren't on helmets for decoration.

As it happens, for safety reasons Inuvik Town Council recently made it a requirement for those riding bicycles, scooters and in-line skates on sidewalks, roads and town property to wear helmets.

It was pointed out that this bylaw may be hard to enforce, and that the town's bylaw officers have plenty on their plate already. But it was also noted, correctly, that having a bylaw in effect will mean that most people will likely comply most of the time.

This is where leading by example can play a huge role, especially where young people and adults are concerned, as youngsters often take their cue from adults on things like this.

A good compliance rate with this new helmet requirement might also help improve the issue of helmet use by snowmobile users, a requirement that has already been in place.

Town councillors have noted that when bylaw officers try to flag down someone on a snowmobile not using a helmet, they often just speed away. Hopefully those who do this will realize before long that such behaviour is not cool or groovy, it's just flirting with disaster.

And while on the subject of new regulations by town council, drivers should note that in most parts of Inuvik the speed limit is now 35 kilometres per hour.

A milestone is reached

Congratulations are extended to those involved now or in the past with the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary.

The hall is host to a lot of gatherings and programs, and plays a big role within the community.

Editorial Comment
Derek Neary
Deh Cho Drum, Fort Simpson

It's safe to say most of us don't want to die prematurely. We are therefore very conscientious when it comes to eating contaminated food. So when we initially find out fish from NWT lakes contain mercury, we get an inclination to scratch it off the menu.

The presentations that the contaminants specialists made in Fort Simpson, Wrigley, Jean Marie River and Fort Providence last week were very informative. They let us know there's no reason to be alarmed over mercury in fish or cadmium in caribou, but we should be cautious just the same.

As Erica Myles, of the health protection unit, said we are exposed to contaminants every day. They are in the air, water and soil. Fortunately, our immune systems filter out the vast majority of what little contamination we encounter.

The most telling comparison during the presentation was one involving smokers. People who smoke half a pack of cigarettes a day will inhale a half litre of tobacco tars into their lungs each year. On the other hand, the average person will only consume a teaspoon of contaminants from traditional foods over an entire lifetime. Remember, many store-bought foods contain preservatives, which are also questionable for our health. So the important thing, obviously, is to keep things in perspective. Variety and moderation in our diets is the key.

Also relating to the presentations, bio-chemist Lyle Lockhart showed the audience a book with pictures of a normal-sized, fleshy-coloured fish liver as opposed to another liver that was red and shrunken in size. He explained that fish tend to draw fat from their livers during spawning, causing the liver the shrink and change colour. Small, red livers in fish could also be a sign that they are starving, he noted.

Quite often people make the assumption that anything seemingly abnormal in wildlife is due to pollution, Lockhart said. For example, some people blame oil development activity at Norman Wells as the reason for odd-looking or deformed fish livers, he said.

He makes a point worth remembering. We live in an age when we are wary of industrial activity's effects on the environment. There have been numerous proven incidents worldwide of unscrupulous companies knowingly polluting waterways and land. However, we need samples to be taken and studies to be conducted before we know with certainty what causes apparent defects in wildlife. Unfounded assumptions are just that, unfounded.

Let it snow

The Deh Cho was clobbered with snow early this year. Friday's blizzard added significantly to the already mounting banks. Motorists were getting stuck everywhere. I was a "pushee" and a "pusher" on Friday as I tried to keep the truck on the few streets that were plowed early. It feels good to get a helping hand when it's needed, and equally good to help someone else along.