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Editorial Friday, March 20, 1998 Pop crime
Thousands of dollars in loonies and quarters have been violently
and heartlessly removed from soft-drink vending machines throughout the
city in recent weeks, and we can't help but suspect that the criminals
responsible don't really understand what they're doing.
They probably see their acts as victimless crimes -- picking on inanimate
and defenceless pop machines. They are wrong.
They should think of all the kids who are going to have to
pay, sooner or later, for the loss of revenue being suffered by our
soft-drink distributors who are the real victims.
Theft is theft, whether it's from a person or out of a
machine. Hopefully the courts will send that message when the culprits are
caught.
The Canadian Armed Forces want the Canadian people to know that
things are going to be different from now -- less secrecy and more open
doors.
The news comes as a relief after years of unsatisfactory responses to
questions put by both journalists and members of Parliament. The killing of
two Somalians during peacekeeping duties and the subsequent attempts to
play down and even cover up the incidents are now old stories, but they
remain embarrassing and still weigh heavily on the minds of many observers,
both critics and supporters.
The problem may be more substantial that just the
military's public-relations strategy, however. Many Canadians are uncertain
if their soldiers are fulfilling a useful role any more, and the Forces'
profile in Yellowknife is a good example. Just what are they doing here?
The official answer is providing logistical support, such
as when southern regiments come North to train. But do we really need 93
personnel -- 33 of them maintaining four Twin Otters -- to do whatever it
is they do?
We are not convinced, but then, we're not really sure what
it is they are doing. Most of what we hear from the Department of National
Defence Northern Area Headquarters on 49th Street these days has to do with
the recently launched coastal defence vessel that bears our city's name.
What we need are more details of what's going on the in the NWT, rather
than maritime activities on the East or West Coast.
Perhaps the Forces should assume a more visible presence in
this city and in others across the country, so we can better evaluate their
role in society.
A military is an important part of a modern nation state.
There is no reason to hide it and we should not let it toil away in
obscurity.
Diamonds weren't even on the agenda but the NWT made a big
impression at this year's Mining Millennium 2000 international convention
in Toronto.
NWT Economic Development Minister Stephen Kakfwi and his officials deserve
praise for their eye-catching theme-park approach and setting up a forum on
diamond development that attracted more people than could fit in the room.
Mayor Dave Lovell was there with NWT Chamber of Council
director Bob Brooks as well as Northern representatives from the diamond
producing industry.
As Mayor Lovell put it, Northerners put aside competing
interests to work as a team. That's the approach that will bring jobs and
confidence to the Northern economy. We hope they build on their success.
I had a lot of fun last weekend as Beavertail Jamboree
events swirled on all around.
My favorite event had to be log-sawing which saw myself getting teamed up
with Jean Marie River Chief Yvonne Norwegian in a rare display of
politician-journalist solidarity.
Though the chief and I placed far back in the pack, I have
to say that was in no way due to her efforts. Rather, as Canadian Rangers
officials pointed out to the crowd, I was the one who held the chief back.
You see, we didn't do too much log-sawing where I grew up.
However, I gave it my all -- nearly resulting in a cardiac
arrest -- and will remain forever respectful of Chief Norwegian's skills
that are also obviously manifested outside of the political arena.
On another note: I did receive some flak throughout the
weekend for either a) covering certain events, or, b) not covering certain
events.
Simply put, I did my best. Organizers were provided with
film before the jamboree and I went to as many events as I could.
And, if truth be known, getting flak at winter carnival
time is just the price one pays when working at a weekly in any part of the
country.
On a completely unrelated matter: it's my view that
congratulations should be extended to the GNWT's Minister of Resources,
Wildlife and Economic Development, Stephen Kakfwi and his comrade at the
World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) Monte Hummel.
Instead of doing what Northerners often do when hunting
practices are examined -- search around for a (band)wagon to jump on, then
forming a circle and shouting "evil tree-huggers" -- Kakfwi took time out
recently to search for common ground with the WWF's Hummel.
Instead of the shouts from some quarters in the NWT, Kakfwi
has announced that the GNWT and WWF will be embarking on joint wolf study
projects that will surely benefit both hunters, wolves and their southern
supporters in the years ahead.
I would suspect that this approach will benefit both sides
in a far greater manner that extremist language and taunts usually do.
While it may be easier to believe that a cabal of evil
southerners is down there ready to pounce on the North at every opportunity
over hunting, this simply isn't true.
If southerners are ignorant, then maybe we need more like
Kakfwi who are willing to take the time to explain things -- not shout --
to the folks down south.
And, believe it or not, there are millions of rural
Canadians from coast to coast south of 60 that feel the same way about the
same topics sometimes.
Regardless, Kakfwi and Hummel have taken an important step
that both deserve credit for. Like some of us often do to trees, maybe they
both deserve to be "hugged."
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