A5
LETTERS
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Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012
We can protect our youth Every day in the news we read about the tragic consequences of bullying, addictions, mental illness, family violence, abuse, assaults and sexual exploitation on our youth. In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 per cent of all deaths among 15 to 24 year olds. In all daunting situations, every parent wants to know: How do I protect my child? How does one youth find the inner strength to cope and another continue to struggle? Why do some children consider suicide? How do we build resiliency? Resiliency is the ability to overcome the challenging events in our life and to function as well as before and eventually move forward. It is the ability to bounce back. It involves accepting all that life throws at us, learning from the good and the bad and becoming stronger. Building resiliency is complicated as we are dealing with human beings. A protective factor for one person may be a risk factor for another depending on their situation, experiences and the circumstances. However, these 10 positive characteristics can assist in developing healthy and respectful environments where children thrive and build the strength to adapt and grow. 1. Develop empathy — teach children to understand and sympathize with how others feel. 2. Good communication — teach children to become assertive communicators for win-win situations. 3. Strong problem solving skills — teach children confidence in making good choices. 4. Dedicated to learning — teach children to be interested in school and increasing their knowledge. 5. Goal driven — teach children how to set goals and strive for them. 6. Involved in engaging and rewarding activities — teach children a sense of purpose and belonging. 7. Hopeful about the future — teach children that things change and will get better. 8. Solid relationship with one or more adults — teach children to build a support network. 9. Live in a safe community — teach children to feel safe and secure. 10. Live in a well-functioning family — teach children how to engage in positive relationships. For those times our children are not feeling strong, be strong for them. Remember, there are agencies out there who want to help and support your families through the precarious life events that are cast at us. In Central Alberta, you can find support at Suicide Information and Education Services 403-3423966, support@suicidehelp.ca. Mary Dawn Eggleton Youth Education Co-ordinator Red Deer
Misinformed about history, economics Re: Stephan completely justified in condemning socialism, Nov. 23, letter to the editor In Bill Greenwood’s letter of Nov. 23, he seems to be somewhat confused or perhaps misinformed about some basic history and economics. He also seems to have entirely missed the point of my letter of Nov. 20, which was that in a liberal democracy like Canada’s, we value tolerance, diversity and debate. Liberal democracies must, by their very nature, have a high tolerance for dissent. To diminish these values weakens our democracy and potentially leads us down a dark path. Hitler’s extreme right wing reactionary Nazi Party was responsible for the Death Camps of the Second World War. Stalin and his extreme radical left wing Soviet Communist Party were responsible for the purges of the 1930s and the Gulags of Siberia. To suggest, as Greenwood does in his letter, that any democratic socialist party or nation had anything whatsoever to do with these crimes against humanity is not only wrong, it is mean-spirited. Just because Hitler and Stalin sometimes used the word “socialist” does not make them socialists. What Mr. Greenwood seems to be attempting to do in his letter is to lump three very different ideologies together and paint them with the same broad brush of contempt. That contempt is certainly justified when it comes to Stalin’s and Mao’s versions of communism and Hitler’s fascism, but to put socialists in the same company is
I am a member of the Red Deer cross-country ski community who uses the groomed ski trails at River Bend Recreation Area and Heritage Ranch several times a week throughout the winter months. The ski trails at both areas are machine-groomed by volunteers who are also avid skiers. I am frustrated by the frequent damage done to the trails at River Bend by walkers, dogs and the occasional runner. I am not sure if these users, especially with dogs, are aware that their footprints damage the groomed ski trails. Foot traffic puts deep holes in the snow, exposes the dirt and rocks underneath and increases the melting around these areas. This decreases the lifespan of the trail, particularly in a low snow year, and increases the chances of gravel or dirt coming to the surface where our ski bases can be damaged. I wonder if these users realize that ski volunteers put in countless hours to groom these trails for the skiers to use? As well, do they know that we pay a trail fee to ski on the groomed trails at River Bend? On behalf of the ski community, I would ask you to not walk or run or bring your dogs onto the groomed ski trails at River Bend. There are many other areas for this (McKenzie Trails, Three Mile Bend and Barrett Park, to name a few). Skiers only have two groomed parks to use and we work hard to create pristine groomed ski trails in both. If you like walking or running on a machinegroomed trail, perhaps you could form an organization, fundraise and apply for grants to buy a skidoo and grooming equipment, and have your members groom trails in a central park in the city for your group to use. If you are a city council member or board member at River Bend reading this, perhaps you would consider passing a bylaw to preserve our groomed ski trails at River Bend by prohibiting foot and bike traffic as well as dogs on these trails once the ski
Why did Dreeshen vote against bill? Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) was a unanimous pledge by Parliament to help people dying in developing countries because they lack access to affordable medicines. So far, it has delivered only one medicine to one country since Parliament created it more than eight years ago (in May 2004). CAMR is clearly not working. It needs to be reformed to address the unnecessary deficiencies and limitations that have rendered it cumbersome and user-unfriendly for both developing countries and the manufacturers of lower-cost, generic medicines — the two parties that need to make use of CAMR if patients are to get the medicines they need. In the last Parliament, the House of Commons passed another bill (Bill C-393) that would have made key changes to CAMR to make it work; including enacting what has been called the “one licence solution.” The bill was passed by a large majority in early March 2011 with strong support from MPs belonging to all parties. However, Bill C-393 did not proceed through all the necessary stages in the Senate before Parliament was dissolved for a federal election a few days later; therefore, the bill died on the order paper and did not become law. In the current Parliament, a new bill — Bill C-398 — was introduced in February 2012. This bill reintroduced the core reforms to CAMR that were already endorsed by the strong majority of MPs with the last bill. The large pharmaceutical companies have declared support. Bill C-398 gave Parliament a second chance to pass the changes needed to streamline CAMR. It was with great disappointment that we learned the on Nov. 28, Earl Dreeshen our member of Parliament for Red Deer, and 148 MPs voted against Bill C-398. This resulted in a seven-vote defeat of this important legislation. I have asked Mr. Dreeshen to provide his reasons for taking this position, contrary to the opinion of many of Red Deer constituents who are actively working to reduce suffering by people in Africa and other developing areas of the world. Sam Denhaan Red Deer
Advocate letters policy The Advocate welcomes letters on public issues from readers. Letters must be signed with the writer’s first and last name, plus address and phone number. Pen names may not be used. Letters will be published with the writer’s name. Addresses and phone numbers won’t be published. Letters should be brief and deal with a single topic; try to keep them under 300 words. The Advocate will not interfere with the free expression of opinion on public issues submitted by readers, but reserves the right to refuse publication and to edit all letters for public interest, length, clarity, legality, personal abuse or good taste. The Advocate will not publish statements that indicate unlawful discrimination or intent to discriminate against a person or class of persons, or are likely to expose people to hatred or contempt because of race, colour, religious beliefs, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, source of income, marital status, family status or sexual orientation. Due to the volume of letters we receive, some submissions may not be published. Mail submissions or drop them off to Letters to the Editor, Red Deer Advocate, 2950 Bremner Ave., T4R 1M9; fax us at 341-6560, or e-mail to editorial@reddeeradvocate. com
The Red Deer Rotary Club wishes to extend their most sincere appreciation to the community for helping us to raise over $140,000 at the 2012 Black Tie Bingo.
Thank You to the following Great Major Rotary Supporters: Milano for Men - Ajoy Joseph Artistry in Gold - Terence Balgobin ATCO Gas - Jamie Jaques Chatters Canada Ltd. - Jason Volk & Corine Sim Chef Emmanuel David Collins Barrow Chartered Accountants & Consultants - The Partners Deermart - John Donald Dynasty Spas - Brent & Rochelle Marsall Eagle Ridge Ranch Earls - Bill Olafson Enmax - Dave Weber Fairmont Hotel Macdonald - Don Fennerty Fargey’s Paint & Wall Covering Ltd. - Ed and Brad Makarenko Genivar - John Nielsen Glenn’s Family Restaurant and Cindy’s Gift Shop - Glenn & Jesse Simon Glen Moore - Century 21 Advantage Commercial Harbour Spas Hifi Engineering Inc. - Bill Hull Jim Freeman Kal Tire - Tim Orpen Kipp Scott GMC Buick Cadillac Ltd. - Garrett Scott Luke Ouellette McBain Camera - Collin Orthner Bill & Cathy McTaggart MLA Benefits Inc. - Jim McPherson Nexen Parkland Garden Centre - Gloria Beck Phone Experts - Brad Dufresne Prairie Bus Lines Limited - Scott Hucal Procom Insurance Brokers - Dan Nielsen Pumps and Pressure Inc. - Jack Tremain Ram Alarm and Access Control Systems - Martin Touchette Red Deer Rebels Hockey Club - Brent & Connie Sutter Scott Builders Inc. - Dallas Williams Servus Credit Union - Rob Stryker Sheraton Hotel Red Deer - Gil Vallee Sky Wings Aviation Academy - Dennis and Sherry Cooper Sunshine Village Ski Resort TBS - Tom Bast Trail Appliances - Chris Sturdy Traptow Photography - Jonathan & Denise Elhard Uncle Ben’s RV and Auto - Brad Cummerford Warren Sinclair LLP - Chris Warren Willson Audio Visual - Jamie Willson A special thank you to: Montgomery Auction Services, Emcee - Darcy Mykytyshyn, Bingo Caller - Blaine Newton, Auctioneer - Danny Hooper, Announcements - Christine Curtis.
Groomed ski trails are for skiers only
season has begun. Perhaps the city could put up signage at the entrance from Three Mile Bend advising dog owners to keep their dogs off the ski trails and asking hikers to not walk on the ski trails. Heritage Ranch has done this and it seems to work; the pedestrians for the most part do respect those ski trails and avoid walking on them. Last year, the city had a pilot program in place to clear some of the asphalt trails along the river in the downtown area for walkers and runners. Could this pilot program be continued or even expanded and promoted to increase awareness? I am sure there are many positive and creative ideas out there to keep both of these user groups happy, active and enjoying our beautiful outdoor parks during our long winter months. If you have any ideas, I for one would love to hear about them. Brian Johnson Red Deer
SILENT AUCTION, SERVICE & CASH DONORS
360 Fitness Alberta Motorcycle Training Alberta Springs Golf Course Anderson Slipp Chartered Accountants Appleteddy Astha Fine Indian Cuisine Baker Family Chiropractic Black Knight Inn Body Basics Camdon Construction Cameron Cook Canada Safeway (Parkland Mall) Canadian Closet Canadian Tire (North Store) Canadian Western Bank Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut Cindy’s Gift Shop City of Red Deer Clockbuilder Consulting/Ron Woodward CNIB Communications Group Costco David Courmier David & Suzanne Harrop Diamond Interior DesignMichelle Weinberger Divine Nails (Parkland Mall) Don’s Tire & Automotive Dream Kids (Parkland Mall) Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Elite Sportswear Enmax Fargey’s Paint & Wall Coverings Ltd. Farm Credit Canada Firemaster Oilfield Services Fountain Tire
Framing Nook Glenal Management Ltd. Gleniffer Lake Resort & Country Club Glenn’s Family Restaurant Great Strides Green Drop Lawns Ltd. Greenway Inn Group 2 Architecture Interior Design Ltd. Growers Direct Hafso Developments Ltd. Hallmark Cards Southpointe Common Hamill’s Dairy Queen Harbour Spas Harley Davidson Hauck Vision & Hearing Heywood Holmes & Partners LLP Hifi Engineering Inc. Hon. Cal Dallas, MLA Red Deer South Honda Red Deer Howard & Company Hudson Madison Innisfail Golf Club Jack and Joan Donald Jim Bakker - Southside Dodge Chrysler Ken Frame Golf Sales La Solitude Bed & Breakfast Las Coquettas Hair Studio Liquor Crossing Luke Ouellette Mary Anne Jablonski, MLA Red Deer North Maureen Lewis Pottery Melcor Developments Ltd. Miernik Woodworking Services Mission Hill Winery
Mitchell & Jewell Mountview IDA Drugs Nicole Wade Photography Olds College Once Upon a Child Oyaco Products Inc. Parkland Mall Parkland Garden Centre Peacock Inn (1988) Ltd. Peavey Industries Pheasants Forever Popovich Dinner Theatre Procom Insurance Brokers Proform Concrete Services Inc. Pumps & Pressure Inc. Quality Inn North Hill Raven Printing Red Deer College Red Deer Co-op Red Deer Discount Golf Red Deer Eye Care Centre Red Deer Symphony Orchestra Red Deer Toyota Reddit Dump Disposal Systems Reflection Spa Riverbend Golf & Recreation Rob Gilgan Photography Ron & Pat Moisey Sam’s Cafe Sandman Hotel Scott Builders Inc. Sears Sears Optical Second Cup Servus Home & Auto Shanel Fashions (Parkland Mall) Shefield & Sons
100% of the proceeds from the 2012 Black Tie Bingo will be donated to local charities, youth related organizations and international health initiatives.
SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR! OCTOBER 30, 2013
Sidestreet Ladies Shop Sisson Furs South China Sea Restaurant Sunglass Plus Talk of the Town Tap House-Sam Wong TD Canada Trust Telebyte Communications Telus Ten Thousand Villages The Bay The Co-operators, Central AB District The Fresh Vase The Leather Guy The Source (Parkland Mall) Tiffany’s Timcon Construction Tony Romas Turple Bros. Ltd. UFA Uncle Ben’s RV and Auto Uniglobe Mills Travel Vibe Car Audio Vivid Media Wal-mart (North) Well-Can Welding & Fabrication Ltd. Wes Giesbrecht Whispering Pines Golf & Country Club Winners Homesense Within Reach World Financial Group Zainul & Shazma Holdings Ltd.
The Rotary Club of Red Deer proudly sponsored by
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Thank You!
unfair and demonstrates an extremely biased perspective of history and political science. On a similar topic, just because people like Rush Limbaugh continually proclaim that Barack Obama is socialist, that does not make Obama a socialist. If one was to accept that skewed line of reasoning, one might have to classify our own Stephen Harper as a communist. This kind of silly rhetoric reminds one of McCarthyism with its unfortunate and unsubstantiated name calling, fear mongering, indiscriminate accusations, black-listing and hatred. For anyone who has trouble with these distinctions, I would like to suggest that they learn more about political science rather than to rewrite history and distort ideologies. They might discover that there are some very significant differences between socialists, communists and fascists, and their agenda concerning citizens of a nation. Mr. Greenwood also makes the questionable assertion that “virtually all historians” feel the Great Depression was extended or made worse by “intense meddling in the economy by the Roosevelt administration.” Actually, if one was to do more than just superficial research on the topic and using just about any source other than Fox News, they would likely find that in reality there is a fair bit of disagreement and debate on that particular subject. They would also probably find that while Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and the regulations put into place by the Roosevelt administration did not immediately end the Great Depression, they eased the suffering of millions, provided much needed hope to the nation, and helped set the stage for a generation of prosperity. As I’m sure Mr. Greenwood knows, it was actually massive government spending during and after the Second World War that helped to finally end the depression and helped to rebuild Europe after the war. Ironically Mr. Greenwood also does not mention that many writers, from Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman all the way to H. Paul Jeffers, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Great Depression, all assert that the New Deal actually “saved capitalism.” I would like to suggest that people educate themselves fully before spewing ideological-biased propaganda rather than engaging in reasoned debate. That is, of course, if they are not afraid of “socialist agendas” that might burst their ideological bubbles. Mike Falkenberg Red Deer