8 VIEWS The
Observer
Friday, January 15, 2016
Quote of the Week . . . When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. - Alexander Graham Bell
Hunger strike at correctional centre and people’s reactions
It was a statement heard across Saskatchewan that many people cheered. When addressing the approximately 115 inmates at Regina Correctional Centre who refused to eat because of the quality of their food, Premier Brad Wall said, “If you really don’t Kelly Running like the prison food, there’s Observer Staff one way to avoid it, and that’s don’t go to prison.” Boom; if it were a rap battle, Wall would have dropped the mic at that moment and walked away. Prior to making the statement that if you don’t like prison food then stay out of prison, Wall also said, “ I would just say that we’re always going to want to make sure that any food that’s provided in the public system to anyone is as high quality as it can be and certainly safe. We need to be very careful about that.” The food has passed food safety inspections and is fine to eat, it’s just not very good. But, really… what do you expect in prison? It’s not a five star hotel and restaurant, it’s prison. A photo of one of the breakfasts I came across in one of the news articles didn’t look too terrible. It wasn’t just slop, there was what looked like coleslaw, cold cuts, brown bread with peanut and jam spread, and potato salad. Although it’s not the healthiest meal in the world, it’s food. In fact you hear stories during the winter about homeless people who commit crimes just to have a warm place to stay and food to eat, even if it’s not completely in line with the Canadian Food Guide’s suggestions. I’m sure a hungry kid whose family is struggling would love to be given that tray for free at school, even if it’s not the most delicious food in the world it is at least nourishment which not everyone is fortunate enough to have. Obviously people have rights, even if they are incarcerated, but they are limited when behind bars and not having choice in food is one of those limited rights. You’re needs are met, but it might not be what you wanted. Wall’s comment, however, did strike a chord with some people including Susan Delanoy, the executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society Saskatchewan, who said, “I think everyone needs to understand the issues more deeply and to treat prisoners with basic human decency.” So, is serving slightly undercooked eggs, partially frozen cold cuts, and bread in a corrections centre something that is infringing upon prisoners rights to basic human decency or is it a non-issue? Wall responded to it like a non-issue and seemed to be perturbed that inmates are upset with the food they are being served when the same company holds contracts with places such as the University of Regina as well. While others say that basic human decency is being thrown out the window with reactions to the situation like Wall’s. What do you think?
Shapely legs and dazzling teeth A classic board game turned into a bit of a life lesson last weekend while playing the Milton Bradley Game of Life. We stopped the contest long enough to explain to the youngest at the table that when the opportunity presented itself to buy insurance--you buy the insurance. Shelley Luedtke Canadians have long been the object of jokes about being overinsured. Cause for humour? I think not. Nothing wrong with a little caution and preparation. Consequently we purchase life, vehicle and property insurance; travel, household and health insurance and depending upon where we live and what we do, earthquake, flood, crop and professional liability insurance. But this doesn’t scratch the surface. Also available to consumers is expatriate insurance, pet insurance, and terrorism insurance--currently offered in 14 countries. You can also get coverage against the damage from pollution and floods along with kidnapping and ransom insurance. Those wanting to be fully protected may want to consider adding alien abduction insurance to their portfolio. The policy is redeemed only when the insured person can prove they were abducted and returned to earth. One company has sold over 30,000 policies. OK, perhaps we are a little overinsured. While most of us insure against losses to our homes, businesses, property and vehicles, there is a whole other area of insurance coverage that some deem necessary to protect their livelihood. It is believed Bruce Springsteen’s vocal chords are insured for more than $6 million, Heidi Klum’s legs at $2 million, Julia Roberts’ smile at $30 million and David Beckham’s soccer playing legs anywhere between $70-$180 million; not to mention the lengthy list of actresses and models whose bosom is deemed tremendously valuable and insured Kelly Running Editor Reporter/Photographer
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for multi-millions. But lest we think this is some Gen-X or millennial driven phenomenon, Bette Davis’s waist, Jimmy Durante’s nose and Marlene Dietrich’s voice were also highly insured. While these people are free to place a monetary value on whatever portion of their body an insurer will agree to, there are much more noteworthy aspects on which we non-celebrities should place worth. Let’s start with our hands; hands that prepare meals, stock shelves, drive vehicles, maintain machines, fold laundry, build homes, paint walls, care for the sick, wipe away tears, tuck in a child, and allow you to hang on. Hands are priceless for holding, caring and sharing. Or how about our minds. Minds that write books, create music, conceive business plans, invent products, find solutions, express ideas, guide conversation, and form our dreams. Our minds take us into places of imagination and wonder, and into the ordinary and extraordinary. And our hearts. In its anatomical form the human heart is a muscular organ that functions as the body’s circulatory pump. But it is so much more when we attach the feeling, emotional, and relational aspects of our lives to it. Our hearts hold the passageway to our expressions of love, compassion and kindness on our good days; while the ache, emptiness or anguish are fully felt on difficult days as we deal with hearts that are open and vulnerable. Our hearts inspire our minds, our minds motivate our hearts, and our hands carry out the actions for all that is believed, upheld and inspired. The value is beyond anything that can be underwritten by a carrier or described in a policy. Caring hands, pure minds and full hearts can’t be insured, but they are worth a whole lot more than shapely legs or dazzling teeth. Careers may not rise and fall on these attributes, but something much more important will--humanity. That’s my outlook. Lynne Bell Reporter/Photographer Office: 306-453-2525 Fax: 306-453-2938 observer@sasktel.net