A6 - North Shore News - Sunday, January 13, 2013
VIEWPOINT Published by North Shore News a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, 100-126 East 15th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2P9. Doug Foot, publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 40010186.
Brains-free T
HE Mount Seymour Parkway crash that sent a 70-year-old pedestrian to hospital this week was doubtless unintentional, small consolation though that may be. Former Apple chairman Steve Jobs talked a lot about inventing tomorrow, and for the generation who increasingly treat smartphones like a physical appendage, his words have a haunting ring of prophecy. Many drivers seem to feel an irresistible need to text, update and tweet while at the wheel, rationalizing that the traffic light is red and this will only take a second. It is illegal to use a hand-held electronic device while driving in British Columbia, but that law may not go far enough. According to a study from Monash
University in Australia, using a mobile phone while driving raises the risk of a crash by 400 per cent, whether hands-free or not. Reaction time slows, the car’s speed and lateral position become unsteady, and the driver’s visual search patterns are impaired. Just like an open can of beer is legally required to be out of reach of drivers in this province, cellphones and iPods should probably be in the trunk before you get behind the wheel. The birds will still be angry and your Second Life avatar will still be alive when your first-life avatar reaches his destination. Tomorrow may have been invented, but the way people drive here is enough to make you long for yesterday.
Mailbox
You said it “If you can crack this thing, they’re going to get everything about us.” Privacy watchdog Vince Gogolek raises the alarm about the potential ramifications of a new medical ID card being introduced by the province that will incorporate the B.C. Drivers Licence for residents who want that option (from a Jan. 9 news story). ••• “I will never forget it; it’s a searing image. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s one of those moments when you say to yourself: ‘Am I really here?’” Former astronaut and current federal Liberal leader hopeful Marc Garneau recalls the first time he saw the Earth from orbit (from a Jan. 9 news story). ••• “We’re not a suburb anymore, we’re part of a major city metropolis.” District of North Vancouver Coun. Robin Hicks discusses higher density in the Lynn Valley town centre and the inevitability of change (from a Jan. 11 news story).
‘Out-of-bounders’ need to grow up An open letter to “Out-of-bounders”: Whether you ski, snowboard or snowshoe, I have a question to ask those of you who choose to go out-of-bounds. Why are you so selfish? Why is your pleasure of fresh powder, untouched by those who choose to stay in-bounds and safe, more important than the safety and well-being of those who have to come rescue you when you get into trouble? What makes your pleasure more important than someone’s good night’s sleep? After all, your folly
yanks them from their warm bed and, probably, their warm spouse, just to help you out of your cold, wet dilemma. Your selfishness drags them away from their family dinner table, just because you decided that safety was not important, or cool. “Hey! I’m the great outdoors guy/gal! Just look at me go!” Would you bang on the door of someone’s house in the middle of the night, waking them up, just for your pleasure and fun? Would you go to a banquet and dive into all of the food, ruining it for others?
Would you take away warmth and comfort and safety from others just because you thought it was a fun thing to do? Well, that is what you are doing when you decide that you have the right to go out-of-bounds. And some volunteer has to come bail you out. Quit being so selfish. Be more considerate. Grow up. Be a man. Be a woman. Start doing the right thing. Stay in bounds. Terry Platt West Vancouver
Creating community spirit is self-interest Dear Editor: I would like to congratulate a remarkable group of individuals, associations and local merchants in Lynn Valley who worked alongside the Lynn Valley Community Association to create “Lynn Valley Christmas.” This month-long festival was enjoyed by the community and also benefitted those in need locally through donations to the Lynn Valley Lions hamper fund. Thank you to the volunteers from Lynn Valley Community Association, Lynn Valley Lions, Lynn Valley Legion, Argyle secondary football team and the Lynn Valley Village Merchants Association whose efforts reflect an unrivalled sense of pride and community spirit that make Lynn Valley the best place to live.
CONTACT US
Our efforts do not stop after Christmas. Lynn Valley Community Association works hard throughout the year to create community spirit in every season. In the spring, LVCA will be working with Lynn Valley Seniors Association on our annual park clean-up project and with the Lynn Valley Lions to bring you another spectacular Lynn Valley Days weekend. If you would like be an active part of your community and help us make Lynn Valley a great place to live, check out our website: lvca.ca. We are proud to be “the bridge of our community” and believe that building community spirit is simply enlightened self interest. We would love to have you join us Eric Miura, president Lynn Valley Community Association
No gun means no trigger to pull Dear Editor: Mr. Leo Vanderbyl’s reasoning in connection with the killings in Connecticut in his Dec. 28 letter to the editor, SSRIs Can Make Kids Killers, is far-fetched. Against a knife and clubs, baseball bat and even a chainsaw teachers and students have a chance of defence to overcome the killer. Thinking rationally, a trigger cannot be pulled where there is no gun. Edgar Spallek, North Vancouver
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