STACKHOUSE SOAPBOX (Yorkton This Week June 13)

The teacher at the centre of the controversy to give high school students an academic grade of 0 for failing to submit work is, apparently, going to be fired for making his case public.  Isn’t it something how we can go real light and easy on the students for being lazy and then totally bring the hammer down on an instructor trying to do moral right?

Another teacher is in the middle of some controversy in the United States for delivering a speech to high school graduates entitled ‘You Are Not Special’.  The teacher is right.  The video has gone viral and if you get a chance to watch it, you will see he lists off a number of things we, as a society, are doing to students which does nothing but feed the sense of entitlement young people feel they have. 

I can't believe the state of the York Lake Road.  We drove on it Friday night for the Troyanda wind-up (which was a real nice time, by the way) but I won't ever go on that again.  Nobody should subject their vehicle to that kind of punishment.  I find it unfathomable to think that area could be home to people with really good incomes and yet also be home to a road that, honestly, is worse than a side road in the Dominican Republic.  I can't imagine taking an RV on it to the park.  No chance for this guy.  I realize the stumbling blocks as far as the RM taking control of this matter.  But, something should be done; even if it's through a monthly payable system privately with the land owners.  It's embarrassing.

A significant number of buildings in downtown Yorkton were spray painted by vandals last week.  This may seem harsh, but the best way to punish punks who do this would be to take their spray finger and bash it with a hammer, only after they clean up the mess.  After all, the intent of a punishment is to impress upon a person not to commit that act again.  Community service isn't an effective deterrent nor is talking about it with a counsellor.    Some will poopoo this idea as being archaic, but I wonder how often these kinds of crimes were committed in archaic times.

When I was young, I remember feeling really confused when an older person would tell me they just weren't as interested in professional sports like they once were.  Well, I'm now that older person and I couldn't be more uninterested in professional sports, especially the National Hockey League.  I have no idea what's transpired in the Stanley Cup final, which is too bad because Yorkton should have a vested interest with Jarret Stoll primed to bring Lord Stanley here.  All I know is that I looked at the summary of game one and saw that the two teams combined for 43 shots in 68 minutes.  Boring.  I watched the highlights to another game and three of the clips involved shots going wide of the net.  I'm, officially, done unless changes are made.  Make the goalie gear smaller so there is more of a net to shoot at.  Or, make the net bigger.  That's really all you need to do.   Philadelphia versus Pittsburgh was great.  I did watch that and was very entertained.

Another labour stoppage wouldn't help my interest either when it comes to the NHL.  The owners got exactly what they wanted last time, so no need to change.  And, the players are making more than ever before.  So, what's the problem?

The first cable/satellite company to offer me the opportunity to pay for what I watch when I watch it is getting my business.

I ran in the Salamander in Saltcoats on Saturday.  I say this, simply, to give someone a boost who may be considering getting into shape but afraid the task may be too overwhelming.  Trust me, if I can do it.  Almost anyone can do it.  The key is to work at your own speed and not be intimidated by people like Rick Vaughn.  I'm convinced Rick doesn't own an automobile.  He runs about as fast as one anyway.  I think he jogged to Saltcoats early Saturday morning as a warm-up and then raced through his 12km.

I’ve resolved to watch more Yorkton Cardinal games at Jubilee Park this year.  If you like baseball, appreciate talent, and like a leisurely evening in the summer outside, there is really no reason to not go.  Having said that, I would like to start a crusade to move the fences in at Jubilee about 20 feet.  Jose Bautista would have difficulty hitting homers here.  Some long balls would generate a little more excitement and to have one or two home runs a season in this ball park is simply not enough. 

Nice person mentions this week to Janna Bradford, Grant Doupe, Kim Kyle-Zwirsky, Zac Morgan, and Brendan Severight.