Tis the Season to be Jolly . . . please!

I don't really know what your experience is this time of year while you were mulling around the department stores looking for that special gift for that special person in your life.  Like it or not, Christmas has become a time of year that families gather, exchange gifts, stuff their bellies with turkey and potatoes with gravy. Then nod off to sleep in a glutton-induced coma.

But the experience that I am really referring to is that simple word blessing that I used to hear so often while I was growing up.   That simple two word phrase that means different things to so many different people.  It is the smile and a “Merry Christmas” that I have missed.

I can tell you that I have only had two people say that to me this year, and nobody has even said “Happy Holidays”.  Not that I am all bent up over it.  However, a recent discussion in our office made me ponder.  Are we as a society afraid to say it?

This conversation was interesting because I started the discussion by asking one of our staff members if he was offended if someone says, “Merry Christmas” to him.  He stated in a very matter-of-fact manner, “No”,  but added that it is a little presumptuous for someone to offer that blessing. You see, the staff member I refer to is Muslim.  As a matter of fact, The Pipestone Flyer office is a real interesting mix of different beliefs.  Represented in our office are Muslim, New Age, Agnostic, Secularist and Christians.  Yes, we are an interesting group of people.

What came out of this discussion was very interesting indeed  and very much inline with what many surveys of this subject are stating.

One survey stated that 60% of people prefer the greeting, “Merry Christmas” and 23% prefer the less  religious greeting, “Happy Holidays”  and the remaining 17% are indifferent.  

But when you break the data down into age groups, a different picture surfaces.  People 65 years or older represented 64% of those who preferred “Merry Christmas” as a greeting.  In those people surveyed aged 18 to 29, only 28% preferred “Merry Christmas” while 59% didn't care one way or the other.  When it came to Secularist, 64% didn't care. Among Evangelical Christians, 73% preferred the traditional “Merry Christmas.”

What this speaks of is the  larger issue of religious censoring.

The same poll shows that 83% believe that Christmas displays should be allowed in public and yet the removal of such icons as Nativity scenes on front lawns at the request of special interest groups backed by pressure from authority is something we have heard of taking place in the USA and some parts of Canada.

Fortunately we have yet to have this issue here in Alberta, but perhaps it is this type of state run interference in people's faiths that may be the cause of many to remove the traditional greeting from the vocabulary during Christmas Season?  

There is no doubt that Canada is a diverse nation. With many cultures, Canada is a nation that is very much worldly and with that status we have many religions. To state the obvious, each religion has their own spiritual holidays.  It has been said that the removal of Christian icons from public view and traditional Christian greetings is imposed in order to “Not Offend” people who do not believe in the same religion.  To many, this capitulation by the Church to the State to comply with the atmosphere of political correctness is itself offensive and therefore should fall under the same protection as the latter.  Because the Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the free exercise of religion but it does not guarantee one the right to not be offended.  It does not even guarantee the right of one to be free of any social discomfort.

The cultural stifling of those who celebrate Christmas and prevent them from offering a verbal blessing by simply wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is a clear indication that the political pressures of artificial correctness has become a social ill.  Because as other religions seek popular recognition in Canada for their specific holiday, the restrictions now being felt by Christians can one day become norm, and in turn gag and handcuff all religions.

Ideally, what should take place in a country where multiculturalism is embraced, is the open acceptance of all religions with state recognition of all spiritual holidays.

Granted, we would gain a whole slew of new statutory holidays to observe but at least I would experience more than two people offering me the verbal blessing of  “Eid Mubarak” or “Happy Hanukkah”.  I would also accept that as a verbal blessing and know that the person saying it has good intentions and  truly wanted  me to enjoy the holidays.

So, as a Christian and with the true spirit of the holiday, I would like to offer everyone a Merry Christmas, and a very prosperous New Year.

Esprit de Corps

The gunning down of four police officers at a coffee shop in Tacoma, Washington last month should have suspended society’s grumblings about authority.  Law enforcement has had a hard few years at the hands of negative press.   One such example is the public scrutiny the RCMP have been under with the tasering death of Polish visitor to Canada, Robert Dziekanski.  In light of Paul Kennedy, the Commissioner of Public Complaints against the RCMP's scathing report, the image police have in the eyes of the public is at an all-time low.

As the self-respect of the police profession is torn down by the actions of a few, the body as a whole suffers.  In fact, when a person dons the uniform, they go from someone who enjoys anonymity to the virtually known. With the uniform one adopts an array of perceptions of the person wearing it.  Some see a peace keeper, others see a rigid cold authority figure, and then there are those who see nothing but an object of scorn.

However, when a police officer enters a public place, they do not know if they walk among supporters, indifference or hate.  It’s not like the average Joe walking into a Walmart to buy a pencil.  You can enter the building virtually unseen with the exception of the Walmart greeter.   You can stealthily buy that pencil, walk out and be forgotten within seconds.  But when a uniform walks into the same building the people around them are drawn to the image.  

People don't really see the person behind the badge, they just see the badge for what it represents.  And, not so much the image it is supposed to represent.  For many, it was the ticket they got and are still angry about, or it can be anger at how they may have been treated when contact with authority was required.   Whatever the angst, the average member of your local police service is carrying that burden on their shoulders for every action of all who wear the uniform.  But like true professionals, most who wear the uniform did so with ideals ingrained in their personality that drew them to service.  And, they walk into that public place without showing that burden, because to them, its not just a job, it is a calling.  Because each member of that police service is keenly aware of what they represent.

How would you like to bear the weight?  

The term esprit de corp is precisely what binds men and women to the service of law enforcement.  Esprit de corp is the capacity of people to maintain a belief in an institution or a goal, or even in oneself and others.  It speaks specifically to the morale of an organization or an identifiable group.

This is clearly demonstrated when the dregs of society decide to act on their hate for the uniform.  Whether a police officer is gunned down, dies in an attempt to apprehend a criminal or is struck down by a drunk driver while issuing a traffic ticket, the act of killing a person who has dedicated their lives, and the lives of their family to public service is not only cowardly but is also an offense to each one of us.  That is because the ideals each member of a police service hold to their calling, is the sole purpose of protecting life and property.

Esprit de corp, or the solidarity of morale that police hold for their comrades was clearly displayed at the funeral of these four police officers, and is always displayed when a member of the law enforcement community has fallen.

In Washington over 900 uniformed police officers from Canada traveled across the border to show their respect, and to show their belief of what these four people represented to society.   The members who congregated to the service included 600 members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and 300 members of the Vancouver Police Service.  The remaining 700 police officers that stood beside the families of the fallen officers were from all over the United States.

And, what motivated these people to gather at a funeral of a person they did not know?  It was the belief that binds those men and women to the understanding that their purpose in life is a high calling.  It was the clear understanding that their service is not frivolous, it's not 'just a job' and it is not something that we can do without. It is the clear understanding that the job of a police officer is and always has been a dangerous duty, and that each person that wears the uniform is tackling the same task, together.  They are a unit. They are one in that calling and when one dies in the line of duty the entire body feels it.

So when you see a show of esprit de corp in the law enforcement community, stop asking  “I wonder who pays for that?” because quit frankly, seeing over 1500 police officers attending the funeral of one of their own, is a clear reminder to you and I that in spite of the fact that there are scumbags willing to kill them, they still hold true to their calling.  For that, they have my deepest respect and sincere thank you.

Much Ado About Nothing

A great deal has been said about the new bylaw in Wetaskiwin forcing liquor stores in that city to close their days businesses by 10:00 PM. In fact that controversial move has even hit the daily newspapers across the province. In the wake of acts of bullying by interested parties, council's original plan to have liquor stores close at 8:00 PM was changed. Even so, the end result is still be lauded as a damaging element for Wetaskiwin’s spirits vendors.

The Edmonton Journal quoted one vender as saying, “I'll lose thousands, thousands of dollars,” stating that she will lose $40,000 per month due to the 10:00 PM closing. She is further quoted as saying, “It's just kind of taking away our rights. This is supposed to be free enterprise.” If this was the position of just one person, we could write this off emotional nonsense, but this vendor seems to be echoing the sentiments of many.

I'll go out on a limb, a very sturdy one and say, this to will pass with no ill effect. It smells a great deal like the noise made over the provincial smoking laws prohibiting bars and lounges from allowing smoking in their establishments. Many businesses cried out foul play quoting projected financial losses. Some closed their doors in protest shortly after the law came into effect. But as time passed, the bars kept in businesses, and many adjusted their practices. Now over a year later, the emotional reaction is no longer heard. Simply put, all these establishments ended up in the same boat and on equal status. Their market remained stable.

The liquor business is made up of several buyer types. The occasional drinker, who only buys when they are hosting family and friends. The casual drinker, who likes to indulge in the privacy of their homes, drinking wine or beer with meals or watching football. The third type is the habitual drinker, who requires the consumption of alcohol to function, and likes to drink whenever the need arises. All three of these consumers type will ensure that when the need for alcohol arrives, they will buy before 10:00 PM. In the case of the third type of consumer, it is reasonable to assume there needs will be top priority.

It could actually be argued that this forced change will be beneficial to the liquor store owner, as they can close their doors in a timely manner. Staff expenses are reduced, along with utilities. Once the buyers adjust to the new timeline, all will be well.

The concerns of our liquor store owner quoted here seem to be arguments reached for in order to support a position that is tenuous at best. One should remember that before liquor sales in Alberta were privatized, it was the provincial government alone that controlled its final sale to the general public. Which simply means that there is no real “taking away our rights” as she put it. In this province, since alcohol is a regulated substance, it is a privilege to sell liquor and not a right. Further, the establishment of any business within a municipality, is controlled by the municipal governance. The issuance of a business license is a clear indicator that even hanging a shingle is a privilege and not a right.

The Wetaskiwin City Council identified a problem that they believe is exasperated by alcohol consumption. Ask any police officer what keeps them busy during their nightshift and they will tell you that nearly all complaints received have some component of alcohol abuse to it. In the City of Wetaskiwin’s wisdom they decided to do the only thing available to them, and that was to place some form of regulation on the sale of alcohol within the city boundaries. Although it is not clear how much effect it will have to close liquor stores at 10:00 PM, it is reasonable to believe that if they had forced closure at 8:00 PM, the influence on alcohol consumption in the city would be more effective.

It has been also suggested that 10:00 PM closures will force buyers, who suddenly find themselves dry, driving north to Millet to fulfill their cravings. With four liquor stores and one off-sales vender, the small town of 2,200 is poised to take advantage of Wetaskiwin’s new bylaw. All I see in this is a great strip of road for the Police to set-up Alberta Check Stops. In light of this, it would also be reasonable to assume that the Wetaskiwin consumer will adjust to the new business restrictions and avoid being pulled over.

The last concern that has been brought up to the media is the possibility of increased offences of bootlegging. Bootlegging liquor is prompted by people under age, and usually in a situation when they are out late at night not supervised. Do you think that possibly closing at 10:00 PM will actually reduce bootlegging, since you need a liquor store open to commit the offence?

In the end, bootlegging will not turn into a ‘prohibition era problem,’ liquor sales in general will not be affected, and operating costs will be reduced. Lets just hope that the bylaw has the effect that the City of Wetaskiwin council was looking for, reduceing  property crime, drunk driving and domestic violence. Because, in the end, the reaction to this new bylaw has been much ado about nothing.