It’s beginning to look a lot like a white Christmas

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-a-white-christmas/article2262927/

Vancouver— Globe and Mail Update

Published Wednesday, Dec. 07, 2011 9:00AM

Almost every city in Canada can expect a white Christmas this year according to AccuWeather. It is supposed to be colder than normal in western Canada, starting later this week with temperatures dropping as much as 10 degrees below average. Vancouver is going to get a much harsher winter later in the season, especially in late December with snow on the mountains, and rain in the valleys. Ontario is looking at more of a normal winter this year, with temperatures changing from above and below the normal, and with the average snowfall. It will also be a very cold and wetter than normal winter in Southern and central B.C.

I personally do not like the winter because of the snow and cold weather. When they are predicting a colder than normal winter, it makes the season much longer. That is why I cannot wait until the Christmas break, when I go on a trip where the weather is hot. The weather conditions in Canada make the roads much more dangerous for drivers which causes a lot more accidents. It is important that people get winter tires, and drive very cautiously during the winter months to avoid any car accidents. When they are predicting temperatures to drop quickly, and a lot of snow in some areas, it is very important that everyone is prepared with everything they need for the winter.

Michael Marcantognini post 11

Bullying partly to blame in Ottawa teen's suicide, father says

Globe and Mail

Ottawa— The Canadian Press

Published Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 7:36AM

 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario/bullying-partly-to-blame-in-ottawa-teens-suicide-father-says/article2204647/

A father who is a councillor in Ottawa says that bullying was a reason his 15 year old son killed himself last Friday. Councillor Allan Hubley said that Jamie had been suffering with depression and was getting attended by doctors.  He also mentioned that his friends and family were trying to help him cope with his depression and sexuality issues. The teenager was a championship figure skater and just started becoming a better singer and actor. However the family was aware he was being bullied on several occasions because he liked figure skating rather than hockey. Jamie recently tries to start a "Rainbow Club" at his high school to promote acceptance of others. The posters he made were torn down and he then was called very cruel names in the halls and online. Mr. Hubley and his wife Wendy said they hope from their tragedy, others will become more active in trying to stop kids from being bullied.

When I hear about things like this happening, it makes me really think about the affect that of our words have on people. It doesn’t just have to be physical bullying that hurts a person, it could really do damage mentally, and emotionally. The kids at school must have known about the issues Jamie had been dealing with, but they still ripped his posters and made fun of him. Every time something like this happened, must of made more and more of an impact on Jamie committing suicide. It is very wrong of anyone to try and hurt someone in any way, especially when the person has been suffering from depression.  Bullying is a major problem at a lot of schools that needs to be fixed before more incidents such as this continue. There has been similar stories like this. The person had been bullied for a long period of time on the internet by people at school, and they end up taking their own life. The parents of this boy must be devastated, and looking for answers. If every school takes the time to make sure there is minimal bullying in their school, it will prevent  these cases from happening.

Man faces drunk-driving charges after four teen footballers killed

Globe and Mail

Published Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 9:15PM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/man-faces-drunk-driving-charges-after-four-teen-footballers-killed/article2210934/

Four members of a high school football team in northern Alberta were killed by a drunk driver, making it

Alberta's second big loss of teenage life on the roads within a week. A twenty one year old man has been charged with 11 offences, including failure to remain at the scene of the accident. This tragedy happens a week after two girls and two boys from southern Alberta were killed when their car went off the road, flipped, and landed on its roof in a creek. The RCMP said that speed and driver inexperience was the cause. The two incidences are separated by around a thousand kilometers,  a couple days, and different circumstances, but they are both linked by a pair of crashes that took the lives of 8 teenagers, all 16 and under. Police have charged the local 21 year old with 11 offences, one being operating a motor vehicle while over the 0.08 blood alcohol limit. He will be in court October 31st.

This is very tragic to hear that people so young that had so much life ahead of them, pass away because of something like this. The 21 year old man should receive no sympathy for what he did, and have a long sentence in prison. For him to be driving drunk, and then leave the scene of the accident makes what he did even worse.  People should know better than to drive when you have been drinking, and learn from previous incidents. I feel terrible for the families of the young kids who lost their lives. They must be having a very difficult time trying to come to grips with it all. It is also crazy that another group of teenagers lost their lives in Alberta near the same spot, only one week apart from each other. This time the cause was the teenagers were not being safe and responsible while driving. For the car to go off the road, flip and land in a creek, they must have been under the influence, or going way too fast. The two tragic accidents both relay the same message. You have to be causes and be responsible while driving, to look out not just for yourself, but for all the other drivers on the road.  

Halifax-area teens charged with hate crimes, vandalism

The Globe and Mail

Halifax— The Canadian Press

Published Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 9:16AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/atlantic/halifax-area-teens-charged-with-hate-crimes-vandalism/article2204749/

Three male teenagers have been charged with vandalism and hate crimes because of them spraying racist graffiti in the Halifax area. The RCMP said that many homes in the Eastern passage were targeted with graffiti during the summer months. These male teens have also been accused of spray painting the side of a house, vandalizing a mail box, and defacing signs in the community.  Also an elementary school field was vandalized around the same time and area that the boys were caught. The 17 year old boys are to be in youth court on November 10th on charges of mischief and public incitement of hatred. Charging teens with hate crimes doesn't happen often but when the racist component comes into play, you have to answer to it.

It is very disappointing to hear that people would do something like that, especially around the area where they live. For them spray racist graffiti even after they have been accused for committing other crimes just shows how disrespectful and immature these three teenagers are. For them to have allegedly spray painted the side of a house just makes me wonder what goes through the mind of a person like that. They must have some major issues in their life, but that is no excuse for what they’ve been doing. I am glad that they are going to youth court and they should definitely be severely punished for what they have been doing.  It is a very good thing that the city is not taking this lightly and I can't wait to hear what their punishment is.

Cutbacks leave homeless in the cold

Published Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2011 9:36PM

Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/bc-politics/cutbacks-leave-homeless-in-the-cold/article2198067/

With reports saying that Vancouver will have one of its coldest winters in 20 years, the B.C. government has stopped supporting homeless shelters in the city temporarily. The decision not to provide for the four shelters that have room  for 160 beds,  led people in the city to say that lives may be at risk during the winter months. The mayor of the city, Gregor Robertson said that if the homeless people do not have shelters, they will try and survive outside in the winter. He also said that they have had people die on the streets, so it is very important that they have enough beds. Minister for Housing Rich Coleman said that the extra spaces will not be needed, because of 300 new permanent social housing units that have opened. B.C  will then fund only three heated shelters this winter, cutting off money to four other shelters with 160 beds each for the homeless.

I think the decision the government made to not provide shelters for the homeless this winter is a big mistake. It  is important that the less fortunate are able to have a warm shelter to survive the cold winter. Even the mayor of the city thinks that something should be done to help protect the needs of the less fortunate. There has to be a system implemented that makes sure the people who can't afford a house are not just put on the streets. They should not be put out on the streets and not have some support, especially when Vancouver is suppose to have one of its coldest winters. I think that the government should realize that they need to have more shelters, not take them away. The people of power need to step in and fix this issue before the cold hits and it is too late.

Ontario Election Debate 2011 - Health Care

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbZl_dz3aR8&feature=related

Three of the main representatives from each party gathered to answer questions before the election will take place. The final question asked by a man from Burlington asked about healthcare and how it needs to improve. They were saying it takes too long to be treated when injured or sick in the healthcare system we have. The patients health and wellbeing has to be the number one priority. An elderly couple from my hometown of Sudbury, were told they had to go into separate old age homes even after being married for over 50 years.  Tim Hudak was saying that  6.1 billion dollars has been invested in healthcare and the money wasted into eHealth could have been put towards making four hospitals.  They were also focusing on the need for more doctors and nurses having jobs in Canada to be able to treat the patients much quicker.

I think that the points they were bringing up are very important and need to be implemented to our healthcare systems. When I go to the clinic or the hospital, I see how long it takes to actually get treated or looked at. It is very sad to see that the people who are very ill, not getting the proper treatment they desperately need. The number one priority must be about treating the patients. It is very important that the money is being invested into the right place, and for the right reasons. When the leaders of the parties are saying that money has been wasted due to investments going into the wrong hands, shows how some people don’t care that our health care needs money to actually get better for Canada. Dalton Mcquinty has been in power for a while now and the people have not seen any change for the better. I feel that it is time for a new person to be in power, and I really hope they will deliver on what they were saying for our healthcare system in Canada.

Winnipeg woman who smashed baby's head to spend one more year in prison

WINNIPEG— The Canadian Press

Published Wednesday, Sep. 28, 2011 11:03AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/prairies/winnipeg-woman-who-smashed-babys-head-to-spend-one-more-year-in-prison/article2183231/

A Winnipeg woman who took a persons sleeping baby from her crib at home and smashed the baby's head against a sidewalk has been given five years in jail. But the judge gave double credit for the two years she has already served, so she’ll only spend one more year in jail. Ms. Eaglestick had pleaded guilty to abduction, assault causing bodily harm and failing to comply with a court order to stay away from alcohol. She gave no explanation for the attack other than to say she gets angry when she drinks. "The Crown" wanted her to be in prison for six years and not be given double credit for time she had already served.  Ms. Eaglestick’s lawyer argued the women had spent enough time in prison since the September 2009 incident.

This is absolutely unbelievable to hear that someone would do that. I don’t understand what is going through the mind of a person who would so something like that. The women should be serving a much longer sentence in prison. With two years in prison already, she only has one year left for a very serious crime. It falls under abduction, assault, breaking and entering, and failing to comply with the court when ordered to stay away from alcohol. For this women to be drunk, and cause the damage she did to a baby, makes it even worse. The parents must be completely devastated, and I feel so bad for their entire family. I can only imagine the trauma, and insecurities that family is now going through.  To me, the women who committed the crime should receive a much more severe punishment.

Serb boys appear to be ‘human magnets’

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/serb-boys-appear-to-be-human-magnets/article2168666/

Two small boys from a central Serbian town are able to attract metal objects, acting much like human magnets . Sanja Petrovic, the mother of 4-year-old David, said it first came to her attention about a month ago.She had asked him to fetch her  a spoon so she cold feed his little brother, and he yelled back, "Mom, it sticks!” Then she  found him with several spoons and forks hanging from his body.Terrified, the 26 year-old woman phoned her sister, who discovered that her 6 year old son Luka had the same attraction. The phenomenon is rare and so far medically unexplained. Several similar cases, however, have recently been reported in Serbia, and also in Croatia and Bosnia. As far as the doctors know, there is no medical or scientific explanation , They said the boys' magnetism borders on the “paranormal'' side. David’s mother said her son loses his magnetic powers when he is asleep, but regains them when he wakes up and starts moving. Afterward he will feel a little chilly and tired. Both David and Luka are now happy to put on a show for to visitors.

This is a very different and interesting news article. I would have never thought that supernatural powers like this actually existed in the world. It is truly amazing to see the gifts, but yet weird talents, some people are blessed with. It is also amazing that two people that are related have the same medically unexplained ability. It makes me wonder the abilities the next generation of kids will have in the future. With the technology advancing at the rate it is, and more people having these special gifts, the sky is the limit for the research and development of these kinds of people. I also think that scientists need to make sure they are finding the reason and explanation of cases like this. Then once that is done, they should  be sent to the proper facilities for treatment and development of these natural talents. To me, it is very fascinating to see things like this happen in the world.

Michael marcantognini blog #3

Drug-dealing Vancouver cop sentenced to three years

Published Thursday, Sep. 22, 2011 2:44PM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/drug-dealing-vancouver-cop-sentenced-to-three-years/article2176193/

A former Vancouver police officer who sold drugs from his cruiser has been sentenced to three years in prison. Peter Hodson pleaded guilty last November to three charges, including break and enter and trafficking in marijuana. At his sentencing hearing, provincial court heard the married father of four is a born narcissist who didn't care if his actions cost him his job. Mr. Hodson was arrested at police headquarters in April 2010 and immediately fired. Psychologist Dr. Michael Elterman, who spent several hours with Mr. Hodson, told provincial court that the married father of four has an inflated self-image.

Court also heard Mr. Hodson admitted to lying on his university exams, having multiple mistresses and that he didn’t care if his actions cost him his job.

This is very sad to hear because he was a man helping to uphold our justice system. It is very important that our police officers, or anyone in a position of authority, can be depended to follow the laws they should be enforcing. The man is a father of four children, and for him to admit he has multiple mistresses is very disappointing. The wife and kids will now have to live with the shame, and embarrassment their husband and father has brought to the family. To me that would be a very difficult thing to deal with.  He has also done other acts that do not follow the rules, so I feel that his punishment should be very severe. 

IMF cuts Canada's economic outlook

Published Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011 9:00AM

Canada’s jobless rate will be higher this year as the global economy enters a “dangerous new phase." The IMF now sees Canada’s economy growing 2.1 percent this year. Canada’s current jobless rate of 7.3 per cent is poised to creep higher and an even worse prediction for the US.  The fund sees the jobless rate averaging 7.6 per cent this year and 7.7 per cent in 2012 (its April outlook predicted next year’s unemployment rate would be 7.3 per cent)The downside risks to the world’s largest economy have “significantly increased,” the IMF said as it shaved its growth estimates for the U.S. by a percentage point over this year and next. It sees unemployment there remaining high throughout next year. Global activity has weakened and become more uneven, confidence has fallen sharply recently, and downside risks are growing.

It is very sad to see how high the unemployment rate is, especially in major countries like Canada and the United States. People should always have an opportunity to have a job to be able to support and provide for their families so the children can receive a proper education. The government should help out cities and towns that have a high unemployment rate.  We need to find a solution and quickly so that this trend does not continue for the years to come.  The wealthy, and thriving people in the government are concerned about the rich companies that will benefit them. However, they should take the time to help the unemployed people in major countries. It is very important that everyone has a job with decent income for their families and to be able to survive. 

thursday september 22nd

1.3 million told to evacuate as Typhoon Roke nears Japan

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/13-million-told-to-evacuate-as-typhoon-roke-nears-japan/article2172325/

Published Tuesday, Sep. 20, 2011 6:22AM

More than 1 million in central Japan had to leave Tuesday as a powerful typhoon was near, triggering floods that left two people missing. A  9 year old boy and an 84 year old man were missing after apparently falling into swollen rivers. Heavy rains which led to floods, and winds of 144 kilometers per hour  hit Nagoya and many other cities in the area. It is said to reach Tokyo  by Wednesday. Tokyo is very populated, so it will be very tough to evacuate safely and effectively.  To make it even worse, a typhoon hit Japan earlier this month that left 90 people dead or missing. This disaster is devastating to the cities being hit, and the families that have to go through it. The cities that are affected will have to completely rebuild and start from scratch. They just had the physical and emotional damage from the last typhoon, and now another one hits. I can't imagine what it would be like to be in that kind of situation.  Hopefully the typhoon will settle before it does anymore damage. Their has been many natural disasters in recent years, and they keep getting worse. I feel that global warming and pollution has a major impact on the cause of these natural disasters.  It is destroying cities, peoples lives, and families every time these devastating disasters keep happening.   When hurricane Katrina hit, I kept seeing on the news the cities and families that were destroyed by the hurricane. It hurts me to see what they go through, because I know how bad it would be if it was my family and I in a situation like this.