Here and There

August 25, 2008

Election talk is picking up around the water coolers at work and the BBQ's at home.  I don't want to fuel the fires of speculation either way but I will give you a quick example on the question of whether Parliament is working well or not.  As the famous line at the opening of the old 'Twilight Zone' television series used to say, "Picture this..."

One of the most publicly supported policy positions from people of all ages, backgrounds and political stripes has been the federal initiative to raise the age of sexual consent between an adult and a minor from 14 years old to 16.  People instinctively understood the need for this as police agencies from around the country explained how it would greatly assist them in going after predators prowling for children on the internet or in other venues.  Yet the federal Liberals in the House of Commons and in the Senate resisted and delayed that and other criminal justice reforms for over two years.  They finally let it go through (with many of them not supporting it) only after we threatened them with a confidence vote.  I just wanted to share that with you to give you some idea of what it's been like trying to get things through.  Nobody is suggesting that we should reduce debate or not listen to constructive input...but really...2 years for a vote on protecting kids?

Talking about Olympic struggles, if you're like me, you breathed a sigh of relief and started cheering again once the second week of the Games was underway and Canada started getting into the medal business.  Three cheers for every Canadian who climbed the podium last week and for all who gave their all.  With any achievement, attitude matters. We heard a lot about the natural abilities of super athletes like Michael Phelps. What didn't get mentioned as much is that in the years running up to his historic medal haul Phelps would spend 8 hours a day, 7 days a week busting his gut in the training pool.  I'm always fascinated by those who suggest that super athletes like him just lucked out on genetics.  Some people say that about stars like Wayne Gretzky and Tiger Woods.  Funny how their achievements also seem to coincide with being the first one on any given day practicing on the ice or the greens early in the mornings, often before sunrise, and often being the last to leave at the end of the day.

Talking about incredible performances, how 'bout more than a couple thousand athletes giving it all in the Annual Subaru Ironman in Penticton this past weekend?  Think about it. First you swim almost 4 km’s (approx 2 1/2 miles) then you leap onto your bike and pedal hard for 180 km’s (110 miles).  Then, just to prove you have no fear of death you fling yourself off your bike and run a marathon…42 km’s (over 26 miles!).  Now that takes heart. Men and women, young and old, they accomplished their dream (a nightmare to some) on Sunday…and they'll never be the same.

One final note, related to another great performance by somebody who never thought of himself as great.  It was with sadness that I attended with hundreds of others the memorial service this weekend of Pastor Dave Strugnell of the Crossroads Church in Merritt.  A giant of a man in heart and in stature who was diagnosed not long ago with a deadly cancer and given only months to live.  Here was a man who knew how to live an authentic, down to earth life, propelled by an abiding faith. He never preached religion, but he always lived out his relationship with His Lord and made each of us better people by his example.

A poignantly honest song written and sung by a young grand daughter and niece at the service brought tears to every eye as they asked the question "Why, why, why?"  Dave had already replied to that question with the way he lived his life. And now, as his brother shared, he expected his loved ones to trust God and carry on.  His wonderful wife Val and everyone else who knew him, from the homeless on the streets, to the wealthy and powerful, can all say with the youthful duet as they sang their final line, "We'll miss you, miss you, miss you".