Things Canadians care about...

Okay, so the Oilers traded Ryan Smyth and everyone cares about it. Well, not everyone. I don't. I think he is probably a really nice guy and from my limited reference to the sports sections of the Edmonton Journal - he contributes to the success of the team, but really, there are more important things. It does make me think. About the whole money thing. Why do we pay our sports figures that much money? Why do we pay our top entertainers that much money? Who is really worth it? $5.4 million per year vs. $5.3 million. How can you even tell the difference between one amount and the other. Makes you think about what the teachers in Parkland are asking for. I have done that job, and I can tell you it is a lot harder and MORE IMPORTANT in the big scheme of things than playing professional hockey. The difference, I know, is that the public pays the salaries of teachers and private business pays for the hockey players. BUT REALLY, c'mon folks, what is more important?

I think we have to have a place in our society for Heroes, but they should be heroes in all facets of their lives. I also think that the incredible amounts of money that they get paid totally counteracts the concept of heroism. If you do it for a paycheck then you have to recognize that a big part of you is owned by someone else and suck it up.

$5.4 million per year. Think about it.

Comments

Annemarie said…
Hey Kris - what's the story about the Parkland teachers?
3/01/2007 1:57 PM
Magnolia said…
My Dad is a Parkland teacher. He is going nuts being on strike. Well put!
3/02/2007 7:54 AM
Finster said…
Parkalnd Teachers (Stony Plain area) are on strike. The negotiations have been going on for some time and in the Fall they had a mediator brought in (approved by both sides as per the law). The teachers accepted the mediated contract but the Board rejected it, so 4 months later with no movement in negoatiations, there is a strike. Lots of warning, but of course everyone is shocked and up in arms. I think (from what I have read inthe paper), that the main issue is instructional time because there is a vast difference in prep time between different schools and the union wants to make that a little more equal. The stupidist part is that the biggest complaint from parents has been that their girls sr. basketball team was destined for Provincials and now that won't happen. Nevermind that coaching is "volunteer", not part of the job. What about caring about their kids "education"? I had to set a lady in choir straight because she was bashing the teachers, but she knew nothing of the issues.
3/02/2007 9:38 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fringe 2024 - Friday, August 16th - A Terrific Afternoon of Shows!

Image
I caught three shows yesterday afternoon and had a wonderful time! Bright Lights - So funny and so well done! This script is hilarious but it only works because the acting and directing is so excellent! I mean, you have to figure those that attend a group for Alien Abduction "experiencers" are going to provide opportunity for huour but I was laughing so much! Great to see some of our finest local actors in this piece and some in roles you wouldn't expect to hilarious effect! See it! ROB AND CHRIS (BOBBY+TINA)-A NEW MUSICAL - Another excellent show. This one a new musical based on Collin Doyle's Let the Light of Day Through ( perhaps the best new script I have seen ever and I think of it often... ). The musical is the same but different, as it is a musical. But it is excellent. Doyle worked with Matt Graham to adapt the piece and it still has it's humour and heart break, but now with wonderful songs. I would avoid spoilers if you haven't seen the play as I th...
Read more

Sometimes it's hard to be nice... Lessons Learned with Donna Orbits the Moon and Spinsters in #yegtheatre this week...

Image
I caught two thought-provoking (and funny) shows this weekend.  Patricia Darbasie in Donna Orbits the Moon , Brianne Jang BB Collective Photography The first, Donna Orbits the Moon presented by Northern Light Theatre, was a one-woman show with the impressive Patricia Darbasie as Donna, a woman finding herself reacting with intense rage to inconveniences in her life. We are not exactly sure at the beginning why these moments are provoking such anger and violence, but there's something in the way that Donna tells the story that we are totally on her side. Indeed when I read a description online before seeing the show, I immediately connected. Too often we are expected to smile and be accommodating and the desire to say " No! " is often very strong with me. I see you, Donna! But there's something more to Donna's rage. There's a concrete reason she's suppressing and the reveal is deftly revealed in a touching and emotionally moving way (Directed by Trevor Sch...
Read more

Fringe 2024 - Saturday, August 24th - Young Wives and The Bells!

Image
I saw two shows on Saturday. I'm pacing myself this Fringe so I might not hit my usual 30+ total! But despite the slightly overcast weather, it was a nice day - not too hot and my feet could handle the walk to Sugar Swing and back to the main grounds! What a Young Wife Ought to Know - This was a very well done production of Hannah Moscovitch's script. I had not seen the show when it was done in the city in 2018 but was glad to catch it here at the Fringe. It deals with the challenges and trials of a young (a very young) wife in 1920s Ottawa dealing with managing her fertility despite a lack of support both socially and medically. This is pre-birth control pill times; this is back alley abortion and throw yourself down the stairs to end a pregnancy time; this is the time when women frequently dies in childbirth. This is the time when you are looked at with disgust and judged when you ask for help for how to prevent a pregnancy. Anyhow, the show was very well done. The cast of ...
Read more