I've always been fascinated by the response of people in the midst of a rally or protest when police are involved. This dates back to my first really contentious gathering involving members of Calgary's Aryan Guard at City Hall. If memory serves me right, it would have gone relatively unnoticed had it not been for a bunch of flyers that were circulated. That led to a couple of hundred people showing up, both neo-Nazis and anti-racists. To say it got "pretty heated" would be an understatement.
But that's where things got kind of interesting. Police were there when they got wind that both sides would be converging on the same spot. I can't remember for sure if any arrests were made in that initial incident, but I do remember the differences in opinion over whether police should have even been there in the first place. Or in some eyes: why wasn't there more police presence?
Those same questions have popped back up recently with the Israeli/Palestinian protests in Calgary. Last week, a clash between the two sides led to a melee, leading to criticism of the police service for its lack of presence. Even Police Chief Rick Hanson admitted on News Talk 770 that they "dropped the ball" when it came to communications. That issue was rectified ahead of last night's rallies, and police say the gathering (with somewhere between 700 and 1,000 people in attendance) went off without a hitch.
Now I know some people will think I'm a police apologist here and I'm ready for that criticism. But one has to wonder what the "right response" is to these rallies and protests. Or maybe there isn't one and you simply have to be okay with the idea that not everyone is going to be happy with what you do.
On one hand, there's the idea that police shouldn't be there. You want to have faith in people that they will be well-behaved on their own and don't need to be "babysat" on the off-chance that something bad might happen. Some will say police should have "better things to do" and "our taxpayer dollars are better spent elsewhere."
On the other hand, there's the idea that police should be there at full attention. Because if ANYTHING bad happens, they should be there to break it up right away without incident. Otherwise, they're "not doing their job" to "serve and protect".
So the reality becomes that the response almost always ends up somewhere in the middle. And when you have those two extremes in hand, someone is going to complain. The answer isn't going to be black or white.
And it's certainly a no-win situation for police, even when it comes to the rights and freedoms issues. In the latest incidents, some people have gone so far as to question police on why they would allow pro-Israeli protesters anywhere near the pro-Palestinian rally. Which isn't a bad point, as the best offense is a good defense so if you can get in the way of a potential conflict, you're being proactive. But there is the right to peaceful demonstration that can't be trampled on. And "innocent until proven guilty" is the way we have to go here as well, so you can't assume the two sides will clash just because they have differing viewpoints. Can you imagine the firestorm that would ensue if police "intercepted" someone if they were only working on assumptions and it turned out to be completely unfounded?
What was nice to see was that despite having both sides at last night's rally and despite it getting very vocal, there were no physical incidents reported and police actually applauded both sides for keeping it civil.
We can only hope it stays that way.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
What Happens At Stampede, Stays At Stampede
We're now a week removed from the Calgary Stampede, and by all accounts, the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" was another smashing success. After working hard to make sure the 2013 edition went off without a hitch following the flood, 2014 seemed to bring about some sort of normalcy. Yet, there's an uncomfortable truth that is starting to be uncovered as the drunken haze begins to lift.
While no one really questions the fun of the midway, the cowboy heritage in the exhibitions or the majesty of the horse events (outside of a few animal rights activists), there is one side to Stampede that was really thrown into the limelight and might have to be addressed heading into the 2015 edition of the event. And that's the parties.
I'm all for having a good time. But in the last couple of years, I've really been turned off by anything bar/gathering related at Stampede time because of just how ridiculous things get. And I'm not alone.
We've all heard the stories about how much pancake batter and bacon strips are cooked up in the bigger Stampede breakfasts. So a couple of years ago, I went on a mission to find out just how much booze is sold during the ten days. The Stampede itself wasn't able to disclose what it sells on the grounds, so I asked around to the different bars and one of the reps at Cowboys replied. The quote I got was "one of our suppliers say they sell as much beer during Stampede as any major Canadian sports team does in its entire season." That's ONE supplier. That's JUST beer. And that includes the Toronto Blue Jays, who have an 81-game schedule at home. I did the math. Use this as an example: let's say one tent hosts 10,000 people in a day. Average out four beverages per person (I know that's probably conservative). Let's say the drinks are $10/each (tips included). That's $400,000 in a day or $4-million for Stampede. In one tent. I know of some waitresses who claim they can get $10,000 in tips over the ten days without even trying.
So this is big business. It's landed Stampede in magazines and other "top ten lists" for being a top party destination in the world. But with it, comes some pretty big problems when the spirits get flowin'. You have the usual antics of barfights and "public disorder", like puke and other bodily fluids hitting the streets.
Then you have the "other" reputation that's been created with all of the booze. It's the reputation that surrounds news reports about STI rates skyrocketing during Stampede. It surrounds divorce rates rising and a "baby boom" of sorts that happens every March/April. Yet, people read/hear/watch these stories and just kind of giggle about it, like "oh it's just Stampede!" How can this be perceived as being "good, clean, wholesome fun"?
And then there's the whole issue of how women are treated during the ten days. All I needed to do was watch social media to see just how disgusting it really was. Women being touched, fondled, you name it without invites being sent out. These are issues that happen every day, but it seems to be amplified because "it's Stampede so lighten up." A couple of friends of mine went out one night to enjoy a concert and ended up leaving about three songs in because guys couldn't keep their hands to themselves. One of the producers at our radio station shared some of her horror stories on-air one day during Stampede, including a story about a woman who ran into the guys washroom because the ladies room lineup was ridiculously long. The story included a guy trying to break into the stall to get at her. In what world is any of this acceptable behaviour?
Now I get it. Some guys and gals go out with certain "intentions". But does that mean EVERYONE has those same intentions? And that's part of the problem. It's almost as if that you get away with it once and you expect to get away with it every time. It's leading to absolutely dangerous scenarios (rape, abuse, assault among others).
This isn't "western hospitality". Everyone deserves to let down their hair, kick up their boots and have a good time, no questions asked. Stampede is supposed to be a celebration. But there's a line that shouldn't be crossed. We're better than this (or at least I'd like to think we're capable of being better than this). Is it really a good time if you're the only one having a good time or you're forcing it on someone else? No one should have to be looking over their shoulder, wondering what the next stranger they cross paths with will do.
"What happens at Stampede, stays at Stampede." I guess...
While no one really questions the fun of the midway, the cowboy heritage in the exhibitions or the majesty of the horse events (outside of a few animal rights activists), there is one side to Stampede that was really thrown into the limelight and might have to be addressed heading into the 2015 edition of the event. And that's the parties.
I'm all for having a good time. But in the last couple of years, I've really been turned off by anything bar/gathering related at Stampede time because of just how ridiculous things get. And I'm not alone.
We've all heard the stories about how much pancake batter and bacon strips are cooked up in the bigger Stampede breakfasts. So a couple of years ago, I went on a mission to find out just how much booze is sold during the ten days. The Stampede itself wasn't able to disclose what it sells on the grounds, so I asked around to the different bars and one of the reps at Cowboys replied. The quote I got was "one of our suppliers say they sell as much beer during Stampede as any major Canadian sports team does in its entire season." That's ONE supplier. That's JUST beer. And that includes the Toronto Blue Jays, who have an 81-game schedule at home. I did the math. Use this as an example: let's say one tent hosts 10,000 people in a day. Average out four beverages per person (I know that's probably conservative). Let's say the drinks are $10/each (tips included). That's $400,000 in a day or $4-million for Stampede. In one tent. I know of some waitresses who claim they can get $10,000 in tips over the ten days without even trying.
So this is big business. It's landed Stampede in magazines and other "top ten lists" for being a top party destination in the world. But with it, comes some pretty big problems when the spirits get flowin'. You have the usual antics of barfights and "public disorder", like puke and other bodily fluids hitting the streets.
Then you have the "other" reputation that's been created with all of the booze. It's the reputation that surrounds news reports about STI rates skyrocketing during Stampede. It surrounds divorce rates rising and a "baby boom" of sorts that happens every March/April. Yet, people read/hear/watch these stories and just kind of giggle about it, like "oh it's just Stampede!" How can this be perceived as being "good, clean, wholesome fun"?
And then there's the whole issue of how women are treated during the ten days. All I needed to do was watch social media to see just how disgusting it really was. Women being touched, fondled, you name it without invites being sent out. These are issues that happen every day, but it seems to be amplified because "it's Stampede so lighten up." A couple of friends of mine went out one night to enjoy a concert and ended up leaving about three songs in because guys couldn't keep their hands to themselves. One of the producers at our radio station shared some of her horror stories on-air one day during Stampede, including a story about a woman who ran into the guys washroom because the ladies room lineup was ridiculously long. The story included a guy trying to break into the stall to get at her. In what world is any of this acceptable behaviour?
Now I get it. Some guys and gals go out with certain "intentions". But does that mean EVERYONE has those same intentions? And that's part of the problem. It's almost as if that you get away with it once and you expect to get away with it every time. It's leading to absolutely dangerous scenarios (rape, abuse, assault among others).
This isn't "western hospitality". Everyone deserves to let down their hair, kick up their boots and have a good time, no questions asked. Stampede is supposed to be a celebration. But there's a line that shouldn't be crossed. We're better than this (or at least I'd like to think we're capable of being better than this). Is it really a good time if you're the only one having a good time or you're forcing it on someone else? No one should have to be looking over their shoulder, wondering what the next stranger they cross paths with will do.
"What happens at Stampede, stays at Stampede." I guess...
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Enough is Enough
I'm going to deviate from my usual ramblings about the news world to focus on something semi-close to home. And it all stems from an early-morning wake-up call I had today.
It wasn't my usual alarm bells ringing on my cellphone signaling the start of the work day. It wasn't the sound of cars passing by, emergency vehicles screaming off to the scene of something or the typical tomfoolery that happens when you live relatively close to the infamous 17th Avenue SW strip in Calgary (aka the stretch formerly known as the Red Mile).
I awoke at 6am to the soothing sounds of a marital spat. "You f****** b****" and "f*** off and die you piece of s***" were just a couple of the loving gestures hurled at one another. Took me about a minute or so to evaluate the situation, knock the crumbs out of my eyes and realize it was 6am.
Perhaps I was tired and maybe a little cranky, but it got to that point that I felt like I needed to intervene and at least let everyone else on my street enjoy a little more sleep before the work day started. So I stumbled my way to the patio door, walked out onto the balcony and yelled back at them to have some respect for their neighbours, go home and get some sleep. I also told the guy that "that's no way to speak to a lady".
Of course I received the response I was kind of expecting: "go f*** yourself", which set off an interesting exchange of pleasantries. They were both obviously drunk, so it wasn't worth getting too worked up over it, other than to try to prove my point then go back to bed. He persisted for a little bit and I just kept on message that they needed to be adults. Eventually it winded down with a "mind your own business" from him, to which I said "the minute you woke me and the rest of the neighbourhood up, it became my business." I've become pretty good at thinking on my feet working in the media. And that was enough for him to walk away grumbling. They went back inside and I didn't hear a peep out of them for the rest of the morning.
Unfortunately, this story probably plays out a lot more than most would care to admit. What I don't like is when people stand by and watch without doing anything, then grumble about it afterwards. I'm going to be full of cliches here, but we have to be the change we want to see (or something like that). If we don't want a world where spousal abuse, sexual assault or heinous crimes against children happen, then don't stand around and watch it without acting. And I mean anything of the issues that people get up in arms about (oh hi there "bullying", so we meet again). It doesn't matter who "started it". It doesn't matter that it's a nice guy/girl. The excuses don't matter. Cliche #2: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
Each and every day, I want to be part of the solution.
It wasn't my usual alarm bells ringing on my cellphone signaling the start of the work day. It wasn't the sound of cars passing by, emergency vehicles screaming off to the scene of something or the typical tomfoolery that happens when you live relatively close to the infamous 17th Avenue SW strip in Calgary (aka the stretch formerly known as the Red Mile).
I awoke at 6am to the soothing sounds of a marital spat. "You f****** b****" and "f*** off and die you piece of s***" were just a couple of the loving gestures hurled at one another. Took me about a minute or so to evaluate the situation, knock the crumbs out of my eyes and realize it was 6am.
Perhaps I was tired and maybe a little cranky, but it got to that point that I felt like I needed to intervene and at least let everyone else on my street enjoy a little more sleep before the work day started. So I stumbled my way to the patio door, walked out onto the balcony and yelled back at them to have some respect for their neighbours, go home and get some sleep. I also told the guy that "that's no way to speak to a lady".
Of course I received the response I was kind of expecting: "go f*** yourself", which set off an interesting exchange of pleasantries. They were both obviously drunk, so it wasn't worth getting too worked up over it, other than to try to prove my point then go back to bed. He persisted for a little bit and I just kept on message that they needed to be adults. Eventually it winded down with a "mind your own business" from him, to which I said "the minute you woke me and the rest of the neighbourhood up, it became my business." I've become pretty good at thinking on my feet working in the media. And that was enough for him to walk away grumbling. They went back inside and I didn't hear a peep out of them for the rest of the morning.
Unfortunately, this story probably plays out a lot more than most would care to admit. What I don't like is when people stand by and watch without doing anything, then grumble about it afterwards. I'm going to be full of cliches here, but we have to be the change we want to see (or something like that). If we don't want a world where spousal abuse, sexual assault or heinous crimes against children happen, then don't stand around and watch it without acting. And I mean anything of the issues that people get up in arms about (oh hi there "bullying", so we meet again). It doesn't matter who "started it". It doesn't matter that it's a nice guy/girl. The excuses don't matter. Cliche #2: if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
Each and every day, I want to be part of the solution.
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