Words (Page 21)

Some of the articles, stories and columns I have written.

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We were half way down the street when Charlie stopped at one of his favorite hydro poles. It is used by a lot of his pals to leave messages for each other. Charlie sniffed around quite excitedly, then lifted his leg for a short spurt. “What’s all this about the Day of Mourning?” he asked as we started walking again. “It’s today,” I said. “A day set aside to remember the workers who have been killed or injured at work. Why? Where did you hear about it?” I needn’t have asked. I’m no longer even surprised when he hears about things like this. He always knows.Read More →

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I want to thank all the people who have given valuable feedback on my last blog post about the death of Brandon Duncan. It all helped to clarify some questions which only an open and transparent inquiry can answer. The first thing to remember is that the police did not initiate the events that led up to the young man’s death. They were part of ending it, but they didn’t start it. Mr. Duncan went to the hospital because something was wrong with his colostomy. I have never had one, and don’t know much about them. What I do know I learned at Google UniversityRead More →

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1 It has been almost a year since Brandon Duncan went to the Guelph General Hospital. He won’t do it again. Mr. Duncan was not a well man. Not physically. Not mentally. He was 36 years old. According to some people who knew him, he weighed about 105 pounds soaking wet. He didn’t cast a dominant presence in a crowd. Not physically, anyway. The things he did would draw attention sometimes. When people act out the symptoms of their mental illnesses, it can be off-putting. Dominating and off-putting both attract attention, but they’re not the same thing. Like just about everybody else in Guelph, IRead More →

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Wondering is when the mind goes wandering. Mine is off for a Wednesday wander.   It looks very much like the Bern has had the bun. The primary system involves selecting delegate who are committed to a specific candidate on the first ballot. With only two in the running, it isn’t going to a second.   What would the consequences be if some delegates elected in the primaries changed their minds? If two months ago they were supporting Clinton but intervening circumstances leading up to the convention have led them to switch to Sanders. Could they do it? If not, why not, and who’s going toRead More →