Print Edition: November 12, 2014
Dear Mr.Monster Truck
You know how it is: you’re fresh out of class with a slight headache, and tired after a long day. The dread of having to drive home in the dark and pouring rain is probably running through your mind.
Conditions this time of year are bad enough, but then you have Mr. Monster Truck driving behind you. And his bright lights are blinding and inches from your back bumper. Lovely, now you’re tired, blind, AND have a secret hate for the one behind you.
We’re all guilty of tailgating occasionally, and blinding someone is sometimes unavoidable. But, Mr. Monster Truck, the next time you drive in horrible weather, try and keep your distance, and if tailgating is unavoidable then dimming the lights would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, all small-car drivers.
Faith hate
I’m not a Christian.
But some people love to hate on Christianity without an open mind of what it is outside of the stories we read online, the punch-lines of our jokes at house parties, or perhaps our own bad experiences with the church.
One bad experience doesn’t mean that “Christians are this” or “Christians are that” — in fact, Christians aren’t any one thing. They are just as diverse as everybody else.
There are good and bad apples in every tree, so if you open your mind to the possibility of a non-judgemental and good-natured human, someone might surprise you.
“Elect-shuns”
It is rare to see long lines of eager young voters waiting to cast their ballots. In the 2011 civic election, 70 to 80 per cent of eligible voters refrained from casting a vote. This level of apathy may carry further into adulthood, as these nonvoters will inevitably join the multitudes of British Columbians who suffer from political lethargy.
Perhaps it’s a lack of interest or knowledge pertaining to municipal politics? Or perhaps it is due to a lack of engaging, charismatic figures vying for mayor and other positions. Learning about politics and politicians in Abbotsford is like a hangover without the luxury of intoxication the night before — it is no wonder voting is met with apathy by young voters.
A shift that not only engages the public, but is also conducive to their interests is needed. Maybe that’s what it will take to get young people to vote instead of posting a status.
Travelling local
On November 4, Destination BC released their new ad campaign to attract tourists to the province.
From simply living here, I know the beauty of the natural landscape. One example is the top of the Fraser River by the Rocky Mountains. Yet while tourism is promoting what the province has to offer, it is not truly accessible for most of the people living here.
Travelling within the province is expensive, and this is not simply because I’m on a student budget. When my family travelled to the mainland from Vancouver Island, we saw very clearly that costs have steadily increased. It easily costs almost $250 for a return trip on ferry alone.
When I can travel to Ottawa for the same price as northern British Columbia, it makes little sense to travel within our own province.
