We’re surrounded by violence

Violence, violence everywhere! It is hard to watch television, use the internet, or be aware of world happenings without feeling overwhelmed by violence.

Locally, murder trials seem to go on and on, especially from the drugs and gang world, which seem able to manipulate the system.

Their use of and peddling of drugs is obvious. Police, paramedics, and even firefighters tie up tremendous time trying to help.

Opioid use leading to fentanyl overdoses is a tragic epidemic, especially amongst young people. Parents need to be well aware of their children’s connections, who they are with, and where they are going. Is legalizing marijuana going to solve anything? Many see it as simply a gateway drug to tragedy. We are spending millions trying to solve this.

Solving the challenges of street people wears us all down despite hundreds trying to help. In downtown Kelowna, some businesses are threatened by the violence and habits of street people. Dublin, Ireland has security vans that move day and night to keep challenged people from parks and walkways and to move them to caring shelters. or to treatment.

It is getting hard to find a television program that does not involve violence. Hawaii Five O might make you feel like never traveling to Hawaii at all. Yet, many do and see it as a peaceful retreat, not only from the weather but from blatant crime. Even television ads can seem violent as hockey players are slammed into the boards or caged wrestlers are beaten until blood pours.

Televison is a grossly distorted view of reality. What does this teach our young people? Why would you want to put a young teen into hockey, or even football, with tremendous dangers from possible concussion effects? Maybe watch the movie Concussion? Sad.

And then there is the U.S. of A. Since the election of Donald Trump and the obvious political manipulating, it almost seems like anything goes. All of America seems on edge, at airports, in small and large cities, at football games, and even restaurants.

It seems that shootings can occur almost anywhere and everywhere but still no real efforts at decent gun control. Many will be thinking more than twice about going to Las Vegas. The horrible pictures are etched into us all. Many will wonder about travel in the United States at all. And it is not just the threat of terrorism but the threat that Americans are to themselves.

And then there is Harvey Weinstein, the parasitic user of women and captain of Hollywood sleaze. Back in the hippy 1970s women became “liberated” and worked desperately for equality. There still seem to be one heck of a long way to go. Hollywood movies still mostly cast women in roles where Neil Godbout is managing editor of The Prince George Citizen. they are totally dominated by males.

Sleaze at its best. What do women actually feel when they watch this? Do they speak to their male partner?

Does our good old Planet Earth react to violence? Have a look at Syria... violently bombed into almost disappearance. How do these people survive winter? Smoggy hazes hang over most major cities of the world.

Yet Trump still seems to see even nuclear bombing as a solution with North Korea. We also have tremendous, violent, forest fires as global warming squeezes in, all over the world. What is an ordinary person to do? Let’s begin by giving up on a steady news diet. Try to find some comedies once in awhile and connect to local cultural productions.

Tis soon the season of delightful school Christmas concerts. Go to them. Watch hockey without the violence by going live to no body checking, minor hockey games. No cost to get in. Keep doing the ordinary, day to day things as best you can and reach out to help others.

Fed up with politicians? Don’t give up but speak up more. Support online petitions, go to meetings, get involved as best you can. Think Big. Act Small. And never give up on your children, regardless. They are the one bright hope for a better tomorrow. They deserve your caring and involvement.

Take them to something Christmasy and remind them we are all supposed to be working for Peace on Earth.

Reg Volk is a Kelowna writer who pens columns about politics and world views. This column appears monthly.