Preface:

This thread was somewhat inspired by the "Police officer shoots homeless man" thread that was locked do to it going off topic. (Why I'd like to try a more open discussion, not so title specific and about any news events.) Though I suspect it was as much the content being discussed towards the end. (Drugs) I'd like for this one to not be locked, so I'm asking we refrain from discussing such things, breaking forum rules.

I like discussing what's going on around the world/locally (Again, within forum rules.) with you folks. Of all the forums I have participate on I've found the people here to be quite intelligent and I find the discussions much more interesting. (In depth)

Ok, on with the news.....

Story 1:

I was watching the news this morning when a very disturbing story came on.

Someone sent an anonymous typed letter to a family with a boy who has autism. Part of which states: 'Euthanize him and donate the non- [censored] (<- derogatory r word for handicapped) body parts'. It was suggested they move as well. Are you [censored] kidding me? In this day an age, in Canada? http://www.theprovince.com/news/just+sick+Family+autistic+asked+leave+Ontario+community+have/8808672/story.html and is rather disgusting all around!!!

What the hell is wrong with people? Where is the compassion, where is the understanding......from a mother no less? I just don't get (these kinds of) people.


Story 2:

So some of you may have seen the video of or read about the police shooting of Sammy Yatim in Toronto. (It was mentioned in the aforementioned locked topic.) Many people jumped to the same conclusion I did, it was police homicide. Seems the law agrees enough to http://o.canada.com/2013/08/19/toronto-police-officer-charged-in-shooting-death-of-sammy-yatim/. He turned himself into police.

There was no need for that kid to be shot. Especially 9 times, 6 of which came after he lay on the floor of the bus dying. Then a supervisor tazed him. Imagine the shock to the body after being shot, then to be electrocuted on top of it? WTH were they thinking??? Seems they were not thinking at all, but merely (over) reacting.

Both these stories have generated a lot of disgust here in Canada. Internationally actually.

Story 3:

On a happier note, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/08/16/bc-killer-whale.html here in BC. "Sam" was stuck in a bay with a shallow entrance/exit and was afraid to tackle it on his own. They helped to encourage Sam out of the bay by playing recorded whale calls. "According to Barrett-Lennard , Sam "shot" through the entrance "like a cork" and porpoised next to the aquarium's research boat, Skana, before continuing on his way." He has since http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Young+killer+whale+stranded+central+coast+rescued+home/8798781/story.html.

Some of you may remember http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springer_%28killer_whale%29, a young killer whale rescued over a decade ago. Well, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2013/07/08/bc-springer-killer-whale-calf.html. A good sign for Sam. He should do just fine now that he is free.

Being an animal/nature lover, I find these types of stories uplifting.

Share your thoughts.

So, what's in the news that has grabbed your attention?

The mother that burned the art her son stole was horrible news.

http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/top-news/lyin-den-china-zoo-replaces-big-cat-with-big-dog/nZQZz/

I had not seen that. What a shame. Especially since they got found out anyway.

That was worth a good hearty belly laugh, I thank you for that.

In this day in age? People are just as disgusting now as they were when the first man walked the Earth.

Saw some decent damn news for a change where some scientists managed to "teleport" information via entaglement, transmitting about 10k worth of data from one location to another. Other than that, saw that a woman was kicked out of her house with a kid because her daughter, the kid's mom, was killed and her name was the only one on the lease. The family had to be evicted due to rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, tis true.