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new decade means new driving law

Posted by cris on 9 January 2010, 6:52 pm

at the beginning of the new decade bc drivers had to do a quick update in regards to what they’re allowed to do while at the wheel of a vehicle. the use of a cellphone, mp3 or any other handheld devices if strictly prohibited while driving. however, just like any other law made by man there are just as many exceptions to the law as there are grammar exceptions in the English language. most important ones are, and this only applies to full driver license holders, you can talk on the phone if you are using a hands free device or if it is an emergency then feel free to use the handheld device.

overall, i agree that while driving one should concentrate on driving and only driving. so, in order to ensure safety on the road i will agree with stricter laws. however, hiding behind the pretext of implementing a change for safety but coming up with a half-assed law should not be allowed. talking on the cellphone is definitely a problem and has been shown to distract drivers while driving. the problem with it…the talking. being involved in a conversation while driving will distract one from being in the fullest state of alert. the conversation itself is the problem. fair enough if you argue that having one hand on the phone is also a problem, but it’s no the only one. if you focus on talking, even if it is on a hand less device, you are still not fully concentrating on the road. so while handheld device and talking are most likely worst than talking by itself; it’s still the talking that takes the huge chunk of the issue. anyhow…the idea of the law is great, the law itself is simply stupid. not sure of what they were smoking when they came up with it, but they should share with the rest of us. if in research we would conclude using the same logic we’d still be in the dark ages.

at this point, i’d like to know how they will address the other bigger problems and causes of lack of attention while driving? things like:

  • putting on make-up
  • eating
  • smoking
  • reading a book
  • having a pet in your lap while you drive
  • drinking (not alcohol) while driving
  • etc…

how and when will they truly address these issues? how is one supposed to drive properly while they hold their ‘rat’ size puddle in their lap? or is a moving animal in the front seat not considered to be a potential hazard? eating and drinking while driving, i guess that’s ok; yet if a law is developed to address this then mcdonald’s will not supply lunch at the office for them anymore. i guess someone had to increase sales profits on bluetooth devices (or bluetooth like devices) and thus…we get the cellphone law.

Filed under safety, vancouver. Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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british columbia environmental & occupational health research network

Posted by cris on 20 November 2009, 7:13 pm

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i just returned from the annual general meeting for the british columbia environmental & occupational health research network (in short bceohrn). it’s a network for everyone who is involved in some sort of research in bc. the network strives to get researchers from different disciplines talking to each other. why? well it’s simple… applying things learned in one discipline can make the difference in another, and can be used to complete various things in another field. in short, it’s called inter-disciplinary work. moreover, the network offers (or better yet offered…thanks mr. premier) travel bursaries and research capacity funding (both are things i have had the pleasure of enjoying – but more on that later). have a look at the website, as there is something for everyone, from job postings, to gray literature, to contacts, to databases of researchers in bc, and much more.

the network was started a few years ago, and has operated from funding from the michael smith foundation (a foundation in honor of the british-born canadian nobel prize winner in chemistry). the michael smith foundation operates from funding from the provincial government and distributes the funding to researchers, supporting and funding graduate work as well as professors, and networks such as bceohrn. earlier this year (september 2009), the provincial government decided it’s wise to cut funding to michael smith foundation…which in turn had no choice but to cut promised funding (yes, funding that was promised had to be taken back or not offered) to numerous networks, graduate students and other researchers. due to this, bceohrn’s funding will cease as of march 31, 2010. it’s embarrassing that provincial government decided to cut funding to the foundation in honor of a nobel prize winner, yet still funds various shady projects and organizations; while failing to investigate how their money is being wasted by those shady organizations. it’s not that surprising, i guess our premier needs the extra funds given that alcohol prices have gone up.

why do i care? well, bceohrn provided different types of funding to support my research and me as a graduate student. the first funding i even got was from bceohrn (the capacity grant for one of my thesis projects). this meant a lot, given i was just starting my research career and they offered to support one of my projects. on top of that, i obtained the traveling grand (twice), which gave me the opportunity to travel to seattle in 2008 for a health conference and in 2009 to travel to eastbourne (england) for another conference. they helped propel me into research and allow me to present my work. in terms of my research and studies, they have sure reached the objectives they state on their website. i’m not the only one that had the pleasure to be helped by this network. overall 65 travel bursaries have been granted in total. that implies a lot of students had the chance to present their work and help promote research happening in bc.

there’s probably a slim chance that the liberal government will have a change of opinion in regards to funding research in bc (i guess science it’s just not that important…). but, if you feel like stating your opinion in regards to funding for michael smith (and indirectly for bceohrn) here’s a draft letter that can be forwarded to your mla, or the following:

Premier Campbell – premier@gov.bc.ca
Minister Falcon – kevin.falcon.mla@leg.bc.ca
Adrian Dix – adrian.dix.mla@leg.bc.ca
John Challis, President & CEO, MSFHR – jchallis@msfhr.org

without research it’s hard to believe we will move forward, so if you feel it’s important to share your opinion, please do.

Filed under health, opinions, politics, safety, vancouver. Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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on strike – to save ‘our’ lives

Posted by cris on 16 October 2009, 12:46 pm

if you live in the greater vancouver are then you’ve probably seen the sign ‘on strike to savonstrikee lives’. well, as it turns out…we might as well get used to the idea of strikes. 2010 is fast approaching, and while many are blindsided by the olympics, there’s bigger events on the horizons for bc’s population. the provincial government is pretty much hoping everyone is amazed and captured by the olympics and completely ignores the problems waiting for all on the horizons.

a few years ago, with the olympics still a few years away, the liberal government had an idea. the idea was…calm and no hassle with collective bargaining agreements for all unions. how was that accomplished? well you probably guessed it, they threw money at the problem, and placed the end of the contract until after the olympics. thus, obtaining no hassle, no contract talks, no strikes, no headaches from any of the cupe sections during the time leading up to the 2010 games. well…all is well so far, people got most likely the percentage raises they were looking for, and all are happy. however, the effect of this is quite simple…most (if not all) agreements are pretty much set to end in 2010, just after the olympics. combine that with the recent ‘crisis’…and essentially we’re looking at a very long 2010 year. there’s no money to be thrown at the problem, costs have already been cut, and most likely the government will be looking to recover some of the cost. which will simply lead to long talks between both parties…with the simple outcome of more strikes.

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who’s to blame for this? it’s quite simple that the short-sighted liberal government is to blame for this. they patched up the problem, attached the band-aid solution…and now with the talks approaching we’re all going to pay for this. in their solution, they haven’t fixed anything, yet they managed to delay the inevitable. problem is…most contract talks are coming up in pretty much the same calendar year. what’s the solution? given our chicken government, we’re looking at a cheap and sneaky way out. chances are, there will be more lies fed to everyone. more promises made, waiting to be broken. there will be more cries of ‘we did not know the costs of the olympics’,'we did not anticipate the crisis’, and so on. i won’t be surprised if the liberals are quite hoping the current motions to dismiss the government will be completed. i wont’ be surprised if the liberals will actually help the process (in secret of course). why you might ask. well the thing is quite simple…when shit will hit the fan come post-2010 games…it will be massive. jobs will be lost, people will be pissed and strikes will happen all over the place. the blame will be thrown, quite rightly so, at the liberal government (even thou some or at least half the blame should be put on the shoulders of the fools that voted this government for a third time into place). the only question remains…if the elections (which you have to admit are quite imminent) will happen before the problems start or during. either way, come march 2010…we’re in a hole.

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