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Flooded Coastlines

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Written by Sarah Kitteringham

This morning the BBC reported "Polar ice loss quickens, raising seas". Apparently, ice loss from Antarctica and Greenland has accelerated and Earth is losing about 3 mm of coast per year. While this seems a minuscule amount annually, it will add up. If this loss of land mass continues at the present rate, in 8-9 years we will have lost an inch of land. And in just over 300 years, we will have lost one meter. Despite this being a reality far enough away that none of us will live to see, it creates vast issues for future generations both in terms of population demographics and monetarily.

It's irrelevant whether you believe in global warming or not. The fact remains that nations worldwide will lose landmass in the upcoming years. What makes this so disturbing is the population concentration. As reported in Scientific American, "200 million people live within one meter above the present sea level, including eight out of 10 of the world's largest cities and all the megacities of the developing world." It goes on to report the sea level will eventually rise "by at least 65 meters." However, that first meter alone will result in $944 billion in loses to the world's Gross Domestic Product.

We've all been beaten to death with claims over global warming, and we're all encouraged to change our ways so we can prevent the catastrophic changes. Perhaps the ice loses are caused by natural fluctuations in the earth's mean temperature, then again, maybe not. Regardless of what you choose to believe, you can do nothing, make simple changes, or make significant changes and encourage others to do the same. For those in the hopeful boat, there is a plethora of things one can do to reduce their environmental footprint. From eating locally, taking transit, recycling, using incandescent light bulbs and a clothesline, reducing your waste, reusing more ... the list goes on. For those who don't care, there's no changing your mind, so I won't even bother trying.

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Web 2.0 in the trailor park

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Written by Gordon Williamson

The Dirty.com fulfills a unique spot on the net. It’s all about gossip, but unlike TMZ, it’s user submitted. It’s like crusty citizen journalism for the trashy people who walk among us. And lets face it, there's a little bit of trash in us all.

This site is owned and managed by Nik Richie out of Scotsdale Arizona.  He is currently married to Shayne Lamas, a Season 12 winner from The Bachelor.

You can read about people in almost every major city in North America, even Calgary. Giddy up cowboy.  You can even check out the scuzzyness of various US colleges.

Instead of the latest dirt on John Mayer, you get to read about local bar stars and the latest about that poor girl with daddy issues – complete with pictures.

Wow, so this is what happens when the trailer park gets broadband access.  Now we know who doesn’t pay child support, and who has herpes – all from anonymous sources.

That’s the worst part; people can hide behind this mask of anonymity and take you down, destroying your reputation.

That’s nothing new of course, but now there’s a concentrated venue that thrives on it.

On the flip side, maybe people will be watching their backs more closely, for fear that their slutty escapades will be displayed for all to enjoy.

The site could serve a unique function of social control. It’s within human nature to do crazy things when they think no one’s watching.  The fear of humiliation keeps a lot of people in line with social norms.

This site is takes human beings, and lowers them to their most primal level. Almost like monkeys throwing crap at each other, big steaming loads of crap.

Check it out for yourself.

I wonder about the people who are being ripped to shreds handle it.

Wait a minute; I think somebody at Calgary20 should write a story about this.  Well, guess what? It’s coming.

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Former MADD president arrested for DUI

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Written by Kimberly Wright

Debra Oberlin, the former president of a chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), was arrested for drunk driving on February 18, 2011.

Even though the arrest was a couple weeks ago, it keeps on popping up in my mind every couple days.

I think it’s the hypocrisy that gets to me. How on EARTH can a woman who was once a part of the most outspoken anti-drinking and driving organization have fallen this far from grace?

I know, I know – we all make mistakes and no one’s perfect, but COME ON!

The 48-year-old was pulled over in Florida, and after having difficulty with the field sobriety test, Oberlin was given the breathalyser test blowing a .234 and .239 – nearly three times Florida’s legal limit.

I have to wonder, what happened to her for her to have gone this far from the organization she was once the president of? Maybe that’s why she is the former president?

Perhaps the fact that the chapter of MADD she was once president  of no longer exists has something to do with her drinking?

This also changes the way that I think of MADD as a whole.

I used to look at MADD and think that the women that it comprises would never drink.  That they spent all their free time dreaming up anti-drinking and driving commercials and ways to get their voices heard.  But it’s official, my illusions have been shattered.

Now, I remember that some of these women have experienced the tragedy of losing loved ones to drinking and driving, and sometimes alcohol is the best kind of medication to numb the pain of such a loss.

Or maybe it’s the economy? Are people drinking to numb the pain or anxiety that such an intense drop in the economy brings? Who knows?

Whatever the reason, if you are/were a president of MADD, don’t tarnish what your organization has worked for to save yourself the cost of a cab.

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Iginla scores 30 and enters elite company; he is already an elite human being

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Written by Jesse Hove

Jarome Iginla scored his 30th goal of the seaon last night on a penalty shot that tied a very tight, exciting and important hockey game. Jarome is 0-5 on penalty shots at home, and as he headed into shoot it looked as though Rinne had the position on Iginla: “I was excited when it went in. I don’t want to use the word ‘surprised.'  "That doesn’t sound positive. But I was definitely excited when I saw it go through the five-hole,” said Iginla speaking to the media after the game.

The Flames would go on to win the game 3-2 and would pick up two needed points as they are in a dog fight for a playoff spot in the ultra competitive Western Conference. But all this was simply icing on the cake for Iginla who entered an elite group of hockey players by scoring at least 30 goals in his last 10 consecutive seasons.

Only nine other hockey players have done this in the history of the NHL and the names on that list are impressive: Gartner, Jagr, Esposito, Gretzky, Hull, Dionne, Bossy, Kurri, Sittler.

“Once I heard about it, I thought it was pretty cool. Just because of the guys who’ve done it," Iginla commented. 

But what is probably more awe inspiring is when I think about the legendary players who didn't achieve this feat. No Rocket Richard. Not the slapshot of Brett Hull. And neither could great leaders like Sakic and Messier get this done. Not even maginicient Lemieux (granted a bout with Cancer didn't help his cause).

More importantly for me though is that Jarome Iginla has been a model of class. He is always willing to talk to the media win or lose. And he is always trying to deflect positive attention from himself onto his teammates. He has an infectious smile that makes you think he actually cares about people. He is the type of guy who visits his ailing Grandma, instead of going to an All-Star game. During the NHL lockout he put his family first and gave them a year of his time, instead of forcing them to move to Europe. He donates $2,000 dollars a game to variety of community and childrens charities, and has racketed up over half a million dollars in donations over the last three years.

During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Iginla struck up a conversation with four Calgarians sitting next to his table, and found out they were sleeping in their car outside of the hotel. He excused himself from the conversation, and booked them accommodations at his own expense at the hotel his family was staying in.

Iginla is married to his high school sweetheart, Kara, and the couple have three children: daughter Jade Grace who was on born October 18, 2004, a son Tij, born August 2006 and his youngest son Joe, who was born August 2008. Jarome and Kara had been dating since they were in the eighth grade. Seeing all that Iginla has done for his family, his community, and for his teammates I find it fitting that he was also the one to assist on Sidney Crosby's "golden goal" that gave Team Canada their most recent Olympic gold medal on home soil. He is not just a friend for those around him, he is a role model for all of Canada.

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