School Mayhem Revealed, Other Hillary Dead, Gas Getting Pricier

By Patrick Metzger

The Falconer report on violence in Toronto schools talks of a “culture of fear,” saying that many students bring weapons to school, and many crimes go unreported. Some of the basic recommendations to fix things include more social workers and after-school basketball, fewer suspensions, more diverse teaching staff, and gun-sniffing springer spaniels to roam the halls.
Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealander who was the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, has died at the age of 88. In spite of his historic climb and other accomplishments, including much time and money spent on conservation and helping the people of Nepal, Hillary described himself as “a man of modest abilities.” Celebrities sure were different back then.
Several people were injured when an Air Canada flight from Victoria to Calgary rolled and dropped without warning before making an emergency landing in Calgary. Early reports suggest that the pilots lost control of the plane when automated systems failed suddenly. Hopefully this isn’t the first salvo to be fired in the War of the Machines.
Economists at CIBC World Markets say that gas prices will soon hit $1.50 a litre. Best solution is to get all your driving out of the way now now so you won’t have to do it when it gets expensive.
The premiers of Ontario are accusing Stephen Harper of playing politics by linking a promised $1 billion in aid to passage of the government’s budget. A politician playing politics? Shocking!
Photo by fasheezee from the Torontoist Flickr Pool.