http://www.worldmeets.us/images/newtown-rio-flag_pic.jpg

A memorial to the dead of Newtown, Connecticut, at Copacabana

Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Dec. 15.

 

 

After Newtown Killings, Sport Must Takes a Back Seat to Healing (RDS, Canada)

 

"It is essential to consider, both individually and collectively, how to build a world that rejects and condemns this violence, and just as important, its promotion, whether direct or indirect. We must courageously absorb the sad lessons that this horrible act holds for us. We must be able to assert, and to promise the families of the victims, that their sacrifice is not in vain."

 

By Pierre Houde

                        http://media.legrandclub.rds.ca/images/userpics/avatars/414/313/414313.png?1295628350

 

Translated By Pierre Guittard

 

December 15, 2012

 

Canada - RDS - Original Article (French)

Visibly distraught, President Obama addresses the nation after America's latest gun massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. By asserting that something must be done to stem such attacks, the president somewhat forcefully reentered the debate about restricting firearms.

CBC NEWS VIDEO: Could This Be the Final Straw for Americans Sick of Violence?, Dec. 14, 00:48:05RealVideo

Watching the painful images from the latest killing spree to strike American unfold before our eyes, this time in Newtown, Connecticut, it is extremely hard to write this column. How can we give this less importance than the "evils" of Gary Bettman, the National Hockey League team owners, the players, and their representative Donald Fehr? The world right now is in shock, and it is extremely difficult to hold back the tears in the face of such madness. The American president best said what we all feel today: "Our hearts are broken!"

 

Since yesterday evening, I intended to share with you some thoughts on the future of the NHL, and the need for it to make great changes in its structure and management of personnel, and turn to leaders who are more flexible, passionate about the sport of hockey, creative about marketing, and finally, to base its business plan on the protection and promotion of what works, and not an obsession to save what doesn't. It is time for younger, more progressive owners, to take control.

 

A similar reflection is needed on the part of the players, who have chosen a representative and counselor from the old school, who thinks hard line confrontation is the only negotiating strategy. Is this the right person to maximize the benefits of profit sharing and the great partnership that both parties agreed to in 2005?

 

But we will return to that in greater detail in due course. I know our job is to describe and discuss the sport and provide statistical information, thoughts and opinion. But honestly, my friends, this really isn't the moment.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

 

The great changes we should all be thinking of now hold a much higher degree of importance. It is essential to consider, both individually and collectively, how to build a world that rejects and condemns this violence, and just as important, its promotion, whether direct or indirect. We must courageously absorb the sad lessons that this horrible act holds for us. We must be able to assert, and to promise the families of the victims, that their sacrifice is not in vain.

 

With the holiday season comes a lot of festivities, and on a human level, it is a wonderful opportunity for sharing and reconciliation. But for many, it can also be extremely painful. My partner Marc and I have had some extremely moving moments meeting the children at Ste-Justine on Monday. Other of our colleagues have served meals to people who too often fall into oblivion at the Old Brewery Mission.

 

For all of these people and their families, the approach of Christmas certainly doesn't mean the same thing, and they deserve to be in our thoughts if we cannot bring them comfort on a daily basis. The same applies to the parents and friends of those who fell under the bullets of a gunman at the school in Newtown. We must also pray for those who survived the massacre that one day they may find a certain balance, a certain serenity.

 

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:
La Jornada, Mexico: Newtown: Gun 'Barbarism' that Cannot be Removed by Legislation
The Tribune, India: U.S. Must Better Protect Sikhs, Other Religious 'Soft Targets'
IBN Live Video: Indian Sikhs React to Temple Slaughter in Wisconsin
Guardian, U.K.: Sikhs Say Attacks on Community are 'Collateral Damage' of 9/11
The Hindu, India: India seeks more security for religious places in U.S.
Elsevier, The Netherlands: How in the West and East, Mass Murderers are Bred
Liberation, France:America and Firearms: ‘How Many People Have to Die?’
Die Tageszeitung, Germany: The NRA: America's ‘Deadliest’ Lobby
Izvestia, Russia: Batman Shootings Elicit No Fear from Russia Film Execs
Khaleej Times, UAE: Colorado: ‘Big Brother’ U.S. Had Best Tend to its Own House
Saarbruecker Zeitung, Germany: Bloody Acts Like these ‘Cannot Be Prevented’
La Jornada, Mexico: 'Violence and Barbarism' in Retrograde United States
Berliner Morgenpost, Germany: Anders Breivik: Europe's Own Osama bin Laden
Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria: The Troubling Profile of a 'Bushian Terrorist'
DNA, France: Terrorism in Toulouse and the ‘Currency of Hate’
Sydsvenskan, Sweden: After September 11, We 'Lost What We Wanted to Defend'
Polityka, Poland: America in Anger's Clutches
Beijing Youth Daily, China: Making Sense of America's Right to Bear Arms
Frankfurter Rundschau, Germany: Virginia Tech One Year On: The 'Silent Scandal'
New Straits Times, Malaysia: Don't Just Blame Virginia Tech …
Kitabat, Iraq: 'Thank Allah the Virginia Killer Wasn't Muslim'
La Jornada, Mexico: Virginaa Tech: An American Tragedy
NRC Handlesblad, Netherlands: Americans Distrust State Monopoly on Violence
JoongAng Daily, South Korea: The Legacy of Cho Seung-hui: A Lesson to Koreans
The Korea Herald, South Korea: Koreans Feel Collective Guilt Over the Massacre
La Jornada, Mexico: Rejecting U.S. Drug War is Essential for Mexico's Survival
Xinjingbao, China: Information Society Triggered Massacre
China Daily, China: A Nation Cannot Be Tarred by a Single Killer
La Jornada, Mexico: The 'Paths of Death' Lead to Washington
La Jornada, Mexico: A Culture of Violence …
O Povo, Brazil: Virginia Tech: Sign of Our Wounded Civilization
Khaleej Times, UAE: Shooting Shows Something Ails America 'At its Core'

Al Watan Voice, Palestinian Territories: Fort Hood: 'Muslims Can't Be Trusted'

Dar Al Khaleej, UAE: America's 'Black Knights' and the Fort Hood Tragedy

Le Temps, Switzerland: 'Double Lesson' at Fort Hood

Khaleej Times, U.A.E. Fort Hood Shooting: 'Don't Pin It on Faith'

Hurriet, Turkey: Shooting at Fort Hood and the Role of Muslim Clerics

The Telegraph, U.K.: British Muslims Debate the Fort Hood Killer

 

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

 

blog comments powered by Disqus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by Worldmeets.US Dec. 15, 6:39pm]