Go to article index for other editions of Bob Orrick's IN RE (In the Matter of).
The World of Genius
By
Bob Orrick
According to the Gage Canadian Dictionary genius means: a very great natural power of mind; genius is shown by extraordinary ability to think, invent, or create; a person having such power.
The Oxford English Reference Dictionary states: an exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability or tendency; a person having this.
Several other dictionaries - all close at hand - define 'genius' in similar manner.
This website - Canadian Senior Years - is filled with articles that show genius on the part of their authors. Each article shows evidence of an ability to think, to invent or to create. All articles are worthy of the authors' expertise and are recommended reading. The list runs the gamut from serious to humorous and includes insight into how a U.S. senior couple spend their time being 'frisky'; to a sixty-five-year-old London, Ontario lady who regularly mounts her 'soapbox' to expound on something important to all seniors; to a youngster [eighty-three years old] from 'down under' who found life does begin at eighty, particularly when hooked up to a computer; to a Canadian black belt holder who endorses the wisdom of being fit through martial arts and self-defence; to professional gardeners who love to dig in the dirt; to an American woman who writes on topics of general interest; to a young Canadian 'stay-at-home-mum' of three young girls with words of wisdom in the financial field; to an Okanagan, British Columbia-based consultant whom readers [viewers?] can "Talk Back" to. The site contains many more interesting articles each worth the visit.
One article that caught my eye recently was Ontario's Road Watch Program. The article centred on death and destruction that has been prominent on Ontario's highways and byways. When officialdom, coaxed by public concern, realised enough was enough, a plan of action was instituted. The plan, simple in nature but extensive in practice, "empowers motorists to report aggressive drivers" by filling out a report entitled "The Citizen Report Form." Completed forms are deposited in a secure drop box. The complainant's name remains anonymous. Police identify the 'aggressive driver' who receives an informational letter signed by a representative of the local constabulary. If the aggressive driver does not heed the informational letter and is reported a second time, a policeman will place a follow-up telephone call. Should police receive a third complaint, the aggressive driver will receive a personal visit by a policeman. The option of laying a charge rests with the visiting policeman.
On the surface, the system appears to be worthwhile; however, I would opt for a more stringent approach with a less 'naughty, naughty' attitude being taken by the authorities. In my book, one strike and you are out. After an aggressive driver has had a second or third complaint registered against them and has killed or seriously, permanently injured an innocent person, it is too late to say, "Gosh, you really are a naughty motorist." The time to stop the carnage is before it has begun; and the time to begin is at the beginning. One complaint and the 'naughty motorist' would have his or her driver's licence confiscated, the vehicle would be impounded to be sold off at public auction, and the culprit forbidden to drive anywhere in Canada for no less than five years. The proceeds from the auction would go to cover the cost of enforcing the programme and to compensate the victim[s] if any. Tough love, as most parents know, is tough but necessary to curb a disturbing habit from becoming deeply entrenched. Tough love begins at home regardless of how old the driver is at the time of the offence. Let's return the streets to the people and take them away from the lunatics who hold driver's licences.
Had Ontario's Road Watch Program not been included in Canadian Senior Years website, it would not have been seen and commented on in this space.
Check out the site, fully. The time needed will be returned many times over by the laughs, insight, common sense, 'tsking', and serious thought that follows the journey into the wonderful world of genius.
Enjoy the read and a tip of the hat to the half of the world who claim to be Irish and to the other half who wish they were.
Bob Orrick is a private tutor of English grammar, literature, poetry and Canadian history to off-shore youngsters. His pupils hail from such places as Taiwan, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Venezuela. He was previously in international marketing, was a ministerial assistant to a provincial cabinet minister, spent a few years as a reporter then editor of a community newspaper and enjoyed a career in the Royal Canadian Navy.
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