Theme:– Operation C.R.U.S.H. Against Gun Violence, Bias and Clouded Vision

The city of Toronto has been dealing with the rocky road of Mayor Rob Ford. He’s had embarrassing incidents that have become public over the past year. After another such situation appeared in the press many believe he needs to go. Ford announced he’s taking a leave of absence to deal with alcohol abuse.

Ford‘s been battling this over the years and plans to take a timeout. It seems he’s ready to come to his senses. This is not something that’s easy to do as a public official. That might help explain why some of them wrestle with handling violence, sex assault, bias and mental illness in our schools and city streets.

Debates rage-on as the tragedies pile-up. At times it seems the struggle is a love affair with the Second Amendment’s “right to bear arms.” Other times the issues are viewed in strictly racial terms. Well, a miss-placed love affair or skewed racial views are both bad for a person’s (country’s) health and well-being.

Should some laws go through detox? This means looking at other parts of society to do what works. So, a teenage driver goes through a year of training before getting a conditional license. With a doctor, lawyer, preacher or police even longer times. But with weapon purchases by citizens, there’s little or no training.

Earlier this year Ford announced his campaign for another term. He’d been stripped of much of his duties even before the latest reports of substance abuse. He hopes to bounce back from detox as a brand new man. Maybe the same can be true in cities and schools if we deal with related matters of public safety.

Footnote: If Yogi Berra were asked about some of the challenges in sports, schools or on city streets he might say “if nothing changes, then nothing changes, else nothing changes.”