Good Lord… I am OLD!

There are defining moments that happen in your life! Some are excellent and some are horrific. Some leave a warm glow and others well they cause nightmares – plain and simple.

Maybe you have had some too…

Remember your youthful graduations. Like the time you graduated from Public School Grade 8 to the High School Grade 9 – moving from the Little Kids School to the one where the Teenagers attend?

Maybe you remember the graduation from High School to College and University better?

Of maybe the one that the married folk will not forget… the day they walked down the aisle of a church and were married? That was some kind of special GRADUATION – wasn’t it?

There are those special moments when your life changes and you move on.

I would like to tell you about three of my own special moments… Two Good ones and One Bad one…. For which I am still adjusting…

First – I was 18 years old just about to graduate high school. I was down by the Lake in Regina, Saskatchewan – fishing on that warm afternoon. Down the shore from where I was standing was a younger boy of about 7 years old. He was casting his hook into the water the same as I was. His mother was sitting back away from her son reading. The son suddenly hooked into a fairly big fish… and was trying to get it a shore with great difficulty. I put my fishing rod down and went to help him. After a struggle of a few minutes he landed a 36 inch Northern Pike!

He dragged it up to his mother who was more than a little surprised. She asked, “How did you ever get that out of the water?!?”

The little guy replied, “This man helped me!” – pointing to me, Murray Lincoln the 18 year old… “A MAN” in the eyes of the 7 year old. Woah! The gentle pride swept over me – some one recognized me as a MAN!

Second – I was 30 years old and the brand new Pastor of the small congregation in Walkerton, Ontario. A new family had started attending the church. And at the moment I had arrived at their home to make a pastoral call… After knocking on the door it opened… and a little boy that was likely about 5 years old looked out. His mom called from inside the house, “Who is it honey?”

The little boy yelled back to his mom, “Mom there is a MAN at the door! Its for you.” Whoah – again the gentle pride – I am a Grown Up – a MAN at 30 years old!

Third – last night the BAD ONE took place. Hokey Mokey!

By a letter I was invited by my Doctor to attend a free Flu Clinic inoculation at his Medical Building. It was special for all the Seniors aged 65 years and over. So away I went… light hearted and ready to take part in this special day to protect my health. I parked the vehicle and walked up the hill to the Clinic with a bounce in my step. I am healthy and able to walk at least two miles each day, I ride my bike everywhere I can, and I am fit.

As I rounded the corner I realized that I was not the only one that would be attending tonight. There in front of me was the growing line of ‘walkers’ and ‘canes’ and stopped over ‘OLD PEOPLE’… shuffling along toward the door – a real SLOW RACE. It was like watching Caterpillars trying to be first. Old Men were shuffling faster than normal with Old Women tagging behind… then glancing back to see if she was coming on her walker.

I molded into the line and started the slow shuffle toward the waiting, beautiful young receptionist. There were 25 people ahead of me… man, woman, man, woman… the another man… then me… with NO woman. I was alone. My wife is TOO YOUNG TO BE INCLUDED in this Flu Shot Clinic!

Of the couple in front of me – the man turned to speak to me a complete stranger. The Old Guy was about 79 was my guess. He must have been thinking what I was thinking. He said, “My sister-in-law just moved here from Toronto. She was with us one day while we were shopping. She said, ‘I can’t believe it! Peterborough is a City of OLD PEOPLE!’ I looked at her and said – ‘Well now you are one of them!’ ”

My new unexpected friend looked at my through his wrinkles and waited for me to laugh at his story. I grinned kindly and gave a small, “Humph!” in agreement.

I was in total shock now… I was shuffling like the OLD PEOPLE – slowly toward the needle lady – young vibrant – alive… and smiling.

It was at that moment just before the needle lady called me forward… I realized to my absolute horror… “Good Lord… I am OLD!”

The needle lady greeted me kindly. “Have you had the flu shot before SIR?” “Yes..” I muttered. Her odd look told me that was suspicious of my state of mind.. and wondered if I was okay.

I wanted to scream out loudly – “I AM NOT OLD! I AM JUST HERE BECAUSE I TURNED 65 YEARS OLD and my Doctor said I needed to take advantage of this shot before I got sick… I AM NOT OLD!!!!”

I muttered my appreciation to the young lady that poked me… and shuffled out of that horrible place filled with Old People!

18 – 30 and 65 will never be forgotten. They were turning places in my life… when I became much, much, much OLDER!

BUT – Good Lord… I am NOT OLD!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com

Bill C25 changes –Stupid Politics and Important Non Issues

“Oh Canada…! Our home and native land…”

I write this morning to help my Canadian Friends living overseas. I would like to tell them what they are missing by living away from our country at this time.

Two things are happening at a rapid pace… 1.) The trees are changing colours and losing their leaves as the weather cools, 2.) The Canadian Politics are keeping the country in lot of hot air.

I can tell you that most Canadians enjoy the changing of the tree colour – but the other is… well… kind of stupid.

What you are missing now is a big flap over one party having photos of their elected party politician, as you remember we call them “MPs” or “Member of Parliament”, taken presenting super large checks to people and programs in their home communities. I say these are super large checks physically… usually about four feet in length. They are also large in that the amount on the check is usually into the hundreds of thousands – if not hundreds of millions – of dollars.

Local projects are getting money granted to them to do special projects in their communities. These projects are called “Infra Structure Projects” from what I can see so far. It is all happening to try to help the local economy be jump started and stay alive with this recession happening now.

The opposing political party, the Liberals, are all upset with the ruling Conservatives and the way that they are doing this particular round of presentations.

The Conservative MPs locally are preparing the huge check with their Party’s Logo on it… making it look like it is coming from the Conservative Account… or Bank.

Talk about stupid! The Liberals think that I think that this is coming from a “Politically Minded” group called the Conservative Party of Canada! Too funny…

Tada…! All Political Parties are Politically Minded! Now there is a Wednesday Morning Revelation – they all are PM!

It is stupid for the Liberals to try to work up Canadians about a NON IUSSUE. WE DUMB CANADIANS KNOW IT IS OUR OWN MONEY THAT THEY ARE GIVING US BACK AGAIN. And the stupid Liberals try to make it look like it is a Canadian Crisis on a magnitude of a Tsunami washing out from Ottawa – with the Conservatives giving us “their money”

Come on guys and gals… it is like “playing house” or “playing tea party” when we were young. It isn’t real… play along with your little sister or brother… it is make believe!

This kind of Stupid Liberals think that they can get me to think that what the Conservatives are doing is stupid… and in fact so stupid… that I will change my feelings toward the Stupid Liberals… from a kind of Stupid Conservative Party.

If the Liberals were smart they would not keep yelping about a non issue – but rather grab up the phony checks that have the Signature of the local Conservative MP on it… and cash it… at least try to cash it. Everyone of us other Canadians know darn well that we would be charged with FRAUD if we wrote these play checks. It happens every day… this is FRAUD and people could go to jail. The MPs that have pulled this stupid trick off could have their empty seat in Parliament.
But there is something far more serious going on now...
This ‘check fiasco’ is all fluff! And it is hiding something far more insidious. All of it is a huge smoke screen for something that is a real Tsunami coming from the Ottawa Thinkers… and most people have no idea what is going on.

The Bill C25 Tsunami is about to hit Canadians broadside. Actually it is better to say it is the amendments to this Bill C25 that will affect us deeply in ways we have little of no idea of.

The intent from what I can determine with Bill C25 amendments is to take away the privilege/opportunity of the man or woman charged with a crime of getting 2 for 1 days of time spent in jail while waiting for trial. Now an amendment to the amendment is being proposed by the Senate – and everyone is in a flap!

Canadians should be in a BIG FLAP!

I have read a huge amount of comments on this Bill C25 – many are listed below as Links.

The most balanced and clearest explanation comes from Heather Scoffield – The Canadian Press, October 20, 2009 in the Hamilton Spectator… I quote…
"The real story here is, do you think criminals should actually be spending time in jail for the offences they commit, or do you think they should be let out early on whatever excuse you can come up with?"

Faced with accusations of being soft on crime, opposition MPs did not block C-25 in the House of Commons. But senators say they want to have a better idea of the cost as well as the practical effects of the bill.

"We, as legislators, are requested to accept this bill without the proper figures and without understanding its impact," said Liberal Senator Serge Joyal at a recent committee hearing.

"You will understand that it is difficult for us to move on with this."

C-25 is now stalled in the Senate as Liberal senators, who dominate the upper house, question its effectiveness. They've proposed significant amendments, and could decide this week to send the bill back to the Commons.

The added costs stem from the fact the measures would likely extend the length of time many prisoners spend in the corrections system, and would also push hundreds of prisoners from provincial institutions into federal institutions.

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, and now Van Loan, have said repeatedly that the corrections system has enough capacity to handle the influx. But Don Head, commissioner of Correctional Services Canada, told the Senate committee examining the bill that the number of prisoners will definitely rise, and will require an expansion of accommodation.
End Quote…

If this change happens there will be big costs involved in Canada. More prisons will have to be constructed, more renovations to present facilities, more beds for more people will be needed in an already crowded and aging prison system.

Now add to that the need to keep men in prison longer because of other proposed changes to the potential release of convicts earlier… due to a change in the “faint hope” clause… and other possible changes to parole eligibility when getting out…(take a breath here) IT WILL COST A FORTUNE – not a small fortune but rather a HUGE FORTUNE.

Sadly it will not help one man get better or be better upon his release. It will make a lot more angry and more dangerous. It could keep a lot more inside a lot longer – and as they age the costs will sky rocket!

If you think that the Political Funny stuff going on with the Phony Checks and Grinning MPs writing fraudulent checks signing their own names to it… is stupid… you have no idea how stupid things can get. Just wait.

The Liberals are backing away from this one… afraid that they will be looking like they are soft on crime. The Conservatives are not backing down no matter how much it costs because they believe certain supporters that give buckets of money to their war chest will not give anymore.

Now that is really stupid!

Personally I know what it is like inside of prison. I know how crowded the facilities are. I know the tremendous effort that CSC personnel put into the work that they do.

I am guessing here that very few of the Controlling Political Folk have ever stepped inside of a Prison. Most only know someone that has either worked there or have maybe heard a terrible story about the place.

And the part that no one has considered at all… are you ready…? Which Canadian will allow a new prison to be constructed in their back yard? After all we as Canadians are the originators of the NIMBY attitude!

Now… Canadians overseas… enjoy the warm days you have been getting every day… enjoy the freedom and the lack of Canadian News… You folk don’t know what you are missing – or maybe you are glad that you are missing it all!?!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
Party Logos on Funny Checks
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Party+logos+cheques+undermine+faith+government/2126825/story.html

Bill C25
http://www.prisonjustice.ca/starkravenarticles/2_for_1_credit_0409.html

Bill C25 Explanation – Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/article/656695

Bill C25 – origins 2008
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Sites/LOP/LegislativeSummaries/Bills_ls.asp?lang=E&ls=c25&source=library_prb&Parl=39&Ses=2
http://www.fintrac.gc.ca/publications/nr/Bg2007-10-25-eng.asp

Bill C25 now – amendments
http://larrycampbell.ca/blog/?p=44

Opinions and Reports
http://www.xtra.ca/blog/ottawa/?tag=/bill+c-25
http://www.gov.sk.ca/news?newsId=6c4b7e03-b5e0-4365-a7fc-1e2aa40d92c6

Colton Harris-Moore is Western Washington's new Jesse James

People are funny… actually ridiculous… That is my analysis this morning! Maybe it is better to say – ‘They are nuts!’

Huckleberry Finn… Barefoot Bandit… Amateur Pilot… and maybe even Cult hero…

These words have all been used to describe Colton Harris-Moore… the 18 year old bad kid that is terrorizing Washington State – and maybe even parts of BC.

Now there is a FaceBook Fan Club that comments on what Colt is doing, what he has got a way with and the fact that he has a following that idolizes him.

He has been in trouble since he was 12 years old. He has already faced courts and experienced early prison time in Youth Facilities.

Colt could well be one of the many teens in our city that you can see any Youth Court Day in our local judicial system. I see “Colt” kind of guys there often.

I think, from what I have read about this kid so far, he is a loner with an attitude. He has little respect for other people’s property and safety. He has a huge problem with his family up bringing… with parents that could or would do anything to help him.

Now just the short few clips that I have witnessed on TV I would say that his mother is not the most sociable person. In one case she spoke to the camera and all you were allowed to see were her swollen knees – or the back of her head. In another clip she was threatening the camera people and reporter to leave her alone.

Yep – Colt will be in trouble when he gets home. You don’t mess around this way and get your Momma on TV – and not pay of it.

My guess is that little Colt was beaten often as he grew up. Daddy did it, Momma did and so did different boyfriends over the years.

The FaceBook Fan Club makes the following statement of Colton
“Colton Harris-Moore is Western Washington's new Jesse James (without the murders). Without a doubt one of the greatest and most notable outlaws to come from an otherwise boring area. Some of his greatest achievements include the Kamikaze theft and crash landing of 3 airplanes (with no flight training) as well as commandeering a couple boats. Let's hope that he remains healthy, free and at large for a long time! Fly Colton, Fly”

There are 6,618 fans on the FaceBook Site when I checked this morning.

The T-Shirt that they have made states, “Momma Tried” – with screened photo of Colton and his name.

Now isn’t that cute. Momma tried…

Like a I said earlier…
“People are funny… actually ridiculous… That is my analysis this morning! Maybe it is better to say – ‘They are nuts!’”

Now if you came out to your dock and found your $12000 boat gone… and then later had the police call you because they found the boat smashed on the rocks… What would you think?

If you had the Police call and ask if you owned an aircraft with a certain number on it… what would you think when they told you it had been crash landed on a remote part of the state? I mean what would your gut reaction be?

If you are the target of this idiot – you will not think of him as a Cult Hero.

Now add 10 more years to his life… and let him do a few hundred more thefts and progress further down the criminal activity list… with a whole lot bigger Rap Sheet… and you will be among the thousands that Colt has hurt.

You see with every crime – there is a victim. Could be you or me… or maybe the older couple down the block… COLT HAS VICTIMS… lots of them.

He is not Huckleberry Finn… or anything else. He is one bad dude with little or no control over his life.

I can walk you through a prison in Canada and let you meet the guys that live there long term. They are “Colt” later in life. And he will be there.

The scary part is that 6,618 people idolize this… think highly of him… and may well be messing at the edge as well.

I am concerned. I am concerned that this is now a media circus. They have made the kid famous.

Last week another family was in the center stage for a few days… remember the little Balloon Boy… and the angry daddy with the tether being let go… and the confession of the impish little boy that told about the show… One Lie after another…

They no sooner came apart at the seams… when Colton’s story has been on and on and on…

I think the Media needs to be charged as well… after they catch Colton… and they need to pay big time.

People are funny… actually ridiculous… That is my analysis this morning! Maybe it is better to say – ‘They are nuts!’

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.coltonharrismoorefanclub.com/
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/wanted-man-is-a-barefoot-burglar-amateur-pilot-and-cult-hero/article1317792/

Carlo Pietro Giovanni Guglielmo Tebaldo Ponzi

Last week I had the opportunity to see the Second Largest Re-Store in Canada – in Bracebridge, Ontario. It is amazing to say the least!

Re-Store for people who may not know is a place where people can drop off products for free… and then the store sells the products at a higher price – making a reasonable profit on the turn over. They then pace the profits back into the Habitat For Humanity projects locally. They have realized that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. But unlike an antique store or any other kind of store – they pay nothing for what they take in – and then sell it a gigantic increase.

I bought about six old boards for $5 – that cost Re-Store nothing. I can use them so I bought them.

While I was in this huge store I saw that they had accumulated hundreds of antiques of all sorts. There are oodles of bath tubs, old trunks and hundreds of small antique items that simply blow your mind.

This is not an Antique Marketers market. Few people looking for Antiques will go into this kind of store. This store appeals to the ‘grunt and scratch’ crowd looking for old doors, kitchen sinks etc.

It was a revelation moment as I looked into the store with it vast size and huge stock of valuable stuff.

The old trunk was selling for less than $10. I saw an exact same trunk in the Beaches area of Toronto for $950 !!!! No kidding! That is a $940 profit margin. Even if I pay for a truck rental – it is a bargain and huge profit of over $800 at least.

Now I need ‘investors’ in this new business that I am setting up. YES! I did launch the business in a heart beat… it was too easy!

The investors will be able to place their “investment” into the “Lincoln Bracebridge Toronto Portage” (LBTP)business. With these huge profits that I will get from buying super low in the Re-Store in Bracebridge and then taking it to the businesses in the Beaches area of Toronto… I can pay them at least 50% on their investment in 45 days. And if they allow me the privilege to use their money for 90 days I will pay them 100%.

The math is simple. They put in $5000 now and in 90 days they will get back $5000. Should they leave it in their account with me for additional 45 days their initial $5000 will become $12,500. And of course if they are willing to invest further – or simply re-invest their initial $5000 into the Gold Level of ‘LBTP’ their rewards are almost unlimited. This simple $5000 will not take long to be close to One Million Dollars!!!

Now when they bring a Friend into the ‘LBTP’ fold – they will also receive an additional 5% on that friend’s initial investment. And if their friends invests – the first investor will get another 4%... all the way along they will continue to receive more percentages back.

It will be easy to pay out the money as the profits that the ‘LBTP’ is making a whopping percentage on each item it buys and sells.

The investment money makes it all possible and the investors are well paid. Their money is GUARANTEED! Their investment is protected by the ‘LBTP’ secure division working out of the Old Bible College in the rented space in Peterborough.

Think of how much money can be pout back in worthwhile charities and even to your own church!

I never realized how fast the name Murray Lincoln can be known and the fact that Murray Lincoln has a “Reverend” in front of it makes it that much more valuable. People that are my friends will simply invest because I say it is good.

Since developing the plan and setting all the necessary paper work in place – there has been over $25,000 already made available! This week will be a good one with another $125,000 promised from three older folks that heard about what is happening from one of their friends… who a younger person that I originally spoke to. Wow – the potential!

Now in two weeks I will have my hands on $150,000 and never even bought one trunk, or rented one truck… or have any idea if anyone in Toronto will buy one. There needs to be no evidence at all… just a promise to make your money grow.

Double WOW! And Hokey Mokey this was too easy! I will be able to pay off my house in a few years time – maybe even a couple of months.

Okay… okay… hold on… NO I haven’t yet started the company. I have no more than a pipe dream as to how easy it is to dupe good people.

The Mainse brothers, famous because of their Dad’s TV Ministry were sucked in just like I have described. Just before last weekend their confession was well placed in advance to the TV Ministries Fund Raising series that began today.

It was stressed over and over again that NO MINISTRY MONEY – or CONTRIBUTIONS were involved in the PONZI SCHEME that Ron and Reynolds got caught in for these past few years.

Am I suspicious – yes I am? How can anyone stay in a program that lasts for over two years and NOT KNOW that a scam is going down? How come no one asked some simple questions? Was money really more important than ethics and morality? Where is a simple thing called – “Conscience”? I mean didn’t God have something to say in this situation? Where was God for over two years of living? Most of this took place INSIDE A CHURCH WORLD… come on!?!

I mean some of the readers of my opening ‘LBTP Business Plan’ and its description had picked up on the ruse right away. But another part of this Readership were already praising God and looking up my number.

DUMB – DUMB – DUMB!

I took some time and read at length how easy “Carlo Pietro Giovanni Guglielmo Tebaldo Ponzi” developed his multi-million dollar scheme. Most of it happened in Canada and Boston… but it went around the world.

One thing I read about Ponzi stated that at one time his high point of money being giving to him was at $3 Million in a few hours!

A statement that he was credited with saying reads…
"Even if they never got anything for it, it was cheap at that price. Without malice aforethought I had given them the best show that was ever staged in their territory since the landing of the Pilgrims! It was easily worth fifteen million bucks to watch me put the thing over."

Mr. Ponzi never invested more than $30 in the original scam/scheme… but received Millions of Dollars – which were really tossed at him begging him to take so they could make money on their money!

Mr. Ponzi was born March 3, 1882 and died a poor man on January 18, 1949 – a long ways from home and alone.

Yet today there are as many Ponzi like schemes going as every before… because there are people that are just dieing to give their money away.

Now coming back to my original idea…
Is there someone out there that would be willing to let me use their name? I will give you about 50% in the first two weeks… better than the 45 days that others get. I will guarantee that you will make BIG MONEY. You see I have a problem with my name as it is out there now… and well my wife gets a little antsy about me doing stuff with our money….

Now I don’t want your money – just your name…. as long as it’s not Ponzi…

Please read the Ponzi info below… these are GREAT.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com

Source:
Ponzi Scheme – Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme
Ponzi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi
Avoiding the Ponzi Scheme
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/avoid+getting+trapped+Ponzi+scheme/2079920/story.html

The Glory of the Ontario Fall Colours in the Countryside

God knew I needed to see Him in the last few weeks. He showed me his glory in the countryside around me. Over the weeks I have been collecting these photos to help remember what has happened with the magnificent display that he has provided.

There are a few shots and my new video… enjoy!

I dedicate this display first to my Uncles and Aunts. Ben and Joyce Kirkpatrick are number one on that list. Ben wondered when it would be good to come to Ontario and see the Fall Colours. This fall was not so good for him in that he has just undergone hip surgery and is in recovery mode now.

Then it is also for my Uncle Howard & Aunt Marg, Uncle Irving & Aunt Peg – all special people in our family and to my Mom. And I can’t forget Aunt Annie…!

For these special people – and their dozens of kids and grand kids I dedicate these photos today.

Then there are my friends in India that read this Blog, my friends in all parts of Africa, many parts of China, some parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, a number of parts of Australia, and many places in Europe from Russia down to Italy…. And every corner of North America and many parts of South America…

I can’t forget Wendy, Ernie, Brenda, Winston, Marion, Terry and hundreds of close friends… this video is for you!

These colours are for all of you! May you be blessed and love these photos as much as I do.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/
Video can also be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9oWyYo-VKk

Discovering the Children’s Memorial in Gravenhurst, Ontario

As we stepped up on the stairs leading up the rock protrusion we had no idea of the treat that we were to encounter. Each step took us away from the world of busy.

For a few days this week my wife and I spent time away from the other life. Through a neat set of circumstances we were able to stay at the brand new Marriott Residence Inn which is situated on the beautiful Lake Muskoka. Talk about luxury!

This particular morning we had walked out from our hotel and crossed the parking lot arriving at the side of the large rock outcropping that protrudes into Lake Muskoka. The colour of the leaves was so beautiful that we just had to go see it closer.

The path led us upward gradually over the gigantic rock surface. You will have no idea how big rocks are until you step into the Muskokas. The back of this giant rock pointed us to the first Gazebo that we discovered about a city block away. There it was perched alone to allow a perfect view of the world below. Amazing!

In front of us, to the left of us and to the right also was Lake Muskoka. To the right further is the famous old Muskoka Warf that has thrilled people with its beauty for well over 100 years or more.

It was while standing in the first Gazebo that I spotted the second one which was a little further down and to the right – closer to the toe of the big rock and the water. The path on the right led us to this new site.

The words above the path entrance on the wooden sign were powerful, “Pathway of Memories – We have a dream – Our children remembered forever”. We walked on.

Arriving in the second Gazebo we looked around. It was then that we spotted the reason for it and everything fell into place. NO ONE TOLD US ABOUT THIS PLACE – A COMPLETE DISCOVERY!

There on the rafters were dozens of small plaques each with the name, birth date and passing date of someone’s child.

The sun shone on us as we read the names. The glorious colours of the Fall Leaves bathed us in their beauty. Just below the Children’s Memorial was the toe of the giant rock with the gentle waves lapping at its face.

The peace that I felt at that moment mixed with the thoughts of all the children that once perhaps played in this community, the loss that their parents must have felt and still do feel… was overwhelming – to say the least.

I am still sorting through the many feelings today.

If you have the time some day, are blessed with the opportunity and simply tell yourself – “I want to go there…!” Just do it! You will not be disappointed.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.gravenhurst.ca/residents/community-dedication-programs
http://www.ggra.ca/page15.htm
http://www.ggra.ca/index.htm

Ashley Smith Died – The Saddest Story I have ever heard

“Ashley Smith was found unconscious on Oct. 19, 2007, in her segregation cell at the Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ont., and later died in hospital of what police have described as "self-initiated asphyxiation." ” ~ Reported June 24, 2008 by Prisonjustice.ca

Ashley was 19 years old and lived her last moments in the Women’s Prison. She began her journey toward the end in March 2003 at the age of 16 (and before). The OCI Reports states… Quote…
“Smith began displaying challenging behaviours at an early age. As such, her family sought help from local and provincial social service agencies. She was eventually admitted to a diagnostic and treatment facility in March 2003, however, she was discharged due to her unruly behaviour.” ~ End Quote

The family could not help her so they sought professional help. They couldn’t help her so they passed her off. Her personal reactions and actions to what was happening around her was to act out – and lash out. All of this is taking place in her native New Brunswick. Again the OCI Report states… Quote..
“Ms. Smith was repeatedly called before the Juvenile Courts, and was eventually given a closed custody sentence to the New Brunswick Youth Centre (NBYC) in December 2003. While at NBYC, Ms. Smith incurred 50 additional criminal charges, many of which were related to her response to incidents in which correctional or health professionals were attempting to prevent or stop her self-harming behaviours. She spent extensive periods of time isolated in the Therapeutic Quiet Unit (i.e., segregation) at that facility.” ~ end Quote

9 Months after she was first looked at professionally she had incurred 50 Criminal Charges. Remember she is only 16. She was trying to harm herself… and the authorities then responded by attempting to stop her – she lashed out to hurt them – then she was charged.

This is all happening at Provincial Levels – at Youth Levels of justice issues. No one knows what the family is going through… and nothing can be reported.

The OCI continues… Quote..
“January 2006, still on segregation status at the youth facility, Ms. Smith turned 18 years of age. This meant that any criminal conviction she incurred from that point forward would result in an adult sentence. Unfortunately, Ms. Smith's challenging behaviours continued and she found herself once again in criminal court in October 2006 for offences committed against custodial staff. The presiding judge gave Ms. Smith an adult custodial sentence for the new offences.

Following this, an application was made to have the youth custodial sentences that Ms. Smith was already serving treated as if they were adult custodial sentences. This application was successful, resulting in all of Ms. Smith's sentences being merged into one adult prison term. Because the merged adult sentence was more than two years, Ms. Smith was transferred to Nova Institution for Women - a federal penitentiary - on October 31, 2006.” ~ end Quote

She then was transferred across Canada to different Institutions to try to “help” her.

In just under one year later – 14 days shy of it – she is dead.

The tragic circumstances of her death were that Prison Guards/Staff stood and watched approach her death after she wrapped a “ligature” around her own neck. One ‘verbal report’ that was passed my way stated the management told its staff to not intervene until she stopped breathing. I am supposing here that they felt that she had done this so often that letting her continue further would simply teach her a lesson. Maybe she would stop… and… she certainly did.

When I heard that I cringed. It made me sick to my stomach. How could anyone do such a thing to another human being!?

Prison Staff – 4 of them – were charged by the police. I think charges were later dropped. But a number of Prison Staff lost their jobs and others were disciplined for this terrible ‘non-intervention’.

At some point between the beginning at March 2003 and the end at October 17, 2007 – there must have been someone that saw that this girl had some major mental problems? There must have been some one that cared enough to do something differently?

But what did happen is that she was charged over and over again – for hurting the staff member that tried to stop her from hurting herself.

Laying charges against someone that is in some form of mental distress doesn’t work. To do that the authority is assuming that there is a rational person in front of them. Then to pass the person on and on and on to different and new people – while the mental crisis is growing worse and worse… is stupid!

I can only imagine the toil this has taken on hundreds of staff members since that March 2003. Then finally on the staff that attended the final moments of Ashley’s life. None of them will ever be the same.

It is 2 years ago – tomorrow that Ashley died in that segregation cell with the staff watching.

The photo that appears above is taken from The Star web story. (The web site made my computer anti-virus go crazy so I have not shown where it came from – some group in the USA was ‘phishing’ on this site).

I would like you to look at Ashley’s face a few times. I would also ask you to pray for her parents(and family) through all of this. Tomorrow will be a terrible day for everyone to remember. In fact it would be really wise for all of us to think of Ashley Smith tomorrow with the hopes that it will never happen again – NEVER EVER AGAIN!

A law suit has been launched against the authorities for $11 Million. Personally I doubt that if it was a law suit of $250 Million or even a $1 Billion that it would make a difference at all.

Money will not fix this system. But Ashley Smith’s story might. Ashley may have accomplished more in that last terrible act – than anyone will ever know. Maybe the next Ashley will not suffer again.

WARNING – the Link to the OCI report below takes you to a 12,000+ word report. You need to time to digest it. It is published so everyone in the world will know that they have thoroughly looked into the matter and revealed all that they have found.

All of the Links below are worth reading carefully – in memory of Ashley.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
The Report from the Office of the Correctional Invesitgator
http://www.oci-bec.gc.ca/rpt/oth-aut/oth-aut20080620-eng.aspx
Ashley Smith stories
http://www.prisonjustice.ca/starkravenarticles/ashley_smith_CI_0708.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/10/08/nb-ashley-smith-family-lawsuit-1107.html
http://ashley-smith-news.newslib.com/
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/03/04/smith-family.html

In another direction…
The following Poem is written by a person by the same name. I found it at http://www.helium.com/items/371647-poetry-dark-poems I have no idea who this Ashley is – but it has touched me deeply… as it describes so well the other Ashley’s life…

~My Reflection~ by Ashley Smith

There's a reflection in my mirror, of a girl who's silently crying.

She appears to be so happy, but inside, her soul is dying.

She walks around unhappily, and hides her feelings deep,

But then, when she goes home at night, she cries herself to sleep.

Dreaming of things that will never be, but it still keeps her believing.

No one knows that what she dreams, is what keeps her here and breathing.

But at least she has a little hope, that’s still within her grasp,

But no one knows how long that little hope will really last.

It's her one and only happy thought, that stays within her mind.

Her reassurance that one day, maybe everything will be fine.

With no more long unhappy days, or smiles she had to fake.

No more masks she had to wear, or insults she had to take.

No more nights of endless crying, till she had no tears left to cry.

Or days when she would feel so worthless, all she wanted was to die.

A day when she'd no longer worry, and could live her life without pain,

She hopes that one day this will be, and things will finally change.