Armstrong's Horrific Halloween Murder

A truly devastating event occurred on Halloween night, a night normally known as joyous sweet treat filled, in a tight knit, quaint, little city named Armstrong. Taylor Van-Diest, an 18 year old graduate was found unconscious near the train tacks of Armstrong, on Halloween night. The murderer or the innocent teen has yet to be found and thirty investigators at this very moment are trying to find out who may have taken this teen's life. Concern was becoming greater about the teen's whereabouts and safety after she had stopped responding to texts and had failed to meet a friend to go trick or treating at 7:30. Later her lost cell phone was found near the train tracks and the strangers that had found it called her parents. From there the police found where Taylor was by tracking down the cell phone signal. Taylor was found near by in the bushes near the train tracks, still alive, but badly beaten and injured. Unfortunately, the teen later died in the hospital due to head injuries Monday night. The teen was known as a quiet, smart, sweet, and cheery girl. Her cousin Erica Mihalcheon said that "[She had] seen no reason that anyone would attack her." The people of Armstrong are shocked and horrified at this event. Unfortunately, there have been a numerous amount of deaths in Armstrong around the same time, and each time the community of Armstrong has come together to support one another through these saddening events. The Mayor of Armstrong had said that “The people rallied around the family during that tragedy and I’m sure they’ll rally around the family this time."

I find this an extraordinarily shocking event. The death of an innocent girl is very disturbing, but what affects me the most is how surreal it is knowing that I was in the same position as her. We were both graduating, heading on to University, College, and such, moving on with our lives and starting a new chapter. However, Taylor's book was cut abruptly short. It also disturbs me that something like this can happen almost anywhere, and that this could even happen to me if I'm not careful. It seems that Taylor took all the steps for being safe: she went out earlier at night instead of later, had her phone on her and checking in with both her mom and her aunt at the time, and was meeting up with her friend to go trick or treating, something so harmless. However the unfortunate events still occurred. I try to take every precaution to be safe and make sure I don't end up in harmful situations like Taylor's, but even with all of my precautions, it seems like it still may not be enough. There have been so many deaths recently in such a small town as Armstrong, and it's sad that yet another death has occurred. The town was still recovering from a death of another teen in September due to a workplace accident, and now they even have more weight on their shoulders because of this. The town of Armstrong is frightened by the recent events, and if I lived in Armstrong, I know I would be frightened too.

(Taylor Van-Diest)

SOURCE: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Armstrong+community+shock+after+teen+girl+dies+Halloween+night/5639561/story.html

By Susan Lazaruk and Ian Austin

Germany Admits Gross Errors after Neo-Nazi Killing Spree

Admitted on Monday, November 14, the German government had made gross errors in the security services when dealing with farther-right terrorists. Errors specifically made in the 1998 neo-Nazi case dealing with Beate Zschaepe, Uwe Boehnhardt, and Uwe Mundlos (all seen below in that order). This case involved the three guilty of committing murder of nine shopkeepers. It is said that mainly all of the shopkeepers murdered were of Turkish origin. Further questioning of the nine murders has been brought up after a discovery of a pistol was used in the nine murders and that investigators were trying to learn if a larger militant network has escaped their notice. Hans-Peter Friedrich told the daily Bild that “It is deeply troubling that there was no connection made between the murder series across Germany and the far-right scene in Thuringia." These murders have been disturbingly called the “kebab murders” because many of the victims ran snack shops. Bild also disturbingly reported that the killers had shot many of their victims in the face at point-blank range and even recorded and filmed their victims murdered and bloodied bodies as trophies. Uwe Boehnhardt and Uwe Mundlos were later found torched to death in a caravan in an apparent suicide. Wanted for questioning over an armed robbery in Jena, Beate Zschaepe had turned herself in afterwards after blowing up a rented flat in nearby Zwickau.

I find this whole case hard to believe. I firstly find it hard to believe that one would have such opinions and beliefs that were so discriminating, that they would take it as far as to commit many murders and torture those who were related to the victims with their deaths. I truthfully find all opinions and views of Nazi’s quite hard to believe. There is never such a thing as a perfect world, and I don’t think someone should take the idea of a ‘perfect world” so far that they would kill innocent people to achieve this. There may not be such a thing as a perfect world, but my definition of this is much different than those of a Nazi’s. I believe that a perfect world includes non-violent acts of others getting along in harmony, and setting aside their differences for each other and for peace. I believe a perfect world is a multi cultural world where no one is judged base on their origin, religion, sex, sexuality, or disabilities. I find the actions of all Nazis, including those depicted in this story cruel and irrational to a point where I find these actions so horrifying, that it is hard to believe of their existence. I find Beate Zschaepe, Uwe Boehnhardt, and Uwe Mundlos disgusting individuals. I find it even more disgusting that Zschaepe would not care about her actions to such a point where she would ask or even think about making a deal for a lesser sentence, if she gives a full confessional. Through confessional, Zschaepe might confess to many more murders or cruel and unusual acts, but these acts cannot be punished with her sentence being reduced.  I believe that she fully does not care about her committed actions and should be put away for the rest of her life. I do not believe that she is rightfully fit for society and should be put away for along time. With the case being brought up again for questioning, I hope that Zschaepe is put away for a much longer time with the possible event for more convictions being assessed.

SOURCE: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Nazi+love+triangle+suspected+German+murder+spree/5707245/story.html

AFP

Son of Lions Head trainer Dies in Car Wreck

A tragic event happened on Saturday night, November 12, in Langley, where Dylan Reichelt died from a car crash. Dylan was the teenage son of the B.C Lions head trainer, Bill Reichelt. The members of the B.C Lions Club are all mourning the loss of Dylan Reichelt. Two cars were in the accident crashed separately at the scene. Police have said that a BMW went off the road to the right at about 9:30 pm. The BMW had hit a tree and finally came to rest against a second tree hit, at this point killing Dylan Reichelt. The second vehicle, a Mazda, was traveling with the BMW and had gone off the road to the left and had crashed into a hedge. Only the occupants in the BMW had been injured. The two drivers of the cars and another passenger were not seriously injured. It is known that all four of the individuals in the two cars, including Dylan, were friends. It is believed that alcohol was not a factor in this accident, but instead poor weather and speed may have contributed to this crash. B.C Lions spokesman Jamie Cartmell had said that “The Reichelt family thanks those who are supporting them during this difficult period and ask their privacy be respected at this time.”

My opinion about the situation is very limited to the fact that it is a very simple case of accidental death while driving. My main opinion of this story is more that I question the reasoning of the accident and how it may have occurred. I of course fully believe that the conditions of the weather were a main factor in the accidental death. However something does lead me to believe that there was alcohol or other drugs related with the accident. The drivers both swerved into two separate directions quite severely to the sides. The weather may have been bad, but not bad enough to make both cars swerve such severely to cause death. However there must've been a breathalyzer test or other drug tests to see if any of the individuals were under the influence, and seeing as nothing came up in these tests, it is hard to believe this. It is still easy to question the actions of the accident, even though there is a good possibility of the tests being used after the accident. So because of this, I more believe that the accident may have occurred from distractions or other obstacles from making both drivers swerve. Both drivers swerved closely together so it makes me believe that their causes of the accidents would have been related as well.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun, Monday, November 14 A3

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Lions+trainer+Bill+Reichelt+killed+Langley+crash/5704112/story.html

By Gordon Hoekstra, Vancouver Sun

Troops Return Slums to the State

With helicopters and armored vehicles at the ready, three thousand troops occupied Rio de Janerio’s largest slum, Rochina, to seize drug gangs and bring security to the area. This occupation is a notable crucial step in the preparations for the 2014 Fifa World cup and the 2016 Olympics. Troops before have occupied many slums before in the past couple years, but none as notable as Rochina. The occupation of the area was declared a success just two hours after the occupation had begun at 4 am. No resistance was made, but one person detained; the operation was considered a smooth process. Residents were clearly happy and ready to embrace the new differences and have more secure living conditions. Sergio Pimental had much to say about the occupation, “Let’s hope for the best, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done…We need basic sanitation, health, education. They have not come in with everything, not just the police.” Rochina is often known as the largest slum in Latin America and is also known as the main drug distribution point in Brazil’s second largest cities. In the process of the occupation of Rio de Janerio’s largest slum, police were able to capture many well known drug bosses as well as the slum’s alleged top drug lord.  After the troop’s occupation of Rochina, Rio authorities are following up this invasion by handing slums over to specially trained community police and providing these slums with needs such as health centers and electricity supply. The residents of Rochina are satisfied with the newly developing growth of the slum, but are still striving for a safer environment to raise their families.

In my personal opinion, I find the troops occupations of Rochina a great feat. Many people living in these slums have limited opportunities in life, and cleaning up these slums will widen these opportunities. These streets are engulfed with crime, drugs, and harmful living conditions. With the clean up, many top drug dealers are being putting away as well, to help slow down crime in the slums. This clean up also brings health centers and electricity supplies, which is a great improvement in the slums. I think that the occupations of these slums are great positive movements to improving the quality of life for those that have little. I think that these people living in the slums deserve better lives, and the fact that now something is being done to improve their conditions is great. I fully support the invasions. I am as well glad and hopeful for further occupations of near by slums. However, a simple clean up may not bring these slums to the point where they need to be. Years of work and production to these slums can surely make a large difference, but many residents can't wait. Many residents can't wait for years to receive the dire medical attention that they need today. Soon I hope that these slums will turn into something great. I strongly support these occupations, they are a great start to many new lives of the residents of these slums.

SOURCE: Vancouver Sun, monday November 14, 2011 B5

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Troops+return+slums+state/5706032/story.html

By Stuart Grudgings, Reuters