#- Your irrate Canadian neighbour

[an-albino-pinetree]

And if me being angry, isn’t enough to make you scatter, like a pack of razor blades dropped on an ice rink. (Because cockroaches are way too good for you) You’ve made me cry. Which, I shouldn’t be surprised by, my mom cried for 3 days, when Trump got in the first time, and realized how stupid you actually were.

Tears over your stupidity. But definitely not crying as hard as all your mothers, daughters, partners and sisters were, when they realized the person you are, and the people you choose to stand by.

[picardonhealth]

Cancelling Halloween is an act of ghoulish politics

This year has played nasty tricks on us. Isn’t it time for public health officials and governments to offer up some treats?

André Picard, The Globe and Mail

Monday, October 19, 2020

Ontario – a province where the government has hesitated to shut down bars, casinos, spin clubs, church services and other evidence-based high-risk settings – has said “no” to Halloween in the coronavirus “hot zones” of Toronto, Peel, York and Ottawa. One would be hard-pressed to imagine a lower-risk activity than walking around outdoors wearing a mask, collecting candy in a physically distanced manner, but Ontario public-health officer David Williams has decreed that Halloween must be deep-sixed in the city nicknamed The Six (and elsewhere near Toronto).

Meanwhile, Quebec – which has been much harder hit by COVID-19 than its neighbour – has said trick-or-treating is okay, as long as precautions are taken. Folks in that province appear to understand that locking kids in the house on one of the most hallowed nights of the year is sheer cruelty.

It all adds up to bad public health – not to mention terrible politics.

COVID-19 news: Updates and essential resources about the pandemic

Is my city going back into lockdown? A guide to COVID-19 rules across Canada

Public health is about harm-reduction, about finding ways for people to live while minimizing their risks as much as possible. It’s not about depriving them of all pleasure.

Banning Halloween also plays into the hands of those who oppose any sort of restrictions. When you impose unrealistic and unjustified rules, you erode trust. If you can cram 30 kids into a classroom, how can you argue that they can’t walk around outside in small groups?

Ontarians have endured months of constant mixed messaging and ham-fisted, irrational regulations. There might not be much trust left to spare.

This year has been a nightmare, so it’s only fitting that we unleash the ghouls and goblins for an evening of fun. The kids – and, yes, their parents – have earned it. No one is suggesting a free-for-all, but with a little imagination and creativity, Halloween can happen.

Even Theresa Tam, Canada’s by-the-books chief medical health officer, has said that trick-or-treating can be done safely.

She suggested doling out candy at the door using a hockey stick, an all-Canadian solution if there ever was one. (To be clear, candy should be deposited gently into kids' bags using the blade of the stick; trying to slapshot bonbons into kids' mouths from the end of the hallway is not recommended, unless you have Gretzky-esque talents.)

Another brilliant suggestion? Installing candy chutes – plastic pipes or slides that can deliver treats from a two-metre distance. Toronto plumber Geoff Burke has designed a simple system involving securing a PCV pipe to a railing, and he’s created more than 400 of the contraptions in exchange for $25 donations to the Toronto Food Bank.

Needless to say, we all have different levels of risk-tolerance. Some parents won’t want their kids going door-to-door; others will be afraid to hand out candy, even at a distance. That’s okay.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have modified the way we work, play and live in countless ways. We can embrace some new Halloween traditions too.

Pumpkin-carving can be a fun family activity. So can indoor candy scavenger hunts and scary-movie nights. The key is to do these activities within your household or your “bubble.”

You could also organize an outdoor and distanced costume parade on your street or a virtual costume party online.

But there are some things to remember about costumes. Masks are de rigueur. Plastic masks should not be worn over cloth masks.

In fact, one of the best costumes for Halloween 2020 would be a health-care worker – a doctor, nurse or personal-support worker (who go by the moniker “guardian angel” in Quebec), complete with mask, gloves and hand sanitizer.

Handwashing also has to be an integral part of our pandemic Halloween. Let the kids stuff their faces with candy – again, they deserve it – but to be safe, make sure they wash their hands between unwrapping and scarfing.

We’ve spent months being spooked by a virus. It’s time for a little pushback.

Of course, that doesn’t mean adults should be out partying or holding large, alcohol-soaked Halloween gatherings. That’s a no-go, and that’s where public-health officials and politicians should be focusing their attention.

If you want to pick on someone, target the self-centered buffoons who gathered at an anti-mask protest in downtown Toronto on Saturday. Enforce the rules that protect the public. Leave the kids alone.

If we limit our contacts, practise physical distancing, wear masks and wash our hands – the normal rituals of daily life in these spooky times – there’s no reason Halloween can’t go off without a hitch.

This isn’t karaoke. It’s not bingo. It’s not meat-packing. This is masked, distanced candy-collecting. To suggest that is dangerous is downright diabolical.

[thedramafilesblog-blog]

Appearing before The Dramacourt: While You Were Sleeping Eps 3 and 4

***If this is your first time browsing The Drama Files, please read The Rules section first for our reviewing and rating system***

***Disclaimer***: This analysis based on Canadian law. This is also NOT LEGAL ADVICE for anyone and this drama is FICTIONAL.

Issues:

Whether there is some serious meta going on in these episodes.

Whether Jae Chan’s rationale for not wanting to believe Hong Joo’s ability to see the future is logical.

Whether a defense lawyer can force a prosecutor to go with a lesser charge.

Whether there is a distinction between Injury and Assault.

Whether defense lawyers can fudge medical reports and “get rid” of evidence.

Whether this episode highlights some of the issues faced by victims of domestic violence.

Whether it is acceptable to have workplace religious practices.

The Rule(s):

Totally. And even in this version, poor Shin Jae Ha doesn’t seem to be getting the girl.

Yes. It is logical.

No. That’s not really how prosecution works.

In Canadian law, the distinction is between Battery and Assault.

No. This means you have violated your ethical and professional responsibility as a lawyer and that you should be disbarred at the very least.

Absolutely. Battered Women’s Syndrome is a very real thing.

No. Unless your workplace by definition is some religious thing.

Analysis:

RedRosette J: This episode had a lot going on and we have a lot to talk about but first thing is first: Suzy. Honey. Take an acting class. Your acting has not improved since Dream High. Seriously. I’m honestly having trouble connecting with this character. (Also, my bad, I thought this drama was about people seeing visions of future deaths, but Jubiemon corrected me. It’s about people seeing visions of the future). I don’t understand her quirky/perky obnoxious Candy vibe. I really really wanted a more nuanced character. Someone with some depth and feeling and emotion that is more than just forced fake crying. Seriously. I also don’t really feel, at this point, a connection between Lee Jong Suk and Suzy. Sorry guys. It falls flat for me. If the super obnoxious OST and the intense close ups weren’t there to shove it in my face that this was supposed to be some fated love story, I wouldn’t buy it. Sorry.

Jubiemon J: I found this episode to still be a good setup for what’s to come. However, I do have a few areas that I didn’t quite enjoy so much. I also don’t like the character type they’ve set out for Suzy. This character doesn’t suit her and she hasn’t been able to fit well with this quirky character. (This is an aside but if you want to see a quirky personality, go look at one of the clips of “I Live Alone” with Sunghoon. He’s definitely 4D in a cool way.) Aside from her, though, I also felt like Jae Chan’s younger brother looks far too old to be a high school student. (Sorry pal.) I wished that they had placed him as a university student instead.

Having trouble finding the chemistry guys

Developing crushes like…

Serious talk

Being lowkey creepy

Cool art though

Being creepy on the subway like…

RedRosette J: On other notes, Lee Sang Yeob is doing a fabulous job as a sleazeball lawyer Yoo Bom who you just have to hate. He’s so irritating to watch and makes you want to just be like ugh stop. Which is great because that’s the character. The introduction of the second female lead (the prosecutor woman) also fell a bit flat for me. I don’t know anything about the actress but there was nothing really special about her introduction.

Jubiemon J: I agree so much! Lee Sang Yeob has been great as the evil criminal defense lawyer. I get so irritated when I see him! I kind of wish that Jae Chan was less upfront about things and had more EQ, but I guess that’s part of his journey of learning to act smarter and it does make a good contrast between Yoo Bum’s and Jae Chan’s personalities.

Oh my goodness! I completely treated the 2nd female lead as a minor, minor side character. My bad.

Don’t be fooled by this face

Did nothing for the plot

Breaking up with a piece of shit guy like…

RedRosette J: I also keep loving the interactions between the two brothers  and I’m curious to see how Jae Chan and Hong Joo stop Seung Won’s (yes, that is Shin Jae Ha’s character’s name. I knew there had to be reason why we weren’t told his name thus far!) impending fact. I am also curious to see how fate ties up loose ends in terms of the policeman who didn’t die (It’s all very Final Destination-ish). The side characters in the office are really awesome and I really really hope they don’t under utilize these actors who have so much potential for comedy.

When you really don’t want to wake up for work

Breakfast with the fam

When your sketch neighbour tries to be BFFs

You’re cute too. Who are you?

Sassing your boss like…

Spreading office gossip like…

Hearing office gossip like…

RedRosette J: I continue to really really like the plot though and the way it is written. I like that the writers don’t infantilize the viewers and keep the information going consistently. I really liked that Hong Joo’s past warnings to her dad and her backstory was being shown concurrently with the events of the present and Jae Chan’s future visions. It means that your brain is actively working while watching trying to figure out how the pieces fit. It’s been awhile since a drama has been able to do that for me, so I really appreciate that. One thing I’m not too excited about is the childhood trope. Really? You had to use the classic “they met when they were kids at a funeral home” trope to derive the future dream connection? Ehhh….I hope the writers sell me on a stellar reason for why they did this or I’m going to be super disappointed.

Jubiemon J: I did like the flashbacks mixed with Jae Chan’s dreams too. That was an interesting approach. I totally agree about that . . . fated to meet someone since childhood . . . Overused. Honestly I haven’t heard of any stories in my life where someone realized that he or she met his/her partner a long, long time ago. The most would be something like . . . oh they have some random mutual friend.

Issue 1: Whether there is some serious meta going on in these episodes

RedRosette J: I have two words for you guys: Page Turner. OMG. Kim So Hyun as an angry pianist and Shin Jae Ha with a closeted crush on her? Really guys? You’re going to do this to us again? Last time, Ji Soo got the girl, this time, I think external forces (and the fact that Kim So Hyun is only doing this as a special appearance) is going to keep poor Shin Jae Ha from getting the girl. I’m so not cool with this. He’s such a cutie patootie. Like total puppy vibes. Please let him have the girl. But real talk: this story line, although we could do with less of Kim So Hyun yelling at poor Shin Jae Ha because well, see above sentence. But either way, the meta was real folks.

Jubiemon J: I’m honestly tired of the angsty kid. Sure, I understand that you’re super frustrated about your family’s situation, but do you have to push away the nicest guy ever? Kim So Hyun’s character was just super rude here . . . It reminded me of Mean Girls. Twisted Regina George vibes with some crazy fam stuff going on.

RedRosette J Aside: For those of you who haven’t seen Page Turner, go watch it right now. Its three episodes of cuteness that you won’t regret. 

I still doubt he gets her

Issue 2: Whether Jae Chan’s rationale for not wanting to believe Hong Joo’s ability to see the future is logical

RedRosette J: I think what Jae Chan was saying to Hong Joo was totally rational and totally logical. Jae Chan says he doesn’t want to believe her even if it’s true because that means he will have to save everyone and when he cant he will be super torn up about it and he doesn’t think that he can handle it. I think it is totally reasonable to refuse to take on a responsibility that you are sure that you can’t handle. I think it’s irresponsible to take on something and then fall apart when you can’t do it. So yes, I agree with his line of reasoning. Whether this works out in practice and reality is a different story.

Jubiemon J: I actually felt kind of annoyed that he was being a hypocrite. He did save her . . . so why wouldn’t he believe in her ability to see the future? I felt like his reasoning was poor because he just didn’t have the guts to face the guilt or the courage to try to change anything. However, he did have the guts to save Hong Joo so . . . what is this sudden turn of events? I didn’t like it. I’m in the camp of . . . if you’re being given responsibility, you just take it and do it. It’s just like at work. You still have to do the stuff you’re assigned even if you don’t like the work. I also see this as a scenario of a doctor. If the patient comes to see you with some illness, you don’t just ignore and turn them away. You try to find a cure even if you know it might be futile.

Trying to rationalize things

When you’re irrational and you know it

Poor Seung Won!

Issue 3: Whether a defense lawyer can force a prosecutor to go with a lesser charge

RedRosette J:  Uhhhh no…..that’s not really how it works. A defense lawyer can’t just walk into the prosecutor’s office and be like “oh yea btw, these are medical records which show assault, so go with an assault charge….” No. The prosecution works independent of the defense lawyers. The only time they are in contact with each other is during pre-trial conferences and to request disclosure (the documents that the prosecution has against the person being charged). It is a gross miscarriage of justice if the defense gets to walk in and make demands about what charges to lay on a suspect. That’s not how the law works and I’m pretty sure that regardless of whether it’s Canada or anywhere else, that’s how it’s supposed to work. Of course, reality could be very different when you taking into consideration things like corruption and bribery etc.

Nope. Not how it works.

Issue 4:  Whether there is a distinction between Injury and Assault

RedRosette J: In Canada, there is a distinction between something called Battery and Assault. Assault generally deals with the threat of force and the person looking to act on it. Battery is when the victim actually sustains physical injuries from said violent threat. I think what might have happened here is that it probably got lost in translation and when they said “Injury” it probably translates to Battery or the equivalent of that. Kim So Hyun’s character raises an interesting point, where she says that in the case of assault,  charges are laid only if the victim agrees to press said charges. This would explain why Yoo Bom was trying to get the lesser assault charge which would mean that they could coerce the victim into not pressing charges. But generally, there is a distinction and there weren’t wrong in clarifying that.

Jubiemon J: What Redrosette said is in regards to the area of torts. In Canada, battery falls under the area of torts, which is civil law. If that were the case, then prosecutors would not be involved. It’d be the mom vs the dad and damages could be awarded. Also, battery is easier to fulfil than you would think–just has to be intentional, harmful/offensive, direct, force/contact of a person/body/purse of another. I remember our professor saying that even if you touch someone’s shoulder, that could potentially be battery.

Canada’s Criminal Code doesn’t list battery as a crime. Instead, the Code has an offense of assault and assault causing bodily harm. Canada’s Criminal Code lists here what assault would be:

265(1) A person commits an assault when

(a) without the consent of another person, he applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly;

(b) he attempts or threatens, by an act or a gesture, to apply force to another person, if he has, or causes that other person to believe on reasonable grounds that he has, present ability to effect his purpose; or

(c) while openly wearing or carrying a weapon or an imitation thereof, he accosts or impedes another person or begs.

Different countries characterize their charges differently, so in the US, there is criminal battery. I did a quick look at the South Korean Penal Code and I think this would be one of the potential charges that the dad could face.

CHAPTER XXV CRIMES OF INFLICTING BODILY INJURY AND VIOLENCE

Article 257 (Inflicting Bodily Injury on Other or on Lineal Ascendant) (1) A person who inflicts a bodily injury upon another shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than seven years or suspension of qualifications for not more than ten years or by a fine not exceeding ten million won. (2) When the crime as referred in paragraph (1) is committed on a lineal ascendant of the offender or of his spouse, one shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than ten years or a fine not exceeding fifteen million won. (3) Attempts to commit the crimes of the preceding two paragraphs shall be punished.

Pretty sure this is Battery at this point

Issue 5: Whether defense lawyers can fudge medical reports and “get rid” of evidence.

RedRosette J: Uhhh…..MOST DEFINITELY NOT. That is not a defense lawyer’s job. You don’t “clean up your client’s messes” in that way. This would be a blatant violation of the rules of professional conduct and the ethics of being a lawyer. It could effectively mean being disbarred and even prosecution and jail time. Defense lawyers exist to ensure that everyone has access to the law and to make sure that accused persons are given a fair right to be heard having access to all the information and rules pertaining to their case. This is a far cry from a defense lawyer who goes and commits more crimes to get their client out of jail. WTF. No.

Jubiemon J: No! He also used to be a prosecutor too and from Jae Chan’s comments, he was already acting dirty back then. I remember glancing at the Penal Code for South Korea and there was a section for charges against corrupt public officials, so . . .

You could be disbarred bro

Issue 6: Whether this episode highlights some of the issues faced by victims of domestic violence

RedRosette J: I think we discussed this in a previous review too, but yes, this episode highlights some crucial things about victims of domestic violence. It is usually categorized as Battered Women’s Syndrome where the women are too afraid of the abuse to leave or stand up to the abuser. It’s a form of physical and psychological abuse. Kim So Hyun’s character says that her mother is more afraid of her dad than the law when the scene shows the mother agreeing to drop the charges against the husband. I think it’s important to realize that domestic violence is a very real and live issue and that it’s a good thing that dramas highlight these things.

Fear is a very real thing

Issue 7: Whether it is acceptable to have workplace religious practices

RedRosette J: Generally, workplaces should be secular so as not to alienate or exclude co-workers. I’m not really a proponent of religion in the workplace or anywhere involving communal stuff because I think that religion is deeply personal and should be observed in your own time. However, it makes a difference, if your workplace be definition is a religious place or organization or community. If everyone has the ability to participate that is fine, in my view. In this case, Jae Chan, not having a religion, was isolated from his co-workers who were praying at lunch. If one does have a religious requirement that has to be carried out in a communal place, it should then be done with respect to those who don’t and not in such blatantly alienating ways. So, in general, I don’t think that workplaces should have religious practices.

Jubiemon J: I also don’t think workplaces should force people to have religious practices, but I do remember that in South Korea, many citizens are Christians. Then again, I doubt that’d mean that religious practices would be obligatory at work. Somehow I’m reminded of that Canadian case regarding a Charter right and how there was some praying that would always happen before this meeting and there was a Charter violation (I think–putting that there b/c the Charter is definitely one of my weaker areas in law…).

Not cool.

Conclusion: Appeal Allowed.

Rating: 3 = MM. Okay. Fine. (Suzy please get some acting tips and step up your game girl)

File No: While-You-Were-Sleeping-EPS-3&4 Appearing before The Dramacourt: While You Were Sleeping Eps 3 and 4 ***If this is your first time browsing The Drama Files, please read