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By Doug Collins

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: There are some kinds of people we can do without

Aug 19, 2022 | 6:00 AM

I GUESS THIS IS A SIGN of the lack of civility we’ve all come to expect nowadays.

Earlier this week, there was a fatal accident on the Yellowhead Highway north of Barriere. It was reported just after 10:30 Tuesday morning. There was no detour around the site, so traffic was backed up in the heat for several hours.

Fire Chief Ashley Wohlgemuth said she was disappointed with the reaction of a number of motorists who gave the first responders the middle finger as they drove by, probably grumpy with the long delay.

If you were one of those people, let me go on record as saying you are a total moron. The size of your brain probably limits any rational thoughts you might have.

Do you think that police officers and firefighters wanted to be out in that heat in full gear all day? Do you think they found some shade and took a nap to annoy you?

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Someone died.

And you’re worried about a little inconvenience? Sorry that your kids fussed in the heat, or you had to pee and there was nowhere to go.

There was a time years ago when the priority was to clear the roadway as fast as possible so traffic could get moving. But now, legalities have crept in. Now, fire crews ensure the scene is safe, then the RCMP, often assisted by traffic experts, put together their analysis, made much more important by threats of legal action that often go along with these cases. The less obvious the cause, the longer the investigation takes. Once police are done, fire crews have to clean up the debris, which also takes time.

So cut the crap, people. If you want to be ignorant, I guess that’s your right. But don’t take out your stupidity on those who least deserve it.

Ashley Wohlgemuth posted a reasoned comment about her disappointment. I think what was going through her mind was something totally different.

I’m Doug Collins and that’s One Man’s Opinion.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.