Guarding The Nation

Dreadfully sad, the admission and the knowledge that the RCMP might have averted the horrible deaths of a dozen - perhaps more - women by paying attention to the evidence in their possession, by heeding the anxious queries put to them by Vancouver's police respecting the puzzling disappearances of women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Dreadfully sad, when the country which has for so long entrusted their safety and security to this national institution has for so many recent revelations, been given reason to doubt its dedicated effectiveness.

Pretty ridiculous to read of an RCMP investigation into a remotely-located marijuana grow-operation in southeastern British Columbia. Marijuana has never been accused of killing anyone, and it remains a popular recreational drug, like tobacco and alcohol; the latter two legal, the former deemed an illegal substance. Which, despite its illegality remains in great general use. By all manner of people, from academics to politicians - students to people ameliorating the pain they suffer from intractable health problems.

But here is the courageous RCMP venturing into back country, driving up a steep logging road situated in the foothills of the Rockies, to check out a 'tip'. A remotely-located cabin inhabited by two people who relish living in the rough, preferring it to 'civilized' society, in the company of the wild animals whose environment they borrow. Claiming to have confiscated a million dollars' worth of plants growing in the brush, these doughty warriors of crime arrest the two cabin residents.

And confront what they jokingly aver is the legion of bodyguards protecting the thousand marijuana plants to be destroyed. The 'bodyguard' bears, well fed, accustomed to the calm presence of humans who feed them, quizzically view the appearance of the uniformed and armed police, but make no move to intervene in their process of apprehending crime. In perusing the contents of the rude cabin, a pig is discovered in residence and a raccoon asleep in the bedroom. They were not arrested.

Mountie at the scene of an interior B.C. grow op that was apparently being guarded by more than a dozen bears. (Photo submitted by the RCMP)

Satisfied with a day's work well done; the two property owners, a married pair at their half-century mark of rural wisdom are taken into custody. They are later released, to return to their little Paradise so rudely invaded by law and order. Residents of the area are bemused, they know of no illegal activity in the region, while allowing the commonality of marijuana cultivation as a popular local practise.

Living a reclusive life at one with the wilderness and the creatures therein, in a cabin with no modern amenities, but providing all the necessities of life and the pleasures of existence is no longer an innocent, let alone laudable decision for one's well-considered satisfaction in life. Feeding the local wildlife, and appreciating their trust and the peculiarities of their individuality will surely bring additional problems the way of this couple, for this too is forbidden by law.

And the investigation continues.

Scene photos after police raid on a marijuana grow operation that was apparently guarded by black bears, at Christina Lake in southeastern B.C. (RCMP hand out)