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Updated song lyrics reflect current events

To the Editor: On March 24, more than a dozen Canadian cities (including Thompson) hosted marches to call for stricter gun control laws in both Canada and the U.S.

To the Editor:

On March 24, more than a dozen Canadian cities (including Thompson) hosted marches to call for stricter gun control laws in both Canada and the U.S., in the aftermath of the high school shooting that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida.

Although Canadians cannot obtain guns as easily as Americans, Canada’s Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale recently tabled new legislation (Bill C-71), that introduces new measures to restrict access to firearms. One of several proposed changes involves enhanced background checks, which would demand the RCMP examine a person's entire life history for potential red flags, not just the previous five years.

One student at the North Charleston "March For Our Lives" rally sang "Blowin' in the Wind,” written by Bob Dylan in 1962, and released as a single and on his album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in 1963.

The children’s book "Blowin' in the Wind" was published in 2011, illustrated by Jon J. Muth; from the School Library Journal’s book review: "Muth's watercolor paintings are delicate and beautiful … Teachers of music and/or history, and fans of folk music will be pleased with the book."

For these times, what follows is my rewrite of this iconic song:

“Blowin’ in the Wind” 2.0:

How many halls must a student walk down

Before someone calls 9-1-1?

Yes, 'n' how many minutes must armed officers take

Before they stop a crazed son?

Yes, 'n' how many times must AR-15s fire

Before they're forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

How many years can gun show loopholes exist

Before they're forever closed?

Yes, 'n' how many years should all people exist

Before guns to them can be sold?

Yes, 'n' how many times can a politician turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind 

How many years before universal background checks

And a gun sale database?

Yes, 'n' how many tears before mental health services

Are given more funding and space?

Yes, 'n' how many years will it take to allow

Gun research by the CDC?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind 

How many times will there be red flags

Before they can see the signs?

Yes, 'n' how many NRA dollars will he take

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

David Buckna 

 

Kelowna, B.C.

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