Graves still fresh as helicopter disaster book rushed to print

When a tragedy occurs - whether it be one born by nature, or the result of human error or malice - the reaction of most people is empathy and a desire to help the victims.

As a child living in southern Ontario I distinctly remember a massive ice storm that knocked out power for millions of people over a period of several days. Neighbours were drawn together and beneath the crackling trees of our iced-in city an atmosphere of camaraderie replaced the impersonality of everyday life.

So after a Cougar Sikorsky helicopter crashed into the ocean east of Newfoundland on March 12, it must have been some comfort to the families and friends of the seventeen people who died. Certainly, since the accident, politicians, media outlets and ordinary people alike have taken great care to ensure that the interests of grieving families are kept at the fore.

Until this week, that is, when we learned that DRC Publishing (a Newfoundland and Labrador book publisher) is rushing a book about the helicopter accident to press. It seems that author Tom Badcock has written an account of the disaster and - oh happy day - it will be available in stores by month's end.

Some of the churlish among us might suggest that Badcock and DRC are hoping for windfall profits from this tragic event. After all, the flowers on victims's graves are still fresh, and investigations into the disaster are only just beginning.

But nothing could be further from the horrible truth, claims Badcock. In a CBC Radio interview on Wednesday he assured listeners that "part" of the proceeds will go to a memorial for the victims. Only thing is, though, it is apparently too soon to say how much will be donated, or whether DRC will be doing the same - though of course it is not too soon to write the book. One suspects Badcock and his publisher were too busy writing and editing to bother with niggling details like that.

When people sell out their friends and neighbours for cash, it is often called blood money. Terms such as "media whore," "carpet bagger," and "blood sucker" are similarily used to describe the unscrupulous amongst us who try to profit from other's misfortunes. This is not to suggest, for one second, of course, that Badcock and DRC have anything but the noblest intentions in their current endeavour.

However, some people might think otherwise. What terms are most apt to illustrate the conduct of Tom Badcock and DRC Publishing, I wonder? Suggestions are most welcome.