Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-14, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017. Editorials Opinions President: Keith Roulston • Publisher: Deb Sholdice Editor: Shawn Loughlin • Reporter: Denny Scott Advertising Sales: Brenda Nyveld • Heather Fraser The Citizen is published 50 times a year in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $36.00/year ($34.29 + $1.71 G.S.T.) in Canada; $160.00/year in U.S.A. and $205/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Mon. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Mon. 4 p.m. - Blyth. Canada MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40050141 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT. PO BOX 152 BRUSSELS ON NOG 1H0 email: info@northhuron.on.ca We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. The Citizen P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, BLYTH, Ont. BRUSSELS, Ont. NOM 1H0 NOG 1 HO Ph. 519-523-4792 Phone Fax 519-523-9140 519-887-9114 E-mail info@northhuron.on.ca Website www.northhuron.on.ca ocna ab CCNA Member of the Ontario Press Council CMCA AUDITED We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright Victimized again The brave women who came forward with complaints of sexual wrongdoings against U.S. politicians are being victimized all over again by the games being played by the political system. Last week Senator Al Franken actually resigned over the accusations by more than half a dozen women that he'd groped or forcibly tried to kiss them, but he did so only after being pressured by his colleagues in the Democratic party. They felt his continued presence in Washington undermined their attacks on sexual predators among the Republicans, from President Donald Trump to Senate candidate Roy Moore. Though Franken had apologized more clearly earlier, by the time he made his resignation speech, he obviously felt more sorry for himself for having to resign than he felt guilty for his actions. He claimed some of the complaints are untrue and that he didn't remember others the way his accusers did. He took the opportunity to take shots at Trump and Moore, but given the shots they take at others, they had it coming. At least Franken had made some confession of guilt and some apology to the women he'd hurt. Moore and his supporters, including many high- ranking Republicans, have been so desperate for a victory to tip the close balance between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, that they have stooped to attacking the women who have complained about his behaviour. Some of these women were as young as 14 years old when he allegedly approached them. Meanwhile more than 20 women have accused Trump of assault and harassment but according to his White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, they are lying. Though Trump was caught on tape saying he could do anything he wanted with women, according to Huckabee Sanders that's old news "that the President has dealt with" and besides, he was already cleared of that by the people by being elected. Sadly, the victims of these egregious acts by these men of power are now just pawns in the game of politics, victimized yet again. — KR Total victory is an illusion The greatest threat to world peace these days is the emergence of more and more world leaders who regard the only suitable win being a total victory. When U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last week, he made Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and many hardline Israelis very happy. Since the original 1947 United Nations resolution setting up Israel, the international community has recognized Jerusalem as a shared territory between the twin states of Israel and Palestine. In a testy exchange on the weekend, France's President Emmanuel Macron reminded Netanyahu of this but the Israeli President replied that Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 3,000 years and the sooner that the Palestinians accepted this, the sooner there would be peace. He might wish this, of course, but the Palestinians are already fighting back and the chances of many more Israelis and Palestinians dying in violent incidents increased because of Trump's actions last week. Lasting peace in the region will not come from total victory by anyone. It's important to remember that the first blow in this never- ending crisis was struck by Israel's Arab neighbours who attacked Israel the day after the United Nations' resolution came into effect in 1948. Two years later, they had been defeated but they wouldn't recognize the right of Israel to exist and attacked again in 1967, losing again. In that war, Israel captured the West Bank from Jordan and despite the fact that its right to that territory has never been recognized by most of the nations of the world, Israelis keep building settlements and pushing out the Palestinians. They want it all. Netanyahu, Trump, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Turkey's Recept Erdogan, North Korea's Kim Jong -un, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte — the list of current world leaders who believe that compromise is a dirty word goes on and on. What they forget is the lesson of the history of two of the world's most terrible wars. Following World War I, Germany's opponents wanted total victory and to make that country pay reparations. They created a bitterness and sense of victimhood among Germans that made it possible for a hate -spewing, "make Germany great again" fanatic to take control and seek revenge. Following the defeat of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in World War II, the allies, led by the U.S., chose a different strategy. Spurred by fears that an impoverished West Germany might turn to the Communists, the U.S. created the Marshal Plan to rebuild its former enemy. Germany rose from the ashes to befriend the U.S. Eventually the prosperity of western Germany led eastern Germans to rebel against Communism and to tear down the wall between the two Germanys. Total victory is the fatal attraction of politics. Those who achieve it may think they are in control but they have only created frustrated enemies who will someday strike back. Compromise may not be as satisfying but it offers the best chance of long-term peace. — KR I TOLD You WE SHOULD HAVE DETOURED AROUND NORTH KOREA: , Looking Back Through the Years December 13, 1944 The annual Melville Presbyterian Church Sunday school Christmas concert was set to be held in the church's basement on Tuesday, Dec. 19. Santa Claus was due for the visit that night and there would be a silver collection to help with the work of the Sunday School. A Christmas dance was scheduled for the Brussels Town Hall and it would feature the music of Ken Wilbee and his orchestra. Dancing was set to begin at 9:30 p.m. and admission was set at 40 cents per person. The Brussels Library announced a large consignment of new books for the branch, which included fiction, non-fiction and juvenile titles. The Prices Board announced that the butter ration would be reduced from seven ounces per week to six beginning on Jan. 1, 1945. December 9, 1981 Harold Ferguson was doing what he could to help those in need, deciding to donate his beard to charity. Well, he was donating the right to snip his beard off to charity, with locals paying $1 for each chance to take a little more off of Ferguson's beard. Blyth Lions Club President John Stewart was the first to do the honours, injecting some money into the Lions Christmas Charity Fund. In Blyth Industrial League hockey action, the team from Hubbards defeated Radfords by a score of 7-5. Brian Bromley led the winning team with four goals, Bruce Bromley scored two and Dana Bean potted one. For Radfords, Terry Pierce scored two, while Marvin Cook, Larry Howatt and Bruce Mason all scored one each. The Blyth Leo Club was busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas as Annette Lucas and Lori Souch were in front of the Blyth Variety selling hot cocoa and Christmas trees to help raised funds for the newly - formed club. December 17, 1997 With the potential for amalgamation looming, several areas had yet to discuss restructuring options. While several municipalities throughout North Huron had already been meeting regularly to discuss restructuring and potential efficiencies, Morris and Turnberry Townships had refrained from any discussion, both saying they felt like it was a waste of time to begin meeting until more information was made available. Finally, the two townships decided to talk, calling a meeting and inviting Wingham and Howick Township. With just nine shopping days left before Christmas, local merchants were reporting increases to their business thanks to the holidays. The Blyth Centre for the Arts' Board of Directors was in high spirits as the 1997 Blyth Festival season was reported to be "an artistic triumph" that boasted nearly 30,000 in attendance. In addition, a successful tour of Barndance Live! saw the Festival's profile raised across the province. Already looking ahead to the 1988 season, the Festival was selling passes to Yesteryear by Joanna McClelland Glass, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs by Keith Roulston, Huron County Blues by Andrew Moodie and 13 Hands by Carol Shields. December 8, 2016 Blyth Festival Artistic Director Gil Garratt said the 2016 season was one to remember for the Festival, bringing 4,000 more people through Memorial Hall than had come to Blyth the previous year. The Festival played host to nearly 20,000 patrons over the course of the season, he said, which included a six per cent increase in those travelling for over two hours to come to Blyth. In addition, he said the Festival also had a good year in terms of its charitable donations, contributing over $40,000 to local organizations and sports teams. North Huron Councillor Bill Knott said he was receiving a tremendous amount of support for his petition asking for a traffic light at the intersection of Blyth and London Roads. In addition to his physical petition, which had been placed at numerous businesses throughout Blyth, fellow Blythite Chris Patterson had also created a Facebook group that had garnered over 1,000 supporters. "We've had an overwhelmingly positive response," Knott said of his and Patterson's efforts. The Fire Department of North Huron experienced its biggest loss of the year when an Auburn -area pig barn went up in flames. Several other fire departments came in to assist with the blaze, which caused approximately $1 million in damages. Cowbell Brewing Company was in the driver's seat in a poll hosted by the Ontario Beverage Network. As of Dec. 8, 2016, the Blyth - based brewery was leading the poll that would declare it the province's best new brewery. The company had the support of 16 per cent of the 2,500 people who had participated in the poll.