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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-01-17, Page 21THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1990. PAGE 19. Brussels student wins national writing contest While the loss of political inno­ cence may not be a subject on the minds of many of today’s teens for F. E. Madill student Ben Barnes it was the topic of an essay that was awarded third prize in a national contest sponsored yearly by Mac­ lean’s magazine. By sponsoring the Diane Thomp­ son Student Writing Awards Mac­ lean’s helps to recognize and foster writing skills in secondary school students. The contest is open to all high school students. Ben, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Barnes of RR 5, Brussels, stated that he was first informed of the contest through his grade 11 teacher last year. The 17-year;old says that he entered because “writing the essay was compulsory which is a pretty good argument for compulsory writing.’’ His teacher entered the essay for him early this last year. There was a number of possible topics the students could select to write on. Ben’s essay entitled “Crooks and Liars’’ is based on the loss of political innocence. The reason for this particular choice was due to his interest in politics. Ben is a member of the youth wing of the NDP party and was selected as their delegate to attend the national leadership convention in Crooks and liars BY BEN BARNES “Political innocence! Yuh gotta be kidding!’’ the man exclaimed. “Everybody knows that all them politicians is crooks and liars.” I nodded politely and wrote “Crooks and Liars” down in my notebook. Anyone who bothered to read the rest of my notebook would find it full of similar comments. Evidently Canadians did not have a high opinion of their political doesn’t mean I’ve lost my ideal­ ism.” I brightened somewhat; this was the first good response I had received all day. He had left me an opportunity I wasn’t going to let pass. “But you have lost your political innocence, why?” The man grimaced. “That re­ quires a long answer and it’s a cold day.” My face fell, a promising interview was about to be lost. The system.man tugged on my shoulder. I shoved my cold hands in my pockets. As I surveyed the street looking for the next victim of my poll someone tapped me on the shoulder. “What kind of poll are you conducting?” I turned to see a well-dressed man in his mid-forties carrying a briefcase. “Oh, I noticed the amount of cynicism people feel towards politicians; so I’m asking people what happened to their “Let’s discuss this in the coffee shop where it is warmer.” “Mom’s Coffee Shop” was very much a greasy spoon, but it beat the -10 degree Celsius temperature outside. The man quickly spotted an unoccupied table, swept the dirty breakfast dishes on it to one end and ordered coffee. “I think our loss of political innocence is primarily due to the number of disappointments we have had,” he began. “In this decade I have voted for sense of political innocence. I mean, why aren’t there crowds of long-haired student protestors or activists in the ‘80s?” “Perhaps,” he said dryly, “you’re confusing political ideal­ ism with political innocence. Just because I’ve cut my hair short it the Liberals, the New Democrats, and the* Conservatives. I was, frankly, disappointed in all three cases. Broadbent couldn’t gain power, Turner couldn’t keep it, and it seems Mulroney can’t use it .” (Here, his coffee arriv- “The thing that destroyed my sense of innocence was, I think, the realization that all political parties are pretty much the same. I’ve watched one party after another in government have a lot of scandals, and then be defeated. They are always beaten by a progressive­ sounding party apparently com­ posed of completely honest people with bold new ideas. Unfortunate­ ly, somehwere in between being the opposition and forming the government, both the honest peo­ ple and the brave new ideas disappear without a trace.” “Of course,” he added wryly, “I wouldn’t have realized any of this without the help of the media. They told me Broadbent was a failure for not taking power. They told me that Turner was incapable of leading the Liberal party. It is the media that informs us that the Mulroney government is constantly at fault somewhere.” “In fact it was the media who showed me that the opposition is composed solely of caring, thinking individuals whilst governments are peopled exclusively by corrupt mon ey grabbers. ’ ’ “My loss of political innocence is due to the disappointments I have suffered but it was the media who informed me that I should be disappointed.” The man drained the rest of his coffee as I scribbled down the remainder of his speech. I thanked him sincerely for his time and comments. He responded politely and as I rose to leave asked my name. I told him and added, “Someday, maybe, that name will mean something.” The man smiled and said quietly, “Perhaps political innocence is not quite lost after all.” Winnipeg last fall. His political interest began as early as Grade 8 when he served as page in Queen’s Park during the Liberal coalition. “I find govern­ ment fascinating to be around. I particularly found it impressive to see how the two parties work,” he stated. In addition to his interest in politics and government, Ben also enjoys cross-country skiing. An honours student last year, he belongs to the debating team and “Reach for the Top” at Madill. While his essay, for which he was awarded $100, may appear a little cynical concerning the area of political innocence, Ben claims to still believe it exists. “I really do believe that an individual politician or voter can make a difference,” he says. After completion of Grade 13 next year, Ben hopes to continue his edcuation at university studying political science. WIN A TRIP TO ORLANDO SAT. FEB. 10, 1990 BRUSSELSOPTIMISTS VALENTINEDANCE &DRAW $9 . per ticket AVAILABLEFROM ANY OPTIMIST MEMBER 1 I I I a I I WCBW THEATRE Phone 357-1630 for 24 hour movie Information Playing Friday-Thursday Jan. 19-25 Showtimes: Friday & Saturday 7&9p.m. Sunday to Thursday 8 p.m. each evening ROBERT DE NIRO SEAN PENN A PARAMOUNT PICTURE WE'RE-NO Angels PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN BLYTH to the many donors and seat sale snnnnrters who have recentlv donated Star performer Country and western performerand recording artist Gary Buck entertained on Saturday night at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre. BED 6 BREAKFAST CRAFT 6 COFFEE SHOP Mon. to Fri. 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. f Sunday 8:00 a.tn. to 8:00 p.m. Closed Saturdays 887-9517 AT THE MAIN CORNER. WALTON EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 SENIORS AND FAMILY COUNTRY DINNER SUNDAY. JAN. 21st 12 NOON TO 8:00 PM ROAST BEEF DINNER Includes: Mashed or Fries, Gravy. Vegetables and Coleslaw Roll and Butter. Soup or Juice, Tea or Coffee or Small Milk Choice of Homemade Pic or Tarts ALL THIS FOR +6.50 Per Person ★ NEW EXPANDED DINING FACILITIES ★ This Sunday in the Poker Rally for the Walton-Brussels Snow Blazers, 10 AM registration - Walton Hall. Snowmobilers Special Coffee and Muffin 99® FESTIVAL to the Blyth Festival Capital Project. R.G. & L.M. Williams, Burlington; Katherine Kaszas, Blyth; John & Colleen MacDonald, Listowel; Flo & George Youmatoff, Bayfield; Becker Farm Equipment, Exeter; Cecil Southward Jr., Windsor; David Linton, Blyth; M. &M. J. L. Bowers, Chesley; Troyan & Fincher, Goderich; Jim & Pat Barnes, Brussels; A.C. Falconer, Kitchener; Arnold & Ila Mathers, Exeter; Bruce A. Sully, Goderich; Doug & Lorna Whitmore, Blyth; Jim & Pat Barnes, Brussels; Kenneth S. Watson, Chesley; Frank & Cenetta Bainton, Blyth; J.W. Howar, Brooklin; Donald A. Smith, Guelph; J.S. J any, Guelph; R.S. Taylor, Hanover; Dianne Yates, London; Mrs. Dorothy E. 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