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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-11-23, Page 6editorial page Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, November 23, 19$3—Page 6 d41 SENTINEL "The Sepoy Town" Established 1873 The Lucknow Sentinel, P.O. Box 400 Lucknow NOG 2110 Telephone: 528-2822 Thomas Thompson a Advertising Manager Sharon Dietz - Editor Pat Livingston Office Manager Joan Helm - Compositor Merle Elliott e Typesetter Subscription rates in advance oo Outside 16. Canada 045.°° Senior Citizens 80 Outside 00 13. Canada `�'3• Second class mailing reg. no. 0847 Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid at the applicable rates, Prevention of nuclear war is everyone's responsibility In the days after the movie, The Day After, the depiction of the nuclear destruc- tion in an American city, the debate rages on, Some remain convinced we can fight a limited nuclear war and win, Others dismiss the film as anti-nuclear propaganda and still others say it supports the argument that the continued buildup of nuclear weapons will eventually lead to a nuclear armageddon, The film can leave a sense of hopeless despair. That as individuals, we can do nothing to stop the super powers from destroying our planet. Out few among us have relinquished all hope for the future, Pew are willing to accept that our children and grandchildren have no future, People express their hope for the future every time a new baby is born. An interesting publication, What About the Children?, published by Parents and Teachers for Social Responsibility, discusses the threat of nuclear war and our respon- sibility to preserve this planet for future generations, We are afloat on a vast sea of mass destruction technology - nuclear, biological, chemical and more, Our problems are compounded by political and economic in- equalities and by an international atmos- phere of fear and distrust, As we confront the images of what may happen to us and to our children, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, angry and frustrated. And it's tempting to conclude there is nothing we can do, There is great danger here. For if we believe there is nothing we can do, we will do nothing, And if enough people do nothing, nudlear war will be inevitable, How can we overcome feelings of help- lessness? Remember the children. They trust us to protect them and we must not betray that trust. Children also offer something more in return for our caring. Young children by nature, possess intense hope for the future. We feel it even in the tiny fist of a newborn baby. That hope is a gift for all of us. It is a His memory lingers on It's 20 years ago this week that President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Dallis, Texas. Pew of us will forget where we were when we first heard the news that JFK had been killed. The years of Camelot were filled with such hope and promise, The dynamic leader who wasn't afraid to take responsibility for the Bay of Pigs, the charisma of a politician who challenged Americans not to ask what their country could do for them but they could do for their country; the first Cathalik president who was audacious enough to saggest than whites and Mack could live together if blacks were permitted their fast rights under the constitution; the man with a sense of humour, who said he was the man who accompanied his wife, Jackie on a triumph- ant tour of Europe, An intense interest remains in Kennedy and his widow, Jacqueline, the elegant first lady who brought' a touch of class to the White House. Even 20 years later people who weren't born when Kennedy was in the White House respect the man and talk about the possib- ilities if he had lived. A hero to many, his picture hangs in grass huts in Third World Countries even now20 years after his death. We will always feel his loss and we love him stilt redtrees source of strength and courage that we need as we commit ourselves to action. People respond in different ways. Some call for bomb shelters and a build up of pain killing medication. Others think mass evac- uation can save us. Still others think that building more bombs will be a deterrent to the super powers. While respecting people who hold differ- ent views, we must decide what out own actions will be. What about the Children? sets forth the following suggestions and you may have some of your own. Join with others. There is power in association. Work with schools, Encourage them to offer courses dealing with issues of war, peace and conflict resolution. Encourage students who want to become involved. It is their future too. Support international exchanges. By promoting international understanding we reduce the tensions that lead to war. Sponsor a resolution or a conference. Ask totigh questions. Ask your school, hospital aid town council what plans have been made for your community in the event of war. Pressure people in government. Tell your town councillors that disarmament is a local issue they should be concerned about. Tell your MPP and MP that they are in a position to do something. Encourage research on the effects of nuclear war. Ask that a thorough study be conducted on what would happen at the local elementary school, if, when... Each of us must decide how to respond to the question about the children. The great tragedies of human society seldom result from overt evil actions. Such tragedies come about when millions of people fail to gel involved. Let us not forget what happened in World War 11 when well meaning persons stood by while millions of their neighbours were led away. Evil feeds upon non action. to the editor To the Editor: Flyers Wanted A world reunion, to end all wartime aircrew teunions, will take place September 6 - 9, 1984, in Winnipeg, Canada, for all nationalities who have ever flown in an air force of the British Commonwealth. The purpose is to reunite comrades who have a special bond between them, by virtue of their unique experiences and recognized cohtrilubitons to the peace and freedom we have enjoyed for almost four decades. Fong days of activities are on the program, including Command reception rooms. a banquet, concert and ball, a visit to a flying training station, an air show, gala luncheon, static displays and a cenotaph parade and memorial service. Previous reunions were held in 1970, 1976 and 1980, each one being larger and more spectacular than the others. Registrations are well ahead of previous reunions, mostly from flyers who attended one or more of the previous ones. Special air fares and charter flights are being arranged to bring former airmen from other Canadian provinces and abroad. Registrants will be kept informed. Write now, or phone (204) 489-9256. either to register or get further information. Registration is 5105.00 (Canadian), plus $95.00 for wives. A hotel deposit of S50.00 also is required for each person. The address is Reunion '84, P.O. Box 2639, Winnipeg, Canasda. R3C 483. Reunion Committee by don campbell The mainstream of humanity consists of quiet, placid and industrious people, too preoccupied with everyday survival to question the direction in which they are flowing. They move along together with other molecules of their kind, from birth to eternity, with scarcely a ripple to tett of Meir ping; it appeared than Grant the blacksmith was destined to be placed in this general category. Yet it would be difficult to imagine how the people of Redtre es could have wrestled with the virgin bush without the rough toots he had fashioned, to replace the puny efforts of men with simple mechanical ingenuity. He had travelled with the exiled people from the "sold old hime", content rt seemed to be an agreeable and wilting follower, rather than a leader in the community, Always he had concurred with the wishes of the majority and rarely, if ever. did he voice an opinion. Bort the coming of Maureen Brady was to add fire to Grant's imagination and pane to himself and the community that there was iron ire his belly as well as in his hands t h was as if the woman had brought him face to face with reat"cty. !roti/ now he had been content to l"sae by the philosophy, "by the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat bread". poet aafteir one grimpse of Maauceen's convey figure he also fond truth in t1ie statement, "man aan caat of live by thread aatane" . without a mate, there is no peace in of man's mired, and nobody arpp c$sted this more than the blacksmith. He had lived as a bachelor for many years, tormented by the fantasies of the elusive woman he had created in his daydreams. 11 was time to change all that, and experience in reality the warm softness of femininity. Only this could satisfy that strange. persistent hunger of the animal lurking within the depths of his soul. There were of course. difficulties placed in Grant's path to the Catholic woman's heart. Feeding the doctor's child from her breasts meant being in readiness for its every demand and the blacksmith had few chances to meet and tank with her in private. In addition, he had to run the gauntlet of public opinion and choose between the people of Redtrees who needed him. and the woman he needed for himself. Above aFP. like an urrsoornountable obstacle. was the eternal confrontation between Protestant and Cath - blit Tiros. when darkness carne to the rolling land the fire had died on the smithy hearth. Grant like a thief in the night. took up Ms vigil by the doctor's house. He waited by the wet in the secluded cover of the trees. certain that at least once each evening. the Carreeron's wet nurse would come to replenish the household water supply. In the days of the pioneeirs. security and respectability. ecu that order, were the most important facets of a woman's Fife. The scope of selection for matchmaking purposes was extremely limited and a woman's romantic notions of love and sexuality were often as far away as the rainbow's end. Life rarely followed a smooth road and although a young woman may have started out with well planned notions as to her destination. she rarely arrived at the place which she had envisioned. As far as the wet nurse was concerned. Grant the blacksmith offered the only way back to securi't'y and respectability. and Maureen Brady knew it! After several clandestined meetings by the well. Grant thought d was time that he should ask the fateful question. He was awkward and clumsy in his approach. and had it been light. he would have seen the smile upon Maureen's face at his crude attempt to be a suitor. I am no a picture o' a man.'' he said in all truthfulness. "an ye are such a bonny lass that 1 am scared fae ask ye the question. ' He placed his hand gently upon her arm and she felt it was shaking. "Do Do ye no think ye could take me frae ye husband" The heart of Maureen Brady melted to this rough. toughy looking man who spoke with the sincerity and gentleness of a child. Bert it was easy to ask a straight question and expect a straight answer. Grant in his impetuous fluidness had overlooked the complications of the whole situation. " If 1 accept you Mr. Grant. you will have to become a Catholic. so you wilt and 1' m thu km' that's not what you have in mind. I am forbidden to turn to your religion. How then could we become man and wife?" What appears at first to be a simple and natural course of action. becomes an unsolvable problem when two unyielding religions meet and confrom each other in truth and reality. Grant was lost for words. "But there must be a way," he stammer- ed in a pleasing voice. -We both hae a need frae each other. Is there nought we can do tae become man an' wife?" Maureen Brady's voice was soft and distinctly sad when she replied. There is little in this world I would not do. Sir. to escape from the unfortunate position 1 find myself in today. I live among a clannish. and sometimes 1 think. very cruel people. Bert though 1 suffer in this way and you offer me the chance to leave it afl behind. in all truth Mr. Grant. I cannot disobey the teachings of my church." The blacksmith ,uddenly realized the strength of her character. This woman he told himself. no matter what other people said. could be trusted to honour her marriage vows. She was the only woman he would choose to take for his wife. " If 1 hae tae become a Catholic for ve tae be my wife. that 1 will do. ' ' he said in a strong proud voice. She planted a kiss upon his cheek. ' ' If that be so. I shall be honoured to accept you Sir."' There was a cold spring evening breeze. but suddenly by that small well amid the trees. a new warmth came to the Mack - smith's life.