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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-03-06, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1991. War's price too low? A single life being lost in war is one too many so it is a relief that so few of the United Nations Coalition forces were killed in the Gulf War yet there’s also the worry that perhaps the price paid by the allies was just too low. When the full story of the war is told it seems sure the number of Iraqis and probably Kuwaitis killed in the war will be frightening. On the other hand, the low cost of life on the Coalition side was described by General Norman Schwartzkopf as nearly miraculous. For the sake of the families of all service people that miracle is to be welcomed. Still, the victory was almost too easy and may cause more problems in the long run. Listening to the words drifting north from the United States these days can be a little frightening. Americans are impressed with the power of their own weapons and filled with pride with themselves. President George Bush talks about the U.S. being the only country with the moral authority and the means to help bring about the new world order. It sounds worryingly as if he is appointing the U.S. as the world policeman. Vietnam, he says, is definitely behind the United States. It may be that Americans putting Vietnam behind them is the worst thing that could happen to the world. Americans have always carried a kind of evangelitical belief that they have the true message of democracy and they must bring it to the world, at the point of a gun if necessary. Despite bouts of isolationism such as those that delayed American entry into the two World Wars, the U.S. has kept its troops busy from invading Canada in 1812 to provoking the Spanish-American War to various invasions of Central and South American countries. Vietnam changed all that for a while. The defeat of the American power by the guerilla tactics of Vietnamese jungle fighters made Americans doubt their place was to reshape the world. The horrible cost the Americans paid made them question what right they had to be involved in far off corners of the world. Much the same kind of sobering reality was brought to the other major power, the Soviet Union by its experience with a war it couldn’t win in Afghanistan. There’s no telling how much the human cost of Afghanistan contributed to the reforms in the Soviet Union that loosened the military noose around the neck of eastern Europe. But these two beligerent giants seem to be stirring again. Hardliners in the Soviet Union have pushed Mikhail Gorbachev to crack down on the Baltic states’ drive for independence. There are indications the military is nervous about the new influence of the Americans in the gulf, only a few hundred kilometres from the Soviet border. Meanwhile succeeding Republican governments in the U.S. have been building the American people up for a new way of thinking like a prize fighter building himself up for a title shot. First came Grenada, a country so small that the invasion, in the name of restoring democracy, could hardly last more than a couple of days. Starved for victory, many Americans were thrilled. Next came Panama a year ago when Americans went in to capture Manuel Noriega, free the country of his dictatorial rule, and bring him back to the U.S. to stand trial on drug charges. Now its Iraq, listed as a major military power but, let’s remember, a country with a population less than Canada’s. Canadians would never question that in a war with our neighbour we wouldn’t last long so why the surprise that Iraq was defeated so easily? If this victory gives Americans a new quiet pride so be it. But if that pride goes further, to reinforce an American feeling that the U.S. has a manifest destiny to dominate and police the world then this overwhelming victory may be costly to everyone in the long Spring or winter run. Pray Michael's right Michael Wilson projected a near utopian world last week when . he presented his budget and predicted an inflation rate of two per cent in the years ahead and an interest rate that would make Canadian business competitive in the new competitive world. We can only hope he’s right. It’s tempting to point out Mr. Wilson has about as good a record for predicting future economic trends as the now anonymous experts who last fall predicted Toronto Maple Leafs were the team of the ’90s but it will get us nowhere to be cynical. We have to hope Mr. Wilson is right. To bring that about the expectations of Canadians must decrease. We take it for granted now inflation will be five per cent and we want to make sure we get that much more money each year. By freezing civil servant salaries Mr. Wilson may have sent the rest of us a signal not to ask for so much. It’s a big task but let’s hope we can pull it off and reap the benefits of a more stable economy. Looking Backward BY TRACY FINCH ONE YEAR AGO MARCH 7, 1990 The Public Speaking Contest between Grey Central Public School and Brussels Public School was held at the Brussels Legion. Winning the senior division was Sherri Huether of Brussels, and the junior division was John Lowe, also of Brussels. A March Madness Auction was put on by the Blyth United Church with auctioneers selling the over 180 items donated by members of the United Church for the event. The evening was a tremendous success for Blyth United as over 250 people packed the Blyth arena and bid until there was $6,052 profit. The crowd bought quilts, crafts, trips, dinners and parties. Ben Barnes of RR 5, Brussels along with Sarah Brophy and Craig Jefferson of Lucknow, and Kevin Smith of Wingham took home the CKNX trophy for F. E. Madill Secondary School’s Reach for the Top team, in addition, each receiv­ ed a $1,150 sholarship to Wilfred Laurier University. Rick Mclnroy, Marmora and Margaret Shortreed of RR 1, Walton were married. During the ceremony the bride sang two solos “To Me” and “Wedding Prayer”. THREE YEARS AGO MARCH 2,1988 Grey Township honoured its most outstanding sports personali­ ties at a Celebration ’88 Ceremony held in Ethel, with the presentation of medals to five of the municipal­ ity’s foremost residents. Most Out­ standing Male Athlete was Peter MacDonald, Most Outstanding Fe­ male Athlete was Ruth Struthers. Max Demaray won Most Outstand­ ing Sports Official and Bruce McCall, Most Outstanding Sports Sponsor. Faye MacDonald won Most Outstanding Sports Coach. In addition, Mr. Cardiff presented Continued on page 6 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. N0M 1H0 Phone 523-4792 P.O Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 The Citizen is published weekly in Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $20.50/year [$19.16 plus $1.34 G.S.T.] [$40.00 Foreign]. 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: Monday, 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Bly'h We are not responsible for unsolicited newscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. Editor & Publisher, Keith Roulston Advertising Manager, Dave Williams Production Manager, Jill Roulston Second Class Mail Registration No. 6968