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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-10-09, Page 5THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2002. PAGE 5. Other Views Look up ... 'way up / don't know how far ahead you book events in your date calendar, but if I were you, I wouldn't bother filling • in any appointments beyond Feb. 1, 2019. Because that's the day the world ends. At 11:47 a.m. Eastern Standard time, to be precise. I know. 1 know — you're full of questions — why so sudden; why weren't you told earlier; how will this effect your RRSPs. Relax. Uncle Artie will explain all. It's all the fault of a large chunk of rock that goes by the folksy moniker of 2002NT7. It's a rogue asteroid orbiting our sun once every 837 days. It is about the size of a small Prairie town. At 11:47 on the morning of Feb. 1, just 17 years from now, calculations indicate that NT7, as ' it is familiarly known, should be crashing through the earth's atmosphere at a speed of , 18 miles a second. Depending on where it hits, it could create the greatest tidal wave of all time, or wipe out a continent, throwing up enough dust to block the light.of the sun for several months or even years. And that doesn't just mean lousy tans for beachgoers — the world's food supply will be drastically affected. Crops will fail; trees and plants will wither and die. Nuclear winter will be upon us. The last time this happened the earth was populated by dinosaurs. One day a couple of old Bronties looked up from their salad brunches and noticed a speck in the sky that seemed to be getting bigger. That particular asteroid was about the size of Saskatoon. It smashed into the earth just off you can't get on a days for politicians do a lot more than hole. One recent afternoon both Progressive Conservative Premier Ernie Eves and Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty were swinging away in tournaments — Eves at Milton and McGuinty at Kleinburg. A few days later the premier was away from the legislature playing with hockey stars. The opposing leaders seemed to .spend half the summer flailing away in golf tournaments. Eves has started an annual golf tournament in memory of his son, killed in a car crash, which raises money to 'help young people, a worthy cause. It is much the same elsewhere. The federal Liberal caucus finally emerged as being in favour of pushing out Prime Minister Jean Chretien in favour of Paul Martin over golf at an out-of-town retreat. When former Newfoundland premier Brian Tobin asked Chretien recently to avoid recriminations that would hurt their federal party, their talking was done — where else? — on a golf course. U.S. business leaders, shepherded by former president George Bush, were invited to New Brunswick to negotiate about investing there over golf, and ex-premier Frank McKenna explained he matched up the foursomes so they would be most likely to develop into business partnerships. McKenna haspointed to one special benefit politicians derive from golf. and there are many. They get some enjoyment and relaxation as they devote their talents to trying to hit a ball into a tiny hole. It takes them away from the _ . everyday cares of their offices. They get some exercise, although not a lot, about equivalent to a slow walk in the open air. Golfing itself is not going to get the heart the Yucatan peninsula and wiped out nearly 70 per cent of all living species on the planet, including the dinosaurs. Don't remember the fireworks? No surprise. It happened 65 millions years ago. Yet we've been bombarded from space, constantly, before and since. It's funny how little attention we pay to stuff falling on us from outer space — considering we get about 200 tones of celestial debris every day. Granted, most of it is just dust, galactic ice and tiny meteorites too small 'to even register, but every once in a while a lustier intergalactic gatecrasher barges in. Scientists estimate that every century .or so, the earth takes a hit from an asteroid about the size of a backyard swimming pool. And approximately every 300,000 years we play host to an asteroid the size of, oh, say 2002NT7. The bad news is: we're overdue. The good news is: it almost certainly won't happen on Feb. 1, 2019. It looks at the moment, as if NT7 could be on a collision course with planet earth, but that's the case with dozens of potentially dangerous asteroids every year. As astronomers re-plot the orbits and refine their calculations, the odds against a pumping. It is a sport middle=aged men with paunches, which means most politicians, can play. It does not require as much energy as jogging or even brisk walking, more commonly recommended for fitness. It stamps those who do it to some degree as good sports, which is how politicians prefer to be seen rather than as studious intellectuals a little out of touch with the real world. Politicians golfing can look human, average guys, not aloof or stuffed shirts, and doing what many people do. Politicians can play golf for charities,-which gives them satisfaction, and get some respect for it, because media are more inclined to show pictures of them golfing than sitting in the legislature. Politicians have found they can raise money from their party members by playing golf, because many would rather play with them in the open than sit inside listening to speeches. They can spend time playing and socializing with big busineSs tycoons, many of whom have taken up golf, and the Tories and Liberals are particularly eager to get all the support and cash from big business they can. Golf also is the sport of the baby boomers Final Thought Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none. — William Shakespeare head-on smackdown begin to lengthen. Doctor Benjamin Peiser of John Moores University in Liverpool, studies asteroids for a living. He has declared NT7 a mere flash in the pan. "In all likelihood, in a couple of months additional observations will eliminate (NT7) from the list of potential impacts" he says. "I am very confident that ... it is actually not on a collision course with Earth." Which is good to know, for those of us who plan to be around 17 years from now. Still, if not then — when? And how much warning will we have? After all, these experts didn't even know that NT7 existed just a few short weeks ago. YOu have to wonder what else is lurking out there that they haven't noticed yet. Such as 2002Everclear. This is a giant gas cloud currently bumping around in the Aquila constellation and identified by three British astronomers just last year. How giant? Would you believe 1,000 times larger than our own solar system? That's the big news. The even bigger news is: scientists have determined that this humongous gas Cloud consists entirely of ethyl alcohol. Enough ethyl alcohol that, were it bottled, they say, would result in 400 trillion, trillion pints of beer. Why, that's enough to fuel three, even four Grey Cup weekends. I hate to be a fatalist, but if we have to be hit by something from outer space, I know which intruder I'd choose. Forget Armageddon — it's Miller Time. now reaching or at middle age, who vote and generally have money they can donate and are about the most powerful group . jn winning elections. A premier or party leader does himself a big favour if he can get them to equate with him. The mania for golf has now left other sports far behind as the favourite of politicians. A few years ago Tory premiers John Robarts and William Davis, and attorney general now chief justice Roy McMurtry liked to woo the jock vote by letting it be known they were university football heroes, and they had injuries proving it Liberal premier David Peterson was happy to remind he had been a useful university boxer, but fewer of today's politicians have participated in such physical sports, which are less popular. Horse racing is called the sport of kings, but golf has now emerged as the sport most suited to politicians. Those aspiring to get to the top in politics should research their facts, polish their oratory, brush up their French and practise their golf swings. Letters Policy The Citizen welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be signed and should include a daytime telephone number for the purpose of verification only. Letters that are not signed will not be printed. Submissions may be edited for length, clarity and content, using fair comment as our guideline. The Citizen reserves the right to refuse any letter on the basis of unfair bias, prejudice or inaccurate information. As well, letters can or ly be printed as space allows. Please keep your letters brief and concise. S A Bonnie Gropp The short of it Another year awaits I t's the time of year for birthdays around our house. From the end of September to the end of the year we celebrate not one. not two, but seven special days at ouri holm While many people think of New Year's as the time for rumination and reminiscing it is now, with birthdays serving as constant reminders that 12 months has passed, when I find myself reflecting on what has happened since we were a year younger. And taking the time for some retrospection, I couldn't help noticing, it's been an interesting year in our household. Over the course of 365 days there has been a great deal of change. The status quo has not remained on any level. When I think of our children, September 2001-2002 has been a time of growth and movement. All four have changed their living spaces, two to different cities, two to different areas of the 'same city. One has changed jobs, one has begun college. For their parents, most significantly we find ourselves on our own. In such a short time, I have gone from anticipating the days of less laundry, easier meals, bedrooms that stay clean and fewer groceries to buy, to the reality. (This might the be time to note that ironically it seems four kids out of the house. does not necessarily mean any more money in the bank, however. ) Personally as well it has, been a huge year. I have recognized that I am no longer 25, though there is still an on-going debate with my mind on this one. I have had to recognize the changes that have come into my life and do what I can to become comfortable with them. I have learned to spoil myself, to take some time for me. I got a haircut, joined a gym and took golf lessons, all ideas I've had for 20 years. New friendships have been made, old one:, strengthened and enjoyed. But what really comes to mind when I think about the past 12 months is how quickly a year passes, yet it can bring so much change. We can see ourselves one way today, and know that we can never be certain we will look the same when the last page of the calendar is flipped. We can meet someone, lose someone. There can be surprises in store for us physically, mentally and emotionally. Everyone has, at some time or another, endured a rough walk through life. There's a mishap, a *stumble, then you regain your footing, only to trip and fall. A kick from an enemy, you roll and tumble.. A moment to revive yourself is followed by dismal rain, fog then thunderstorms. You are thwarted by rough terrain, obstacles and predators. , Then, when you finally think you can stand no more, the sky clears, the path smooths and you are strengthened by new insight and wisdom. Difficulties eventually led you to the better path. And though it might not feel it at the time, it can happen so quickly. And to such extremes. My year .has been good. but had anyone suggested, how things were going to be now. I would have been somewhat skeptical. _ This year has not been without its challenges, but as I look back to how far 1 have travelled, how far my family has travelled, the many changes we have experienced, it has been an incredible time..New adventures have begun, new opportunities await. golf course these who are trying to knock a ball in a About why politicians like golf