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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-07-07, Page 5Opinion THE HURON EXPOSITOR, July 7, 2004-5 `Absolutely brilliant' stars greet Johnston in Madaba Well, apparently there are 25 million people in Cairo. I got a different answer every time 1 asked, and I decided to go with the number I read in a "Welcome to Egypt" pamphlet at the airport when we left. 1 had a very long time to read the pamphlet (although, why it was in the departure section is completely beyond me) because we arrived at the airport two hours before our 1330 flight to discover that it had been cancelled. We managed to get seats on the 2315 plane, and proceeded to set up "Camp Canada" in the terminal. 13y the end of the day, even the dig manual was hysterically funny. We did meet some American archaeology students who had also been digging in the Madaba area (ironically, the only Canadians we met the entire time we were in Egypt were three WLU business students whom I recognized by their hats), and watch a bit of the Greece/France game (it was nice to be sitting in a room where everyone was staring at someone other than us). We landed in Amman at about 1:30, and by the time we got our luggage and into the (very very crowded) van and drove to Madaba, I had my face glued to the window, looking at the stars. They were absolutely brilliant, and 1 could only see about Kate Johnston Diggin' the Middle East an eighth of the sky. We pulled up at the hotel around 3:00, and more or less collapsed. The next few days were spent getting oriented for the dig. This involved sitting in a crowded room talking about loci, soil samples, trowels and line levels (among other things, of course.) There was a wedding in the other hotel last night (the owner's daughter), so I gether it was quite fun trying to sleep. All of the professors were invited. They were quite funny this morning. Madaba itself is much Less hectic than Cairo. Obviously, it has less that one -fiftieth of the population, but the don't honk their horns here as much, and people on the street don't talk to you when you pass. The buildings are white and square (still mostly unfinished), Letter Voters `robbed' of political representation by `first past the post' electoral system To the Editor, I am writing to report a robbery. I along with millions of other Canadians have been robbed of political representation by our "first past the post", "winner take all" electoral system. And in this recent federal election we and Canada are the losers. Democracy is based on the premise that each of us has an equal voice in electing our government, "one person - one vote." Fair Vote Canada recently released a report titled "Dubious Democracy" which looks at the failure of our system to produce parliaments which actually reflect the voters' support of the various political parties. We have a system which routinely produces fake majority governments, distorted minority governments, over represents regional interests and regularly disregards nearly half the ballots cast. If we had proportional representation, where every vote counted equally toward parliamentary representation, the over half a million voters who chose the Green Party would have 13 representatives in this parliament, not zero. The NDP would have 29 more seats and would far better reflect the over 2 million people who voted for them. Why does the Conservative party with less than twice the number of votes get five times the number of seats as the NDP? Because our first past the post system is badly flawed. The Christian Heritage Party and the Marijuana party might each have one. The Bloc Quebecois would have 16 fewer seats, the Conservatives would have eight less and the Liberals would have 22 less. This would be a Parliament that truly reflected what voters said on June 28. Some form of proportional representation has been adopted by nearly all western democracies over the past 100 years because they realized that the "first past the post" system was not adequate to a modern democracy. The holdouts are England, the U.S. and Canada. If we want people to vote, we have to stop throwing out their ballots. We need to treat all votes equally and give represctation in Parliament equivalent to popular support. In this election the NDP got a representative for every 111,000 votes cast for it. The Liberals got a seat for every 36,600 votes. If the tables were reversed and the Liberals had to get 111,000 votes for every seat and the NDP got a seat for every 36,600 the NDP would have gotten 58 seats and the Liberals 44. If we used the Green Parties ratio of over half a million votes and no representation in the Parliament, nobody would get any seats. This is stupid. Let's get a system that doesn't lend itself to this type of distortion and really reflects what Canadians want in a government. . If people would like more details they should visit www.fairvotecanada.ca for their report "Dubious Democracy." Better yet join Fair Vote Canada and help make this the last undemocratic election in Canada. Be well, Tony McQuail, RR # 1, Lucknow, ON News Guelph students adding their support to Truscott's petition for a new trial By Cheryl Hoath Clinton News Record Editor More than 1,100 students at an elementary school in Guelph, the adopted community of Steven Truscott who is currently attempting to clear his name in the 45 -year-old murder case of Lynne Harper, have added their voices to the chorus who believe in Truscott's innocence. The students, at John- F. Ross school, along with teachers Bill Price and Jeff Yanchus, handed copies of the petition to the offices of the various candidates seeking election on June 28, including incumbent Liberal MP Brenda Chamberlain, according to information supplied by the Truscott's support site. Signatures were collected on the internet by more than 50 students who have been studying the Truscott case in civics class. The petition asks federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotter to acknowledge that Truscott's 1959 murder trial was unjust and to order a new one. Students at a Stratford school, Bedford Public, presented a similar petition earlier this month. Truscott, a millwright who has lived in Guelph for more than three decades, has consistently maintained his innocence since June 11, 1959, when the body of Lynne Harper, 12, was found in a bush near the Clinton air force base. Months later, Truscott was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The sentence was later commuted to • life imprisonment on appeal. Truscott was paroled after serving a 10 -year sentence. Justice Minister Irwin Cotler -- or a successor. depending on the outcome of the June 28 election - currently has what is now known as a 696 (formerly 690) application in his office. He has the option of ordering a new trial. issuing a pardon or referring the case hack to the courts. A communications spokeswoman for Justice Canada reports the current Justice Minister is under no obligation to complete his review within a specified time period. She adds that whether or not Cotler is replaced following the June 28 election is irrelevant because the Justice Minister works with a special advisor who gives recommendations on such files. The special advisor's job Bridges of Seaforth opens sales office on Main Street By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff The sales office for a 248 -home adult lifestyle community in Seaforth opened last week bridging the community with its newest addition. Last, week, the Bridges of Seaforth sales presentation office hosted an open house at the Main Street sales office. "The residents, merchants and everyone in town have been just so wonderful," said salesperson Karen Jefferies. Bridges of Seaforth decided to pick the store front at 79/81 Main St. because of its visibility. "It's a bustling little town here and we wanted to be where we were visible," said Jefferies. The Bridges of Seaforth, a 248 home development which includes a 16,000 square foot recreation complex, will be located at the Seaforth Golf Club. Currently, Bridges is selling their pre - construction phase with houses ranging from $195,990 to $341,000 and they have sold three units already. Jefferies said that she has seen lots of local interest as well as interest from London, Kitchener, and the Toronto arca. docs not change following an election. Area residents can still add their names to the Truscott petition. which can he accessed online at http://homcr.ugdsb.on.ca/jfr /index.htrn. Wrought Iron Cast Aluminum Wicker Rattan Cushions Umbrellas Chair Coven Indoor Bar Stool I Manufacturers since 19791'> DECORATE OUTDOORS 35,000 sq. ft of Outdoor Furniture nn .\r fir\1111 GRAND BEND 2582110 Kwyw rw0 WKtOO and there are open spaces all over the place. In the afternoon, the children all go and fly kites. Today, while Dr. Force was trying to teach us how to take elevations, we were counting the kites instead (there were eight, and most of them were made out of Jordanian flags). This meant that we sort of missed the lesson, but we covered it again at dinner using an ash tray, the salt and my water bottle. I've been promoted to Square Supervisor, which means I am now in charge of 1312, a new sqaure in the industrial section of the site. This is quite terrifying, because I am in charge of the drawings and pottery registration, and (even worse) evaluations for the others in my square. Not to mention the pages and pages of extra reading I now have. Still, I am really, really excited to get started tomorrow. 41 Avon my.. mai da"n"d Distant Schools Report The Onlano Government committed 550 million in annual funding for the 2003 - 2004 and subsequent school years to help school boards ensure quality education and student success in remoterural and Northern Boards Boards are required to publish a report for parents and taxpayers on the use of these funds by June 30th of each year. explaining how the funds have been used to improve supports for the schools that meet the eligibility criteria of the new funding A copy of the Avon Maitland Distant Schools Report is now available at: www.yourschools.ca For further information call: 1-800-592-5437 IRWIN PHYIIOTHERAPY ntiS Ph.#sioIItenap cast: • Reduce Pain • Strengthen Problem Areas • Improve Mobility • Prevent Injury • Restore Maximum Function Craig Irwin, PT CALL: 527-1551 Or visit us at the Seaforth Community Health Centre 28 Centennial Drive, Seaforth Most Services covered by WSIB. Auto Insurance or ncled Health Benefits, ilk!' —11111- P V + PEPENNIAL TABLES to See What is • Flowering Now & Take Some Plants Home with you. Nursery Stock & Perennials can be Planted anytime. HANGING BASKETS & CONTAINERS are Absolutely Gorgeous! Come See for Yourself' PICK YOUR OWN STRAWBERRIES STILL AVAILABLE. Cali for Crop Update ifthipte,'$ Ie C��tfihue:! ME OF TED'S TASTY TOMATOES Farm Orchard Line, RRII1 Bayfield 19-482-3020 OPEN...Mon: Fri. 8-8 Sot. & Sun. 9-6 Church Services St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr Michael Atkins Parish Office 527-1522 Sunday, July 11 The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Worship x19:30 am Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street. Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim Wyllie - Pastor Youth Group Tues. 7 p.m. Egmondville United Church Sunday July 11 Join us at 10:30 for Worship and a Potluck Picnic to follow at the Van Egmond House. Everyone Welcome Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister In Training NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9'30 a m 11:00 a.m. Northside Winthrop r 54 Ooderich St. W Minister Rev. John Qould No services at Cavan or Northside for the month of July Vacation Bible School at Northside July 19.23. For info call Susan 527-0127 First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Minister Rev. Henry Hubert* Sunday, July 11 11:15 am Please note That we will be open for services in July and August. Visitors are most welcome! Activities for children will be provided,