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Huron Expositor, 2006-01-11, Page 4Page 4 January 11, 2006 • The Huron Expositor • Opinion. Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO Farmers who were hoping for more than lip ser- vice during Monday night's federal leadership debate were likely less than impressed by the gong show that unfolded before their weary eyes. Many sectors of the farming industry are facing a cash -income crisis that is unparalleled in modern history and yet the ruling Liberals, the Conservative Party of Canada, the Bloc Quebecois and the New Democratic Party answered : only one question on the subject and instead spent untold minutes talking about issues that few Canadians outside of Quebec are in a flap over. Indeed, one's mind boggles to think that the last half-hour of the debate was dedicated to: the "unity" question, one that the majority of Canadians had anxiously hoped and prayed had gone away after mega mullions were blown on the Charlottetown question of 1995. In fact, one would think the Liberals would wise- ly shy away from the topic at all given it was the theme of the hundreds of millions it threw into the wind in the form of =tendered contracts in the sponsorship scandal. Unbelievably, Prime Minister Paul Martin gazed into the camera and spoke of "CAIS," patronizingly informing city folk that farmers would know what he meant when he mentioned its shortcomings. Well, Prime Minister, here's a news flash: It's wiping out the Canadian agricultural economy, why not spell it out for the city slickers? Sadly, though farmers are often mum on the sub- ject given that their livelihood and home lives are so intricately entwined, it is entrusted to a chosen few to speak out on their behalf. But, as the ones that do speak out have noted, chances are leadership hopefuls would not be so ho- hum on the subject if one of the Big Three were going down in a blaze of glory --- much of which, ironically in this case, has been created by an inef- fective government that is unwilling to demand an end to trade abuses. Shockingly, unbelievably, not one of the leaders named agriculture as a priority in their speeches. Meanwhile, the nation's food suppliers are left to twist in the wind. The Clinton News -Record Cliches are the writer's bane Once again I find myself staring at my computer, racking my brain over' what I should write m_ y column about this week. The difficulty is in find- ing something that is interesting, and writing about it without falling into the many cliches that many journalists cannot avoid, such as me telling you how you can make the world a bet- ter place, or telling you about what I did this past weekend. I could write about something that affects us all like the weather. It's pretty interesting right now, isn't it? Maybe I ' shouldn't though. I'd probably end up writing about how global warming is a major cause to our unstable: weather, and then I'd end up telling everyone to do their part in helping reduce greenhouse gases. But, as I said, I don't want to barrage you with my views on how to make the world a better place, not that there is anything wrong with that. Sometimes it can be very beneficial to inform readers, or remind them when there's a cause worth fighting for. I did this when I wrote about helping the victims of hurricane Katrina and donating to Unicef back in October. I couldgive you my opinion on some current events, such as the condition of Israeli Prime by Jeff Heuchert Minister Ariel Sharon. Or, I could discuss a more local issue, such as the tax deferral given to area farmers byjluron East council. But these topics have already been covered: - What can I say that hasn't already been in newspapers, on radio stations and televisions, every day about Sharon's condition. What opinion could I write that's new or interesting regarding the tax referral, that 'you haven't already read .in this paper, or dis- cussed with others in the community. I want to write about something original, something you haven't been thinking about recently. But it's tough. I've told you about my trip to Buffalo, my adventures at Oktoberfest back home, even about my quest for the perfect Christmas gift. How much more of me can you take? I'm not even that interesting of a person. Oh well, I still haven't figured out what to write about, but :I've filled the necessary space for another week. Yet, as hard as I tried not to, I've ended up writing maybe the biggest column cliche of all: the column about not knowing what to write a column about. I guess I'm back where I started. Ran & Dave (-You should be" savouring every aspect of it. Life is like o comic strip. You go from panel to panel and the future unfolds before you. Life happens in the middle. Don't just jump to the last panel! Before you know it you' I be old and gray! by David Lacey wishI� could be a kid again. Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com Q) IN OUEBECOR MEDIA Canada "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 35.85 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. 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Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Jeff Heuchert Reporter Bernie Pugh Dianne McGrath Adrienne Peckitt Advertising / Office Front office Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seaforth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P,O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK 1 WO .