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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2006-11-15, Page 4Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK IWO Page 4 November 15, 2006 • The Huron Expositor Editorial al It has been a long time since Canadians watched their soldiers die in combat. Unfortunately, the mission in Afghanistan is reminding us what it's like. In the past four years, and especially this year, Canadian soldiers have been dying in numbers not seen since the Korean War more than 50 years ago. On Remembrance Day, they were paid tribute along with the brave men and women who gave their lives in Korea and two world wars. Indeed, as was evident during a presentation by photojournalist Richard Fitoussi to Central Huron Secondary School students on Friday, their sacrifice seems to be helping a new generation understand why people are willing to risk their lives for the sake of an ideal. In every case, the ideal is democracy. In places like EuroPe and Korea and Afghanistan, our troops fought, and are still fighting to ensure the people ►f�iose nations.enjoy the rights and freedoms we in North America take for granted. This year we have watched in alarmas the death toll among Canadians in Afghanistan mounted rapidly. The number killed since 2002 now stands at.42 --hiest number of Canadian casualties since the Korrean war ended in 1953. The number seems tinycompared to the deaths in previous wars: 516 in rea of about 27,000 who served; 45,615 killed in the Second World War of about 1.1 million who served and 68,260 killed in the First World War of about 620,000 who served. They all have somethingin common: they believed they were making a difference in Afghanistan. But, their deaths have forced all of us to ask a question we should be asking. Many have been asking whether Canada 'should be involved atwhea►er the Taliban can ever be defeated and s=` be allowed to rebuild their country as a deinocracy. Our trop in Afghanistan are a reminder to us that the ideals our Agin veterans died for so long ago are still worth flightmg for, but whether or not this is a battle that can be won or if, indeed, that is actually the battle being fought is a matter for debate by Canadians and their politicians. Stratford Beacon Herald Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com oUBECoR MEDIA ram. 'We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." After costly vet bills, the cat's still ignoring. me As I've discovered, the older you get, the less things seem to make sense. Take for instance, the conundrum I faced recently. During a routine check- up, the veterinarian dis- covered several rotten teeth inside the mouth of our (Lindsay's and my) cat, and suggested they be immediately pulled. The cost: nearly $500. Now before making a decision such as this, there a couple of things you have to consider. For starters, the age of the pet. How. old is too old to pay for an operation when the pet might only survive another twoor three years afterwards? In this case, our cat is already 16 years old, which after converting to human years, is like a 90 -year-old. Then you have to consider the cost of the operation, and whether or not it even fits into your budget? How expensive is too expensive? While the $500 cost for an operation may not be unreasonable for some families that are bringing in two substantial incomes, for us, that kind of money can be a little tricky to come by after we've paid our bills. Eimillillill By Jeff Heuchert And, this particular cat and I have only recently starting to become comfort- able together. (She was part of the package when I moved in with Lindsay.) So,. setting aside the personal attachment Lindsay obviously has to the cat, all sensible logic would tell me to say "Sorry," and hide my wallet as fast as I could. But, do you think that's what I did? Of course not. We paid for the operation and everyone (Lindsay) is happy. So why did I pay for the operation? Whatever the reason is, it's probably the same reason why parents will pay exorbitant amounts of money on the latest toys for their children, when they know they'll all but be forgotten a couple of months later. Or why on Valentine's Day, guys across the world fork out more than they should for a bouquet of roses, when another (cheaper), flower might be just as nice. The things we do (and the dollars we shed) for the ones we love...I guess. Oh, and in case you're wondering, our cat is back to .her regular ignoring -Jeff self she always was. Ron& bow (And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, by bavid Lacey I wasn't sleeping its praying! I consider this an attack on my religious freedom. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS: - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Foreign: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $181.48 postage, G.S.T. exempt U.S.A.. 36.18 a year in advance, plus $92.56 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occu- pied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the Toss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40029693 PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO Circulation Department P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO Member & Canadian �wlrtlon �sOntarioommty Newspapers Association Tom Williscraft Susan Hundertmark Publisher Editor Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Dianne McGrath Jeff Heuchert Reporter Marcie Riegling 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 IWO