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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2009-10-07, Page 4I • . iha #tom Expositor. Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK IWO You've wrong way, baby So it seems the G-overnment of Ontario wants to throw a lot of dollars at the lawyers. How so? Well, in this case, it seems, the province is seeking to open up a can of litigation on officially unidenti- fie(ttgbacco companies in order to recoup the $50 bil- lion it has spent in treating Ontarians with tobacco - related illnesses since 1995. ; , -*,i4 _ s wsk. ,x: While it is true that it is difficult to criticize the government for considering its citizens' bestinter- ests, one must question the wisdom behind latrch� ing what is sure to be a costly and erilless litigation when there are other steps that could be taken with immediate effect. Like? An op.ght ban on tobacco sales is the most rea- sonable step. And yet? such a move is unlikely given. the province en - g lots of yummy tax revenue from the liberal doling of sin taxes applied to tobacco sales that are, let's face it, already so strictly regulated that one xnust wonder why Premier Dalton McGuinty doesn't go that one extra step with an all-out ban. After all, it is hard to argue with statistics that show smoking has no useful benefit to mankind. Smoking stains teeth, hardens arteries, blackens lungs, leaves fingers stained and even goes so far as tint one's hair if used enough. By banning cigarettes and introducing a slew of hefty fines to be doled out to those found in contra- vention of that ban, Ontario would truly lead the world in the war against regulated buzzes Granted, as a consequence, the underground than ket would grow and remaining Ontarians who are 3F forced to quit would likely become a tad portlier and,,t, as a result, become a burden on the healthcare Sysl,,, tem, too. Nonetheless, our collective smile would be'4 a shinier one and it would send a strong message t+ tobacco companies that the Province of Ontario has closed the door for good on its smoking section. y' This scenario, though granted would lose Ontar- io untold millions in tobacco -tax revenue, is surely more sound that embarking on a costly venture intoe. litigation land where the possibility that tobacco companies will pony up with $50 billion is slimmer than a Virginian. And besides, handing over xnillions of taxpayers' dollars to lawyers to haggle into perpetuity is shock- ing akin to robbing Peter to pay Pall Mall. Clinton News -Record Your Community N.wspapsr Sind 1660 Publisher - Dave Sykes Editorial and Business Offices -11 Main Street., Seaforth 'telephone (519) 627-0240 Fax (519) 827-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON, NOK 1w0 Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuroneXpositorcom jithi Cana& 19 QUEMCOlt l "IOtl. 'WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, THROUGH THE PUBLICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (PAP), TOWARD OUR AIMING. cons." Technology not helpftilin keeping local community informed In our brave, new world where technology is seen as the ultimate solution to every problem, including the best way to save money, time and effort, I was thrilled to have the chance last week to attend a Huron Perth Healthcare Al- liance board meeting via the wonders of videoconferencing technology. Here, I felt certain, was my chance to keep up to date with the monthly decision , mak- ing and the discussions behind the decisions at the Alliance - which holds most of its board, meetings in Stratford - in the comfort of the Seaforth hospital boardroom. But, as the meeting unfolded and my ability to either see or hear what was going on a half- hour drive down Highway 8 did not, I was left shaking my head over the fact that technology is wonderful - but only when it's working. For the first hour or so of the meeting, there were some technological glitches that meant we in Seaforth could only see ourselves reflect- ed back' on the TV screen, making it difficult to know who was talking in Stratford at the time. And, some sound problems had the volume coming in and cutting off with such frequency that .you couldn't hear the end of a sentence, let alone follow the conversation with any clarity. By the last 20 minutes of the meeting when the glitches were ironed out, I could see that on a good day, videoconferencing can provide a reasonable - but not perfect - alternative to Susan Hundertmark Ron & ban I'm tired of our\ religion, so I'm shopping around for a new one• actually being there. But, unfortunately, I was going to have to get on the phone and track down any of the speakers I was hoping to quote since I hadn't heard their complete sen- tences earlier in the evening. I provide these observations not to complain about the Hu- ron Perth Healthcare Alliance and its technol- ogy but to comment on our increasing reliance on these modern "conveniences." I've been reading recently how some news- papers, both in Canada and the U.S., are con- sidering outsourcing work to countries on the other side of the globe since technology and the internet streaming of events, such as council meetings, could conceivably allow well, any- one on Earth, to cover the stories that come out of these events. Apparently the U.S. newspaper Pasadena Now decided a few years ago to outsource its city council meetings to two journalists from India, who were willing to take $10,000 less than the $30,000 yearly wage an American re- porter was receiving. And, just recently, the Regina Leader -Post decided to outsource its advertising produc- tionjobs to India and the Phillipines. After experiencing the difficulties I did pick- ing up the conversation a short drive away, I am predicting the problems that could arise being halfway around the world would be end- less. It's tough to imagine being able to follow See TECHNOLOGY, Page 7 CI' m leaning towards one of the Eastern religions. Y' know, reincarnation sounds kinds interesting. by David Lacey fOn the other C Do they ' hand, there's have anything with human sacrif ice? That would be cool: Yeah, but you'd probably come back as a cockroach. big money to be made in Evangelism. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 38.05 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS;- 38.14 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Foreign: 38.05 a year in advance, plus $195.00 postage, plus G.S.T. U.S.A.: 38.05 a year in advance, plus $99.84 postage, plus G.S.T. Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Advertising is accept- ed on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied bythe erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signa- ture, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement MI 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 loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials uded for reproduction purposes. PUBUCATION MAIL AGREEMENT 40064683 - PAP REGISTRATION NO. 7605 For any non deliveries or delivery concerns please call 519-527.0240. RETURN UNDELNERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: Circulation Department, P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, ON., NOK 1 WO n� Canadian Association £ds OnCommunity Community Ion Susan Hundertmark Editor seaforthnews@bowesnet.com ,cit&,,,,) 11,4 ti 11„7. 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