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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-03-01, Page 4• Page 4 Times -Advocate, March 1, 1995 4 Publisher & Editor: Jim Beckett Business Manager. Don smith Production Manager. Deb Lord tiakeadjac Barb Consitt News; Fred Groves, Heather Vincent, Ross Haugh Production; Alma Ballantyne, Mary McMurray, Barb Robertson Robert Nicol, Brenda Hem, Joyce Weber, Laurel Miner, Marg Flynn Transportation: Al Flynn, Al Hodgert Front Office & Accounting; Norma loges, Elaine Pinder, Ruthanne NegriJn, Anita McDonald, Cassie Dalrymple The Exeter Tlmes-Advocate Is a member of a family of community newspapers ►" SIA" 'l providing news, advertising and information leadership • • inion Publications Mail Registration Number 0386 SUBSCRIPTION RATES• _ CANAitIA Within 40 miles (85 km.) addressed to non letter canter addresses $33.00 plus :2310.S.T. Outside 40 mites (85 km.) or any latter carrier address 833.00 plus 830.00 (total 83.00) + 4.31 0.5.T. Outside Canada 699.00 plus 98.83 OST (includes 888.40 postage) Published Each Wsdry MeetingExeterOntario, NOM 158�Iby W. E Pub cos ions�Lt . Telephone 1-519-235-1331 • Fax: 519-235-0788 e.s.T. IR105210/35 P I';l)1TORIALS Job cuts will be felt aul Martin's announcement Monday that about 45,000 civil ser- vants will lose their jobs as the major part of the plan to cut government spending will undoubtedly receive a mixed reception with Canadian taxpay- ers. While we have sympathy for anyone who loses their job, particularly those who have invested years in building a career, there is no other way to bring government spending under control. Over the past decades the Liberals have played a major part in building the bu- reaucracy in Ottawa and it comes as no surprise that eventually someone would have to begin to dismantle the system. Although there seems to be a public perception across the country that civil servants do little work for a lot of mon- ey there will be no doubt that cuts of this magnitude could reflect in a much lower level of service than we have been accustomed to. In human terms the cuts will be much less traumatic than might be expected. I According to Huron MP Paul Steckle there were 221,643 people on the federal payroll as of the end of December. With plans to spread the cuts over three,years the estimated job reductions will amount to about a seven percent reduction annu- ally. If this number was converted into something we could relate to it would be about the same as the town of Exeter cutting its staff by 1.4 people per year. Because this government, as with most governments, will be giving plenty of notice, encouraging early retirement and handing out generous severance packag- es the pain should be bearable for most of those who will be out of a job. There will even be a substantial number of fi- nancially secure workers who will wel- come the chance to move on to some- thing else, especially if the blow is cushioned•by a pillow full of cash. Credit must be given for any effort to bring our finances in order. The deficit has been a cancer on our country for years. We can only hope the surgery is enough to stop the disease. The price of ego n the latest piece of lunacy, critics have accused the Canadian Red Cross of discrimination on the grounds that it won't accept blood from men who have sex with men. Never mind that this is one of the high-risk groups for AIDS. It is by no means the only high-risk group, but it is one of them. But that, apparently, means little when it comes to insulted feelings. Never mind the number of Canadians who've already contracted AIDS through inadequate screening proce- dures of the 1980s. Never mind that the same question- naire which asks about homosexual ac- tivity also asks about other high-risk activity, such as sharing needles and taking money for sex, the latter being an activity by no means relegated to men. Blood donations are also not accepted from people on many seemingly innoc- uous medications, people with low blood iron levels, people who've trav- elled outside the country in the last few months, people who have had diseases such as hepatitis or cancer, even though scientific evidence indicates that medi- cal personnel are 99.99 percent certain cancer is not transmitted through the blood. That .01 percent is considered an unacceptable risk. And so it should be. People getting blood transfusions are there because they are already ill,they have been badly injured in an accident, they are undergoing surgery, they are delivering a baby. All these scenarios can be risky enough without the addi- tional possibility of contaminated blood. Susan Shaw, an anti -harassment offi- cer at the University of Victoria, criticiz- es the questionnaire as "stigmatizing" gays and bisexuals. She has obviously not considered the distinct possibility that those so "stigmitized" could just as easily be on the receiving end of tainted blood. The questionnaire, in fact, does no such thing. It improves the safety mar- gin for the rest of the population - gays and bisexuals included, And that should be the only considera- tion. Goderich-Signal Star 4i O.Ja Tonight: Judge.Ito rules on Jonnie Cochran's tie; the defence team orders lunch; Marcia Clark has a bad hair day. (CC) Bob Rae and Bill Davis as best buddies is a little hard for Ontarians to get used to, but they can see it happening before their very eyes. New Democrat premier Rae coaxed former Progressive Conservative premier Davis to chair an agency promoting exports and they slapped each other on the back like a couple of Wal-Mart greeters last week as Rae exhibited his prize catch. Rae marvelled at having someone of Davis's immense talent to create important new partner- ship between government and business and the NDP premier has reason to feel pleased. Rae had been accused by current Tory leader Mike Hams of having no rapport with busi- ness, but now he can boast before an election he has the most revered Tory, Davis, also re- spected by business, working with him -- two birds with one stone. Davis tried to head off grumbles that he pulled the rug a bit from under Hams by ex- plaining that he always answers when public duty calls. But neither explained how they fell billing and cooing into each other's arms so passion- ately despite many past differences. When Davis was in govemment up to 1985, Rae argued that he was 'consistently mean- spirited and self-interested and stands for noth- ing more than organized greed.' Rae claimed that Davis 'failed to recognize the need for democratic cooperation and part- nership essential to turn to this economy around .... to foster the planning and partner- ship necessary to keep our industrial and re- source bases strong.' But oddly he has turned now to Davis to build partnerships between government and the private sector. Rae used to say that Davis lacked commit- ment to full employment, dithered while people were unemployed and undermined the work ethic by failing to do his best to ensure that res- idents had jobs and the work ethic by failing to Winter hibernation is coming to an end and what better time to start thinking about healthy eating? The Canadian Dietetic Associ- ation has named March at nutri- tion month. They work with the Canadian Federation of Chefs and Cooks as well as other sponsors to promote healthy eating. Many people believe that healthy eating means enduring endless bland meals of what amounts to rabbit food. What people may not know is that many ethnic diets, which are rich in nutrition and flavour, are also low in fat. Meals are often centred on grains such as rice, pasta, couscous and lentils and combined with herbs and spic- es. Using a variety of spices can By Heather Vincent reduce the need for excess salt and fat in foods. Meals from cultures around the world tend to use more vegetables and grain products than meat and dairy. These items are still a part of a healthy diet, just is limited quan- tities. Indian food which is often vegetarian, frequently does not include meat but does use some dairy products. A lacto- vegetarian diet can be very healthy as well as delicious but this style of eating requires care- ful monitoring to ensure proper nutrients are a part of the re- gime. A common misconception about Indian food is that it is all hot and spicy, too radical for our North American sensibilities. Nothing could be further than the truth. Until you have sam- pled saffron scented basmati rice you cannot appreciate the delicate balance of spices which is required to make the dish come alive. Vegetarians of a variety of styles need to make sure they are getting the required amounts of protein, calcium, iron and vi- tamin D, the dietetic association recommends. Reducing fat does not mean eliminating food you love. The body requires a certain amount of fat and avoiding it altogether can produce health problems as well. Moderation is essential in maintaining a healthy diet. By experimenting with healthy diets from a variety of cultures, you can expand your culinary repertoire and take bet- ter care of your health at the same time. Buddies do his best to ensure that residents had jobs and the satisfaction and pride that go with them. Now Rae has enlisted Davis to create jobs. Rae complained that the heartless Davis ran a 'casino economy' which enabled companies to take over factories merely to close them and when questioned merely 'laughs and is cute and clever.' Rae said the Tory premier was content to leave many in Ontario's workforce illiterate and inarticulate, because this created docile, low -paid workers. Rae accused Davis of running in 'Anglo- Saxon Toryland' where viable minorities had no voice, so it is even more ironic that Rae chose him when the New Democrats are avidly promoting employment equity. Dayis held Rae in equally low regard. He used to warn that 'the NDP in this province has one ambition and that is total control of the economy... it would jeopardize jobs through in- creasing state intervention and control.' Davis warned Ontarians: 'You don't need a New Democratic, socialist party saying it's go- ing to plan for you and guarantee your life from the cradle to the grave.' Davis scoffed that Rae believes that 'govern- ment and government spending can ultimately solve most if not all our problems... Mr. Rae and his party are out of touch with the econom- ic and political realities of this province.' Rae has discovered that Davis would be a whiz at planning and partnerships now he wants a Tory liked by business on his side and Davis has found the NDP is in touch after all when he feels like another crack at public ser- vice. But Rae and Davis also made serious charges against each other and when they suddenly hold hands they raise suspicions that politicians feel they can say anything and not be held to account. -- that it is all just a game.