HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-12-28, Page 7•
something about WAD of us.
• * Seven out of 10Oduffs'ingonada drink alcoholic beverage,. Almost all drive.
* Drunken •driiringsia, our nation's number one homiCide. with OOProxiMately
2,000 deaths recorded YOFirhi;Ifiia doesn't includO the 65,000 rested injuriei.!
* Drunk driving is thitntirnber one killer of Canadians between the ages of 16
24.
* 'Surveys indicate drivers in the 30 - 34 year age bracket hod been drinking
most often. • , , ,
How can we help stop this unnecessary horror? We can support and encouroge.'
strict drunk driving laws, but moreover, each of us must feel a personal sense.of
responsibility.
Basically everyone who drinks drinks and drives. Reasons for drunk driverSon
the road vary: two buddies celebrating a promotion, teenagers trying to be one
of the "grouP', some folks out for a "night on the town". But remember, you or a
loved one can become the victim of .one 6f these "nice people" who commit a
criminal act by driving under the influence of alcohol. Or; 0 you drink and drive,
you might be the victimizer... the criminal.
What is a drunk driver? Anyone who drinks and drives while impaired fits the
description. In Canada it is illegal (Criminal Code) to.drive with a blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) of .08 per cent. To reach that level, a 175 lb: man would only'
need to drink three or four 12 oz. beers within an hour. However, impairment can
occur at a lower BAC. In fact, in Ontario your licence can be suspended for 12
hours if you Nave a BAC of .05 per cent. The majority of the civilized world
recognizes a .05 per cent level for impairment..
Remember, long before any signs of drunkeness, alcohol reduces a driver's
tolerance to glare, causes drivers to underestimate speed and distance and en-
courages impulsive responses and risk taking. Recent research also indicates
that a hangover is much more than a fuzzy reminder of the night before. It in-
dicates that the alcohol is still affecting your system.
Here are some facts about drinking:
* Beer drinkers are just as likely to get involved in accidents as drivers who have
had wine or liquor.
* ,Chances of meeting a drunk driver are twice as great between, VO.M.-
„
am. as in the period of 10 p.m:. toinidnight.
* Fifty per cent of pedestrian accident victims have been drinking.
* Nothing tempers the effect of alcohol except time -- not eating, drinking coffee
or exercising.
. Don't add to the horrifying drunk driving statistics. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
And, if possible, prevent others from menacing our roads. If you plan to drink,
allow sufficient time before you drive, or better yet, have someone else do the
driving. Support strictlegislation to reduce this growing crime. If we join .
together as morally responsible adults, we con lower the grim statistics, save
lives and prevent injuries. -from the Ontario Safety League.
Now that Christmas is over a lot of people
are out there training for New Year's Eve
celebrations. Some are getting in training,
building up to it slowly, starting with a little
more celebrating each night like a weight
lifter who lifts a little more each day. Others
are getting as much rest as possible for all
the sleep they'll lose come the big night.
Not me. I hate to admit it, it will tarnish
my already dull image, but when the new
year comes in P11 probably be in bed, if not
asleep nearly so. The New Year's hoopla
will kill off the one reason I'd be likely to be
up that late: watching a good late movie.
In fact, if there were more people like me,
the economy of the country would probably
be irreparably harmed. I just can't picture
myself paying $150 a couple to go to some
big blowout at some swank hotel like
thousands do. Well, maybe I could, if I
hadn't always found New Year's Eve
celebrations to be a gigantic anti -climax.
I grew up watching all those marvelous
Hollywood movies that made New Year's
Eve seem like the greatest event in the
world. As I got older it seemed the celebra-
tions were something of an orgy for
respec-
table people. People lost their inhlbitlons
and klssed everybody in sight (and who
knows what they did out of sight).
I mean it seemed to me that on New
Year's Eve you could throw a party and in-
vite all those women you had ever had
subliminal fantasies about and all your fan-
tasies, well at least the half -decent ones,
would come true as these ladies who hardly
looked your way in the light of an ordinary
day, threw their arms around you and kiss-
edyou in the abandon of the moment.
But it never happened, darn it. After going
to a few parties, I found out that they were
pretty much just like all the other parties
and if there was something special and ex-
citing happening, it sure wasn't happening
in my corner of the room. The words of that
Peggy Lee song, "Is That All There Is?”,
come instantly to mind when I think of all
the New Year's Eve parties I can ever
remember.
I once gave a New Year's Eve party for
friends back in my high school days. It was
a good party, but nothing exceptional hap-
pened (come to think of it I think you could
say the same for all my high school days).
Another year a friend had a similar party,
well, not completely similar since his
mother seemed to think she had to head the
social committee for the whole evening. You
know nothing interesting happened there.
I've been to adult parties that have been a
little less subdued since then but there's
been nothing vaguely scandalous about
them, nothing people were embarrassed to
hear they had been photographed doing
when they recovered the next day. Maybe I
just happened to have friends who are as in-
credibly dull as me. I don't know.
So anyway, I'll Most likely be in bed when
the New Year comes in. I won't even be wat-
ching the celebrations on TV because I
might be jealous. But there's one time I'll
have a better time than those guys at the.
party: the next morning.
a calutitteottitfaltitid is the knowledge that
yod are getting into print the angers and'
'fruitrations of a lot of other people, who -
have no recourse for their resentments, and
consequently take them out on theold man
or the old lady.
How do you know this? Well, because
people write youlettert cheering you on to
further attacks, and other people come up to
you, perfect strangers hands warmly
and say, "By the' Holy Ole Jumpin! Bill, you
really hit the nail on the head."
This can be a little disconcerting, as you
are never quite sure which nail they are
referring too. If the congratulator is a
woman; . I smile weakly and change the
subject. Because sure as guns, though she
thought you were one of nature's noblemen
for your assault on male chauvinism last
week, she'll turn on you like a snake when
she reads tomorrow's paper, with the
column 'exposing female chauvhdsm.
Speaking recently to a class of potential
writers in a creative 'writing course, I tried
to pass along the personal satisfaction one
gets from this type of personal journalism.
I emphasized the "personal' satisfaction,
because there's a lot more •of that involved
than there is of the other kind, financial
satisfaction. Columnists and freelance
writers have no union working for them, nor
any professional association, as have
doctors, lawyers, teachers.
They have only their own talent and wit
and perseverance with which to penetrate
the thick heads and thicker skins of editors
and publishers.
But it's a great feeling when you vent your
wrath, say, about the rapaciousness of
mechanics and you are button -holed six
times in the next three days by people with
horror stories about mechanics you can
scarcely believe.
' that they would happily stand In the Wings thinking they're as gaid its Men. 'Boy,' that' as Allan ism, Di. potter aad
and applaud when you were sued for libel. fellow will learn what real hard bitting receives no rant whatsoever
Some 'readers would like you:to be con- about. , • • . . • 't
'I'he French pealtitig people
stantly attacking whatever it is that they Personally, I can't stay mad at anybody Brunsividc received: two" and (004000
don't like. Capitalist friends are 'ighastnn ,plontinglieenwougatchht.304:aorvaonyiceadtthehosePeoPoblexi, oorusa dowtin.di
whea you refuse to launch an -assault aii
capital gains taxes. Welfarist friends think creatures who try' to tell other people how ..i3;;;;;speakatipeop—'17igere"711; ratiiied
you are a traitor and a fink when you won't - ibeY, silbUldfeet4 • fr;:.1 complete French -language eayieOn„, why do
: •:
attack the government for not providing • 111_4. only rin_iistari_f in my :rant • they .get, minority language grotsat
color TV for everyone on the take. • blatant Manipulation • of ' sel 4ieeking • Inconsistencies abound in the .iiiinerity
I am n --------- n attacker and I think politicians '-iviur• Will. twin told warp and...,
Wriggle and squirm and bribe for :rielV •4•
perpetuation office. Good !maniple was.:.,
the: Tory govenunent . Ontario, which
Called atotally tninecessari election in that.',-; '
there is nothing more boring than a miter ofGrants to Frenc People in
any kind who tried to make a career of being EdWard Island alio* ta 00.31per
• -
a "hard-hitting" journalist. e grants„,,, non-spealting •
Once ht e while my gently bubbling nature le iliQuebeelvere$1.34 perm.;
• •
•
boils over. Throwing caution and syntax to tact -thirds • of the .‘ minordy.,,
the winds, I let my spleen have a field day
and, try to throw some sand in the grease
with which many aspects of *relay are,,
trying to give us a snow job. And that's one
of the finest paragraphs I've ever ;written, if
mixed metaphors are your bag.
Fair game for the hard hitter are: garage
mechanics, plumbers, postal workers,
supermarkets, civil servants and
politicians. Most of them can't hit back and
everybody hates them, except garage
mechanics and their wives, plumbers and
their wives, etc. etc.
Smaller fry are doctors, lawyers,.
teachers, used car salesmen. They all
squeal like dying rabbits when attacked, but
nobody pays much attention to them except
doctors and their wives, etc. etc.
There are a few areas that even the
hardest hitters avoid. When have you,
lately, read a savage attack on greedy
farmers, callous nurses, or unloving
mothers? And yet, there are lots of them
around.
One of these days, perhaps, one of these
son. A
provinee tiwough sheer.hunger for greater
language gmnts to P.E.I. or 3419,220 went to ,
the Society of St. 'Thomas Aquittus, a Roinan
Otherwise, I get a great deal mon joy ',catolic —itargasisatias:
frorii tout:him that' individual life than in- • outsideQuebec, CitnacikptipuledUn -
flaming the masses. Whera get a letter from 0 per cent English speaking. ,
an old lady in hospital, crippled with ar- Singer*
thritis, who -has managed to get a chudde
out of my column, it makes me feel good.
Recently, I got a letter from a young Scot
who has immigrated to Canada. He says, "I
have learned more about Canada andcliolidar--
fun -
Canadians. through reading you column
than all the accumulated wisdom from the
Canadian newsmagazines, novels and TV can be __ OUS
hazard
programs I have allsorixtd?'
Now there is a `man with his heed *Waved
on right. If I, as a newcomer, tried to get my
impressions of this country from
newsmagazines and TV programs, I'd catch
the first boat or plane home.
So, I guess I'll just try•to go au tallaw to
people, getting sore, baiting sane fun,
looking for sympathy in that war between
the sexes. That's what life is all about, not
plumbers and politicians and other horrors
of that ilk.
Successive plantings year after year of
the same crop can rob the soil of nutrients
and alter soil structure. Whether your con-
cern is soil erosion or the calculation of fer-
tilizer costs, soils and crops specialists
recommend courses in soil management
and crop marketing provided by Centralia
College. Farmers learn wvhattitagraizts of the
production of specific feed protein
and oil seed crops are to successful
cropping. Marketing of cash crops is
discussed as a method of financial manage-
ment.
Three courses begin in January and are
scheduled as follows: Soil Management and
Fertility - St. Marys Arena - January 16 -
March 19 (Monday afternoons 1:30 - 4:30
p.m. ) ; Cash Crop Production and
Marketing - Palmerston Arena - Jennery 17
- March 20 (Tuesday evadngs from 730
.m.); Crop Production and Marketing -
bicknoW and District C.ommufdty Centre,
January 17 - March 20 (Merida evenings
from 7:30 p.m.).
These programs are designed
for cash crop farmers but are aLrkIto
In-
terest to livestock farmers wishing to im-
=Lop on. Register by pb:ining
228-0801, Extension 41 or
Being storm stayed Over Christmas is
really a depressing way to spend a holiday.
Gary and I spent a qtdet (on the verge of
boring), cozy ,ftiat in our home, while
one turkey dinner awaited in in Goderich
and another in Stoney Creek.
On Cbristmas Eve and ChrbitmasDtaerthwz
maintained our festive moods by wi
all the holiday specials on television,
carols with the radio,taryire o:
drink,. and og at our .
By Dec. weimew was no hope in
sight. We hinted off the television, left the
presents untouched under the tree,
nZairgy filled our turkey hungry
with • leftover macaroni and
cheese, said "Bah humbug, good riddance to
Minimax IL"
• senticar= danal, but truly we had
little to about. We were warm and
oomfortable and luridly not stnialed 18s
white out or desping over with domes et
strangers la mime leaL
We were vary fort,, but may et the
people wire were airamied mike teem home
acts* OS ihe areamial et Mistook
The gmesres drills, sad
giro
what Christmas is allabout.
Even when things look very bleak; there's
always a glimmer of hope. Our family,
managed to gather oh Tuesday eveningand •
Christmas tined out to be the best evenWe
reathad jut how special it is ta lam Roily:.
together. at this time of year.
+ + +.
The Vanstra Lions held a Christmas draw
on Dec. 17 and five lucky people took home
the prises.
Winner* Were: Gord Chapman of
Goderkii, Dionne Hoy of Clint* Greta St
Louis el RR 1, landesboro, JohnlifcLachhut
of Vanastrit and Bill Hendersat oil Seaforth.
The Lions send along I note of thanks to
e draw and
Es= ti011tredlill Les stares in
and liesforth.
+ + +
mecandsognallatisof the season was
held attbe llonDec.9.
Olive Nell and Clayton EWs had the high
some while Marie Gibbing" and Lloyd
Stewart won the low prises. Lone hands
Were IKM iota Pis d Keith Tyndall.:
Card OM cordial im ibe ram yesr.;:'
+-+ +. • •
The Clinton iungtue of Coltrinixtehintedn
card party at St Joseph's Chun% an.Dee. 14.
Winners from that event were: lucky
chair, • Irene Heipel; high - lady,
Meier; high man, William Brand; low la
Donald& Flynn; low man, Gerald Tat.
••ladies' lone hands, Tiresii.VritiDiri liben;
men's line hands, Loni Itaithewl; deer
prise, Evelyn Christman. • ' ' •
The next euchre night will be held on Jan
11fi41ncat 8 p.m.
+++
liociry. all lime a safe and happy nh
yeJr
,
We've already seen and heard
treacherous whiter drivhig can be, by
using common sense mid grecs
traffic accidents can be avoided,
, A commercial driver with
experiente made the Mowing
about bed weather drivhig, "
theI do:Isn't dodeasargoodot akcjoboneas screpinof itimes.
remember, -1 figwed I better ilso lad de a
hetterjob, bat I coildn't see wet •
The Ontario AssOilitlen,Of Optometrist
takes this opportunity to remind Maori* 't
and passengers in motor veidcles : that '
alcohol, find/or drugs, and driving make a
lethal cocktail: Dr; Mittleiniii, Praddentiot.
the Ontario Associatkeref Optometrists of .
fers the following points to keep : in mind
when deciding to drive- Or ride this liolidaY::„
, „
season: - • • ,.?*,•„
heavy meals can indite!arOW9111elik afld
slowreactlontime
- tobacco has physiologlait.',effects, that,.
reduce vision sidlls (ii. squinting) litadd.:
, tion tO acting as a diversion while drlvthg
and contributing to grimy windshields.
.1. winter driving conditions such as „Whelk:,
snow, sleet, ice and • 'reduced light plac�
heavy demands on the Iiisualsystent.....
drugs, including over-the-counter,„ ones;
often have a, depressruit effeCt;
- Induce
drowsiness and !brink 'size UseetilY
al • eve140:10011 anoWitio
the ability of the eyes to folio*.
target by increasing the tibia' re -2..‘,
.bY the, tiiele toalPrege!,
reeelied and ,
• eYe itiOveinent
The
winterdrlvinjby Dr. MI__
wow ,.
the dayi.rievet at
keep! windshield
Cheat your wiper blades.
wash* bottle fined and
icor. ochwesing weather: