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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-03-06, Page 4iF. 4. YKES A• V things to re. sane *nen Wolin. A lack o . I o> n drive drivepeople right Pound' the bend or to so.e o scure, brewery 100 miles away t.bottles a. reasonable ,feo• simile.. ,�:.tbe' Forget aboutteat of ntwelaV holocaust, the sslidii doer and esealktIng interest rates; foraget about a mere Muter storm with ,gale -force winds that threatens to rip the roof' Witty auir hoote or whether the Maple Lefts will have enough steam to make the shinny playoffs. That's all incidental stuff, fair folk. The only thing on the minds of many On- tarians is where the next pint is coming from. Or where the next bottle . can be bought, for a price, of course. When talks between the International Brewery Workers of America and the three major Canadian breweries broke down, there, was instant panic. Oh sure there were casual jokes and asides offered in taverns and pubs across Ontari-ari-ario about what catastrophic events would unfold in the event of a beer strike. But that was just mere speculation a week ago. Such a thing would never happen, hearty way • r ha bl PeOple win Some ll fo ht td'spend bundre ,. vs onbeer Woo* I out- was o l t, A sound nvest ent :to be supe, „Revenue Unlade vwiill undoubtedly keep a close eye on the capital gains section of the 1985 imam tan returns. , XIV a desperate situation, and this one is as desperate ass,,it gets, there, are .always those who, capitalise on the weaknesses of others and turn vice into forutne. I have never been smart enough to recognize the symptoms and take advantage of the situation. But now, as Ontarians contemplate life without beer, the very thought makes them Shudder, whimper and sob uncontrollably. How uncivilized it all appears now. Which allwmakes for a compelling argu- ment against the belief that there is life without beer. How ludicrous to even suggest same. The only topic on the tongues of townfolk is the lack ofbeer: Who's got beer, where to tterol'1b0+ d e, tvue4o el It s not poo lble. nu goi 'tclals, b. tom trot to llthout..beer,,.'how ,a - ow A' found my game. Will I, in fa . , ev'Cn w .... face another game without the. pros t of several thirst quenching beer after. So muchfor being in shape. Without beer, is a man to . that scantily -clad, nubile young ladiess + be at his side the.moment he snaps the ,sag off his favorite brand. Will man be spared the ultimate challenge of having to choose between light and regular brands? Will balloons suddenly plummet, from the skies? Did the breweries or their workers con- sider the consequences of their actions before this lockout was initiated. I suspect not. Otherwise, man would not inflict such punishment upon his fellow man. THE NEWS PORT FOR GODERICH & DISTRICT SINCE 1848 Founded in 1849 and published every Wednesday at 8oderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Subscriptions payable in advance' 20.85, (Senior Citizens '17.95 privilege card number required) in Confide, '85. to U.S.A., 955. to all. ether countries, Dingle copies SO2. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on request. Please ask for pate Card No. 15 effective October 1, 1984. Advertising is accepted on the condition that In the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for but that balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of • typographical error advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely en offer to sell, and may be withdrawn et any time. The Signal -Star is not. responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproducing purposes. PUBLISHED BY': SIGNAL -STAR PUBLISHING LIMITED ROBERT G. SHRIER - President and Publisher DON HUBICK - Advertising Manager DAVE SYKES - Editor HUCKINS BT INDUSTRIAL PARK LJ OODERICH, ONT. N7A 4BE S‘G Member: Second class mail registration number, 0716 FOR BUSINEBE OR EDITORIAL OFFICEE...pleese phone (Si91S24-2614 Youngsters deserve` credit —The Ontario Commiunity Newspaper Association honored the largest group of Junior citizens at its 36th annual convention in Toronto last week. Recipients ranging in ages from 7 to 18 were presented with plaques and lapel pins by Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird, a long-time supporter of the program. Each win- ner will also receive an airline ticket good for any Canadian destination, courtesy of sponsor, CP air. There were 162 nominees from the 1984 awards program. The recipients and their accomplishments were detailed before over 400 editors, publishers and newspaper industry personnel at the Westin Hotel. The accomplishments ranged from-iife-savingg heroics; to rising above-physical-limitations--or-for outstanding - service to their respective communities. Aird told the audience that while the recipients were "just .like norrnal kids" they put other people in front of themselves and demonstrated bravery and courage in their achievements. "I believe the young people of today are spirited achievers," Aird told the group. "Your outstanding contribution to the image of the young is not only to be highly com- mended, but praised and respected as well." The Ontario Community Newspaper Association, of which this newspaper is an active member, invites nominations for theaward annually. The awards are presented to the deserving young people at the association's annual awards convention in March. The newspaper and media industry is often criticized for its negative coverage of young people. But the Junior Citizen awards program sponsored by. the community newspaper industry brings to light the achievements, the courage, the dedication and selfless acts of the young people of today. To those young people across the province who were recognized for the acts and deeds, we salute you. But we also salute the thousands of young people who may be equally deserving of such an honour in their own way. The Lieutenant Governor was named an honorary junior citizen in recognition of his four years of intense personal support of the awards program. Since the inception of the program five years ago, Aird has been a willing supporter and contributor. Mr. Aird enjoyed the first awards program so much, he initiated a reception in his Quenn's Park suite for the Junior Citizens and their families, that has been a highlight of -the-last-three awards programs: He- has given -the -progranespecial-personal attention-- . over the year and was named an honorary Junior Citizen as his term expires. While the program may honor the more heroic deeds visible in Ontario communties and those who overcome physical limitations, there are deserving young people everywhere. The river mouth - t A 4 By Todd Mowatt POSTSCRIPT SUSAN HUNDERTMARK This Friday, March 8 is International Women's Day. In major centres like Toron- to and London, women and other feminists (husbands; tsoyfriendsandchildren) will be celebrating the day with marches and speeches. In Goderich and the rest of Huron County; there will be no marches or large media events but the day will still be quietly celebrated by an ever-growing group who believe in a society where all its citizens en- joy equal rights. Feminists in Huron County, both female and male, are not as loud as. their urban counterparts. Through their lifestyles and community work, they demonstrate their beliefs and work towards the type of world they envision. Often, those with feminist ideals will let their actions speak louder than their words for fear of the stereotype of the shrill, bra - burning, man -hating women's libber. Although U.S. journalists have only been able to document one bra being burned in a demonstration in Oklahoma City h11970, the stereotype has succeeded in confusing the public about the aims of feminism. In --Huron- County -(as. well--as--most -other- communities ), othercommunities), there exists people who sup- port the aims of feminism. They believe men and women should be able to make an _film l contribution--to--society and be recognized for the contribution without be- ing penalized for their gender. They bellevc both men and women to be equally capable of jobs ranging from child care to medicine. and from housework to farming or finance. They accept the idea that women should have the same control as men concerning their financial, social, intellectual and physical lives. And, they are committed to change the reality that women are often vic- tiros of discrimination and violence. One group which brings together feminists' in Huron is Women Today. With workshops, seminars and meetings, the group seeks to help women help themselves. "You don't make changes by taking power away from other people. You make changes by empowering the people that are oppressed," says Valerie Bolton, executive director of the group. To that end,. the group has brought together People interested in learning about such issues as wife battering, pornography, birthing, day care, nutrition, non-traditional jobs, legal rights of women and many more. And with education, comes the means to change their situations for the better. But, women who are oppressed are not the only ones who should be educated. We are ail-ill-need-of-educatien-about the -wide -range of stereotypes about men and women which • limit and control our lives. 11 . M1 . A • , • idea that men should not be awarded custody of their children because women ' • are thought to be naturally better parents than -mem -Neither -do -they accept- the -fact ------ that female nurses are paid better wages - than male nurses. In short, feminists are people who believe in the fair and equal treatment of both sex- es. They think that all human beings should have the same opportunity at reaching their potentials in all aspects of their lives. International Women's Day recognizes the fact that women still have a way to go until they achieve equality but .celebrates the strides that have been made since the first observance of the day in 1908 when 30,000 female workers walked off the job from a New York textile district in search of better pay and better working conditions. The poem by James Oppenheim, which was inspired by the strike, called Bread and Roses is still sung at marches on Interna- tional Women's Day. The song's last stanza sums up the feminist's fight for equality. "As we come marching, marching, we bring the -greater -days, The rising of the women means the rising of the race. No more the drudge and idler–ten that toil t-the—w►, here -one -reposes - 1 injustice done by the stereotypes about men But a sharingof life's glories: Bread and as the ones about women. They don't buy the roses! Bread and roses!" In every day lives, what do human rights and democratic freedoms mean? Who speaks for them? In the recent months the Ernst Zundel trial has become a widely known and debated affair. From a questionable charge against an obscure man with appalling views it has grown into a profound and penetrating controversy that will divide thoughtful people for a long time, not only among themselves but in themselves, rais- ing questions about who won and who lost. Individuals who reject Mr. Zundel's views as totally unacceptable, nevertheless find themselves defending his right to hold such views and to express his beliefs. Our rights and freedoms must mean more than the fluctuating' Iimitation's defined by the temporarily powerful. If we can safely repeat only officially approved thoughts and popular opinions of the day - if our freedom does not permit us to be wrong as well as right, silly as well as clever, ridiculous as well as dignified - then we have been far more dangerously conditioned by the Orwellian circumstances of "1984" than we are prepared to admit. I find it frightening. When all is said and done, it was not Ernst Zundel who lost - we all did. We lost some il- lusions. We saw with astonishment how relatively simple it is even in our country to punish those whose beliefs do not conform to officially sanctioned interpretations, who question matters declared to be tabu by others, and who express ridiculous and un- popular ideas. Having been made an accessory to the growing tendency of returning our society to milder forms of burning witches and heretics, what other things is one to expect? The trial was an unusual event in Canada and as such It was covered by the news media and discussed by many people in many ways and moods. The long trial, the now following appeal procedures and the in- creasing group pressures which are likely to lead to a deportation inquiry for Mr. Zundel, • serve strangely to make more people than ever aware of the nature and extent of the views the court action was intended to sup- press. Is talking or writfhg about the trial itself going to be the next forbidden step ? To be sure, Mr. Zundel was not fighting for the principle of freedom of speech. Do the supporters of his prosecution? I do not like what Mr. Zundel appears to be saying, but if he wishes to march to a different music, I should not want to punish him for, it, because if he can be silenced, you and I can be silenced. In our country we are used to seeing ques- tions and opinions expressed on everything, from the Bible to the Constitution, from the Pope to the Queen, from Coventry to Dresden, from book banners to peace ad- vocates, from atheists to born-again believers. Are we gradually being led to join the nations whose individuals speak often in whispers. Pravda must have a list of forbid- den subjects. Are we now starting one of o'ur own? The trial made Mr. Zundel's views locally, nationally and internationally known. The event and related happenings will be part of our history. Perhaps ways and means will be tried by groups to erase references to it in the future, but it is doubtful that it is possi- ble to obliterate all traces completely. In the meantime his activist opponents opened for Mr. Zundel the gates of publicity which he says he adores. In the long run he has been provided with an importance he does not deserve. We should have been left free to place•Mr. Zundel's views in the dustbin of silly pro- paganda. Attacking their windmills with shining swords elevated them to the level of a serious danger. It is sad that while Mr. Zundel goes out of the trial and punishment with his views intact, our free society has suffered an alarming loss where it hurts so profoundly. We have seen how easy it is to diminish some of our most fundamental freedoms. Yes, you are right - I am a passionate believer in these freedoms, ELSA HAYDON