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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-05-15, Page 4DAVE SYKES 17 • I bad envisioned that an integral lad of mypaternal :duties, would be to sit down wthsonBradley oneY d attempt to.ofr fer an mild*. fitly vague description Qf the relational between Men and kinien. None of that birds and bees stuff. I figured I'd get rit to the point and. taik about wan- ton and letcherous women, and their idle lusts. I figured I would have to tell him how dif- ficult it is to be a man in the .1980s. How rather impossible it t for a man to be respected for his cerebral parts'. It would be my duty, I suspected, to warn him that he may have inherited that pro- -vocative stance his father unknowingly assumes during the rigors of the work day. And would he too becomehe object of women's leers for tossing his head back in that cute little way of his. A chip off the old block that boy. And would I have to go so far as to warn him aobut impulsive, probing females with one-track minds. And should his young mind be privy to all the details about men having to compromising their personal integrity to get ahead in the business world. I feared the day would come when be '¢ W ulldneed to know the entire, sordid truth. At, being Only fo*years of age, legator ed several years `:stop' in the way of our father -son tete-atete. A father, however, should never assume anything, While attending a family wedding .on the weekend, and durin the actual chLweb ser- vice, the kid decided he required up-to-date information on this man -woman situation. Most of the 400 people in the church, were also privy to the conversation. "Do you just walk up there (pointing to the front of the church) and then get mar- ried? Is that all you do dad?" he asks. "That's about it, pal," I offer. "You mean you just walk up there and in one minute you're married," he says in- credulously holding up one finger. "Exact- ly." "Well why do people want to get married anyway, dad. Do they like it?" he asks. "Well I presume so, son. Keep your voice down will you everybody's looking," I reply acknowledging the knowing smiles. "Listen, this is rather complicated. I'll tell you ,later." "But I want, to know now dad. Why do peo- ple want to get married'?" he persists. "How come it's xt. chic helve chit do it?" Heated?" leVs all," Iteply. "Wait until' get married cause they want to . Igen,?" he asks . "Is that why they By now several other people in the vicinity are waiting to hear my explanation. I try stall tactics but the kid persists. "`yl(iilOrin (his cousin the bride) have 'children tOday because she gat married?" he asks. "Vail be able to see them dad." While those around giggle in obvious delight, I can't believe I am engaged in such ' a conversation during a wedding ceremony. Burying my head in my hands I plead for some quick divine intervention. I'm not ready for this stuff yet and while I would like to crawl under a pewand hide, the kid needs the goods on what is going on around him and I'm the only source of infor- mation. I'm not sure if I fully explained why peo- ple get married or even why they don't have babies (in most cases) the same day. But, he hasn't bothered to question my half- truths. i THE NEWS PORT FOR GOOERICH S►.DISTRICT SINCE 1548 rounded in 1848 end paibliobed ovary Wednesday et 8•Doderich, Ontario. Member of the CCNA and OCNA. Subscriptions payable in advance °B0.85, (Senior Citizens '17.85 privilege card number required) in Caneds,'55. to U.S.A.,'aafb. le MI other countries, Bingle copies 506. Display, National and Classified advertising rates available on request. Please ask for Rte Card No. 15 effective October 1, 1084. 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N7A 4B6 Member: Second class mail registration number. 0716 FOR BUSINESS OR EDITORIAL OFFICES...pleeee phones [519]524-2614 Holiday weekend safety • There is nothing quite like a long holiday weekend to inject some enthusiasm into the spring season. And the Victoria Day holiday weekend in May traditionally signals the beginning of outdoor activity in earnest. From ball games and barbeques to camping excursions and day outings, people will be out to -enjoy the holiday and fine weather. And with that increased activity comes increased traffic on the highways. By virtue of geography, the town of Goderich is an active place as cottagers, campers and people simply out for -drives make their way along the Bluewater Highway. The increased traffic flow will be most noticable in Goderich this holiday weekend and even if you are venturing out on a trip this weekend, it would be wise to exercise an extra measure of caution on the roadways. • Generally, drivers are taking precuationary measures and the number of motor vehi- cle fatalities declined last year to the lowest recorded level since 1958. That's significant and there are a few reasons why fatalities are on the decrease. The use of seatbelts, and the enforcement of the seatbelt legislation, has likely con- tributed to they decrease. Last. year, 1,118 people were killed in accidents on Ontario highways a 7 per cent decrease over the 1,204 deaths reported in 1983. George McCague, Ontario Minister of Transportation and Communication, suggests that a less tolerant attitude towards drinking and driving and tougher enforcement of seat belt and drinking and driving laws, has contributed to the overall decline in fatalities. And over the first holiday weekend, when the majority of Ontarians are out on the highways in force, it would be wise to buckle up and refrain from drinking and driving. Both municipal arid Ontraio Provincial Police forces will be out in force. Take care and have a safe, happy holiday. Program will be useful One of the biggest drawbacks to life in a small town, according to its citizenry, is that there never seems to be anything to do. That is often the cry of young people, who tend to be overlooked in municipally organiz- ed ev 'i ts,and activities-- -_ Experience , This summer, through an xperience 85 grant, an individual will lag out offhe E town's recreation office, planning, organizing and establishing a summer program catering to teenagers between the ages of 13 and 19. While theprogram recognizes a need to offer summer activities for teenager who may only work part-time, it also requires the adolescents to do some of their own planning and preparatory work. They will also be consulted on the types of programs and summer ac- tivities they would like to pursue over the next 15 weeks. The pro • am Shoiild serve a demonstrated need in the community and perhaps alleviate some of the summer boredom. Nature walk By James Friel POSTSCRIPT SUSAN HUNDERTMARK No one should serve a jail sentence for a crime he or she did not commit. And, if we can believe Gary Dotson, who was serving a 25 to 50 year sentence for a rape his accuser Cathleen Crowell Webb now says never hap- pened, justice has finally been served with his recent release from jail. But, there are still a lot of questions in many people's minds whether or not Dotson is guilty, including the Illinois Governor who commuted his sentence; he refused to grant Dotson a pardon proclaiming his innocence because he did not believe key aspects of Webb's story. Six years after Dotson was found guilty of rape, Webb filed an affidavit recanting her allegations so that the courts would over- turn Dotson', conviction. She said she made up the story because she was afraid she was pregnant after having sex with a teenage boyfriend: . __. -.. _ .._ As a "scared teenager", she said she was easily influenced by police and prosecutors and tailored her story to their expectations. However, her- boyfriend contradicted her story saying they never completed the sex act. Much of Webb's story does not ring true. One -of the largest -question&- -is- why a 16 - year -old girl would undergo the brutality of a rape trial because of the fear of pregnan- cy. Rape trials are notorious for putting the woman on trial instead of the alleged rapist. The woman's sexual history, the physical condition of her sexual anatomy and even her choice of clothing are paraded before the court as evidence. The underlying assumption at most rape trials is that the woman is promiscuous and "asking for it"; she's only crying rape out of spite. Though statistics say one in every 17 women (in Canada) is raped in her lifetime, very few of them go to trial because of the vicious treatment of accusers by the defence. Only recently has rape been recognized as an act of violence with no relation to sexual desire especially since we hear more and v Moree'rcut.women ofall es( -from -infancy to old age) being raped. It's very difficult to believe a teenaged girl would go through such anguish if she was- not raped: It's- even harder to understand why she would choose to go through the pain and public scrutiny of a se- cond trial protesting Dotson's innocence. Whether or net Dotson -is - innocent becomes a secondary issue when you con - sizer wnat the incident does to public at- titudes about rape. Those who were never really convinced that rdpe is solely an act of. violence will shout, "Ah hah!" They'll be vindicated in their belief that women have always manipulated rape trials for their own purposes. After a long, hard fight by women to have rape recognized as violence against women, this sort of incident can only be harmful to the outdome of future rape trials since the decisions of juries usually represent com- monly accepted attitudes. If Dotson is guilty, Webb will be pro- moting a more relaxed view on a violent crime. A mere six years will be served by a roan sentenced to 251to 50 years in jail. lIf Dotson is innocent, Webb -will have taken six years of freedom from the life of a man who committed no crime. And, whether Dotson is innocent or guilty, Webb has set back the fight against rape by replanting the seeds of doubt about the legitimacy ofwomen's accusations of rape. Her victims will be the women who have tru- ly suffered the humiliation and brutality of rape but are not believed and therefore are blocked_ from_ achieving. the .satisfaction of seeing justice done. MEM Do you carry in your mind a waiting list of good intentions? • Since there are many interesting events and worthy causes lined up for our time and attention, some good intentions are left on a back burner longer than they deserve. Each of us has a different waiting list, but we pro- bably share some items. One such item is likely to- be our recognition that we ought to come right but and express our keen ap- preciation and gratitude to the businesses, industries, institutions and organization§ who financially or other wise support the arts in our country. Whether it is Texaco whose Saturday afternoon Metropolitan Opera broadcasts have become a widely enjoyed tradition over the years of whether it concerns any of the growing number of companies whose names one sees on the programmes of most concert, ballet, opera or theatre perfor- mances, it is such a sponsorship that often decides the fate of a production and how it reaches the audience. I always notice the sponsors' names, but I have seldom taken the time to tell them so, until now. How does a sponsor know that his message reaches anybody? Will silent ac- ceptance nencourage him to participate again ian using part of his advertising dollars in such a creative and useful manner? How long will an organization carry on in a vacuum, without getting a simple and direct message from the public? Are we taking too many things for granted? It is time to start right here in town. For more than fifteen years many of us have en- joyed something rather unique for a com- munity of this size - a symphony irchestra's regular visits to us. The annual concert series has been steadi- ly organized by The Rotary Club of Goderich. Will the members always keep the fresh spirit of thein commitment, if we do not tell them how much we enjoy the fruit of their work? Throughout the years, The Sully Founda- tion's generous financial support has made it possible to keep the price of the tickets low. Will the sponsorship easily continue, if we cannot be bothered to say how much we appreciate the opportunity to hear Or- chestra London? Will the Ontario Arts Coun- cil regard the grant money as well spent, if the sound of our enjoyment never reaches its ears? A few weeks ago we had the pleasuaCa a particularly memorable occasion when the full Orchestra London performed here, with a guest conductor of the Boston Pops Or- chestra fame. The many • - a ple attending know what I ani talking a'" tut. They were full of praise and in excellent spirit when they left the high school auditorium after the uplifting performance of 'big city calibre", if I may say so. Nothing is quite like a full symphony orchestra. Let us hope that there will be many such concerts in the future, with the help of the above mentioned ,groups whom I salute most gratefully. And let us not hide our pleasure. This is alsot a good opportun' v to con- gratulate orngratulate the Goderich Little Theati-e on becoming the owner of The Livery hulloing. The news was a tremendous relief to all wim had worried about the future of this impor- tant establishment of heritage dimensions. While we are grateful to the persons who kept the building alive through all kinds of trials and difficulties, I am convinced that now "all is well that ends well". The Goderich Little Theatre has a strong identi- ty and purpose. It reaches out and ex- periments artistically, but its finances have always been prudently and carefully managed. Thz-Viirchase of the building is quite an ng, resulting from thorough and realistic considerations. I have no doubt that in due course the Goderich Little Theatre will have good municipal and in- dividual response and support. In the mean- time - thank you for securing the building and good luck! Or as they say in theatre circles - break a leg! ELSA HAYDON