HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-11-27, Page 17;0)4§
4,)
magoiewootwitotwataolgi,mmisavoersawKwaiosow winioamitamioutimmoimormawArcotoRaiwouggirdgaugamemovaute— irmatuvogamii,,womowszageomot4+144........Pywrgourixowoga.
.136.
• ySi,
'4..
:! 4,„
(44:000034: ationowl
•
4),
A" .0, '10 ' •
3'
' (6.1%465WX"0441WKARADAAPAIWK6.31
• . ,
.r•
• •
Lisa Van Den Broeck had a good perch to view the proceedings from Saturday
' • s •
ti4.4,4=L„."(tr.,•
Kiri OW WI
Put away the
ray -guns,
Ronnie
Those two, Ronald Reagan and Mikhail
Gorbachev, certainly • are Lclever guys
aren't they? Imagine coming to the con-
clusion at their recent summit meeting
that a nuclear war must neversbe fought.
Incredible. Amazing. But, not entirely
original. I've heard members of the
peace movement around the world coin-
ing to that exact conclusion for a long
time now. It appears the voice of, sanity
really can be heard if it speaks long and
loud enough.
I guess I shouldn't be too cynical about
the whole thing. Afterall, the leaders of
the, two international superpowers ( who
have the capability to blow us all to
kingdom come if they're miffed at each
other) really did meet and speak at a
human level.
They chatted by the fire while their
wives held hands and exchanged fashion
tips and recipes at their own "tea sum-
mit." It was all so cozy you'd think the
four were typical suburban friends
meeting for dinner and a game of bridge.
They even invited each other to visit
their homes ( though neither side ac-
cepted the invitation).
But, that's good. I may sound catty
with my description but 1 really am ap-
plauding the fact that the U.S. and the
Soviet Union are on speaking terms
again after five years of cold war silence.
Because, you're less likely to aim
nuclear warheads at someone if you've
eaten dinner with him, talked with him
and tried to understand him.
I can't help but wonder if Reagan felt a
little hypocritical being so nicey-niceY
with the Soviets when he's well-known
for calling them the "evil empire" and
"red menace" and all sorts of equally
complimentary names. Gorbachev, as
well, has probably aimed several choice
phrases America's way just to even the
score.
Of course, name-calling is the least of
my worries. Sticks and stones and
• - nuclear weapons can break and -or li-
quidate my bones, but names will never
hurt me or the rest of the planet.
Let's hope that's the attitude both sides
take. I'd hate if one of those names
became the.catalyst for the launching of
several nuclear missiles which are now
standing at the ready. If one side lost his
temper, it would be a little late for the
other side to say, "Gosh Mikhail Ron-
nie ), I was only kidding!
But, they're talking and that seems to
be the main accomplishment of the sum-
mit meeting. Would I sound like I was too
demanding though, if I said that I'd
hoped for a little more substance?
R would have been nice, for instance, if
they decided to reduce the number
nuclear warheads on missiles of any
description aimed at each other. Besides,
if you can blow up the world once. any
more weapons are redundant.
And, because Reagan appears not to
have budged on his "Star Wars" plans.
Gorbachev would not have agreed to
limit much less to reduce his arsenal of
nuclear weapons since he'd obviously
need many more to get through the U.S.
"peace sliield."
Chats by the fire are nice and they pul
the leaders on the right track towards
peace but rni sure the world will rest
much easier when some concrete steps
are taken to reduce the all -too -real
possibility of nuclear annihilation.
Even so, I think some of the points of
the Geneva deal will help to promote an
atmosphere where a more secure peace
could be attained. The opening of con-
sulates in Kiev and New York, the
establishment of new communications
links to improve air safely and the ex-
cliange of performers, students, teachers
and scientists are all steps towards
greater communication and
understanding.
I've always agreed with the idea !hal
keeping relations with our "enemies" cm
a human level is a safety valve against
war. You're much more likely to press
lhe button if you think you're only deal-
ing with statistics or de-personaliz('d
video games.
Though I haven't met any Russian peo-
ple, a book I'm currently reading about
them leads me to believe all people have
many more similarities than differences
Though they live under a different
system, most Russians are just trying to
make a living, be with their families and
enjoy life. Like North Americans, thev
have troubles with alcoholism, relation-
ships. their health and getting ahead.
Russian women, though celebrated for
their strength and hard work, even have
difficulties achieving equal opportunities
witli men.
Both Raise and Nancy were shown to
have quite a lot in common when atten-
tion focussed on them because of the
news black -out concerning their
husbands' talks. As the wives of wealthy
and powerful men, they must share
much more than a love of expensive
clothes. At times, they appeared to have
developed a friendly affection for each
other.
And, that's reassuring. Because. if
Mikhail lion) is Raisa's 4 Nancy's) hus-
band. he caul he all bad.
AO,
„Ol
Some waved heartily...
There was plenty of candy to he had from a variety of comic hook characters
Others offered a stoic stare
_AV?
45•7?
.1•1•119=Tfalft.
`'9
'I'his float sponsored by the Canadian Parents for French was a winner
4
4