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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-05-17, Page 21sijkes ie The great debate was apparently over. Fred switched off the television set and 'sat slumped in the chair -trying to figure out what he had just seen and heard. He and his wife Martha weren't that conversant with politics and the debate, which meant that the Stanley Cup hockey game was played in the afternoon while the kids badgered Fred into taking the family for A ride, was confusing. " You know Martha, T think T got the ang of- this politics now," he offered. "Why you just call the other guy a liar ' and he laughs and calls you a liar right back. There ain't nothin to this 'rebate here." " Oh now don't go thinkin you're such a smart ass politician now Fred," Martha cautioned. "But there probably was more back and"forth action tonight than in that hockey game." "You can say that again. The prime Amimommommmie Vr000m,vr000m. When it came to driving Police snowmobiles this youngster claimed he knew all there was to know about driving the snow machines that were part of the Police Week display at the Suncoast Mali.. Luckily titt snowmobile was still on the. trailer and he didn't get a chance to prove his point. (. photo by Dave Sykes) minister said something and Backbent said it wasn't true and Clark would disagree with everything too. It makes you think that clone of them guys is going to the meetins like they should or one of them would know something for sure." Fred claimed. "If they don't know Fred we're in trouble cause I don't understand most of the things they talked about either," Martha said shrugging her shoulders. "I know its confusing," Fred replied. "They talk about nationalizing the irldustrt`a1s, people that don'thay ejobs, the deflated prices of our groceries and all them other things like PetroCan. Sounds like a gasoline powered toilet don't it Martha?" " Don't be silly Fred," Martha said sternly. " And what was that Clark said about making mortgages destruc- tible?" Our mortgage always has been destructible so it don't concern us none. But they say that if we bring in things thederich IGNA.L STAR 132 YEAR -20 like that it's nut good for cur in- ternational debt." Fred said wryly. "But they said that the dehydration of our dollar under 90 cents was good and helped to speculate the economy.'° Martha added. " Well, it's all just like a laxative and after you figure you got things moving they just hind up again," Fred prophesied. "But with all that squawking 1 can't see that we're any worse off now or even when we had them gu-del-i.nes-ta make ou-rwage-s and pricers higher." M-artha shifted uneasily in her chair casting a discerning glance in the direction of her better half. "So 'just where did them guidelines put us, Fred?" Martha asked. "Sure your pay went up but it will just keep chasing them grocery prices without ever catching up." "Things will come around Martha, you just wait and see. But now we got more important things to concern ourselves with," Fred said. "And just what is that?" Martha asked. "Well, the Prime Minister says we should concern ourselves with unity before anything else. You know, keeping Canada together." "Them Quebecers don't seem to want to stick it out with us and are considering receding from the country. You see Martha we got us a con- stipational monarchs or something but this ley in Quebec wants them to leave, the country and have slovenly par- ticipation with us." Fred explained. "It don't seem right Fred con- sidering we've gone 100 years together. Remember them perennial celebrations we had in '67?" Martha asked. " Oh„ they were good times. But do you think if Quebec left Montreal would still be in the NHL?" Fred mused. " All you ever think about is hockey." Tf 1 THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1979 SECOND SECTION Safety village fascinated ids; police gave. awards Aaron Weir displays the proper hand turning signal for Constable. children tested their knowledge of the rules of the road and were Bill Wilson as he travelled through the safety village` set up as given a certificate for their participation. (photo by Dave Sykes) part of the Police Week display in suncoast Mall. Over 700 Okay, you just go down about .two blocks and turn right and it's the first street on your left. Although it may appear that Constable Bill Wilson is giving directions to a young motorist he is actually helping Joey Vetual of Stratford with the rules of the road in a safety village set up as part of the Police Week display in Suncoast Mall. Over 700 children tested their knowledge of the rules of the road in the village and were awarded certificates of par- ticipation. (photo by Dave Sykes) I understand The Great Debate went down Sunday night,, and nobody won. Canadians have been waiting patiently for several weeks to have the three leading candidates for prime minister go one on one so they could see for themselves if what the politicians have been'saying about one another is true. I didn't see the verbal battle but I watched bits of one of those analysis programs only to find out to my chagrin that it may have been an exercise in futility. The end result of the whole thing resembled Something you'd see on Wide World of Sports. Organizers from each of the three major parties talked about their game plans heading into the debate and passed judgement on the successes or failures of the three participants. After 20 minutes of this political mumbo jumbo I was glad I made the choice I did and didn't watch the debate. When one expert calmly told me that Joe Clark and Pierre Trudeau wore beige suits as a sign of confidence and Ed Broadbent wore a blue suit with wide lapels so labour could identify with him 'I stopped watching the analysis of the debate. The one comment about the whole thing that seemed to hold true was that there was no clear cutwinner. The bottom line was that voters would have to decide for themselves who per- formed the best through the ordeal. That theory was verified when the cameras took to the streets to ask viewers who they felt won. A lady in Halifax felt that Trudeau with his age and experience should have the upper hand but that Clark, with his youth and inexperience, performed marvelously. A man from the west said the leader he was voting for lost the debate but that he didn't change his mind about voting. He said he supported Clark b t felt the Progressive Conservativ leader was a washout in the debate. A young, lady in British Columbia said she found Clark boring and felt that Trudeau was the clear cut winner. Two men from Toronto -declared Ed Broadbent the winner hands down. They felt that Clark and Trudeau nattered away at each other about their respective personafities while Broadbent kept hammering away about issues. After seeing some of the game films of the big event I wasn't impressed with any of the three men. Mind you I only saw what the experts felt were the important parts of the debate. What I did see reminded me of arguments my kids have had about toys. Both kids talk at once not listening to what the other has to say. Both say the other is wrong and then proceed to explain why. Both point accusing fingers and the end result is that neither wins the battle and 1 have to step in and either stop it or decide who the winner is. That's what the moderater did Sunday night. When Clark and Trudeau •got arguing telling one another they, were wrong and why they were wrong the moderator calmly said now, no'v boys and asked both to remain calm. When the cameras went hack on the streets for more comments from voters several people made points I could easily identify with. One guy said.; he went out for something he felt was more important and didn't see the debate. Another man, who appeared to be in a'hurry, quoted comedian Will Rogers who said politicians are like apple sauce. The roan said that summed up his feelings about the campaigning. He also said he felt trapped by the election, had had just about all he could handle, and wanted to just get away from it all. Click, • jerr Seddon A I t fn