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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-17, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday,March 17, 2004 =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager &Published by Metroland Printing, rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIALS Government needs to act quickly Some interesting news hit the area in the last week. The first, and most obvious, was the own- ership claim by Maynard George on Grand Bend and the Pinery Provincial Park. When news broke of George's claims, the story appeared to have the potential to turn into a big controversy. Information revealed after George's claim, though, show the story is likely to fade away. George has no support from the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and it appears his claim has no validity: natives gave up the land in an 1827 treaty. George made similar claims in 1996, demanding jobs for natives in the Pinery. It seems he likes the media attention that comes with such claims, but George appears to have no chance of getting what he wants. Here's hoping the government clears up the situation quickly and George realizes he's wasting everybody's time. Grand Bend and the Pinery both obviously rely heav- ily on tourist dollars; the situation with George needs to be dealt with swiftly before it prevents people from visiting the area. Our game takes a hit Rightly so, Vancouver Canuck Todd Bertuzzi's vicious attack on Colorado Avalanche Steve Moore last week was met with disgust and anger from the public and media. Bertuzzi's banishment from the NHL for the rest of the season including the playoffs was justi- fied. Everyone seems to have an opinion on what hap- pened, even those who clearly know nothing about the game: namely, American talk show hosts on CNN, "The View" and "Live with Regis and Kelly." The self- righteousness that poured out of these commentators' mouths on a sport they've probably never watched was astounding. Even commentators from the United Kingdom weighed in on the subject. What we heard over and over again is that hockey will never be taken seriously as a sport in the U.S. as long as violence continues to be a part of the game. Funny, we don't hear these commentators on "The View" and "Regis and Kelly" expressing the same out- rage over the children murdered in their country everyday in drive-by shootings and muggings. Americans, it seems, like their violence, but only on the streets and in their movies. People like Regis and the hosts of "The View" should stick to talking about what they know best — fluff. About the Times -Advocate Stretching common sense While the media was skinning Todd Bertuzzi alive last week, there was a bill passed through the U.S. House of Representatives which may turn out to be as important in Canada as it is in the United States. The so-called Cheeseburger bill bans frivolous lawsuits against producers and sellers of food and nonalcoholic drinks arising from obesity claims. Personal responsibility seems to have disap- peared in the last 15 years with cases showing up in court for everything from drivers who spilled coffee on themselves while driving to a man who injured him- self at a house party jumping off the roof repeatedly into a pool, even after being warned not to by the owners. The first food lawsuit was filed against McDonald's in 2002 by a man who blamed his fast food habit for his weight problem and diabetes and other cases have been appearing since then. With two thirds of Americans over- weight, they lead the world by a wide (no pun intended) margin in terms of their girth, but one walk through a WalMart in Canada would show we're doing our best to try to match them pound for pound. Opponents of the bill said it means the food industry doesn't have to worry about the health of consumers, in the same way tobacco and automo- tive companies used to. But it's hard to equate not knowing if your vehicle's fuel tank is prone to blowing up with not knowing it isn't a good idea to stuff multiple double cheeseburgers down your throat. But the bill does set a dangerous precedent with its supporters saying consumers have to realize they can't blame others for the consequences of their actions and the legislation was about "common sense and personal responsibility." Common sense isn't a phrase that gets tossed around much anymore, and cer- tainly not by politicians. While it is a new idea, what might be next? Drivers having to take the blame after they drink them- selves stupid at the office Christmas party and get behind the wheel? Parents actual- ly being responsible for their children's actions? And smokers realizing for them- selves tobacco is dangerous? And if politicians are going to carelessly use words like personal responsibility to describe voters, how long will it be before the words are fired back at them. We might even start expecting our money not just to be accounted for, but spent wisely. But maybe that is stretching common sense a little too far. PAT B BACK 40 VIEW Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. 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