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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-12-01, Page 4TIMES ADVOCATE 4 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, December 1, 2004 zkxna =CNA Editorial Opinion 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 Mending fences US President George W. Bush's long over- due visit to Canada this week offers Canada and the U.S. a good chance to improve relations between the two countries. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Canada -U.S. politics knows the usually - great friendship between the two nations has hit some sour spots over the past three or four years. The reasons are many and varied: Sept. 11, of course, had a huge effect on how the U.S. viewed the rest of the world. And much of the world was wary of how the U.S. responded to 9/11, especially with the attack on Iraq under the guise there weapons of mass destruction in that country, which of course were never found. Also, former Prime Minister Jean Chretien's prickly personality had much to do with the growing frosti- ness between the two nations. Say what you want about Chretien, he never backed down from a fight and wasn't about to have anyone, the U.S. included, tell him what to do. Our neighbours to the south were less than enthused when Canada refused to back the U.S. in the war on Iraq. And finally, there is Bush and the Republicans, who are suspicious of a Canada that seems to be moving further to the left at the same time the U.S. is moving to the right. Republicans don't trust liberals and aren't happy with Canada's friendly attitudes towards gay marriages and marijuana use, among other "left-leaning" philosophies. But, despite the fact Canadians love to bash Americans, the U.S. is much better to have as a friend than as an enemy and Bush's visit this week should be viewed as good news. Reports early this week suggested Bush was pre- pared to open the U.S. border to Canadian beef, after a mad -cow scare that has cost Canadian taxpayers $488 million in federal compensation to beef produc- ers. Beef producers and cattle ranchers have lost over $2 billion since the border was closed by the U.S. 18 months ago. An open border is great news for the entire country. Bush also planned to visit Halifax as part of his trip to Canada. It's unfortunate he didn't have the back- bone to speak in Parliament but, as was shown in the presidential debates with John Kerry, Bush isn't exactly at his best when he's challenged verbally. As Bush's visit was scheduled to take place after the Times -Advocate went to press, we'll have to wait to see exactly what he announces. But it's time for Canadians and Americans to work together again and stop sniping at each other. Bush has four more years in office, so we're going to have to learn to work with him, not against him. DAMN UBRMSII.• I HATE THOSE BASTARDS! TURNS O(SV WE HAVE OMETH R NGA4 �1V CoMMQN AFTER Ali. #irr r. Distributed by Canadian Artists `Greatest' list fascinating, baffling The wait is finally over — Tommy Douglas has been deemed the greatest Canadian of all time in CBC's Greatest Canadian series. While the Top 50 was at times controversial for who was included (hello, Don Cherry and David Suzuki) and for who was left off (Farley Mowat and Margaret Atwood quickly come to mind), the list gave Canadians a good chance to look at the people who made this country what it is today. While Frederick Banting was my choice as the greatest, it's hard to argue against Douglas who, in addition to being the `father of Medicare,' brought Saskatchewan out of the dark ages during the Depression years, introducing paved roads, sewage systems and electrical power to the rural areas. Douglas indeed was great and he deserved to win. One question, though: Who the hell was vot- ing for Cherry and Suzuki? I want a re-count. To me, the fact these two are even in the Top 100 defies logic. The less said about Cherry the better, but his inclusion in the Top 10 is at least understandable because of his popularity and the fact he's a hockey guy. Suzuki's inclusion is puzzling. I had no idea the man was even popular. Being an environmentalist is admirable, but when stacked up against the impres- sive accomplishments of people like Douglas, Banting, Lester B. Pearson, Sir John A. MacDonald, Alexander Graham Bell and the many other great Canadians, it's hard to imagine anyone voting for Suzuki. But what do I know? And if you honestly think Don Cherry is the greatest Canadian of all time, please give your head a shake. What lockout? The National Hockey League may be per- turbed to know that, contrary to some popular whiny beer commercials, most hockey fans couldn't care less about the lockout this year. Everyone I talk to is completely willing to sit and wait until the owners and players come to some sort of agreement to make sure they all make their millions. I consider myself a huge hockey fan, but I admit I don't really miss the NHL at all, espe- cially not the boring, clutch -and -grab, watered-down league the NHL has been for the last decade. With no NHL games to show, TSN has been showing classic NHL and Canada Cup games that have only emphasized how slow and dull the game has become. When the NHL does start again (probably next sea- son), Canadian fans will undoubtedly return to the game we love and obsess over; Americans will be another matter entirely. This lockout could kill the game south of the border. SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING About the Times -Advocate 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. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $37+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $68+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $104 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $10.00 for 20 words, 20e for each addition- al word+ GST. 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The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 REPORTERS Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Mary Simmons ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Sherrie Thomson ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext 114/103 Sharlene Young, Diana Hardy ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 Marg Pertschy ext. 111