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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-07-06, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, July 6, 2005 =CNA Editorial Opinion n = MISIM 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 ii Published by Metroland Printing, ri Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL An admirable trek Iri a friendlier time when minor hockey now refers to "sudden victory" rather than the traditional "sudden death," the word "hero" gets thrown around too lightly these days. While he would no doubt disagree, eighty-four year old Gordon Scott's feat at least fits into the heroic cate- gory. As reported elsewhere in this week's Times - Advocate, Scott, of Peterborough County, is walking 1,500 kilometres around southwestern Ontario to raise money and awareness for the War Amps. As if that wasn't enough, he spent the first part of his four-month trip sleeping on the roadside until good Samaritans started hearing about his quest and began taking him in. He's also pulling a cart behind him and rarely takes days off. When he's not walking across the province, Scott continues to farm beef cattle. They broke the mould when they made this guy. A Second World War veteran, Scott has met tougher challenges than what he's facing now, but to even attempt such a walk at his age (and in this heat) is a truly impressive feat. And he does it with a smile on his face, raising money for a cause he strongly believes in. The road ahead of Scott is a long one — he's got about three more months of walking before he arrives home, but let's wish him a safe and happy trip. And if you see a long-haired elderly man walking down the highway pulling a cart behind him, stop and say hello. What now? With Live 8, the biggest and most -watched concert ever held, now a memory, it's time to see if the pres- sure placed on the politicians by Sir Bob Geldof and his fellow musicians will have any effect. While Prime Minister Paul Martin can't help Africa to the point of sending Canada into a deficit, there's no doubt this country, and other rich nations around the world, can do more. And perhaps Martin could do more if he wasn't busy trying to spend his way out of scandal after scandal. No one should be naive enough to think a few rock concerts can save Africa, but Live 8 will make a differ- ence — rock stars are influential figures and if their fans start to get as passionate as guys like Geldof and Bono, politicians will have to listen. But we're not holding our breath. 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: $38+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $70+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $130 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. MAN, THIS HEAT IS A KILLER! She's served her time - yeah ri, We keep hearing about Karla Homolka over and over again and frankly it's nauseating. Canada's notorious female sex killer has served her 12 year prison sen- tence and is now free. Her biggest concern is personal safety out in the real world. What about our safety? Homolka is playing us once again, just like she has all along. Remember her deal with the Crown to testi- fy against her husband Paul Bernardo? Shortly there- after, videotapes surfaced cleary showing Homolka was an active participant in the sexual torture and murders of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffey. And on Christmas Eve 1990, Homolka held a drug -soaked cloth over the face of her unconscious sister so her husband could rape her. Fifteen year-old Tammy Homolka later died. Now Homolka's lawyers are saying the media should be forbidden from pursuing her in public. How is she any different from other sex offenders? Why should we cut her some slack? The answer is — we shouldn't. Not only is Homolka a sex offender, she has become a macabre celebrity and can't expect preferential treatment. Homolka claims she fears for her life and she should. We certainly haven't forgotten her role in the sex slayings of three young women. Every society has a twisted few with lynch mob mentality. Locally, we can look back at the experience of the Donnelly family in Lucan -Biddulph 150 years ago. Attacking Karla would be a quick fix to the anger that has built up over her actions but it is not the answer. We all need to take the higher road and ostracize t her from society. She is not worthy of compassion or understanding for what she did. It wasn't a one-time murder. It happened over and over again. How much compassion did she have for her victims? As for rehabilitation, who is kidding who? While in prison Homolka recently had a relationship with a man who killed his girlfriend and was serving time. Karla, you went back to your old ways, ending up with another violent individual. How can you possibly be rehabilitated? Thankfully, as part of her release she must avoid contact with criminals and chil- dren, but will she comply? Homolka may have served her prison term but she now has to face a life-long sentence from society. If she has a conscience at all she will think about her deviant acts every day of her life. It's also our job to remind her about what she did. As for the bleeding hearts who say let her be, I say what consid- STEPHANIE MANDZIUK CONSIDER THIS! eration did she offer to Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffey when she helped lure them into her vehicle with her big smile and friend- ly demeanour? What about the trust her younger sister Tammy had for her older sib- ling? The voices of the three victims have been silenced. It's our responsibility to make sure they are resurrected. Above all let's hope and pray that Karla Homolka will not be foolish enough to re -offend. We need to protect our society and most of all our youngest citi- zens from a predator who is being thrust back into our world. Classified Rates Word ads: $11.00 for 20 words, 20¢ for each addition- al word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15.00 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave mes- sage) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 4 m. -mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 REPORTERS Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Stephanie Mandziuk ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 114/103 Sharlene Young, ext 103 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke