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The Times Advocate, 2005-07-11, Page 66 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, July 13, 2005 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 13. Thongs and Depends Canada Joe Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock (Made in Japan) for 6 a.m. While his coffeepot (Made in China) was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (Made in Hong Kong). He put on a dress shirt (Made in Sri Lanka), designer jeans (Made in Singapore) and tennis shoes (Made in Korea). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (Made in India), he sat down with his calculator (Made in Mexico) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (Made in Taiwan) to the radio (Made in India) he got in his car (Made in Germany) and continued his search for a good paying Canadian job. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day, Joe decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (Made in Brazil) poured himself a glass of wine (Made in France) and turned on his TV (Made in Indonesia), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in Canada. Plus most of us shop at Walmart where nothing is made in Canada. Employers and homeowners need to know EXETER — The summer is now here, and hundreds of students are looking for summer jobs in Huron County. The temporary and flexible labour services that secondary and post -sec- ondary students provide can be a valuable resource for your business and around your home. If your company receives rush orders, has an employee on maternity leave or needs to improve office efficiency, hire a student. Students can offer many skills: • Flexibility - Students can often work days, evenings or weekends. Some are available for part-time employment, while others are available full-time. From physical labour to office work to computer programming, students can meet your needs. • Technological Skills - Today's generation of young Canadians is among the best educated and most at ease with changing technologies. They have a lot to full-time job. • Community Enhancement - Summer jobs help students to enhance their employa- bility skills, finance post -secondary education and contribute to the local economy. • Odd Jobs - Businesses and private households often have tasks that no one has time to do. Answering telephones, mowing lawns, faxing letters, or cleaning an office are jobs that students can help you with. Odd jobs help young people gain valuable work experience, and they can last from one hour to several weeks. The Exeter Human Resource Centre of Canada for Students (HRCC-S) encourages local businesses and homeowners to hire a student this summer. Call 235-1711 to place a job order or visit us at 281 Main Street South, Exeter. Our office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, you can contact the Goderich HRCC-S at 524-8342, ext. 232. The HRCC-Ss are part of the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy. For more information on this and other Government of Canada summer offer the workforce. But they have to start somewhere. and work experience programs, call the toll-free Youth Info Line at 1 800 935-5555 or • Learning is their Business - Students are talented and adaptable. Learning is their visit youth.gc.ca. KATIE EMMRICH SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OFFICER Writers express thanks, thoughts on several issues For Andrea Dear Editor: I do not think Dr. Morgentaler has ever allowed himself the privilege of having a per- sonal relationship with someone who is mentally challenged. If he had, perhaps he would never have justified the abortion of those babies conceived with "defects" that led to conditions like Down syndrome or anyone who is mentally and physically chal- lenged. However, as highlighted in the June 16 edition of the London Free Press, Morgentaler fully advocates the abortion of such individuals. I was the mother of a child who was born blind and multi -handicapped. Yes, Andrea had to overcome many challenges, but she was able to enjoy things in life that gener- ally go unnoticed by those people who are born "normal" and healthy. She loved the wind in her face, the freedom of water, the soft fur of a dog, a gentle voice reading a story. She was a gift to our family and taught all those around her the virtues of patience, compassion, unconditional love and a multitude of other lifelong lessons. Our girl died at the age of 26 and there is not a day goes by that we do not miss her. Andrea loved life despite the "defects" she had to deal with. She was a ray of sunshine who gave as much to others as she received. I believe if Dr. Morgentaler had spent any time with Andrea he would retract his statement about babies born with challenges and stop justifying the aborting of these fetuses. Andrea did not hate, she did not judge, she did not lie steal or cheat. She did not kill a person's spirit with words or a body with her actions. In the end, she was as close to perfection as a human can get. Perhaps Dr. Morgentaler should re-examine his definition of defective. And perhaps the honorary degree should be given to someone like Andrea who has the ability to bring out the good in humanity as apposed to evil. Morgentaler is a man who has the power to influence people's decisions. How many mothers who have conceived a child with mental and physical defects has he persuad- ed to get abortions? How many people like Andrea has he taken away from the world? ANN KIKKERT Thanks for donations Dear Editor: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron would like to express our appreciation to Tim Horton of Exeter for their financial contribution in support of our programs and services. Dennis and Lynda Whaling have joined as a Match Maker, in our Leadership Giving Program. Leadership donors at the Match Maker level help to ensure that the kids on our wait- ing list will have a chance to have their own Big Brother or Big Sister, and it is com- munity partners such as Tim Hortons of Exeter who make the difference for the chil- dren we serve. Many donors tell us that one of the most satisfying things about supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron is the sense of making a direct impact on a child's life. Throughout the year, new Big and Little Brother/Sister friendships are made, changing the lives of both the 'Big' and the `Little' forever. Donations to BBBSSH enable our staff to recruit, train and support the men and women who make the commitment to be Big Brothers and Big Sisters. While every contribution is deeply appreciated, individuals and businesses who can make a contri- bution at the Leadership Giving Level $2500 and above for Match Makers; $500 and above for the Match Support Team have an especially significant impact. Leadership donors at the Match Support Team levels join the team that helps to guarantee that each match goes on for a long time, even for a lifetime! Join with Tim Hortons of Exeter and be a part of our Leadership Giving Program. Commitments can be made in the form of outright contributions, multi-year pledges, and gifts of stocks or securities and through estate planning. All contributions to BBB- SSH are tax-deductible, but many forms of charitable giving offer additional tax or estate planning benefits. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron receives no government funding. For more information visit our website at http✓/www.shbbbs.on.ca., or call 235-3307. A Huron United Way member agency. DIANNE BEACH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron Bill affects veterans Dear Editor: RE: Same-sex marriage and the older veterans 'buddy system'. Many older veterans co-habitating under the 'buddy system' are anxious to deter- mine whether they will be considered now as married couples. The question is being raised with me as chairman of the 51 -member National Council of Veteran Associations. Their concern arises from the passage of Bill C 38 on 'same-sex' mar- riage. Many war veterans who lose their spouses take up residence with a fellow veteran as a matter of convenience. These war veterans are, by circumstance, elderly cou- ples, but have never had to consider themselves as man and wife. The new legisla- tion regarding 'same-sex' marriages, however, may change all of that. Such veterans may have to decide which is the 'male' and which the 'female' part- ner. If the marriage, common or otherwise, is between two persons of the same sex, the Veterans Pension Act may confer spousal benefits in the death of one of the partners. Should two male 'buddies' live together, surely the legislation would have to apply to such older veterans in the same manner as for gays and lesbians—a concept on which we offer no comment. This is a complicated issue. The War Amps website gives additional details at www.waramps.ca. On behalf of these veterans, I am writing this letter as chairman of the 51 -member National Council of Veteran Associations. Sincerely, Cliff Chadderton, CC, 0.0nt., OStJ, CLJ, CAE, DCL, LLD Chairman. Duty shirked Dear Editor: It is with dismay and regret that we watch our leaders ravage the soul of our coun- try, Canada. Just a few short years ago Parliament wholeheartedly voted to retain marriage as a union between one woman and one man, period. Now they have brought total confusion to the situation for who knows what of the future. Those 32 Liberals who voted against Bill C 38, namely the same-sex bill, are just as guilty for the passing of the BM as those who voted for the Bill. They beat their breasts on how they are not in favour of C38 but willingly shirked their duty by supporting the budget, giving the Liberals free reign. Now they are trying to redeem themselves by voting against C 38, knowing full well it was sure to pass. GARNET BLOOMFIELD, former Liberal Member of Parliament, Ilderton, ON Welcome back to the playground EXETER — Welcome back to another fun filled summer at the South Huron Playground! We are all excited to be back and we have fresh new activities and crafts planned Our trips include: • London's Children Museum: July 14 • East Park: July 28 • Camping: August 11 • Fleetway bowling/Boys and Girls Club: August 18. There are still spots available for all of the trips however the trips operate on a first come, first serve basis so be sure to reserve a spot! Next week is "Time for the Holidays" so there are many festive activities planned including egg painting and Valentine's warm fuzzies. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes on the morning of July 20. Reminder: Although we only visit the pool Wednesday after- noons, kids should bring a bathing suit and towel everyday in case we play water games to cool off. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at 235- 2361. We hope to see many new and familiar faces soon! MAGGIE MILLER EXETER PLAYGROUND LEADER