The Times Advocate, 2006-07-05, Page 44
Exeter Times—Advocate
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
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Editorial Opinion
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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 costs.
Canada Jim Beckett — Publisher
Deb Lord — Production Manager
Scott Nixon — Editor
tirt
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EDITORIAL
Disrespect should
be punished
e've heard of having a lack of respect
before, but the events in Ottawa on
Canada Day just might take the cake.
Three young men were spotted urinating on
the National War Memorial in the nation's capi-
tal. They were caught on camera by a veteran
who was concerned about the activities taking
place around the monument late at night. It
turns out he was correct.
As of press time, the men hadn't been identi-
fied, but Ottawa police had assigned an officer
full time to tracking down the offenders. Most
likely, they were drunk, but that's hardly a valid
excuse to use when an act is such an insult and
a show of disrespect to our veterans. The
offenders will probably claim they met no spe-
cific offense against veterans, they simply had
to urinate. That's not acceptable.
Of the photographs released, one man is smil-
ing and mugging for the camera as he urinates
against the monument — he hopefully won't be
smiling if and when he is caught by police and
his name is made public.
Why people fmd it necessary to urinate out-
doors in the first place is a mystery; the fact it
was done on our National War Memorial is an
unforgivable disgrace.
Races shaping up
It looks like this November's municipal elec-
tion will be much more exciting than the last
one. With candidates already declared in South
Huron and Bluewater, we hopefully won't see
the acclamations we've seen in the past.
We're already assured of races for mayor in
both Bluewater and South Huron, while first-
time candidate Crystal Varley of Huron Park
has filed her nomination papers to run in the
Stephen ward. It's still relatively early in the
game and there will be several more candi-
dates for the various positions on council. It's
good to see some new faces.
This show of interest is a sign of a healthy
democracy, unlike the apathy we've seen in the
past.
About the Times -Advocate
Celebrating July 1 for another reason
July 1 doesn't just mark Canada Day and the
beginning of the free agent frenzy in the NHL — in
my family it marks the day when we celebrate my
great-grandmother's birthday, the amazing Ethel
Young, who turned 98 last Saturday.
For my immediate family (my wife, my par-
ents and my brother, the latter of whom was
unable to make last weekend's trip), Granny
Young's birthday party also serves as a family
reunion of sorts, given the fact she lives in
Lachute, Quebec, as does a good portion of my
father's family. For obvious reasons of dis-
tance, we rarely see these people except at
Granny's birthday parties, and last weekend
was the first time I was able to attend the
party in about five years.
This year's party was in Hawkesbury, Ont., just
across the Ottawa River from Quebec. Since we
hardily ever see most of the people at these parties, I
never remember everyone's names, which makes
introducing them to my wife an interesting scenario:
"Um, Katie, this is uh ..." It's hard enough recog-
nizing everybody; coming up with their names and
how they're related to me can be next to impossible.
Eventually, Granny shows up and we form a line
to say hello, give her a hug and wish her a happy
birthday. That she always remembers everybody
and is delighted that people travel from hours away
to spend about 20 seconds talking to her should be
no surprise. For her whole life, her family has
meant everything to Granny.
She was tragically widowed at the age of
27 when her husband was electrocuted on
the job. Left with six children to raise, she
soldiered on and raised her kids.
Remember, these were the mid -1930s.
Can you imagine how tough it would be to
raise six children by yourself'? And yet she
did. I find it hard enough getting out of
bed everyday, never mind raising six kids
by myself.
They don't make 'em like they used to, that's for
sure — at 98, Granny remains a tower of strength
and a person we all have immense respect for. I'm
sure she remains so strong because of her early
struggles — she still lives by herself, her mind is as
sharp as a tack, we're still kind of afraid of her, and,
while she apparently has a walker, she won't use it
in public.
So, I love Canada as much as the next guy, but on
July 1, I salute Granny.
SCOTT
NIXON
AND ANOTHER
THING
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