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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-02-22, Page 66 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice. I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!" The four men didn't wait for a second invitation. They got out and ran like mad. The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried, and then it dawned on her why... For the same reason she did not understand why there was a football, a frisbee and two 12 packs of beer in the front seat! A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police sta- tion to report her mistake. The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun. If you're going to have a senior moment, make it a memorable one! Senior citizens are constantly being criticized for every conceivable deficiency of the modern world, real or imaginary. We know we take responsibility for all we have done and do not blame others. HOWEVER, upon reflection, we would like to point out that it was NOT the senior citizens who took: the melody out of music, the pride out of appearance, the courtesy out of driving, the romance out of love, the commitment out of marriage, the responsibility out of parenthood, the togetherness out of the family, the learning out of education, the ser- vice out of patriotism, the golden rule from rulers, the nativity scene out of cities, the civility out of behavior, the refinement out of language, the dedication out of employment, the prudence out of spending, the ambition out of achievement, or God out of government and school. And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!! And, we do understand the meaning of patriotism, and remember those who have fought and died for our country. Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics to 0' Canada. Just look at the seniors with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts as they stand at attention, on Remembrance Day and our Country's birthday. Get Snack Savvy: It used to be that three -square meals were all you needed. Now health experts recommend eating three small meals plus some nutritious snacks throughout the day. Health snacking: • Keep's you feeling energized during your busy day and helps you beat afternoon fatigue. • Helps you get all the nutrients your body needs to stay healthy and protects you from heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes. • Is a good way to manage your hunger, helps prevent you from overeating at the next meal and can help you control your weight. What makes a healthy snack? Pick snacks that have lots of nutrients and fibre. The fibre will make you feel full, helping you to resist higher fat and higher calorie temptations. As a general rule, try to choose a snack that contains foods from at least two of the four food groups in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating. A few whole grain crackers (grain products) with lower -fat cheese (milk products) are a good example of a healthy snack. The carbohydrate in the crackers gives you immediate energy. By adding some lean protein and fat from the cheeses, the snack takes longer to digest and gives you more sustained energy. My Mother 1.My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning." 2.My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet." 3.My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the mid- dle of next week!" 4. My mother taught me LOGIC. " Because I said so, that's why." 5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me." 6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." 7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about." 8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMO- SIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper." 9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!" 10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone." 11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it." 12 My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exagger- ate!" 13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out." 14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFI- CATION. "Stop acting like your father!" 15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do." 16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home." 17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!" 18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way." 19. My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?" 20. My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me." 21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up." See the glass as half full I would like to respond to the recent letter by Green Party candidate Victoria Serda, in which she indicated that women are not truly respected in politics in the riding of Huron -Bruce. By being the only woman candidate in the recent federal election campaign, Victoria Serda was not venturing into virgin territory. Our current MPP is a woman. Also, the former MPP, Helen Johns, was a prominent and effective voice as Minister of Agriculture — not an appointment given to patronize. Women have played, and are playing, an important role in politics in Huron -Bruce. We have a rich heritage of women who have made, and who are making a difference, by working hard in their communities — often unnoticed. But then again, most aren't doing it for recognition. As campaign manager for my husband in the last two federal elections and in the last provincial election, I too have some observations. In past elections, I have found that all candidates have behaved in a professional, cour- teous and friendly manner. Did they always agree? No, of course not! That is one of the benefits of living in Canada. Different views can be presented — citizens have an equal opportu- nity to be represented in the political process. But as a woman, as a person, I was always treated with the utmost respect and parity by the candidates, their teams and others involved in the election process. Politics is an opportunity to serve the people. The glass needs to be seen as half full, not half empty. One should ask, "How can I help to fill the glass?" not "Why wasn't I given a full glass?" The attitude you bring to a situation very often determines the quality of your experience. tection of supply management. Supply management is a domestic marketing system that has served Canadian agriculture well for 30 years and failure to preserve that system would represent a tremendous step backwards for the sector; 4. I would urge you to move forward with the Nov. 25, 2005, plan agreed upon as a result of the tripartite industry -federal -provincial roundtable meeting held in Regina, Sask. Amongst other measures, stakeholders and governments agreed that Canadian agriculture needs policy that leads to growth in profitability, not just volume. As out- lined by the CFA (below) there are already solutions on the table. According to the proposal, the said solutions should be enclosed in a Canadian Farm Bill. I would encourage you to adopt such measures. The three pillars of CFA's proposed Canadian Farm Bill are: — The Public Goods and Services Pillar. Under this pillar producers work with soci- ety to achieve certain environmental and production objectives. Costs for achieving objectives that address consumer demand or public good and passed on to the beneficiaries — consumers and the general public. — The Business Risk Management (BRM) Pillar. BRM programs are designed to provide stability when an unforeseen loss has occurred. The new APF II will need to continue to improve these programs to ensure they are responsive, and production insur- ance will need to be extended to all commodities across the coun- try- - The Strategic Growth Pillar. To achieve strength and growth in the industry the new APF must ensure that the industry's eco- nomic engine is working smoothly. Together, various components must be strategically meshed together to make Canadian agriculture grow. This should include: promotion and support for the development of co-operatives and collective action, reforming the Competition Act, develop- ing profitable export markets and protection of the three pillars of supply manage- ment — Production Discipline, Producer Pricing and Import Controls. As an aside, I would draw specific attention to the Business Risk Management Pillar. This particular initiative is of the utmost importance and warrants special considera- tion. As your Agriculture Minister is well aware of, Canadian farmers will be on the fields in less than 100 days; unless we fail to act. With that in mind, I would call upon you to take immediate action to make the aforementioned a reality. Canadian agriculture has supported this nation from the beginning and today, that industry requires reciproca- tion. Without question, an investment in agriculture is an investment in Canada and I would urge you to venture accordingly. I stand ready to render any assistance you require on such matters. PAUL STECKLE, MP Huron -Bruce Letters P. to Ed the �tor KATHY JosLuN, Huron -Bruce Christian Heritage Party Steckle writes to Harper Mr. Prime Minister: I am writing so that I might underscore to you, and the members of your govern- ment and cabinet, the dire situation facing Canadian agriculture, in particular the pri- mary producers engaged in the grains and oilseed sector. Your urgent action on such matters is necessary if we are to prevent this crisis from intensifying and further weakening the overall economy of rural Canada. While I am now an Opposition MP, I cannot accept that my job is simply to criticize your plans and priorities. Contrarily, I believe that, in addition to putting forth an alternative position on certain issues, the role of an Opposition MP is also to propose solutions to problems. With that in mind, I offer the following: 1. We must ensure that the $755 million (targeted emergency funding) announced on Nov. 23, 2005, is delivered to grains and oilseed producers immediately; 2. The CAIS program must be repaired and modified without delay. Farmers can not wait for long-term program review or regulatory gazetting. Failure to act directly will have dire consequences for the industry and, by extension, for all of rural Canada. While I happen to believe that the current CAIS program could be made to work effec- tively, I understand that your government committed to scrapping CAIS. Regardless, I would urge you to consider all options prior to moving forward but I would encourage decisive action in the next 30 days; 3. The government of Canada must continue to be unreservedly steadfast in its pro - Letters to the Editor The Times -Advocate welcomes letters to the editor as a forum for open discussion of local issues, concerns, complaint, and kudos. By mail: P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 By fax: (519) 235-0766 By e-mail: editor@southhuron.com Please include your name , address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Times -Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for style, grammar and length. Please keep your letters to 300 words or less.