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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-05-24, Page 44 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, May 24, 2006 =CNA Editorial Opinion 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 Published by iroland Printing, Publishing Distributing& Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Metroland Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Work together Canada needs to remain strong in its negotia- tions with the United States concerning identifi- cation requirements at the border. Cities on both sides of the border are nervous about what kind of an affect new requirements will have on cross-border tourism. And they should be worried. Many Canadians and Americans, if forced to go through the expense and hassle of having to acquire a pass- port or other secure document simply to shop across the border, won't bother and will give up the habit of shopping and travelling across the border. The economics of this will probably hurt Canadian cities like Niagara Falls and Windsor harder than it will hurt those on the other side of the border, but American border towns and tourist destinations are also con- cerned. U.S. president George W. Bush said Monday American officials are working with Canada to ensure that whatever new identification docu- ments are required at the border won't be too restrictive, although he did say he supports making a passport or other secure document mandatory for everyone entering the U.S. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who seems to have a better relationship with Bush than did either of former prime ministers Paul Martin and Jean Chretien, needs to be firm and ensure Canada's opinions and con- cerns on the issue are heard and considered. It won't be an easy job. Since 9/11, the U.S. has been more concerned about security than it ever has in its past and, rightly or wrongly, it's commonly believed south of the border that Canada's border security is weak and porous. Changes to strengthen border security will come and they should come — the protection of its citizens is a government's primary responsi- bility. But both countries need to work together to find a solution that works for Canada and the U.S. About the Times -Advocate 2006 Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate Inc. Another day runs out for Jack Well, he did it again, although viewers were left with a crazy cliff-hanger. Jack Bauer, television's maverick terrorist killer, saved his country once again Monday night, as "24" wrapped up its fifth season. Starring Canadian Kiefer Sutherland (and featuring many other Canadian actors during its five years), "24" has been one of the best things on TV since it first came on the air. I'm proud to say I've been on the "24" bandwagon since day one, when the show's "real time" setting was a novelty. But instead of falling back on "real time" as a cheap gimmick, the show has used it to its advan- tage, helping to drive the plot ahead and setting up cliff-hangers at the end of most episodes and even some seasons (at the end of season two, President David Palmer was left for dead. It was- n't until the beginning of season three that view- ers learned he survived). Monday night's cliff- hanger may be the best yet, and since season six doesn't start until January 2007, fans will have eight months to stew about it. For those who don't know, each season con- sists of one day in the life of Jack Bauer of the government's Counter Terrorist Unit. Each sea- son someone tries to destroy the U.S. and Bauer has to save the day. I've often thought it would be neat if one season dealt with Bauer's day off — instead of fighting terrorists, he just hangs around his apartment, watching TV and eating chips. Maybe goes to the mall or washes his car. Maybe he sleeps in or reads a book. "24" takes chances, something most television shows stopped doing decades ago. In the age of focus groups, overly -cautious sponsors and the all important Nielsen ratings, most TV series head straight to the middle of the road to appeal to the most viewers possible. "24" has been anything but middle of the road or routine. It has only rarely fallen into maudlin sentiment. Bauer has shed a tear or two during the five seasons, but those moments are rare and brief and he then returns to his unfeeling machine -like self. Over the years, the show has been rather cruel to its fans' emotions, consistently killing off major charac- ters (Bauer's wife at the end of season one, as well as a slew of favourites this season, including Tony Almeda and the loveable Edgar Stiles). Even Bauer's survival has been in question at points in the series, as he has battled a heroin addiction, heart problems, con- stant gunfire and torture. His own govern- ment has even tried to kill him. During season one, the show itself seemed to be on life support — it suffered through low ratings during a time when a post 9/11 America was uneasy with a show that dealt with terrorism on home turf. After brisk DVD sales, ratings went up in season two and the show has basically been at the top of its game since. Unless it's the news or hockey, there really isn't anything on for me — most of my time watching TV consists of channel surfing. I'm constantly looking for something good on the tube, but I rarely find it. But Bauer's attitude appeals to me. He's sort of a 21st century version of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry — breaking the rules, constantly in trouble with his boss- es, an outsider, a loner, and someone who isn't shy to use torture to get the answers he wants. What's not to like about that? OP lir w� 1 Negiv SCOTT NIXON AND ANOTHER THING 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. 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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 Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke