The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-12-03, Page 44 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 3, 2008 CGNA f Editorial Opinion °crust° n = IIMZEM TIMES -ADVOCATE PUBLICATION 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 CO Zift etroland Media Group Ltd. Deb Lord — Manager Scott Nixon — Editor CNA 2007 BLUE RIBBON The Times -Advocate is owned by Metroland Media Group Ltd. 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Doug Rowe - General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Political games For a while at least, we can stop complaining that nothing exciting ever happens in Canadian politics. In a truly surreal moment in Canadian political history, the three losers in the last federal election, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe, held a press conference Monday to inform the public of their intent to form a coalition government to oust Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his minority Conservative government. Liberal leader Dion, whose political career was deemed over after his disappointing performance in October s election, would become prime minister should the coalition manage to seize control from Harper. The winner of a Liberal leadership conven- tion in May would then succeed Dion as prime minister. The image of Dion, Layton and Duceppe (the man who would tear this country apart) smiling together and shaking hands, is truly bizarre. These men don t like each other in the slightest, yet they ve somehow decided that, in light of the worst economic crisis we have seen in decades, a coalition government is what this country needs. Are they being genuine in suggesting the reason for their coalition is their rejection of the Conservatives economic plan? Or are Dion, Layton and Duceppe merely power-hungry egomaniacs as some have sug- gested? But the latter statement has also been used to de- scribe Harper, who, in the face of weak opposition, has always governed as though he had a majority government. In truth, he brought these troubles on himself with his arrogance and his political games such as threatening to slash political party funding. Does this coalition, should it seize power, have the skills to lead this country through the current rough economic times? On their own, Dion, Layton and Duceppe have never shown they have what it takes to lead a nation. Together, who knows what will happen? One hopes they truly believe they are doing what is best for the nation and aren t merely making a grab at power because they can. But give them credit they ve made things fun. 11.1EECONOW �5 FALLING! REALLY! IT'S FALLING& tUCK! ITfr SHEE$H( WE GET IT ALREADY! iog Distributed by Canadian Artists Syndicate We don't need fulfillment Prosperity. Fulfillment. Health. It may not be as catchy as Bread, Peace and Land, but the initial draft of the Sustainable Huron Take Action Report released by the Huron County Planning Department last week does have a certain air about it. Unfortunately, it s one that smacks of a clingy relation- ship, that pleads, as she makes the 15th phone call of the day, tell me what you want, I can make you happy. While the report is, as it was stated, a volun- tary approach to planning, and was assembled with the assistance of residents, do Huron Coun- ty residents need or want a plan from any level of government to be fulfilled? While it is true that Huron County is one of the most obese counties in the province and this generation of children s life expectancy may be less than the last, is there anyone who believes the only thing holding people back from a healthy life- style is the lack of sidewalks in building plans? Maybe the problem is the last 30 -odd years have seen kids tied to their mother s apron strings by a risk averse culture which keeps them safely content on the couch where Mom doesn t have to worry. The problem isn t, as it was stated in the planning de- partment press release, that our buildings are resulting in a less than optimum human environment. The problem is that human environment is filled with big screen televisions with 500 channels of quality pro- gramming, high speed downloads and extra plush couches. Short of a taser in the back and a doughnut hanging on a stick in front of them, some people aren t going to ex- ercise to whatever level the Canada Exercise Guide says we should. Most of us neither need nor want a plan to meet their mental, physical and social needs. We can, unlike plan- ners it seems, make our own friends and don t need our mothers and / or government to organize play dates with the neighbours on our behalf. We are fairly well adjusted and capable of getting exercise if and when we feel like it and not when or how much a plan suggests we should. And it s probably just as well that some of the suggestions are being withdrawn. While talk to a farmer, is a good idea, it would have been bet- ter not to mention some of the other items on the list of things to do, since become a vegetarian or PAT B OLEN BACK 40 VIEW reduce meat consumption, as well as eat one meatless meal a week wouldn t help with the farmer s list of being part of a strong and diver- sified agricultural industry, although it might diversify him right into bankruptcy. As for those who do need a hand, a quick peek at the Yellow Pages under social services in Huron County shows 27 different groups from a to w ready, willing and eager to help those in need, so it would appear those supports are well taken care of. As for some of the other ideas, such as require native tree species on all front yards, those would be referred to as private property (Google Magna Carta if you re not familiar with the idea) and develop cycling routes along all major roads. They re called shoulders. So plan the buildings, just don t try to plan the people inside. Because like the clingy girlfriends get told, we need to talk. About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Time -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 519-235-0766 Fax number for accounting dept. 519-235-2449 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $42+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $75+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $160+GST Call 519-235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $13 for 20 words, 20¢ for each additional word + GST. Notices (births, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $16 + GST for up to 50 words. All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10:00 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, 519-235-1331 weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or evenings 519-235-1336 (leave message). Deadline: Friday @ 2:00 p.m. Website: www.southhuron.com E-mail Us TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Deb Lord's e-mail address is dlord@southhuron.com Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team MANAGER Deb Lord ext. 103 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 CUSTOMER SERVICE Jennifer Skonieczny ext. 101 COMPOSITION Nikki Cyr ext. 101 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 102 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Ben Forrest ext. 114 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 108 Heather Clarke ext. 111