HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1987-03-04, Page 2E AND NONSENSE
- by Ron Wassink
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SINCE 1660, SERVING THE COMMUNITY FIRST
I noorp.orating
Brussels Post , , . .•
10 Main Street 527-0240 % ED BYRSKI, General Manager
PO -Wished in HEATHER McILWRAITH, Editor.
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO
FveryiNednesday_rnorn ing
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1987
. . second. class mail registration Number 0696
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
1985
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Other issues
should take priority -
True to a promise made before the last federal election, the
Conservative "government of Oxime Minister. Brian lvult'-oney will be
initiating a debate' and "tree vote" in therlouse on the controversial
Issue of capital punishment. The government hopes a vote will be held by
June on whether to reinstate the death penalty, a form of punishment
banned in Canada in 1976 after a long and emotional debate by
parliamentarians.' • •
Certainly the issue is an important one, and society is probably no less
divided on the issuethan was the case when the last free vote on the issue
was taken in the House of -Commons in '76. 'One question the government
• should be asking itself, however, Is whether this is enough of a priority to
warrant the extraordinary length of time the debate will undoubtedly
take. As if stands, each MP will be allowed 20 minutes to speak on the
question, and the leaders of'the three political parties will have unlimited
time to make their positions known.
A promise is a promise, but Canadians would surely prefer their
government to be paying' more ~attention to regional disparities
(specifically job creation' in the west and Newfoundland), to
environmental protection (a greater priority among Canadians than free
trade, according to a recent Gallup pono and tO,issues such as. OR care
funding and transfer payments to municipalitieS rqquired r
deteriorating "hard services" such as roads and bridges.
And this short list doesn't include restoring the government's
' credibility -- not through a slick public relations campaign, but by the
prime minister impressing upon his people in Ottawa the importance of
integrity in conducting the government's business:
The questions put .to a special guest on a recent episode .of Peter
Growsky's Morningside radio show was, and is, apt: Since most MPs
• already have a firm position on the capital punishment question, why not'
simply put the question to the vote? Would the butcome not be the same
with or without the debate?
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Bill 30 segregates
An Open Letter to the Prime Minister of
Canada The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney
During your mcp'fit visit to Zimbabwe, you
expressed the sentiment of millions of people
thrbrighont the world when you abhorred
apartheid in South Akita. Although a stand
abuses in other countries embarrass Canada
on the world stage. As well as being against
section 15 ri } of our own Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedorris,.the abuses in Ontario
and South Afriea are both contrary to article
no. 2 of the Universal Declaration of 'Human'
against such an obvious injustice is laudable Rights. This•Deelaration wa.s adopted by the
the statement, your person. your office, and UN General Assembly on December 10,1948,
Canada lose credibility. because of the
hypocrisy involved.
Bill 30 is now an act Of the Ontario
Legislature which segregates Ontario high
school students into two groups by creating a
duplicate, publicly -funded. Secondary school
system for Roman Catholic students. This iS
goVemment-sporisoredsegregation. Itis also
discrimination.
This segregation and discrimination in
Ontario is no less reprignont than South
Africa's because of the substitution of
religion for color, and indeed, to some it iS
• considered even more repugnant betause Of
its subtlety.
When. sir. are you going to address this
violation of social unity and thin= rights in
your own bad: yard, Ontario? Until you do,
• continued statements abotit humat rights
was signed by Canada in 1948, and states that
"Everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without any distinction Of any kind, such as
race, oiler, sex, language, religion
or other cipinion, national or social origin,
property, birth, orother status."
We suggest you concentrate on the
establishment of equality and human rights
in this contry, and make an immediate Start
by insisting on the repeal of Bill 30 in Ontario,
so that your criticisms of other governments
can be taken seriously.
It can sometimes be interesting, from our
take a relatively detached look at the FROM THIS ANGLE
continuous cold war activities befween the
United States of America (Amerika?) and the by Patrick itafti
Soviet Union.
notth-okhe-49t1i-paraliel perspective, to
Not the boring stuff mind you, like the
bi-monthly expulsions of real and imagined
espionage agents from both countries, and
the constantly -pointless debate on whether
each side should retain enough -nuclear
weapons to -blow up the entire universe seven
times over, or cut back to just enough to
destroy the earth once. Noi-what-1 find mos
interesting is concern expressed by both
nations about the perception the , average
people in one country have about the Other.
The Kremlin fears the effed of American
films such as Rocky IV, Red Dawn and Rambo
II, on the western attitude toward Soviets;.
while Washington decries the Soviet propa-
• ganda system which labels Americans ...as
greedy manipulative capitalists.
Here in Canada, by the way, we don't pay
much heed to such debates. We'll play
hockey with anybody we figure can ice a
decent team, so e have no really divisive
• quarrels will: either side.
Recently, both sides have become so
concerned about the mutual image -bashing,
that they have organized an "entertainment
summit' a sort of celluloid reflection of the
arms talks. Next month, Soviet and American
film makers will .meet in Los Angelesto
compare depictions of each other. It should
make for some interesting exchanges.
•
"It'appears to, me, Comrade Stallone, that
your recent films are nothing more than a
thinly -disguised excuse to portray the Soviet
Union as-a-rtithless7-autocratic--nation-o
oppressors, bent on nothing less than
eventual domination of most of the globe."
tAren't_you?"
"Yes, but is that any reason to tattle on
us?"
"Well what about you? Your media
portrays the United States as a country of
greedy military industralists and racists,
teeming with crime, homelessness and
unemployment."
"Isn't it? -
•"Well, to a certain extent, yes. But you're
now shoving the whole, picture. There are
some nice people here too."
"How many?"
• Three." •
• "I see.",
Instead of attempting to reach an agree-
ment on film portrayals, the two superpowers
should agree to an immediate ban on: the
production of films involving the other
country.
Then, they should proceed to arrange for.a
cultural exchange of television programs
which have been successful in .syndicated
re-nins
After a year or so, of viewing.sudi.fa.,.e..As
Three's Company, Two Close for Cornigt,
Gimme a Break and The Facts of Life,, the
I--Russian-audience-would-hav&no-chOieebut-,to
change their opinions of Americans.,
"We were wrong comrades. America* not
'full of -violent capitalist•-exploitem-lt-is
country of shallow,, ineffectual. siniPletone?
Please accept our apologies."
• W hile this may not be an appealing linage
for Americans to put forth, they could at least
be assured the Soviets would no longer
onsider them dangerous, except for thein -
selves.
Conversely, after watching bland state-
controlled Soviet progiarnming for a,sinailar
period, Americans would likewise change
their perspective. '
"YOu „Soviet's aren't treacherous. You'ire
• just boring. W e had you all wrong-."
W ith the image problem out of the way, the
• arms control negotiators would then be able
to get on with 'their job, in a far.
less -prejudiced fashion.
'Tell you what Ivan. You people pull out bf
Afghanistan, keep your nose out of Nicaragua
and point those missiles toward Siberia .h
and we'll send you The Cosby Sho'w." •
, What the heck? Nothing else has worked.
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Musical
Why is it that I sound like Barbara
Streisand in the shower and Foster Brooks in
the church choir? 1 love to sing! I crank up the
radio at home, at work, in the car, and belt out
the tunes. With Diana Ross or Madonna and
their entire gr,oups in the background it
sounds terrific. Alone....well rm a 'little
shaky if I do say so myself.
Most people love music, and I am -no
exception. I would love to be able to go to a
party and play the piano or the guitar or get
up in front of a crowd and really sing. W ell it's
not easy. Now when someone does just that, I
view them with awe and admiration. Playing
an instrument or singing requires lots of
proctice,and
Looking- back I realize my mother must
have had "stage Mother' aspirations. I
remember crying hysterically after finding
out that Mum had "volunteered" my sister
and me to sing at the Sunday school concert. I
cant remember if it was the prospect of
singing that was causing the tears Or the
knowledge that my hair woUld bin ringlettes
and rd be wearing ugly saddle shoes with a
fancy partydress. 'Peter, Janes and John in
a Sailboat' went over Without a hitch.
Piano lessons were disastrous. I Waged to
play the popular songs of the tiMes. I soon
learned that All Cows Eat Grass, and Every
Good Boy Deserves Fun, was many years
away from "Born Free." I spent much time
hitting notes by guess end by gollY TO this
outlet finally found
HERE'S THE BEEF
• by Carolanne Doig
day I -can usually play the melody by ear but
chording and use of the left hand is out.
I even took accordion lessons for awhile.
That was even worse since I'couldn't push
keys with one hand, buttons, with the other,
and push the darned instrument in and out at
thetame time. I never even got close to the
Beer Barrel Polka.
I joined the high school band, I wanted to
be a majorette, but since there was a waiting
list to wear these cute little outfits I was given
a French horn, The noise was deafening when
and if I triode any noise at all. I marched in
several parades inducting the International
Plowing Motch. 1 was scared stiff I'd hit the
wrong note so 'never made as much as a peep
In any parade. Needless to say my band
career was shordived.
I tried singing, once again, practising in a
trio for the annual Ceileigh (it's supposed to
be spontaneous). I knew we could do it but
come the night of the event I tried to drown
the butterflies with vodka. If they hadn't
'called us to the stage when they did I would
have been singing in Russian. That was my
last public appearance.
My next musical move' came when I
received a guitar for Christmas and signed up
for lessons. You wouldn't believe it but there
I was right back at the All Cows Eat Grass
stage again. I enjoyed the lessons and the
teacher was very patient. He'd' have to be
when Home on the Range lasts 15 minutes.
Somehow it's difficult to follow the tune when '
it's 10 to 15 seconds between mites as I hunt '
for the correct finger position. 'still practise a
bit although Eve given the teacher a rest for
awhile. Even my dog howled everytime Igot
the guitar out.
Now I've joined the church choir. It's lots of
fun. I sit right in the middle, mainly because
I'm not sure whether I'm alto or soprano.
Actually I never know until Iwake up Sunday
morning, so sitting in the middle makes life
much easier. If Igo down when I should go up
only the people beside me notice (the same is
true if I'm en the wrong verse). With all the
support from choir members and,the organ,
my confidence is fortified. I have probably
found the perfect outlet for my musical
ambitions.
. .
Coalitionfrefor Public Eduhacation
• Pembroke, Ontario ' Winter break was.needed
Renw Colinty Cpter
Box491,
k8A6X9
Fro back, not that Anyone care.s. Chances
•
Heart Fund amiss areyOu never missed me, or even cared that
I was unemployed for a week.
Oopsi We have been amiss in failing to As Febthaty draWs tO a Clete, We would like
mention that Bill McLaughlin has Orgatiiied to thank eeryane for their Support. We are
tortfideot that, With youthelp will be able
the deor-to-door fieatt Fund dativast hi the
village of Egrithirtiville, Bill and his tarlyaSS- to raise our share of researth dollars which
eft • look forward to the suppOrt Of the enables etteritial work to be funded, �n yoiir
cormininity and if, by "eliariee, any of the behalf, by the PeridetiOn. ,
residents itt Eginegidville haVetteit inissed,• 8ititerely;
Bill wOuld be pleated to itteive their • jean Hildebrand
donation Treasurer
tarrip seeking out alumni.
Cairip:RitehikeWatia het bean in operation fie:swap:et,we nope to expand our arunati
entlietiferaSef Orden6's Georgian Say since Mailing list by teae.hing Camp kiteliikeWana
) l919. Slit& that time, there have been graduates itt your readership Area. We are
thousands of young filet and waitiert who erittitteetithat the 'Spirit of KitelilkeWatik'
have -attended "Mitthi" as darripert, Orange:I, imbued camp vaincs and friend -
loft, or 'Staff' people, and who are now ShiPs, ivilifieWberettirrierthingin outtirnetif
successful adhltS located in every eiletief a( tided.
this vett denary. Ml kiteht Aliathi please contact,
Ain -nun Canipaigit, Camp EitchikeWan
' The COMO is now On aiiitielt-rieeded i3dic488, lVfidiartd„ 0 tatio, IAR
• , redevelopment program to Upgrade the - ,
fatilitiet and a4diinent in Order to 'Oil:Jai* • Thank you for yotit valued CO,OPe.ratiOtr,
the- &toping experience for young ,peopte or Vents snioreiy,
the' liekt generation. •AuStiriMettlieWS
• • Thittigli the kind eoeperation. 'ot yinte ' COMO Director
Like many Canadians, I'm finding; as, I
advance in years (seems like these things
happen when you turn 30, that 1 need
Win' ter break from my citifies. Perhaps it's
something I note, grew Mit' of When in
schbol—winter break. If it's good • for,
stridents, then it fling be good or the,
HOWeirer, unlike the Winter vacationing
Canadians who head south for a, weelt�rtWo
itt paradise, 1 stayed h me, I did itothing (if
that's poSsible), and enjoyed Fired minute
•
Of doing that I like best; nothing. , •
That, in itself, leaves Me -With a problem,
If 1 didn't do ahythiog, how can I tell you
about it? It cornea &Wit to evangelising of
the benefits of testing the nrintL body and
SOM. I'm telling, you, do 11 cause it feels it,
reit good.
My job is one that doesn't require much
physical activity, Though my fingers and
batktide are my only physical attrilititeS
that Stiffer any visible drain, I kilo* thy
brain cells. More than Make up for the, puph,
VA -Chin lipti atid sit ups that I stiould Iedo-
ing as I unscramble nay thoughts Oil my
ttipootiter.
That's why On my annual Mater vacation
SEN
etertien„ like taking out the garbage, fixing
a light twitch, or turning on the televiStoti.
Its a tithe to recharge drained brain dells.
• J.tiat to show you how lay I waslast VVeek,
I'll relate the nagging �f Seri and Wife: Sen
anted to play. That was no pr blern. Son
•
Warded to crawl up the stairs, crawl over
me,. walk (holding onto my fingers) all
.thoroirt,il ittfothe litirite,• and trawl over me sortie
Wife wanted the second telephone moved
upstairs on moriday, I rrioaiied, groaned arid
tenth up' with tiritfiertitrf excuses Wily the
phone ShOUldstoydoWriSiairt4.Hilifireci•the
„job lrrlday As fat:installing covers overtwo
eleetriCa101itietkI.thiiiightabtifit it, thought
1p aii.oketiO that I COiiidn't find tviee.,seres
needed teethe jOhkand didn't de IL 'pat will
httt�wait ttntifinsumrfer vacafiott.
Tile most interesting . part Of, my witar
Other than lying on he, chest field,.
0.toS'eratithrie on.fhe Mot, whit Tait- Hatt
446ti 6116TO,tgeta" whatils like to be 11 mon
.
Our investigations on Oltr nuinerous
journeys Were quite enlightening. We Spent
hours .playing with bits of string along the
edge of a piece of carpet. We also taste
testeda newfood-live tlies. After my initial,
oh no, a sqished fly was reth�ved fr
mouth.
Knot holeS on base board moulding and
nail hOleS are Mgt) fun We had a twin.
ling out fingers over the tiny holes. hit We
also learned we cduldift inSart our firtgera in
the libleg.
Other than leokiiig 'tinder chairS; la mg
with the knobs on the *tee and flinging
kniCkiiaCkS frOnn the t 4fieg table,: the next
' best thing was.upelling.eupbaard tteora arid
destroying the tentetitt thetein.
• Living in tt six tea pluS hatt
to Often 'what life' was like WileM.Yoli?te
"iithoT''. getting' deWir tO a ehilak level;
theanSgettingdOYh,ThotighlivaS
reatifigrhy Cella, t was atithuight-proVoking
'eketelfe as a Whale OW kirld:Wareetietied
leontiiined to 1iageA7)
•
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