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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2015-11-18, Page 5letters to the Editor Terrorism is never senseless Terrorism is awful, and hor- rific, but it's never senseless. It's having a reason and a pur- pose that makes it terrorism, by definition. Friday, Novem- ber 13, 2015 saw a brutal attack in Paris, and in Beirut (let's not forget them), that was not senseless, nor pointless. The IS and similar groups owe their existence to a narrative of The West vs. Islam, and they need it to strengthen and grow for themselves to do the same thing. They attack to stoke that same sentiment in us, so that we will do their propaganda work for them. More impor- tantly, they attack because it's not working. In recent months, Europe has been faced with a refugee crisis, and while there are flare-ups here and there, as there always is with refugee waves (and this isn't even the biggest one faced by Europe in the past 50 years), the extent to which Europeans have been wel- coming to refugees has been powerful, especially for how it has resonated throughout places that aren't seeing as acute an influx (like North Amer- ica). That's great news for us, and we've collectively enjoyed the good news sto- ries going viral. It's the exact opposite for Islamic extremists, though. To them, a welcoming West presents an existential threat. They cannot survive if we are generally united in acceptance. And so they strike. They strike out of fear, and out of desperation. They don't want us to be hesitant in our aid for refugees, apprehen- sive about security risks, and reserved in our accommo- dation; they need it. They cannot exist without it. And so they strike. They strike hard, loudly, and for maximum effect. They target us where we feel safest. They pinpoint where we are least guarded emotionally. They take every care to ensure the biggest headlines, and the most guttural impact. They're not trying to kill the most people; they're trying Purple Grove News Purple Grove WI News from Nov 11 installment: We are thankful no one was hurt with that weird and wild storm that went through our area last Friday morning. Thanks to the Hydro crews for getting the power restored on Saturday. Several women from the area attended the 2015 Common- wealth Women Parliamentari- ans Canada Region Outreach Program at the Bruce Power Visitor Centre on Friday morn- ing. It was interesting to hear from and meet women in our area who inspire us and others by their service and dedication to their communities. Thank you to Lisa Thompson for host- ing and giving us a chance to meet the women who are part of the CWP of Canada. The Royal Winter Fair started this weekend and many folks from the area are attending and participating in the events this week. St. Andrew's United Church hosted the Remem- brance Day Service on Sun- day and welcomed the Rip- ley Legion attendance. Shirley Gilders of Clinton visited with her cousin Roy and Maureen Collins on Sunday afternoon. Jim and Fran Farrell went to Irene and Joe West's 35th anniversary celebration on Sunday after- noon in Stratford. Happy Birthday to Deanna Scott and Mary Anne Kukoly this week! Purple Grove Community Centre Annual Meeting is November 16 at 7 p.m. at the Centre. Folks at "R" Villa are look- ing forward to their bazaar being held Friday, Novem- ber 27 in the afternoon. They are also looking forward to visits with their friends from the community. News from November 18 installment: Purple Grove family was pleased to host a 75th birthday party for Mary Anne Kukoly at the Community Centre on Sat- urday evening! Lots of younger residents made for lots of entertainment and baby hold- ing. Thanks to our official pho- tographer David Becker for the extra smiles and giggles. Also November birthday greetings to Colton Collins who is 5 now, Marie Colling and Deanna Scott. Cousins George Knight and Sandy McEwan visited with Mary Ann on Tuesday last week. Congratulations to Rob and Krista Maclnnes on the safe to bypass as much of our good sense and humanity as they can, to give as loud a voice and as large a platform as possible to those animal- istic instincts inside of us all that can bring out our ugli- est impulses. And so they strike. They strike to cause fear, and cre- ate desperation. They strike because of fear and desperation. They strike because they're losing, and they know it. There is an "us and them" in this conflict, but it's not The West vs. Islam. Muslims are by a staggering margin the biggest victims of Islamic terrorism. Muslims are us. The only "them" in this is the -0.03% of the world's Muslim population who support extremist groups, and those in the West who would spread open racism against the other 99.97%. Love conquers hate, today and every day. We are win- ning, and we will win. Gregory McNeish arrival of their baby girl Riley Victoria on Saturday, Novem- ber 7. First time grandparents Anne and Mac Maclnnes and Brian and Vicki Hoover of Kin- cardine are pretty pleased too! Grant and Brenda were home from Saskatchewan visiting with the Clifford family last week. Great to see the turnout for the Remembrance Day Service on Wednesday. Thanks to the Ripley Community School for their participation and all the parents with their younger children for attending too. Sympathy is extended to the family of Alice Middelkamp who passed away Saturday, the funeral was Wednesday at St. Andrew's United Church. The Ripley Christmas Store artisans set up on Sunday afternoon! Come and see what 's there and get some unique gifts for people on your list! We'll be there from November 17 - Deccember 24, Tuesday to Saturday and will also be open the evening of Ripley's Christ- mas in the Park November 29. Congratulations to all the exhibitors attending the Royal Winter Fair last week. Some of Ripley Community School students went down on Mon- day on a bus sponsored by the Ripley Agricultural Society. Violence in Paris Dear Editor, The world of caring human- ity is deeply wounded and atrociously violated by the recent acts of primitive, bar- baric and senseless violence in Paris. Let our compassion and hopes for healing be with Wednesday, November 18, 2015 • Lucknow Sentinel 5 our fellow human beings in Paris and throughout the whole world at this time of catastrophic loss. Once again, it is time to sing out loud John Lennon's anthem, "Imagine," and as an encore, let us sing that inspirational anthem from the American Civil Rights' Movement, "We Shall Over- come:' We must never cease to dream of and to work toward a better world for all. Jim Hollingworth MD Goderich, Ontario. RECRUITING ONE NEW HCEDB BOARD MEMBER ICON COUNTY EDB The Huron County Economic Development Board YOU COULD BE PART OF HELPING HURON COUNTY GROW IN EXCITING NEW WAYS! If you are passionate about Huron County and want to see it positioned well for the future; If you believe that we have a great story to tell and that we welcome investments and business development at the same time as we embrace our heritage and quality of life; and if you know that it takes commitment and hard work to accomplish great things ... then consider putting your name forward. In 2016 the Board will launch Huron County's new economic development strategic plan and a new economic development department structure. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY November 30th at 4 p.m. For information on the Board and the recruitment process those interested can contact Natasha Fritzley via phone: 519-524-8394 x.3232 and email: nfritzley@huroncounty.ca