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The Citizen, 2003-08-13, Page 4PAGE 4. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2003. Editorials & Opinions Publisher, Keith Roulston Editor, Bonnie Gropp Advertising, Alan Young, Patty Van der Meer The Citizen Is published 50 times a year In Brussels, Ontario by North Huron Publishing Company Inc. Subscriptions are payable in advance at a rate of $28.00/year ($26.17 + $1.83 G.S.T.) in Canada; $80.00/year in U.S.A, and $100/year in other foreign countries. Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, only that portion of the advertisement will be credited. Advertising Deadlines: Monday. 2 p.m. - Brussels; Monday, 4 p.m. - Blyth. We are not responsible for unsolicited newsscripts or photographs. Contents of The Citizen are © Copyright We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) toward our mailing costs. Publications Mail Reg. No. 09244 Canadian Publication Mail Agreement No. 40050141 The Citizen P.O. Box 429, BLYTH, Ont. NOM 1H0 Phone 523-4792 FAX 523-9140 P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, Ont. NOG 1H0 Phone 887-9114 FAX 887-9021 E-mail norhuron@scsinrernet.com Website www.northhuron.on.ca J^ocna ^cna Member of the Ontario Press Council Side-by-side peacemaking tests As 2,000 Canadian troops take up their role leading a dangerous Nato peacekeeping team in Afghanistan, the coming months will provide an interesting demonstration of the differing approaches of Canadian and U.S. peacemaking philosophies. Both Canadians in Afghanistan and U.S. troops in Iraq will face daily dangers from people who want to drive them out of the country. Canadians can only hope that our troops don’t suffer the near-daily losses Americans have in Iraq but there is no doubt danger continues from Taliban remnants and warlords who don’t want foreigners creating a responsible democracy in their country. But Canadian troops bring an experience to their task that U.S. troops don’t have. While the last two years have seen our military belittled by those who feel we should be more forcefully c n the side of the Americans in invading countries, when it comes to try ing to bring peace and rebuilding countries, Canada actually has more experience than the U.S. in the task at hand for both countries. It’s interesting to see the Canadian approach in Afghanistan, for instance. Remember those ridiculed green camouflage uniforms the Canadians wore while everybody else during the war in Afghanistan had sand-coloured uniforms? Now Canadians are choosing to wear those former symbols of humiliation, even though they will have sand-coloured uniforms if combat becomes necessary. The theory is that our troops want to be seen, want to be out among the people, not riding around in armoured vehicles all the time. Our troops have long years of training and experience dealing with such difficult jobs, even though each mission presents new challenges. As well, as representatives of a small country with no imperial history but a reputation for helping bring peace to countries, Canadians create far fewer doubts about the ultimate motives behind their presence than American troops. Meanwhile, as Greg Foster, a professor at the U.S. Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University pointed out recently in The Globe and Mail, it’s difficult for armed forces trained in war-making, to be able to turn around and be expert in peacemaking and nation­ building. There tends to be a feeling that might makes right— that simply by showing strength you will force people to do what you want. Unfortunately that often brings resentment and rebellion. Despite the little-brother, me-tooism of Canadians who think we can only be important if we tag along with the U.S., we have an opportunity in Afghanistan to do something every bit as important to world peace as invading Iraq. If our troops can help build a country that rejects a return to the war and chaos that would provide a base for terrorists, they’ll have accomplished as much as far larger military powers have. Here’s hoping they are successful in this difficult mission. — KR Letters to the Editor ITfcWraKV i ZY Marge, so far we've registered a model, a punk rocker, a rest-stop janitor, a seller of thong underwear, a former child star, a 99-year-old, a ferret loving cop, an adult film star, Larry Flynt and 100 others... Tell me we've reached the end of this freak parade! . • . • . ............. v . .. - ..... '... ' ...^ . ............. Looking Back Through the Years THE EDITOR, Recent headlines blare, “Catholic lawmakers urged to vote against (gay marriage) legislation. Vatican also denounces same-sex couples adopting children.” Another headline shouts, “Pastor quits TV to fight gay marriage.” And “Coalition to battle same-sex marriage.” What horrendous crime against humanity is being committed, one might wonder. Surely it must be far greater than the genocide in Rwanda which saw the slaughter of more than 700,000 men women and children; some while taking refuge in churches. There was no such outcry when Rwanda was burning. Could it be a greater evil than the Holocaust? I heard no similar marshalling of holy forces then, not even a whimper. Hitler was not threatened with damnation’s fires. Sadly, these headlines refer not to the forces of good but the soul­ destroying forces of bigotry. These are the forces of man-made dogma with little reference to their founder but with all the self- righteous certainty of knowing the profound mystery of the universe. The proposed law protects religious groups from having to perform same-sex marriages if it is against their teachings. No one is telling them to change their practices or beliefs though, considering the hatred and intolerance arising, a believer may wish to re-examine them. I recently wrote, “Let all faiths join with the public school system and embrace the system not with divisive doctrine but with the spirit of those accepted as the cornerstone of their faiths.” We now witness the need for all children to attend the public school system not just for the good values they may bring but to counteract the negative values of their faiths. Let them teach their values in their homes and religious institutions and if they insist on inculcating their children with dogma in their own schools then let them do that. However, public funds never should go to support such schools. We live in a multicultural society that is sustained by mutual respect, tolerance, and equality for all. From what we see, it is obvious those values are best learned in the public education system. Fred Kirby RR2, Tiverton, ON. August 13, 1958 A large bam on the farm of Sam Sweeney, Cone. 7, Lots 4 and 5, containing hay and a number of small farm implements was completely destroyed by fire. The Grey Twp. fire brigade was contacted but because the blaze gained so much headway, they concentrated their efforts on saving the nearby house and build­ ings. A 16-oz. jar of Miracle Whip salad dressing was selling for 43 cents at The Rutledge Grocery. Playing at the Llashmar Drive-in theatre in Listowel was Teacher’s Pet, a comedy featuring Doris Day and Clark Gable. Also showing was The Bridge over the River Kwai, a film starring William Holden, Alec Guinness and Jack Hawkins. Playing at Listowel’s Capitol Theatre was Tarzan the Ape Man, starring Johnny Weismuller, and A Trip to Disneyland. Advance tickets for the Western Fair were being sold in Brussels and adjoining towns and villages in strips of two for $1. Only holders of those tickets were entitled to participate in a draw for three “beautiful” four-door sedans. August 15,1968 An entire hay crop and 65 pigs were destoyed in a $23,000 bam fire on the farm of Stuart Cloakey, of RR4 Brussels. Volunteer firefighters from Blyth managed to save a driveshed 50 feet away, which was ignited by sparks from the burning bam. A Brussels boy had a close brush with death when his bicycle collided with a car. The accident occurred on Tumberry Street just north of the bridge. Entertainment at the Queen’s Hotel in Brussels was provided by Dorene Danbrook at the piano. Saturday night entertainment was Mrs. Nelson Hanna at the piano and Mr. Lankin playing the violin. Stephenson’s Bakery and Grocery was offering Schneider’s cheese spread for 35 cents and a 1.5 lb. of Coleman’s canned ham for $1.59 per tin. The Thursday and Friday night double bill at Brownie’s Drive-In in Clinton was Yours, Mine and Ours starring Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda and Van Johnson and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, starring Zero Mostel and Phil Silvers. Aug. 15,1973 Hot, humid weather favoured the appearance of ozone bronzing on white bean leaves. Because the condition was due to weather, little could be done to control it and it can cause considerable loss in yield. Snell’s Food Market in Blyth was offering Weston’s fresh white, brown, or cracked wheat bread for 29 cents per loaf or $2.70 for 10 loaves. It was the back-to-school dollar days at the Needlecraft Shoppe in Blyth. Softly-fashioned shirts started at $9.95 and skirts started at $8.95. Blyth firefighters fought a brief but costly fire on a farm, south of Belgrave. A combine caught fire and was severely damaged. The machine was “belching” black smoke when the fire department arrived. George Radford Construction Ltd. of Blyth was the successful tender on a contract to supply gravel to Hullett Twp. Aug. 10,1987 Committee approval had been given to a new formula governing public school trustee distribution in Huron County, which would see the boundaries of all but four of the present school board electoral districts changed. The new distribution also meant the addition of two new members to the board. Brussels council decided to reconsider its zoning bylaw that prohibited the location of mobile homes anywhere but in the village’s mobile home park. The Brussels EMA store was the victim of a break-in and theft. Entry to the store was gained by prying apart the deadbolt on the door. Once inside, the thieves stole close to $7,000 worth of cigarettes. The Brussels Jr. Tigers captured the A championship in the Walton Sports Club’s annual Bantam tournament. The Tigers beat Kitchener 3-2. August 11, 1993 Although the year looked promising, the wheat yields were disappointing, crop specialist Brian Hall told The Citizen. The wheat planted late was most affected with yields in the range of 45 to 70 bushels per acre. Margaret Caldwell was named Citizen of the Year for Blyth and area. CN accepted Brussels’ offer to buy the CN Rail right of way through the village for $14,000. A 71-year-old Goderich man won $54,000 in the Super 7 lottery. August 11,1999 Blyth firefighters worked amid clouds of smoke battling a fire in grain stubble on the farm of Brad Westerhout in Hullett Twp. Cleaning up the downtown core was the predominant focus of a survey answered by Brussels residents and business owners. The Brussels Tigers won the B Division title at the 28th annual Brussels Tigers fastball tournament. The title marked the first time a Brussels squad earned a title since the 1970s.