The Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-03-18, Page 4PAGE 4—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18,1981
Sykes
BLUE
RIBBON
AWARD
Second-class ,
'moil registration
number -0716
I don't want to play anymore.
If this is someone's idea of spring, I don't
like it. The whole matter should be given
some serious reconsideration or at least sent
somewhere for major repairs and ad-
justments.
Leo you believe this weather? It's a cruel
joke to play on .unsuspecting idiots like
myself.
Afterall, the winter underwear,the ones
with the fur lining and insulation baits, just
got neatly tucked to the back of the drawer,
when winter took onemore unrelenting
swipe at this fragile bod.
Somehow it doesn't quite seem fair.
This Friday, March 20, signals the arrival
of spring in most parts of the civilized world.
Little buds begin to sprout on tree branches,
green things shakily poke through the
ground, the Toronto Maple Leafs pack up for
`a golf vacation and the oil man leaves the
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premises, content Uiat Lne cast niche' IIdS
been siphoned from my pocket.
To me that's spring. A communal
celebration of the emergence of life between
man and nature or something philisophical
like that.
This business of bitingly cold winds,
blowing• snow and treacherous driving
conditions must cease cause I can't cope
anymore. If this responsible piece wreaks of
petulance then I must admit to being a bit of
a whiner. Not to be confused with wino.
Hopefully, I am of the mold of most
Canadian citizens in seeking a better deal
weather- wise. .
Spring and summer just seem to strike a
nostalgicand romantic chord. I just want to
see birdie do do on my car hood again, young
girls in bathing suits and other scanty
outfits, feel the crunch of insects on my
windshield, step on caterpillars and
assorted surprises from neighbourhood dogs
in my bare teet, watch the garden turn a
sickly brown and die, drink comforting
beverages to combat heat and humidity,
barbecue in the rain, contract an irritating
rash and watch young girls in bath...sorry,
already mentioned that ane.
Anyway, readers can judge from „ the
previous list that warm weather and rely ed
fun things hold much sentimentality for is
scribe.
There is just something about warm
climate that brings out my better nature but
this week I am having serious doubts about
the arrival of spring.
It has led me to wonder if such a season
really exists or if it is simply a propoganda
.,campaign to keep our expectation level at a
Peak,
Coincidentally, when spring arrives at
three minutes after noon on Friday, there
will also be a fill moon that day. Apparently
it's a big deal, a phenomenon that occurs
only once every hundred years or so.
A doctor of physics claims the equinox is
the most important of anyone's personal life
in the century. The whole thing has
somethingto do with the brain's sensitivity
to light, which is high during a fool moon
equinox.
In all modesty, I am of the opnlon that my
own thinking apparatus (brain) is sensitive
in light, dark and...well at all times. The
evidence speaks for itself.
But when the full moon equinox greets
spring Friday it doesn't mean that gloom
and doom will inundate our lives. Many
positive things can affect our lives on this
day.
Considering the sensitive nature of my
brain and the full moon coinciding with the
arrival of spring, I can't wait to see what
great things happen in my life Friday.
With my luck I will get hit by a truck.
:AOR-BODSIOESS OR1DC'F®RIAL-OFFICIi~S Masse -phone ( 19) 524-3331
The silent enforcer
Would you object to your child being strapped in school
as a disciplinary measure?
The use of the strap or corporal punishment is a con-
tentious issue and one that the Ministrynf Education has
taken a vague stand on. The Minister of Education, Bette
Stephenson, is soliciting continents from boards ef
education on the very subject. Stephenson is proposing an
amendment stating that teachers and principals refrain
from the use of physical force in disciplining a pupil ex-
cept
acept to protect himself or another pupil.
While boards of education are now gathering comments
and data on the subject, the Minister's mind is apparently
made up. Perhaps she is just seeking confirmation.
But . the entire tone of amendment reeks
ambiguity. If teachers and principals are to, refrain from
the .use of physical force, the terms must be sf iiply
defined. It is prone to interpretation by each, individual.
What is physical force to one teacher is simply a routine
disciplinary measure to another.
in Huron County the strap is used to some extent and
Director of Education, John Cochrane .said there has
never been any feedback from parents whose children
have jc^.n disciplined in that manner.
The use of the strap is left to the discretion of each
principal of each school.
Should principals have the right to decide if pupils can
or cannot be disciplined by being strapped. Do parents,
really care?
The board of education would like to get some parental
comments before making their submission to the Ministry
of Education. This paper would also like to know what
parents and ratepayers think about physical force and its
place in the education system.
Use of the strap is not a common or widespread prac-
tice. That decision is left up to the principal.
But the fact remains that even the presence or threat of
the strap is likely to prey on students minds and act as a
silent enforcer. Without the threat of the strap studenis
may become flippant about disciplinary measures- and it
may lead -to a subsequent disregard for authority.
If you think the strap has a place in the education
system, let us know and if not, tell us why.
Right now, the education act says that teachers may act
in the manner of any kind,sfirm and judicious parent. That
too, isopen,tointerpretation. DS.
Leadership cited as main issue
On Thursday, March 19 residents of Ontario will have a
chance to exercise their democratic right in the 32nd
provincial election.
The Conservatives will again be looking to form a
majority government a position they unwillingly
surrendered in 1977, winning 58 out of 125 seats. The
Liberals narrowly retained opposition status winning 34_
seats compared to 33 for the New Democratic Party.
The
election will interesting one,not only across
1IIG be an ir■uca ca ag �
the province, but in the two local ridings of Huron -Bruce
and Huron-Middlesex,aa well. '
The Liberal Party lost a fine man in Huron -Bruce with
the retirement of Murray Gaunt, who served his con-
stituents in the Legislature for over 18 years. Wingham
lawyer Murray Elston will carry the party banner this
time around against Conservative candidate Garry Harron
and NDP hopeful, Tony McQuail.
In Huron -Middlesex, Liberal -incumbent Jack Riddell
faces a challenge from the Conservative candidate, Jim
Britnell, a former county engineer.
Gwen Pemberton of Bayfield will try to improve upon the
NDP's showing in the riding after the party settled for six
per cent of the vote in the 1977 election.
The election hasn't seemed to ruffle Ontario voters to
this stage and the campaign for the most part is just sliding
r
along. If there is a genuine interest in the proceedings on
behalf of voters, that interest is being masked.
The leaders, and Premier William Davis in particular,
have met -with the occasional stormy protest during the
campaign, but the incidents have been few and isolated.
Leadership has been labelled as the main issue in the
election campaign and Premier Davis and Liberal leader ,
Dr. Stuart Smith, have relentlessly attacked each other,
party policy and advertising ca■mpaigna. NDP leader
Michael Cassidy has simply pumped the electorate with
party policy and programs. -
A poll conducted by the Toronto Star suggests the Con-
servatives will form a majority government. The leadees
have either dismissed its credibility or used it as a
showcase depending on the position in the poll.
All parties have maintained that, heading into the final
few days of the campaign, their own message is gaining in
popularity and acceptance. The outcome will definitely
hinge on several urban ridings across the province and the
thrust of the campaign has been directed at larger centres-.
Voters will have to sift through the party policy and
evaluate leaders and candidates in their own riding. The
most important aspect of an election is that voters take
the time to evaluate their own riding and the candidates
and make a personal decision. D.S.
Relentless March
by, Cath Wooden
D
EAR READERS
BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER
If someone were to ask me today to give in 10
words or less the main problem confronting the
people of North America, I'd have no trouble
stating my opinion.
I'd say, "The rrlain problem is plastic people."
There it is. Six little words. Six simple words
with a world of meaning behind them.
My handy desk dictionary says that plastic is.
any synthetic op organic material that may be
shaped when soft and then hardened. -
The slang meaning for plastic is anything that
is false or•insincere, superficial or inhuman.
I intended a kind of meld of the two definitions.
I see plastic people as actual breathing and
functioning humans who under sortie social,
economic or political pressure have allowed
themselves to become molded and unwittingly
mis-shapen into artificial, hardened vessels with
much appeal because of their colorful ap-
pearance and many flexible, immediate uses but
with no lasting value as a real or genuine one -of -
a -kind specialty item.
I'm thinking now of those fantastic multi-
purpose plastic refrigerator bowls which have
tight fitting lids to prevent spills and leaks.
Most homes have at least one of these in use at
any given time. They are- so convenient and so
useful for keeping things fresh and crisp, clean
and odor -free.
They stack in neat corners; they Won't break
when accidentally dropped; modern versions
seldom lose their shape and snap even
throughout the most gruelling dishwasher
cycles; they come in co-ordinating colors; and
they go on forever, their lifespan seemingly'
endless.
But when you want to make a lasting im-
pression on someone, you don't bring the plastic
container anywhere near the diningroom table.
Homemakers go to all lengths to transfer the
goods from the plastic to the handcut crystal or
the handpainted pottery. • . •
And when you look around the house, you see
the plastic is stored neatly out of sight in drawers
or behind doors. It is the truebeauty of the fine
china and intricate glassware that is displayed
proudly as treasures.
I have one friend who collects antique dishes.
They are years old and priceless. Their value
and their loveliness is in their quality, their
uniqueness, their genuineness.
Granted, she only uses them on rare occasions.
It isn't because they aren't functional. They
are.
She doesn't use them every day because they
are so special, so unique, they demand special
and unique handling and storage and care. To
lose one would be tragic, for each one is
irreplaceable.
's So she, like most of us, resorts to the plastic for
daily use.
She finds it economical and always in ready
supply in any grocery or dime store. She likes to
buy the newest gadgets to keep ahead of the
changes, but it doesn't worry her that the same
piece. will show up in her neighbor's kitchen in a
week ortwo.
She knows exactly what she's buying and she
doesn't expect it to be exclusive. It's only plastic
afterall.
Unfortunately for the vast majority of today's
society, they
lifestyle.
But what is so disturbing and so damaging to
so many lives, is that people no longer recognize
the difference between plastic living and the real
thing. -
So many people really expect exclusive joys
and pleasures and special and unique results
froi;n a mass-produced assembly -line
everybody's -doing -it plastic lifestyle.
They really believe that if they trot their
plastic values to the dinnertable of life, it is going
to bring the same beauty and quality to the
banquet.
That explains perhaps, why so many people
are disillusioned about so many things right now.
They have put their faith in the functional, the
readily available, the colorful, the immediate
convenience, the multi-purpose pleasures and
the easy to get facsimiles.
But they haven't got the real treasures stored
away. And they can't transfer the contents of
their lives from the plastic to the genuine even
when they want to.
They just didn't see the difference in time to
pay the price for that collection of really
valuable assets - understanding bought with'time
to listen and courage to hear; peace purchased
with sufficient love to be unselfish and enough
patience to be forgiving again and again; inner
joy paid for with buckets of sharing and self-
denial and sacrificial giving.
High and lofty ideals? Not really. Every
human being is capable of attaining this
priceless plateau, but too many settle for the
plastic peaks that are easier and less costly to
reach.
are ready to settle for the plastic
This week's installment is dedicated to my
brother. Like hundreds of other high school
students in the area, John is suffering
throw a week of yucky exams. ,'
hope I'm not ruining anything for some
6f you more expedient, pinball -playing
students who have told your parents that
exams have been cancelled this term.)
I phoned mon frere a few moments ago to
ask him if he was studying. "Sort of," he
answered ambiguously. I didn't have to ask
what that was supposed to mean. It meant
he was watching the afternoon movie and
eating toasted bacon and tomatoe sand-
wiches and his English notes were sitting on
his lap.
I then asked him if he studied last night.
"Oh yeah. 1 studied all night then I watched
the late movie and ate chips until 3,a.m."
I could relate. John's studying habits
bring Lack fond memories of the mental
disorders this former not•so-studious
student went through during her dozen or so
sets of high school exams.
After dinner, when Mother Dearest's right ,
eyebrow would raise menacingly and her
finger would point towardsmy room I would
brightly offer to clean up a kitchen. That
would take -a good half hou
Then I'd take the do for a walk. No
parent with a heart couldi,deny the dog its
rightful walk. The only time anybody ever
walked the dog in my family was during
exams.
Finally, I'd decide to prepare th study.
Preparations were very important. It was a
psyching up time. Preparations included
gathering together binders and texts and
making a timetable of study hours (e.g., 8-
8230, Biology, 8:30-9, rest). Preparations
also involved making chocolate milk, and
giving mother heck for forgetting to buy
Oreos.
Once ready to study, I would desperately
think of something to keep me from actually
sitting down to do it. One diversion would be
to phone a friend to ask her if she had the
formula for finding the area of a circle.
Another diversion involved going
downstairs to the family room to 'look for
the dictionary'. In reality I was looking to
see what was on TV. Afteer half an hour, I'd
find thedictionary and troop upstairs again.
Well, not exactly troop. I would walk up
the stairs trying not to bend my knees. This
took,a long time.
About this time, I'd get yelled at which in
turn would give me the, opportunity to slam
several doors to release pent up energy -
energy that simply didn't exist during non -
exam times.
Cloistered in my own room again, I would
suddenly discover that one of my desk
drawers had a loose handle. This required a
trip to the kitchen junk drawer for a
screwdriver search. Mother would scream,
"What are you doing?!" to which 1 would
reply with equal volume, "You can't expect
me to study if my stupid desk is falling apart
do you?!"
I then would stalk indignantly back to my
room with the screwdriver and a bag of
chips. Desk repaired, appetite satiated,
books open in front of the, I'd actually
glance briefly at the scribbled mess that
was the history of Russia.
But only briefly, for I would immediately
begin to rediscover all the wonderful things
in my room, like my tennis racket which
served as an electric guitar, and my ceiling.
Ceiling tiles can be fun to count when you
don't want to study the history of Russia.
By that time, the clock would be rounding
eleven. Mother Dearest would wander by
and notice me at my desk, chin in hands and
yawning. "You've been studying long
enough tonight dear. You can't expect to
retain all that information without a good
night's sleep."
"But I'm gonna fail!" I'd cry, bursting
into tears. "I bin studying all night, and I'm
still gonna fail! "
Boy, am I glad those days are over. Good
luck, little brother. I'll bring you some
Oreos.
cath
wooden