6 - Sunday, December 22, 1991 — North Shore News INSIGHTS JOE Ves ON THIS UNITY THING see | GOTA GREAT IDEA... WE MAKE A TRADE WITH THE RUSSIANS... WE SEND THEM BACK ALL THEIR HOCKEY PLAYERS... I) RETURN..WE GETA REAL "STICK HANDLER” wGoORBACHEV! NEWS VIEWPOINT Shop locally "’ HE ALMIGHTY buck is a sure an- tidote to any patriotic aspirations. Witness, for example, the wholesale exodus of Canadian shoppers to the United States to cash in on the alleged good deals below the order. But while the short-term gains might be the odd dolizr saved on purchase prices, the long-term losses could be dramatic for Canadian shoppers and the rest of Canada. ‘Canadians may be voting with their money, but they are just as surely investing in the success of the American social and business structure and the ultimate failure of its Canadian counterpart. Americans have always excelled in self- promotion; Canadians have always excell- ed in self-flagellation. We too often sell ourselves short and chase the American dream when the Ca- nadian dream, while it: may not have as much false bravado, is a more thoughtful alternative. Cross-border shopping supports a social system that is rich for some, but poor for many; it undermines the foundations of a Canadian social system that supports such benefits as medicare. There is much to be said for the Cana- dian way of life, and if you agree then it is time to forget fleeing swath to battle border fine-ups and seaport local businesses and merchants. It’s time to support Canada before there is nothing left to support. NEWS QUOTES OF THE WEEK “You can never know all there is to know about anything which is scientific proof that scientific proof is no proof at all; so we cannot know everything about anything until we know everything about everything.” News columnist Robert Aiken, quoting Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. “I have been fortunate enough to live in a piace like this (Canada) and I feel it is my obligation to Publisher Associate Editor Peter Speck Managing Editor .. . Timothy Renshaw Noel Wright help others who may not be as fortunate."’ North Vancouver’s Leo Cunanan, on winning an award from the Philippines government for his work in helping Filipinos abroad. “If you want to meet people, get a pig.” Maureen Phelan, the owner of a pot-belly pig that spins on com- mand, on the social advantages of Display Advertising 980-0511 Real Estate Advertising 985-6982 Classified Advertising 986-6222 985-2131 Distribution Subscriptions Fax Administration pig ownership. : “Men will say, ‘She made me do it,” or ‘She uses her voice as a weapon.’ I think the only way we're going to do anything about violence in society is to take re- sponsibility and realize that we all have the capacity. to be violent, that we all have the capacity to be victims.”’ North Shore Community Ser- vices Executive director Pear{ McKenzie, on family violence. 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 985-2131 North Shore managed Advertising Director .. .Linda Stewart Comptroller Doug Foot North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualified under Schedule 111, Paragraph Ill of the Excise Tax Act, is published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Free Press Ltd. and distributed to every door on the North Shore. Second Class Mail Registration Number 3885. Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per year. Mailing rates available on request. Submissions are welcome but we cannol accept fesponsibility for unsolicited material including manuscripts and pictures which should be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. Newsroom V7M 2H4 TUE VOCE OF RONTH AND WEST WANCOUVER: MEMBER ~SY Soe Eee ; 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. SDA DIVISION 61,582 (average circulation, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) Entire contents © 1991 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. To Russia with love - tips for | a new boss man § DEAR BORIS: Ever since you took over as president of Russia, and then replaced the U.S.S.R. with this new Commonwealth thing, I’ve been meaning to send you my good wishes. I know you can use plenty of thos? right now — so what better seasen than this to catch up? ’ You and your pais (especially Leonid down in Kiev) are going to have a Ict of excitement next year with your new toys — democracy and free enterprise. We in the west got them a century or two ago and they still give us endless - thrills. Not always welcome thrills, T admit, but then, that’s half the fun of playing with them. If you asked my advice (which you haven't yet), I'd offer you just three little tips. First, slow down, Boris, and hang on to the steering wheel tight. It’s crazy to think a market economy can be working within a year or so. 11 took us most of two hundred and we're still ironing out bugs. You can only goa step ata time — the first being to fire all the old Commie bureaucrats lous- ing up your distribution system. When the proles get mad at you, you'll just have to bite the bullet. Maybe even make a few of THEM bite rubber bullets if they get out of hand. Mikhail wasn’t just dragging his heels, like you accused him of do- ing. He was going slow with perestroika because he’s smart enough to know it’s the only way after all che mess of the last 74 years. Second, about Mikhail himsclf. Without him you wouldn't be where you are. Sure, the people blaine him (like they'll soon be blaming YOU) for the breadiines. But he's still mighty popular with the folk yau most need — the westerners who can save you all from starving this winter. You'd be dunib not to let him do the job he’s made for. Aside from the U.S., all the upscale democracies are run by a prime minister, with a non- political ‘‘head of state’’ to keep the neighbors happy. So rename yourself prime minister and make Mikhail your non-voting presi- dent. Give him and Raisa a nice palace for entertaining the Bushes and the Kohls, and a fat travel al- lowance. That way he'll get you the food and money, and YOU take the credit. Finally, Boris, don't just stuff that hammer-and-sickle flag you haul down at the Kremlin on Ne. Year’s Eve away in a drawer and forget it. Send it to a good New York auctioneer. BORIS YELTSIN... slow down, hang on tight. HITHER AND YON Wright _ ACS Wealthy North Amezicans are mad about collectibles. The high bidder will probably provide you with enough dollars to make the ruble convertible right away! Christmas greetings to you and the gang — and gocasy onthe . vodka when driving. When driving ANYTHING, that is. TAILPIECES: North Shore men and women presently on UI can get help with planning their futures from an upcoming . seven-week program to be offered * by the YMCA. Ie will provide marketing and counselling, and best of all it’s free — call 987- 7650 for an interview.... Beautiful lettering by the North Shore- . based Westcoast Calligrapy Socie- ty is the featured art form in an exhibit that opened last week in North Van District hall. Orga- nized by well-known instructor Irene Poskitt and sponsored by North Van Arts Council, it con- tinues until Jan. 15 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) ... And if you’re a last-minute Christmas © tree buyer, there’s still a selection available today and Monday, Dec.23, at the Capilsss District’: J Scouts tree sale in the Woolco Garden Shop at Capilano Mall. 4 t WRIGHT OR WRONG: Few people listen to both sides of an argument. Neighbors are among the exceptions. a MIKHAIL GORBACHEV... a job = he was made for. °