One size does not fit every European

A Dutch politician said recently
that she is asking the European
Commission (EC) to rethink plans
for the standard European con-
dom. Dutch Green Party's Nel
van Dijk, a member of the Euro-
pean Parliament, is concerned that
the European Commission’s two-
year-old discussion on: standard
£N600 (the condom file name)
may not take account. of : the
variations in penis size. According
to the document, the EC has
_assumed that erect European
penises average 17 cm (6.6 in.) in
length and 5.6. cm’ (2.2 in.) in
width. :

oes

In 1992 in British Columbia, an
average of 67 people died per day

‘(126 new lives. began during an”

average day in 1992), An annual
report. released- by. the provincial
Ministry of Health last week
breaks the 67 deaths down as
follows: we

© 18 from heart disease;

* 18related to cancer; - :
¢ 14 ‘attributed to tobacco smok
ing; .

© five stroke-related;

© five the results of accidents;

© three every ‘four days ASDS/
HIV. related; - :

® two alcohol-related;

© one suicide;

ETS A SHAME YOU HAVE TO
FAY $6499 FOR IT NOW,
A" WHEN APTER CHRISTMAS *

BANE ITWILL- BE MARKED
: COWN TO $1499...

fo eset

NEWS OF THE
WEIRD
Compiled by A.P. McCredie

‘sone every five days resulted

from murder; |

*one from motor vehicle traffic
accidents;

® one every three days due to
medically treatable disease;

® one drowning every six days;

® one sudden infant death every

_ Seven days,

ecu

“In August, Oh Man, the vice-

1 AND EVEN ATTHAT

PRICE, THE STORE S174
MAKES A LARGE PROFIT
ON IT... IMAGINE THAT?

chairman of the association that
supplies interpreters of court pro-
ceedings in Japan, announced that
his organization would begin to
upgrade its training manuals,

An Indian woman who com-
plained of abdominal pains for
four years had a nine-inch (22.8

em) pair of scissors removed from

her stomach, the United News of
India reported recently.

Former Oklahoma Rep. Kenneth
Converse testified in July that he
had witnessed’ Gov, David

. Walters, when Walters was a can-

didate for governor in 1990,

_ promise a state job to someone in

exchange for a $5,000 contribu-
tion, Converse said he told the
grand jury that: what ‘Walters did
was “highly unethical. Usually
you have someone else do it (for
you).””

eee
In the Nichirei International
women’s tennis tournament in
September in Tokyo, third-seeded

Kimiko. Date of Japan. defeated,
Taiwan's Shi-Ting Wang.

© Valerie Constantino

frais 19 THE LAST TIME}
ITRY TO SPREAD

© Ronaldo

There is a power divine}

FOR MANY, several hard questions arise at this time of
year: Hus Christmas become epiritually bankrup{? Has the
gift-giving imperative all but obliterated Christmas’
religious and/or spiritual aspect?

Robert
Aiken

Who isthe de facto king of

Christmas anyway? Jesus Christ
: or Santa Claus?

What is the true reality of
Christmas today? Frenzied con-
sumerism?

How to liberate the Christmas
spirit? Is it that the spiritual
strength of Christmas can only b
rediscovered in a contemplative,
spiritual environment free from
the cacophony of materialist .
self-indulgence?

When we buy gifts, do we truly
believe that they represent a vol-
untary expression of love in the
name of Jesus Christ?

Do we want to buy gifts or is it
because it is expected?

Advertisers tell our children
what they want for Christmas.
Children ask for very expensive
presents and expect to receive
them.

Can we teach our children the
spirit of true giving in such an at-
mosphere? ,

"Today, the act of perpetuating
the Christian tradition of gift-
giving on religious grounds is: _
suspect. But doesn’t our economy »
depend on Christmas con-_,
sumerism? oe

‘Do we not maintain that the
cultural thrust to spend much’
money on merchandise is con-
nected to a holiday which sup-

posedly celebrates the birth of thes. :

world's most famous ascetic?
Good questions. They will
always be asked. .

Now, please read the remainder.

of this commentary slowly with —
the heart instead of quickly with |
the head. eo
_ Meanwhile, we can afford to’
“Jet it be’ and know that charity,
“compassion and understanding’.
abide within us all.
.,, We can choose to go within and
ask for guidance and know that
there is a power divine within the
heart of all things which circum-
vents the universe of worlds within
worlds within worlds, and brings
the soul of al! created things to
*final good. © no
Merry Christmas, dear reader.
May we find ways to praise, to :
‘appreciate the holy omnipresen
that burns its rays of love perpe

-oually in our hearts and keeps for

ever the light of life before us.
Dedicated.to the pure, golden
love light that informs my age-old :
friend, Lily Bolus... “,

ALL SIGNS: .

Next week, Part I of a two-part’, °

commentary on the advent of
transitting Jupiter in Scorpio, a
welcome sign for the overall .
economy in 1994,

Dec, 19-25, 1993

T ARIES (March 21-Apiil 20)

Take the fead, this week, Aries,
and launch a worthwhile project. There are
unbeatable aspects for career goals. Some
anxiety about finances, Friday. What's
spent is spent. Budget more. A_picture-
perfect Christmas. Love and be loved.

TAURUS (April 21-May 21)

Social activities punctuate Manda
with fun, Taurus. Communications wilh
associates and clients are productive this
week.’ You can find fast-minute holiday
bargains, Thursday. Friday, a conflict be-
tween personal goals and what you feel is
expected of you. Saturday, have a joyous

* Christmas!

TI GEMINI (say 22-June 21)

, Few demands upon you, Sunday,
Gemini. Contradictory aspects, mid-week.
Visit friends, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday brings a desire for reflection. A
heart-to-heart talk with a close friend. Be a
better listener, Friday, Christmas morning is
best for entertaining. Give of yourself.

‘romantic. praspects,

HEAVENS ABOVE

GX CANCER Gnae 22-July 23) |)
Travel and - flights. of «fancy ar
favored, Sunday,Cancer. Expect changes

’ Monday, * Tuesday,” hard . work ‘pays ‘off,

Higher-ups. impressed.“ Peopte ° may: call, §
ednesday. ‘A ‘‘blast'*: from" the: past
Thursday goes sinoothly and “just -flies by.

. Rest,’ Friday. ’A lovely Christmas day.

deserve it...”

LEO (nly 24-Aug. 23) © :
Early week, Leo, a swirl of ivity

- as business, social and family duties are

at once. Wednesday, hectic.” Party-going is §

tune Practical «projects favored,’ , howéver,
- Friday, some confitet with your. sweetheart

“will ;}soon pass, Saturday, welcome: fri

from far away. 0.

IRGO (Aug. 24-Sept.-23)°™
“Single :. Virgos «find |: intriguing
early week... Some
challenges, Monday. Tuesday. and Wednes.
day, some business obligations and holiday
stress, Thursday, the focus’.could, be on §
children, Break with tradition, Saturday.
Visit : friends or family members... Mer:

Christmas! |

Ye LIBRA (ept. 24-Oct. 23) *
vew™ Sunday,’ Libra,, pamper‘ yourself;

Monday, : stressful. Some -extra.. money,

’ however. Help your mate resolve a problem, #

Tuesday. Wednesday, you tay’ feel over-
burdened.’ A: pleasant surprise, Thursday.
Friday; save, a’ little “money for , yourse!
Merry Christmas! The spirit moves you." -

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) 77°}.
¥- Sunday, Scorpio, you are more
pressive than usual, Do not be overbexri
early, weeks:B? less judgrnental, Wednesday.
‘Thursday,you ‘have great ideas... You‘ may.
buy;something you, cannot afford, Friday.
Tension: issolve, Saturday. Merry ff
Christmast’. -  ~ an

SAGITTARIUS (Nov, 23-Dee: 21)
‘A. cycle of financial growth ‘and
stability begins, Sunday, Sagittarius. Com-

plete a project, Monday. Tuesday, focus on

children, Mid-week, children require. your
advice. Friday’s grinchy mood will go away.
Saturday could be a picture-perfect day. fe

you and friends,

7 : CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) —
Dreams, memories.and visions, are
worth reflecting on this week, Capricorn.
Office parties are mose fun‘than you ex-
pected, Dine out, Thursday evening. Friday;
be kind to surly people. You’ may host
friends as well as family on Christmas day. ;

AQUARIUS (San. 21-Feb. 19) '-
wy The week gets off to a fast start,
Acuarius, For the next month you'll work
more and more on your own. The holiday
mood, Thursday, is contagious. You may f
feel more like. Scrooge than. Santa, Friday.
Christmas Day, for you, suggests self-

renewal. ‘
JE FISCES eb. 20-Marets 20

You tan’ wrap -up a project to
everyone's satisiaction this week, Pisces.
Take the lead, Wednesday. Thursday, take

- time to play. Some holiday blahs, Friday.

You may entertain, Saturday. Have a
joyous Christmas. Be loved. . moe

Robert Aiken’ is an’ interna-
tionally known astrologer/
metaphysician, therapeutic.
counsellor and workshop leader }
with 35 years’ experience. He of-
fers thorough, in-depth, substan-
tive astrological readings, as well §
as empowering — psychologically.
and. metaphysically . oriented
counselling sessions... Contact
Carole: 929-4049, . re