INSIGHTS NEWS VIEWPOINT New year risks LTHOUGH THE North Shore is not a homogeneous Christian com- unity, the Epiphany that the Church celebrates today brings a message for everyone. Epiphany celebrates the visit of the magi the “three wise men’’ to the newborn Christ. It?s commonly known as “the 12th day of Christmas.”’ According te the accounts that have survived, all that the magi saw on that day long ago was a baby like any other, wrap- ped in simple clothes in less than im- pressive surroundings. Despite this, the magi and others recognized the glory of God in this infant and continued to trust their belief even though the reigning politicians of the day refused to sanction its legitimacy. The magis’ confidence in their discovery can be a reminder to all of us. How many of us have found inspiration in a new idea or a new conviction, only to let it be dampened by the negative attitudes of the people around us? The pioneers of any generation are the people who trust enough in their own vi- sion to act upon it despite societal pressure to return to a status quo mentality. It in- volves risks, but reaps rewards. As we embark upon a new year, may each of us work to obtain the self-con- fidence with which we can make our most deeply-held dreams come true. NEWS QUOTES OF THE WEEK “I said: ‘Even Hitler didn’t ban the Opposition. How could you possibly justify this?’ °’ Senator Ray Perrault, on the final Senate vote on the GST. “They are out there in the ele- ments, in the vastness of the ocean in a small ship. They see the storms, and sunsets which are indescribable — they see so much beauty. It's hard not to think there’s a power behind all this.”’ Rev. Joe Parker, who heads Che Missions to Seamen, surmis- ing why most sailors are religious. “My kids don’t think what ’'m doing is weird. When someone phones for me they say, very non- chalantly, ‘Just a minute, he’s ironing his Gress.” ** North Vancouver actor Ken ‘Turner, who annually plays the Publisher Associate Editor .. . Peter Speck Managing Editor Timothy Renshaw Noel Wright Advertising Director .Linda Stewart role of Dame Sprightley in Deep Cove Stage Society’s Christmas pantomime, on his family’s reac- tion to his wearing women’s clothes for the part. “Two guys with a hose will go in first. You go in behind them and VU be behind you...unless of course you run over me on your way out the door, then UN be in front of you.” North Vancouver District Fire chief Bruce Ramsay, to News reporter Surj Rattan as the two toured a house on fire. “Neighbors see this sort of thing and tend to think it is real.”’ North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson commenting on a case were police thought they had a kidnapping on their hands Wednesday morning when a man was handcuffed and abducted TE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY + FRIDAY North Shore News, founded in 1969 as an indepencent suburban newspaper and avabtiec under Schecute 111, Paragraph II! of the Eacise Tax Act. 1s published each Wednesday. Frdaay and Sunday by North Snore Free Press Lto and distnubuled to every coor on the Nortn Shore. Second Class Mai Registration Number 3885 Subscriptions North and West Vancouver, $25 per y2ac Mailing tates availabie on request. Submissions are welcome but we cannyt accept responsibility tor 1139 Lonsdale Avenue. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 59,170 (average, Wednesday Friday & Sunday) unsalicied maternal inciuding manuscr™s and pictures s wich snould be accompanied dy a slamped, accressed envelope SOA DIVISION Display Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Distribution Supscriptions from the strect in the Seymour River Place area as part of a bir- thday joke. “I've had people, who may sot necessarily be customers, say things like: ‘Ya, right on.” A little old man stuck his head in here, gave me the peace sign and said: ‘You tell °em girl!’ *” Lin Rockwell, owner of a Park Royal clothing store recounting how shopners have reacted to a sign declaring lur store a GST- free zone. ‘We have had it. The stress level is unbearable... We're not a pack of hillbillies, We have spoiled food, frozen pipes and there’s no need for it."’ Bowen Island resident Sandi Whyte expresses her opinion about power outages on Bowen island. 960-0511 986-6222 985-2131 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 MEMBER Entire contents © 1991 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. Lay no more coullt trips on _| this innocent! MY ONE New Year resolution: in 1991 1 firmly refuse to have any more guili trips laid o= me for alleged wrongs I never committed. The list starts (where else?) with Quebec. I'm fed up with being called a ‘cursed Anglo’’ by its smail, noisy iunatic fringe simply because their ancestors fost a bat- tle 232 years ago. France and other European na- tions lost far worse battles to one another far more recently. Now, they’re ail pulling together to create, by next year, a European super-confederation that will make Canada look like an unorganized village. If France — Quebec’s mom — and her neighbors can kiss and be friends after 1939-45, 1914-18 and 1870-71, it’s high time the loonie Quebec minority stopping blaming ME for what happened in 1759 on the Plains of Abraham. I wasn’t here at the time and I feel no guilt at all about General Wolfe. Meanwhile, Quebecers have been doing so well out of Canada since | did arrive that they ought to have the odd pang of guilt themselves — about us gen- erous ‘‘cursed Anglo’’ taxpayers. Thank you, M. Parizeau. Native Indians next, please! 1 also wasn’t here when the Fa- thers of Confederation stupidly pushed them on to reserves. Had | been, I could have told Sir John A. it would never work — al- though, like Mulroney, he might not have listened to me. The billions uselessly squandered on reserve welfare handouts should have been used from the stari — and still should be — to help native people join mainstream Canadian life: as skilled workers, professionals, en- trepreneurs, public servants and politicians. Native leaders like Squamish Chief Joe Mathias, lawyer Bill Wilson and those smart young ex- ecs of the wealthy Westbank Band show how much Indians have to contribute — and how they CAN have the best of both worlds, preserving their own culture and enjoying ours too. All we need is many more of them. And many more whites learning and enjoying native ways and wisdom as well. But PLEASE, Joe and Bill, stop saying | stole your land. I did NOT — any more than either of you raped some Indian girl 200 years ago. And please don’t tell me you own the whole of B.C. In 1991, it’s WE, lucky you and 1, who own the whole of B.C. Finally a quick memo to Mary Collins, minister for the status of women. Kindly inform your radical fems JOE Mathias ... worlds possible. best of both Noel Wright HITHER AND YON that f’m sick and tired of being told I’m a closet woman-beater, That my inborn urge is to ravish, punch and kick any female in sight — if I haven't already — because that’s ‘‘the way ALL men are.”” No point even arguing this one, Mary. In the case of 90 per cent of Canadian males it’s quite ob- viously a crazy lie —- so crazy that one wonders what the men- bashing maidens smoke. Please pass on my message and try to help them! I'll get to the environment, rac- ism and poverty in another col- umn. Meanwhile, a very happy new year to all other Canadians assumed guilty until (if ever) proven innocent! eee WRAP-UP: Off Friday to cruise the Caribbean on a second honeymoon were Sussex Realty prez Sadru Mitha and wife Guishan after celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary last weekend with 150 gucsts and fam- ily at the North Shore Winter Club — where Judge Reg Gran- dison conducted the renewal of vows ceremony ... Tuesday’s 7:30 a.m. West Van Chamber of Commerce breakfast at Ambleside Inn has Harri Jansson, Bank of Montreal senior veepee, reviewing 1991 business challenges — call 926-6614 to reserve ... And if the QE is a dit rich for your wallet, try ‘The Pinchpenny Phantom of the Opera,’’ a hilarious musical running Jan, 24-feb. 16 at Pres- entation House! @e¢ce WRIGHT OR WRONG: The right time to stop talking is five minutes before people stop listen- MARY Coilins ... what do the men-bashers smoke? ’