north shore news VIEWPOIN ULL-twaddle shields at the ready, citizens: the pols are off and running at the mouth. And you are their target for today. In preparation for the deluge of political rhetoric, inter-party assaults and vague promises, it’s time to bone up on some basic sur- vival steps. Step one being regular reality checks — fiscal, political and everything in between. When you hear .a politician in full campaign warble, immediately check content for reality. Carefully. Most such checks will reveal reali- ty running a distant third to ver- biage and froth. Step 2: Listen, really listen, to what is being said and what is being promised. Does any of it have any connection at all to the reality you encounter évery day? Step 3: Educate yourself on the issues of the day and the issues that have import for you. Step 4: Overcome the urge to ignore the obnoxious political _ parade marching through your home town and get involved in the process. Attend all-candidates’ meet- ings, ask questions, observe your candidates in action. shred of sincvrity and honesty there? Step 5: Discuss the information gathered with family, friends and co- workers, Step 6: Make an informed deci- sion that is best for you and best for the country as a whole. If the foregoing were standard operating procedure for more of the Canadian electorate during all elec- tions, we'd ail be in better shape today. Ts there any -¥ free speech ~ defence fund "+. AS the North Shiore News Free Speech Defence Fund closes in on $50,000, some more excerpts from oe _ the hundreds of respondents tu the cause: ©... the apparent indifference of the populacion as a whole is the most serious _ situation to face our country in post-war history. These buman rights tribunals are devastating instruments of terror.” — Foriner Victoria mayor Peter Pollen 900 "Let the tormentors have their say; Knowing you're not alone; The quict people will win the day; When all the shouting’s done.” — Colin and Doris Stewart o0q0 "I find it hard to believe that we are still faghting for a simple human right to freedom of speech. I thought that the days of censorship and guarded words were left to fill the pages of the history books.” — Nina Lange ~: Donations to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund can- be. sent to the News offices, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, V7M 2H4. Cheques should be made out to the North Shore News Free Speech Defence Fund. —— irenshaw@direct.ca i. north shore North Store News, founded in 1969 3s an independent suburban newspaper and quaified under Schedule 111, Paragrapit 111 of the Excise Tax Act, is published each Wednesday, Friday and Sunday by North Shore Fres Press . , Ud, and distributes to every door on the North ‘Shcee. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mai : iP wer Distribution 986-1337 (124) 985-2131 (327) 61,582 (average circulation, Wedhesday,Ficay & Suntay) Human Resoutves Manager Sales & Marketing Director 995-2131 (177) - 980-0511 (318) Creative Services Manager Photography Manager st THIN GeV se eee BUT A BUNCH OF WHITE RACISTS ps =, WE Now HAVE Ff RACISTS oF 2 Ol EVERY COLOUR Canada bigger than politicians THE “defining issue” for British Columbians in this needless election will not — as some pundits are insisting — be national unity. Instead, it will be the frantic efforts of Liberals and Tories to bury that issue from sight. Both parties stil cling to the basic concept of this country as two founding nations — Upper and Lower Canada — with four upstart provinces added on west of Kenora, sparsely inhabited by Johnny-come-lately tmmi- grant rubes. Both believe in continued appeasement of Quebec separatists by giving them “distinct society” status enshrined in the Constitution. Both still worship at the shrine of Meech and Charlottetown. Millions of Canadians in every proviace, including Ontario and parts of Quebec itself, firmly reject such 19th-century twaddle in favor of the concept of today’s Canada as 10 equal provinces, They may be prepared to grant Quebecers the courtesy title of “distinct society” —- which the latter cicarly are. But constitutional recogni- tion? Forget it! Nowhere is this determination stronger than in B.C, Whatever else may attract some British Columbians in the platforms of the two Jeans — PETER SPECK ‘ubusner 985-2131 (101) Kvarstrea Display Manager 905-2131 (160) 900-0511 (183) Entire contents © 1997 North Shore Free Press Lid, Al rights reserved. The North Shore News Is published by North Shore Free Press Ltd., Publisher Peter Spe Doug Comptrolter 985-2131 (133) 985-2131 (116) Chretien and Charest — “distinct soci- ety” status for Quebec is, for the great majority of B.C. voters, an absolute non-starter, Both Grits and Tories are keenly aware of its potential as a vote- loser here. That’s why they"ll do every- thing possible durin the next 28 days to keep the issue of national unity off the B.C. elec- tion stove altogether, or at very least on a iow back-burner. We simply can’t afford to ler them get away with it. Dealing with the Quebec separatist threat. and specifically the renewed independence referendum expected there by 1999, should indeed be a “defining issue” of this election. All the enticing promises of the various parties — job creation, deficit-cutting, hither and son tax relief, economic growth, protection © of Medicare and other social services— won’t be worth the pamphlets they’re rinted on if today’s Canada disappears y the year 2000. Alas, nat a single one of the parties now secking our support has any believable plan for dealing with the growingly imminent Quebec crisis. Chretien sleepwalked through the 1995 referendum in which Canada was saved by decimals of one per cent. Charest has produced no solution more specific than “distinct society” appease- ment. Only Reform stands four-square against “distinct society” appeasement. But while that goes down well with LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, full address & telephone number. MAA Internat: trenshaw @ direct.ca COMPUTER 8BS - 980-8027 User ID:mallbox imothy Rens! Managing Editor . hc Valerie Staphee29 Classified Manager 906-6222 (202) many voters, especially in B.C., Preston Manning has not yet ardculated exactly what he would do to preserve today’s Canada, nor even whether he would bother. ; Make no mistake, the break-up of Canada after 130 years would have dire consequences for us all. Quebec . itself — a tiny, unprotected francoph- ane island amid 350 million uncanng anglophones -- would be the chief sufferer, But the shock waves of a 50- cent dollar, soaring interest rates, Ontario ruling the political roost and four provinces cut off from the other five would be felt coast tu coast, Purely for self-preservation B.C. might well be the next to quit. -The pundits are right to name national unity as the key issue of this clection. Their error is only in expect- ing the vote-hungry parties ta do anything about it by June 2. But if... they won't, surely we should during’ the next four weeks, Canada belongs: to all of us — not just the politicians. O00 HAPPY BIRTHDAY tomorrow, May 5, to North Van's John Leonard ... Say that again Tuesday, May 6, to - Mount Seymour Lion Bud Summers. Q00 - WRIGHT OR WRONG: Always borrow from a pessimist — he never expects it back. ~~ The North Shore News believes Strongly in freedom of speeck and the right of all sides in a debate to be heard. The columnists published in the News present differing points af view, but those views are not necessarily those of the newspaper itself. . Administration Display Advertising Real Estate Advertising Classifisd Advertising Newsroom Distribution Michael Becker - News Editer §25-2135 (114) General Office Manager 2131 (165) Angew McCredin - Sports/Comsnowity Ester tetorast- hity://wirw.nsanws.com 985-2131 (147). ck, from 1139 Loasdate Aveane Worth Veacouver, B.C.. 7M. 2H4