6 - Sunday, February 14, 1999 - North Shore News A fine whine ers, a truly Canadian species that by all accounts is growing in number with each passing threadbare scandal. The old Marlon Brando character’s answer “Whaddya got?” when asked what he’s rebelling against is the ral- lying cry for these cranks. It’s within this victim mentality environment that most of the media’s energy goes — either manufacturing their own grudges, or as is more often the case, championing the lame and petty whine of the Chronic Complainer. So the prime minister missed King Hussein’s funeral. Had the situation been reversed, had Hussein missed the funeral of a Canadian leader, would the Canadian press have fallen over themselves to condemn the T seems the irony was fost on most Jean Chretien critics earlier this week when major Canadian media outlets clucked about the PM’s travel expenses and in the same breath berated him for missing the funeral of Jordan’s King Hussein. So, which is it going to be? Run up the travel expenses some more — which the PM and his entourage would no doubt do if they had chartered planes from Vancouver to the Jordanian capital — or, miss the funeral and risk international condemnation. The letter writers who berated the PM for skiing in Whistler while the king was being buried are likely the same people who are outraged at the travel expenses run up by our elected poiiticians. Call them the Chronic Complain- king? north shore news It’s time for Canadians to grow up. you said it . “What is before you is a young man who was a two-bit dealer, in the vernaculas.” Lawyer Ian Donaldson, describing his client, David Darmadi, who was jailed Tuesday for Sealing cocaine in amounts of up to two kilograms. (From a Feb. 12 News story.) “We just got lambasted.” . Mount Seymour general manager Eddie Wood, describing the 16 inches of snow that closed the ski hill on Tuesday. (From a Feb, 12 News story.; : “We had a sunset industry and what you're looking at is a sunrise industry.” John Sanderson, president of Vancouver Island’s Psint Hope Shipyards, praising che Pacificat fase ferry project and the provincial government's efforts to revitalize shipbuilding in B.C. (From a Feb. 10 News story.) ’ “I can give the accused mothing. Or I could give him nothing. Or in the more sericus cases, I can give him noth- ing. An unnamed provincial court judge, describing the frus- tration over lack of jail time imposed by the province on those who default on fines or sentencing conditions, (From a Feb, 10 Leo Knight column.) | “Paper flies like snow and each flake costs 55 cents.” North Vancouver District Coun. Janice Harris, on the potential for abuse of a secretarial service supplied to district councillors. (From a Feb. 7 News Sunday Focus.) “The problem I have with Crist is a. self-confessed approach of ‘If you're not with me you’re against me and if you go against me you'll pay a price.” North Vancouver District Mayor Don Bell, describing what hé sces as a pattern of behaviour and communication style by Coun. Ernie Crist. (From the same Sunday Focus.) _ “Your position is that I have a bad relationship with people. I don’t. They have a bad relationship with mc.” Coun. Ernie Crist, responding to the same story and referring tu a reporter's previously published opinions in a News’ council report card. (From the same Sunday Focus.) north shore | Nomth Shore News, founded in 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualitied under Schedule 111, Paragraph 111 at the Excise Tax Act, 5 publshed each Wednesday, Fiedevs and Sunday by Nath Shore Free Press Li and deeinbuted to every doot on the Noth ‘Shore. Canada Post Canadian Publicabons Mait ‘Sales Product Agroemem No. 0087238. Maing tates available on request. er 985-2131 (121) 61,582 (average circulation, Wednescay, Friday & Suncay) VIEWPOINT INTRODUCING:"Homo PHOBIE” “THE TELEVANGELIST TUBBY When the dead beat the living THE true measure of the late King Hussein’s place in history lies buried in last week’s statis- tics of what may well rank as the funeral of the decade. To his tiny, impover- ished Jordan — less than one-tenth the area of B.C. with a population of some four million — the representatives of more than 46 nations, 33 of them heads of state including over a dozen royals, came ta pay their respects. Armong them, President Cliston and three former U.S. residents, Britain’s Prince Charles and rime Minister Blair, the president of France, the chancellor of Germany, the king and queen of Spain, the crown prince of Japan and Russia’s ailing Boris * Yeltsin. This list alone would have been ample tribute to the esteem in which Hussein had come to be held for the world role he played out of all proportion to the size of his small struggling kingdom. But the most.dramatic feature of the list was the number of continuing enc- mies it brought together. Symbolic was the Isracli delegation of ncarly 20, including Isracli President Ezer Weizman and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with two former prime ministers, the opposition leader and the chief rabbi. Then add to the catalogue of ongoing foes, assembled to pay their common PETER SPECK Publish ‘Terry Peters. ; ea Jonathan Bolt Stephsason istribution Manager Creative Services Manager Photography Manager Classified Manager S86-1337 (124) 985-2131 (127) 985-2131 (160) 986-6222 (202} Entire contents © 1997 North Shore Free Press Ltd. All rights reserved. tribute to the Arab king turned peace- maker in the Middle East powder keg, the following: Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. Iraqi vice-president Taha Marouf. Representatives of Syria and Lebanon (both still officially at war with Isract). Representatives of longtime adversarics Greece and Turkey in Cyprus. Representatives of Noel Wright hither breskaay Bosna and and yon Yugosiavia. Somewhere in all this there’s a nagging ques- tion and, maybe, a lesson to be learned. Ifthe revered dead can inspire such a moving spectacie of reconciliation and shared sentiment — however temporary —— why can’t the living figure out how to do at least as much for warld peace? TIDDLYCOVE celebrates its roots Monday through next Sunday (Feb.15- 21) during West Van Heritage Week — packed with interest and fun for Tiddlycovians and their North Shore neighbours. The many highlights include an antique car display at Park Royal; her- itage photo displays throughout the busi- ness districts; traditional “pub week” pub fare and First Nations menus at two pop- ular West Van restaurants respectively; a joint Squamish Nation-West Van Archives exhibition at West Van Muscum, 17th and Esquimale; a heritage reception and carly Horseshoe Bay pho- Managing Editor 985-2131 (116} Asan Evers Acting Dispfay Manager 980-0511 (307) Tris! Agrios Promotions Manager ORE-2131 (218) LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must include your name, full address & telephone number. VIA e-mait: trenshaw @ direct.ca Gall Sneigrove ~ General Cfice Manager 989-2131 (105) internet: http:/Arew.nsnews.com tos (3-5 p.m. Wednesday at a well- known Bay eatery); a Ferry Buildin: photo history (Argyle and 14th); a her- itage play by Collingwood Grade 3 stu- dents (Wednesday 7 p.m. at the Seniors Centre); and a Thursday “Heritage Dinner” at an historic Dundarave fand- mark. For full details of the above and much more pick up the Heritage Week brochure at West Van Rec Centre, West Van Municipal Hall, West Van Museum and numerous other locations. Saturday, Feb. 20, brings the Heritage Week ceremony, reception and presenta- tion of the 1999 Heritage Achievement Awards (2 p.m., West Van Muscu:n). Capping it all off trom 10 a.m. to 2:30 .m. Sunday, Feb. 21, are free snowshoe - lessons and equipment on Cypress Bow! with a tour of Hoilyburn Ridge, family entertainment and barbecue (call 922- 0825 sooiiest to register). No question, Tiddlycove is definitely © where it’s at all next week. Enjoy! Qo0a HAPPY BIRTHDAY today, Feb. 14, 10 - North Van Kiwanian Ron Sayer and his ~ fellow West Van Kiwanian Terry Higgins ... Many happy returns of tomorrow, Feb. 15, to West Van’s Frank Cragg ... Say that again the same day to West Van school trustee Ken Haycock and North Van Kiwanian Jay Firman. aoa WRIGHT OR WRONG: Why can’t life’s big problems come when we're 20 and know everything? TAU Michael Backer - News Editor 965-2131 (114) Andrew McCredie - Sparts/Community Editor’ 985-2131 (147)