Glen Clark rolls craps

THE hypocrisies perpe- trated in the House of Lies by Messrs. Clark & Co. take the cake. Their enthusiasm for gambling casinos is an example.

Gambling is a ruinous vice. A real killer. Yet our guardians of public safety who string the streets with cameras to catch speeders see nothing wrong with it.

The ‘reason is the prover- bial root of all evil, of course. I am reminded of socialists in countries like Britain and France who used to prate about the “merchants of death.” And who on coming to power nationalized the arms industries and sent sales- men round the world flog-

ig tanks, planes and guns. ak Soe "sfbad habits are their own business. As far as J am concerned they can drink, smoke, gamble, or eat them- selves to extinction. But you | don’t plonk down a bottle or booze in front of an alco- holic, which is what casinos do for the gambler.

Gambling creates money

mailbox

=n

drunks. The poor dopes always think the next card, horse, or roll of the dice will see them get rich and recover their losses.

The drunk may get rid of his wages in the pub on pay day. The addicted gambler will put his house on the block. And more.

I recall a prominent busi- ness man in Calgary in the ‘50s who went to Las Vegas and lost « million dollars. He got home without paying bur was then kidnapped by a casi- no's “law enforcers.”

They threatened to break his legs. He was released when friends in the oil indus- try raised the money for him.

E. Emmett Tyrrell of the American Spectator magazine has described Vegas. He called it the most horrible city he had ever been in.

“In the lobby of Cacsar’s Palace during one brisk five- minute encounter I saw not one healthy-looking American except for a few sober-faced dealers.

“I saw obesity that amazed ... a woman on crutches, a woebegone man with an oxygen tank. All were intently feeding their slot machines or working the craps tables.

“There was a mother car- rying a-weck-old baby through the field of slot machines. Wheelchairs were out in force...

“Gambiing, like pornogra- phy, is a grim business.’No

addict I saw seemed to be

amused or to be taking much

riaemernert

Columnist Collins’ double standards

Dear Editor:

What exactly is Doug Collins (“Swastikas and dou- ble standards” — North Shore News, March 12, 1997) saving? Would Collins prefer that Clifford Olson, for example, had never been incarcerated?

Does he believe thit those responsible for atrocities in the recent war in the former Yugoslavia should not de brought to trial? Then why should Nazi war criminals be allowed to get off scott-free?

Does if not occur to Collins what it must be like to be a holocaust survivor find- ing oneself living next door to a mass murderer who was responsible for the annihila- tion of one’s family?

But, above all, what I feel

is so strange is that Collins with his well-known concern as to who may immigrate here, would seem to have no objection to mass murderers immigrating and living here freely amongst us. Perhaps it is Collins who has the double standards.

If so few Nazi criminals have been convicted and deported, perhaps this is the fault of the Canadian courts who would seem to be delib- erately dragging their heels in this matter. At least that is the opinion of most people acquainted with this matter.

The acquittal of Demjanjuk is testimony to the objectivity and impartiali- ty of the Israeli courts. Lionel Kenner North Vancouver

Advocating organ donations

Dear Editor:

Lucky Mr. Salari (March 9 News) that his prayers were answered and he has a new liver. | congratulate him on his plan for a cultural centre which I hope would encourage communi-

t¥ ac tivities.

Tam on my way out to collect for the Kidney Foundation, whose emphasis is on organ donations. It would be to Mr. Salari’s credit if he would direct his efforts toward his commu- nity participation in donating money, time and organs as well as

prayers. P. Johnson West Vancouver

pleasure while indulging his vice.

“IT suppose I can under- stand the grimness. All are losing money. Some are headed toward bankruptcy. Most have loved ones who are going to fare badly as a consequence...”.

Tyrrell pointed out that casinos are always got up in a flashy way. I have seen the same sort of thing on cruise ships.

“If gambling were a lucra- tive pastime,” he wrote, “these tawdry casinos would not be so lavishly appointed and so numerous. They stand as testimonials to their clients’ delusions.

“Perhaps the gaudiest and most imbecilic is Caesar's Palace. It is meant to evoke thoughts of the Caesar who conquered Gaul. [ts ornate columns and cheap statues would have sickened Mussolini.”

Here in B.C. the propa- ganda flows. ‘There will be no Vegas-style style casinos say the “socialists.” The young will not be allowed in and the Mafia will be kept out. Yes, all will be well. Trust us!

What a way to reduce the provincial debt. Clark the croupier! No doubt clergy- men will be giving him their

| “SINCE 1969 |

BEDDING

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR §

[>

SIMMONS

© Mattresses, Box Springs & Bed Frames * Sofa Beds & Roll Away Cots © Quilts, Pillows & Pads © Most sizes in stock for immediate delivery ® Ask about our FREE delivery, set up aod old bed

removal service

CHECK US OUT v HUGE SELECTION v LOW WAREHOUSE

PRICES

HOME FURNISHINGS R 1075 Roosevelt Crescent North Vancouver (2 blocks behind Avalon Hotel) 9-9; Sun 12-4

blessing. There has been talk abour all the good things that will flow from this great deal,

Will it lead to more wel- fare tor those on welfare so that they can trek to the casi- nos on welfare days?

On the North Burrard and Squamish Indian bands seem to be happy at the thought of running, casi- nos. If Chief Philip Joe is anything to go by, the Squamish are not squeamish.

“Burrard and Squamish see cash, employment in gaming operations,” was the sad sub-head on the story that they had applied for a licence.

What a bad joke.

But we are used to bad jokes. The NDP are against free specch, except for their speech, bur all in favor of the pornography of gambling.

The great socialists of the past — J.S. Woodsworth, M.J. Coldwell, David Lewis and Tommy Douglas — must be shaking their heads.

— The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the right of all sides in a debate to be heard. The columnists published in the News present differing points of view, bur those views are not necessarily those of the newspa- per itself:

v

INJURED IN A “CAR “ACCIDENT? Call DEREK A. CAVE

Trial Lawyer Get the settlement you deserve.

2508, Kapilano 100 Building 925-7880

100 Park Royal, Wesf Van.

DRAPERIES & BLINDS BY S.LAURSEN & SON

Another one of our designs.

For Free Estimates c7if 987-2966 Free Installation.

Serving the North Shore for 25 years

l

‘Real People, Real Goals

m my goals and fit my lifestyle. i I’ve increased my

overall strength

and I’ve enjoyed

a significant

improvement

in my cardio

vascular

fitness level.

Ray Williams Self-Employed Entrepreneur

30 BAYS ONLY $39.95

LIMITED TIME OFFER VALUED AT $220, YOU SAVE $180

v430 Say Membership $69” wWiWortd Famous T-shirt $25

Total Packaye Value $220"

wwfPersonal training Session $50° Wellness Session $20" __wfBody Complest $20"

whfanning SessionS6* —_wfEquipment & Program Orientation $30" Limited time - Your Price $39" You Save $480"

Let us hein you look & feel better. Cali Today!

966-9177

125-945 W 3rd Street North Vancouver

1 Block south of Capilano Mali