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VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland A BUSY YOUNG MAN The following information arrived in the form of a FAX News Release last week from the Durham Region Police. It is about an 18-year old' Pickering youth facing a series of charges over the last few months. The youth is named in the news release but his name will not be re- printed here. His name is not important, but the series of events is troubling, to say the least. Of course, in all the charges he now faces, his innocence must be presumed until proven otherwise in a court of law. Early in August while working in a pet food store in Pickering, our John Doe reported to police that he had been assaulted and robbed of money just before closing time at the store. The police investigation into the incident resulted in a charge of mischief against John Doe and a second charge of theft over $1,000 against a 20-year old. On November 27, the same John Doe, still working at the same pet food store was at work with a female employee. A man walked into the store, locked the lady in the washroom and ordered John Doe to open the safe, He did and the thief made off with the cash. The police investigation into this incident led to charges against John Doe of robbery, public mischief, forcible confinement, and accepting the proceeds of crime. These, from my point of view are fairly serious charges, not ones to be taken lightly or treated lightly. The news release went on to say that on N ber 22, two disguised males walked into a video store in Scarborough with what turned out to be a replica firearm and an improvised bomb. They got away with 'a sum of money and several videos. The Metro Toronto Police conducted their investigation and yes, you guessed it, one of those charged is none other than the same John Doe. In the span of a few weeks, this guy is charged with numerous serious offenses--twice involving the store where he works--and once in an incident where an imitation firearm and explosive device was used. Again, I understand completely that innocence is presumed until proven otherwise in front of a-judge. However, I have to wonder why John Doe was allowed out after the initial charges. Police officers have told me this kind of thing just about drives them around the corner. They work hard on an investigation, get enough evidence for an arrest and charges--and the suspect is back on the street in the blink of an eye-- often carrying on with more criminal activity without skipping a beat. How serious does a crirfie spree have to get before a judge says "hold on a minute here--bail denied." I wonder how many times this kind of thing happens across the country every day. No doubt this John Doe is back on the streets at this very moment. And the frustration level of the cop on the street goes up another notch. IN CLOSING: Most analysts of these things are declaring that the recession is over, in Ontario at east. If so, how come Ontario welfare roles are increasing and the unemployment rate is staying static above ten per cent? The answer is simple. Companies that where forced to down-size their workforces during the recession are not re-hiring at the rate they let people go. One commentary I read recently on this complex topic said Canada will never reach "full employment." In fact, we are going to be faced with double digit unemployment figures (higher in some areas) for years to come. It went on to suggest that's not such a terrible thing, and in fact Canada has the strength to support the one in ten who are not working. Maybe so. But it's impossible to ~Scugog Citizen -- Juodos December 13, 1994 -- 9 LETTERS TO EDITOR If laws don't protect Ryan and Tracy, just who will? To The Editor: The deaths of Tracy _-- and Ryan Wilkieson trouble me. Their physical deaths are relentlessly tragic. Even though I did not know either of them, I, like all adians, have been emotionally moved by their deaths. Moreover, I emp ytoa Admitted] relevance of these two statements cannot be underestimated. Over the past several weeks, many people have written a number of articles primarily expressing empathy for Mr. Latimer. In mgny cases, these people have distorted the gravity of this issue, by comparing their situation I-amr unaccustomed to, that 4 what Laurer and Rob Latimer, and Cathy 'Mkieson have endured emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially in raising their family. But who empathizes for Tracy and Ryan? Who can know what ingly trivial or insignifi flash or sparkle in their existence, means to them, as say, you or I climbing Mt. Everest, getting married, graduating with honours, giving birth, or living your life with God. Thomas Hobbes suggested that the most precious absolute in all humanity, is the preservation of our life, or, put another way, our fear of death. It is what motivates us. Most of us are inherently selfish creatures; it . is our nature. Mr. Latimer and Mrs. Wilkieson have committed the most selfish act possible - they have taken the life of another human being. If the law, which is humanity's social covenant, does not protect individuals like Tracy Latimer and Ryan Wilkieson, who or what will? Furthermore, many Canadians are naively guilty of collapsing and blurring the distirfttion between their deaths and those like them, with those individuals who choose voluntary euthanasia. The horrific ty-five year old relative suffering from Alzheimers disease with Tracy and Ryan's cerebral palsy. Is society that medicated that it cannot make the distinction between a child, unable to protect itself, with a potentially astounding life ahead of them, and an elderly person who has already lived a full life and srpastly has the conscious option of the tion of life-prolongi medical technology. Nature is diverse. Its diversity is its normalcy. It procreates giving neither an unfair advantage or disadvantage; it simply procreates. A severely knarled tree is not struck down by lightning because it may be seen to be deficient; it merely adapts and grows its own way. Some of mankind on the other hand, would have us believe, that if we are physically or mentally disabled, then we are deficient and we are a burden, because we are not perfect or normal. Does that suggest that if you are left-handed, suffer from scoliosis, debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease , polio, muscular distrophy, tuberculosis, homosexuality, a cleft palate, Turn to page 10 Book is very intense To the Editor: What's in a word? Sometimes more than anyone might think. I am referring to Judy Hilsden's + December 6 letter, regarding her anger of the Northumberland-Clarington Board of Education's decision to keep "The Wars" on their list of recommended texts. The book is superb and deserves the awards it has won. Even though I oppose hip, I won't deny that it has very factor in the hidden costs of unemployment that show up in so many different ways. Besides, it is morally wrong for any society to even contemplate acceptance of one in ten (at least) of its members being out of work. The cost of this folly is so much higher than what goes out in UI and welfare cheques each week. More gun adult themes and might be too intense for children. Perhaps that might be a better way to approach the question, rather than asking who put "pornographic material" into the schools. Pornography is erotic material intended to promote lasciviousness. The few sexual scenes in the book are intended to illustrate how low people can sink in times of difficulty, and I would find it hard to believe that most would find that erotic. but not pornographic The book's theme is death and violence, as Hilsden states, but remember that it is a book about the front lines of a war, and that's what war is all about. I would think that if a teenager were mature enough to deal with the book, it would be a much better education than thinking that war was like the summer camp of "M*A*S*H". "The Wars" is intense, mature, and written for adults, and I applaud Hilsden for taking the time to monitor her son's reading. But "The Wars" is not pornography and I must admit that if I were a school board member and a parent came in complaining that I had given her child pornographic materials when the item in question definitely wasn't, my hackles would be raised too. Pornography is not a bad thing, but it is not literature. "The Wars" is. ; Sincerely, Jil McIntosh R.R.1, Oshawa control will not reduce crime To the Editor: street drugs are presently requiring the registration of all many Liberals of the day: however, 1 deserving of some serious With 11; lating crime, 'prohibited' in our society...yet we shotguns, rifles and pistols. submit to you that 'it' has already contemplation! the public is of course dand most dly continue to wrestle The next step - as we all know - begun! It is interesting that where the justly so, about the problem of protecting innocent citizens from senseless violence; hence we are presently involved with the issue of gun control. The fact is however, that if a murder or a violent act is going to be committed, the offender will find some way to with his or her intentions: there are always knives, baseball bats, pantyhose or any number of effective alternative with a very serious drug problem. The individual who wishes to obtain a firearm legally, must first face personal investigation, apply for an FAC, and after going through all the existing red tape to obtain a firearm, certainly has no intention of abusing his or her privilege, or placing his or 'her rights to ownership of private property in jeopardy. However, my words will definitely do nothing at all to influence anyone weapons including bare fists. guns or i Fit 's thinki guns particularly from legiti + thoreft on this particular 1 shall point back owners, will not eliminate crime...for the determined criminal will always be able to procure some kind of weapon on the street or through nd contacts. As a point of interest, we must bear in mind that L] i Thor and let the words of others speak far more powerfully for themselves, In 1938, the Nazi party - headed by Adolph Hitler - passed the strictest gun control laws in all of Europe, was the confiscation of these firearms from certain groups in society which the Nazi government deemed 'undesirable'...ie: those of different political affiliations who dared to disagree with government policies, and all those of 'undesirable' i backgrounds... Jews, Gypsys, "The Canadiad Liberal goverment today is {dering the t In a recent tour of the Jewish Holocaust Centre on Bathurst Street in Toronto, my attention was drawn to page 16 of a Jeagthy and deisel exhibit outlining and public is free to have and bear arms, crime rates literally plummet. And if you cannot take my word for it, then get busy and do some serious for yourself. Check out sinister progression of the g he takeover of Jewish property - and hence the subsequent massacre of 6 million Jews...and I quote from the page under the heading of registration of all firearm « - ostensibly for the greater good of society. We must keep in mind that those who do mot learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat the errors of the past. But - we all think - this is Canada! It is the 1990's.. and - 'it could never happen here'... That is the argument presented by "If only we had understood the true nature of the times, we should have been training our youth in theyuse of firearms and cold steel. We should have been training them to a spirit of vengeance against the greatest enemy of the Jews and of humankind in all history." Thought provoking words - are they not? And most certainly the situation in the city of Washington D.C., where gun control is the tightest and where the crime rates have literally soared. Then compare that to places such as the state of Vermont, or countries such as Switzerland - where individuals are allowed the freedom to have and Read...learn....and understand! egin to relinquish our to personal property - trouble is not far ahead! RP. Dalby Fenelon Falls, Ontario