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IIA(L 4, WlI)Nl SI)AY. l hl<RUAR) ?. -15, . 1,)81 [IEPRISS by M. B. M Publishing I~ ~ andi Photograph Ime. P>hone 669>-6111l Voice of the County Town Michael Ian Burgess, Publisher* Managing Editor 1:11 tirock Street North, The onI% 1,'hith.% ne%% spaper independeiîtI% owned and operated h.% %hitth.%rî'id4'nts for Wiýhitth, residents. 11.B> 14.Wih 1 Michael J. Knoll Community Editor Marjorle A. Burgess Production Manager Karen Thompson Advertising Manager Mailing Permit No 460 Member of the Whiby chamber of Commerce i. HEST 0E PETE-R THEA A weekly news commentary from one of Canada's outstanding news personaities The Liberals and the NDP say the're going to fight this provincial election campaign on the Davis Govern- ment's handling of the economny. The Tories may well be a touch vulnerable in that department, but flot terriblv, and the issues that Davis night really have trouble with are issues that the NDPand the Liberals won't be anxious to touch. If the opposition's hands were flot tied on these issues, they might even be able to make enough yards to hold the Tories to their minority position. The issues I'm speaking of are energy policy and the constitution. It is becoming increasingly obvious to almost evervone - unrealisticallv low prices for oil flot only aienate lberta, but make it almost impossible for Canada to- becomie self- sufficient before the end of the century. And that raises some verv real questions flot onlv about freezing in the dark, but whether we'll have a country to do it irm It's also becoming clear that however it looked in the beginning, the Trudeau government's relentless pursuit of a pat. nîation package which includes substantive revisions by the British Parliament, could not only disrupt relations between the two countries, but will be anoîher wedge in the growing gap between this countrv's regions. The Ontario Premier's support is key to the. federal policies on both of these issues. And it seems to me that it would ultimately do him good with Ontario voters if he changed bis mind on both of them. But Stuart Smnith's Liberats won't be pushing him to buck the federal Liberals on either energy or the constitution. And Michael Cassidy's o......... .. .. . ..... pou S>ý:' NDP won't either. For reasons which they may now be beginning to regret, the federal NDP bas thrown in its lot with the Liberals on the constitution, and there is an obvious philosophic rationale for their support of the grits on energy poicies. So what ought to be the key issues in this Ontario campaign, or any other Canadian campaign in the eanly spring of 1981, won't be. That's not news, but that too is realitv. Reader writes that.... Editor has narrow view of feminism Dear Sir: Your editor's recent confrontation with a member af the local Rape Crisis Centre prompts me to suggest that he possesses an extremely narraw view of feminism. According ta Web- ster's New Callegiate Dictianary, feminism is, "1.--the theory of the political ecanomic, and social equality of the sexes; 2.--organized ac- tivity on behaîf of women's rights and in- terest s." I would not presumne the right ta speak on behaîf of the volunteers at the Centre, yet feel that the supposition that a feminist cannot, by definition, be loving, patient, understanding, and compassianate is an insult toaail free- thinking women who adhere ta feminism's fundamental ideals and goals. Keenly aware of the history of woman's condition, feminists are dedicated ta the irnpravement af that condition. We believe: -that the act of rape is mativated by an ob- sessive will ta demean and canquer; -that existing Iaws must be changed sa that they pratect the victim instead of the rap ist; -that a woman has the right ta determine the use of her awn body, and that such a right is violated during the crimes of rape and bat tery; -that women must have the right ta con- duct their lives without fear of verbal or physical sexual attack; -that the filth of par- nography is a crime against women per- petuated by maies with low moral values; -that there exists the need of a strang sup- port system, recognition of achievements, and un- derstanding of weaknesses; -that every persan has the right ta fight exploitation and achieve her/his full pt en t ia1; -that total self- sacrifice deters a woman's progress taward self- acceptance; -that ta be effective as helpers, we must be open and possessed awaren ess knowledge; -that anE approach problems 1 flexible, with self- and self- empathetic to the of others cannot be affected withaut that self- awareness; and, -that love, patience, uanderstanding, and compassion are synonymous with feminism. Surely, your editor cannot disregard or condemn those beliefs. I would suggest'that he keep an open mînd with regard to the feminist movement, SO that he may gain new insights into its goals and accomplishments. Si ncerely, Kathleen Johnston R.R. 1 Oshawa Di*sabled are not helped by A tters ley s pre tending to be handlicapped Dear Sir: In recent weeks, Mayor Bob Attersley has been photographed for the Whitby Free Press in ditterent capacîties. The tirst one showed Mr. Attersley in a wheelchair, pushing himself about for a day. The second picture was of Mr. Attersley blindfolded with a white cane inding his way. 1981 is the year of the disabled. Yes, we should put the emphasis on the more unfortunate people, but not by mere pretending for a day. To live with a handicap usually involves a great deal of adjusting. To cope men- tally and physically may take years ot training and self discipline. Surely no one can get the feeling ;n a day. Pretending to be blind. or sitting in a wheelchair for a day. seems to me ^i very poor way of understanding someone's problem. n some measure we ail live with handicaps. But whatever they are, do not take our integrity away with some cheap display. Someday I1 toomay be blind or in a wheelchair, but until then, 1 will not know what il witt be like. Neither is it asked of me to cope with that particular situation, until 1 arn faced with it. Let us stop pretending, and help those that need us. Not by putting ourselves in their situation, but touching their lives in a moré construc- t ive way. Sincerely, Anne Vliegent hart Robmar Street Brooklun "ýF 17-