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Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, November 3, 1993 -- J a -- VIEWPOINT LETTER TO EDITOR 4 Had enough of the referendum? Me too. So let's talk about SEX. Specifically, SEX as in the new book on the market by Madonna. It is a cardinal rule of good journalism never to write about a book (or film or play) until you have read it or seen it. I going to break that rule right now. I have not read Madonna's book, though I understand there is not much to read but plenty to look at. I have better things to do with $60 (Cdn.) plus GST then spend it on a book filled with photos of Madonna in various degrees of explicity. Besides, what would I do with the damn thing, take it home and put it on the coffee table alongside National Geographic? However, SEX, (that's the title) has captured the attention of a few Canadians as almost all 20,000 copies shipped north of the border were gobbled up (excuse the expression) in a matter of days I'm confused. What kind of message is Madonna sending to millions of teen- agers who listen to her music, watch her videos and attend her concerts. Is she saying that if you are Madonna, filthy rich and famous, you can do whatever you want, even you can even take all your clothes and have photos taken for all to see What kind of message is she sending to millions of men, that it's OK to pay 60 bucks for a book full of Madonna photos, but spending five bucks for Hustler magazine is exploitation of the women on the pages and all women? What is she trying to prove? Does she need the money? Hardly. Does she need "notoriety" to boost her career? Not likely. And after this, what's next, Madonna in a hard core video? I can't understand why womens groups are not protesting this publication. I can't understand why decency groups, which picket the local variety store for selling magazines and videos of a sexual nature. are not picketing the fine book ..ores in Toronto or New York for selling Madonna's SEX. Am | missing something here, or is it OK for Madonna to cash in, but not OK for anybody else"? And it boggles my mind that with all the good books on the shelf waiting to be bought, people are spending $60 for this one. Real authors, the ones who write stuff with meaning, but can't make a living cause their books aren't selling, must be shaking their heads in dismay. As | said at the outset, I have not seen this book. But if anybody wants to slide a copy under the office door (suitably wrapped in brown paper, of course) I'll force myself to take a quick peek through the pages. Just to see what all the fuss is about. SALUTE TO THE VOLUNTEERS: Scugog Township last week paid tribute to numerous individuals who help make this community a better place to live. The occasion was the first volunteer appreciation and awards evening, held in the Cartwright Rec Centre. It was organized and hosted by the Township's Parks and Recreation Committee. This will not become an annual occasion, but likely will be held ever three or four years. The people recognized last week come from all walks of life, but they have a few things in common. They care about their community, they get involved, they roll their sleeves up and they get things done It was a nice touch to recognize them publicly last week, and | know they appreciate that. However, they don't get into volunteer work to get a certificate They do it because they want to. And we are all better for their efforts. It was an enjoyable evening, done up with just the right touch of class to suit a special occasion To all the individual volunteers, the members of the organizations recognized and those who received achievement awards, nice going and keep up the good work IN CLOSING The Borelians production of Streetcar Named Desire continues at Town Hall 1873 in Port Perry with three final shows on November 5, 6, and 7. The acting in this production is first rate with a dynamite and courageous performance by Norma Van Camp as Blanche. This is a powerful show, community theatre at its very best. And for ten bucks, a huge bargain. Give it four stars all the way For ticket info, call 985-2635 Get the message? Interest on the public debt in Ontario alone is $5.7 billion. In the past five years, To the Editor: Never has there been a clearer message sent to the politicians jn the rej of the Mul the Constitutional Accord. Their lavish spending and scare tactics showed how far they would go to impose the views of ten men on 27 million people. Aided and abetted by the two largest banks the fear mongering reached new heights. The common people have spoken! Listening to the purveyors of doom and gloom, like "chicken little" soothsayers, the sky did not fall, nor did Quebec drift off into the Atlantic. The sun came up as usual and the stock market climbed, the dollar went up and interest rates dropped The politicians and their fellow travellers did not sway voters who took the time to see through the allegations despair. Nor did powerful newspaper editorials sway their readers. Never again will the populace be hood-winked by fast. talking politicians and their ilk. Their credibility is at an all-time low The Reform Party acted responsibly and fairly, presenting all the facts and un biased information to the public The Prime Minister should resign and the other party leaders lik#wise. They have lost the confidence of the people. The duty of the Opposition parties is to give the other side of the issus, not present the same views. In a democracy, we were denied this basic notion of balance Information is the currency of a democracy Since the defeat of Meech Lake, this writer has been actively pressuring governments to make the economy their top priority and saving jobs, many of which are lost permanently. Ontario has lost 537 jobs each day for the last three years The federal debt of $450 billion leaves taxpayers with a debt of $66 664 per family. Ontario's debt projected at more than $7,000 per person, or $30,000 per family. The total debt is almost $97,000 over the heads of seach average sized family. And this does not include mortgages or personal debt Interest on the federal debt is almost $40 billion annually with more than one-third of sach tax dollar going to pay this dein y government has increased taxes 33 times. The Peterson and Rae governments increased taxes 55 times, that's 87 federal and provincial increases. It is little wonder most people have no money left to buy consumer goods. No purchasing power, no jobs created. Millions of seniors and others who are trying to live on their investments have seen their incomes cut in half by low interest rates. Adding insult to injury the Ontario government is levying tax on top of car taxes for air, tires, gas and even the delivery charges from the plant to the dealer is taxed. It's nothing but highway robbery Wild spending like that we have witnessed in the referendum fiasco will no longer be tolerated by Canadians. The debt is now on the heads of our grandchildren. Enough is enough Dean J. Kelly, Assoc. of Dedicated Canadians. Port Perry Pet "Birdie" might have said thanks To the Editor In response to the letter (Oct. 27) by Joy Forbes, regarding her daughter-in-law and son's dog "Birdie," whe happened to devour a box of doughnuts, creating a mess in the car, | fail to see the connection between the height and weight of a person and physical abuse of an animal Hindsight is 100 per cent, but in the future, perhaps you could visit the local doughnut shop rather than leaving food in the car "Birdie" will thank you and |, along with every other animal lover will thank you Sincerely, Helen Birchall, Port Perry UNBILVED MYgsrER YI SNAPSHOT OF THE WEEK donkey Paige and Brianne Florence comion this runaway donkey that was on the loose near Manchester The donkey got loose in the middie of the night and after being nabbed by police and neighbours, he was tied in the front yard. | was the girly' first encounter with Who is this sad eyed, sad laced young lady from the past Dressed n what looks like her Sunday finest, leaning casually againg! a fancy chair in the studio of W H. Leonard of Pont Perry, Om the identity of this little girl remains a mystery 10 us Why, does she look so sad, or was she just a little shy at having her photo taken Any clues, call Scugog Shores Museum at 985 3580