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Editorial Comment - When Mr CHRETIEN ASKED US JO SPEND MORE AND SAVE LESS ~-- [| OVER-EXTENDED MYSELF FOR My COUNTRY h) a \ ed to re-live it. THE ARGOS Well, they've done it again. 'The 1977 football season ended for the Argos in a most inglorious fashion. Just when it appeared the stellar scullers were going to pluck victory in the nation's capital a week ago Sunday, the old pig-skin took an Argo bounce and dealt them a vicious blow right where it hurts the most. - And the faithful thousands who live and die on the fortunes of the blue and white, those staunch (and foolish) fans who dig deep in their pockets to pack the CNE grandstand for every home game, must be wondering why the Gods of Fate refuse to smile on their beloved team. As a long-time fan of the Roughies who toil in the shadow of tHe Peace Tower, I was, to say the least, rather pleased when the Argos coughed up the ball on the four-yard line and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. . But the Argos have long intrigued me. The reasons behind their annual fortunes and misfor- tunes are a challenge to every arm-chair psycholo- gist in the counry. The team is a phenomenon --~ unique in all the world of sport. With a bulging bank account, an ability every year to attract and pay the high salaries of some rather superior talent (on paper, anyway) and utterly loyal supporters, the team has remained a bridesmaid for a quarter century now. » 7 . The reason, as I see it, anyway, is hubris. Now hubris, a term associated with .Greek mythology, means an overbearing pride and self-confidence. In ancient times when earthly mortals got too cocky and full of themselves, when self-confidence became arrogance, the Gods would look down with displeasure,-and sooner or later would dish out a backhand blow to remind mere mortals that they cannot soar to the heavens or walk on water. Every year, it seems, the Argos sign the best talent money can buy. With much flourish and fanifare these superstars receive the royal treat- ment, are wined and dined in Toronto's finest beaneries, paraded before an obliging media, and even before the kick-off in the first exhibition game, Lord Grey's battered old silverware is as good as in the bag. But somehow, as the football season grinds through the heat of August, the golden days of September and October, and the slashing sleet of a Canadian November, the Argo's best-laid plans go off the rails. An interception, a stupid penalty, a bad call from the bench, an injury, an untimely fumble. There are many ways in which the Gods of Fate can put the clampers on a football team. And so it went again this year for the Boatmen. Even I must admit that the Gods were especially cruel to allow- the team to come so tantalizingly close. Ah, the Argos. Be they ever so humble. History, it is said, has a way of repeating itself, and those who do not remember the past are condemn- Ch a it e rgo 2 by John McClelland Come July of next year, the Argo fortunes will be as sunny as the summer weather. The team will be the cinderella darling of the media, manage- ment and coaching staff will be touting a new crop of bonus babies, and confidence will bubble in old Toronto like champagne in fine crystal. That terrible day in Ottawa will be forgotten and forgiven. Coach Cahill will be riding the crest once again and Church Ealey might even be back to call the signals. And the fans, ah, the Argo fans, be they ever so humble, will be strutting their stuff as well, lapping up the hype, standing blissfully in line for season tickets, and talking Grey Cup, of course. But while all this is going on in Argo land, the Gods of Fate will be stirring as well. They'll begin to look with displeasure as the annual show of hubris mounts. And the Gods too will start to make plans. Mark my words. Some time about a year from now, as the Argo ship is sailing on what appears'to be a calm and friendly sea of fortune, and when victory is just the length of the football away, the Gods will call a safety blitz, and another season will slip from the anguished fingers of the Argos and their faithful fans. And history for the Argos once again will have come full circle. That is the way it is meant to be for those whose pride and arrogance does offend-fhje celestial forces. The Argos. Be they so humble. Will they never learn? ROYAL BIRTH He was born a commoner, the first in the British Royal family in 500 years to come into this world without a title. "7 Itwas of course no accident that the baby boy born last week to Princess Anne and husband, Mark, was not given a Royal Title by Queen Elizabeth. ' Anne and Mark, with their million dollar estate , near London, their $60,000 stables filled with thoroughbred horses, and their arrogant, some- times boorish behavior, are not the most popular members of the Royal household. The British people, though the vast majority of them may hold the Queen with considerable N Jdmiration, are quite rightly getting a little fed-up with the perks and privileges afforded Anne and Mark. Their new born son, while fifth in line to the Throne, has in reality no chance of ever ascending to the Royal Crown. In what was obviously a calculated public relations gesture, the Queen and her advisors decided there was no need for the baby to have a Royal Title. And anyway, he will hardly need one. No, the Queen's first grandchild will live a life of quiet luxury, away from the critical eye of the public. As a mere commoner he'll have his own private 1,000 acre playground, and all the horses he'd ever care to ride. Why worry about the silly. nobility when granny is the Queen of England. The Middle East The world Is just now beginning to assess the possible impact of Eqyptian president Anwar Sadat's truly historic visit to Israel and his address Sunday to the: Knesset. And while there was a little of a concrete or specific nature given in the speeches by Sadat or Israeli premier Menachem -Begin, a tremendous psychological barrier was broken by the mere fact that for the first time in almost 30 years an Arab head of state had set foot in Israel. At considerable risk to their own political for- tunes, both Begin and Sadat may have put in motion the beginning of the first real peace that troubled part of the world has known for more than a generation. Or, they may well have drastically miscalculated the reaction to the visit, with the result that peace in the Middle East may be more elusive than ever, and indeed could mean an outbreak of hostilities. The initial response of the so-called hard line Arab states has been condemnation of Sadat. He must find a way to assure these leaders that he is not selling out "to Israel. And more than that he must find a way to assure the leaders of the Palestinian people that he has not given up their struggle for a homeland. The stateless Palestinians are the key to not only the enduring conflict in the Middle East, but the possible peace as well. While Begin made no reference to the Palestinians in his address, he did say that everything is negoti- able, presumably including the question of the Pale- stine state and the Arab lands occupied by Israel since the 1967 war. While Sadat and Begin may have had a lot to lose over the weekend, it may also be that they will have gained a lot. That gain will be measured if the world is made just a little safer for all people. ! Local hockey fans This past week as the Port Perry Junior C Flamingos played home and home matches against the Bowmanville Eagles it became somewhat obvious that 'the team is lacking one very important ingre- dient: solid support from the local hockey: fans. That is not to say that there are not some people turning out for the home games; the New Scugog Arena was about half full for the match last Thursday night against Bowmanville, which is about the aver- age for the games so far this season. But what was apparent on Thursday night was a large and rather vocal contingent of supporters from Bowmanville who had made the drive to give their encouragement to their hockey team. Many of them wearing Eagles booster buttons, and while the Bow- manville supporters were hooting and hollering for their team, the home town fans were sitting on their hands. In fact, a few of the more vocal, leather-lunged Eagle fans were actually giving the Port Perry players a hard time right in the Flamingos' back yard. On Sunday night when Flamingos travelled to Bowmanville the arena was packed, and the Port Perry players were jeered and heckled throughout the entire game. Now, hockey players at the junior level expect to hear a few boos when they go on the road. . But they might just expect to hear the visiting team get the same treatment when they play at home. Another thing: while there were lots of Bowmanville supporters around the Scugog Arena Thursday night, you could count on two hands the number of Port _Perry supporters who -made the trip to Bowmanville Sunday night. While hockey players at all levels will tell you their play on the ice is not affected by what is going on in the stands, there should be a psychological advant- age in knowing that at least you're going to get cheered in your own arena. And it wouldnt hurt any player's performance to hear the odd cheer when he's in the other guys' rink. oo : Hockey fans in this Township possible don't realize just how fortunate they are. In.comparison to: the drab, drafty, and cold closets that pass as arenas in other communities around the league, the New Scugog Arena is a magnificent facility, not only for the play on the ice, but for the spectators as well. It is bright, well-lit with plenty of seating space that offers a perfect view of the entire ice surface. And with the heaters on, the hockey fan can sit in comfort and take. in the game. There really is no excuse. To those fans who do attend the junior home games, let the players know youre not fast asleep. And to those fans who haven't taken In a home game yet, give it a try. The Flamingos are capable of exciting hockey. It's your team, and It's your brand, spanking new $750,000 arena, the likes of which can be found in very few communities of this size across the province. : EGE Fee -- R TP SE ha