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4 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tues. October 25, 1983 editorial comments chatterbox by John B. McClelland WARMIN' UP What's going on with our climate? This past summer was one of the hottest on record, and we all know that last winter was one of the balmiest ever with scarcely any snow and temperatures more often than not above the freezing point. Was it just a one-shot aberration of nature? Are we due this winter for six months of deep snow and temperatures cold enough to send heating bills through the roof? Maybe, but don't count on it. An agency of the American government last week confirmed what a lot of people have suspected: Mother Earth is in heat. Temperatures, especially in the Northern Hemisphere are on the rise, and if this continues over the next few decades, there will be a major impact on life as we know it. The reason for the steady warming trend is built up of carbon dioxide in the middle and upper at- mosphere which is creating a "green-house effect." The rays of the sun have no trouble penetrating the layers of carbon dioxide, but the heat cannot escape upwards. The report predicts that as the world warms up, there will be melting of the polar ice caps resulting in raised levels of the world's oceans which could mean flooding in coastal areas. One example says that by the middle of the next century, half of Florida will be under water, and New York City will have a yearly climate like Tampa. More ominous perhaps is the fear that the great grain belts of the Canadian west and American mid-east will become too hot and dry fer intense agriculture pro- duction. The growing season will be pushed north where the soil is too thin. But in other parts of the world, the amount of rain- fall will increase, causing all kinds of problems. In short, the world is heading for trouble. And the cause of the carbon dioxide build-up? The sustained burning of fossile fuels over the past 100 years or so. As I seeit, there are just two solutions to this grow- ing and serious problem. The first is to stop burning fossile fuels. Of course, that is easier said than done, The second is to start sending giant space stations into the atmosphere bristling with all kinds of plants. The plants of course would eat the carbon dioxide. Think of the double benefit if wheat, tomatoes and oranges could be grown this way. We wouldn't have to worry about our farmland disappearing under asphalt. It may be a little awkward getting all that fruit and veggies from way up there to the corner grocery, but something could be worked out .... " seriously ask is whe Seriously, scientists do have a problem on their hands, and there is a sense of urgency because the report predicts some ramifications of the warming trend will be upon us within the decade. UNDER PRESSURE Most Canadians are aware of the way this country goes at its national sport, hockey. We all know the stories of ten year olds under extreme pressure to win, of 15 year olds who leave home to play junior hockey in a larger town, of the 20 year olds in the NHL. We hear the stories of the demands put on players by parents and coaches. We see the 12 year olds who quit the game because they can't take it, and the NHL failures washed up at the ripe old age of 21. There is pressure here, to be sure, but south of the border, things are getting out of hand over football. The issue boiled over last week when a super-star running back at Oklahoma walked away from the game in his sophomore year saying "I can't take it anymore." Americans love their football, not just at the NFL level, but in the colleges, high schools and even grade schools. And the pressure on youngsters to excel is extreme. Some parents are demanding that their football playing sons be held back a year in public school so the boy will be bigger and stronger in high school and will perform better to impress the college scouts. It's call- ed red-shirting and done all the time. In Texas, the coaches of a high school team wore bullet-proof vests during a game. Seems the team had lost the previous week and the coaches were threaten- ed with death if it happened again. Authorities treated the threats seriously. High school football has become big business in many states the star players are not only treated as gods in their home towns, but some are under intense scrutiny by the state and national media. College coaches are far better known and make more money than the president of the university. A brilliant physics prof will get the chop long before a Win- ning football coach. Seven year olds are now playing highly competitive full contact football, and in the stands, college coaches are talking scholarship with the youngsters parents. Last year in the States, 600,000 kids from five to 14 needed doctors care for treatment of football injuries. Of course the estions many are starting to er it's all worth it, and what kind of damage is this doing to the young boys. A 22-year old has launched a legal suit because his four year football scholarship at a "university" left him More Insanity Absolute revulsion is the only way to describe the reaction of civilized human beings at the slaughter of American and French servicemen in Beirut over the weekend; servicemen who are in that unhappy country trying to supervise a peaceful dis-entanglement of what is a political mess. Some initial evidence suggests that suicide bomb- ing missions which claimed more than 200 lives are the responsibility of fanatical Moslem group which ties to Iran and the Ayatollah. That would seem to make sense as life is cheap in Iran. That country in its war with Iraq has deployed suicide brigades, especially young boys who are ordered to cross mine fields in the name of the Ayatollah. Iran's hatred for the Americans is well known, and France is feeling that insane wrath for sending arms to Iraq. One can hardly blame Ronald Reagan for pledging that those responsible for the murder will feel the American vengeance. It's a natural reaction, but one ripe with danger, that could lead to more and more bloodsh- ed in Beirut. Obviously, the political and military forces at work in that city are void of human rationality, understanding, even the rules of war. It is a corner of the world where fanaticism is the marching order of the day, and should serve as a warning to us all that the powder keg can go off at any time. Meanwhile, over the weekend in more civilized parts of the world where people still hold human life dearly, hundreds of thousands marched in protest of the nuclear arms race. Almost on cue, however, government leaders said the protests would not alter the course of action: to deploy Pershing missiles in Europe by the end of the year and in Canada to proceed with the testing of the American cruise missiles. And in Geneva, the Americans and the Russians predictably reported no progress on arms talks. But at least they are still talking. Events of the past few days show ever more clearly that the world is walking a tight-rope of insanity in desperate need of peacemakers. But where are they, and when will their voices be heard? Hallowed Warnings ET made a big haul last Hallowe'en. The pillowcase he lugged from one house to another, stuffed beyond the point of full, was gripped tightly in one small fist while the other juggled his plastic mask, rang doorbells and waved to fellow spooks who wandered the streets. He did this fearlessly, while his dad hung back in the shadows, never interfering but there in case some _older bully decided to steal ET's loot. When he had trick or treated so long that his feet hurt, ET and his father headed for home, bright reflector tape glowing off ET's back. Once home, the first thing on the little guy's agen- da was dipping into his bag of goodies but his parents put a quick end to that idea. Automatically they sifted through their son's collection of candy, discarding anything that wasn't sealed. Recalling all those horror stories about children swallowing pins or tearing their mouths open with razor blades, they pitched all apples into the garbage. They might have been safe, but ET's folks weren't taking any chances. If you care about your children, make sure everything they collect is checked over before its eaten. You never know who's going to slip something into your child's treats, for whatever sadistic reason. Always escort young children on their Hallowe'en endeavours. Big kids who like to pick on young ones are the obvious bad guys but keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious characters roaming in your area. Don't hesitate to call police if there's any indication of trouble, however slight. If your children are old enough to venture out on their own, remind them of Block Parents in your neighbourhood and explain how they can help if bullies are a problem. Hallowe'en is also a good time to keep your eye on your neighbour's property and to stow away any valuables or breakables you might have lying around your yard, October 31 has always been a hay day for vandals, mischief-makers and general no-goods. Don't make. yourself a target. And if all else fails, have fun. 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