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PORT PERRY STAR -- Thursday, December 28, 1969 -- ? FOR THE KIDS How often have we heard someone proclaim in an angry voice, "what is wrong with the younger generation these days." "| have probably said it myself a few times, es- pecially after scanning the daily papers with their endless litany of drug deals, gang warfare, mug- gings in the streets, swarmings, and so on. Indeed, if one's opinion of the "younger gener- ation" was shaped only by what appears in the newspapers or on TV, the answer to the question "what is wrong with the younger generation" would be "everything." However, | think an overwhelming majority of young people are getting a bad rap when we dump hem all in a heap and pin unsavory labels on them. Most young people these days are not foul- mouthed, drug gulping punks who would swarm your grandmother for her grocery money. Most are decent, polite, hard-working, bright, socially adjusted kids. What really bugs a lot of them is that they are going to have to clean up the mess that we, their parents and grand-parents have made of this planet. If | may say so, | feel quite comfortable know- ing that the fate of this planet is going to be firmly in the hands of the "younger generation" just a few short years from now. | am sure my father didn't share these same feelings 25 years ago when | was part of the "younger generation." In fact, I'm pretty certain he shuddered in his Viewpoint by John B. McClelland boots at the thought of myself and a few of my bud- dies getting ready to tackle the world, in our san- dals. and faded jeans. Want to know Why S feel confident about the "younger generation?" Kids today are a damn sight smarter; they know what they want, and they have no hesitation in using all the technological tools at their disposal to get what they want. But most im- rtant of all, thanks to the information explosion, ids of today know exactly how their parents and rand-parents "screwed things up," if you'll pardon the expression. Quite frankly, | am not vary proud of thé legacy the present generation is leaving to our children: a polluted planet, over-population, starvation, dis- ease, conflict. But | think they can handle it. They have the smarts, the tools, and the will. There are many prophets of doom out there these days, only too willing to tell us the world is going to hell on a toboggan next Tuesday. Don't believe it for a minute. In fact, | firmly believe that in 25 years or so, when I'm in the rocking chair, the world is going to be a better place than it is now. | like most of the young people | meet these days. | like their honesty, their curiosity, their ener- gy, their dedication. Most of them are not complain- ers Whe think the world owes them something; they are doers. The vast majority of the young people | know get up in the morning, go to school, get decent grades, treat their teachers and parents with re- spect, hold down part-time jobs, take an active part in sports and all kinds of school and community events, and are conscious of the way they look and act. : Sure, there are a few "bad apples" among them, and sadly, they seem to be the ones who get all the attention. But as | said before, I'm convinced the "jerks" are a distinct minority. Just wait a few years until the kids of today, those in their teens and early 20's, start making their presence felt in business, industry, politics, so- cial services, government and so on. Just wait until a few of them work their way into positions of influence, and they become the: deci- sion-makers, the movers and shakers. As for the "bad apples." Well, the younger gen- eration of today holds no monopoly on "bad ap- ples." In fact, | can think of several my age and my | father's age. In saying that | feel a sense of confidence about how the younger generation will perform over the next two or three decades. I'm not suggesting for a minute that they will ever make it a perfect world. That's a foolish and impossible notion. I think that most young people today when they take a look around them conclude that they are in- heiriting a dog's breakfast. About the only really positive thing we have handed them is the absence of a world war over the last 45 years, and the fact that a world war is not a likelihood. Young people know they have their work cut out for them, with many wrongs to right. Know what? | think they're ple. Just watch them. going to surprise a few peo- "Random Jottings | Letters to ume eaitor by ).P. Hvidsten (from page 6) Perhaps the most interesting point here is, Scugog's fire- fighters are all volunteers. This is not their everyday job. Those involved in the fire department are involved because they want to help others; and because they want to help others, they do one hell of a good job. 5 I've heard their critics while standing around watching them work, but | wonder how many of those critics would volunteer for a job knowing what kind of situations they may have to face. Can you imagine crawling out of a warm bed in the middle of the night to race to a fire in sub-zero temperatures? Try to imagine standing in knee deep snow watering down a fire while the wind whips around your body sending spray after spray of ice cold water back into your face. Or how about sitting down with the family for a nice family dinner, when you're interrupted by a phone call informing you of a tragic accident. Can you ajie leaving your family at the table and racing to the scene to youngster lying broken and bleeding on the side of the road. These things don't happen everyday, but they are typical of the duties our firefighters are asked to perform week after week, with little or no thanks. I've heard the remark, "well they get d to do this work", on a few occasions over the years, t | doubt the amount they are paid would make the difference between a most people joining the department or not. From my perspective as a reporter, who attends many of the mentioned duties answered by our firefighters, | would just like to say that they perform above and beyond the call of duty. The Scugog Firefighters are without a doubt the "unsung "heroes" of this community, so as this year comes to a close and we cautiously enter another decade, | think it only fitting to say THANKS to this handful of dedicated men for helping make this community a better and safer place to live. Your efforts and dedication have not gone un-noticed! IN CLOSING As the 1990's are about to begin, we at the Star would like to wish all of our loyal readers, advertisers and correspondents health and happiness as we enter the coming decade. Happy New Year! elp free victims and comfort a_ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Star encourages our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column to express their opinions and Vieigoime on just about any subject, as we feel a ely letters column helps make a better commun og Wo Insist, however, that all letter writers sign their name. Sorry, no anonymous letters will be printed. Act to prohibit smoking is good To the Editor: I am writing in response to the ° RANDOM JOTTINGS' comments re the workplace smoking act in the December 12, 1989 issue of the Port Perry Star. While working the past 25 years in General Motors, and having to deal with the lack of caring, courtesy and consideration of smokers for others around them, and also the apparent disregard for their own well being, I'm look- ing forward to January 1, 1990 and the new Ontario workplace smok- A brief lesson about South American politics To the Editor: In view of the rather inane remarks by two TV commen- tators, the lovely Nancy Wilson and "Miss Personality" Valerie Pringle, after stating the U.S. in- vasion of sovereign Panamanian territory was approved only by George Bush and Maggie That- cher (and later by B. and M.'s protege for Canada), it seems ad- visable to acquaint them and others with one of the outstanding factors governing Spanish American history. 'Cacique' (kay-see-kay) is a Caribe Indian word meaning "minor chief with a few followers." The principle of "caci- uismo" (kay-see-keezmo) has ominated the politics of Argen- tina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, etc. from the early 1800's to the late 1980's. To name just a few, there are Peron of Argentina, Pinochet of Chile, Somoza of Nicaragua, and now Noriega of Panama. These men resemble each other in hav- ing little or no appropriate educa- tion and no conception of democracy; but they have in common garguantan inflated egos and a policy of self- aggrandizement. One more resemblance can be noted in the type of hat they wear, apparent- ly to go with the uniforms they seem to buy from South America's leading makers of hotel doormen's uniforms. Yours sincerely, Warren T. McCready Professor of Spanish (Ret'd.) Greenbank, Ontario. ing act taking effect. I disagree that smokers' rights are being affected by this law. Those of us who choose to "just say no" will now be able to look forward to each workday with a breath of fresh air! With numerous health agencies striv- ing for a 'smoke free" society by the year 2000, I feel the workplace smoking act is a small step in the right direction! Yours truly, Morley J. Davidson, Oshawa P.S. Having lived the first 35 years of my life in the Port Perry community, I look forward to my weekly issue of the Port Perry Star in the mail. I'm also pleased to see that RANDOM JOTTINGS has returned to it's rightful place! Smile For The Day aN "Someone hroke into my car and ran up my phone bill, ** :