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The Oakville Beaver, W e d n e sd a y N o v e m b e r 14, 2001 - A 7 Afghanistan needs food, not more war Do those who perished in the atroci ties of Sept. 11 rest more easily in their graves because of the bombing of Afghanistan? Justification for this bombing can only possibly be found if the attacks are a means of bringing the master-minds of the horrible acts of September to justice. The bombing must have a reasonable chance of achieving this goal, and be based on reasonable assumption that the perpetrators are in Afghanistan. It must have been preceded by failure of negotia tions for the handing-over of the suspects. It must be carried out with absolutely minimal civilian casualties and danger to regional and world stability. In the first few weeks after the disas ter, as the world grieved with those who suffered unspeakable losses in the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania, the US and its allies showed admirable restrain. On Thanksgiving weekend, however, our hopes were diminished for action based on the principles stated above and guided by a true understanding of those who planned such horrifically clever attacks of the conditions that nurtured their support. Then came sounds of a new rhetoric that seemed to mirror that of Osama Bin Laden, an assumption that "our side" would require uncritical adherence, be "with us or against us" in order that the world be saved for "our values" as against those of the "evil one." Still, we hoped and prayed that our leaders would find the wisdom and strength to deal with this dreadfully complex situation without violence and revenge. Then came the first bombs. A third of the targets were destroyed the first day we were told. We hoped that a few more days would eliminate the rest of the major military targets. Weeks later, bombs continue to fall from thousands of feet in the air, making precise hitting of targets less likely, so that Red Cross stor age areas, UN mine clearance staff are hit, and civilians are killed and wounded (the number varying depending on the statistics released by the Taliban and the US-led coalition). The desperate rush of refugees, already begun because of previ ous wars, oppression by the Taliban, and drought, accelerates daily as war and winter threaten. The air-drops of food along with the bombs are totally inade quate and serve only to ease the con science of the coalition and aid mostly those unintended recipients who acquire the supplies for their own use. We may have to concede the public relations com petition to the Taliban. The stability of nearby Pakistan (a country with nuclear weapons) is wavering. As a physician, I believe that we are faced with a medical emergency, the LETTERS TO THE ED ITO R imminent deaths of between 1.5 and three million people from starvation. We hear the urgent requests of respected agencies -- the Red Cross, OXFAM, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme. They call for a bombing halt to allow delivery of humanitarian relief. Flora MacDonald who has visited Afghanistan on behalf of CARE (Canada), has stated that "the prospect that three million people may die is not something that the world can contemplate." She calls for negotiations of safety corridors, backed by United Nations assurances that routes and con- voys will be protected. Lloyd Axworthy has called for cargo-plane delivery of food, along with civilian protection. He also warned that the Taliban would have to be involved in efforts to widen the dis tribution of food. Such measures as mentioned in the preceding paragraph are our first duty (See `Basic' page A10) O P E N IN G C E LE B R A TIO N SPECIAL! Adults Teens Children Great Rates · Get Strong · Get Confidence · Get Practical · Get Defense 3 2 8 K e r r St. O a k v i l le 9 0 5 - 3 3 9 - 0 0 6 6 * F it n e s s N u t r i t i o n D e p o t o n P r e m is e s * Royal Botanical Gardens Auxiliary's WINTER BY-LAWS P l e a s e n o te the fo l l o w in g t w o r e q u ir e m e n t s 1) 2) By-law 1984-1 PROHIBITS parking o f vehicles on Town streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. from November 15 to April 15. By-law 1973-18 states that "No person shall throw, place or deposit snow, ice or slush from private property onto any sidewalk, public highway or lane in the Town". Please co-operate by complying with these requirements so that our streets can be cleared quickly and efficiently and kept in a safe condition. R.G Green, P. Eng. Director o f Public Works Christmas Design Show S Sale Shop our marketplace for holiday arrangements, gifts and decorations · Enjoy live seasonal music · See demonstrations from R B G floral design experts and guests · Take part in kids' holiday crafts C o u n c il & S t a n d in g C o m m it t e e M e e t in g s Monday, November 19,2001 Council Meeting. Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 27,2001 Community Services Committee 7:30 p.m. - Oakville Room Administrative Services Comm. 7:30 p.m. - T rafalgar Room Monday, November 26,2001 Planning & Development Council Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 3,2001 Council Meeting Council Chambers 7:30 p.m. Teacher critical of changes (Continued from page A 6) above like many of my colleagues. If you thought extra curricular activities were in jeopardy over the last couple of years due to political conditions, just wait and see how these new government initiatives have an impact. Yes, I am frustrated that the govern ment and the OCT has sent out these inflammatory letters to teachers who hold a minimum of two degrees. I have often wondered wy the public doesn't ask for our politicians to be qualified and accountable, after all, they are the ones who are changing the policies. How cer tain are you that they are qualified to make radical changes to education, health care and other government services? Perhaps a simple standardized test like the high school students are required to write would be appropriate for all politi cians. A little Canadian geography, histo ry, and some math to ensure that their cal culations are correct when slashing budg ets. Don't forget to add a few ethical questions to ensure that humanity quo tient is not overlooked when inventing new government policies. I know that a democracy is the way parents can exercise their ultimate option, however, this is only as valid as the indi vidual who must be well informed and understands what is actually taking place in the `real world' when casting their vote. Unfortunately, I don't think this is often the case. Many parents will be too busy to read this letter and rally have a sketchy idea of the changes that are taking place in education and the impact on their son or daughter until it is too late - when they have already left the system. I encourage parents to look at the last six years of education. Surely enough time has elapsed for conclusive studies to indicate whether the changes are work ing. I am concerned for the continual ero sion of a system that wasn't broken to begin with. Please take some additional time to investigate and ask why all of the educa tional changes are necessary to our sys tem, how will it benefit my child, and when will we have a complete review of the impact of these changes? It's your choice, your government and our children's future. STEPHEN ASHWORTH NOVEMBER 16 · 10 am - 8 pm NOVEMBER 1? · 10 am - 5 pm NOVEMBER 18 · 10 am - 4 pm ^ ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS 680 PLAINS ROAD WEST, BURLINGTON 905-527-1158 · www.rbg.ca C o u n c il & C o m m it t e e T o u c h t o n e P h o n e L in e 8 1 5 - 5 9 5 9 P la n n in g fo r O a k v i l l e 's F u tu r e OAKVILLE Bruce Oak Hardwood Just Arrived!! CB G rade 2 V x %" sq ft HARDWOOD $4.49 3 V The Council and planning staff for the Town of Oakville invite all residents and interested parties to participate in Roundtable discussions on topics related to the planning of Oakville. The Roundtables are an interactive forum for the public to discuss and provide input into several planning-related topics. These topics were identified during the public meetings held recently on OPA 198, the proposed amendments to the official plan for the development of lands north of Dundas Street in Oakville. Plan to attend one or all of the topics that interest you.____________ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (REGISTRATION AT 8:30) LIGHT LUNCH SERVED TOPIC: ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN CONTRIBUTE YOUR IDEAS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD GO INTO AN ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR OAKVILLE COUPON COUPON Limited quantities WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 7 -10:00 PM (REGISTRATION AT 6:30) LIGHT REFRESHMENTS * SERVED TOPIC: THE OFFICIAL PLAN VISION SUGGEST YOUR CHANGES TO THE WORDING FOR THE VISION IN THE OFFICIAL PLAN THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 7 - 10:00 PM (REGISTRATION AT 6:30) U G H T REFRESHMENTS SERVED Stained Maple w id th Select G ra d e TOPIC: LAND USE ALONG BURNHAMTHORPE ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AND MAP OUT YOUR VISION FOR LAND USE $4.29 sq ft Limited quantities COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON LOCATIONfor all Roundtables is: SL Volodymyr Cultural Centre 1280 Dundas Street West, Oakville FOR MORE INFORMATION: OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS WE'LL BE Laminate Flooring 6 C o lo u rs Glue Laminate 15 Year W a rra n ty Click Laminate POSTING UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT OPA 198 ON THE TOWN OF OAKVILLE WEBSITE, WWW.TOWN.OAKVILLE.ON.CA RSVP PLEASE REGISTER SO THAT WE CAN ARRANGE APPROPRIATE COUPON $1.39 sq ft COUPON COUPON COUPON COUPON $1.99 sq ft COUPON COUPON COUPON While Quantities Last SPECTRUM FLOORING INC. NUMBER OF SEATING AND REFRESHMENTS, TO DON PARSONS, TOWN OF OAKVILLE WANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONE OR EMAIL: DPARSONS@TOWN.OAKVILLE.ON.CA 905-845-6601 EXT. 3040 WHEN RESERVING YOUR PLACE, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR: NAME AND A TELEPHONE NUMBER OR EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE WE CAN REACH YOU IF NECESSARY IN ADVANCE OF THE ROUNDTABLES. Call: (905) 332-9735 Out Of Town: 1-877-226-7861 1225 TRAFALGAR ROAD · OAKVILLE, O NTARIO · L6J 5A6 Parent & Head o f Business Studies T h e y 're s ittin g o n $ 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 - n o , n o t th e couch CIBC H o m e E q u ity A d v a n ta g e f A s p a rt of o u r co m m itm en t to b rin g y o u sim p lified p ro d u c ts a n d services, w e are o ffering y o u a H o m e E q u ity A d v a n ta g e L oan or Line of C redit. G et th e m o n ey y o u n ee d for th o se b ig expen ses - a n d for a lim ited tim e, w e 'll w a iv e th e s e t-u p fees* S m a rt S im p le S o lu tio n sTM C IB C . It's time.TM O ffe r ends D e ce m ber 31st, 2001. V isit your branch or call 1-800-465-C IB C (2422). * Som e co n d itio n s a n d re strictio n s a p p ly . S u b jec t t o c re d it a p p ro v a l. See y o u r b ran ch fo r d e ta ils . * R eg istere d tr a d e -m a r k o f CIBC. TM T ra d e -m a rk o f CIBC.