The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, December 21, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 905-845-3824 Fax: 337-5566 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 905-631-6095 -- 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief, Halton Region Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Be a hero in 2013 There are no words to describe the horror that took place in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday, no way to ease the heartbreak the families of the children and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School are enduring during what is always hoped to be a joyful season. Instead of pageants, caroling, baking and gift-wrapping, they are mourning unthinkable loss. In the wake of such an incomprehensible tragedy, most have felt a hollow numbness. Despite the overwhelming urge to explain, solve and/or blame, there is no easy answer. Gun control, mental health services, violence depicted in the media... we'll never know if any or all may have contributed to the young gunman's mindset as he entered the school and killed 26 people, 20 of them children. We do know that, in the face of the unthinkable, many people showed the best side of human nature. From teachers who sacrificed their own safety to protect students to the front line emergency services, a list of heroes emerged from the tragedy, answering evil with bravery and compassion. Even the father of a victim extended compassion to the family of the perpetrator. We would do well to remember that we don't have to wait until crisis strikes to practice such ideals. We can be heroes every day. Our actions don't have to be magnanimous, and sometimes they won't even be acknowledged. We could volunteer -- or simply drop off clean socks and blankets at a charity. Whatever it is, we do have to step in, right wrongs when we see them, offer a hand when needed or even just see things from another person's point of view and offer support. And not just during the holidays. During the season, toy drives, food collections and fundraisers abound. It is deeply appreciated; just ask the mom who needs help to put gifts under the tree for her children, the family that receives a food hamper for their festive meal or the caregiver who gets respite thanks to a visiting program. But in the cold, stark light of January, many in our community will continue to struggle with poverty, homelessness, mental illness, disability and loneliness. And the very agencies receiving a bounty of assistance now will be scrambling to fill the needs. Hopefully, we will remember to carry our compassion through those days. We may not agree with life choices, government policies or how a perfect society should look. But we do need to understand we have a role to play -- and then play it, and teach our children by example. Ultimately, heroes are our last line of defence when tragedy strikes. And we need more of them. The Oakville Beaver wishes all our readers the peace and joy of the holidays. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. I know a wonderful six-year-old boy who is terribly disappointed his school won't be having its Christmas pageant this week because of the strike by teachers. He said the government and teachers were mean because this long-awaited event will be cancelled. Without going into detail, I sympathized with him on the situation. He said his mom had made robes for nothing. The following are wise words from a young mind -- more mature than that of those involved in this issue: He said the children should come first. And then, asked, "Why can't people be nice to each other?" I agreed with him but reassured him most adults are not mean. I am certain all of the teachers in Newtown, Connecticut would give anything to have all their babies present at a Christmas pageant. Shame on all those who put their interests ahead of those of the children they are supposed to serve. I personally don't care who is right or wrong -- simply that the system is once again failing our children -- especially at this time of year. Eileen Higgins, Oakville Students first Letter to the editor Fight against Bill 115 is one for democracy Re: Repeal Bill 115: Halton Public Board, The Oakville Beaver, Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 In the Dec. 14 edition of the Beaver, you published an article in which the Halton District School Board called on the Government of Ontario to repeal Bill 115. The article rightly states the bill freezes wages, removes sick days and also removes collective bargaining by imposing contracts. Understandably, public school teachers are upset by having their right to bargain removed, however, the real issue here is that the Ontario government has put itself above the law by including clauses, which prevent any portion of the bill being challenged in court. From the Act: "The Ontario Labour Relations Board shall not inquire into, or make a decision on whether a provision of this Act is constitutionally valid or is in conflict with the Human Rights Code." Also: "No steps shall be taken to have a court question, review, prohibit or restrain any consultation, review or approval process prescribed or initiated under this Act at the Minister's or Lieutenant Governor in Council's discretion." These are unacceptable steps, which gives this provincial government dictatorial, if not regal, powers. If this law stands, it paves the way for future governments to dictate carte blanche any policy it sees fit, regardless of human rights. Imagine an NDP government, which could simply mandate every business must pay 20 per cent of its profit directly to a central union. Or picture a Conservative government, which can dictate that every business and employee must direct a yearly stipend to the local business association; or even a government that places restrictions on who can work. This is what this law sets precedent for. Hate public school teachers and their unions all you want, but as a citizen living in a democracy, you should be protesting with them. Neal Shaw, Oakville