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u 2 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, December 11, 1996 VIOLENCE RNA CNES EVýERVONE Violence seems to becomlng more and more prevalent in our society. Friday night marked the seventh anniversary of the infamous Montreal Massacre where 12 women lost their lives at the hands of a crazed gurman (lie has received enough publicity; I wont mention his name here). Women's groups organized vigils across the country to lielp remember the lives cut short. Locally, a vigil was held at the Visuai Arts Centre in Bowmanville. Will we ever stamp out violence in society? 1 believe violence is a part of what makes us human. Most of us are able to suppress these tendencies and eventually grow beyond them; some people give into their baser urges. So no. 1 don't feel violence will ever be a thing of the past. People like that gunman act out their violent tendencies every day against women all over the world. But women are flot always the victims. In some incidents, its children that are the, vlctims. As horrifying as it is to read about a husband killing lis, wlfe, a woman he once supposedly loved, it is even more horrifying to read about some of the child abuse that goes on (perpetrated by both fathers and mothers). We aiso see other predators in society; Clifford Olsen killed children, Jeffrey Dahimer killed young men, etc. Cari we stop these people? Can we predict what will lurk in the hearts of a madman? We cari neyer protect everyone from violence. But certain things cari le done to lessen its effects. The proposed gun laws have been applauded by various groups across the nation as a way to curli violence. The effectiveness, of that legislation, in my mind, just means the criminal element lias to look a-little harder to get a gun. The, guriman.iii Montreal would have got lis liands on a gun one way or another, so driven by lis warped reality that lie was. It will lielp to cut down on crimes of passion, the acts of violence perpetrated on a loved one in the heat of the moment. Not liaving a gun-in the home may save someones life. so 1 cari see wliy tliey would applaud it. But those methods will not stop violence. What we need is a retumn to respect for other people, and a more loving attitude. As tlie world gets smaller via tlie information higliway and as technology makes it easier for us to expand our realms of influence, we become less involved witli the people around us. We do not care about our neighbours as we once liad, and soon we become virtual strangers to those around us. This lack of contact, of caring, is one of the prime motivators of violence. You lose respect for liumanity. and violence becomes easier. People point to violence in the media and on television as one contributing factor to the increase in violence in our lives. To a degree that is true. bri t a person would have to unstable aiready to suddenly start commiitting acts of violence simply becauise tliey saw it on television (even if they have seen it every day for years; their are plentyof people wlio watch uncouintable hours of violence on television who have neyer commiitted a violent act). The best that we can do is to try to live our owin lives as best we can. To quote Bill and Ted's Excellent Aciventure, "lie St. Saviour s Anglican Chu rch MILL STREET ORONO, ONTARIO Minister: Rev. Ann Tottenhamn Rectory 987-5678 - Church 983-5594 SUNDA YSER VICE, SUINDAY SCHOOL and YOUTH GROUP 9:30 ar. 1 ST & 3RD SUNDAY 0F MONTH HOLY COMM UNION excellent to eaich Oh (fluffy movie, gooci message). That maybe the only way to curb the violence that we seem everyday ail around us. WHERE Is THE WORLD HEAlDINO? During this time of wage claw-backs, company closings, downsizing, high taxes and record profits at the banks, we, the average citizen of Canada, are about to be hit over the head again. 1 was recently using a CIBC bank machine while in Oshawa and noticed a disturbing sign hanging on the wall. It said that as of January 1, interac charges will be going up fromn $1 to $1.25. A 25% increase in service charges! You try raising the cost of your produets by 25%- and see what happens to your business. Now 1 don't know what is going on at the other banks (I liaven't been to one) but if one bank is doing It. they probably al are. And they have us over a barrel on this one. Wliere would you keep vour money if not in a bank? Many companies now deposit your paycheck directly in your account as a way of cuttrng down chieque costs. Direct Payment machines are cropping up everywhere, encouraging us to use their service. Banks themselves are encouraging you to do antything you cari at the automated tellers, from updating your passbook (at some locations) to paying your bîls,, to just about everything. As the world become s more and more automated, people are depending on banks even more. 1Is the level of service increasing? No it is flot. Service may not lie bad (I have neyer had a real problemn with it) but I dont see any justification in a 25% service charge hike, especîally since banks are recording record profits (if they were struggling, then by ail means, but flot when most people are worried about their jobs). What can we do? Do we boycott banks? Not really an option. Will the govemmuent step in and regulate what essentially is a monopoly? (banks can pretty much charge what they want, especially if the larger ones act in collusion together by agreeing to raise their service charges unilaterally). Governments seemn to be unwilling to interfere with big business, unless it is to throw money at an unprofitable company because tliey owe someone a favour. Wliat will happen? I don't like the portends. As a student of history, I amn scared at the direction things are going, simply because we have seen it before. In the mid 1600's, the English beheaded their king as the parliamentarians struggled to wrest power away fromn the ruling elite. In 1789, the lower classes revolted against the privileges enjoyed by a select few, resulting in theFrencli Revolution and the destruction of the noble class in France. Just prior to that, in 1783, the American War of Independence ended, as that country struggled to free itself of the excessive taxes placed upon It by Great Britain. In 1848, Europe was plagued by revolutions as the lower classes rebelled against the capitalists that were making the lion's share of the profits on the backs of the working class. Out of these came the writings of Kari1 Marx and Friedrichi Engels; their Communis ft Manifesto would play a major role in the shaping of our present world. In 1917, the proletariat of Russia overthrew its feudal monarcliy to set up a commumist regime. simply because the poor could only take so much., The saine happened in China in 1949, and spread to neighbourlng areas, which tumned inito confliets in Korea (1950- 53) and Vietnam (1964-73). The people will only take so mucli. As people in our own country see their jobs disappearing and prices continue -to rise what will happen? Wliat happens when someone cannot afford to feed tliemselves or their family? What happens when the essentials of life become too expensive, simply because some corporation, or group of them, knowing that their services and products are essential. price themselves out of reach of the average person? A look back into history shows that it is not a pretty picture. I arn not saying that we are lieaded down this destructive path, but we have to open our eyes. Changes must be made. Things cannot be allowed to continue on their present path. If they do. our country may someday be included in the list of dates above. 1 wish 1 had the answers. 1 don't. Suffice to say that somewliere, something must lie done to change the way things are going. Otherwise who knows wliere we may be headed? continued fram page 1 ~I<1 ~.J~/[~Councillor David Scott asked ~ what stage the application for ~1.ES W-t Sthe demrolition permit was t Staff advised that the applica- tion was in, but more informa- tioni was needed fromn the Board kNOW Wbefore it could be processed. W1 P~ AIENT$*. Staff promised Council that -. they would be advised of the v- 1Uh1progress, as per Scott's earlier *1.1111'wishes. ORONO PASTORAL CHARGE Minister Rev. Mervyn Russel Marlene Risebrough, Secretary Church Office 983-5502 CHURCH SERVICES Sunday, Dec. l5th, 1996 Advent 3 Kirby United Church 9:30 arn Orono United Churcb 11:00 arn Pre-service hymn sing. Following the Kirby service we wilI be pack- ing our baskets for the shut-ins. Donations of jamn, juice boxes. cans of pop, candies homne baking, etc. would be appreciated. A.A. meets every Thursday 7:30 p.mn. I NEW HOURS effective JuIy 22196 until further notice Monday 9 -6 Tuesday 9 -6 Wednesday 9 -12:30 Thursday 9 -6 Friday 9 -6 Saturday 9 - 3 ORONO. ONTARIO 983-5009 Cassified Advertising Works! But Why Take Our Word For It. 1 Place One Today. 1 Kendal United Church Kendal, Ontario Sun. Dec. 15, 1996 Thse First Sunday in Advent, Worship & Sunday School 11:15 a. m. Sermon: Joseph: l'm flot Crazy! "Christmas Eve In A Village Church" Tues. Dec. 24, 1996 7:00 pin Newtonville United Church Family Candie Lit communion Pleasejoin us "a good place to be - a healthy place for children" Minister: Rev. David Black 786-2950