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Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, January 11,1995 3 Thanks for Helping PLAN International Succeed in '94 Dear Editor: I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year and to thank Ontarians Ontarians who helped PLAN International Canada make a difference in 1994. Even though times had been tough in recent years, Ontarians have continued continued to generously support less fortunate fortunate children around the world. Here are just a few examples of what your assistance has accomplished accomplished in 1994. Through a small business development program in Mali, West Africa, nearly 1,100 families families have increased their income and arc now able to feed and clothe their children. To help stop the spread of AIDS, 526 villagers in Burkina Faso (also in West Africa) were trained and now provide AIDS education in 48 villages. After their homes had been destroyed by typhoons, villagers in Cagayan, Philippines; together with PLAN'S technical assistance; built 499 typhoon-resistant homes. Caring Ontarians support 45,526 Foster Children in 30 developing countries through PLAN International, International, an organization founded in 1937 as Foster Parents Plan. They join other other Canadians in supporting 100,000 children, their families, and communities. communities. In fact, the actual number of people indirectly benefitting from by Laura J. Richards Second Chance Through Animal Adoption Continued from Page One "If you lose your pet, make an ef- many of the pets had either run fort to find it," she says. This can be away or been hit by cars, done through newspaper ads and "The screening process is not for notices on public bulletin boards, us to be nosing into what people's Wandering pets who wind up at the fives are like. It just gives us a pound often go unclaimed. chance to shed some light on what Durham Animal Adoption gets kind of a pet would make a good calls from people who feel they match and make people aware of have to give up their pets for a va- their responsibilities." riety of reasons. Perhaps the owner Animal selection is a personal is moving into an apartment, or choice, Armstrong believes. And there seems to be incompatibilities, she worries about the practice of Perhaps someone develops allergies, giving pets as gifts. Some owners don't want the vet "We are very picky. We want to bills. Some don't have the time. make sure the pet is being adopted "People should think of the re- for the right reasons and not just be- sponsibüities -- physical, emotion- cause someone couldn't find the al, and financial -- before making a right size sweater at Sears." decision to adopt." For gift-givers certain that a pet Durham Animal Adoption pro- would be an ideal addition to a vides ample information and sup- friend or relative's life, Armstrong port to help adoptive families wel- suggests wrapping up a leash or pet come a new pet into their lives. food certificates instead. Volunteers work with potential She expects another big pet pop- adoptees first to determine what would be an appropriate breed or age. Recently, Durham Animal Adop- ulation boom in the early spring and hopes that a loving home will be found for every puppy and kitten. If you would like to adopt, or tion implemented a screening pro- would be willing to be a foster cess for adoptees because, in the care provider, please call 263- past, follow-up calls showed too 8915 or 623-0770. that support tops 1 million. Contributions Contributions are used to teach people how to help themselves. Thank you again. Without your concern thousands of children would be facing 1995 without hope. Sincerely, Mrs. Paula M. McTavish National Director PLAN International Canada. Reader Upset By Cable T.V. Sales Tactics Dear Sir: I would like to ask all your readers, readers, friends and families to call or write to your Member of Parliament. Parliament. You may ask, what has happened to push this mild-mannered, happily-married happily-married family man over die edge. Well, I will tell you - Rogers Cable! Let me give you a few examples of what may be in store for us if we let Rogers Cable impose these negative negative techniques: 1. Take these 7 channels we never never asked you if you wanted, give us the extra money or we will take away the best channels we give you now, and, by the way, if you do not call us, you will get them anyway. 2. Pay us the money for these 2 Nuclear Reactors now, or we will reduce the output of the area we have, and freeze the money out of you. 3. Give us all your pocket money and I will make sure no one hurts you. Recognize an old enemy, my friends? Andrew Jamieson, Quinn Drive, Bowmanville. Goodbye to Mr. Rogers There has been a lot of discussion discussion about Rogers Cable and its plans for your cable bill. Seems to me, a non-cable subscriber, subscriber, that you're all being taken for a ride. What I can't figure out is why people would pay hard-earned cash to watch the tube, when, with rabbit ears and a TV placed in the right room, you can get up to five channels. channels. While those of you battle with Mr. Rogers on one level, I am still battling on another level -- the increased increased mail requesting that I "tune into cable." Why should I invest in cable television television when I can go to the local video store, pick up the latest movies, movies, or oldie-but-goodie movies and go home? I pay for the entertainment entertainment up front and don't pay service fees, black box rental fees, and all the other fees those with cable pay. When I lived at home, our television television was on almost all the time. My mother was a television watcher. She was constantly switching from news and sewing programs. She became became an addict. She was a "channel surfer." It always seemed that you would just be getting into a program when she would flick the remote control and we would be off. Many people become addicted to the telly. I have a friend who cannot carry on a conversation with other people if there is a television on in the same room. Her eyes become glued to the set and she loses any conscious thoughts she might have had before sitting in the room. With only a couple of favorite programs, beside the news, I don't see the need to have more than two basic channels. Sure there are those parents who will say having more channels will keep the children quiet longer. Well, to me that means the TV is raising the kids, not the adults. When I was a kid, we only had two channels. In fact, we had a black and white television until I reached high school. Most people think it is a hardship to watch black and white movies (now they are col- ourized to gain a wider audience), let alone own a b&w television set. (I remember watching my first glimpse of Donny Osmond on the Flip Wilson show when I was a teenager on our black and white set!) Anyway, back to Mr. Rogers and the cable television controversy. Hey folks instead of whining and complaining, just tell Mr. Rogers to "take a hike," and cut the umbilical cord to your screen. You'll never know what you will discover...things like hobbies, watching local sports at the arenas, quality time with your kids or pets or with your companion. You might discover a world at your front door and a neighbor to boot. Imagine that! By telling Mr. Rogers good-bye you may even free up enough money money to take in a movie (remember movie theatres?) and take your sweetie out. Can you imagine the freedom? I can, and it's great! "High Technology Danger Zone" Everywhere we turn, we're being bombarded bombarded by the introduction of computers and the information highway. I've referred many times to the effects it will have on the newspaper industry during during the past year, as high tech equipment fills the trade magazines that cross my desk. Each month a new piece of electronic electronic wizardry is introduced proclaiming the many benefits of digitized images that are predicted to turn our traditional newspaper equipment into fossils. In the December issue of Equinox, an article by Tony Leighton describes how digital magic is remaking reality. Just to show you how powerful this technology can be, according to the Equinox article, "Shortly after O.J. Simpson's arrest on June 17, the Los Angeles Police Department released a now infamous photograph photograph that appeared on the covers of both Time and Newsweek. It's not a particularly particularly striking image. Simpson is being arraigned arraigned at a courthouse. He is obviously tired and shaken. What's significant is what Time did to it. The magazine's art department used a computer to "process" the image digitally, darkening Simpson's features and his day-old beard and making the background details appear indistinct and shadowy. The result is unmistakably sinister. Time's Simpson looked more threatening than Newsweek's." Time's manipulation of the O.J. Simpson photo is just one example of the fears being generated by new technology. Another digitized photo in Newsday was created to show skaters Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan skating together shortly after the "knee-bashing" incident. Even though digital imaging is still in its infant stages, already we have the ability ability to change reality with a few swift strokes of the keyboard. And because of that, news photography has become just another of the many things we have to mistrust. "One of Those 'Guy' Things" While on the subject of computers and the information highway, critics of the futuristic futuristic newspaper technology have always always said that it will never be accepted because because you won't be able to read it on the "subway or in the washroom." To counter this, a company south of the border has developed a computerized "tablet" newspaper that is about the size of a slate board used in schools years ago. It looks very much like a modern-day Etch- a-Sketch, and costs about $2,000. When in full production, it should drop to about $200. The makers of the "tablet" are predicting predicting than within a generation there will be a complete switch from traditional newspapers newspapers to the digital format. Using the "tablet," the newspaper subscriber of the future will be able to go ta(\jnachine similar similar to a computerised Insta-Teller. A card will be inserted, a-number punched in, and the latest edition of the newspaper will be downloaded onto the card which will then be inserted into the "tablet." Check the screen and the front page of the paper appears as it normally does with colour photos, stories, and an index of the inside sections. Click on the section you want...and presto...it appears. Using this technology, the problem of using it on the "subway and the washroom" has been resolved. resolved. Then again, was it ever a problem? When writing about the "tablet," our national newspaper association president, Joyce Carlson, was surprised to hear the new technology being pooh-poohed by fellow publishers, because it still wouldn't be accepted as a way to read the newspaper newspaper while sitting on the toilet. Joyce went to say, "Personally, I like to spend as little time on the toilet as possible. possible. When I read a newspaper, I like to be on a comfortable chesterfield or in my favorite favorite chair, not perched on a toilet seat." O.K. ladies, see if Joyce's next comments comments ring true in your household. "Doing some quick research into the matter, / came to the conclusion this was more of a male phenomenon than a female one. I was told some men in offices will surreptitiously pick up the morning paper and disappear into the bathroom for an extended period of time. I decided they must hear short details of the previous night's game on the radio and must have more so they can talk intelligently with others for the rest of the day. One woman said her husband does the same thing at home. Evidently, the bathroom bathroom is the one room in the house men can disappear into and lock out the rest of the world. No one questions what they are do ing and for how long. Even so, it is still difficult for me to believe believe that anyone wants to sit on the toilet and read a newspaper." Sorry, Joyce, but I have to admit, there is something peaceful about quietly slipping slipping away from reality with a newspaper under one arm. After all, a man's throne is his castle. "Best One-Liner of the Week" On Sunday evening, Morgan, Kim and I were invited for dinner at the home of some new friends in Whitby. The reason given to our wives for the invitation was to have dinner so our families could get to know each other better. But, the real reason reason for the invitation was so that he and I could quietly slip out to the garage to inspect inspect his new toy...a classic 1970 Triumph TR6. We'd not been to their house before, so to make it easier to find, the garage door was left open to display the tail lights and exhaust system of the dark red British Leyland sports car. As we walked up the driveway, my eyes and brain were focused on the car, longing for a closer look. I was mesmerized by this British beauty on four wheels. Assuming Kim was looking at the car with the same intensity, I was shocked when she said, "Oooh, I like that porch!" She was not amused when I fired back with, "What...don't you know anything about classic cars? That's a TR6, not a Porsche!"