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PAGE A4 ♦ THE CANADIAN STATESMAN ♦ June 7,2006 Tim Whittaker Publisher Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief 'Chris Bovie Managing Editor Fred Eismont Director of Advertising Eddie Kolodziejcak Classified Advertising Manager Kirk Bailey Distribution Manager Lillian Hook Office Manager Janice O'Neil, Cheryl Haines Composing Managers Todd Blayone Interactive Media Manager Clarington's Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1854 Efje Cnitabiatt Statesman Opinion | JUNE 7, 2006 durhamregion.com Phone 905-579-4400 Classifieds 905-576-9335 Distribution 905-579-4407 General Fax 905-579-2238 Newsroom Fax 905-579-1809 E-Mail newsroom@durhamregion.com 865 Farewell St., Oshawa ON L1H 7L5 Publications Mail Registration No. 07637 infodurhamregion.com EDITORIAL e-mail letters to ncwsroom@durliamregion.com Let justice decide on terrorism suspects ,. THBTRE QNT0X&, then m> e OURhAmNOUfc toXJM ALL CMRWNCtfV It's not every day an event with a Durham Region connection is a front-page story around the world. But news that 17 terrorist suspects suspects were being held overnight at the Ajax-Pickering detachment detachment of the Durham Regional Police Service last Friday was enough to give every Canadian ■ pause. The suspects were picked up after a massive two-year-long investigation. In addition to 12 adults there are five others who are under the age of 18 and who cannot be identified under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Among the evidence presented by police was that the suspects had access to three tonnes of ammonium nitrate, three times the amount of ammonium nitrate which killed 168 people in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. A couple of points are important important to remember. As in all cases, the suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. These suspects are all charged under the Criminal Code of Canada, Canada, and unlike some others who have been shipped off to fof- eign lands to be dealt with under shady provisions of international law, those detained in this situation situation will get their proper day in court. The second point is that none of the suspects are Durham Region residents. Having said that, these charges are extremely serious with the investigation involving some 400 officers from various forces and the impact of the operation of international significance. While little has yet been revealed regarding targets, timing, timing, and tactics of this alleged terrorist group, the possibility of Toronto-area sites for destruction cannot be dismissed. The wider problem of terrorist terrorist .threats in our midst has the potential to lead, to racial profiling profiling and a backlash which some would use as an excuse to spread anti-Muslim propaganda and bigotry. It must be remembered that . those who would choose.to create create terror among its are a tiny proportion of a much larger community. community. The chance to sow dissension regarding immigration policies and an attack on visible minorities minorities in Canada should be resisted by all Canadians in the wake of these arrests. Reports of vandalism at one GTA mosque following the arrests are depressing and hopefully hopefully those perpetrators will be found and charged. Above all else, we must not allow our open and democratic way of life to be tainted by threats of terrorism. We must be vigilant yes, but we must also hold true to our. ideals ideals as a multicultural society, to being a country that welcomes all races and colours to our shores. If we change who we are, then the terrorists will have won. ... \N£ MAI NBÉDANBIN STOOdB,,, VOLFByAS eROMEA LIABILITY v i ? CLICK AND SAY Today's question: Are you worried about à terrorist terrorist attack taking place in Durham Region? Yes No Cast your vote online at infodurhamregion.com Last week's question: Do you plan to contribute to help disaster victims in Indonesia? No 91.8% Yes 8.2% Votes cast: 256 HAVE YOUR SAY What do you think of the provincial smoking ban? dofighan.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR BACKWARD GLANCE Standard Bank, Orono Photo supplied by Clarington Museum and Archives Orono's branch of the Standard Bank opened during the early 1900s. In 1928, The Standard Bank was absorbed into the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). Blood donations needed now To the editor: Re: Blood, it's in me to give,' Feb. 26. . It's always interesting to read another story about a first time donor's visit to a Canadian Blood Services clinic. We know that Chris Hall survived survived the donation process as he was able to file his story after- 1 wards. / What lie failed to comment on was whether or not he could "muster tip the courage" again to repeat the donation and this time without drawing the short straw. A person can make a whole blood donation every 56 days. ' With National Blood Donor Week (June 12-16) fast approaching, now would be an opportune time to make the commitment and roll up the sleeve again. Checking on the CBS website, there's another Port Perry clinic planned on World Blood Day, June 14, that Chris could return to if he's overdue and eligible to donate now. , There are also many other clinics clinics scheduled all around Durham Region on a regular basis. As a long-time donor I urge Chris and other casual donors to return to a clinic now. With the summer vacation season fast approaching, whole blood will be in great demand. Donating now can help ensure the blood supply system doesn't fall too far below normal levels. Plus, if you donate a minimum four times a year, you can participate participate in the Donors For Life Recognition Program. There's no greater satisfaction ,, knowing you can help save a life by ensuring blood products are available to others in their time of need with this small commit- c-mail letters to ncwsroom@durhamregion.com • ment. Blood, it's in you to give... so please offer your vitality now. JoanneHanrahan Whitby Movie critic lets beliefs get in way of review To the editor: Re: Recent releases serve up boredom, boredom, delight, John Foote column, May 26. Is John Foote a film critic or a religion critic?. . I read his first column prior to the release of The Da Vinci Code where he wondered about the faith of those who questioned the movie. But I was surprised that, after seeing seeing it, he used five paragraphs to rant -- not about The Da Vinci Code - but about everything from an experience as an eight-year old in Sunday School to his "you can't make me believe" spiel. Could it be that Mr. Foote is religious - he just worships his unbelief! ■ It seems to me that he used his column to pick a bone, which means that somewhere along the way hé lost perspective. That must be why he cannot see '.that the questions of that eight- year-old boy are just as relevant as those asked by others concerning the movie. Now it is where these questions lead to that makes all'the difference difference on both sides. Where have your questions led you, Mr. Foote? If you have the. answer, one would not know by your position. And if you don't, then look again at the Christian faith with a credible credible minister of the gospel. Otherwise, when another movie of this nature is released, it may bring you back to this very place. And that would definitely be a bust for those who aren't interested in hearing about you, but about the movie. Renaejarrett Whitby Cats shouldn't have free rein To the editor: Why is it that cats can run free ■ at all times? My dog is walked, daily. He is tied up on a line that gives him the whole backyard to run around. When one of us is out.my dog can be loose until a cat walks by then he runs away after it. There are at. least three cats that walk around my street. They know how far my dog can go so they stay back about a foot from him. Or* they sit on my front , porch to tease him some more. I understood that cats were to be tied up like dogs not running around free. What is a person to do? 1 Beth Bryan Oshawa Norm Bacon "It's a great move. They should ban smoking altogether." Matthew Heartz "I don't like it.". Linda Baker "As a reformed smoker, I thin! it is unfair. People should be allowed to make choices for themselves." LETTERS We welcome letters that include name, city of residence and phone numbers for verification. Writers are generally limited to 20.0 words and one submission submission in 30 days. We decline announcements, poetry, open letters, consumer complaints, congratulations and thank you notes. The editor reserves the right to edit copy for length, style and clarity. The newspaper newspaper contacts only those people people whose submissions have been chosen for publication. FAX: 905-579-1809; E-MAIL: Newsroom ©durhamregion. com. , Inaction of governments puzzling Seems like heels are dug in deeper than roots of plants According to some professional professional foresters, the forest on the Orono Crown Lands is suffering from one of the worst cases of (log-strangling vine they've ever seen, The plant threatens regeneration of the forest, because it grows to be so dense as to compete and overwhelm ground vegetation. Other invasives, like Scots Pine and European Buckthorn, are also a problem. But, the Oroiio Crown Lands Trust has come up with a strategy strategy it hopes' will help deal wilh the species: the volunteer organization organization would like to buy a Jennifer Stone wood-chipper, wilh which members members could chip wood, maybe even the problem Scots Pine and Buckthorn. The chips could then be used as mulch to try to discourage growth of the invasives. The OCLT had applied to a federal federal program, aimed at research, education and prevention of further further spread, but even though the program was to start in the early spring, the new government hasn't moved on it. The group also applied for a $5,000 grant from the Municipality Municipality of Clarington, and came within a whisker of gelling it," But, though the majority of councillors councillors voted in favour of reconsidering reconsidering the grant, after it had initially been turned down when council said such a purchase should be a provincial responsibility, responsibility, it lost on a technicality. The Municipality has, however, offered an interest-free loan to the cash-strapped Trust, which the group's board is to discuss at its June meeting. A letter sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources; the actual owner of' (he lands (though management management is left to the OLCT) resulted in a response that was lcss-than-hopcful. Essentially, the letter said, the chipper was the OCLT's idea and MNR has no position on it. So, the OCLT has struck out with all three levels of government, government, in what seems to be a multi-level pissing match. What's . the group to do? There's an identified problem - no one disputes that. But no one, with the exception of the volunteer organization, seems to want to deal with it. And the volunteer group certainly certainly shouldn't have to bcout- of-pockct to deal with a problem on government-owned lands. . On a lengthy tour of the forest forest wilh OCLT chairman John Slater, it was evident the majestic forest was well-used and well- cared for by the Trust, "We're fortunate," said Mr. Slater, "to have something like this so close to the city" He's absolutely right. . The forest is an absolute jewel for the residents of the area. But, the future is a little uncertain right now, given the invasive species that arc so very obviously obviously making their mark. Someone needs to step up to the plate here, before it's loo late, and it really should be the Province, which owns the land. But, barring that, some other level should help out, since regardless of which level it is, the users of the forest arc, by and large, their constituents. Reporter Jennifer Stones column appears every other Wednesday. E-mail js1onc@diirhainrcgion. com.. MikeToushan "It's a very good idea. They should ban smoking entirely." The Canadian Statesman is one of the Metroland Printing Publishing and Distributing group of newspapers. The Statesman is a member of the Bowmanville Clarington Board of Trade, the Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Commerce, Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Canadian Community Newspaper Assoc., Canadian Circulations Circulations Audit Board and the Ontario Press Council. The publisher reserves the right to classify or refuse any advertisement. Credit for advertisement advertisement limited to space price error occupies. Editorial and Advertising content of the Canadian Statesman is copyrighted. Unauthorized reproduction reproduction is prohibited.