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As I see it by Peter Jaworski Nervous in the U.S. A lot can be forgiven when a nation's heart rate quickens. Policies that typically would not pass muster under normal circumstances, circumstances, suddenly become somewhat appealing. When fear is the motivator, cooler heads do not always prevail. Such is the case with U.S. policies with respect to Canada. As of late, growing strictures and threats have become the norm. Canadians, suddenly, are receiving greater scrutiny. The U.S. has taken to criticizing criticizing Canadian border patrol methods. This is somewhat unusual. They have also raised their ears and furrowed their brows at recent liberalizing efforts with respect to marijuana. marijuana. They've complained about a number of policies that are anathema to some in the U.S. This is, of course, understandable. understandable. Our response to U.S. concerns was, initially, serious and considerable. We would pause over our policies, and pay more than mere lip service to U.S. expressions of dislike. Then Francois Ducros, an aide to Chretien, called the American President a moron. Oh, and Jean Chretien didn't accept her initial offer of resig- nation-eventually he did, after international attention forced his hand. And with respect to marijuana marijuana and other domestic policy issues, our official response has been, to paraphrase Chretien, "none of your business." We will do what we like and you can't tell us what to do. Nah-riah, nah, nah-nah-nah. (Tongue out, with the thumbs of both hands, fingers outstretched, firmly at our temples.) How quickly things have changed. In the moments just after September 11th, Canadians were united in expressing affection for our Southern neighbour. We hung flags in store windows, expressed sympathy, and visited a throng of people on our nation's capital with numbers unparalleled by any Canada Day. I was there when a hum turned into a thunderous rendition rendition of the American National Anthem. (Followed, appropriately appropriately enough, by an equally heartfelt "Oh, Canada"). Could you believe it? An event made more stunning stunning by the fact that, historically, historically, we've displayed a sort of contempt contempt for Americans. A latent distrust and anger at being associated associated as similar internationally. Witness the support for Trudeau's public scorn for his U.S. counterpart (Reagan, that is). Or the popularity of a beer commercial that identifies us in relation to what we are not--not American. Things have come full circle. I'm in the midst of all of this. Waiting on my Social Security Number, typing this column at a public computer terminal at Dartmouth University, in New Hampshire. Crossing the border has become a chore I will avoid as much as possible. Three or four looks. Extra attention paid to my passport and identification. Which isn't so bad, I haven't done anything wrong after all. But you get a sense of unease about it. And you realize that a technicality could keep you in Canada, even if you have important business in the States. I'm seeking to work here for the next little while. Doing research for a Vermont Law School professor on depression amongst Law School students and whether or not teaching methodology might help the problem. Neat stuff. Every second day or so I meet a fellow Canadian. We talk hockey, maple syrup, Peter Mansbridge and Jean Chretien. Somewhere in the conversation you begin to recognize a similar pattern all of us Canadians share. Its in the way our chests rise and fall. We are all of us holding our breaths. Peace rally in Cobourg Two Northumberland County men have taken up the cry for peace and have organized organized a rally in Cobourg this Saturday, February 15,2003. The outdoor peace rally will begin downtown in front of Cobourg's Victoria Hall with music at 12:30 p.m. followed by speeches at 1 p.m. from local churches and union groups. Organizers also plan to present Northumberland MP Paul Macklin with an anti-war- petition to take to Ottawa. Following the rally, organ- Viewpoint izers Stan Muldoon of Port Hope and Henry Wiersma of Cold Springs plan to lead a police escorted peaceful march west on King Steet and north on William Street to the County Courthouse building. Bussing will be available to bring marchers back downtown. downtown. Organizers invite people from the surrounding areas to join them, to be part of the peace movement and voice their calls for peace. This peace rally coincides with the International Day of Action against a war on Iraq. by Alex Iraq and Turkey bus driver "Damn the U.S. and damn Iraq," said the Turkish bus driver, driver, waiting for the train to pass carrying military equipment to Iraq's border. A friend of mine living in Turkey, who was on that bus, told me this as part of an e-mail she had sent. It seems that somehow, on the road to fighting terrorism, the world has taken the wrong road. The United States is bent on war at all costs, so-much-so, that their propaganda machine isn't going to let us be confused by the facts. United Nation's Resolution 1441 requires the co-operation of Iraq in the disarmament process. Iraq isn't cooperating to the degree it should but this doesn't mean you should drop bombs on the innocent people of Iraq. But this is what is going to happen. The so-called militaiy experts can talk all they like in terms of a strategic war, as if dropping bombs from 50,000 feet disassociates those pulling the trigger from the result. But there is no such thing as an antiseptic war. People get killed either directly or because of human error. Here in Canada we've learned the meaning of and understand the tragedy found in the terms "friendly fire," and human error. Does the breach of U.N. Resolution 1441 have to mean { Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February 12,2003 - 5 vehicles, aircraft carriers, missiles missiles and bombers waiting around for so long. Therefore, as I write this, war seems inevitable although totally totally unnecessary. So where does the United States National Security Strategy lead us? I think if you mix it with poverty, religion, and war you produce a recipe for death and destruction that can go on for years if not decades. When this war happens it is just a continuation of the U.S. led war effort in the Persian Gulf a decade ago. A foreign policy created by George Bush Jr., sitting sitting on the weakest of cornerstones cornerstones I might add, that says Dad didn't finish off Saddam so I will. By the way Kuwait is no more a democracy and free society than it was before the Persian Gulf War which shoots any humanitarian argument argument down in flames. Religion, war and poverty will bring us back on the road to terrorism. We now know you don't have to be a nuclear physicist to produce chemical weapons. The Oklahoma bombing was accomplished using fertilizer as part of the SHEPHERD continued page 9 Bricks continued from page 4 recurring mould problem. The Board was successful in its search for a new location, hopefully the newly renovated renovated shelter will be open by the end of May, 2003. For more information on how you can contribute call Bethesda House at 905-623- 6045, extension 410. A volunteer volunteer will return your call. St. George's Anglican Church Valentine Tea Pie Sale & Nearly New Clothes Saturday, February 15 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Parish Hall Mill & Edward Sts. Newcastle Come out and buy your favorite pie, new-to-you clothes and then stay and enjoy a delicious bowl of soup, sandwiches and squares for only $6.00 EVERYONE WELCOME Shepherd, MP Durham war? Well, it doesn't. What a breach means is that diplomacy has to work harder. We all agree that Saddam Hussein is a despot and to many who live in Iraq a cmel dictator. This leads me to believe the objective of the United Nations is to ensure Iraq does not threaten threaten its neighbours. To most people it is clear that at this time Iraq doesn't have the means to launch a war. It is also clear that United Nation's Chief Weapons Inspector, Dr. Hans Blix, formerly a Swedish diplomat, diplomat, as well as, a host of others, believe they can get enough concessions from Saddam to prevent a war. But this doesn't seem to please the hawks in Washington. The United States National Security Strategy, and First Strike Doctrine, makes the unilateral unilateral invasion of unfriendly regimes a stated policy. But the strategy and doctrine is defective defective and has the potential of destabilizing international relations. relations. It also justifies the United States' penchant to be the bully when it feels the need to. The deployment of troops just outside of Iraq's border means there is going to be an invasion. And there becomes a kind of inertia with it all since you can only keep troops, guns, Beginner Watercolour Classes April 7 - May 12 at the Buncombe Studio, Orono 905-983-5731 Wedding Cakes Cakes for a\\ Occasions Pastries - Donuts - Pies a # • Bread & Buns f 7--' 905-983-9779 • Main Street, Orono Proprietors: Gary & Carol Vrccker Closed Sunday and Monday Is the party finally over? If you are concerned about your own, or someone else's use of alcohol or drugs, the Drug and Alcohol Registry of Treatment (DART) can guide you to the help you need. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. „•>' .... X ' , ; u"j Aft nhoi Rnq.-,t' / n 1 ■ 1! ' A. I .«* *•! lb oui R»*p.'■ 1 " 1-800-565-8603 .DART.ON.CA