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- . 2 VIEWPOINT, by John B. McClellan | + T THE NEVERENDUM GOES ON AND ON Just when it appeared as if the country was getting a welcome. respite from the nerverendum squabble with Quebec over separation, the federal government has jumped in with "both feet to muddy the already murky, waters. What exactly is going on in the mind of Prime Minister Jean Chretien who on one day last week told the Commons that Quebec could never separate because it is against the Constitution and, of all things, international law. - And the next day he appeared to ¥ reverse this line of thinking in an interview with Good Morning America (taped before his Commons remarks) that the rest of Canada would not stop Quebec from leaving Canada if the results of a referendum were clearly in favour of the Yes side. He went on to say that a Yes vote on separation would need to be more than just a simple majority of 50 per cent plus one vote. Rather un-democratic, I suggest. Can't help but,wonder if any Liberal candidate~in the next election would turn down a victory if the vote was just 50 per cent plus one. Not too likely. But that's off the track here. What is clear is that Chretien's thinking on this issue appears to be muddled and badly formed. . *How can he say one thing to an American television show, and then turn around the next day and tell the people of Canada through the Commons essentially Ye opposite? To complicate things even more, the federal government has decided to intervene in a court challenge lodged by a Montreal lawyer who believes that a referendum in Quebec is against the law, and thus any outcome of a referendum would be null and void. . . No such chgllenge in the courts was lodged by Ottawa in the two previous referendums (1980 and 1995) s0 just why the federal government has decided to get involved in one now is a mystery to. everyone except presumably the PM and his Justice Minister Allah Rock. So what if the courts rule that yes indeed a referendum is technically illegal under the Constitution? If the people of Quebec decide to separate, are they going to stopped by some quaint legality? Hardly. No matter what the law may say, the people of Quebec will speak through the ballot box, and last time I checked, a majority in a democratic clegion means 50 per cent plus one vo The reaction by Quebec Premier Lucien Bouchard to all this has been totally predictable, of course. He cancelled a one-on-one meeting withe Chretien and is making noises about staying away from a first ministers conference this summer. Can't say as I blame him. The federal government, through the . apparent contradictory statements from Chretien and its foolish meandering in a court case, is showing a paucity of clear, thinking on an issue that should have been relegated to the back burner for the time being while the country gets on with other isspes such as sorting out the economic mess that be-devils just.about everyone. MORE DAFFY STUFF: 1 can hardly believe" reports that Ontario may stop prosecuting all but the more serious¢riminal cases. If carried through it could mean that such things as home and business break and enters may not be prosecuted unless crown attorneys feel the evidence is so strong they are virtually assured of a conviction. It would be an open season on home owners and small business operators who already are feeling the pain of the smash and grab gangs who walk in, take what they want and often leave the place in an utter shambles. I have talked to people who have' lost thousands of dollars worth of possessions in a home B and E. Aside from the material loss, they all say they felt as if they had been violated by this intrusion into their very homes, And there is.a chance. that the perpetrators of such vile crimes may not even be hauled into court? That is an outrage, in my view. The reason cited is a lack of money for the crown attorneys offices (what else is new in common sense Ontario). I would think that most people in this province would not be-grudge a few more of their tax dollars going to unish law breakers, especially thobe who violate the sanctity of one's home. IN CLOSING: More than one commentator has mentioned that in light of the Dorothy Joudrie trial, there appears to be a law for white, wealthy, middle-aged, females. She's the wealthy, Calgary socialite who got off on a charge of attempted murder on the grounds she was in some kind of "robotic" state of mind when the pumped six bullets into her husband, a high powered businessman with numerous 'blue chip Canadian companies. Her team of defense lawyers convinced the jury of 11 females and one male that Joudrie was not responsible for her actions. Yes, she was the victim of much physical abuse during her marriage and no doubt she was depressed at the pending divorce, but where is the line at which a person must ultimately také responsibility for his or her actions. Would a person of more modest means be able to mount such a legal defense with all the complex psychiatric testimony by experts in this field? One has to wonder. Seugos Citizen -- Wednesday, May 1996 -- 9 ) [LETTERS 10 ED TOR| 'Do all the aborted babies not count for anything? To, The Editor: On Tuesday, May 14th, I was watching the news and a story came on about a . kitten that had just died. Apparently, this kitten, along with his sibling, had been buried alive. The kittens were discovered and efforts were made to keep the kittens alive, but one of the two died. It is disturbing to think that someone could bury two newborn kittens alive and most would agree that it was a very cruel thing to do. Yet my mind drifted elsewhere; to all the unborn babies that are killed by abartion each day across our country and around the world. A kitten dying receives news coverage on TV and yet most of us say nothing and think nothing about these precious babies who are murdered each day. Many argue that it is a woman's right; her choice. The baby is better off dead anyway, afterall: he would be an inconvenience to the mother and cramp her lifestyle. The excuses and reasons go on and on. Yet society agrees that the man who buried his kittens had no right to do that, that it was downright cruel, and if he really did not want the kittens, there are many people who gladly would have taken ther and cared for them. But weren't the kittens his? Does he not have the right to do what he pleases with his pets? Afterall, they may have been a nuisance, to him. No, of course not! He should not hurt or injure animals in that way. , Somy question is, why is it not the same with unborn babies - who are human beings? Are they not important? Do they. not cont? In God's eyes they do! LY God tells us in His Word - the Bible - that babies are a gift from God. Psalm 127:4 says, "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, ehildren a reward from Him." (NIV). There are many couples who would love . to adopt a baby if the mother felt that she could not care for him herself. So, let's look at ourselves and see where our priorities are. Do we care for precious unborn babies more than we care about kittens? We shotild! God does! Sincerely, E. Steele, Prince Albert Parents should look at Family Life video To the Editor: In reference to the letter "SAC Endorsed Curriculum" pertaining to the Family Life Studies in our Durham schools, the issue isn't whether or not the S.A.C. Committee approves, it's that the parents should see beforehand what their children will be viewing. As we all know, videos can be much more explicit than a lesson taught in class. It is very mportant for ®ach parent of a student in Grades 1 and 2, 5and 6, 7 and 8 to know what their children will be seeing and learning. In order to make an informed decision, be sure to review the whole content of the program including thé videos. We are fortunate to have the choice of whether or not our/children participate. J. Hatchins Port Perry PS. The 8.A.C. Committee, according to the letter, "unanimously" approved the curriculum but hadn't yet viewed the videos (as they were sent back to the Board Office)., Shirley's perfect hand While visiting in Windsor over the past weekend, Shirley Jeffréy of Port Perry was dealt a perfect cribbage hand. This is something that may only happen once in a lifetime. Ea She said, "I have been playing cribbage for nearly forty years and something I always hoped would happen but usually just dreamt about. I had to look at my hand two or three times to maké sure it was real. It was an absolutely thrilling experience. My opponent was also excited as he had never seen a perfect hand before." Join the weekend line-up Some decent weaher at last over the Victoria Day Weekend brought the * boaters to Lake Scugog In large numbers. The Municipal boat launching facility was a busy spot Saturday morning, but, the boaters saved a little money as the Township fee for launch program has not yet started.