The Prince George Citizen -Friday, April 10,1992 - 5 Commentary
YOUR OPINION UNBC column sparks reader outcry Re: The NDP has sold out Lepine to help sway public opin-- UNBC. ion) will have completely dis Since the day Mr. Strachan and armed the only segment of society his party were denounced by the S t r a c h a n that might ever care, namely, the electorate, he has been waiting for law-abiding citizenry. the opportunity to use that head re-fighting The criminal element will of line — perhaps it would have course motor happily along with been more fitting to recycle a pre black market unregistered vious headline: Pathetic ramblings e l e c t i o n ? weapons (likely sold to them by. on UNBC (Right side Up — Jan. For the past few months, we’ve the Canadian government) as al 10 1992). ways. For the most part, his opinion read Bruce Strachan’s attempts to re-fight the election of 1991 with column can be ignored and little The media is generously helping is lost. However, there are twoa fair bit of amusement. the present Vemon hospital points which he attempts to pass His column has contained little putsch, too. How? Simply by per off as fact that cannot be left unmore than restatements of his petrating the standard planned challenged: First, CNC faculty arecampaign platform, a platform parenthood-generated lie that the. not, and never have been, in opwhich failed to convince the world is in danger of overpopula position to UNBC. Both Mr. Stra voters last October and is equally tion, when true statistics regarding, chan and The Citizen know better, unconvincing now. the major industrialized nations of yet they cling to words from an The columns are predictable. the world show exactly the op-' old debate about the original proThey lack the real analysis of posite is happening. In fact, the posal for a northern university public policy which a political only reason our populations are called the “ Dahlloff model” . Forcolumnist usually provides, and B o o n e R a m s e y S trach an growing at all is because of all the tunately, that idea is dead andusually are just simple statements people we’re practically begging northern British Columbia will of the Socred view of the world. education, appoint the implemenprovide you with material which events with thought and analysis to immigrate into our land. That likely have a proper university inHis latest column is an extreme tation planning group and other reflects a New Democratic view:rather than rhetoric. If he can’t, way they can artificially show stead of some fringe experiment example of this. It claims thatcommittees to advise him onWe assure you, it will be better then you should either balance hispopulation figures to back up their in post-secondary education. somehow our government hasUNBC, but Dr. Perry can’t. written than Mr. Strachan’s work. views with those of other political claims for justifying abortion. It is about time both Mr. Stra plans to reduce UNBC to “ sec This is the sort of rhetoric that But don’t pretend that Mr. Stra parties or stop publishing him ond-class status.” That’s almost might be expected from a grouchy chan presents anything other thanaltogether. And again: the standard level of ’ chan and The Citizen stop living awareness and righteous outrage funny. The column was written on member on the floor of thenarrow partisan views. — Lois Boone, MLA, in the past and stop publishing on the part of the Canadian pub-; their prejudices. the very day that Premier Har-legislature — and one the six surFor Mr. Strachan to be thought court led the ground-breaking viving members of Mr. Strachan’s of as a political columnist rather Prince George-Mount Robson lie? Nothing. And if an outcry’ Second, the personal attack on ever docs come, it’s immediately * Jan Cioe is similarly left overceremony for the independent andparty may soon be quoting bits ofthan a leftover Social Credit apol Paul Ramsey, MLA, autonomous University of North his ill-tempered ramblings. Butogist, he needs to stop re-fighting castigated in our popular press as from days gone by and has little Prince George North ultra right wing, racist, or their to do with UNBC. Dr. Cioe in a ern British Columbia. it’s not the sort of analysis exthese old battles. Other people Mr. Strachan goes on to accuse pected of a serious political have made the transition from Editor's note: The implementa latest catch-phrase: jingoist, (refers; highly respected academic and in to whomever is ready to get bel structor. His credentials include athe minister of advanced educacolumnist politician lo political commentator tion planning group was ap tion of “ political interference” in We also have to question The— Doug Fisher, Rafe Mair, even pointed by then-minister of ad ligerent about patriotism to one’s Ph.D. and two master’s degrees. country), whereupon, we, being of His service in all forms has althe affairs of the university by apCitizen’s decision to print Mr. Jim Neilsen. Mr. Strachan unforvanced education Stan Hagen in pointing the recent ministerial taskStrachan’s column. If you want to tunately has not. 1988 to determine whether a uni course very socially conscious ways been of the highest calibre where our own image is con and UNBC (and its communities) force to review northern post-secprovide B.C.’s political parties He should try to get some disversity was needed in the North. ondary education. What silliness. with free space — as some newstance on the past, admit the misThat group's recommendations cerned, are thus cowed into will be served similarly — we silence. Besides, “ we’re” all too should be grateful. Apparently Mr. Strachan could, papers in the province do —takes made by the government led he to legislation to set up when he was minister of advancedthat’s great. We will be glad towas part of and respond to currentUNBC. busy either drinking, carousing, The task at hand is to build the and partying, or we’re too busy university right the first time and desperately trying to make ends- electorate will hold it accountable jects they support in the commuvironment personnel that I’vestance. Here we have (or I should the recent interim governing coun meet financially (but most likely! for the development of the univernity on an ongoing basis. talked to responded with “ nosay, had) a democratically elected cil appointments will serve that both), to be bothered about such; end. sity. It is also one of the main reacomment” when I confronted hospital board, which, in response trivialities as the inconvenient, ba-; Mr. Strachan’s attack, on thesons why Prince George is unique them with the known scientific to the wishes of the folks who The council has been expanded bies that are mostly the result of- in that community spirit and sup to provide more balance and addmotives and goals of Dr. Cioe, fact that each and every thunderelected them, proceeded to ban our the drinking, carousing, and party-! port are still alive here. Thank youstorm creates more ozone than webrutal dismemberment (called seriously lacking expertise andwho in was appointed to the UNBC ing. But do we worry? Of course* sight. It is significant that Socred board, was quite unwarranted. Dr.Yellowhead Rotary, Marlin could possibly destroy with a milabortion) of helpless babies (con. not They’ve got that one covered,; lion aerosol cans. In other words, appointees were not dropped offCioe is an experienced academic, Travel, School District 57, veniently called “ products of contoo. After all, who wants to grow! familiar with the North and its edCanadian Airlines International one is left with the distinct imception,” in efforts to dehumanize the council, demonstrating the up as an unwanted child? Besides,! ucational needs. Moreover, he is NDP are not merely capturing and the Prince George Citizen. pression there’s something goingthem and thus make their murder at least one in a thousand might; control but wanting to do it right an alumnus of the University of A job well done. on, and it seems to be political, more palatable to our almost- be the result of incestuous rape/ — and nonpartisan. Western Ontario and of Cam — Const. R.G. Brown not scientific, though it loves tobankrupt social conscience) inright? ! We all want a quality university bridge University. Thus Dr. Cioe drug awareness co-ordinator, hide behind science. their hospital. and more access to degrees has and better qualifications to sit on Prince George Subdivision Consider another hoax that was So what does our democrati Margaret Sanger, the so-called; the board of UNBC than Mr. Stra blown out of all proportion by the cally-elected government do?“ radiant rebel” who started* degree completions that are mean Bike thieves ingful. Now that Mr. Strachan is chan possessed as the former min environmentalist-media coalition: Why, it immediately moves to displanned parenthood in America,! gone and the IGC is more ister of advanced education. Recently, on a quiet Sunday, The a PCB thing (remember?). annul all elected hospital boards, stated that planned parenthood’s! balanced, hopefully in addition to Mr. Strachan should recognize friend’s bike was stolen from beThe world was going to end to of course. They thus are disannullobjective is “ unlimited sexual; buildings, roads and ceremonies, that his political career is over andhind a food establishment in themorrow if all PCBs weren’t im ing democracy as well. And don’t gratification without the burden of; priorities will include students, that taking cheap shots at his olddowntown area. mediately banned. Well, PCBs arefor a minute think it’s only beunwanted children.” Ultimately! curriculum, learning and knowl foes isn’t going to help us get the It was a blue middle-of-the-line still here, and the world has notcause we now have the socialist given to drugs, alcoholism, and! edge. university we deserve and 10-month for old mountain bike. The ended, but lots of political things hordes in power. I clearly rememmysticism, Sanger’s final years; — John English which he also fought long and owner had parked it in that same have happened regarding theber thcn-Socred Premier Ritawere marked by depression, bitter-; president hard. place hundreds of times before, government’s ability to interfere Johnson saying she was putting ness, and lunacy. But I guess! CNC Faculty Assn. — Simon Rappaport beginning from last summer. Yes, in your private enterprises. Get thethe whole concept of elected that’s what freedom is all about,; it was chained up. But that’s picture? And once the political hospital boards “ up for review,” isn’t it? Doing your own thing,; Sour grapes Spoiled child hardly a problem to anyone withobjectives of the latest media-hype just before the last election, too.and to h with everybody else,! Last Friday’s remarks by Bruce I ’m really sick to death of theburglary on his mind. Simple wire are achieved (with all public sup The standard Canadian response especially unwanted, babies?! Strachan regarding the new apbold slanderous headlines on thecutters will do the trick. Ob port, of course), they move on toto this? Nothing? In almost any When does human life begin? At; pointments to UNBC sound like editorial page of your newspaper.viously this involves malice aforethe next field of privacy that mustother country of the world, such conception. When does it end?; sour grapes to me. How you allow Bruce Strachan thought, so that the crime perbe thus knuckled under — indictatorial brutality would have toNot until God intends it to accord-! Obviously a former minister ofto act like a spoiled child getting petrator goes around prepared. carefully graduated increments be of backed up with guns anding to His laws and natural prin-! advanced education would be senrevenge against a political partyGee! It must feel good to think time and anticipated impact upon armor, for it would most certainly ciples. sitive to a new minister’s actions who threw him out on his keester that you’ve stolen somebody’s both the public conciousness, andbe confronted with such. But here Dr. Billy Graham has said: “ If! but going so far as to suggest theis beyond me. Perhaps you’re sole source of transportation. Also it’s concience — and it doesn’t in Canada? Nothing. Besides, by present government is “ selling showing your blatant choice of consider that by riding a bicycle, God doesn’t judge America for! matter whether you vote left,the time Canadians wake up, theythese crimes, He will have to; out” is a tad over-reactionary. political parties. as opposed to a motorized vehicle, right, or centre. Elections aren’t won’t be a threat any longer, forapologize to Sodom and Go-; We all know what it’s like to I distinctly don’t remember anit is quiet and pollution-free — in allowed to change anything. Ms. Campbell and her anti-gun morah.” experience a bruised ego whenarticle in its place that made addition, a good source for keep Take the fiasco surrounding thelegislators (with the help of over someone else gets the job insteadwhining remarks about the Social ing fit. It must be personally reJubilee Hospital in Vemon, for inblown media coverage of Marc — Holger Goerlitz! of us or when someone else Credit is party when they were garding in to steal from people who brought in to manage the departpower. reap these kinds of benefits for ment when we know we could If you really insist on keeping themselves and the environment Marvellous jo b have done a far superior job. Still,his column in your newspaper, and from people who earn their Isn’t the lumber industry doing few of us take the opportunity towhy not some obscure little page living honestly. a marvellous job of improving its vdnt our frustrations in the local somewhere with minute headlines, Picture an interviewer asking image in recent years? newspaper. which is what it is truly worthy this low-life thief: “ What do you If Bruce Strachan wants to be aof. We took our lumps (and plenty do for a living?” and the response Wherever premiers, princes political analyst and practise theof them) when the Socrcds were is: “ Oh, yah, like, I steal bikes.” and international inspectors tread, necessary skills of insight and obin power, so from the peanut galWouldn’t that make a real impresyou see nothing but the most jectivity, why not let him cut hislery I say, “ Sit down and besion on a resume? When my conservative and environmen- teeth on the U.S. primaries or thequiet.” friend reported the theft, thetally-friendly logging practices. A U.K. election? — K. Staub RCMP officer said that about 10 tour of logging sights in B.C. is bicycle thefts are reported everyapparently conducted like a tour Finally, I recommend Mr. Stra Job well done chan take a few writing courses to day in our city. So beware of of Leningrad back in the late, develop a more readable style. I Iwould like to commend and these scuzzy slimeballs lurking ingreat U.S.S.R. — “ Don’t step am sure that with more practice thank all of the supporters of thethe shadows. away from the approved routes.” and less spleen he could become recent a Stay in School, Achieve What can the bicycle owner do? People who live in and love the credible journalist. Your Best campaign which reChain locks are generally useless true North don’t like what they — Anne Jeffreycently was brought to the commubecause they can be cut with wiresee. nity. cutters. Those bicycle bar locks Complete mountainsides have G o v ' t h a d t o a c t It was encouraging to see are a better since they can’t be cut.been stripped bare from timber- Mr. Strachan may be correct innumber of community organiza It’s best to attach the bar around aline to stream bed. Lakes are his assessment that the newtions get together and develop stationary a object if at all possible. usually stripped to the shoreline. government is taking a hand inshort-term partnership to bring If you have pop-out wheels, youHere and there you might the development of UNBC (Citihigh-calibre role models to thecan take the front wheel off andstumble across a sale that looks zen, April 3, page 4). community to speak to our stu put it inside the bar lock as well. like it could sustain life but most However, that is not necessarily dents on achieving their best, setFor now my friend has bor are a disaster. Some foresters a bad thing. Although the board of ting goals and ultimately staying rowed another bike and will havefrom the Coast, up for a hunt last UNBC is composed of public- in school. The future of our next to dream up a safer place to parkfall, declared that, “ They would spirited citizens, they are notgeneration will no doubt depend it. My friend will have to start never get away with that back benefactors of that institution. on a good basic education and any saving up to buy another one. home.” To add insult to injury, UNBC is a publicly-funded uni encouragement that we can giveWill the same process be reif and when the sale is ever re versity and its board should be acthem is important. peated? I can’t help wondering. planted, students from’ Quebec countable to someone. The project was developed by — Marilyn Juds and Alberta are brought in to do The furor caused by the centralthe Canadian Manufacturer’s As the work. Freedom, eh? ization of the university in Prince sociation and Employment and We people of the North may George suggests to me that manyImmigration Canada and is an ex They keep talking about global be few and not too militant but members of the university society cellent program. However, as warming I and ozone breakdown, we do love our bush. The lumber believe that the Socred-appointed stated in the beginning, this proyet a recently released study indiconglomerates still have a long board was a clique and was notgram would not have made it here cates that over the past 40 yearsway to go towards changing the accountable to anyone except thewithout the community support it or so, there has been no apprecianegative image that they have chair of the board, Mr. Murray received. There are many timesble reduction in polar ice caps created by butchering our bush Sadler. In this circumstance Ithese businesses or organizations whatever. instead of harvesting it. believe that the government do had not receive the proper recogniAnd with respect to the ozone — R. Findlay an obligation to act because thetion they should for the many prodepletion, Ministry of the En
♦