March 15, 1994, carnegie newsletter by Carnegie Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER 401 Main St., Vancouver V6A 2T7

MARCH 1 5 , 1 9 9 4 .

DOWNTQWN EASTSIDE

eloved native women's worker dies

VANCOUVER

SUN

SERVING HER COMMUNITY: Janice Saul (centre) in Carnegie kitchen with Serge Dassylva, Dolly Butler ROBERT SARTl Vancouver Sun

She marched through the streets of downtown Vaccouver to protest the deaths of native women from drug overdoses, and she combed the beer parlors of East Hastings to rescue young pregnant women from alcohol. Janice Saul knew first-hand how dangerous the street scene is to native women. Two of her cousins had died of drug overdoses and another was murdered. That's why the sudden death of the prominent and well-liked Lil'wat Indian woman on the weekend from a suspected drug overdose has sent waves of fear and anger through her

community at Main and ~ a s t i n g s . *-"Who'snext," wailed friend Margaret Prevost when she heard the news. "If it could could happen to someone like Janice, it could happen to any of us." Prevost almost started drinking again to kill the pain of her friend's death, but was finally talked out of .it by a friend. The death has affected the community so seriously that city hall will send a grief counsellor Thursday to Carnegie Centre -the first time a counsellor from the city's employee-assistance program will minister to the public as well as to city staff. Saul, 44, a Carnegie kitchen worke r and organizer of children's par-

ties, was found dead'saturday s g h t in her east-side apartment after an evening of socializing with friends at the beer parlor. Police are treatingthe death as a suspected drug overdose and are awaiting an autopsy report. "Janice was so sunny and upbeat, putting her heart and soul into her work," said her boss, Catriona Moore, choking back the tears. "She was so good with the volunteers, motivating them, making them feel wanted and needed." Longtime friend Leith Harris said Saul's death shows just how close to danger most native women are in the Downtown Eastside, even those women who seem to have gotten their lives together. Community workers say at least 25

native women have died in the area since 1980,most of them either murdered or from drug overdoses. Harris said Saul had talked more women out of the street life than any professional social worker she had ever seen. "Janice saw too much, she heard too much, she had seen too many women die, but there was nothing she could do about the root cacse of the pain, the racism and colonial oppression of the native people," said Harris. "We loved her, but

it wasn't enough to save her." Saul grew up near Mount Currie and graduated from high school in Sechelt. She started work there as a chambermaid, later becoming a secretary in Vancouver before starting work at Carnegie six years ago. She leaves a Byear-old son, Warren. Her mother, Mary George, said Saul had always been a helping person, even lending money to people when she didn't have enough for g r e ceries herself.

Her S p i r i t S o a r s

"She went into the bars and talked to people and tried to get them off the street, and tried to get them to stop taking that stuff, and that's why we can't understand how this happened," said George. Memorial services will be held Saturday at 11a.m. a t the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings, and Monday at 2 p.m. at Carnegie Centre.

TESTIMONY OF FRIENDSHIP

I s t i l l f i n d it hard t o b e l i e v e t h a t J a n i c e i s gone. Everytime I look i n t h e kitchen I expect t o f i n d h e r p r e p a r i n g food f o r many p e o p l e . Although J a n i c e has worked hhroughobt t h e b u i l d i n g , s h e loved being i n t h e k i t c h e n and o r g a n i z i n g c h i l d r e n ' s p a r t i e s . My son Wayne remembers t h e t e e n dances she was i n v o l v e d i n and t h e e a s y way i t was f o r t e e n s t o r e l a t e t o J a n i c e . . s h e never t r i e d t o b e i n f u l l c o n t r o l and l e t them have an equal p a r t o f d e c i s i o n making. More of u s should f o l l o w h e r i n t h i s and r e a c h o u t t o t h e young peopl e a s t h e y a r e r e a l l y h u r t i n g . We must s t o p t h i s from becoming a l o s t generation. A g r e a t number o f p e o p l e a s k "How could t h i s happen t o someone who was so warm and bubbly?" Even though she appeared t o b e happy on t h e o u t s i d e , I c o u l d t e l l s h e was d e e p l y h u r t by t h e l o s s o f Cheryl Ann J o e and o t h e r cousins. When you a r e doing s o much t o h e l p o t h e r s , p e o p l e f e e l t h a t you a r e a rock and do n o t need s u p p o r t . Sooner o r l a t e r we a l l r e a c h a breaking p o i n t . We a l l have happy memories o f J a n i c e which w i l l h e l p e a s e t h e p a i n . J a n i c e , may you f i n d peace with your c o u s i n s and your s p i r i t l i v e s on i n every nook and cranny o f Carnegie. I r e n e Schmidt

I t i s evening, t h e news h a s sunk in, t h e SUN Newspaper l a y on t h e f l o o r n e a r my c h a i r . Mu c h i l d i s s i t t i n g a t my f e e t . I f i n a l l y a l l o w myself t o c r y , w a i l , and s o b l i k e a l o s t c h i l d , f o r 10 minutes. My d a u g h t e r , 3, conso l e d me w e l l , almost l i k e she was an e l d e r a l r e a d y . She d r i e d my f l o o d o f t e a r s , hugged me t e n d e r l y , and gave me t i s s u e on commahd. To t r y t o l e t h e r u n d e r s t a n d my a c t i o n s , I d e s p a i r ed t o h e r , "Joan, I l o s t a good f r i e n d today! I t Joan, wise and q u i c k , s a y s , ftYour f r i e n d o v e r t h e r e w p o i n t i n g t o t h e empty c o r n e r , b u t s h e s a i d , "1 h e r e mommie, I your f r i e n d " . I I c r i e d more, because she was s o sweet. She g o t me a cup o f w a t e r a f t e r cup o f water. I l e t h e r mother me, because I f e e l t h e l o s s and f e l t l o s t .

Late J a n i c e Saul I knew n o t h i n g o f J a n i c e S a u l ' s p e r s o n a l l i f e . She kept a l i d on i t . Not h i d i n g a n y t h i n g b u t it seemed none of my b u s i n e s s t o ask. I d i d n o t know where she came from, h e r f a n i l y l i f e , o r even h e r age. I t a l k e d , she listened. I do know t h a t we had a f r i e n d s h i p and bond. We t r a v e l l e d t h e same b e e r p a r l o u r c i r c u i t t e n y e a r s ago: Nelson P l a c e , Roya1,Marble Arch and t h e Balmoral Hotel. We d r i f t e d a p a r t ; maybe

we were o n l y a c q u a i n t a n c e s t h e n . Late r i n 1991 I r a n i n t o h e r a t t h e Carn e g i e C e n t r e , and s h a r e d news w i t h h e r t h a t I was e x p e c t i n g my f i r s t c h i l d . She was e l a t e d f o r me. Four months a f t e r my c h i l d was born, I brought my d a u g h t e r Joan t o s e e Jani c e . I o f f e r e d my bundle of joy t o h e r t o hold and s h e Kootchie-chooed l i k e every mother would. T h i s meant a l o t t o me, a s I o n l y l e t a few people be i n c o n t a c t w i t h my l i t t l e t r e a s u r e . I t r u s t e d her. J a n i c e Saul was a good p e r s o n . A t t r a c t i v e . Well d r e s s e d . F u l l o f potent i a l , she could do a n y t h i n g s h e wanted t o , b a s i c a l l y . She spoke no ill of anyone, i n my p r e s e n c e anyway. She d i d n ' t appear t o me l l c a t t y f l o r p l a y mind games l i k e some people d i d t h o s e days. She was r e a l and I always r e s p e c t e d h e r . I admired Hanice's g e t up and go and/or enthusiasm f o r l i f e , people, o r jobs. I hope J a n i c e Saul sensed my admira t i o n , a s I doubted i t i f it c r o s s e d my mind t o s a y "Hey, J a n i c e . You a r e t r u l y a wonderful person t o know. I am g l a d t h a t we a r e f r i e n d s ! l l A s I i n t e r p r e t , people i n general t a k e l i f e f o r g r a n t e d . We t a k e loved ones f o r g r a n t e d , t h i n k i n g t h a t t h e y , l i k e u s , w i l l grow o l d t o g e t h e r . -Or a t t i m e s , we d o n ' t know we love someone ti1 t h e y s u f f e r i n j u r y , d i s e a s e o r die. T h i s Testimonial l e t t e r t o one and a l l t o read, hopefully w i l l f i x t h i s s i t u a t i o n f o r me. J a n i c e S a u l , 44, r e s p e c t e d n a t i v e woman, a b l e worker, k i n d person made t h e East H a s t i n g s a r e a a b e t t e r p l a c e by h e r presence. Keep i n mind, J a n i c e , maybe was no a n g e l i n r e a l l i f e , but s h e was p r e t t y c l o s e t o being a Good Samaritan t o a l l n e a r . I humbly ask o u r C r e a t o r , t o h e l p

myself and o t h e r s t o h e a l o u r wounded s p i r i t s , a s s i s t i n g e t t i n g over our l o s s o f o u r loved one, now gone. So t h a t t h e s p i r i t o f J a n i c e Saul can Rest i n Peace, and s t a r t h e r new Journey t o h e r deserved rewards. In friendship, Linda D a n i e l s .

J A N I C E SAUL - A T r i b u t e t o a F r i e n d

J a n i c e Saul : a member o f t h e VMREU - 7 y e a r s . employee a t Carnegie Commu n i t y C e n t r e - 7 y e a r s . 44 y e a r s young. Dedicated and v a l u a b l e a s a worker a t Carnegie and f o r t h e VMREU. When I met J a n i c e I was s e r v i n g my first day on t h e job a s an a u x i l i a r y i n t h e Carnegie k i t c h e n . J a n came i n a t 3 pm t o s t a r t h e r s h i f t , s t a n d i n g a l l o f f i v e f e e t and d r e s s e d t o t h e n i n e s . Black h a i r , dark brown eyes, p r e t t y a s a sunny Vancouver day. A v o i c e t h a t reminded me o f J a n i s Jopl i n . . l i k e g r a v e l w i t h music a t t a c h e d . ( C o i n c i d e n t a l l y she loved t o karaoke) I worked w i t h J a n i c e Saul f o r almo s t 4 y e a r s . She always worked v e r y h a r d and n e v e r d i d she back away from e x p r e s s i n g h e r opinion on m a t t e r s pert a i n i n g t o h e r work o r t h e t r e a t m e n t of p a t r o n s o r v o l u n t e e r s . Many a time I saw J a n i c e c h a s t i s e s e n i o r s t a f f o r

f e l l o w workers ( i n c l u d i n g me), i f she considered them t o b e a c t i n g n o t i n the best i n t e r e s t s of a patron. She could always make you l a u g h though. She would t a l k about somet h i n g t h a t had happened and h e r d a r k e y e s would f l a s h and s h e ' d s m i l e and l e t out t h i s r a s p y l i t t l e chuckle. J a n i c e was a t r u e c h a r a c t e r . During t h e l a s t round o f b a r g a i n i n g with t h e C i t y , J a n i c e was v e r y busy o r g a n i s i n g o n - s i t e meetings, t a l k i n g t o t h e Union e x e c u t i v e and l o g g i n g i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h e members a t Carneg i e . She was n o t a steward o r even a s i t e contact, b u t t h a t d i d not d e t e r h e r . She f e l t t h i n g s were n o t being done and she was going t o do them. Obviously we need more l i k e h e r . J a n i c e Saul was an a u x i l i a r y a t Carnegie. For t h e p a s t two y e a r s she has worked a f i v e - d a y week i n one o f

t h e b u s i e s t and most s t r e s s f u l a r e a s of t h e c i t y - t h e Carnegie K i t c h e n . , , C She s p e n t seven y e a r s s e r v i n g t h e people of t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e . Jan worked a t t h e I n f o Desk and was a t t h e highest r a t e f o r t h a t position. On t o p of t h a t s h e a l s o worked i n t h e l i b r a r y whenever t h e y needed a hand. J a n i c e was an a u x i l i a r y ? ? ? No benefi t s ! No h o l i d a y & ! No s i c k t i m e ! She could n o t a f f o r d t o t a k e time o f f when she was s i c k o r s t r e s s e d o u t . She deserved b e t t e r . J a n i c e Saul d i e d t r a g i c a l l y , S a t u r day n i g h t , February 26, 1994. J a n i c e Saul w i l l b e missed t e r r i b l y by a l l who were lucky enough t o have known h e r . J a n i c e , we l o v e you. Rest i n peace.

'2-

John Ferguson (Also p r i n t e d i n Member's Voice)

T H A N K S FOR THE GOOD TIMES Well I guess you a l l heard and knew J a n i c e Saul How much s h e meant t o u s a l l . We w i l l miss h e r happy s m i l e and l o v i n g h e a r t For a l l t h e kind and c a r i n g t h i n g s she d i d for us t o feel a part. She always made you f e e l l i k e she was your f r i e n d J a n i c e was l i k e a l o v i n g s i s t e r t i l l t h e end. I

Many o f u s a r e shedding t e a r s o f sorrow

For knowing t h a t we w i l l n e v e r s e e h e r tomorrow.

From a l l o f u s h e r e a t The Carnegie C e n t r e You w i l l always be remembered f o r making people be t t e r

Steve Lentinello

Main and Ilastings P r o j e c t Housing Sub-committee Meeting The Housing sub-committee w i l l be holding t h e i r f i r s t meeting on Wednesday, March 1 6 t h a t 7: 30 pm a t t h e o l d Bank of Montreal, 390 Main. The o b j e c t i v e of t h e Housing subcommittee i s t o have c o m u n i t y - a p p r o v ed e l i g i b i l i t y c r i t e r i a f o r t h e new housinz u n i t s by June 1 5 t h , 1994. The sub-committee i s committed t o having t h e c r i t e r i a f o r t h e u n i t s based on community need. In o r d e r t o a c h i e v e t h i s o b j e c t i v e , t h e sub-committee w i l l be meeting ove r t h e next couple of months t o d i s c u s s and a n a l y z e t h e v a r i o u s r e p o r t s on e x i s t i n g housing and housing needs i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e . I f you would l i k e t o c o n t r i b u t e i n f o r m a t i o n o r opi n i o n s on housing needs i n t h e a r e a , p l e a s e come. A

A 'b

LIVING WITH AGING I t ' s n o t a l w a y s e a s y growing o l d A s l i f e ' s sorrows and l o s s e s u n f o l d Emotional exchanges and b i o l o g i c a l changes Make u s f e e l l e f t out i n t h e c o l d . But when we approach bhe end o f o u r r o p e There a r e ways t o h e l p u s t o cope The medical a r t i s t r y o r g e r i a t r i c psychiatry g i v e s u s l o t s o f reason f o r hope.

- s u b m i t t e d by Gram

BlnnERS

, = **

United we can! r

Save Our Living Environment Presents: BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING AND LOTS MORE!

UP TO $1 0.00 PAID FOR BOTTLES AND CANS AND TO CLEAN THE BANK (10

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cents per container)

SPRING CLEAN UP AT THE OLD BANK 390 MAIN ST. AT HASTINGS I f you would l i k e t o j o i n i n , b r i n g along a c l o t h o r a broom o r j u s t some good humour and j o i n u s .

MARCH 21, 1994

9:00 A.M.

COME EARLY/FUNDS LIMITED Dear N e w s l e t t e r , I am so g r a t e f u l t o t h e Carnegie f o r t h e good v e g e t a r i a n meals. Keep up t h e good work. E l i z a b e t h Thorpe

phone Ken (681 -4250) for more inforrnatlon

0pPENHElMER PARK VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

- . ... .. -

NO PERSON \,:T

P E R M ~ D,; TH\S PARK

10 P.M.-6 MA

Wilfredo Jimenez was born i n E l S a l va, E l Salvador on May 12, 1960. He has two b r o t h e r s and t h r e e s i s t e r s . Wilfredo l e f t home a t 14 y e a r s o f age. I n 1975 t h e r e were many massacres. Wilfredo i s an ex-policeman who asked t o o many q u e s t i o n s about nuns and o t h e r s who were k i l l e d . When he s a i d he d i d n o t want a n y t h i n g t o do with t h e m i l i t a r y t h e i r r e s p o n s e was "You w i l l d i e f i r s t . " I t is extremely painf u l f o r him t o remember what happened on September 27, 1979. A d r e a d f u l expe r i e n c e o c c u r r e d a s he was t o r t u r e d , s h o t and asked why he t r i e d t o i n v e s t i g a t e the deaths. Someone gave Wilfredo money and h e l p t o escape. He i s a f r a i d t o go back t o

E l Salvador a s a l l o f h i s f r i e n d s h a v r been:\killed. A f t e r excaping from E l Salvador, W i l f r e d o s p e n t 3-6 months i n Guatemala, 1%y e a r s , i n Mexico, t h e n went t o Cali f o r n i a i n 1984. Toronto was h i s n e x t s t o p i n 1987 and he came t o Vancouver i n 1990. Pam Brown, t h e n Park Manager, was t h e one t o g e t Wilfredo working a t Oppenheimer Park. T h i s man i s a v a l u a b l e a s s e t s i n c e he can be an i n t e r p r e t e r f o r h i s p e o p l e a t Legal Aid, Downtown C l i n i c , S o c i a l S e r v i c e s o f f i ' k e s 6 many o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s i n t h e community. Wilfredo always t a k e s t i m e o u t from t h e p a r k t o go t o v a r i o u s d i f f i c e s f o r p e o p l e who do n o t speak English. A t t h e p r e s e n t time Wilfredo i s t r y i n g t o t u r n h i s l i f e around by going t o s e e a drug and a l c o h o l c o u n s e l l o r . Everyone makes m i s t a k e s and n e e d s a second chance. Wilfredo i s t e r r i f i e d o f b e i n g k i l l e d should he r e t u r n t o E l Salvador. Every morning Wilfredo c l e a n s up Oppenheimer Park. There a r e many Ginseng b o t t l e s and used n e e d l e s l i t t e r i n g t h e park. He i s e x t r e m e l y d e d i c a t e d t o making l i f e b e t t e r f o r p e o p l e i n t h i s community. Wilfredo t r a v e l s i n from Langley on t h e bus each day t o perform these duties. Wilfredo would l i k e t o g i v e somet h i n g back t o Carnegie a s p e o p l e i n t h e c e n t r e have helped h i m a g r e a t deal. He has worked f a i t h f u l l y i n t h e park f o r 3 1/2 years. Wilfredo hopes t o upgrade h i s Engl i s h a t Carnegie and he w i l l r e c e i v e a warm welcome i n t h e Learning Centre. He l o v e s Canada and c o n s i d e r s t h i s t o be h i s r e a l country. If t h e immigration a u t h o r i t i e s a r e a s compassionate a s t h e y l e a d u s t o believe they w i l l allow t h i s t r u e refugee t o s t a y here. By IRENE SCHMIDT

67.

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Spread the word!

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UNDERSTANDING ECONOMTC RESTRUCTURING. We 're lznviitp nforum! Wlicri: Friday. April S t h , 9 2 0 to 4 2 0 \Vlict.c: Unitarian C h i 1 r c 1 - 1 ,49th and Oak in Vancouver SI1i1r.ewhat you know. Ixarn from others. Lunch will be provided. Free onsite cl~iltlc:irewill be provided to people who register by March 3lst bv fillin_go ~ ~ t registration fortii. Local husfnre will be provided. . 1 \v:~ritto ~ y i s t c rfor. . thc 1Sca11n11iic Rcstr-r~ctrtr-ingForr~nioti i\pr.il 8111, 1994.

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THE WATERFRONT CASINO THAT KILLED OUR COMMUNITY

.. 9.

h e s i a , on Powell S t . , who t u r n e d o u t Excuse Me! No, 1 d i d n ' t f a r t o r burp, t o b e wanted i n t h e S t a t e s f o r c o c a i n e I j u s t got s i c k a f t e r r e a d i n g about importing? w h a t ' s supposed t o be happening t o o u r We d o n ' t need any s h i t l i k e t h i s i n neighbourhood. These s o - c a l l e d Arnerico u r neighbourhood. We have t o make o u r an people a r e coming t o show u s how t o p o i n t s and views loud and v i s i b l e . run CASINOS what a laugh. I t seems t h a t when t h i n g s l i k e t h i s That's l i k e C i t y Hall saying t h e r e ' s c a s i n o a r e a l l o f a sudden happening, no such p l a c e a s t h e Downtown Eastside. we a r e t h e l a s t t o know. I t seems l i k e Well, I hope t h i s n e v e r happens. God h e l p u s i f i t does. t h e people who a r e supposed t o b e watc h i n g o u t f o r o u r c i t y a r e a s l e e p . The I can s e e d i s a s t e r - h o t e l s t h a t a r e a l r e a d y homes t o many p e o p l e being Mayor and Council need t o wake up v e r y turned i n t o high-priced s u i t e s f o r t h e r i c h and famous. Can you imagine l e a v i n g your h o t e l room t o come back t o f i n d o u t t h a t you no l o n g e r l i v e t h e r e . I t ' s a c r y i n g shame. Who t h e h e l l d o e s t h i s Mirage company t h i n k t h e y a r e ? Right now t h e y a r e PROMISING many people s a f e , s e c u r e jobs, e s p e c i a l l y i f you have o r a r e g e t t i n g a college education. Training t h a t w i l l b e a v a i l a b l e w i l l be f o r +hose i n l o c a l s c h o o l s , p l u s t h e many the USA. l f a s t t t a k e r e a l direction from t h e 3ople t h e y ' l l b r i n g up P l e a s e d o n ' t get me wrong; I have unjaded, r o o k i e c o u n c i l l o r s and espec) t h i n g a g a i n s t Americans..my problem i a l l y fromt h e people livingi n t h e j with t h i s Mirage company. They've community mostat r i s k . >me t o Canada and t e l l u s t h a t money They can't do t h i s without us and I ~ d eh e r e , through t h i s p o s s i b l e VLC b e l i e v e t h e y know t h i s . L e t t e r s , p e t i d a t e r f r o n t " development, w i l l s t a y i n t i o n s , e y e - s o r e p i c t u r e s of what will mada. I dont t t h i n k s o . happen need t o be s e n t t o Council and I n my mind I can a l r e a d y see what's t o a s m a y p u b l i c media s o u r c e s a s l i n g t o happen, t h e same t h i n g t h a t p o s s i b l e , a s w e l l a s t o merchants i n came aPpened when Gastown and o t h e r s who a r e n o t y e t zople w i l l be t u r n e d o u t i n t o t h e s e e i n g e f f e c t s i n t h e l i g h t o f day. s t r e e t s a s t h e i r homes a r e t u r n e d i n t o We've always worked as a community, high-class j o i n t s catering t o t h e r i c h stopnow. ~h~~~ are examples and employing people from o t h e r p l a c e s a l l o v e r t h e world of what happens t o .' Then w e have a much b i g g e r problem l o c a l r e s i d e n t s when xegabucks sweep when t h e d r u g s come b a r r e l i n g i n by i n . If we d o n ' t f i g h t back w e ' l l go the and people g e t armed t o down i n h i s t o r y a s t h e Community t h a t t h e t e e t h t o t a k e on t h e p o l i c e . was.. . t h a t gave up and i n t o t h e AmerThis i s r e a l i t y . Has anyone checked icans and t h e i r casinos. o u t t h e h i s t o r y of t h i s guy who works By MARGARET PREVOST f o r Mirage? Remember t h e guy who owned

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1 --

REMEMBERING OUR CAGED FRIENDS To u n d e r s t a n d j u s t how i n s a n e o u r s o c i e t y i s , we should look a t what i s being done t o t h e Leghorn Chicken: The c o n d i t i o n s i n which t h e y a r e kept, t h e i r purpose f o r being t h e r e and, most important o f a l l , t h e i r f u t u r e . Leghorns were f i r s t brought t o t h i s c o n t i n e n t a hundred y e a r s ago w i t h t h e i d e a t h a t t h e y would make an exc e l l e n t farmyard chicken because o f t h e i r egg-laying a b i l i t y . When we s t a r t e d l o c k i n g them i n b a t t e r y houses, we began t h e i r complete removal from an o r i g i n a l domestic s t a t e . Since t h e i r imprisonment, manh o r a l l have never seen s u n l i g h t , s c r a t c h e d i n t h e d i r t o r e a t e n an i n s e c t . They a r e k e p t i n wire cages and have t h e i r day-night c y c l e made f o r them. L i g h t s o f f - i t ' s n i g h t and t h e y crouch i n t h e i r cage. These hens have n o t h i n g

t o do a l l day, e x c e p t s t a n d on w i r e , w i t h h a r d l y room t o pace. They a r e f e d manufactured food l a c e d w i t h d r u g s t o combat d i s e a s e s r e l a t e d t o t h e i r c a p t i v e l i v e s . How much more

abuse can t h e y t a k e ? I t i s s a i d t h e Leghorn i s a nervous breed of chicken and r e a l i t y . . i t ' s no wonder. Leghorns a r e economically e f f i c i e n t i n t h i s p r e s e n t system. Being small i n s i z e , t h e y do n o t r e q u i r e a s much food t o produce eggs a s t h e o t h e r b r e e d s . T h e r e f o r e t h e y a r e t h e most e x p l o i t e d . Hens l i v i n g i n t h e f a c t o r i e s a r e f o r c e d t o produce t o an u n r e a s o n a b l e l i m i t . There can be few missed days. T h e r e f o r e a hen wishing t o d i s c o n t i n u e l a y i n g and r a i s e c h i c k s has g o t t o be d e s t r o y e d i n o r d e r f o r t h e human egg p r o d u c e r t o make it f i n a n c i a l l y . Over g e n e r a t i o n s o f c u l l i n g t h e s e broody hens and r a i s i n g c h i c k s i n i n c u b a t o r s , and keeping them i n u n n a t u r a l s u r r o u n d i n g s , t h e Leghorn has l o s t i t s a b i l i t y t o r e produce--the most v i t a l i n s t i n c t f o r s u r v i v a l o f a s p e c i e s . They cannot h a t c h and r a i s e t h e i r own young because it has been done f o r them by technology ( i n c u b a t o r s ) f o r dozens o f y e a r s . They a r e i n a p o s i t i o n now o f becoming e x t i n c t . T h i s seems hard t o r e l a t e t o when we o n l y t h i n k o f e x t i n c t i o n i n terms of b u f f a l o , whales, e t c . But it i s good t o know t h e s e i n s t i n c t s can be r e t u r n e d . We have done it h e r e on a v e r y small s c a l e . A few y e a r s o f r a i s i n g c h i c k s n a t u r a l l y under mother hens, c r o s s i n g w i t h l e s s e x p l o i t e d b r e e d s such a s a bantam c h i c k e n , t h e n breeding back a g a i n and a g a i n t o Leghorns, we have had a few Leghorn-type hens s e t . To watch a Leghorn s e t on eggs and r a i s e h e r young i s d e f i n i t e l y an e n l i g h t e n i n g e x p e r i e n c e . Unders t a n d t h a t we can h e l p t h e Leghorn s u r v i v e , simply by b r e e d i n g them back t o t h e i r n a t u r a l domestic s t a t e . We I can ' t i g n o r e them, p r e t e n d t h e y a r e I not t h e r e , because t h e y a r e and i t i s up t o u s t o defend and p r o t e c t t h e i r

e x i s t e n c e . If we d o n ' t , no one w i l l . So whenever you e a t one o f t h o s e f a c t o r y eggs, p l e a s e t h i n k o f t h a t l i t t l e hen i n h e r cage. J u s t d o n ' t s t o p e a t i n g h e r egg. Keep h e r a l i v e ; p e r h a p s one day y o u ' l l f r e e h e r . L o r r a i n e (chicken d e p t ) "In Defence of Nature" Vol. 1, 1977.

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Okay! Wipe t h e t e a r s from your eyes and r e a d t h i s quick Leghorn update Here a t t h e B e t t y Place we a r e buil. d i n g a chicken-house. What a f i n e chicken-house i t s h a l l be: Open p a s t u r e a l l around with a creek running through.. a new home f o r f i f t y o f o u r f i n e s t Leghorns. When we l e f t t h e c i t y i n 1971 we l i b e r a t e d 2 0 Leghorns from t h e i r cages and brought them w i t h u s . Now, some twenty o r more g e n e r a t i o n s l a t e r t h e i r d e s c e n d a n t s under t h e s e condit i o n s w i l l s t a r t t o reproduce. What a c e l e b r a t i o n i n t h e barnyard when t h e f i r s t Leghorn mother h a t c h e s t h e f i r s t baby c h i c k s . A s p i r i t u a l occasion. We b e l i e v e t h a t t h e t h o u g h t s o f freedom o f t h e l i t t l e caged Leghorn i n t h e p i c t u r e would be of such a place. C.E.E.D.S. 1

Who can end poverty... ? 11. We, t h e poor, u n d e r s t a n d b e s t what poor p e o p l e f a c e and what we need t o g e t r i d of p o v e r t y . Our need t o make t h i n g s b e t t e r i s t h e s t r o n g e s t . Peopl e with g r e a t power an62wealth have governments make r u l e s t h a t g e t them what t h e y want. They buy p o l i t i c i a n s . They c o n t r o l newspapers, r a d i o and TV. They buy a d s t h a t l i e about what government programs a r e good f o r u s . Our f i r s t need i s t o f e e l good about o u r s e l v e s , t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t we d i d n o t cause o u r p o v e r t y . B e l i e v i n g we a r e t o blame o n l y h e l p s t h o s e who put u s h e r e and keeps u s from working t o make t h i n g s b e t t e r . Shame and f e a r have k e p t u s a p a r t . We need t o b e proud of o u r power and l e a r n t o c a r e more about o u r s e l v e s and o t h e r people. We c a n ' t h e l p each o t h e r i f we bel i e v e t h e l i e s o f t h o s e who made u s poor. They do w e l l i f t h e working poor and t h o s e on w e l f a r e h a t e each o t h e r . They do w e l l i f we h a t e peop1.e who a r e o f a d i f f e r e n t r a c e o r r e l i g i o n . They do w e l l i f we h a t e people who do n o t s h a r e ou? s e x u a l p r e f e r e n c e s . While we h a t e , we c a n ' t g e t t o gether t o s p o i l t h e plans o f those who want more of u s t o b e p o o r e r . There a r e ways we can s t a r t p u l l i n g t o g e t h e r . We can u s e s h o r t , c l e a r words t o s h a r e o u r i d e a s w i t h o t h e r poor p e o p l e and w i t h people who can h e l p . We can s e e t h a t t h e s k i l l s poor people use t o s t a y a l i v e a r e strong. We can u s e t h e s e s k i l l s t o end t h e p o v e r t y t h a t government jjave t o us. We can l e a r n o t h e r s k i l l s we need t o end p o v e r t y . We can l e a r n t o t r u s t o u r s t r e n g t h and power a s we use ' t h e s e o l d and new s k i l l s . We can e n j o y o u r own music, drama, a r t , and w r i t i n g based on what o u r l i v e s a r e r e a l l y l i k e . We can f e e l I )

good about t h e a t t e n t i o n o f t h e p o l i t i c i a n s when we g a t h e r t o t e l l them what we need and d e s e r v e . We can f i n d l j l e a s u r e i n h e l p i n g each o t h e r . Some people who a r e not poor w i l l

want t o h e l p us. Not a l l o f them have h a r d h e a r t s . But we must b e t h e ones who s a y what needs doing. We can f i n d a l l i e s who w i l l g i v e u s r e s p e c t i f we respect ourselves By DON ROBINSON

HE'LL BE ADDING TOtuneDEBT MOUNTAIN (lo the of S h e ' l l be~Coming ' round t h e Mountain)

H e ' l l b e adding t o "Debt Mountain", when he comes Another hundred b i l l i o n o f o u r f u n d s H e ' l l b e wearing s t e e l - t o e d work b o o t s But h e ' l l s l a s j and burn t h e "Grass Roots" He111 b e adding t o "Debt Mountain", when he comes He'll He'll He'll So he He'll

s h u t t h e doors o f t h e Armed Forces, when he comes l o c k c a d e t s o u t o f t h e i r c o u r s e , when he comes change t h e laws f o r U.I. c l a i m a n t s can c h e a t them o f t h e i r payments s h u t t h e doors o f t h e Armed Forces, when he comes

H e ' l l be s t e a l i n g from t h e s e n i o r s , when he comes T h e y ' l l b e e a t i n g beans and wieners, when he comes They1r e c o l l e c t i n g !!old-age w e l f a r e " H e ' l l make darn s u r e t h e y pay t h e i r s h a r e H e ' l l be s t e a l i n g from t h e s e n i o r s , when he comes He111 p u t a t a x upon your "Nest Egg'!, when he comes So you'd b e t t e r n o t have any s t o c k s o r bonds And d o n ' t be s e l l i n g o f f your house your i n v e s t m e n t s n o r your s p o u s e ' s H e ' l l p u t a t a x upon your "Nest Egg", when he comes H e ' l l wave and s m i l e a t t h e wealthy, when he comes H i s pension w i l l b e padded with l a r g e sums A p o l i t i c i a n of t h i s nation Wouldn't t a x t h e c o r p o r a t i o n s 'Cause t h e y make l a r g e d o n a t i o n s , when he comes. W. Ormerud

T h i s h a s been a p u b l i c s e r v i c e announcement brought t o you by:

PANHANDLER'S INK. The Panhandling P r o f e s s i o n a l s

Today's Motto: I f you want a f r e e lunch, s t e p up t o t h e t r o u g h and s a y , "OINK!"

Smatter?

Table 2: Growth of Profitable corporations that Pay No Tax: 1980 to 1987 ,

Truth hu rt?

Year

"Would t h e wealthy have more s e l f -esteem i f t h e y worked for their money:'. ?Ir

Corporations

Untaxed Profits

980 981 982 983 984 985 986 987

'otal Kirk Falconer (1990:83).

I n t h e r e c e n t budget Finance Minist e r Paul Martin promised p r o v i n c e s $800 m i l l i o n t o experiment with innov a t i v e s o c i a l programs f o r t h e poor, people who u s e w e l f a r e and unemployment i n s u r a n c e . End L e g i s l a t e d Poverty has w r i t t e n t o Martin a s k i n g him t o do s i m i l a r experiments on how t o modify programs and laws t h a t b e n e f i t t h e wealthy and greedy, t h e r i c h e s t 5 % o f Canadians who own 46% o f t h e wealth. The experiments could d e a l w i t h questions l i k e :

If t h i s law changed, would t h e wealt h y l o s e t h e i r i n c e n t i v e t o work? The i n c e n t i v e t o r e t i r e ? Would t h e y become couch p o t a t o e s and s l u g g a r d s ? - Should t a x p o l i c y p r o v i d e a ' hand down, n o t a hand o u t l i . t o t h e wealthy? - Would t h e wealthy have more s e l f esteem i f t h e y worked f o r t h e i r money, r a t h e r t h a n i n h e r i t e d i t ? - Would c o u n s e l l i n g h e l p t h e wealthy e s c a p e from t h e c u l t u r e o f wealth? Can changes b e made i n t h e t a x system t h a t would h e l p t h e wealthy break t h e i r c y c l e of wealth? - Is 46% o f t h e wealth s u f f i c i e n t f o r 5 % o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n ? Could t h e y g e t by w i t h 40%. Could t h e y eke o u t an e x i s t e n c e on 30%? How much would be l e f t f o r t h e r e s t o f u s i f t h e y ; did?

Are weal t h y p e o p l e dependent on wealth? How can we reform t h e t a x system t o make t h e wealthy more i n d e pent ? - I f t a x l o o p h o l e s f o r t h e wealthy were c l o s e d , would t h e wealthy conA t t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e experimt i n u e t o p a s s t h e i r wealth on t o e n t s ELP would l i k e M a r t i n t o g i v e t h e i r c h i l d r e n ? Is g r e e d ( I g e n e r a t i o n a % ? t h e r e s u l t s t o a group of p e o p l e on - How would t h e behaviour o f t h e w e l f a r e and U I , and a s k them t o make wealthy change i f t h e y could o n l y recommendations t o government. w r i t e o f f $261 p e r $1000 o f RRSP t h e y buy ( l i k e low income p e o p l e ) i n s t e a d C a l l Linda Marcotteg o r J e a n Swanson o f t h e $481 t h e y g e t now? 879-1209

Gra's

P O K E R

Mirage R e s o r t s I n c o r p o r a t e d head o f f i c e s a r e i n t h e United S t a t e s o f America's l e g a l i z e d mafia-stronghold, L a s Vegas, Nevada. This m u l t i - b i l l i o n d o l l a r gambling empire, under t h e guise of corporate s t r u c t u r e , has ide n t i f i e d Vancouver, s p e c i f i c a l l y Gastown E E a s t Van a s a primary economic t a r g e t i n a world c l a s s war a g a i n s t t h o s e who a r e n o t l i k e them - t h b poor u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d , r a d i c a l l y motivated, o u t c a s t c i t i z e n s o f t h e world. Yes, Canadians a c t u a l l y a r e world c i t i z e n s , now t h a t t h e New World Government has t u r n e d out t o b e m u l t i n a t i o n a l b u s i n e s s c e n t r e s networking the planet's surface for a l l i t ' s worth. Some r o m a n t i c a l l y deluded i n d i v i d u a l s once hoped world government would be more l i k e t h e United N a t i o n s I t ' s an u n f o r t u n a t e t u r n o f e v e n t s , b u t s i n c e m u l t i n a t i o n a l b u s i n e s s has

b e c p e o u r new world m a s t e r , t h e peasantS, s l a v e s , o r "citizens" a s t h e necessary conditions of s e r v i t u d e a r e o f t e n r e f e r r e d t o by p o l i t i c a l l y deluded i n d i v i d u a l s , a r e u s - t h a t i s t o s a y , "we t h e people", t h e l o c a l l o s e r s who, along w i t h r i c h , r e t i r e d Americans, f i l l up t h e gaming rooms, c a s i n o s o r "gambling p a r l o u r s " o f t h e world thus contribute our investment c a p i t a l t o t h e h o l d i n g t a n k s o f The New World Order. A l l o f t h e w o r l d ' s most c o r r u p t , o r a s t h e Americans might say, most lleconoinicall y v i a b l e " urban c e n t r e s have succumbed t o t h e g l o r i f i e d gambl i n g v e n t u r e s o f would-be g o d f a t h e r s based i n t h e USA, which i s p r o b a b l y t h e most c o r r u p t n a t i o n 6 t h e most

c o r r u p t i n g i n f l u e n c e worldwide t h a t human economic a c t i v i t i e s have y e t produced. CORRUPT: (Concise Oxford D i c t i o n a r y ) "Rotten, depraved, i n f l u e n c e d by bribery - t o infect, bribe, destroy t h e p u r i t y of

Now t h a t t h e s t a g e i s s e t - e n t e r t h e most c o r r u p t . Clever, s o p h i s t i c a t e d & economically powerful a c t o r on t h e scene: S t e v e Wynn, Chairman o f t h e Board, P r e s i d e n t & CEO (Chief Exe c u t i v e O f f i c e r ) MIRAGE RESORTS Inc. We a l l know what law enforcement !'off i c e r s " (cops) a r e , b u t n o t t o o many o f u s have e v e r had t o d e a l w i t h a Chief Executive 'lOfficer" of t h e new world o r d e r . Nor a r e we e v e r l i k e l y t o d e a l with such a g l o r i f i e d power f r o n t s i n c e Steve Wynn d e a l s h i s marked deck behind locked d o o r s i n

convention c e n t r e s E luxury t o u r i s t accomodations such a s Vancouver' s s o c r e d - b u i l t c a s t l e - b y - t h e - s e a known t o mere p e a s a n t s a s "the s a i l b u i l d ing Steve's businesslike s t y l e card s h a r k m e n t a l i t y impresses many l i k e minded l o c a l c a p i t a l i s t s , whg bow s c r a p e t o i t , a s it s t e p s o f f t h e exe c u t i v e ramp a t Vancouver I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t f o r t h e f i r s t time, l o o k s around, s n i f f s t h e a i r t?, s m e l l s money mixed w i t h t h e unmistakeable aroma o f m i l l i o n s o f s u c k e r s . An economically

aroused S t e v e Wynn soon becomes famil i a r with t h i s a i r p o r t complex o f exclusive t o u r i s t a t t r a c t i o n s G luxury h o t e l s t h a t t h e c o r r u p t governments of o u r p r o v i n c e E n a t i o n s i t u a t e d on migratory wetlands & a g r i c u l t u r a l a r e a s t h a t once s u p p l i e d a l l Vancouve r ' s " c i t i z e n s " w i t h l o c a l l y grown v e g e t a b l e s i n season - a n e c o l o g i c a l l y sound g r e e n garden E m i g r a t o r y b i r d h a b i t a t d e s t r o y e d by government interested i n multinational jet s e t i n i t i a t i v e s . This was t h e r i c h Vanco u v e r i t e ' s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e Bizwar s c e n a r i o t h a t began s h o r t l y a f t e r t h e holocaust we c a l l World War Two. So, Steve Wynn, c h i e f e x e c u t i v e gambling o f f i c e r f o r Mirage R e s o r t s I n c o r p o r a t e d , makes h i s s t a t e m e n t t o t h e p r e s s : " I f your government s a y s do it your(ny) way," Steve go do i t says, "a b i l l i o n d o l l a r s i s n o t t o o high a p r i c e t o spend on t h i s d e v e l o p ment". . ." I ' m t a l k i n g about q u a l i t y b u i l d i n g , " he t e l l s them, 'The f i n e s t i n t e g r a t e d r e c r e a t i o n 6 entertainment complex i n t h e world." ...so f a r S t e v e has n o t s a i d t h e f o r bidden ' G ' word, no Gambling h e r e , j u s t s o l i d " r e c r e a t i o n 6 entertairiment f a c i l i t i e s " - now who could o b j e c t t o a l i t t l e RER once i n awhile? We a l l enjoy r e c r e a t i o n G e n t e r t a i n m e n t d o n ' t we, & S t e v e i s j u s t t h e stand-up comi c M.C. o f Showtime America with numerous l i c e n c e d handguns i n t a i l o r m a d e s u i t s . S t e v e goes on t o d e s c r i b e Vancouver a s "a v e r y s p e c i a l p i e c e o f b u s i n e s s . I f Of c o u r s e , t o most o f u s who l i v e h e r e , o u r c i t y i s n o t j u s t a "piece of b u s i n e s s . " But S t e v e Wynn knows o u r p o s i t i o n i n The New World Order, and "piece o f b u s i n e s s " p r e t t y well d e s c r i b e s i t . Suddenly, a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Vancouve r Sun, ( f i n a l e d i t i o n March 8 ) , Steve, t h e m u l t i - b i l l i o n d o l l a r CEO, t u r n s

i n t o a humble, p o v e r t y - s t r i c k e n h e l p l e s s i n d i v i d u a l . He opens h i s r i c h American mouth E s t r a n g e words tumble o u t : I t . . .where a r e we going t o f i n d an apartment f o r me," he i s r e p o r t e a a s saying-"I want t o go t o work s o badly. I' Do n o t make t h e mistake o f b e l i e v i n g t h i s powerful kingpin i s n o t t h i n k i n g about what he i s s a y i n g h e ' s on q u o t e a b l e time now, w i t h t e l e v i s i o n cameras 6 microphones i n h i s f a c e . . .he wants "us" t o f i n d him an apartment, so he can "go t o workt'? S t e v e t h e n goes on t o l a b e l anyone who might o b j e c t t o h i s c o r p o r a t e p l a n a s "fundamentally p r e j u d i c e d " E t h e n he mentions "job c r e a t i o n " , "inc r e a s e d government revenue" & "additional t o u r i s t potential". . "It is happening i n o t h e r c i t i e s o f t h e world ( o r d e r ) E h e r e we a r e , " s a y s

S t e v e , " a t Mirage a t t h e t o p of o u r game. This i s an i n d u s t r y whose time has come h e r e we a r e , " S t e v e expl a i n s , "middle-aged, f e e l i n g good & t h e s u r f ' s up." (meaning t h e economic s u r f v s up i n Vancouver E a l l t h e r e t i r e d CEO's & r i c h business personali t i e s a r e j u s t sunlamped beach boys o f America r e a d y t o r i d e t h a t wave t o o b l i v i o n .) Mirage R e s o r t s I n c o r p o r a t e d i s going t o bond with VLC P r o p e r t i e s L i m i t e d , whose CEO i s Jack Poole, a guy Michael Harcourt t r u s t s t o t h e t u n e of 15 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s . Mike s a y s , "Oh, I thought t h a t money would go i n t o s o c i a l housing . I t Now, t h i s i s something we h a v e n ' t encountered y e t i n a l l t h e Mirage i n vestment language t h a t c h a r a c t e r i z e s t h i s d e a l . So, we assume VLC P r o p e r t i e s b u i l d " s o c i a l housing1'. according t o common u s a g e , " s o c i a l housing" o f t e n means such t h i n g s a s

. ..

Decision to be made on Thursday. March 17th, at City Hall of the pedestrian overpass.

townhouses, condominiums E high r i s e apartments. I t has n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e conc e p t of " a f f o r d a b l e " housing, w i t h which i t i s o f t e n i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y a s s o c i a t e d . J a c k Poole E Mike Harcourt once c o - c h a i r e d meetings i n t h e DaonDunhill c o n s t r u c t i o n E p r o p e r t y agement b u s i n e s s . But we know g o v e r n m e n t E r e a 1 e s t a t e i n t e r e s t s co-operate t o f l i p properti e s , while people j u s t l i v e on them. But t h e r e ' s a l o t more a t s t a k e on t h e gaming t a b l e s o f S t e v e ' s c a s i n o . He i s , a f t e r a l l , a p r o t e g e 1 of t h e l a t e Howard Hughes, who ended h i s l i f e l i k e a h o l o c a u s t v i c t i m under t h e control of h i s 'handlers1. And now an i n t e r e s t i n g d e p a r t u r e i n t h e Vancouver Sun' s f r o n t page S t e v e s t o r y h e a d l i n e d "We'll Spend A B i l l i on Mirage Say$" - suddenly a quoted cab d r i v e r named S t e l l a Gretchen i s quoted. where she came from t h e r e p o r t e r , Alan D a n i e l s , f a i l s t o mention She s p e a k s h e r a p p o i n t e d l i n e s , E t h e melodrama, p e r h a p s on t h e t e l e v i s i o n s e r i e s llDynastyll c o n t i n u e s t o u n f o l d : flDowntown was a dump b e f o r e he bought h e r e , " S t e l l a s a y s . " I ' d l o c k a l l t h e d o o r s & s h u t t h e windows i f I had t o go downtown, e s p e c i a l l y a t n i g h t . Now," S t e l l a s a y s , "it s completely changed. What he (Steve) d i d f o r c e d everybody e l s e t o upgrade. " Remember t h o s e words, Downtown Easts i d e r s , because t h o s e words a r e t h e words o f an American cab d r i v e r E buddy o f Chief Executive O f f i c e r S t e v e Wynn of Mirage R e s o r t s I n c o r p o r a t e d . She i s a l s o r e p o r t e d a s s a y i n g *!Steve j Wynn's so p o w e ~ f u l , h e ' s made a l o t ' o f l o c a l enemies . I 1 S t e v e was t h e guy who fought o f f t h e Las Vegas p o l i c e f o r c e 6 Nevada Gaming Conmission when t h e y t r i e d t o prove he & h i s o u t f i t '

man-

had Mafia connect i o n s . Anyway you look a t it, S t e v e W a n , casino o p e r a t o r e x t r a o r d i n a i r e , i s a hero t o t h e mob, f, cab d r i v e r s l o v e him. 6 dumb o l d Vancouver, t h e u l t i mate s u c k e r , i s c o n f r o n t e d with "an o f f e r it cannot r e f u s e "

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---a;. ...F&W .: i ~ t l a y b eI am he&' k,,~:;;; - :-&-.-! z - 2 J u s t a c r a z y thought I am h e r e , o r am I r e a l l y h e r e , o r am I j u s t dreaming t h a t I am h e r e . O r am I somewhere e l s e t h i n k i n g of t h e day t h a t I was h e r e . I s it a figment of my imagination t h a t I am h e r e . Could i t be t h a t I am on drugs and t h a t t h i s thought of being h e r e i s a f l a s h . back o r a h a l l u c i n a t i o n . Maybe it i s an i n v e n t i o n o f my mind t h a t I an h e r e . Am I c r a z y t b t h i n k I am h e r e when I am n o t . No because I r e a l l y know where I am.

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Pr Preston Manninq & The Reform Party y ( P a r t Two)

I n h i s book "Preston Manning And The Reform P a r t y , " Murray Dobbin warns u s a b o u t t h e u l t r a c o n s e r v a t i v e agenda o f t h e Reform P a r t y . A t t h e Reform P a r t y c o n v h t i o n h e l d i n Winni9eg i n t h e f a l l o f 1987, P r e s t o n Manning won t h e l e a d e r s h i p . S t a n Robe r t s , t h e second most important p e r s on i n t h e p a r t y , withdrew from t h e l e a d e r s h i p r a c e and t h e convention. He denounced P r e s t o n Manning and h i s c l o s e s u p p o r t e r s a s "right-wing, C h r i s t i a n f a n a t i c s ."

From i t s beginning t h e Reform P a r t y a t t r a c t e d extreme r i g h t - w i n g groups. The F r a s e r I n s t i t u t e , w i t h Scroogeh a d - i t - r i g h t economic p o l i c i e s , suppo r t e d i t . The National C i t i z e n s ' Coal i t i o n , an u l t r a c o n s e r v a t i v e busine s s lobby i n O n t a r i o , s u p p o r t e d i t . The National Firearms A s s o c i a t i o n , a powerful gun lobby, was a t t r a c t e d t o t h e Reform P a r t y ; so were t h e white s u p r e m i c i s t o r g a n i z a t i o n c a l l e d Herit a g e Front, t h e A l l i a n c e f o r t h e Pres e r v a t i o n o f English i n Canada which was a v i r u l e n t , f a n a t i c a l , antii-FrtCnch o r g a n i z a t i o n , and a c o l l e c t i o n o f

a n t i - a b o r t i o n groups. P a r t l y a s a m a t t e r o f s t y l e , and p a r t l y t o curb t h e f a n a t i c s E r a c i s t s i n t h e p a r t y , t h e Reform P a r t y i s dominated by i t s l e a d e r , P r e s t o n Manning, and i t s C e n t r a l h e a d q u a r t e r s . Extreme p o l i t i c a l p o s i t i o n s have b r e n s o f t e n e d i n o f f i c i a l p a r t y p o l i c y but an u g l y racism and a n t i - d e m o c r a t i c r i g i d i t y l u r k s i n t h e background l i k e an ominous shadow. The Reform P a r t y r e f u s e s t o a c c e p t t h e m u l t i c u l t u r a l n a t u r e o f modern Canada, and would n o t a l l o w S i k h s i n t h e RCMP t o wear t u r b a n s . A t t h e Reform P a r t y nomination meet i n g i n Vancouver/Quadra, A p r i l 1992, Diana Hu, a Canadian o f Chinese background and h i g h p r o f i l e member o f t h e Reform P a r t y , r a n f o r t h e nomination. To h e r dismay and h u m i l i a t i o n , she r e c e i v e d o n l y 4 3 o f t h e 445 v o t e s cast i n the f i r s t ballot. I n June, 1992, Michael Lublin, a prominent member of t h e O n t a r i o Jewi s h community and former member of t h e Reform P a r t y , went on n a t i o n a l T.V. t o denounce t h e p a r t y a s r a c i a l l y w n t o l e r a n t and a n t i - S e m i t i c . I n August, 1992, a r e p o r t e r f o r a small Kamloops newspaper c a l l e d "Kam1ooi)s T h i s Week" wrote an a r t i c l e t h a t mentioned t h e r a c i s t s t a t e m e n t s of a Reform P a r t y c a n d i d a t e f o r nomin a t i o n by t h e name of Keith Raddatz. Raddatz had t a l k e d about Native peopl e who "don't want t o work and d o n ' t want u s t o work e i t h e r " and Blacks who a r e "heavy i n t o t h e drug s c e n e i n Toronto. They a r e not wokking and a r e not p r o d u c t i v e . I f A l o c a l b u s i n e s s a s s o c i a t i o n complained about t h e a r t i c l e and t h e r e p o r t e r , Ian Hanington, was f o r c e d t o r e s i g n . The Reform P a r t y s u p p o r t s t h e North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). I t would end Medicare a s a Canadawide u n i v e r s a l h e a l t h i n s u r a n c r prog-

ram w i t h n a t i o n a l s t a n d a r d s . I t would end f e d e r a l government c o n t r i b u t i o n s t o s o c i a l a s s i s t a n c e and s o c i a l housi n g programs. I t does n o t b e l i e v e i n a minimum wage. I t b e l i e v e s t h a t soci a l programs should be o p e r a t e d through p r i v a t e e n t e r p r i s e and c h a r i t y . I t would n o t r e p e a l t h e GST, but would extend it t o i n c l u d e food. The Reform P a r t y has no p o l i c y with r e g a r d t o p o v e r t y . Canada h a s more than one m i l l i o n h h i l d r e n l i v i n g i n p o v e r t y and h a s been c r i t i c i z e d by t h e United Nations f o r i t s i n a d e q u a t e s o c i a l programs, y e t t h e Reform P a r t y has n o t h i n g t o s a y about p o v e r t y , and P r e s t o n Manning doesn' t mention t h e word i n h i s speeches ( P r e s t o n Manning And The Reform P a r t y , by Murray Dobbi n (Page 2 1 2 ) ) . To be c o n t i n u e d . By SANDY CAMERON

FACTS ON THE FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE --

* Excluding defence, o n l y EIGHT CENTS o f e v e r y d o l l a r s p e n t by Ottawa goes t o p e r s o n n e l d o s t s . A t t a c k i n g t h e s a l a r i e s , b e n e f i t s and job s e c u r i t y cf f e d e r a l g o v l t workers i.1il1 have next t o no impact on t h e d e f i c i t . * A one p e r c e n t r e d u c t i o n i n i n t e r e s t r a t e s reduces g o v ' t expenditure by $3 b i l l i o n a y e a r ; more than DOUB LE THE SAVING t h a t would r e s u l t i n a10 p e r c e n t c u t i n p e r s o n n e l c o s t s . * Over t h e p a s t decade, t h e f e d e r a l government's p e r s o n n e l c o s t s have DECREASED from 14per c e n t of t o t a l e q e n d i t u r e s t o l e s s t h a n 12 p e r c e n t *Total f e d e r a l p u b l i c s e c t o r employment r e p r e s e n t s a modest f o u r p e r - c e n t o f Canada's workforce. T h i s t o t a l DROPS DRAMATICALLY t o o n l y 1 . 7 % when t h e armed f o r c e s , uniformed RCMP . and a l l employees o f Crown corporat i o n s 6 g d v ' t e n h e ~ r i g e sa r e )excluded * The average wages o f PSAC ( P u b l i c S e r v i c e A l l i a n c e o f Canada) members have DECLINED i n r e a l t e n s by e i g h t per c e n t o v e r t h e p a s t decade. * Wage c o n t r o l programs have RESTRICTED t h e e a r n i n g s o f f e d e r a l g o v l t workers f o r s i x o f t h e p a s t 12 y e a r s . * Over t h e p a s t decade, f e d e r a l p u b l i c s e r v i c e wage i n c r e a s e s have LAGGED t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r , t h e p r o v i n c i = a1 s e c t o r E t h e municipal pub. s e c t o r . * FEWER PEOPLE work f o r t h e f e d e r a l g o v l t t a d a y t h a n i n 1973, d e s p i t e the f a c t t h e r e a r e f o u r m i l l i o n more Canadians, many more g o v ' t programs and h i g h e r p u b l i c demand f o r s e r v i c e s * The v a s t m a j o r i t y of PSAC members -

more t h a n 70 p e r c e n t - w o r k OUTSIDE t h e National C a p i t a l Region. A l l i a n c e members l i v e and work i n v i r t u a l l y e v e r y community i n t h e country. The r e g i o n a l breakdown i s a s f o l l o w s : National C a p i t a l Region Atlantic Quebec ( o u t s i d e Hull) O n t a r i o ( o u t s i d e Ottawa) West Territories -

47,500 20,500 25,000 30,000 38,500 9,000

* The f e d e r a l g o v l t spends some s i x b i l l i o n a y e a r on c o n t r a c t i n g o u t , with no c e n t r a l accounting f o r how 6 why bhe money i s s p e n t . Treasury Brd. has f r u s t r a t e d t h e House o f Commons P u b l i c Accounts Committee by a d m i t t i n g it had no i d e a i f contracting-out was c o s t - e f f e c t i v e . * Unlike o t h e r Canadian workers, f e d e r a l . g o v l t employees a r e BARRED BY LEGISLATION from n e g o t i a t i n g such measures a s s t a f f i n g , ~ L a s s i f i c a t i o n and p e n s i o n s . * Federal p u b l i c s e r v i c e workers PAY HANDSOMELY-7.5% of g r o s s e a r n i n g s - f o r the e x t r a b e n e f i t s t h e i r pens-. i o n s p r o v i d e . On t h e o t h e r hand, i n t h e p r i v a t e s e c t o r , 45% o f workers covered by pension p l a n s made NO CONTRIBUTION a t a l l . Less t h a n 1%of c o n t r i b u t o r s t o p r i v a t e pension p l a n s pay a s much on a p e r c e n t a g e b a s i s a s f e d e r a l government workers do. * The combined d e b t s of Canadian households, c o r p o r a t i o n s and f i n a n c i a l i n s t i t u t i o n s are nearly t r i p l e t h e d e b t owed by ALL LEVELS o f goverrr ment i n t h i s c o u n t r y .

he average wages of PSAC members have DECLINED in real terms by eight per cent over the past decade.

Wage control programs have RESTRICTED the earnings of federal government workers for six of the past dozen years. Over the past decade, federal public service wage increases have LAGGED the private sector, the provincial public sector and the municipal public sector.

Operating and Cnl)il:ll Expenditures

1':lyoients to Crown Curporations

'I?) Persons (UI, Old Age Security clc.) -.

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lSY0 1'ul)lic 1)el)t Charges

TAKE DOWN YOUR PANTS By Patricia Chauncey Take down your pants and show us your pain While we bask in the afwr glow of our sympathy and block all you effo- for change Take down your pants and tcU us how it FEELS to be hungry, to be cold, to be homeless. Take down your pants and tell us what it's like not being able to provide for your kids Take down your kids pants... Our sympathy will coat you in it's stickyness, Our sympathy will block your throat and stop you from speaking about our greed.. Our need to make you take down your pants and expose to us the powerlessness we create for you. Take down your pants and do it again md pretend for us that this performance will be the last one While we prepare you once more for a harder handful of garbage Brought to you in h e form of services for the poor to improve your technique, to make you more compliant, to make you work harder far us for less.

take down your pants so I can wrap you in the old clothes af charity wtiile I rub on you the bullshit of my sympathy and stop you from speaking the truth or correct your manners. Take down your pmts and let nlc comp:ue you to od~crsI have known who wcre even more in need of rn y dcrnented attention, Those who livcd far away and were grateful for my educated lasciviousness and charity.

Take down your pants and learn not to take aim with your strong foot in the centre of my pamarchy, my greed, my disgusting, need to improve but not end the poverty I create. Take down your pants and swallow it. Take down your pants and in noisy compliance teach your children to swallow i t

TAKE DOWN YOUR PANTS AND SHOW US YOUR .PAINWHILE WE EXPIRE IN OUR MIDDLECLASS POSTURE OF SYMPATHY

"You a r e young. T h i s a l o n e i s p a i n f u L You a r e e x p e c t e d t o behave a s an adu l t . You a r e asked n o t h i n g . You a r e t a u g h t e v e r y t h i n g . You a r e taughtwliat you need t o know t o e x i s t . You a r e n ' t t a u g h t t h a t t o know b e a u t y i s t o l i v e . The ways o f commerce a r e i n g r a h e d i n you. The n e c e s s i t i e s o f l i f e and t h e need f o r t h e i r a t t a i n m e n t a r e a shadow on your back. To show l o v e , t o adm i t t e n d e r n e s s t o any l i v i n g t h i n g i s t o be s u s p e c t e d o f weakness. You a r e s t e e r e d , b u t you a r e not guided.

"You have l i t t l e choice on t h i s e a r t h You w i l l f a l l e v e r deeper i n t o t h e s t r u g g l e f o r t h e m a t e r i a l , t h e compet i t i o n , the fight f o r survival i n work, i n l o v e , i n l i f e i t s e l f . Many t i m e s you w i l l ask why and your quest i o n w i l l go unanswered. I t w i l l f a l l on deaf e a r s because every l i v i n g human being i s f i g h t i n g t h e same f e a r s , t h e same doubts, and i n t h e i r r a r e moments o f s o l i t u d e , t h e y t o o a s k why. "You do have some c h o i c e . I t was g i v en t o you a t b i r t h . T h i s world, such as i t i s , can o f f e r o n l y what you p u t i n t o i t . Only what you want o u t o f i t . You can d e f y t h e world, s p i t i n t h e face o f a u t h o r i t y , f l o u t t h e laws, taunt t h o s e who would l e a d you, laugh a t convention, e s c a p e r e a l i t y w i t h drugs, l i q u o r and o t h e r e x c e s s e s . You can, i n e f f e c t , r e s i g n from t h e human race. You can r u n , you can h i d e , from everyone and e v e r y t h i n g but y o u r s e l f . Your l i f e is i n s i d e you. There i s no excape. Only i n d e a t h i s t h e r e peace. You w i l l n o t f i n d i t on e a r t h i n your time. You were not i n t e n d e d t o r e s t e a s y . You would become bored t o t h e

"Your a l t e r n a t i v e i s t h i s : Your greate s t s t r e n g t h , your o n l y n o b i l i t y i s t o l i v e one day o f your l i f e a t a time, according t o t h e courageofyqur c o n v i c t i o n s . Do what you wish t o do. Go where you wish t o go. Live a s you, inside yourself, desire t o live, b e a ~ i n g i n mind t h a t o t h e r s have t h e same c h o i c e . You cannot judge o r i n f r i n g e on t h e i r way o f l i f e . "Believe i n you. Yourself. Believe i n e v e r y word and a c t i o n and s u s t a i n t h e courage t o l i v e w i t h y o u r s e l f . You owe n o t h i n g t o anyone e l s e . And t h e y owe n o t h i n g t o you. Except a s your heart dictates. "Learn t o l o v e someone. Learn t o l o v e them. But f i r s t , l e a r n t o love yours e l f , p r o p e r l y . I n s h a r i n g your l i v e s t h e burden w i l l seem l e s s onerous. When you go t o t r i a l , b e l i e v e i n yours e l f . Be honest with y o u r s e l f and you cannot h e l p b u t be honest with o t h e r s Then, and o n l y t h e n , may you e x p e r i ence one of t h e most e l u s i v e sensat i o n s known t o mankind, peace o f mind ''1 d o n ' t r e a l l y e x p e c t you t o l i s t e n t o what I ' v e s a i d . Human b e i n g s a r e n o t y e t ready t o l i v e with t r u t h and with each o t h e r . You s e e , no one e v e r l i s t e n e d t o me e i t h e r . "

By RAY L. ERICKSON (This s t o r y was w r i t t e n i n a c e l l a t F o r t Saskatchewan J a i l i n 1956. I was 26. I s e r v e d time f o r a n o t h e r 30 y r s b e f o r e I grew up and l i s t e n e d . )

SHOPPING GALORE:

or -

ABOARD S H I P A N D A SHORE.

I t ' s t h e l o n g e s t war i n h i s t o r y b u t q a l l i e s have waged a mostly p e a c e f u l f f e n s i v e a g ai n s-t -th-e - j -o b l e s s poor. you won't r e a d about it i n your s o c i a1 s t u d i e s c o u r s e . Brian Mulroney's P r o g r e s s i v e Consr v a t i v e government s l a s h e d w e l f a r e For t h e p a s t 500 y e a r s t h e wealthy ayments t o t h e p r o v i n c e s , c u t back and t h e i r a l l i e s have waged war a g a i he unemployment i n s u r a n c e program n s t poor people who c a n ' t f i n d work. d hacked mbst o t h e r s o c i a l programs Nearly 470 y e a r s ago, England was A t t h e same time, t h e huge m u l t i a c o u n t r y of two and one h a l f m i l l i o n i o n a l s showered t h e i r workforces people. I t was r u l e d by King Henry t h e Eighth and h i s n o b l e s . h pink s l i p s o f d i s m i s s a l . Over I n Henry t h e E i g h t h ' s England n o b l e 0,000 Canadians l o s t t h e i r j o b s men owned a l o t o f t h e l a n d but t h e y ce 1988. Even many o f t h o s e who wanted t o b r e e d sheep on t h e i r land. e found a new job have had t o s e t But t h e r e were f a r m e r s who were u s i n g j 2 t l e f o r lower wages o r p a r t t i m e work. t h e s e l a n d s t o grow food. So what d i d k Meanwhile t h e new and t h e o l d jobt h e n o b l e s do? They drove t h e f a r m e r s j ' l e s s f a c e c o n s t a n t a t t a c k s from t h e o f f t h e land, u s i n g f o r c e 6 t r i c k e r y . $mass media. Newspapers, and r a d i o and "The sheep a t e t h e people," s a i d oneyTV newscasts c o n s t a n t l y r e f e r t o peoperson a t t h e t i m e . Poor l a n d l e s s : - q p l e on w e l f a r e a s ' l a z y ' , ' s l a c k e r s ' .farmers became v b g a b ~ n d sl i k e today' s ..'+and ' f r a u d a r t i s t s ' . .homeless. They roamed t h e l a n d look- 'f t ; The same o l d s o l u t i o n s t o mass unemployment have now r e s u r f a c e d . q i n g f o r work.- I n t u r n , r i c h p e o p l e During t h e g r e a t d e p r e s s i o n o f t h e 'J' and t h e i r a r m i e s hunted down and o f t 1930's thousands of unemployed Canadk i l l e d t h e poor. i a n s were herded i n t o i s o l a t e d work But v i o l e n c e a g a i n s t t h e poor camps. There t h e y l i v e d under m i l i t , c o u l d n ' t make t h e problem o f p o v e r t y gld i s a p p e a r . So t h e k i n g s and r u l e r s of a r y d i s c i p l i n e , and were p a i d t h e un4 ;.:England found a n o t h e r s o l u t i o n . They b e l i e v a b l y low wage o f 5 c e n t s a day. I n t h e middle o f t h e 1993 e l e c t i o n ;.': s e t up workhouses. :ampaign, now Prime M i n i s t e r J e a n "These workhouses," s a y s Toronto *8 Z h r e t i e n was asked what he thought o f ; r w r i t e r John C l a r k e , "could pwovide a "-'meagre upkeep i n r e t u r n f o r t a s k l a b - ' w o r k f a r e ' . "1 'm n o t a g a i n s t it ,"'/he r e p l i e d . ;our under a regime a s h a r d a s p o s s i b Now a l l Canadian governments f i g h t "'le . I 1 People i n t h e workhouse were t h e d e f i c i t i n s t e a d o f unemployment. c a l l e d 'paupers which, s a y s C l a r k e , The l o n g e s t war o f a l l , t h e war a g a i n ' "was seen a s t h e u l t i m a t e badge of st t h e poor, goes on. shame and d i s g r a c e I t w i l l continue u n t i l t h e jobless Change t h e name ' p a u p e r ' t o 'welfpoor and t h e i r a l l i e s can p u t a s t o p a r e r e c i p i e n t ' and t h e word "workhouse' t o ' w o r k f a r e ' and you could be t o i t . By DAVE JAFFE t a l k i n g about Canada i n 1994. With t h a n k s t o John Clarke, Ontario I n Canada f o r t h e p a s t twelve years i t i o n a g a i n s t Poverty. Coal governments and t h e i r b i g b u s i n e s s -

I I "

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY

STD C l i n i c Monday through Friday, 9am 5pm. FREE KEDICRL CLINIC Mon, Wed, Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm. NEEDLE EXCHANGE 221 Main; every day. 9am 5pm. Needle Exchangc Van on the s t r e e t evenings, Mon-Sat. N . A . meets every Honday night a t 223 Main S t r e e t .

Out-To-Lunch Bunch meets d a i l y a t 59 Powell, loam

1993 DONATIONS S t u a r t M.-$50 Kettle F.s.-$16 Etienne S.-$50 Lisa E.-$10 Matt -$20 Keith C.-$20 Abby K.-$20 Anonymous -$75

Eleanor K.-$25 Adbusters -$SO J o y T.-$20 Legal Aid -$SO Marianne C . -$25 Paula R.-$20 S t e v e T.-$15 E r i c E.-$16

Wayne H.-$4.50 Colleen E.-$20 William F.-$50 Adult Ed.-$16 Roberts ALC -$30 CEEDS -$SO E m i l E.-$20 Mike H . -$I00

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d*teattanl errarled

FMCC

TIIF. NKWSI,I<TTI:R I S A PUI\I.ICATIIIN (:ARNEC.IV,

1:rl~EtIlNI'l'Y I:I:NTRI:

A r t 1 ~ 1 t - 3~ r e r r e ~ r ~tilr lt

O F 'TIII;

ASSOCI A'Y ION

V ~ P W To

II~~IIVI~IIIII

c o n t r l h 1 1 t o r 3 a w l 11ot o f t l w h 3 o r l n t l o l l .

Help i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e (funding) S o c i a l S e r v i c e s $1000 Vancouver Health Dept. - $ I 1 Employment E Immigration -$800 P.L.U.R.A. -$I000

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DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 20 YEARS.

Our Miracle Volunfeer Egor LIarov had h i s humble beginni n g s on October 16, 1946. He was born i n Pazin, C r o a t i a , which i s c l o s e t o t h e I t a l i a n b o r d e r . Egor had a v e r y c l o s e k n i t f a m i l y and i s worried about them being i n a war-torn l a n d . Egor had f o u r b r o t h e r s , b u t o n l y has two who a r e s t i l l a l i v e . A b r o t h e r t h r e e y e a r s younger d i e d t r a g i c a l l y . Egor's mother i s i n Pazin and he hasnl t heard from h e r s i n c e C h r i s t m a s Egor has been a v o l u n t e e r a t Carneg i e Community C e n t r e f o r f i v e y e a r s . He s 2 e n t e x c e p t i o n a l l y l o n g hours b r i n g i n g joy t o o u r 2 a t r o n s by showink v i d e o s and doing t h e sound system f o r s p e c i a l e v e n t s and board m e e t i n g s Egor i s C a r n e g i e l s Miracle a s he was s t r u c k down by a c a r when he was on t h e sidewalk n e a r t h e Columbia IIotel. I t happened on August 30, 1993 and p u t him i n a coma f o r two weeks. He s p e n t two months a t S t . P a u l ' s H o s p i t a l and a n o t h e r month a t G.F. Strong R e h a b i l i t a t i o n C e n t r e . The n u r s e s a t S t . P a u l ' s wanted t o know what k i n d o f p l a c e Carnegie was a s t h e y n e v e r saw a p a t i e n t w i t h s o aany v i s i t o r s . We had a g r e a t d e a l o f hope f o r Egor t o r e c o v e r and n e v e r gave up. H i s numerous f r i e n d s k e p t l e a v i n g c a r d s and messages knowing t h a t sooner o r l a t e r Egor would wake u? and r e a d them. Egor s u f f e r e d s e v e r e head i n j u r i e s and a g r e a t p a r t of h i s miraculous recovery i s t h a t h e ' s s u f f e r e d no l o s s o f memory. T h i s v e r y s 2 e c i a l v o l u n t e e r i s much more a p p r e c i a t i v e o f o t h e r s s i n c e being i n h o s p i t a l and i t ' s come back with him b e i n g chosen Volunteer of t h e Month. Egor would l i k e t o say s p e c i a l t h a n k s t o t h e many peo?le who helped save h i s l i f e such a s t h e ones i n F i r e h a l l Number Two, p o l i c e d e p a r t ment, ambulance d r i v e r s , D r . Boyd and

wonderful n u r s e s a t S t . Paul ' s H o s p i t a l - Theresa, Pam, Kathy and Peggy. Also s p e c i a l t h a n k s t o D r . Stewart from t h e G. F . Strong R e h a b i l i t a t i o n C e n t r e and t h e p h y s i o - t h e r a p i s t J a n e t a s well a s t h e o r i e n t a t i o n

' the

worker J a n e . Last b u t not l e a s t Egor t h a n k s and a p p r e c i a t e s a l l o f h i s Carnegie f r i e n d s . Carnegie Community C e n t r e should b e i n t h e Guiness Book o f Records a s everyone who e n t e r s t h e f r o n t d o o r s h a s t h e l a r g e s t f a m i l y i n t h e world! By IRENE SCHMIDT THE NEW CO-ORDINATOR I S For a l l t h e Learning C e n t r e Stude n t s . The i n t e r v i e w i n g f o r t h e Learning C e n t r e p o s i t i o n took p l a c e a t t h e end of February. Three r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s from t h e School Board, 3 r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e Learning C e n t r e , and a Carnegie r e p r e s e n t a t i v e were t h e r e . Ten people were put through t h e i r une n v i a b l e i n t e r v i e w s (would you l i k e 7 p e o p l e e y e b a l l i n g you c r i t i c a l l y ? ) . A d e c i s i o n was made and t h e person chosen i s Ron Klassen. He i s from up c o u n t r y . Because he d i d n ' t know i f he would g e t t h e job, he has had t o g i v e r e a s o n a b l e n o t i c e where he is b e f o r e he becomes o u r Co-ordinator. I t i s n o t q u i t e c l e a r when he w i l l be a b l e to start. By DORA SANDERS

To The E d i t o r

Mar. 4 '94

3ne n i g h t a few y e a r s ago I t u r n e d on t h e TV and viewed what l o o k e d l i k e a n ~ u of t control blizzard. I n actuality i t t u r n e d o u t t o be t h e n i g h t l y coverIge of t h e BC Winter Games.

I c a n ' t remember t h e name of t h e town where t h e Games were, b u t I t h i n k i t was some p l a c e l i k e S m i t h e r s . A t any r a t e , t h e y l a t e r i n t e r v i e w e d some of t h e l o c a l c i t i z e n s , and one young l a d y e x p r e s s e d how e x c i t e d s h e f e l t t h a t p e o p l e from o t h e r c i t i e s were v i s i t i n g h e r town and s h e f e l t " v e r y proud. "

S i t t i n g t h e r e w a t c h i n g TV i n Vancouver t h a t n i g h t , i t reminded me t h a t BC was b i g g e r t h a n t h e Lower Mainland, P r i n c e George and P r i n c e R u p e r t . I t a l s o maae me wonder i f t h e power b r o k e r s i n Vancouver & V i c t o r i a were r e a l l y capable t o r u l e over places l i k e S m i t h e r s , Daweon C r e e k , F o r t S t John, t h e .Bellas, e t c ?

And now, h e r e i n 1994, a t t h e t u r n of t h e c e n t u r y and m i l l e n n i u m , we a r e p r e s e n t e d w i t h a s i t u a t i o n i n which a l l i n h a b i t a n t s of BC may be aked t o d e c i d e i f p r i v a t e p r o f i t gambling s h o u l d be a l l o w e d t o i n c u b a t e i n t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e of Vancouver. The contemporary t r i b e of B r i t i s h Columbf.ans e l e c t e d Mike H a r c o u r t t o l e a d u s , and up t o a few weeks ago h e was p r e s e n t i n g a p r o m i s i n g b a l a n c e of strong P r o v i n c i a l leadership. ;ul now t h e P r e m i e r i s t a l k i n g a b o u t 6 hrovincial p l e b i s c i t e t o determine i i he jewel i n t h e crown (Vancouver) i s t o be a n a t t r a c t i v e C i t y of open v i c e , o r a g r e a t C i t y of c u l t u r a l decency.

I n s t e a d of o f f e r i n g us l e a d e r s h i p , and g i v i n g a s t r o n g p e r s o n a l "NO" t o open market gambling, h e i s p a s s i n g t h e buck s o t h a t E r i t i s h Columbains w i l l have t o l i n e up on e i t h e r s i d e of t h i s p a s s i o n a t e i s s u e , and f i r e t h e i r s i n g l e v o t e a t t h e opposing s i d e . T h i s i s t h e epitome of a s o c i a l p o l a r i z a t i o n t h a t would t a r n i s h t h e q u i e t b u t f i r m t e x t u r e of r e s p e c t t h a t B r i t i s h Columbians, remote and l o c a l , have f o r one another. The quandary I pose t o you i s :

I f we know t h a t t h e p o s t 1975 SoCreds a r e c o r r u p t , and we know we c a n ' t t r u s t t h e BC L i b e r a l s x n d e z c a p i t a l i s t s , Gordon aild h i s BCTV b r o t h e r M i c h a e l , and i f we a r e now t o be d e s e r t e d by t h e soci a l i s t NDP, t h e n who t h e h e l l e l s e can we t u r n t o b u t t h e bloody a n a r c h i s t s ? Garry Gust

DESPERATE, DEGRADED, DISILLUSIONED! I look i n s i d e my h e a r t and I s e e a c h i l d who1s n e v e r had a chance t o grow up I look i n s i d e my mind and I s e e a woman who's n e v e r had a chance t o be a c h i l d

But mostly I t r y n o t t o look i n s i d e for fear I ' l l realize my childhood i n j u s t i c e s . An Innocent c h i l d r e a c h i n g o u t f o r guidance i s bewildered when i n s t e a d his t r u s t i s violated

A c h i l d does n o t ask

t o b e born, t o b e abused t h e n , abandoned t o s u r v i v e l i f e i n t h e system - a l o n e . A s e n s i t i v e woman

s e a r c h i n g f o r a soulmate i s u n b e l i e v i n g when she l e a r n s t h a t love is pain a woman does n o t ask t o be beaten, humiliated by t h e man she l o v e s t h e man she t r u s t e d A person does n o t d e s e r v e t o l i v e l i f e i n poverty D e s p e r a t e , Degraded, D i s i l l u s i o n e d while o t h e r s a r e e x t r a v a g a n t A person does n o t d e s e r v e t o b e v i c t i m i z e d by s o c i e t y s t r a n d e d i n a l i f e o f f a l s e hopes

What does it m a t t e r If I know what should b e I t never has been I t never w i l l be. Rebecca Weaver

You grasped my hand t o t o u c h your cheek and joked See i t ' s me I marvelled a t t h e s o f t n e s s l i k e my m o t h e r ' s I thought Give a k i s s t o L e i t h you s a i d I promise I w i l l You s a i d you were t i r e d You were going home t o s l e e p how profound i n r e t r o s p e c t I know you were t i r e d t i r e d o f s e e i n g your s i s t e r s f a l l t i r e d of t h e pain i n your h e a r t Now I understand t h a t p a i n because it i s i n mine and i n everyone you touched even t h e c l o u d s wept and on a b e a u t i f u l sunny day we s a i d f a r e w e l l how a p p r o p r i a t e t h a t ' s j u s t l i k e you everything coordinated you always had a c h a i r f o r me where we h e l d c o u r t keeping t h e j e s t e r s i n l i n e 1'11 n e v e r f o r g e t you s t a n d i n g t h e r e i n your apron your s m i l e your laugh your eye. u n t i l we meet a g a i n You do walk i n b e a u t y

From Brenda I