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<OPiNION Abstinence is not enough For the most part, the Hartis government has quashed the demands of its night w ing morality squad, who have demanded firm action against things like abortion, gay rights, and "obscenity" The large number ol Tory MPPs {though they will never give names or say exactly how many members they have) that belong to what the soâ€"called Family Values t aucus have become mereasingly frustrared by theit government‘s reluctance to give priofity to their issues While Harri<‘ Whiz Kids recognize that some of their support comes from people who are moral as well as fiscal conservatives. they also know that many fiscal conservatiwes lind an emphasts an ‘family values" to be repugnant. Like Alberta Pretmer Ralph Klein, who has shied away from a ban on provincial funding for abortion and coerced his caucus into accepting a coun ruling on gay rights, the Ontario Tories don‘t want to alienate the province‘s socially proâ€" gressive majority. While Harris himself is antiâ€"choice on abortion and would probably side with the Family Values Caucus on mant~ other issues, his advisers have told him that the fiscal agenda is more important. Occasionally, however, the morality squad gets its way. Financial Last Monday {conveniently EPRRTE ZPT OPAMEUTTE | cnough. after both the legislature and schools had adjourned for the sumâ€" mer), the Tories released their new common curriculum for Health and Physical Education, including new rules for teaching kids about sexuality. Sadly, the Tories have let their 1950s morality get in the way of good judgement. By making abstinence the only mandatory topic when dealing with pregnancy and disease prevention. the govâ€" emment is making a grave crror. According to Minister of Educaâ€" tion Dave Johnson, "there is no requwrement of any board to specifically impart knowledge about a condom" Planned Parenthood‘s Donna Randall complained that the curâ€" riculum focussed on "what we call plumbing" (the mechanics of reproduction, but nothing about the emotions that accompany sex} She also correctly pointed out that "Teaching about sexually transâ€" mitted diseases and AIDS in Grade 8 is too late" Every generation hopes that the next one will refrain from sexual activity until they are old enough to make wise decisions. But, each generation should try to think back to when they were teenagers and realize that many kids are going to ignore our advice and experâ€" iment with their changing bodies. Sure, we can teach them that its OK to say no, and even tell them that we‘d prefer that they do, but what then? The consequences of careless sexual activity are tow great to close our eyes and pretend or hope that 1t‘s not going to happen. An unwanted pregnancy can ruin the lives of both the parents and the unwanted child. Many sexually transnutted diseases can have negâ€" ative health impacts forever, particulatly if they are untreated. HIV Chronicle can lall. Lets give lads the inlormation that they need to prevent pregnancy and disease. 1cts demand that our sc hools go beyond the Tones shortsighted moralisc sexual health curniculam Waterloo Town Square 75 King St. South, Suite 201 Waterloo, Ontana NX2J IP2 Telephone 886â€"2830 Fax No. 886â€"938 3 Eâ€"mail . editor@waterlooâ€"chronicke.com Anotuer VIEW decisions often have the affect of pleasing the family values crowd. Examples include cuts to travel fundâ€" ing for northern residents needing an abortion; handing over obstetric serâ€" vices to Catholic hospitals in comâ€" munities that have seen their public hospitals closed (and thereby elimiâ€" nating abortion services}; or preventâ€" ing women on welfare from having a male friend live with them on a trial basis. Other times, the moral basis for decisions is far more prevalent â€" and far more dangerous. Editor: Deborah t randall Reporters: lim Gardner Bob Vrbana: Display Advertising Bill Karges Bill Karges Gerry Mattice Norma Cyga It‘s the heat, not the humidity As if El Nino didn‘t give us warmedâ€"up weather, now they‘re talking about the onset about its polar opposite (no pun intended) La Nina. Its supposed to be as chilly as your average cheerful refund. One for the books: 1 usually strive to keep this column clear of commercial plugs, but, when it comes to the opening of a Chapters bookstore in Waterloo tomorrow, the rule gives way. By the way, when you hear again and again that it‘s not the heat. its the bumidity. you know it‘s the heat. Heres betting the store will be a resounding success. I‘m a nut for bookstores, and the Chapters in Lonâ€" don, Ont. is the best I‘ve seen in Canada. What a way to spend an afternoon: Comfortable 0N" seating. delicious coffee and stuff, and, most J importantly, books, books and more books. L"} By the way. not that anyone is interested, but my writing career is going well. Just recently I wrote something that was accepted by a P national magazine â€" a cheque for a years subâ€" . senphon â€" â€" â€" in A Having a Wonderful Time... 1 know the stats aren‘t in, but, thanks to our dented dollar, you can bet a lot of Canadians are staying in this fair Daminian for their holidays The dollars discount is now just too much for most folks to handle. Even without the devalued dollar, its always a mystery why it takes four weeks salary to pay for a twoâ€"week takes four weeks salary to pay for a twoâ€"week vacation. Taking a Chance: Never mind checking the folks who freâ€" quent lLas Vegas and Monte Carlo! If you want to see real gamblers, just take in any gathering of farmers Group Advertising Manager: Butch Griew Classified Can you imagine any occupation like it? In essence, you wager your whole year of investment and work on whether thereill be enough but not too much rain, enough but not too much heat, no killet frosts, no hail, no plague of grasshopâ€" pers, and so an Circulation/office Manager Cerolyn rinstey» . And even l all clements of nature coâ€"operate, you may still be at the merey of markets and prices: Ah yes. farming is just ane gamble after another Pasid Olwer Now I‘m talking about gemnne farmers, not the gentleman larmers who have more hay in the bank than they have in the Circulation: Jerry Fascher Marthew Haves Production: Millic Martir Kerrt Miller Group Publisher thery} McMenemy Waterloo Chronicle is published every Wednesday by the views of the newspaper Uhe views of our colummists are their own and ONCE OvER LIGHTLY barn. They‘re the kind with whitewall tires on their manure spreaders. â€" _ No, I‘m talking about the average farmer who‘s seen crops so bad that some years he had to lather the wheat in order to mow it. By the way, 1 wouldn‘t know buckwheat from a bucksaw but 1 do know where all the chemical ferulizer comes from Plastic horses! Poll Cats: After leading Ontario‘s PCs in most polls lor more than a year, the Liberals have faltered into a deadâ€"hcat with the Tories at 41 per cent, the latest Angus Reid poll reforms were long overdue Anyway, you‘ll have to concede that Mike Harris has been quick to admit his mistakes. Take the Dionneâ€"quant chintzi ness or the still inexplicable fascination with gambling casi nos. He beat a strategic retreat on both and that was the hest way to go Admittedly, Mike Harris isn‘t any casting office‘s conception of what an Ontanio premier should be, but at least we knuw him. And most of us can‘t conceive of Dalton McGuinty or Howard Hampton as premiet. Heaven forbid! But, boy, soon now television will be thick with pohitns thetonc. That will be a good time to set your roses in front « your set. Remember the old days â€" when we used to have 1 get our feruihzer from real bulls the bauway Group A diviston of Southam Inc International Standard Serial Number [SSN 0832 34 1« shows. If anyone cares, it gives the NDP 12 per cent which probably represents its getâ€"theâ€"governâ€" mentâ€"toâ€"pay core support. What‘s the poll p}ove? Not terribly much except that it may presage a good elecuiun hatâ€" tle. The situation is still fAluid because most folks don‘t focus on electing somebody until they‘re hipâ€"deep in an election campaign By the way, the poll suggests that education and health aren‘t the big negatives the media and opposition parties suggest. The noise about schools comes mostly from the teachers unions and they‘re driven by dedicated self interest. The health issue could hurt worse, hut a growing number of people seem to realize the The bad news is, the company is forced to downsize it‘s workforce.... Howerer, the good news is the summer holidays you requested will now be permanent / I‘ve got good news and bad news.... Marled subscription rates $65 yearly in Canada $90 yearly outside Canau : GSI not t essanly ropreser