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1 etters to the editor must contain the writer‘s full name, signature. address and telephone number. Addresses and teleâ€" phone numbers are used only for verificaâ€" tion purposes and will not be published Names will not be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. condense or reject any contribution for brevity or legal purposes | etters may be submitted by fax to XX6â€" 93K1 or by email to editorialiaâ€"waterâ€" loochromicke.ca or by mail or delivered to Waterloo Chromcle. 279 Weber St. N. Suite 20, Waterloo. Ontario N2J 3H8 The contents of this newspaper are proâ€" tected by copyright and may be used only for personal nonâ€"commercial purâ€" poses. All other rights are reserved and commercial use is prohibited. To make any use of this material you must first obtain the permission of the owner of the copyright. For further information contact Andrea Bailey, Editor. Waterloo Chromicle. 279 Weber St. N.. Suite 20, Waterloo. Ontario N2J 3H8 LETTERS POLICY COPYRIGHT The Waterloo Chromicle is a member of The Ontario Press Council. which conâ€" siders complaints against member newsâ€" papers. Any complaint about news. opinions advertising or conduct should first be taken to the newspaper. Unreâ€" solved complaints can be brought to Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton Street.. Suite 1706, Toronto, ON., MSB 1J3 ONTARIO PRESS COUNCH The Waterloo Chromcle is published each Wednesday by (City Media Group Inc.. a subsidiary of Torstar Corporaâ€" ton Publication Agreement Number 400504 78 International Standard Serial Number ASSN 0832â€"3410 Audited Circulation: 31 CIRCLLATION CLASSIFIED COMPOSIN Willic MARTIN LrocEABICH Geree MATHCE u. 230 RETATL SALES MAMGER ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Noi CÂ¥A ut 203 Indrea BAILL N EDITOR exr. 275 editorigh a waterloochremicle ca Jenniter ORMSION REPORTER exr 208 Bub N RBANAC SPORTS EDITOR ev 220 ypartsia waterloachrem ADVERTISING anadian Publications Mauil Sules EDHLORIAL 194 894â€"025t0 ear Diaime WHIDLNDORE A880CIATE PLBLISHER Rub LLUSCHNER REGIONAL PUBLISHER [9) A95.52¢n WATERLOO CHRONICLE PIHL RA editonial a waterloochromce ca MAIL OR IN PERSON 279 Weber St N . Sute 20 Waterloo. Ontarie N2J 3H8 GIBBS FAX 886â€"9383 EMAI 279 Weber St. N., Suite 20 Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3H8 886â€"2830 Fax: 886â€"9383 w w w.waterloochronicle.ca vham Irram haa brranichs This isn‘t about religion; it‘s about man‘s ability to twist God‘s law. This is also the price of a free society that accepts diversity and welcomes the free exchange of thoughts and ideas. That‘s the test for Canadians... to live up to the ideals of tolerance without succumbing to a culture of fear that could enslave us all. But the sad reality is that a small, motivated group of believers can use violence to advance their cause, espousing values that most who share their faith would find abhorrent. Mostâ€" of the suspects in the Toronto case seem to be more disaffected youth than any international cabal of terrorists looking to overthrow Canadian symbols. This will elicit some navel gazing in some quarters about how we have failed these youths. They represent a small number of extremists in a broader community of Canadians who came to this country to escape sectarian violence we see in other parts of the world. And for all those who think this is a clash of civilizaâ€" tions, the sheer number of people involved in these plots would suggest otherwise. Canada, along with much of the western world, is a target, not so much for what we‘ve done as for what we represent. he realities of international terrorism hit a little I closer to home last week after Canadian authorities broke up a plot that would have have shaken our assumptions about our place in the world. There are those who think the soft diplomacy pracâ€" tised by Canada, and the fact that we didn‘t join the coaliâ€" tion of the willing in Iraq, had somehow insulated us against the vagaries of violence right on our doorstep. Last week‘s arrest should have shaken some of us out of that complacency. "Parents and guardians are still the first line of Threats were a test of Canadian tolerance Strong words... Whaley said he wouldn‘t be surprised if the Chinese community that‘s nominatâ€" ed snuck in its country‘s top movie star to endorse their application. That‘s a concept that‘s virtually unheard of in these types of contests, he said, adding other communities were considered based on applications that were put together and funded by their federal governments. We are the only Canadiâ€" an entry in the competition, and just one of two North American entries, along with Cleveland, Ohio. In chatting with Ward 4 Coun. Mark Whaley last week, before he left to attend the contest in New York City, N.Y., he explained to me the uniqueness of Waterloo‘s application: it was put together completely by volunteers. Waterloo will learn this Friday where it‘s placed among seven international communities that are being considered for the coveted title. And that‘s our entry in the top intelligent commuâ€" nity contest, presented by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). espite the recent Drambling of other media outlets in town about "smart " cities, also known as amailgamaâ€" tion, there‘s only one conâ€" text I want to touch on when it comes to Waterloo being a "smart city." Waterioo would be smart to avoid reform like the plague Not little old Waterloo With the help of volunâ€" teers, such as those behind the ICF application, as well Few communities can boast the highâ€"tech powerâ€" houses that call our city home. And with two excepâ€" tional universities and one awardâ€"winning college conâ€" stantly turning out likely the next generation of newsâ€" makers in research and innovation, victory . is already ours. He‘s right about one thing... whatever happens in New York this week, Waterâ€" loo is already a winner. Whaley said our crew is sticking true to form, relying on passion over prestige. though Regional reform has been debated for decades... that pace is likely to continue. Why don‘t we keep doing what we seem to do best and commit to our own sucâ€" cess before we offer our assets to others. Regional reform has been debated for decades in these parts with no resoluâ€" tion. That pace is likely to continue. But, as history has proven, we‘re able to do so while keeping our individâ€" ual integrity and identities in tact. I‘m not saying some partnerships between the centres aren‘t helpful. There are many examples of two or more of the municipaliâ€" ties within Waterloo Region banding together on this or that over the years. * And we‘re even willing to share some of our innovaâ€" tion... the University of Waterloo‘s school of archiâ€" tecture has been a great fit for Cambridge, and the UW school of pharmacy and medical school will surely do the same good for Kitchâ€" ener. as a list of goâ€"getters as long as the Westmountâ€"Road extension that connects the research and technology park to the rest of the city, Waterloo has earned great recognition nationally, and now on the world stage. So when others start to spout off about how much better this region would be if the three cities and four townships were to reform as one, I say no thanks. Waterloo is doing just fine on its own.