PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1982, WHITBY FREE PRESS whitby Voice of the County Town Michael lan Bu urgess~ The only Whitby newspaper independently owned and operated by Whitby Pubiî T Publisher - Managing EdItor I P residents for Whitby residents. ilshed every Wednesday by M.B.M. Publishing and Photography Inc. Phone 668-61 Il 'he Free Press Building, 31 Brock Street North, P.O. Box 206, Whitby, Ont. MICHAEL J. KNELL Community Editor MARJORIE A. BURGESS Advertising Manager Second Class Mail Reglstration No. 5351 i 115 years, we have accomplished much, so take a little pride in being a Canadian Tomorrow marks the 115th anniversary of the founding of the Dominion of Canada and if we are true to form, most of us will just think of it as another way to get off work for the day. This is a dreadful, even criminal shame for what we have accomplished as a nation in this, so short a perlod of time, is truly amazing. This nation was founded on the staggering proposition that people of various cultures, languages and per- spectives living in highly divergent regions could band together in a f ree and self-governing society. People from the four corners of the earth came to this nation to find freedom and the chance to build a better life for themselves and their prosperity. Yet, despite the government's best efforts, most Canadians are not filled with emotional en- thusiasm as this day approaches. Perhaps in this President Reagan has been getting a taste of the quality British press lately, and if he's been absorbing it carefully, he may in time learn to be grateful for the relatively tame White House press corps. James Cameron, writing in "The Guardian", had this to say a propos of the recent Reagan visit. "Whether President Reaganof the United States is really as dim as he appears to be, or whether his affable ignorance is a ploy of some subtlety... con- cealing the mind of a Machiavelli behind the facade of a fathead, is something that history will judge, provided, that is, that the caprices of this capering cowboy do not in fact dispense with history all together." American newspapers have won more battles for freedoi of the press and freedom of information than the British have, but the British use the freedom they do have with devastating abandon. It struck me while my wife and I were in England, that British political commentators say what they really think, in print, in a way that newsmen here limit pretty much ta their own livingrooms. Some of you may think l've gone too far at times, in discussing various of our illustrious leaders. But if I gave you the full benefit of my political insights after nearly 30 years in this wretched business, the CRTC would have me off the air in 30 minutes. Irn Britain, it isn't just James Cameron and "The Guardian" of course, and it isn't just visiting politi- cians. I would not want to be a British MP knowing that Frank Johnson was in the press gallery, getting together a column for."The Times". When we were in the U.K. during the Falklands crisis, I read Johnson daily. Consider this rather gentle Johnsonian assault on Edward Heath, and in passing, the leader of the opposition. Wrote Mr. Johnson on May 27: "Mr. Heath has, with matchless elo- quence, said nothing. He sits. there through Prime Minister's question time, as Mr. Pym and Mr. Nott read out the statements that bring news good and bad. And not only is he silent, he is motionless. For all one knows, he stays there overnight. We do hope he is weli. None the less, Mr. Heath's contribution to the crisis, has, on the whole, been rather more constructive than Mr. Foot's." I can't imagine the carnage if pens like those were tumed loose on our House of Commons or Lord help us, the provincial legislatures, where the standards of debate are even more abysmal. But it gives me a glow to think about it. That's not news, but that too is reality. regard we could learn a lesson from our American cousins. Four days from now they will celebrate the 206th anniversary of their declaration of in- dependence. On that day, the vast majority of Americans take note and give praise for the free- dom that they not only enjoy, but fought for.on more than one occasion. Many Canadians do not realize that we too, fought for our freedom on many occasions throughout our short history, eveni though our nation came into being through peaceful means, unlike ourAmerican cousins'. One only has to think of the Battle of Vimy Ridge during the First World War when countless thousands of Canadian lives were given. During the Second World War, members of the Royal Canadian Navy provided a vital lifeline to the beleaguered thousands in Europe and .4played a vital role in the downfall of Nazi Germany's ambi- tions to conquer the free world. It was through the efforts of one Canadian - the late Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson,:- that brought into bein the United Nations: Pearson was the major moving force in its creation and while ianyi have criticized the U.N., its accom- plishments can not go unnoticed, thanks to one Canadian. For a nation of its size, Canada has produced more winners of the Nobel Prize than any other country. Yet, the Canadian heart and spirit goes compla- cently and even apathetically along. Perhaps we feel small and insignificant in the shadow of the United States who in their brief history have'risen to be a world superpower and hold the destiny of the entire free world in their hands. Because we have spent too much time hidden in their shadow we are apprehensive about going out Into the light of day. But, we shouldn't be. Canada can stand alone. We have the potential and the ability to be a great nation, a leader amongst the societies of men and a rallying point for the cause of freedom and personal liberty. For some unfathoipable reason, Canadians have watched the emergence of political forces whose sole purpose is to divide this country and to shatter it. The Parti Quebecois has become the government of Quebec, and Canadians should not be fooled - their only purpose in being is the destruction of Canada. We have also witnessed the birth of the Western Canada Concept Party - it too is bent on our nation's demise. The time has come to put ail of this behind us and look forward. Most Canadians would Probably admit to the fact that they would rather live here than in any other country. Most of us only leave it for short vacations. We.have ail benefitted from living in Canada and she has been good to all of us. So tomorrow, instead of griping about the follies of our various levels of government, take a moment and assess your place in this country and be thankful for everything she has given to you and your family. After that, keep in mind the wor- ds of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy who said in his inaugural address: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country." Admittedly, he said this to Ameri- cans, but it applies to Canadians as well. After ail, Canada has given each and every one of us.something in which we can ail take pride and perhaps it is time to think about what we can do for her. Take the time. And remember, this is a great country and we have a great future.