October 29, 1996

It istime for our seasonal update on the affairs of the nation. Wehereat Sacred Cows firmly believe that there is nothing like seeing everyone else’s problems to make one forget their own.

Prince Edward Island has announced a provincial election to be held sometime after its politicians finish their speeches. For a few weeks at least, Islanders will once more become the center of our leader’s attention.

A young man showed up at my door yesterday telling me he wasa politician; and, thinking it was a brilliant costume, I gave him some candy and a few pennies for UNICEF. Now I can not get rid of him.

Transportation unions in Toronto are having a city-wide strike to protest the spending cuts made by the Harris government. By stopping Torontonians, who depend on buses and subways, from reaching their $7.00-an-hour Jobs, they hope to add pressure to highly-paid politicians who rely on chauffeur driven cars to get to work. This is considered sound pubic[sic] (Ed. Note I think Peter meant Public, but either works.) policy?

In an effort to improve inter-provincial relations, the Quebec government has laid its 18th charge in connection to last year’s Montreal rally. It seems that certain travel companies leased buses and planes without the costs showing up in the ‘No’ committees budget. This is a direct violation of section 4, subsection (b), article 29 of the referendum law, entitled “Mind your own business, Mr. English- speaking pig.” I am joking.

There are no such laws in existence.

Meanwhile, an association of Anglophone Quebecois are taking the provincial government to court )in order to get access to some 89,000 ballots that were rejected during the vote. They believe that many of these ballots were in fact legitimate and that by showing them to the rest of the country, we will come to realize that some of the French- speaking, separatist volunteers who monitored the vote may have had ulterior motives. This is considered a news flash.

The Federal Liberals, in a report made by their own party, have given themselves a grade of B+ in “promise keeping”. Out of 174 promises made at election time, they have managed to keep 153. Two major promises not kept include scrapping the GST and a promise made by Mr. Chretien that he would learn to speak either one of Canada’s official languages. While addressing a Liberal youth rally, Chretien announced “...any student getting 78% in their grades would be considered quite a good student.” In celebration of their outstanding achievement, Parliament has passed a law requiring all politicians to live on macaroni and cheese and to pay $3,000 a year to Canadian universities.

It seems that foreign Affairs has been spending as much money on promoting Quebec artists abroad as it has on artists from the rest of Canada. This includes an avowed separatist who received about $900 a day to display his works at Charlottetown’s “Confederation” Centre of the Arts this summer. Mr. Axworthy has promised to investigate the matter. Bookies in Las Vegasare giving 78% odds of him actually doing so.

Dogs will bark, and fleas will bite. Lucien Bouchard will students to protestrising tuition costs. Canadians will search for a national identity and Vancouver will continue to have more sushi restaurants than downtown Tokyo. I have to go now. There is a politician atmy door looking for some candy.

Opinion/Editorial @* The Panther Prints

LETTER TO ED Dear Editor:

I just want to take the time to tell all students about the great service for all their bikes at Smooth Cycle. As you know Smooth Cycle is located on the corner of Prince and Kent streets here intown. They have only been in business for about a year now. With the great service at great rates they should be assured of a bright future in business. When ever I go in the shop people are always dropping in to say hi to the owners of Smooth Cycle. This is an example of how their customers appreciate honesty and reliability in today,s fast paced economy.

Recently I bought a new bike from Smooth Cycle and couldn't believe how well they treat their customers. When ever you buy a bike from them, they will service your new bike for free for the next three years. I did not even have to buy a bike they had in stock, they special ordered a bike in from British Columbia. They even take your name and address to put on their mailing list for their own news letter. If your new bike for some reason is not quite perfect when it arrives, they will make it right with the manufacturer in a very prompt efficient manner.

If you were thinking of buying a new bike or getting work done on your old bike, these people at Smooth Cycle will take care of your needs in a very professional manner. They are certified bicycle technicians and reallyknow their stuff. They also have a nice selection of biking attire.

David Bradley

Ed. Note:

Letters to the editor are not edited for content, grammer, or anything else. For legal reasons all letters must be signed, and include a phone number. Mr. Bradley’s letter and all other letters received by the Panther Prints do not in any way express the feelings of the Panther Prints Staff, and we do not endorse Smooth Cycle in any way. Deadlines for submissions are Thursdays at 5:00pm.

had been in the same class

since first grade. These people did not have the opportunity to interact with different people. They went through most of their schooling with the same 25 people, no wonder by the time they got to grade nine they were ready to drop out-they were sick of seeing the same people and sick of having one teacher for all eight of their courses.

Perhaps when Laura Ingills Wilder went to school one room was enough. In today's society it seems inadequate. Parents complain that their kids are spending too much time in front of the tv or computer. Perhaps if those kids had the opportunity to enjoy the company of people with other interests and hobbies they would get involved and get out of the house.

We all know that the government has limited funds, (they can get more money-but that would mean an increase in taxes), and they do the best they can to distribute that money so that everyone

> | ray a gets a piece of the pie. If EDI e ORIAL<2:: government could

According to the Saturday The school boards

edition of the Guardian, education is surfacing as one of the major issues in the upcoming election. But, let me be the first to inform you that it's not post-secondary education they are concerned about. Apparently the school boards on PEI think an election would be a good time to squeeze promises out of the government, promises to not cut their precious little one room school houses.

want to keep open the schools that have less than 400 students in attendance. Why? Coming from a school with a_ student body of over 1000 did not hinder my educational experience. It made it better. The more students, the more opinions and the more ideas you were presented with. What did hinder my educational experience was attending a school composed of grades 1-9, most of whom

close down a few of the smaller schools they could put more money into the larger schools. More money could mean more programs, more teachers, better books, and better facilities. Maybe even more computers’ so students in a computer class could each have their own instead of having to share. Perhaps the parents in favour of these one room schools should take their heads out of the clouds and think about what is best for everyone- not just their families.