PAGE 4, THE HERALD, Thursday, March 23, 1978 EDITORIAL: As Others See Us Two women were standing outside when I answered the doorbell last weekend, One short and elderly; the other tall, slender and youngish. I invited them in. On theway up the stairs of the entrance they introduced themselves as Jehovah's Witnesses. One had called on me before (I had forgotten). She reminded me, I had then purchased one of their hard cover books. The book was still there] pa in my bookcase, I remembered having skimmed through it for awhile after the visit and placed it with a coliection of other Watchtower publications. _ On learning the identity and purpose of my visitors — to explain the Bible to me and its special relayvance to today’s situation — I im- mediately informed my callers I had promised to put through some laundry in the washer and dryer in the basement (and pointed to the bundle of soiled clothes on the floor as though I had to convince them I wasn’t just making up an excuse — and, I added, I had just had a one hour con- versation on the telephone — and had promised to meet my wife downtown within an hour. My Jehovah's Witnesses were exceedingly understanding. Especially the tall, younger one. (The shorter, older one said nothing at all — just nodded in an understanding way.) For the life of me no matter how I try, I cannot recall just exactly what took place during the next hour, in the way of conversation. Tall One read from two Psalms in the Bible, I recall. One — I think, from the 119th-included the bit about “‘Thy word shall be a lamp unto my path and-something-something (a light?) unto my understanding”. I can remember bringing up the subject of the founders of the Sect — Charles Taze Russel and Judge Rutherford. I can remember mentioning how one of them had reportedly fallen for a promotional deal of selling “miracle wheat”’ that was supposed to grow a hundred ears on a single stalk. (It didn't). Somewhere along the line I must have mentioned I worked for a newspaper. ; Throughout all this, the two ladies were polite, decorous, and occasionally looked toward the oor. a Occasionally I would glance at the bundle of un-laundered wash still lying at my feet, in the livingroom and then at the clock, wondering, to myself, how I would ever. make the deadline my wife. had thoughtfully — knowing ‘my ab- -sentmindedness — set for me, backed up by a ‘job jar list” on the dining room table. Every once in awhile the spokesperson. for the two would utier something to the effect, “Well, we don't Fant to keep you from meeting your wife...’ then ie conversation would continue” = = ~~ If I remember correctly, next, the con- versation switched to a return visit — when I would not be so busy. Then — rashly, as it turned out —I came up with my “pet peeve” regarding door-to-door evangelists. In one fell swooping generalization — including Mormons, Seven Day Adventists, itinerant preachers — an perhaps even Encyclopedia and vacuum cleaner salespersons, I ‘“‘let ‘em have it.” ~ “¥our’re welcome to call again, of course.” I began nobly. “But I'm sure I know how it will go. It will go like it always does — as it has this time, for instance.” ; “How’s that?” asked the Tall Talking One. - “Well-you know...” I shifted nervously, one foot on the other. The hall Chinese wall-clock started to chime 12... I was late for my downtown wife-meeting appointment... “You people will come in, try to tell me all about your special brand of religion — then leave without once ever| . asking about what and how I believe. Your minds are already made up — and — if you'll pardon me for saying so — you'll never really listen or care to one word that I have to say. You'll leave me feeling guilty just because I didn’t become a convert and whenever I see you again I'll be embarrassed because I haven’t made you happy by accepting your brand of religion.’ (“There!” I thought to myself, my face red- dening, “I've finally said what I’ve always wanted to say. But I’m sure they'll never be impressed, It won’t mean a thing to them. They’ be back in a months’ time, and we'll go through the same time-wasting experience all over again.) “We never listen? You say we're wasting your time?” asked the TTO (Tall Talkative One)”’. I could almost feel her toe tapping the carpet impatiently, as she spoke, “I don’t know about “When we knocked on your door, you told us you were short of time. You had to do your laundry and meet your wife downtown in half an hour. Yet you invited us in. Not listen to you? Why, what do you think we've been doing for the last hour. You've told us all about yourself, you’ve shown us your books. We know you’ve read a lot. We know you work for a paper in Terrace. We know plenty about you. And, ever since we got inside the door we have been trying to leave so’s not to keep your wife waiting, We've been trying to get out of the door but couldn't because you've never stopped talking!’ Very politely and quietly the TTO passed out of the front door, not looking behind, while her friend, the SSO (Stubby Silent One) flashed a shy smile. ‘Have a nice day,” she murmured, “See you again, sometime.” For once I was speechless. . Who was it — Robert Burns? — who said, “Could we but see ourselves as others see us...” I mean to say... action Have a Blessed Easter! Ottawa Offbeat by Richard Jackson Ottawa — During this ordeal of Government . intimidation and political harassment, Con- | -servative MP Tom Cossitt of Leeds drew reassurance and strength from hundreds of concerned Canadians. ; Perhaps thousands — he hasn't had time yet to make a tally — wrote, called and telegraphed . him with their support. At his home in Brockville in the heart of old Ontario's United Empire Loyalist country — yes, there are some parts of the country where triotism, loyalty and: a. respect for old, established values and traditions are not without honor — the weekend he waited, expecting, perhaps even fearing arrest, he received this telegram from old Conservative warhorse Gordon M, Churchill, former Trade Minister and trusted second-in-command of the Cabinet of former. Prime Minister Diefenbaker: “Your courage in the recent crisis has bee admirable. Do not yield. “If Members of Parliament are to be harassed, intimidated and deprived of freedom by an autocratic Government the freedom of all nadians will be endangered. “Sir John Eliot’s prophetic words before his imprisonment by King Charles are applicable tody in Canada: ‘None have gone about to break Parliament. but in the end Parliaments have broken them.’ oO “Pierre the First should read the history of Charles the First.” (signed) Gordon Chruchill. a Stirring stuff, what? Tom Cossitt, the MP who for six years has: hounded Pierre Trudeau with questions about the government’s lax security services, the Prime Minister's chumminess with Com- munists, Cuban and Russian, his antagonism to the United States and the British Monarchy, to say nothing of his unabashed picking of the publie purse for personal and Liberal party life- styles, was enormously bucked by the Churchill wire. Years younger, Tom Cossitt is made of the same stern, uncompromising stuff as Gordon Chruchill, both of them stout warriors of the. right — right as opposed to left and to: wrong alike. : “It arrived at just the right psychological time,” ‘confided Tom Cossitt, “late Sunday afternoon, when after a weekend of undergoing surveillance at our home, we were preparing to return to Ottawa for whatever the new week might hold.’ Face it: all Tom Cossitt has done has been to. question, on the basis of security documents, the. Prime Minister’s failure to take adequate against continuing Communist espionage, both Soviet and Cuban. as There have been: scores: of ,that -Bedurity: document circulating in Ottawa: 0° 7% So how could Tom Cossitt have put security in jeopardy? ‘His “crime” in the eyes of the Government has been to publicly ask why Gander was used by the Cubans in ferrying troops to Angola -- and perhaps to the Horn of Africa? His “‘crime” has been to recall how Trudeau embraced Castro and told the Kremlin bosses that Canada worried more about American dollar imperialism than conquest by Russian’ rockets. . There is the suspicion in Conservative ranks — no MP is yet on the public record, but a lot of them are talking privately — that the Liberal harassment of Tom Cossitt was intended to “take care of him.” Recovering from two heart attacks, Tom Cossitt’s health has been delicate, and if he cracked under Government harassment and intimidation, well, the Liberals would be rid of If the pressure had killed him, suggest these Tories, swould the real motive of the Liberal persecution have been realized? They of course didn’t want to kill: him deliberately, but if the Government-inspired trial and tribulations were to be too much for him, then tough luck. oe et JOB FINDER - CUSTOMER SERVICE AUTO ' MECHANICS, REPRESENTATIVE, 1 Varlous openings, $9.00 opening, $625.00 to $750.00 hour up to $9980, depen per month depending on on experience, - various experience. to take openings. Must be Journey loan applicants and to follow person. . through on collections and arrears as requried, WAITER-WAITRESSES, various openings. at various wages. Should have eéx- perlence serving of lquor. CONSTRUCTION . FOREMAN, 1 opening, $8.00 per hour, in Stewart. . Building grade maintenance mechanics. - C.R. 2(TIMEKEEPER), 1 opening. $9.28 per month MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, 1 opening, $20,000 per year, depending on experience. Must have extensive experience ™ in personnal supervision, work planning, building main- tenance grounds keeping. KEYPUNCH ‘OPERATOR, 1 opening $393.00 per month. Must have plus. Must have payroll keypunch experience, Must experience and know how to. be experlenced, asslating in r. producing architectural touch operate a ealculalo working drawings assisting simiruimetencn in writing in general office Bg — z sEditor’s Quote Book: COOKS, varlous openings, = 4S you cherish the & $3.25 per hour and up, in things most worth- & various places. Speciality = while in your family % Cooking. we work, REGISTERED NURSE, 2 = most worthwhile in 3 openings, $7.90 pet hour, e your company. registered in medical} Wm.B.Given,Jr. 3 PS s surgical shift work, B-4, 4-12, 5 Keep a firm handle ELECTRICIAN, 1 ; qj LW.A. rate, must. be certitied, ’ : Bs : 3, i sicinaualt ‘ Saipan jak aN gop = All | asked was, “How's things in Terrace?” Peronrars TauRAl _any: guy -flip.by. just .w, past: them ::Okhe ‘, can wear the tightest jeans jeans to tight they. , ‘ would make the Queen holler out on the pennies ‘here lies my blurb ... '. Loneliness ... so please read on ... life, cherish the things % Letters I am not surprised no oné has written to take up your offer to write about their experiences of loneliness. Lonely people, you see, Mr. Editor, are mostly shy people. If they were not so shy— would they be lonely? You can’t know what it is . like to be sixteen and never have a date. You see ‘a guy you would give up everything for if only he’d ask to take you out (you'd gladly pay your own way -— even his way too)- but you haven't got the nerve to-even say ‘“‘It's a nice day, isn't it? tothe guy; You see.— some people- like some girls- are just born. popular. know. some who can, make - Iny: | vy. | jalking past: them::Others:: in her pocket — and the guys would just yawn. I know some who areso lonely — they're too shy to go to the‘doctor to get the Pill, and they end up pregnant just to get some guy’s company for a few minutes. mo I hate Hard Rock — I still prefer Country- Western- yet I’ve listened to Rock until my ears’ ache,- just to be with someon I hate