Wednesday, August 9, 2006 · Page 4 The Essex Free Press is an independent weekly newspaper, locally owned and operated by The Essex Free Press Limited The Essex Free Press is published every Wednesday from 16 Centre Street, Essex, ON N8M 1N9 Tel.: (519) 776-4268 Fax: (519) 776-4014 Email: essexfreepress@on.aibn.com Website: http://essexfreepress.reinvented.net Publisher: Laurie A. Brett The opinions expressed on this page are those of their original authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of The Essex Free Press, its Editor or Publisher. Stories we have told hether we're engrossed in a good book, captivated by a complex movie plot or inspired by a Sunday-morning sermon, the human response to storytelling has remained unchanged since the beginning of time. Just as children fall silent during storytime at school, so too do adults when a good story or a good storyteller catch their attention. George Cox is just such a storyteller. Over the past eight years, Free Press readers have shared many of Reverend Cox's free press memories some from his childhood, some from his 20 years of living in South Africa as a laurie brett missionary, and some from his adult life as a clergyman, a husband and a father. But his columns weren't just about reminiscing; they were always something more. Under the headings "Stories I Have Told" and "Sharing My Thoughts", Reverend Cox often wrote about lost souls who managed to reclaim their lives through transformative experiences, or people who devoted their lives to benefiting the world. Reading between the lines, readers knew that they were being urged to lead a good life, embrace the future with hope, and respect all that is right. He always left us with something to think about. In last week's edition of the Free Press, George Cox announced his decision, at 88 years of age, to put down his pen. After 65 years in the ministry, we think it's a retirement well earned. Many thanks to Reverend Cox both for his years of devotion to his readers and for the trust he placed in the Essex Free Press to deliver his stories. W editorial Stories yet to be told tanding in the history room at Woodslee's Millen Centre on Sunday, you could sense that there are many stories yet to be told in this small hamlet. Although Doc Millen's story has been well documented and was on display for the Doc Millen Day celebration, the photographs, news clippings and personal accounts that filled the room hinted at a rich history that organizers are taking great pains to preserve. A growing list of names of "Doc Millen babies" and patients compiled by the Friends of Woodslee reads like a who's who of the area. And their efforts to recognize groups of people who have made memorable contributions local telephone operators last year and teachers, principals and school staff this year shows a deep understanding of the past and the foundation it laid for the present community. The fact that hundreds of people, both young and old, came out for the event is evidence that the Friends of Woodslee are succeeding in their efforts to restore the strong sense of community that existed during Doc Millen's days. S he dictionary defines conspiracy as "acting together as if by design." The movie Conspiracy Theory, for all its exaggeration, leaves the impression that conspiracy in high places occasionally may be true. A friend of mine once maintained that interest rates were set by old men smoking big cigars sitting in leather chairs at the Detroit Economic Club. Is there more conspiring today than in years gone by? Here are some points to ponder: · Are there interests in the United States who wanted war in Iraq for economic reasons rather than for security reasons? Vice What about President Cheney's connection to his old employer, Halliburton, manufacturer of war supplies? President Dwight Eisenhower, America's greatest soldier of the 20th century, warned the nation about "the military industrial complex" before his term ended. · Just as President Johnson built America's strength in Southeast Asia in dread of Chinese military expansion in the T region, so today America lives in fear of even more frightful damage by Chinese economic expansion. Justified fears, or underlying, unseen corporate power in North America? Unfair trade allowed Korea to ship 730,000 vehicles to the Americas last year, while we sent only 4,000 into BILL GAY OPINION their market. · The venerable H. J. Heinz Company that has operated in Leamington for the better part of a century is engaged in a proxy takeover battle, as a hedge fund based in the Cayman Islands seeks to grab five of the 12 seats on the board at the next annual general meeting. What do these people want? More profit for the shareholders, meaning themselves. These boys probably don't know where Leamington is even located. If the proxy battle goes their way, it will mean fewer jobs and diminished economic prosperity in both world headquarters at Pittsburgh and local operations in Leamington. The final responsibility lies with government working with industry for the betterment of all our people. The media, too, needs to play a more constructive role than they did in the early 1980s, trumpeting the troubles of our domestic auto industry and proclaiming that we could never build vehicles at the level of our Japanese competition. This prejudice is no more appropriate today than it was 25 years ago. International terrorism, spawning war in Afghanistan, has added still another variable to life in this early part of the new century. The partnership of business and government for the public good was once taken for granted. But in this age of unbridled greed fuelled by sectarian hatred, anything goes. Canada, the USA and the other western nations have never been so vulnerable. Laurie Brett, Publisher Sarah Fisher, Editor Karen Callies Advertising Sales Cathy Campbell Accounts & Circulation Pam Sovran, Sarah Krauter Office Dan Schwab Contributing Writers Tom Warwick, Lana Garant Graphic Design Gary Ramsay, Wilber Brett, Judy Brett, Randy Chedour Doug Boylan Production Subscriptions Canada: $37.10 U.S.: $80.00 (Prices include GST) Payable in advance to The Essex Free Press Limited. Advertising Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of an error, the portion of the ad occupied by the error, will not be charged for, but the balance will be paid at the usual rate. It is the responsibility of the advertiser to check their ads on first publication, and the publisher accepts no responsibility for errors in multiple insertions. The Essex Free Press reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement likely to offend community standards and/or the laws of the land. Display Advertising Deadline: Friday at 4:30 pm Copyright All layout composition, artwork, news copy, editorial copy and photographs produced or owned by the Essex Free Press are the exclusive property of the Free Press and are protected by copyright law. These materials may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Share your LETTERS POLICY The Essex Free Press welcomes letters to the editor that are of interest to our community. Letters should be typed or neatly written and present the issues as clearly as possible in 300 words or less. All letters much contain the name, address, and daytime phone number of the writer. Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity or reject letters over matters of libel, legality, taste or style. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), towards our mailing costs. Second Class Mail Registration No. 1495.