IRANIAN NEW YEAR

Yesterday evening, 27 March, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by the Iranian-Canadian Association of Burnaby to their celebration of Nuroz, the Iranian New Year. What a warm-hearted and hospitable people these Iranians are. They welcomed us with open arms, and did all they could to make us feel at home. These people are exiles from their native country, where freedom of expression is suppressed in every way possible, imprisonment and being killed by shooting. The recent reports coming out of Iran show how peaceful demonstrations against a questionably elected President have been turned into violent executions by the Revolutionary Guards.

After the joyful traditional celebrations in the company of such wonderful people, my thoughts turned to the sorrowful events taking place in this area of the world.

I reflected on the reasons why these countries are in such a turmoil that have made so many people in the Middle East refugees. The populations chiefly affected live in countries where there are theocratic governments. Religion does not seem to bring happiness in these areas of the world. Has it always been like this throughout the

history of mankind?

Iran is not the only country with a theocratic government in the Middle East. Israel is another prime example of such a government. And like Iran, Israel has a government that oppresses the Palestinians who lie in their midst and on their borders. These two theocratic governments rattle their sabres an threaten nuclear war against each other.

Read the history of the world, follow the wars of Christianity against Islam, and draw your own conclusions. I have my own opinion, and I would be interested to know yours.

AMERICAN HEALTHCARE

It is strange what people talk about while playing Snooker. My companions bring up all kinds of subjects, religion, politics, philosophy and questions about the health of their friends. Recently they commented on President Obama's political victory about healthcare for Americans. Thirty-four thousand American would rather die than become sick, because they do not have Health Insurance. This made me think about our American neighbours, the majority of whom do not know where Canada is.
Americans boast about being a democratic nation, but do they realize the nature of their democracy. The reaction to Obama's healthcare bill shows that we should qualify their democracy by the word Capitalist. Viewing the hew and cry over this piece of legislation, it is evident that Capitalism reigns supreme in the politics
of the USA. The stockholders of the almighty Insurance Companies were more important than the health of citizens who could not afford insurance.

CLASSICSLINGUIST

CLASSICSLINGUIST

Purpose of a Seniors Centre

Is a Seniors Centre a place to while away the time that hangs heavily on your hands after retirement? What purposes does it serve? Is it a recreation centre?Does it serve only a physical need, to keep your body in good physical form so that you can remain fit during the declining years of your life? Are our only needs just physical? Since man is a combination of mind and body, then the mind must also be attended to. That is why Seniors Centres also offer language courses, since seniors have the time to travel. The development of our mental faculties should not end when we quit school or university. The mind has the ability to hold any amount of new information. If this capacity is not kept functioning, it will fall into decay. Thus, Seniors Centres should also provide facilities to allow their members to keep up with the latest advances in technology and the sciences.