News this week that North Korea had exploded a nuclear device brought back scary memories for many people who lived through the Cold War years.
We remembered being huddled around radios in the early 1960s listening to the president of the United States playing chicken with his counterpart from the Soviet Union.
It would appear not much has changed - just the political parties. Kennedy was a Democrat. And of course, the current Bush, like his father before him, is a Republican.
Interestingly, Kennedy, in spite of the fact he now has hero status in the world, probably got North America and its allies the closest to a world war that it's been until now.
So here we are in the enlightened 21st century still trying to find ways to blow each other up. Why? The words "pure stupidity" come to mind.
Bush continues to draw lines in the sand and egotistical idiots continue to step over it.
So we who are never quite sure just what the argument is about continue to huddle. Only now, thanks to modern technology, we huddle over the Internet. We get the news instantly instead of hours or days later.
What, we wonder, does this latest uncertainty do to today's children? Are they going to sleep with one eye open, waiting for the big one to blow all of us to kingdom come?
We hope that's not the case, that sooner rather than later the furor will die down.
____________It's been a great week for the Sechelt Indian Band. The celebrations the Band hosted that were open to the public were most generous. Last Thursday the Longhouse was opened to business and professional people. There was no cost for the event, including a buffet lunch featuring salmon and clams.
On Sunday the Coast was once again invited to witness, along with Squamish Chief Ian Campbell, the celebrations held at Raven's Cry Theatre. And although there was a small admission charge, the money went to benefit the cultural events of the Band. And there was good return for the money - at intermission was another opportunity to taste some fine food.
Kudos to all the Band members who worked so hard to make the weekend a success. Here's to another 20 years.
