September 1, 1989, carnegie newsletter

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N E W S L E -T T E Fa

CCC

4 0 1 Main S t . , Vancouver, B.C.

(604)665-2289

CLAUDE RICHMOND 1 IS A SICK MAN. 1

I t ' s a r e a l p a i n when r e a l i t y smacks you up t h e s i d e of t h e head. A dose of common s e n s e can cream an i n t e l l e c t u a l n i n e t i m e s o u t of t e n , a s Claude Richmond,- your friend and mine, i s l e a r n i n g t h e h a r d way. I n t h e l a s t two weeks h e h a s done some i n c r e d i b l l y f a s t t a l k i n g t o t r y and h o l d the illusion that his latest move of s e n d i n g h i s ' s w i m o r s i n k ' l e t t e r t o 49,000 people r e c e i v i n g a s s i s t a n c e money was a good t h i n g .

Every r e c i p i e n t between t h e ages of 19 and 64 n o t c l a s s i f i e d a s handicapped o r unemplnyahl P g o t nne.

I t was n o t c o n s i d e r e d whether any among t h e s e people might have t h e education, l i t e r a c y s k i l l s , c l o t h i n g , s a f e t y equipment, money f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n o r t y p i n g o r photocopying resumes o r even food. That i s a l l t o o t ime-consuming , t o o i n e f f i c i e n t f o r t h e l e a n , mean, bureau - c r a t i c machine t h a t t h i s man i s b u i l d i n g . Thoroughly Mode r n Claude i s l y i n g through h i s t e e t h on a number of t h e s t a t i s t i c s produced: He s a i d on TV t h a t hundreds of people

2

have found j o b s because of t h e l e t t e r t h r e a t e n i n g them w i t h having no money f o r food o r r e n t i f t h e y d i d n ' t ; when h e s t a t e d t h a t B .C. had a booming economy w i t h j o b s a l l o v e r t h e p l a c e a statement made on t h e same day a s t h e unemployment r a t e appeared a t a f u l l percentage p o i n t h i g h e r t h a n 9.2% ; when h i s t h e previous month M i n i s t r y claims t o have found s o many c a s e s of f r a u d ( n o t p i c k i n g- up - a cheque perhaps) t h a t t h e count won't - b e made p u b l i c f o r a t l e a s t a week

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Even w h i l e h i s (and most sacred's) i l l u s i o n of s u p e r i o r morals & e t h i c s l i e s i n r u i n s , t h e cons~ious/subcon" I ' m okav scious/unconscious thread ' c a u s e I 'VE GOT MINE/SCREW YOU" - isa s t i l l g u i d i n g every move. Well, I ' m s o r r y Clod, b u t t h i s time y o u ' l l b e lucky t o g e t away w i t h 3rd-degree b u r n s . Enough i s enough.

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By PAULR

J O B SEARCH L I S T

TAYLOR

(*-New a d d i t i o n s !)

BUSINESS NAME & ADDRESS .......................

CONTACT PERSON --------------

END LEGISLATED POVERTY D.E.R.A. D.E.R.A. HOUSING BLUE MOON MANAGEMENT SOCIETY D.E.R.A. HOUSING CO-OPERATIVE CRABTREE CORNER FIRST UNITED CHURCH FIRST CHURCH HOUSING SOCIETY DROP-IN .D -IUEL~TH~~~-JU_K_I-~I-ILJ -,.*U . GOUT-------- ------ - -HI+1. l'fi. <> Y K O ~ " ~

JEAN SWANSON AL ANDERSON

321-1202 682-0931

BETTY MACPHEE GEORGINA MARSHALL J I M ELLIOT J I M ELLIOT

689-2808 681-8365 681-8365 681-8365 683-2253 251-4844 872-1278 665-2220 681-8480 662-7642 251-2141 687-0281 879-2421 684-1318 684-1816 681-9019 685-6561

VANCOUVER I N D I A N CENTRE SOCIETY B.C. COALITION OF THE DISABLED CARNEGIE CENTRE D E WOMEN' S CENTRE LEARNING FRONT RAY-CAM COMMUNITY CENTRE NATIVE COURT WORKERS VANCOUVER & DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL ALEX CENTRE (320 Alexander)

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* *

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IRk'k'

" M Z Z

CflM?dVDC UV.YLY*\Y

BERT ISAAC R. LOXTON SECURITY & KITCHEN K I M NIGHTINGALE MARDI JOYCE CAROL BROWN

FRANK EVELYN Main O f f i c e ) MARGARET - H e a l t h Dept.

Recreation LAURA D.E.YOUTH ACTIVITIES SOCIETY(221 Main)JOHN TURVEY

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PHONE i/

The man on t h e phone s t r u g g l e d t o e x p l a i n how P a r t o n ' s a r t i c l e made him f e e l . " I t ' s n o t r a c i s t , ' ' he s a i d . " I t ' s n o t s e x i s t . " He paused, t r y i n g t o t h i n k o f a word t o e x p l a i n what i t was.

I suggested t h a t p a r t o n ' s a r t i c l e I t d i s c r i m i n a t e d agwas c l a s s i s t . a i n s t p e o p l e on t h e b a s i s o f t h e i r s o u r c e o f income - w e l f a r e - w i t h o u t looking at individual situations.

He a g r e e d .

My mind r e t u r n e d t o t h e food l i n e -after t h e job-seeker hung up, Seve r a l p e o p l e t h e r e had thanked m e f o r t h e l e a f l e t which t h e y c a r e f u l l y f o l d e d and p u t i n t h e i r p o c k e t . But itley ;,a-ve to -w-al=..-" 1 ,'".I' g o t home and g o t t h e i r g l a s s e s s o they could read it. I r e c a l l e d a s p e e c h g i v e n by Richard D a r v i l l e o f t h e P r o g r e s s i v e L i t e r a c y Group l a s t May. D a r v i l l e s a i d t h a t 40% o f Downtown E a s t s i d e r e s i d e n t s were illiterate.

I wondered what percent a g e of t h e 49,000 were i l l i t e r a t e 20%, 30%, 40%?

I looked a t t h e j o b s e a r c h form.

There was s p a c e f o r t h e e m p l o y e r ' s name and a d d r e s s , t h e name of a cont a c t p e r s o n and o t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n .

Easy f o r some, maybe--but n o t i f you a r e i l l i t e r a t e . You nave t o look f o r work by word of mouth.; U L L L 4 - L

LC*.-,

I thought of P a r t o n ' s a r t i c l e a g a i n . P a r t o n s a i d t h a t t h e poor i n Canada a r e " s h i e l d e d from t h e r i g o u r o f a c t u a l l y e a r n i n g t h e i r keep. In f a c t , most poor p e o p l e l i v e i n famil i e s where t h e head of t h e household works.

I n f a c t , most. "employable" p e o p l e on w e l f a r e g e t o f f w e l f a r e of t h e i r own a c c o r d i n 4 t o 8 months.

I t ' s n o t f u n b e i n g i n a group o f p e o p l e s o r o u t i n e l y and u n j u s t l y despised.

P a r t o n s u g g e s t e d t h a t people on w e l f a r e p r e f e r " l a z i n e s s and l o a f i n g " t o working a t 7-Eleven.

The p e o p l e I t a l k e d t o would l o v e t o g e t a d e c e n t job.

P a r t o n t o o k t h e Minis t r y ' s word t h a t n e t t i n g bus a n d c l o t h e s money was a p l e c e o f cake when most who t r y a r e t u r n e d down.

She i n s i n u a t e d t h a t most o f t h e s e p e o p l e d o n ' t l o o k f o r work when t h e y do.

What would p e o p l e s a y i f P a r t o n o r anyone e l s e made b l a n k e t a l l e g a t i o n s l i k e t h e s e about any o t h e r c a t e g o r y o f p e o p l e ; about a c e r t a i n r a c e o r s e x o r r e l i g i o u s group? We'd y e l l I I d i s c r i m i n a t i o n " o r "racism" or IIsexism".

But d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t a whole c a t e g o r y of p e o p l e on w e l f a r e o r "employable" p e o p l e on w e l f a r e i s s o rampant t h a t i t ' s h a r d t o even t h i n k o f t h e word t h a t a p p l i e s .

His words were g a r b l e d .

I think he s a l d , " I ' d h a v e t o t h r o w my f u r n i t u r e o u t t h e window."

But h i s n e x t s e n t e n c e was c l e a r : "Then I ' d go t o S t a n l e y Park and end i t a l l . " He was 60 y e a r s o l d , a l o g g e r f o r 40. Now h e ' s o n e o f t h e 49,000 soc a l l e d "employable" p e o p l e i n B . C . told t o f i l l out lengthy job search forms o r l o s e t h e i r meagre $468 a month w e l f a r e .

"Ldgging companies d o n ' t h i r e p e o p l e my 'age," h e explained.

"They won't a d m i t i t ' s because of a g e , b u t t h e y won't do i t . " I was handing o u t a l e a f l e t from End L e g i s l a t e d P o v e r t y t o t h e p e o p l e i n t h e food bank l i n e up. He w a s e x p l a i n i n g what h e ' d d o i f Claude Richmond c a r r i e d o u t t h e t h r e a t t o c u t him o f f i f he d i d n ' t f i l l i n t h e two-page form.

I tried t o point out t h a t he did have some r i g h t s . H e c o u l d a p p e a l .

He c o u l d a s k f o r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n and c l o t h e s money. But i t w a s h a r d f o r him t o l i s t e n t o a v o i c e from o u t s i d e . He was l i s t e n t n g t o t h e h u r t from h i s own i n s i d e . " T h a t ' s t h e thanks I g e t f o r w o r k i n g 40 y e a r s . " A man s t a n d i n g n e a r b y i n t h e l i n e up heard my remark a b o u t t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n money. " I t ' s n o u s e , " he s a i d . "I t r i e d and t h e y w o u l d n ' t give i t t o me."

I recalled the attachment t o the M i n i s t r y news r e l e a s e . " R e c i p i e n t s who a r e . l o o k i n g f o r work may r e ceive a s s i s t a n c e w i t h t r a n s p o r t a t i o n costs."

"May" i s e v i d e n t l y t h e ope r a t i v e word. I t . d o e s n l t maan " w i l l " .

I p o i n t e d o u t a l i s t o f advocacy groups on t h e l e a f l e t . "TheseL p e o p l e w i l l h e l p you a p p e a l , " I s a i d . " h d t h e r e ' s a good c h a n c e you c a n win i f one of t h e s e g r o u p s i s b e h i n d you."

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A few p a i r s o f s h o u l d e r s i n t h e . l i n e up b e h i n d s h r u g g e d . h hey wouldn't g i v e me mine e i c h e r , " added one v o i c e .

When I r e t u r n e d from t h e food l i n e up t o t h e o f f i c e a man c a l l e d . He was on w e l f a r e and he wanted a job.

He had a l s o been r e a d i n g Nicole P a r t o n ' s a r t i c l e l a u d i n g t h e Socreds f o r t h e i r t h r e a t t o 49,000 people.

He was d i s g u s t e d w i t h t h e a r t i c l e . *'Why d i d n ' t you l i k e i t ," I asked. ell, f o r o n e t h i n g , " he e x p l a i n e d , "7-Eleven w o u l d n ' t even look a t a l o t of t h e p e o p l e who come t o I r e c a l l e d t h e food l o o k f o r work." l i n e . T h r e e o f t h e men had v i s i b l y r o t t e n t e e t h . W e l f a r e d o e s n ' t pay f o r d e n t a l work f o r "employables" except emergencies i f you're p e r s i s t e n t . Another man limped. H i s s h o e s were t o o small and h i s f e e t had blistered.

The M i n i s t r y wouldn't g i v e him money f o r s h o e s . He d i d n ' t have enough f o r even food a s i t was.

T h a t ' s why he w a s a t t h e food bank.

I g u e s s e d t h a t 7-Eleven probably wouldn' t " l o o k a t them1': I wondered how many turndowns a p e r s o n c o u l d t a k e and s t i l l m a i n t a i n enough s e l f esteem f o r s a n i t y .

mat s h o u l d b e done? S t o p blaming , the victim.

End d i s c r i m i n a t i o n . a g a i n s t p e o p l e on w e l f a r e . We're t a l k i n g a b o u t human b e i n g s h e r e .

Create d e c e n t j o b s . P a r t o n is wrong a b o u t unemployment. Our unemployI ment r a t e j u s t went UP t o 9.2%.

I T h a t ' s 145,000 p e o p l e o u t s e a r c h i n g f o r j o b s now.

I f government f o r c e s more p e o p l e t o l o o k f o r work, i t s h o u l d t a k e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r ens u r i n g t h a t t h e r e i s a j o b f o r them

to find. Without this responsibility,pushing more people out to compete for nonexistent jobs simply pulls wages down to other low income people, making them poorer.

And constant rejection destroys , self-exteem and makes it less likely that individuals will be able to compete successfully for scarce jobs.

Welfare rates need to go up so people have enough money to buy suitable clothes, to have phones and busfare so they can look for a job without taking food out of their mouths.

I thought about the logger in the food line. I should have tried to get his name and address. Someone should check on him. What will he do if his cheque doesn't come?

By JEAN SWANSON City 111fo e t a f f can't accept donet lunn fur this Newe l e t t e r , sn If you call I ~ e l p , flnd Paul !l'aylor end h e ' l l g l v e you a r e c e l p t .

Stained Blue Vishnu Sky Flue Brahamn Orange father of stthpgs:,sing Shivite Black percussion transforms anew hey' re jammin' they're jamin' on the song of creation -.

c ~ r d s~f wfnged ~ c r d s

I ! Q Q ~ ~

Flute songs warm and high like Byrds Drums Dancing Down Death's Doors They're jamin' ~hey're jamin' on the song of creation Tell the childrkn; Tell the people of all nations ~hey'rejamin' They're still jamin' on the song of Creation Brahma father of strings sings the Song of Creation Vishnu Sky Flue brings preservation Shiva percussion swings transformation They're jamin' Thanks and praise They're jamin' on the dawn of creation.

I l ~ ~ r n l ot sv o ~ y l ~ o t l y .

DONATIONS: Yanum Spath-$100 Nancy W.-$300 Willis S.-$110 George B.-$15 Rich P.-$41 Robert S.-$20 Jancis A.-$20 Louis P.-$20 Tom -$4.02 .wlnrg .-~. , - n-I -. - ? I ~ I J S:-$iG --

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Ted B.-$5 Sheila B.-$2 Doug -$20 Bea F.-$25 Lillian H.-$20 James M.-$50 1.MacLeod-$100 Kelly -$3 J. East -$1 Nancy 5.-$50 Sue H.-$20 Steve R.-$5 B & B -$8 Neil M.-$2 Terry the Terrible - $100 Anonymous - $43.23

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Editor:

Carnegie N e w s l e t t e r : Dear F r i e n d s of Carnegie, On Saturday n i g h t o u r son came t o look f o r u s a t t h e C e n t r e , when t h e S e c u r i t y s t a f f asked him i f he had been d r i n k i n g .

He s a i d "Yes" b u t h e wanted t o s e e i f h i s Mom w a s h e r e s o he c o u l d g e t he wouldn't c a u s e a a r i d e home problem.

But Chuck The s e c u r i t y s a i d O.K. s a i d "no, i t ' s okay, d o d 1 t ' d o . a n y t h i n g you' re n o t supposed t o do " Chuck s a i d , "Mom, I would s u r e f e e l s e c u r e a t t h e C e n t r e knowing w e have such good s e c u r i t y s o now I won't worry a b o u t you no more.

When you s a y you are going t o Carn e g i e I know you w i l l be A.O.K. and t h e s e c u r i t y s t a f f s h o u l d b e commended on t h e i r good work."

...

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Finance M i n i s t e r Michael Wilson keeps a s k i n g h i s c r i t i c s f o r an a l t e r n a t i v e t o h i s 9% s a l e s t a x . I ' l l It's called a Fair g i v e him one.

Income Tax System (FITS). And, a s Michael Wilson knows, i f t h e shoe FITS, h e s h o u l d wear i t . And i f he i s n ' t w i l l i n g t o w e a r i t he should I p e r s o n a l l y t h i n k Employresign. ment M i n i s t e r Barbara McDougall would b r i n g a l o t more i n t e g r i t y and t a l e n t t o t h e p o s t of Finance Minister anyway.

Darren Lowe

M r . Lowe: While your acronym c e r t a i n l y f i t s what p e o p l e would l i k e , your c h o i c e of McDougall i s q u e s t i o n a b l e , a s s h e i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e c u r r e n t raki n g of t h e unemployed o v e r t h e c o a l s of t h e r i c h ' s f i r e s .

Editor Downtown E a s t s i d e Women's C e n t r e ................................

HEALTH PROJECT :

1: S_~EL--Sep. 12: -------

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6:30

Wed.

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TO A SAFER PLACE a v i d e o . 2:00 pm SELF ESTEEM WORKSHOP Lynn Fearn, who l e d a v e r y

i n t n r n c ----C> t7 nO

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SEPTEMBER PROGRAM

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C J O I I U I I U L I ~ C ~ ~ ~

i n June, w i l l be back t o l e a d t h i s workshop i n s e l f esteem. 2:00 pm Sep. 11: RAPE CRISIS CENTRE ------- a t a l k by people i n t h i s o r g a n i z a t i o n a b o u t t h e s e r v i c e s . 2pm Sep. 14: MENOPAUSE SUPPORT GROUP ------- Women meet t o s h a r e experi e n c e s and g i v e s u p p o r t t o each o t h e r , 4:00 pm HEY! I F YOU CAN HELP THE K I D S AT OPPENHEIMER PARK MAKE SOME MONEY WITH RECYCLING, CALL B O N N I E STEPHENS AT CARNEGIE. B o t t l e s , c a n s , newspaper.

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CHORUS Varlder Zalm f o r a l l , I was t o l d t o s e l l my s o u l f o r american gold, t o a c c e p t f r e e t r a d e ; and have no f e a r , Now I ' m s t a r v i n g drunken c u t o f f w e l f a r e , Victim of t h e e n t r e p r e n e u r .

I s o l d my horn i n New Orlhans

VERSE

( I wish I were on Welfare now) So t o be reborn i n a c h i n e s e dream I ' m a broke s i c k j u n k i e s o f o r l o r n Victim of Claude Richmond's schemes.

VERSE

The C I A gave me STP ( I wish I l i v e d i n t h e n u t h a t c h now) I n a s t r a i g h t j a c k e t they i n j e c t e d me Now 1 ' m a homeless r e j e c t on t h e s t r e CasuaEty\o$ r e a h i t y

VERSE

I ' m a s i n g l e p a r e n t w i t h two k i d s ( I wish I were on Welfare now) They s o l d my c h i l d r e n on t h e s k i d s I f I were r i c h I ' d cover t h e b i d s

DERA c a n h e l p y o u w i t h :

* any w e l f a r e p r o b l e m s * UIC problems * getting iegal assistance * unsafe living conditions , i n hotels or apartments * disputes with landlords * income tax \

DERA is l o c a t e d at 9 E a s t H a s t i n g s

o r p h o n e 682-0931.

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DERA H A S B E E N S E R V I N G T H E DOWNTOWN E A S T S I D E FOR 1 5 YEARS

I

Sorrow

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE

POETRY

Whv a r e w e h e r e I asked myself We a r e b u t p e e r s of t h i s l i f e i t seems Can t h e r e be any h a p p i n e s s f o r someone l i k e me O r is t h e r e t h e h i s s of s a d n e s s through my world Life is sure lonely while staying t o yourself I ' m n o t t h e o n l y person who f e e l s l i k e t h i s Someone who i s p r e c i o u s h a s been t a k e n away They s a y I ' m a f a s c i s t . no one u n d e r s t a n d s m e Why i s t h i s l i f e s o c r u e l and r u t h l e s s To t a k e my w i f e a n i n n o c e n t person And l e a v e m e h u r t f o r the next four years Why f e e d m e d i r t l e t m e h e a l i n peace Is t h e r e no j u s t i c e t o j a i l t h e innocent & free the guilty Who must pay f o r t h i s

A t Carnegie Centre

Mankind a l l o w s t h i s - :o go on.

C e l e b r a t e t h i s time of day W i t h music, song and s h o u t o r 'Hay' Clap your hands & stamp your f e e t A t Carnegie C e n t r e , new f r i e n d s y o u ' l l m e e t here's music, dance & p o t t e r y c l a s s e s here's something h e r e t o p l e a s e t h e masses

BY Chuck Chard here's c a r d s & c h e s s , f o r k i d s o f a l l a g e s Volunteer now and be courageous here's E n g l i s h , Upgrading, i f y o u ' r e i n need And o t h e r c l a s s e s , do y o u r s e l f a good deed There's b a s k e t b a l l , s o c c e r , come j o i n t h e team So wake up now, ' c a u s e i t ' s no dream Come l e a r n a b o u t u s , a s w e l e a r n about you P a r t i c i p a t i o n i n a l l t h a t you do Carnegie Centre i s t h e p l a c e t o be For e-vzr:rone l i k e you and me.

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What Is The Worst s i r what i s t h e w o r s t Tell The YOU s p i t o r t h e way you c u r s e The YOU walk o r t h e way you k i c k O r i s i t t h a t worn walking s t i c k Is i t t h e way you f i g h t a l l t h e t i m e O r i s i t t h e way you keep s p i n n i n g t h a t dime Is i t t h e way y o u ' r e s o l o u d & s o r u d e O r i s i t t h e way you chomp on your food Your g l a n c e i s j u s t a s c o l d a s i c e Is i t s o h a r d f o r you t o be n i c e You p l a y a l l t h e s e games y o u ' r e n o t f o o l i n g anyone To your f r i e n d s y o u ' r e t o o o v e r done You y e l l and you scream you c a n ' t f i g u r e o u t why That t h i s l i f e h a s passed you by You've played t h e f o o l i t ' s t o o l a t e t o change No wonder p e o p l e c o n s i d e r you s t r a n g e You're c r i t i c a l of e v e r y t h i n g Now s t o p t h i s madness, y o u ' r e no King Consider t h e mountains, c o n s i d e r t h e t r e e s Consider t h e r i v e r , c o n s i d e r t h e b e e s Mother Nature h a s done h e r b e s t To make you f e e l welcome, t o g i v e you a r e s t To s m e l l t h e f l o w e r s , l o o k a t t h e s k y Stop l i v i n g your l i f e a s i f i t were a l i e .

Lonely I f e e l s o l o n e l y a l l of t h e t i m e TI." - 1 I.--l-I- L ----UlwuJo L I ~ V S I I L dIfii= I t h i n k of what might have been Of a l l t h e p l a c e s I might have s e e n And a l l t h e c h a l l e n g e s I might have f a c e d But i n r e a l i t y my l i f e ' s a w a s t e I ' v e l i v e d my whole l i f e i n woes & f e a r s Which h a s caused me t o l i v e i n a shadow o f t e a r s But now I am o l d & s t i l l n o t v e r y w i s e And 1 ' m s t i l l l i v i n g my l i f e i n l i e s Is t h e r e s t i l l hope f o r a no-one l i k e me T h a t ' s why T wonder what l i f e would be For me t o Go t h i n g s w i l d & funny And someday make a l o t of money Would I be happy o r i s l i f e a j o k e J u s t l e t me keep dreaming d o n ' t g i v e me a poke.

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*k; Sewing S h i r t s

Only t h o s e w h i t e c l o u d s a r e f r e e t o s o a r beyond t h e f a c t o r y window; inside, grey dust scales the c u t t e r hacking out s h i r t s , f l i n g i n g dismembered p a r t s , i n a n i m a t e a s dead dreams, i n t o open boxes.

Here, l i f e is t a p e d , r u l e d " A t t h e double!": double seams yoking body t o a r m ; t h e d o u b l e l o a d of o u t s i d e job and housework, t h e double t a l k of a r a d i o p l a y i n g "Workers' Playtime" w h i l e women s w e a t f o r a m i n i m u m w a g e .

Their hands c l i n g t o a Singer straining like a small, frantic beast towards f i v e o ' c l o c k and freedom (?f 2 S n r f ; l i f e b ~ i r r r > n r dc i o w u from e i g h t t o f i v e , f o r f i f t y weeks a y e a r the stop-and-start embrace o f t h e s e whose l i m p arms h o l d only t h e bone and f l e s h o f a f i v e - d a y week p l u s c o m p u l s o r y o v e r t i m e .

T h e i r e t e r n a l home i s t h i s d e a d e n d w h e r e S t . Mary i s a s u p e r v i s o r w i t h hennaed h a i r , s t e e l e y e g l a s s e s and a t o n g u e w h i p p i n g them f o r w a r d a n d God i s a s c i s s o r s - w i e l d i n g b o s s

s l a s h i n g seams a n d w a g e s .

Neither t h e s i n g e r nor t h e song t h e s e women are only the necessary insert between t h e d o l e and t h e r e n t due Friday n e x t , and t h e young g i r l s marry a r m t o body, t r y t o p i n l i f e down b y t h e t a i l , and dream o f c o l l a r i n g a husband, r a t t l i n g o u t short and long s t i t c h e s : h o p e f u l SOS to that future Prince f a c e l e s s now a s t h e s e h e a d l e s s o n e s who w i l l t a k e t h e m a w a y f r o m a l l t h i s , i n t o a f a i r y world of wifedom w i l e r e i i i e w i i i b e a s e a m i e s s wonder and t h e i n s i d e w i l l b e a s D e r f e c t as t h e o u t s i d e And t h e o l d e r women, w i s e r , t u r n a w a y , knowing t h a t i n a woman's w o r l d , a l l hope h a n g s o n l y by a t h r e a d and t h e y f o l d t h e s h i r t s and entomb them t i g h t i n p l a s t i c , s e e i n g i n these pale look-alikes a n image o f t h e m s e l v e s boxed i n , s t r a i g h t - j a c k e t e d , branded i n c u t - r a t e , throw-away p a c k a g e s .

**When I was s i x t e e n I worked f u l l t i m e i n a s h i r t f a c t o r y , sewing t h e s l e e v e s t o t h e s h i r t body. R e c e n t l y , I s a w a documentary on t h e garment i n d u s t r y and w a s d e p r e s s e d t o s e e how l i t t l e had changed.

J a n c i s M. Andrews

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THE FOREST FORTHE TREES

Dollar signs floating in the cr$al ball

A N ADVOCATE'S G U I D E (Following is part of an incisive critique and analysis of a report made to the Ontario Liberal government. The Social Assistance Review Committee entitled its findings "TRANSITIONS". The author of this in-depth critique below entitled her work "TRANSITIONS: WELFARE FOR BUSINESS", to give fair warning to all that the government's findings are not sliced bread.)

TRANSITIONS: WELFARE FOR BUSINESS .................................

By Diana Ralph, MSWy Ph.D.

...

Transitions attempts tyaddress concerns (Welfare inadequate, punitive, inaccessible, confusing, inconsistent) and to create a coherent plan to make welfare a dignified, humane "transition" to independence. The problem is that Transitions balances this vision with a very heavy dose of politi'radical' reports shelved for lack of the political will cal pragmatism to implement them...Transitions had to make compromises (always favouring the main beneficiaries of Transitions would be the interests of business) private businesses and landlords. At each crucial point in the report, where the interests of recipients or workers conflict with those of business, Transitions chooses business. Even if the report were adopted exactly as proposed, it would cause serious negative consequences for employable recipients (especially), but also for children, the disabled, human service workers and wage-earning taxpayers. It will influence Canadaian welfare.

Copies of the report have been sent to social assistance ministries in every pro~rince j w i ~ i ?govr, I: c i _ ~ i ~ g a ~ F n seekine ns t h e i r s ~ l g p n r i Ic~riile Iedera1 changes needed to implement Transitions (re-structuring CAP and VRDP and eliminating Family Allowance, CPP and Worker's Compensation, for example).

So this is an issue for labour, women's, native and immigrants groups, and welfare rights activists\fforts.

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11. THE "GOOD NEWS":

WHAT TRANSITIONS ACHIEVED

...p rocess (of) extensively consulting with recipients, human service workdebunking of some of the myths about welfare ers and community groups. recipients demonstrated that most recipients are children or disabled people, that most get off assistance quickly, that employable recipients prefer to work...links welfare programs to the broader issues of unequal distribution of wealth, unemployment, inadequate pension policy, lack of training and regressive tax policies. Transitions fails to address - in fact promotes - the myths about employable people. Most of the broad social problems identified are ignored in the report's recommendations.

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'he report establishes 10 basic principles on which to build social welfare policy. Most are important alternatives to the monetarist inhumanity of welfare policies in all the provinces. They include: Eligibility based solely on need; * Adequacy of benefits; * Recipient rights to due process, access to info & protection of privacy; * State responsibility to provide personal development services; * Encouragement of self-determination; * Respect for cultural and religious diversity.

The first 3 are extant but not enforced; the rest are welcome innovations... the next 3 reflect the conservative (business) ideology: Respect for family life (enshrining women's domestic labour, power inequalities and individualistic child care); Accountability of the system to taxpayers, cost effectiveness/no abuse; * Shared responsibility for planning and providing services between state and "community", (The danger here is that "community" services are cheaper, of inconsistent quality and often incorporate stigmatizing treatment of oppressed people).

These lead to privatization, volunteerism and restrictions of client rights.

*

* *

...Transitions recommends concrete improvements (Pricetag:

$800 million):

* Raise benefits significantly (but still keeping them below poverty); * Simplifying the system from 36 to 3 categories of beneficiaries; * Increasing the supply of affordable housing; *Supporting native design & delivery of native social assistance programs; * Reducing disincentives to work & increasing coverage to working poor; * Eliminating OHIP (medicare) premiums; * Broadening definition of "disability"; help disabled get mainsgeam jobs; * Giving single parents right to care for their children at home, and if -

they choose to work, to cover their child care expenses; c:aselua& aild h p r o v i z g fcr frczf, I l n e w x k e r s ; * Improving clients' rights to fair treatment.

Although these are very important improvements, they are overshadowed by the five major innovations which form the heart of Transitions: 1. Income supplementation for the working poor; 2. A means-tested Children's Benefit of up to $3,300 per child, which would replace Family Allowance, the Child Tax Credit, child sales tax credit and welfare for children; 3. A no-fault Disability Insurance program for permanently and totally injured workers, which would replace Workers Compensation and Can. Pension; 4. A Disability Benefit for non-work-related disabilities which would replace social assistance for disabled people; 5. Opportunity Planning services for all welfare recipients which would be compulsory for employables and available for other adult recipients.

These are the most expensive would require,federalfunding would alter social programming across ~anada. ...p roblematic, expanding aspects of welfare which benefit business at the expense of poor, human service workers.

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11. WHAT IS WELFARE FOR?

..,social assistance touches all of us indirectly. It provides some security from the risks both of personal misfortune and of living in a capitalist economy. It's an important regulator of the bargaining power of the labout force. As welfare rates and rights increase, workers can dare to take more risks with losing jobs (e.g. quitting unsafe jobs, taking extended maternity leave, unionizing); women can feel freer to leave abusive marriages, and oppressed people can hold out for less exploitative jobs. Conversely, when welfare rights and benefits are cut back, these options vanish. Welfare serves as the unofficial minimum wage; the wage even the most exploitative employers must meet to attract workers. When welfare rates increase, wages also tend to rise. In all these ways, welfare is an important state tool to regulate wages and labour rights.

From a business perspective, "good" welfare would force people to work, control social unrest and promote profits. It would force "employable" people to work by: * Giving them less than the lowest waged joblless than subsistence; * Requiring them to look for & take any job regardless of pay, safety or long-term benefit to the person; * Conveying the stigmatizing message that anyone who "fails to work" is lazy and dishonest.

In other words, far from being a safety net, welfare in this sense would exist mainly to keep employable people (barely) alive between jobs, at the expense of taxpayers (i.e. other workers), charities and relatives. It would be a subsidy to business, assuring a supply of desperate labour willing to work Gnder any conditions, to undercut wage demands of other employees.

Secondly, a business orientated welfare system would minimally cover the costs of caring for those who can't profitably be employed; the disabled, children and sometimes single parents (whose free domestic labour is often more profitable than the costs of providing paid alternatives and childcare).

This would make the government look benevolent and, at the same time, free up able-bodied relatives of these dependent people to work at jobs which pay enough to support only the worker&'lt frees business from paying family wage.

...

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Thirdly, it would maximize business profits in three ways:

1. By keeping the cost of welfare as low as possible to allow the state to spend more on grants to business and to.reduce corporate taxes. Welfare costs can be reduced by: (1) cutting benefits and services (i.e. transferring costs to relatives, charities, and m6st heavily to the poor themselves) ; (2) raising caseloads of welfare workers and automating away both jobs and discretion; (3) contracting out welfare services to cheaper "community" services and to volunteers.

2. By direct and indirect subsidies to business. Business profits can be subsidized by: (1) topping-up exploitatively low wages at taxpayers' expense; (2) tzansferring costs of supporting dependents from employers to taxpayers; (3) giving grants to cover wages of recipients placed on work "experience" programs with private employers (in effect, workers - as taxpayers - pay the wages of other workers - recipients - and at the same time undercut their own bargaining power); (4) covering the costs of upgrading and training the cream of employable recipients (many of whom would find jobs on their own - where employers would bear the costs of training); and (5) subsidizing high rents associated with land speculation.

3. Most importantly, by reinforcing business privileges and curbing those of labour. These would include: (1) not raising minimum wages; (2) not enforcing affirmative action or pay equity legislation; (3)%ot forcing employers to pay part-time employees pro-rated benefits and pensions; (4) not allowing striking workers to receive welfare; and especially, (5) not creating public jobs or crown corporations, but instead allocating grants and tax deferrals to privately controlled "economic development".

In other words, a business vision of welfare would give priority to profitenhancing, labour-controlling interests of private businesses, landlords and banks. That does not mean that hte poor would get nothing. Within chis model, rates can rise (and fall), new training "opportunities" can be created, and (individual) rights to fair treatment within "the rules" can be affirmed. The nm<r.t

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ist to serve the poor. Their fundamental purpose is labour-force regulation and profit enhancement.

In sharp contrast, a working class-oriented welfare system would support Labour rights, provide universal and high-quality services and benefits, and eliminate profiteering on the backs of workers and dependent people. For them an ideal welfare system would fulfill the following functions: 1. I would adequately and equally cover the costs of all people in need, regardless of whether they were disabled or physically fit. It would be viewed as a right1 a form of social insurance which protects us from the risks of living in a capitalist economy; 2. I would increase investment in welfare several-fold to cover the costs of high benefits, quality services, manageable caseloads, and good pay and training for human service workers. Services would be provided through the public service, not by contracting out, to maintain accountability and high uniform standards, and to minimize profiteering;

50

3. Labour rights would be protected, by guaranteeing eligibility for welfare regardless of one's job search or attendance in a training program. Rather than targeting services and training only to welfare recipients, it would provide free or affordable high-quality programs toward portable cdtification to anyone who wants it. As a result of both, the stigma associated with welfare would decline; 4. It would place a high priority on investing in permanent, well-paid job creation. Rather than subsidizing (bribing) businesses to give job "experience" to recipients, employers would be required to provide well-paid,

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5. It would support welfare improvements with-broadersocial rights. For example, it would raise minimum wages tc.a high proportion of the average industrial wage, enforce affirmative action hiring and pay equity, and improve labour rights, especially for part-time and casual workers. The government would provide enough high-quality, affordable child-care, public housing, and other public services such as transportation, recreation, and nursing homes. Most importantly, it would link welfare to a strategy for reaching full employment; 6. It would finance all of this mainly by taxing corporations and by creating crown corporations which would keep the wealth that we produce as revenue for public services. '

IV. WHICH VERSION OF WELFARE DOES TRANSITIONS FAVOUR?

...

Transitions lands firmly on the business side...liberalizes the most punative aspects of welfare...more efficient/cost effective major structural changes (to existing systems) accept business interests and reject working-class recommendations/model. Transitions implements the following: lower benefits and wage exemptions for employables over disabled - isolates "employable" recipients, requires them to accept "opportunity planning" or risk losing benefits .

- shifts children & disabled off assistance (Children's Benefits & Disability Benefit) leaving employable recipients and sole-support parents alone with

-

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striking workers prohibited from receiving welfare - does nothing to recognize structural barriers limiting able-bodied people from getting jobs that support them (racism, ageism, lack of jobs in rural areas, sexism, technological change and resulting unemployment, discrimination against people with marginal disabilities or prison records, and physical problems not qualifying as disabilities but still limit one's choices) - rates proposed will still fall short of poverty line - does not recommend raise in minimum wage - does not recommend any change in taxation policies - does not recommend anything to protect rights of casual & part-time workers - recommends increasing public housing only on publically owned land - favours using tax dollars to subsidize high rents (making subsidized recipients compete with low-income earners for same places)

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recommends wage top-ups (dangerous. as Jean ~wanson/~nd Legislated Poverty says: A wage supplement for low wage workers is dangerous in several ways. It costs a lot of taxpayers' money that could be spent on health, education, better welfare, etc. It pulls wages down for people at the lowest (supplemented) and also the second lowest levels (unsupplemented). By making it financially viable for more people to work, it throws more people into the job market to compete for work and pull wages down. People who work at the unsupplemented level would have to compete with people working at the supplemented level; wages would be pulled down again. Employers, seeing that governments are willing to pay their wage costs, The total cost would have no incentive to offer adequate pay. of their wage supplements would be $1.3 billion. This is a pure gift to corporations too selfish to pay workers a living wage. short-term 'employment experiences' are subsidy to business..free labout which destabilizes unsubsidized permanent employees forces employables to endure coercive & exploitative nature of subsidy gives grants for hiring disabled, rather than enforcing affirmative action Children's Benefits provides tax-paid subsidy for inadequate wages, allows business to pay a single person's wage to a family head while taxes pay rest Disability Benefit would abolish right to sue for damages and injuries,'and benefits would be based on previous income rather than actual disability; women and minorities would get far less than men as wages are unequal

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V. IMPACT OF TRANSITIONS high-cost recommendations maintain and expand business interests..benefits come at direct expense of welfare recipients and entire working class. Native encourages section doesn't address racial discrimination or land rights. middle-age women to return to work while offering nothing in creating jobs that are permanent only jobs open are poorly paidlpart-time Without a major commitment to job creation, day care, pay equity, university level training, urging these women to work condemns them to being working poor. encourage(s) female recipients to compete with other women for low-paying jobs and scarce child care spaces, driving down wages and raising care costs.

The net impacts of Transitions would include: * Stigmatizing and coercing employable recipients; * Perpetuating the poverty of women; * Raising rents and depressing wages for working people; * Contracting out or automating away many 'human service workers' jobs; * Condemning all recipients (and children & disab1ed)working poor - poverty * Eliminating social insurance programs and rights; * likely raising taxes and transferring even more of the tax burden to poor Unless the cause of these impacts is well understood, they are likely to fuel public backlash against the poor and against labour and women's rights, because it will look as though they have caused the higher taxes and rents, and the cuts in wages. Subsidized recipients, especially employables and single parents, will be pitted against working people who get no subsidies. And the high cost of the "welfare" programs (which, in fact, go directly into the hands of landlords and businesses) will be attacked as coddling the lazy and contributing to the deficit. That reaction easily could be promoted and used to justify draconian cut-backs and even more punitive treatment of poor.

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VI. STRATEGIC RESPONSES TO TRANSITIONS IJa ..-.h a ~ mt h r ~ n m a 7 n a i + a m a t ? ~ r e *c ( 1 j f n gnppnrf if ~_ra~ririiaily; (2:) rn ripnounce it and oppose its implementation; and (3) to formulate an independent vision, and selectively support only those aspects of Transitions that fit it.

Many groups support it in the hope of getting some of the recommendations in place. ..this will at best achieve a compromised version of Transitions' already compromised vision.

The government can appear to accomodate to mass pressure and "give" us all the negative consequences outlined.

I believe we should treat Transitions as a business interpretation of-tje broad and much more popular demands for a program to end poverty We can support those parts of Transitions that will improve people's lives - using its legitimacy as a strategic tool. But we also can demand a more positive, independent agenda for re-affirmed welfare rights, full-employment and equalization of wealth.

DIANE RALPH, MSW, Ph.D.

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A WELFARE SURVIVAL SHEET

Welfare law for employables has not changed.

Government policy has changed. Welfare now wants to see monthly proof that employables are looking for work. o I have to look for work?

YES,unless you have a health problem and can be reclassified as unemployable. Under welfare law, ss long as you are employable, you have 2 obligations about looking for work: i.

- m k n vnoarrnahicl ~ f f n it. a --r&I;,~ 2. to prove you are actively seeking it and trying to get off welfare 80, you do have t o look for work and be able to prove it. i f i w .

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What do I have to do to look for work?

1. Do whatever is reasonable and fair for you.

Example: If you do not get money for a bus pass, it should be OK to look for work only in your neighbourhood.

If you do not get extra money for stamps or photocopying you should not have to mail out lots of applications or resumes.

2. Take some action to look for work. Do what you can. Do something to show you are trying m d write down everything you do.

Example: If you can use a phone: make some calls and write down who you call.

If you need help looking, make an appointment t o see your worker.

Note: the job search form from welfare is only to help keep track.

If you lose it, keep your own .list.

I

Write down everything you do: every phone call, every contact.

Can I get any extra money to help me look?

YES, you should be able to ask for whatever you need.

Example: Bus pass, money for stamps, clothing or retraining if necessary.

If you are refused, ask to appeal, and get help.

What if m y welfare is cut?

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will have little chance on appeal.

2. Look for work. Keep a record. You may still get cut off.

Appeal your worker's decision. You should win if you have evidence that you looked for work.

YOU

Your best protection?

Look for work now and write down how you do it or Apply to be unemployable immediately

MACK THE MOUSE Mack t h e Mouse was born i n t h e Carnegie T h e a t r e d u r i n g a c a b a r e t Saturday n i g h t i n 1988. He grew q u i t e accustomed t o t h e music and merriment e v e r y Saturday evening, but suddenly at t h e end of t h e y e a r t h e music stopped on S a t u r d a y s , exc e p t on s p e c i a l o c c a s i o n s when George and L i l threw a dance. But t h i s was n o t o f t e n enough f o r Mack; he was s o pee o ' d t h a t he moved o u t of t h e Carnegie and found a h o l e i n t h e w a l l of a l o c a l t a v e r n j u s t down t h e s t r e e t , where he could have music every n i g h t . T h i s t u r n e d i n t o d i s a s t e r though, because Mack took t o d r i n k i n g whiskey and b e e r , and i n a couple of months he was a drunken bum and became q u i t e rowdy a t times i f t h e band d i d n ' t p l a y t h e songs he l i k e d . He was f i n a l l y b a r r e d f o r l i f e from t h e t a v e r n a f t e r a v i c i o u s f i g h t w i t h Bouncer, t h e t a v e r n house c a t .

For t h r e e days he wandered i n t h e cold winter r a i n u n t i l he collapsed, l u c k i l y j u s t o u t s i d e t h e Dugout Club on Powell S t r e e t , where a n AA meeti n g was about t o t a k e p l a c e .

Mack crawled i n t h e door and, a s i s t h e custom d u r i n g such meetings, he was welcomed w i t h open arms and given a warm bed t o r e c o v e r i n .

When e a r l y summer a r r i v e d , Mack was h i s o l d s o b e r s e l f , and one Wednesday n i g h t he took a walk up Carr a l l S t r e e t . Suddenly, he stopped dead i n h i s t r a c k s and l i s t e n e d int e n t l y . He h e a r d a v o i c e s i n g i n g ; a v o i c e h e ' d heard b e f o r e and l i k e d .

He q u i c k l y followed t h e sound which l e d him t o t h e door of h t e C l a s s i c a l J o i n t , where t h e Wednesday n i g h t Open S t a g e was i n p r o g r e s s . "WOW," he squealed, h a l f of t h e Carnegie

By GARRY GUST musicians a r e here!"

So Mack scurr i e d i n and found a good s p o t t o s i t j u s t under t h e piano p e d a l s .

Well, every Wednesday n i g h t found Mack g r o o v i n ' a t t h e C l a s s i c a l J o i n t a f t e r a h a r d week working a t t h e Four S i s t e r s . H e even m e t h i s f i r s t g i r l f r i e n d , Susy, a t t h e J o i n t and soon t h e y were going s t e a d y w i t h p l a n s t o g e t married.

But Mack was l a i d o f f from t h e S i s t e r s when t h e y decided t o h i r e c a t s , s o t h e wedding had t o w a i t . A s l o n g a s Mack had Susy and h i s Wednesday music n i g h t s he was c o n t e n t w i t h l i f e . But once a g a i n a b l a c k c l o u d f e l l upon Mack and t h e o t h e r p a t r o n s of t h e J o i n t when one awful n i g h t t h e Duke of E a r l informed them t h a t t h e Wednesday n i g h t w a s b e i n g permanently c a n c e l l e d because t h e new owner was making l i t t l e p r o f i t from t h e DEside, i n t h a t Wednesday was t h e o n l y n i g h t t h a t d i d n ' t have a c o v e r charge.

Everyone f e l t t e r r i b l e b u t no one more t h a n Mack, who became s o h u r t & angry t h a t he decided t o go o u t and g e t drunk. But, a s he stomped a c r o s s t h e p a r k i n g l o t , h i s nose caught the whiff of a m a g n i f i c e n t aroma. He 1 n n L n A 12p sz>z the " ------" ' 6 "i n n " h n ~ r n "n open door - "THE PIE PIPER".

Mack walked i n t o check t h e p l a c e o u t , and was amazed t o see a s t a g e f i l l e d with musical instruments. A s f a s t a s he c o u l d , Mack r a n t o Ottawa S t e v e ' s p l a c e and t o l d him t h e good news. Ottawa S t e v e was q u i t e impressed and t h e n e x t day he was t h e r e t r y i n g t o t a l k t h e p r o p r i e t r e s s i n t o having t h e open s t a g e i n h e r e s t a b l i s h m e n t .

Well, i f you know S t e v e , i t d i d n ' t t a k e l o n g u n t i l a n agreement was made t o hold Open S t a g e on Wednesdays i n The P i e P i p e s .

U Y V " b

...LA

(Continued elsewhere)

REDNECK BLUES

When y o u ' r e s o drunk n' storied you don' t know your name When your g i r l f r i e n d l e a v e s you i n t h e r a i n No o t h e r k i n d of m u s i c ' s q u i t e t h e same Aint i t good t h a t c o u n t r y music n e v e r changed.

When y o u ' r e l o o k i n g low and l o s t on t h e lonesome r o a d And your g o s p e l s o u l - b r i t e p u r p l e - s k y entoned J o y ' s Beauty becomes denounced and e s t r a n g e d Aint i t good c o u n t r y m u s i c - n e v e r changed Now t h e good 01' boys a l l u s e t h e b l u e s I n o t e To r e f u s e t o l o s e t h e song Hank Williams w r o t e They're s t i l l t h e b e s t numbers f o r s q u a r e change I ' m s o g l a d c o u n t r y music d o e s n ' t change.

P SYCHOMATH

(NORMAL e q u a l s n ) t i m e s STABLE e q u a l s CONSTANT p l u s BALANCED d i v i d e d by GOOD/EVIL e q u a l s KARMA p l u s SELF-CONTROLLED e q u a l s NOT LOSING "IT" p l u s PRODUCTIVE e q u a l s SOBER/BUSY p l u s CREATIVE e q u a l s ALTERED STATE OF PRODUCTION p l * COUI?F_GE! ~ TOLEFAKE Garry Gust e q u a l s DESIRED GROWTH. mrllnll1n::l::llml:ll:tl:l::ll::1:

L i f e a c o n s t a n t re-knew-a1 w e g o t t a l e a r n i t a l l over again and i t h a s been done b e f o r e and i t w i l l be done a g a i n and why t h i s h i g h t u r n o v e r r a t e and why we t r y t o do something o u r way I g u e s s I j u s t d o n ' t know, s o t h a t i s t h a t nad l e t ' s f i n d a n o t h e r way.

Taum D.

Mack and Susy g o t m a r r l e a soon a f t e r and had a c o u p l e of k i d s . Mack got a j o b a t S t r a t h c o n a Gardens and he was once a g a i n c o n t e n t w i t h l i f e ; b u t once i n a w h i l e h e would dream of t h e f i n e o l d days of h i s youth a t t h e Carnegie T h e a t r e when e v e r y Saturday n i g h t was a s p e c i a l time f o r him a n d h i s musical f r i e n d s .

'

PRESIDLXI M Y &PHEP5ON Ew. 2127, A b e r b r t C e n t r e Li402 L h i v e r s l t y Avenua E&wnton, U t a .

TM; 2J3 i c l : ( 4 0 3 ) 439-5520

VICE-PRESIUELT FINAVCE ML'REW ORCILWD 6 3 Y l e n b u r g Road, U l n n l p a g . HAG. R2V lM7 T e l : ( 2 0 4 ) 339-4717 ( r )

VICE-PPESIDEST L W E T I ! ; C PF.G M I X C A N IlAYES C / O M a n i t o b a U/C S p o r t * 1 4 9 5 S t . b t t h e w ' s Ave..

Ulnnlpee, Hanltoba

LXZWTIVE VICE-PRESIUELT RIC1UR;I T. W S t L L E h S t . M a r g a r e t ' s Bay Rd., I L I l f u . N.S. 811 1 J I ;el: ( 9 0 2 ) 429-3420 (b)

VICE-PRESrUENT HIGH PERFORPUYCE SPORT DR. DONALD ROYER 2 1 6 5 l ~ m a r t l n rS t r e e t S h c r b r o o k e , Quebec T e l : ( 8 1 9 ) 565-0921

VICE-PRESIDES? DOYESTIC SPORT BARB FY)YiTBL'RP.O 4 3 Vallcywuods Dr..

89 North York. Ont. T s l : ( 4 1 6 ) $45-7637

0 1 ; 3LJ

T a l : ( 2 0 4 ) 831-1757

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.

NATIONAL OFFICE 1600 J a w s N e l s m l t h Dr., C l o u c e ~ t e r .. O n t a r l o K1B 5 x 4 B. DEAV HEL'.UAY Executive Dlrecror T e l : ( 6 1 3 ) 748-5665 (6)

C A N A D I A N WHEELCHAIR SPORTS ASSOCIATION

August 17, 1989 Mr. Sonny Isaas P.O. Box 199 Alert Bay, B.C. VON 1 ~ 0 Re:

ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES SPORTS EN FAUTEUIL ROULANT

MARGARET PREVOST

Dear Mr. Isaac, Please accept this as confirmation that the above named is in our National Basketball Team Program for Women.

She will be working toward making the squad that represents Canada at an international Tournament in Minnesota in February 1990 and/or 'rance in July 1990. The nucleus of these teams will in St. E all likelyhood make up the majority of the participants that represent Canada at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain.

Any assistance that she receives will undoubtedly give her a greater chance of making one or all of these teams.

Thank you in advance for your concern and consideration. '

Sincerely, REG McCLELLAN

(Basketball Director)

I

cc. Basketball k k q r e s e n t a t i ~ r e s fnr R - C Vice Chairperson of High Performance Margaret Prevost

Sonny Isaac has been involved with wheelchair sports for a long time.

As Margaret Prevost, the subject of the above letter, says, "He did a lot of work PO get us to France in 1984. We were in the final game against the U.S.A. and Sonny was our main man. Without him we'd have had to watch it on TV like everybody else.''

If anyone can make a donation toward ~anada's star wheelchair basketball player going to these events, find Marg Prevost. She'll be glad to talk to ya!

Gretsky shoots Jesus saves written on the wall By some mad aerosol artist Brings a smile Even in my anger I find humour Between the long empty Night streets Over the Granville Bridge Slipping through the early morning hours Wondering at the beauty Of the night skyline Pausing to imagine The destination of other Transitory voyageurs Thru the city of the night The locus of my ethereal travels is you And I have surrounded your dwelling With thought and footsteps 9 Whilst the earth resolves another day, Turning with me around you.

BABY Stand on the corner Ancient~eyes,infant face Call of the siren, echoes of Jezebel You're wreathed in white ecstasy Please come home, I love you Mom. Della the music turned out so wrong momentarily shattered! like a beat t o m out of the heat you' re burning. like a river run dry like ole man time lost his tears for all our sorrows.

And then it turned out so right momentaiily brilliant.

A canvas brought out of the dungeon th?own. into light--colours and shapes--& c h i l d Zrmglit I z t ~ :kc zcrld yelling for joy when it works, it works, when it doesn't, it doesn't and beyond that... there is a place in between that isn't quite right or wrong, good or bad, hot or cold..

No absolutes or perfections momentarily shattered! is it necessary something has to --be absolute? is it necessary something has to be total perfection? but perhaps a child's joy to live is perfection...p erhaps absolute...

Dave McConnell perhaps

...

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Tom Lewis SUMMER SLEEPLESS NIGH(T) Everything flips to normal

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Awake, Goddamned siren, awake!

Listening to the Reds and Whites howl cowering in my hovel nerve ends synapsis pulsing Nay Boors complaining of the wax disks I'm spinning no cigarettes left to null my oral fixation and a reading to do so much preparation left and still it is the first time everytime and sweating and nervousness and coffee and smiling guitar chords a new breakthrough there may be some hope left.

HELP STOP CUTS TO

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE B E N E F I T S t

*

The Mulroney government Is t r y i n g to slash your r l g h t to collect Unemployment lnsurance beneflts when you most need It There Is stlll tlme to stop the drastlc changes to the Unemployment

lnsurance A c t .

...

*

HERE'S WHAT

*

Drop in to the Parliamentary Committee hearings which will investigate the proposed cuts: - September 1 1 8. 12 - Hotel Meridien (Burrard at Smithe) - 9 : 0 0 A.M. to 4 : 3 0 P.M. Attend the Rally Against U.I. Cuts

*

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-

YOU CAN

!!onday.

DO

September 11 a t 12:15 P . M .

Vancouver Art Gallery Steps (Robson Street side) WE CAN STOP MULRONEY I F WE ACT NOW!

Sponsored by:

The B.C. Federath of Labax The Vanxwver and District Labcu Cuncll The New Westminster and Dlstrlct Labaa Cancll The Vanaxlvsr Coalltkm Agahst Free Trade

I

,

WENDY'S HAMBURGERS: HAVE A' GOOD SHIT

drag james bond o u t of h i s gold p l a t e d h e l i c o p t e r send him t o scout camp with t h e mckenzie b r o t h e r s give r o n a l d reagan a job s e l l i n g j o i n t s on a s t r e e t c o r n e r i n harlem t u r n nancy i n t o a hooker w i t h a hundred m i l i t a n t l e s b i a n s on h e r c a s e send g e n e r a l h a i g t o c l e a n o u t l a t r i n e s on abandoned m i l i t a r y b a s e s i n the phillipines p a i n t margaret t h a t c h e r ' s t o e n a i l s with plutonium

Soaking up t h e standard scene They s e e m t o f i n d some s a t i s f a c t i o n Making s u r e t h e c a t s a r e f e d Keeping t h e k i t c h e n c l e a n I l l u m i n a t i o n comes t o them On some o t h e r channel Lining up t o laugh & t a l k Outside a popular dream.

Making s u r e t h e bugs a r e dead Keeping t h e f i n g e r n a i l s c l e a n I wonder i f they e v e r Hear t h e s t e p s of Sudden death-like change Approaching on t h e s t a i r I wonder how The f i n a l wave w i l l break When t i m e t r a n s p o r t s them.

perform p l a s t i c surgery on TORA mulroney's b u l l e t p r o o f jaw apply pagan therapy t o born a g a i n ch.ri st i a n S slow down t i m e s t o p every t h i n g d e c l a r e a n a t i o n a l day of mourning Turning f o r t h e c r u c i f i x i o n of your own s o u l The o l d e a r t h ' s s i t down on t h e t o i l e t .

Weathered head t h i n k about i t I am a l o n e on t h i s beach w i t h you. have a good s h i t Night comes on me i n a dream.

TORA Who i s d e p a r t i n g From t h i s world among u s ?

Who i s touching my h e a r t With i n v i s i b l e f i n g e r s ?

I weave you i n a conscious form.

One who i s Far o f f i n s t i l l n e s s Guarding t h e Animal medicine Under h i s s k i n .

S p i r i t dancers shake him h a l f awake.

One who must r a i s e The i n d i v i d u a l Standing dream a l o n e Leading t h e s p i r i t h o r s e out i n t o the l i g h t .

TOW

IT WAS THE POETRY WMAT DONE ME I N See t h e s e grey ' a i r s ?

Know what 1 b i n d o i n ' To e a r n a few bucks?

P u t t i n g up p o s t e r s !

I a s k you A t my time of l i f e !

I coulda been a b l e e d i n s t o c k b r o k e r O r a c o r p o r a t e w h a t s i t by now.

It was t h e p o e t r y what done me i n .

Shoulda never b i n exposed t o i t A t a t e n d e r age.

Sent me o f f , i t d i d , on a w i l d goose chase

A f t e r Truth and Beauty Quite f o r g o t about money.

SO, ' e r e I a m S t i c k i n g up ruddy p o s t e r s I n s t e a d of f o l l e r i n g me muse.

D i s e n t i t l e d from U I C Because I l i s t e d me t r a d e On t h e form POET. "I am s e e k i n g work a s a poet."

Your Honor.

R

Your Pride.

. I ,

Disentitled a p i t t a n c e o f recompense By prosy people Who Like P l a t o Want no P o e t s TO

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David Bouvier

Easy a s s h o o t i n g a wolf from a h e l i c o p t e r .

Where's t h e r e muck t h e r e ' s b r a s s , l a d . True enough, muck meant manure and b r a s s w a s t h e yellow g o l d exchanged f o r f e r t i l e land.

But now t h e muck i s t o x i c and t h e money n o t even paper b u t a f r a g i l e "memory" i n some m i c r o c i r c u i t .

Impoverishment, l i k e a n n i h i l a t i o n , now e q u a l l y i n s t a n t l y p o s s i b l e a t t h e push of t h e wrong b u t t o n .

I

Progress?

I

Progress?

Why t h a t means going forward, of c o u r s e . But... what i f we a r e s t a n d i n g on t h e edge of t h e a b y s s ?

I

David Bouvier