A former journalism professor I know lived on
his sailboat during July and much of August. He proudly
reported each September he had not read a newspaper in all that
time. That was his way of keeping his balance.
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top > VICKI GILHULA |
But most journalists I know get a little
antsy after a day or two of no news.
When I am on holiday, I pick up all sorts of
free newspapers, as well as the local dailies and city
magazines. I spread them out all over the bed and floor of the
hotel room, and I donÂ't have to worry about cleaning up.
Overdosing on newsprint helps me keep my
balance. I always find great ideas that can be modified in
Northern Life.
I came back with a suitcase full of newspaper
clippings from my recent trip to the British Isles. I didnÂ't
have much time to read so I am now just catching up.
Many of the articles caught my eye because
they present different perspectives on issues this side of the
pond or they herald things to come.
When I left home, the price of gas was over
90 cents a litre. Gasoline in Ireland in June was about $2
(CDN) per litre, while in England it was 82
pence per litre or about $2 (CDN) per litre.
The media suggest prices in Britain could rise to as much as
$2.94 (CDN) per litre shortly.
How people move from place A to B will be a
big issue during the 21st century in the over-developed
countries of the world. In addition to high gasoline prices,
many big cities are looking at ways of reducing traffic in core
areas.
A June 1 article in The Scotsman reports city
council in Edinburgh is working on a plan to restrict traffic
in the cityÂ's centre, and even banning private cars during
peak hours on Princes Street, its main shopping street.
Pavement will be widened in the area to accommodate foot
traffic. The streets will be for buses, taxis and
cyclists.
Proponents of the ban say it will reduce
pollution and accidents, and also make the retail heart of the
city a more pleasant place for citizens and the thousands of
tourists who visit each year.
Since private vehicles were restricted in the
eastbound lane of Princes Street eight years ago, accidents
have been reduced by half.
Not everyone is happy about the plan expected
to come into effect sometime in 2005. Critics say traffic will
clog up on the side streets rather than the main (or as they
say in Britain the Â"highÂ") street.
In that same issue, an article reports 30 per
cent of people surveyed said they would gladly pay more for a
house closer to their place of work because it would cut down
on commuting.
Many reported that commuting had become more
stressful in the last four years. Stressed-out commuters donÂ't
perform as well on the job and donÂ't have much energy for
family activities when they finally return after a day in the
office, the article suggests.
In Ireland, 20 towns and cities are planning
to take part in EuropeÂ's Car Free Day Sept. 22. It is expected
that 1,500 communities in Europe will discourage the use of
private vehicles for one day by offering free transit.
Another story in The Scotsman, dated June 1,
reported Scots split over bid to woo immigrants.
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It is estimated Scotland will need to attract
as many as 8,000 people every year for the next five years to
stop a population decline. (Almost every shop and restaurant
window in Britain and Ireland had help-wanted signs).
Scotland, says the editorial in The Scotsman,
wants young skilled professionals and students to make their
permanent homes in Scotland.
First minister Jack McConnellÂ's plan to
encourage immigration is called The Fresh Talent Initiatives,
Â"inspired by the great wave of Scottish immigration that did
so much build Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the 19th and
early 20th century,Â" says The Scotsman.
Fifty-one per cent of the population support
the idea of importing talent while one in three does not. The
latter fear immigrants from the new 10 European Union nations
would put a strain on housing, benefits and other systems.
Interestingly, the article and editorial only hint at racial
prejudices or cultural intolerance.
EnglandÂ's Daily Express, in the May 31
issue, reports the no-smoking policy has Ireland Â"all fired
up.Â" England plans its own ban, and authorities are watching
the Irish who have banned smoking in all workplaces, including
company cars.
Pubs are noticing a 20 per cent decline in
business. The article refers to people from Ireland crossing
the border into Belfast in Northern Ireland where they can
still smoke in pubs.
But the Irish seem resigned to the ban, and
some are putting a positive spin on it. They refer to the
smoke-break romance.
Apparently, everyone in Ireland knows someone
who met outside a bar having a smoke.
The Daily Express article quotes Dubliner
Sean Duignan, 19. Â"ItÂ's the best place to chat up a bird when
you are both outside for a smoke. You can ask for a light or
offer her a cigarette and just get talking far easier than it
would be inside where itÂ's noisy with a lot more people
around.
Â"I havenÂ't got lucky yet but IÂ'll keep on
trying. Keep the smoking ban,Â" says Sean.
Now if only people who are oppose the smoking
ban in this city could see a silver lining.
Vicki Gilhula is the managing editor of Northern
Life.
