One meets many who say “I read your column

(alternatively, “article”, “stuff”), not every week but quite often”. That selective approach indicates a commendable discriminatory taste. As in that case, not all discrimination is deplorable. If a given racial, cultural or dogmatic section of the population causes frequent breaches of the peace, decries all opinions but its own or indulges in gangland activities it deserves to be ‘outed’ as undesirable – or, at least, as needing a radical reorientation before it escapes close surveillance and public censure. ‘Racial profiling’ and ‘freedom of speech’ are an unacceptable defense for those communities from which comes a high incidence of crime and violence. That is one thing that is too often left unsaid in deference to multiculturalism and individual rights.

From time to time this space also leaves things unsaid. Sometimes it is out of ignorance and at others, one confesses, from reticence or, as last week, my own poor editing. One has at most 1050 words here in which to state a case or indulge a fancy. Having typed more than that into a computer, it is often necessary to delete ‘some of the above’.

In doing that on December 1, I left unsaid something that would have made better sense of my argument. Having mentioned the monastic rule of St. Benedict, I omitted the reason for doing so. The point was that Benedictines rise in the early hours for “the night office” of psalms, readings and prayers, then return to sleep for the rest of the night. They speak of ‘sanctifying’ the night hours, harking back to the old idea that evil and disease flourish in the dark. Perhaps that is still the case.

As the year draws to an end, anyone with a conscience looks back at what has been left undone or unsaid. Let me pursue that thought from a personal standpoint. With the credit card and bank records before me, I shall make up this month the shortfall in my “modern tithe” of giving 5% of my net income to church, charitable and health agencies that depend on my stewardship. That amounts to one dollar a week for every thousand dollars of net income.

The government is often accused of taking more from us than it gives back. We seldom think of ourselves as taking more from the society in which we live than we return to its welfare agencies. The average Canadian will spend about $750 on Christmas (or Holiday) gifts and luxuries. If we have given less than our seasonal expenses to various ‘good causes’ this year, we are as guilty of misappropriation as any government ever was.

Another thing too often left unsaid is an appreciation of those who write letters to our editor. Few do so when they agree more or less with what is said on these editorial and ‘op ed’ (opposite the editorial) pages but we always appreciate those who are ‘contrary minded’. They are the ship’s ballast.

It is an unhappy thing to suggest that those with whom one disagrees are fools and knaves. That might be the case but neither columnist nor letter writer is wise to press the point. We value the folks who have a different ‘take’ on the case from the one expressed. I particularly appreciate correspondents like Ken Hayward, George C. Hunt and Geoff Rytell for their periodic acerbity.

As a long-time teacher and participant in the cut and thrust of classroom dialogue, I wish we could have an occasional Citizen / F.P.& E. Forum luncheon with our regular correspondents. The universe may, in fact, be unfolding as it should but we all know that it needs some ironing out in the process.

In the increasing heat of an unwelcome (and, I think, basically unnecessary) election another concern would be the things that our pumped-up politicians may leave unsaid. Who of them is thinking of the nation as a whole rater than of the seats they may hold or gain in the West, Ontario, Québec or the Maritimes? What are the views of your local candidates about the possibility that Québec separatists may want more than a ‘national’ francophone hockey team? Should they be able to claim the former Territory (and future province?) of Ungava as part of an independent Québec? Between 1869 and 1912 Ungava was a federal territory. Would your M.P. agree to a separated Québec taking out of the Canadian Confederation more than it brought in? Since we are to have an election anyway, this may be the time to ask that question.

Nor can one help thinking, especially at this time of year, about the things we fail to say to one another. I often speak to bereaved persons whose chief regret is what was left unsaid. That includes things that might have been written to those whom we seldom see. Christmas letters that are year-long family log books can be boring but do the cards we send really say anything personal that someone might enjoy re-reading all year? ‘Happy Holiday” wishes are vapid enough. My holidays come in the summertime. But mere Hallmark greetings with nothing personal in them are among the expenses that should be eliminated from this season.

My card list has been shortened this year. So what if some think I have shuffled off this mortal coil? Let them call me if they are uncertain. Or, I may call them. What is the point of sending cards to those one will greet at church on Christmas morning or during the twelve days of Christmas?

But too many things are left unsaid. That is why I think that we should all leave behind us audio-visual messages that address those who will survive us. Not to do so is to make too taciturn a departure. Diaries that cover many years are fine but with the nature of funerals changing, we should each have the privilege of speaking at our own memorial service. A prerecorded message would provide it. It should recall the highlights of one’s life and set out one’s life philosophy. That way, too, one could speak to generations yet unborn.

It would be another way of leaving nothing important unsaid.