|
| Below
are my Letters written to the Globe and Mail in 2006. Yellow
underlined passages indicate they were published in the paper
or on-line the following day. ( as one can see, many are culled but
few are chosen.) Letters submitted in other years may be
viewed by clicking the appropriate year above. |
| Letter
writer Scott MacKenzie says gun bans don’t work because criminals
don’t obey them. By the same logic, we should repeal the
crime of murder because murderers don’t obey that law. Laws are
society’s agreed-upon forms of behaviour with consequences.
They are not decrees that somehow magically banish bad
behaviour. January 8, 2006 |
| Dear
Ms Wente: You will be happy to know that Ben Franklin also said, “
One should dress to please others but eat to please oneself. “
You may not be pleased to realize that the latter impacts on
the former, usually negatively. My own simple but not modest
resolution stems from dicta handed down from women in my life (
mother and wife ): Move more, eat less and look in the mirror
before going out. January 9, 2006 |
| The
ill-conceived Liberal campaign ads may be part of an Ad Scam not
looked into by Justice Gomery. Could it be Chretien supporters
within the Liberal Party are getting their own back on Paul Martin
by developing the most offensive ads possible? The “
Soldiers with Guns in City Streets’ ad is as bad as American
election advertising at its worst. It’s beyond negative;
it’s toxic! January 13, 2006 |
| Ethics:
Go for Joe: It is
perfectly understandable that Ed Broadbent could not accept the post
of Ethics Commissioner, given his family obligations (The Shapiro
Controversies -- March 9). But surely Prime Minster Stephen Harper
has Joe Clark's phone number. Like
Mr. Broadbent, Mr. Clark is synonymous with integrity and ethical
behaviour. Just ask Brian Mulroney. And like Mr. Broadbent, Mr.
Clark meets a most important ethical criterion; he was never a
Liberal and never crossed from his party. Actually, the party
crossed him. March 10, 2006 |
| The
‘un-Canadian’ crimes of terrorism, treason, rape and murder
Martin Collacott cites are not just offensive to Canadians but to
humanity in general. Therefore, Canada, like all other
nations, calls such behaviour ‘offences‘ and commits the
offenders to prison. We live together in Canada, live by the
same rules and fulfill the same responsibilities as citizens.
That’s Canadian. Differentiating between naturalized and
native born citizens smacks of racism, and that is Un-Canadian.
March 10, 2006 |
| Stephen
Harper can’t seem to keep a gag on his caucus. It was a gag and
not a joke, I presume, when Conservative MP Colin Mayes mused about
jailing reporters who “twist the truth’ . The press can already
be held accountable; it's called libel and slander laws. But
uncomplimentary or even unfair opinion is not the same as falsehood.
We all have biases which colour our view of the world. Mine is that
my heart is on the left ( unlike Vulcans and Neo-Cons ).
There, I've published a sarcastic comment, defaming ultra-right
wingers. Shall I look forward to being thrown into a PC (irony
intended) jail? March 31, 2006 |
| Letter
writer Margot Secord and others are concerned about the amount of
coverage the Globe and Mail gave to Pamela Anderson. From the
photo I saw, I’d say it takes an awful lot to decently cover Ms
Anderson. April 4, 2006 |
| |
| Lack
of blond ambition? Thank
you, Belinda Stronach, for your wise decision (Stronach Won't Seek
Liberal Leadership -- on-line edition, April 6). Considering that
the Liberal Party is still making its way in the dark, Canada may be
spared the folly of the blond leading the blind. April 7,
2006 |
| Rick
Salutin has wrongly chastised Michael Ignatieff for
‘carping’ about not getting enough press attention in his bid
for Liberal leadership. Mr. Salutin points out that many spend
years hoping their opinions will appear in the Letters to the Editor
pages of this fine newspaper. He implies ‘Iggy’ is a
spoiled child with an overblown sense of self-importance.
Please, correct me if I’m wrong; but does your paper not
invite comment through this page; do your editors not choose which
letters to publish; do those editors not use sound journalistic
criteria when determining choice of letters? The editors of
the Globe, not Michael Ignatieff, have given him his soap box.
( Q, ed ) April
15, 2006 |
|
PETER GUINDON wrote
“ If people can't afford to sacrifice money for daycare services
or spend time… then they shouldn't have children.” Spoken
like a true ( Tory ) blue member of the privileged class. I am
reminded of the Woodie Guthrie Dust Bowl Ballad, ' If you
ain’t got the do re mi….'
April 21, 2006 |
|
Letter writer Edwin
Gibson derides the Liberal Leadership bid of Bob Rae, describing the
former Ontario Premier as one who “single-handedly destroyed
a provincial economy”. Not so. The worst recession in
Ontario in 30 years, federal cut backs and the so-called
“free trade’ agreement did a lot more to hurt Ontario’s
economy. I agree that Rae’s attempt to spend his way out of
the recession was a mistake. On the other hand, his “ Rae
Days” approach to cutting back government spending was a great
idea. It’s a pity his own supporters in the Labour Movement
couldn’t get beyond their own narrow self interest. April
28, 2006 |
| Jean-Daniel
Lafond, the husband of Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean, says he is free to
express political views through his art because he is a citizen in a
free society. True. But his wife is more than a citizen. Michaelle
Jean keeps her comments to general, social issues because she must
be non-partisan. Her husband’s commentary should also
address social but not political issues. If her husband
insists on exercising his rights, the Governor General will
have no choice but resign. April 30, 2006 |
|
I
agree with Jeff Simpson that Mandatory Minimum Sentences will not
affect crime rates, will not deter the violent and desperate, and
will cost society a bundle. One would think the Conservatives
would demand cost effectiveness, a business-like approach to policy.
But “bang for your buck’ can take on a darker meaning for
voters. Our gut reaction to violent, senseless crime is anger.
When this anger is channelled into hate, our reaction is immoderate,
based on a need for vengeance and sadly lacking in reason. The
Harper government is appealing to our un-reason, playing to the mob.
May 5, 2006 |
|
I
guess alleged mass murderers as well as Liberal cronies are entitled
to their entitlements. We mere taxpayer/citizens stand in
disbelief of a legal system ( investigative and judicial )
that results in a drawn out, bungled Air India trial, on the one
hand, and a soft pass to Karla the Kid Killer on the other. Law, the
foundation of our freedom, comes into disrepute and we grow
increasingly cynical. May 7, 2006 |
|
When
I think of what makes me proud to be Canadian, the following
come to mind: One-tier Health Care, Equalization payments to
ensure national standards, Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, no
capital punishment, judicial recognition of Quebec’s right to
determine its own fate, support for the U.N., world court and
multi-lateral approach to foreign policy, a history of
peacekeeping, and a Canadian culture of moderation not violence (
except in hockey ). These
Canadian traits, I fear, are not what Stephen Harper’s
Conservatives think of when they “ Stand up for Canada’. May
10, 2006 |
|
While
I applaud the government’s desire to debate an extension of
Canada’s commitment to Afghanistan, I strongly object to
Parliament holding a vote immediately after that debate.
Where is the accountability in that? MPs will have had no
chance to hear from their constituents on this matter. If the
debate is to be taken seriously, people must be given time to
consider the arguments and then a chance to tell their MPs what they
think. Members
of Parliament would be
free to vote after the people have a chance to sway that
vote. That, it seems to me, was bottom line accountability in
the populist principles of the Reform and Alliance parties. May
17, 2006 |
| Ban
all provinces: M.
A. Wozenilek believes in re-jigging Confederation by combining
provinces with smaller populations to take care of the equalization
problem. He should know that four have-nots do not make a whole.
Four poor economies combined do not make one healthy one. There
would be small savings from reduced government but it would not
outweigh the increased alienation that would result. May
18, 2006 |
| Security
and Freedom are always at odds. What I find disturbing in this
article RCMP
foiled a dozen plots in past two years
is that this leaked information tends to increase the level of
fear, is a harbinger of curtailed freedom while in no way increasing
security. The dozen or so situations of terrorist potential,
for which there was not enough evidence, may be cause for alarm, but
it's the sounding of the alarm that alarms me. We are a
society of law, a people who respect rights and due process.
Innuendo without debate or evidence is no foundation for truth.
And how came this story? A convenient leak to bolster an
internal fear campaign? Make no mistake: it is the
police and security forces’ job to Serve and Protect. Let us be
vigilant and all praise to the police forces who arrest those who
would be violent and can be shown to have plotted such. But I
caution against arming the authorities with fear-fueled powers to
disable and slander any who, in their opinion, pose a threat
to the established order. Opposition is not a crime, debate is not
treason, peaceful protest is not terror, and different beliefs,
life-styles, world views are not sin. Bring us evidence of
criminal intent, not vague suggestions of wrong doing. June
7, 2006 |
|
Your
editorial re Louise Arbour’s positions on terrorism legislation
took me aback. It reminded me of Shakespeare’s Marc
Antony giving his funeral oration to the fallen Caesar. Just
as he twisted the phrase ‘ Honourable men’ to its
opposite, so your editorial turned the word ‘ noble’
into ‘naïve’, ‘impractical’ or ‘ineffective’.
The former SCOC Justice held scales in her first role; as Human
Rights Commissioner, she holds a shield protecting the individual
from the awesome might of the state. She has done honour to
Lady Justice in both roles. June 28, 2006 |
|
Would
John Barber prefer the ethos of hockey to that of football ( soccer
)? In the former, assault with a deadly weapon gets you two
minutes in the penalty box, a mob brawl brings higher TV ratings,
and trumpeting ‘Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em ‘ sportsmanship gets you
into the Coach’s Corner every Saturday night.
Soccer,
on the other hand, demands respect, civility and courtesy.
When a player appears injured, the opposing team will kick the ball
into touch so play may stop and the injured man be helped.
Then the other side will graciously return the courtesy by kicking
the ball to their opponent. Fallen, fouled players are given a hand
up by an opponent. Players show deference when arguing a point
with a game official.
As
to national rivalry, we have all seen soccer riots but I seem to
recall Vancouver being torn apart when the Canucks failed to win
their cup. Jerks use any sport as an excuse for vandalism and
violence. But I find the rest of us enthuse in our beloved
game with the most positive of national pride. A Yellow Card
to John Barber for his unsportsmanlike attitude to a
Multi-cultural Canada! June 28, 2006 |
| Because
Steve Harper seems keen to see things from an American point of
view, I suggest Canada’s new motto should reflect how our southern
neighbours see us. Ergo, Musculus qui pondurus est.
( The mouse that bored ). July 10, 2006 |
|
Rex
Murphy rightly scoffs at the conspiracy theory industry. I
suspect the conspiracy exposé gang are part hobbyist, part
self-mocking and part free enterprise con. But Rex
underestimates the extent of gullibility these days.
Consider
that an astonishing percentage of the American people are firm
believers in a very old fantasy-hoax,
namely creationism, wherein Godless scientists are unmasked as
conspirators? And is Rex not aware of G. W. Bush’s own
fantasy tale about global warming, wherein a cabal of scientists
threaten America’s ‘right’ to use and abuse as much power as
it wants? July
15, 2006 |
| I
disagree with your editorial praising the Prime Minister’s stand
on the current conflict in the Middle-East. Steve Harper is
four-square behind G. W. Bush in unequivocal support of Israel,
whose forces are raining terror on the Lebanese people including an
estimated 50,000 Canadian civilians. If leaders
throughout the world are right to condemn suicide and other
terrorist bombers for their bloody deeds, surely the more efficient
and deadly state terrorism of Israel must be condemned as well.
Self defence is what each side claims in a civil war, revolution, or
struggle against occupying forces.
July 20, 2006 |
| I
am no supporter of the Conservatives or Steve Harper. But I was
appalled at the criticism he has received for not attending the Aids
Conference in Toronto. The address by Mark
Wainberg, conference co-chair, clearly
shows he does not understand Parliamentary democracy. Canada’s
head of state, the Governor General was there as was the
Health Minister, Tony Clement. A Prime Minister is first among
equals who works with a cabinet to function as a government which is
ultimately responsible to Parliament. On several other occasions,
Steve Harper has acted more like a President than a Prime Minister.
This time he got it right. August 15, 2006 |
| The
Globe & Mail on-line edition features a photo of Prime Minister
Steve Harper at Alert, Nunavut and, in dry humour, notes the
PM is “as
far away from the majority of Canadians as a person can be while
still being in the country.” As true as that may be,
it would be more fitting for the PM to stand at the North Pole.
Clearly, for social and political perspective he always looks south.
August
15, 2006 |
|
Public
Works Minister Fortier wants to get a grip on things? The more
things change, the more they stay the same. The point of the
consultant report and 'fact' finding junket was to figure out better
ways to deliver service to Canadian taxpayers / citizens? And this
is to be through 3P ( Private-Public Partnership ) contracts?
I believe 3-P initiatives in Britain and Australia have
already proven more costly, yielding less public control and at
greater public liability? Is this ideologically driven
management or just pay off time for Conservative Party backers? The
pigs are at the trough again and they're bringing their friends with
them. August 18, 2006 |
| Reviewer
Steven Cole gives us a good analysis of Snakes on a Plane as a sort
of Circus Maximus meets Airplane 2. But was the plane bathroom scene
he described a mixed media presentation? The Full Monty
Python? August 18, 2006 |
| The
2-by-4 terrorists? : As
Michel Facon points out (Talking With Terrorists -- letter, Aug.
23), governments start out saying they will never negotiate with
terrorists but eventually, as with the FLN in Algeria or IRA in
Northern Ireland, if we want peace, we settle. I
guess Stephen Harper took that view when agreeing to the
softwood-lumber deal with the trade terrorists from the U.S. August
23, 2006 |
| Were
you surprised, shocked or appalled when you wrote, “ Not again.
Not another trade dispute in which the United States financially
penalizes Canada's exporters….” NAFTA is not only an
unfair agreement, it is no agreement at all if the Americans
can ignore it when it suits them. And you find it a further
injury that the Americans are levying fees on us to pay for their
trade tricks. History shows that imperial powers often tax
their colonies to pay for their suppression and forced trade
relations; remember the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party?
Are the Editors of the Globe and Mail preparing an
apology to Elizabeth May? September 2, 2006 |
| Marathon
wait: Rick
Baker, private medical broker, says, "You don't want to get
sick in Ontario." Well, I live in Ontario, and I have cancer.
I'm undergoing a series of tests that will include an MRI this
Sunday, less than a month since my diagnosis. My medical team has
assured me that people in greater medical need are bumped to the
head of waiting lists for MRIs. Your health status, not your
financial status, is what counts in caring for you in Ontario.
If the medical resources,
professionals and patient load stay the same, then privatizing does
nothing to shorten waiting lists. What it does do is shorten the
wait for those who can pay extra. If you want to get well quickly in
B.C., you better be rich. September 13, 2006 |
| I’m not
sure who is responsible for this, Globe and Mail editors or Gerry
Nichols who is quoted as saying, "I don't
think the state has a roll in telling
Canadians….” not to be couch potatoes. I hope it wasn’t
the fault of John A. Carmichael, professor
emeritus at Queen’s University, who cites the quote in a letter to
the editor. He should know better; rolls plus potatoes
would be too much starch for any Canadian to stomach. October
4, 2006 |
| The
question should be ' Are wounded soldiers being adequately
compensated and cared for by the Canadian Armed Forces when taken
out of action?' The rate of pay and benefits should reflect
both their needs ( which may be great ) AND the nation's gratitude
for their ( continuing ) sacrifice. Danger pay stops, yes;
but 'thank you' pay should begin. Does it? If not, it should.
We are a rich nation and can afford to care for those who have cared
for us. October 5, 2006 |
|
Dear
Ms Blatchford,
Your
column this morning shows me a war painted in greys, not blacks and
whites. Thank you. I don’t need clear edged reality when clear
edges aren’t real. The support for our ( and other NATO )
troops is solid in Canada but the same cannot be said for the
mission or Canadian foreign policy in the region. You column
illuminates why this is so.
I
agree that our ( stated ) cause is just and the need of the Afghan
people is great. But when the political dynamic of that
unfortunate land is powered by war-lords, drug-lords and God-lords,
how can we bring about any political alternative to meet
Afghani’s needs? The war-lords impose security at a price (
feudal fealty ), the drug-lords provide the people an income at a
price ( mafia-style market ) and the Taliban God-lords grant
spiritual absolutism, a time-honoured opiate of the masses (irony
intended ).
And
what do NATO troops and our NGOs have to offer in their stead?
Western values nurtured in safe zones ringed by Leopard Tanks,
the promise of a hand out, and valiant skirmishes against a phantom
enemy that leave scores of native bystanders dead, and an Afghani
Parliament and administrative service more loyal to the indigenous
power base than to the foreign forces.
Nothing
is clear. Our sentinels of the rule of law and the need for
order shout “ Who goes there? Friend or Foe? “ The answer
is as ambiguous as the question must be for the Afghani people when
they wonder about us, “ Friend or Foe? “
Are
we tilting at windmills or marching valiantly into quick sand?
Not a good idea. Is it just cause or just folly? October
5, 2006 |
| Letter
writer R.M. Baxter defends the Globe and Mail use of “
carrot and stick “ citing the Encarta
Dictionary definition which attributes ‘ combination of rewards
and punishments’. Dictionaries like Encarta grow their
definitions to meet common misuse. Likewise, you will
find Funk and Wagnals recognizes the non-word ‘ irregardless’ (
as does my computer spell-check ). Consider the source:
Funk and Wagnals was first distributed in supermarkets at $1 for the
first volume of a multi-volume set. Encarta software came free
with my ‘loaded’ computer five years ago. Mass meaning in
the McKnowledge Mall. October 17, 2006 |
| In
Peter MacKay’s Love Story, love is never having to say
you’re sorry. Perhaps he merely said something like ‘
Fido-Duddle” October
20, 2006 |
| Of
mice and men: Your Nov. 2 on-line
Globe poll asks: "A new study suggests that obese mice can
enjoy the benefits of being thin if they consume red-wine extract.
Will this news influence any of your lifestyle choices?" No. I
don't drink socially with mice. November 4, 2006 |
| A
Christmas Rex: It
wouldn't be Christmas without Rex Murphy battling political
correctness (The Last Spasm Of Humbugitis -- Dec. 23). It isn't
about correctness; it's about consideration. Inclusiveness, or
multiculturalism or tolerance, is the real target when PC bashers
begin to rant.
No one objects to the cheerful cries
of "Merry Christmas," but if major retailers want their
employees to say "Happy holidays" or "Season's
greetings," it's probably because, as good businessmen, they
want to please all of their customers. Likewise, governments in
Canada should strive to be non-sectarian. We celebrate this time of
year by propping up our economy, enriching our self-esteem (through
gift-giving) and reaching out to our brothers and sisters everywhere
regardless of race, colour or creed. If I decorate my Yule tree, so
what? December 27, 2006 |
|
Re Ode to Oda: Is this
Chisholm Pothier the same guy who had to resign last April as press
secretary to Premier Bernard Lord? He resigned after leaking a
letter containing personal information about a constituent. It’s
telling that our new Conservative government finds jobs for flacks
and hacks who have already disgraced themselves.
December 28, 2006 |
|