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pathetic protests
More than 100,000 people showed up for the first protest against this war in Montreal in minus-42° wind-chill weather, around 200,000 for the next and at least another 200,000 this past weekend.
So what’s the deal with small rallies in the giant super-megacity of Toronto? I really am wondering if you guys actually do support this war or, conversely, just don’t care. Having grown up in Toronto, I know how much you busily run around every day like chickens with your heads cut off, so it can’t be sheer laziness. Can it?
Phil Holloway, Montreal
Taking the easy way out
The decision taken by the chretien-Martin Liberals not to support our closest allies in the war with Saddam Hussein is another example of how hooked this government is on doing only what is popular, not what is right.
When a decision was required to stand with our friends, the PM took the easy way out because the polls said so.
By taking this decision, the PM and his supporters have weakened Canada’s reputation with its allies, made us look weak in the eyes of the rest of the world and clearly demonstrated that Canada cannot be counted on for support when it is really needed.
Jeff Harwood
Brandon, Manitoba
Patsies for Saddam
As I watch the news on CNN and read the newspaper reports, it is brought home so very graphically how horrible war is.
Soldiers are on edge as they wait for that bullet with their name on it or listen to the plane overhead that could well be the harbinger of what would snuff out their lives at any moment.
The civilians who come into harm’s way, either from a regime that hides behind them or by accidents of war, must touch the hearts of all who retain the capacity to feel compassion for their fellow man.
Yet I am prevented from joining the protesting throng due to a healthy dose of reality.
Canada has been allowed to exist solely because of the might of the United Kingdom and the United States. Those two countries continue to defend us, and now the world, against tyranny.
Should the Americans and British discover the weapons of mass destruction they claim are in Iraq, such a discovery would not only justify this war but also expose its opponents as nothing less than patsies of Saddam Hussein.
Ron Thornton
Edmonton, Alberta
Cherry picking
Don Cherry weighed in on the Iraq debate on Hockey Night In Canada this past Saturday, and although I thought Ron MacLean rebuffed his “loyalty to your friends” very succinctly by asking if Cherry was Canadian — implying quite clearly that Cherry’s loyalty should be to our country before the U.S. — I would like to offer Cherry another rhetorical redirect to further make MacLean’s point. If your best friend were about to commit murder, would you help?
Tom Pashkov
Richmond Hill
Bowling for Bush
It was with great “shock and awe” that I watched Michael Moore receive his “Oscar for peace” on Sunday night. Who said irony is dead? The fact that (the movie was) produced by peace-loving Canadians was an added bonus.
Perhaps for his next movie, Moore will consider executing a citizen’s arrest warrant against Bush for crimes against humanity. He could call the movie Bush To The Hague: In Search Of Mike Moore’s 10 Most Wanted War Criminals.
Davis Mirza, Toronto
U.S. can win over critics
The war will soon be over. The dictator Saddam will be gone. But in the process, Bush has made millions of people mad. Like battling the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, smashing one danger may only create tens, hundreds, thousands, millions more angry Muslims and Arabs. The most important resource terrorists have is anger, and anger can only be created by their enemy.
If Bush is truthful that his aim is to avoid future terrorism, he must completely turn over Iraq to the UN or other neutral body. And Bush should support Iraq’s recovery with money, not troops.
Once the world sees that Bush was honest and leaves Iraq after achieving his stated goal to disarm the country, only then will the world grudgingly think the U.S. did the right thing.
Tom Trottier, Ottawa
Many colours of empathy
I was deeply upset to read of Rachel Corrie’s death (NOW, March 20-26). Her lovable freckled, youthful face was full of idealism and courage.
But dozens of innocent Palestinians are killed, wounded or lose their homes every week to the occupation. Why did her demise cause such empathy within my heart?
Is it because she was white, photogenic and North American like me?
Have I become inured to the daily death and suffering of the Palestinian people? Why does it take the death of a North American to make me cry?
Are the lives of the Palestinians who suffer and die from the Israeli occupation worth less than ours? I have some soul-searching to do.
Chad Sellars, Toronto
Dishonest “racism” charges
concerning neil braganza’s letter (NOW, March 20-26) on the setting of “security” fees for events at York.
Graduate student and OCAP agitator Braganza must think poorly of NOW readers if he expects us to believe his absurd charges against York.
The liberal left is very active at York and on other Toronto university campuses, where it is currently engaged in a planned and concerted campaign to build cliques of students and unionized staff members for the sake of staging disruptions of various kinds.
Dishonest charges of “racism” linked to meaningless accusations of “corporatization” form one of their most demagogic ploys.
But students and university workers aren’t falling for it we know when agitprop outfits such as OCAP, International Socialists, New Socialists and the like are trying to manipulate us.
Are the unions concerned about their members, or are they out to promote the “anti-capitalist revolution”?
George Cook, Toronto
Great end to sad story
i recently read boss, you’re busted (NOW, March 6-12). What a great end to a long, tiring investigation. You see, I am Cindy Craig, mentioned in that article. I can’t tell you how much my mother and I appreciate Barry Dennison’s diligence in pursuing this company. From personal experience, I can tell you Dennison spent many hours gathering information and assisting me personally in an attempt to recover money and track down and stop this unethical business. I can’t thank him enough, or your newspaper for publishing this story.
Cindy Craig
El Paso, Illinois
Disparaged decorator
In perusing your bar & pub guide (NOW, March 13-19), I was shocked to see Brian Gluckstein disparaged as a “hack decorator” in your tidbit about Avenue at the Four Seasons.
I am now curious to know why this cheap shot was taken by Steven Davey. What did Gluckstein do to warrant such an attack?
Christina Colalillo, Toronto
Ruing Rhubarb!
weeks after the rhubarb! festival, I am shocked that NOW Magazine still hasn’t made even a passing mention of Istvan Kantor’s amazing work.
This performance artist created a piece that was edgy, brave, exciting, provocative, funny and relevant — in short, a true experience. I cannot remember the last time I saw “professional theatre artists” bring such daring and dynamism to a show. Surely, NOW readers would have jumped at the chance to attend this extraordinary event. Or are NOW readers as dull as the editorial staff?
Victoria Goring
Artistic Director, Urban Spine, Toronto
Capoeira is not dancing
I don’t know if it was lula lounge or NOW’s live music editor who wrote the listing for “Capoeira (Brazilian dancing)” as one of that night’s events (NOW, March 13-19).
Capoeira is not dancing. Samba is dancing. Capoeira has dance-like movements and music.
Capoeira sometimes does a dance of sorts in its struggle to survive, but it will never be dancing itself, it will never be a dance.
Capoeira is truly in its own category, but should you insist on including it in a category with other activities that your readership may be familiar with, perhaps calling it a “martial art” would be best. For safety’s sake.
Biriba Love, Toronto
Who’s the real asshole?
re max turnbull’s letter, assholes At The Opera House (NOW, March 13-19). According to our post-show security report, there was only one minor incident at the Sleater-Kinney show: a male and female ejected from the venue about 10:30 pm.
These two people were seen pushing other patrons at the show in an aggressive manner. When asked to calm down by security, they became abusive.
So who is the asshole here?
Athena Towers
General Manager, the Opera House Toronto
