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Airport opponents can’t add
I find it very interesting that Don Wanagas would state that the Port Authority “twisted its own Pollara poll results beyond belief to show council that 75 per cent of Torontonians support a bridge to an expanded Island Airport” (NOW, October 23-29). And then go on to explain that David Miller’s current level of support indicates that Torontonians do not support the bridge. Miller is the only one of the top five candidates who does not support the bridge. Miller has the support of approximately 30 per cent of decided voters. Approximately 65 per cent of decided voters support one of the other four main candidates who do support the bridge.
It would appear that Don Wanagas is the one who’s twisting the results beyond belief.
John Bacon, Toronto
Miller all talk, no action
In nine years on city council, David Miller has done little or nothing for the people of this area, and why should we expect anything else out of him if he becomes mayor? He has always been all talk and no action, if you could even find him. His community office has never returned a single call of mine. My neighbours have had similar results.
On the rare occasion when they did get a live person, he or she was condescending or rude.
In the past three years, we have only received one newsletter, and that was purely self-promotional. Where were the community meetings to keep us informed? I would not expect anything more out of him as mayor.
Gangadai Persaud, Toronto
Bridge money better spent
re missing link (now, october 23-29). Mayoral candidate Barbara Hall’s advocacy of a bridge to the Island Airport flies in the face of her oft-proclaimed integrity. I fail to see where there is integrity when she can blithely cast away a priceless heritage for the sake of political expediency. As for the jobs she says will be provided, wouldn’t it be more logical to build homes for those who are without them instead of a bridge for the convenience of business?
Her abrupt drop in the polls indicates that the public isn’t about to let their cherished island playground disappear through inattention.
N.D. Rogers, Toronto
Sheppard line a great idea
I have a few questions for the writer of your Upfront item on the Sheppard subway to investigate (NOW, October 23-29). How many fewer tonnes of pollutants are being released thanks to the Sheppard subway?
How much less road damage will occur as a result of fewer huge buses on the road?
How much more development is taking place on the subway line, taking advantage of the efficiency only a subway can provide?
Should we only build public transportation projects to accommodate today’s needs?
Have you ever had to stand out on Sheppard Avenue in February, freezing your ass off, watching full bus after full bus pass you by?
Rob Breadner, Toronto
Fearing woman power
I am disheartened that now chose to run a misogynist rant like Cougar Tales (NOW, October 23-29). I was shaken by the thinly veiled hatred of women it barely concealed, and reminded of how deeply ingrained misogyny is in our culture. Western civilization has been deeply fearful of women’s sexual power for at least 2,000 years (maybe even 4,000) and has used every means possible to suppress, deride and ridicule it.
Our language is replete with derogatory terms that describe the feminine relationship to sexuality: spinster, frigid, nymphomaniac, slut, virgin and, now, cougar. I also noticed that the men in the article took very little personal responsibility, presenting themselves as if they were victims. I wonder if these two attitudes go hand in hand?
M.A. Ward, Toronto
Blacks air dirty laundry
re clinical depression (now, october 23-29). It’s fascinating that your writer Ali Sharrif should end his exposé on the African Canadian Legal Clinic by stating that the black media, in keeping with an old penchant for hiding the community’s dirty laundry, is not asking the hard questions. It’s fascinating because the story was covered in Pride news magazine and in the Caribbean Camera, where a hard-hitting editorial demanded accountability and transparency.
Let me guess. Your writer doesn’t even read Caribbean/black Canadian newspapers and therefore felt comfortable upholding the racist stereotype of black people not holding their own accountable. And your editors and fact checkers figured, “No big deal – those people don’t read anyway.” Shame on you.
Andrea Neblett, Toronto
Anti-racism balancing act
as an former english teacher, I appreciate letter writer John Borovilos’s efforts over the years to complement the WASP lit high school market with his many multicultural anthologies (NOW, October 23-29). Students definitely need to read material that speaks to their varied backgrounds. It’s important to add, however, that these materials should be age-appropriate, well written, interesting and not heavy-handedly anti-racist. No one wants to be preached at.
Multiculturalism, in and of itself, does not automatically equate with quality.
Ministers of education and their shifting directives come and go. High school literature, from whatever country, will stick to students’ ribs so long as it’s well written and well taught.
Geoff Rytell, Toronto
Hearing Henry
after reading sarah liss’s review of Joe Henry’s performance at the El Mo (NOW, October 23-29), I have to conclude that her inability to appreciate the man’s music must have had something to do with the fact that she talked through almost every song he sang. It was clear to more than a few of us unfortunately in her proximity that Liss had no intention of giving Henry a fair hearing. Oh, well, her loss. About the only thing I’d rather hear right now, other than some songs by a consummate artist and performer like Joe Henry, would be the resounding pop! of Liss deciding to pull her head out of her ass.
Bruce MacDonald, Toronto
Put a lid on it, Matt
after reading matt galloway’s latest collection of cheap shots at rock legend Paul Weller (NOW, October 23-29), all I have to say is that the clearly aging Galloway is in no position to dis anyone because of his age or haircut. Weller’s hair looks fine to me, whereas Galloway should invest in some kind of hat if he’s going to continue to embarrass himself on local television.
Jorge Martin, Toronto
Hands off Kensington
I find the idea of a car-free kensington Market to be absolutely offensive (NOW, October 16-22). For generations Kensington Market has been a place where real people go to buy real food, often hard-to-find ethnic specialties – cheeses, spices, meats, fish – at realistic prices.
Making it car-free will only turn the enclave into another trendy area for people with a little too much money. Hands off Kensington, foul yuppie!
Edwin R. Kammin, Toronto
Messin’ with my vibe
I must take exception to elizabeth Bromstein’s In Touch With My Inner Car (NOW, October 16-22). Bromstein’s disdain for the word “vibe” raised my ire. I love true vibe. That’s the spirit of the right creative crowd or party. That special buzz when you meet a meaningful lover, that’s vibe. A real intense and enlightening place or experience, that’s vibe. Or my all-time favourite, “same vibe, different tribe.” If they taught that to every kid in school, racism would be eliminated in one generation. So, Ms. Bromstein, I hope you don’t unfairly hate the word “vibe” because it’s overused by simple-minded New Agers or money-hungry ad people. In fact, all I can say to those people is “Leave my vibe alone. Peace and good vibes.”
Jeff Kennedy, St. Thomas, Ontario
Savage catch-22
please consider making the adult Classifieds and Savage Love portion of NOW a pullout. As it is, I have to pull off the first dozen pages of NOW along with the back pages before bringing the paper home, lest my 8-year-old, who is a voracious reader, read these sections, which are not, I am sure most would agree, suitable reading for children. On the other hand, the rest of NOW offers many good opportunities for young readers to learn about issues affecting their community. Thank you.
Margaret McClintock, Toronto
