Rating: NNNNN
Terri wary
I was extremely happy to see the article by Martha Chaves (NOW, April 14-20). It’s about time someone pointed out that little to nothing was said about Terri Schiavo’s bulimia throughout all the coverage of her right-to-die case.
I am a clinically diagnosed anorexic with bulimic tendencies and have to get my blood taken weekly to make sure my potassium levels are okay. I am at high risk for a heart attack, and I am not even 20 yet.
Terri Schiavo could have been a prime role model for what not to do when it comes to eating disorders, but the media did little to promote that side of her story.
Eating disorders almost always start as a desire to live up to society’s expectations of beauty and thinness. Schiavo may have gotten approval for a little while, but how pretty did she look after her heart attack?
I live in fear every day of what damage I may do to myself and wish I could love myself enough to not fall into this trap.
Name withheld by request
Toronto
Crossing Delaware
Thanks so much for including Chris Benjamin’s article about the issues quietly unfolding around housing for psychiatric patients on Delaware Avenue (NOW, April 14-21). The article was informative and entertaining.
Gentrification is such a pressing issue in this city. The lack of affordable housing and the prospect that it may be almost impossible for a low-income person to purchase a home continues to give undue power and entitlement to those wealthy and upper-middle-class citizens seeking to “beautify the neighbourhood.”
Leah Houston
Toronto
Blue Jays’ disarray
You say in your upfront item Rogers’s Wild Pitch (NOW, April 14-20) that “fans arrived at the Blue Jays home opener Friday expecting to hear bats cracking but were treated to a barrage of advertising instead…. Congrats to fans who tossed the ad debris onto the infield.” Indeed.
Congrats for providing a minefield of potential injuries to your home team.
Congrats for missing the field and instead pelting innocent patrons sitting in the lower decks.
Congrats for causing a continual distraction to what ended up being an entertaining game. Next time you’re bored, leave.
Ryan McNeil
Toronto
Heat score
Your advice in your news insight to avoid tinfoil when growing pot (NOW, April 14-20) is correct. But may I recommend sheets of double-aluminized Mylar and/or C3 anti-detection film instead of just paint.
Not only will this help in energy conservation (more reflection means less wattage needed) and help protect drywall from mould, but it will also defeat the latest gee-whiz technology used by police in the war on home gardening: forward-looking infrared (FLIR). Shielding with Mylar blocks the infrared light these FLIR detectors use.
Mylar is expensive, but it’s a worthwhile investment when you consider that a good pot defence lawyer in Toronto will run you about $30,000.
Tim Meehan
Ottawa, Ontario
Union, not!
Re Toronto 1 no fun (NOW, April 14- 20). Hey guys, a little fact-checking would have been good. “If Toronto 1’s application is approved by the Canada Industrial Relations Board, it will be the only major GTA-based broadcaster besides the CBC to unionize.” Wrong.
That’s Canadian Media Guild propaganda, which is a management-butt- kisser of a union and an offshoot of an American-run union – all their dues go to the States. Our union, the CEP (Communications, Energy and Paperworkers), has unionized Citytv, CFTO and CanWest Global, plus the Corus group of stations. Toronto 1 is the only GTA station not yet unionized. In solidarity,
Terri Monture
2nd Vice-President, CEP/SONG Local 87-M
Spare us the fair
Re All’s fair on the waterfront (NOW, April 7-13). The assessment of Don Lands vs. Island Airport and Port Lands in the report is blatantly biased and contradictory. It’s a clear indication that the fix is in from the sponsoring group and that council should not grant funding ($2 million requested) to this group to further develop a plan. Council could refer it to a sub-committee for further investigation, on the explicit condition that Island Airport and Port Lands sites not be considered. Money for development plans at Don Lands is clearly a good idea, and an excellent opportunity to put in the necessary mass transit infrastructure.
Kevin Peck
Toronto
Harper blowback
Before Canadians vote for Stephen Harper (NOW, April 14-20), they should think about the consequences. Under Harper, Canada would be delivered to the Bush administration on a platter. We’d be expected to participate in the Bush missile “defence” plan.
A.R. Oland
Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Curbside recycling
Thanks so much for your helpful and timely Bike Guide (NOW, April 7-13). But how could you have missed one of the best bike stores in town, Curbside Cycle at 412 Bloor West? Great store, excellent selection. Then there’s its best-kept secret. Curbside has the smartest manager in town. He knows everything there is to know about bikes – and if you like, can talk Derrida! Yet Curbside doesn’t even appear in the Bike Directory list. It’s mentioned only in a sidebar on accessories as a place to get hot cycling shorts.
George Vandervelde
Toronto
Concert alerts
Have you ever considered an e- mail alert for Just Announced concerts? You could have an e-mail distribution list to let everyone know when a concert was added or direct them to the link on your website and generate more traffic. I always find out about concerts too late. Just a thought.
Andrew Waters
Toronto
Losing my religion
It’s interesting that Kevin Wilson’s attack on the Catholic Church is made under the deceptive guise of his “being a Catholic” (NOW, March 31-April 6) when clearly he later informs us he has left the Church.
I for one am a little weary of journalists who grasp at their tenuous associations to come across as “insiders.”
What Wilson is looking for is a designer religion, one that each person can modify to suit his or her own desire, lifestyle and preference. Wouldn’t it be great if you could change your mind every other minute? No religion can be all things to all people.
Individuals may not choose to live by every tenet of their religion. Wilson has clearly made his choice and should live by it without harbouring resentment. He shouldn’t attempt to selfishly rally others to leave.
Innocenzo Lippa
Toronto
Try the patience of a saint
Why are you being so nasty to TTC drivers (NOW, March 31-April 6)? I’ve found the vast majority to be courteous and helpful. And god knows, some members of the travelling public would try the patience of a saint.
Burf Kay
Toronto
Denigrating Emily Murphy
Re Whitewashed $50 (NOW, March 10-16). Hurrah for the new $50 bill. It was in the context of drug traffic that Emily Murphy wished to limit the entry of Asians into Canada. Canadian women would be a lot poorer without her. Those who denigrate Murphy have obviously never read her books or other writings. She was the June Callwood of her day, and we should be extremely proud to have the Alberta Five on our currency.
Araby Lockhart
Toronto
Sex solves it
Re Welcoming aunt flow (NOW, March 24-30). I can’t believe no one pointed out a very effective cramp buster – an orgasm, by a quick wank or otherwise. No guff. It really works by relaxing the very muscles that cramp up. Had to pass that on, and I hope that you will, too.
Julia Doucette
Toronto
