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Hard questions on sex work
Some questions occur to me after reading Fleur de Lit’s complaint about sex workers not winning intervenor status in the prostitution law appeal now before the courts (NOW, May 9-15).
Is she admitting that her only economically valuable skill is the sale of her body – something feminism has been telling us is an injustice to be corrected whenever found?
If she’s so concerned about the plight of sex workers, what does she propose to do about the problems legalization would only aggravate – for the underage, addicted or trafficked. What about the ones unwilling or unable to pay the costs and meet the standards of insurance, health care and security?
And most of all, if she can’t even sign her real name to a plea for her trade’s legalization, then isn’t she admitting that her trade is dangerous in a way that legalization won’t help?
Stephen J. Barringer
Toronto
Hat’s off to Hadfield
I cannot believe you would publish such a piece of shit article about Chris Hadfield’s space shenanigans (NOW, May 13). He has done more for science – science! – than anyone in recent memory. I’ve read NOW my whole life, but this article discredits the magazine as pompous and out of touch. Essentially, fuck you.
Lucas Julien
Toronto
Andrea Horwath common sense
I’m not so sure that the NDP would form a government or that we’d see a Liberal repeat of what we have now at Queen’s Park if there were an election (NOW, May 9-15). The polls show the Liberals and the so-called Progressive Conservatives neck-and-neck. What you’re more likely to see is a Tim Hudak majority with an NDP opposition.
That’s what happened at the federal level when the sainted Jack Layton helped unseat the Martin Liberals. Lost were an aboriginal aid bill and a national daycare program. What we got was the most right-wing government in Canadian history. Not that Layton cared. He just wanted power. So does Andrea Horwath.
The differences between the Liberals’ and the NDP’s platforms amount to quibbling. Horwath buys into austerity. Common sense should dampen her ambition. But I doubt it.
Lawrence Papoff
Toronto
Murphy’s Law
How can John Semley call Peter Murphy’s album disappointing (NOW, May 9-15) if he’s not even familiar with it? That’s stupid. Go listen to the music before you make up an opinion about it.
Zack Spaulding
From nowtoronto.com
Dude, stop harshing my buzz
I was fairly bemused by G. Coyote’s clearly heartfelt letter about the Hana-Mi rave (NOW, May 9-15) and would like to draw attention to a few points.
The sound system was a few speakers, not “giant” by any stretch, and the “rave” music was actually a lovely collection of vaguely Asian-influenced tempos and sounds, subdued and perfectly in tune with the setting.
There was a strong-to-moderate northerly breeze blowing across the park, causing showers of pink petals, much to the delight of everyone lucky enough to be seated under the canopy. The only “gyrating” bodies I witnessed belonged to carefree children.
As for smoking dope, I can’t think of a nicer place and time to indulge in a harmless habit that a majority of Canadians would like to see legalized.
Here’s hoping the hardworking souls who took it upon themselves to supply a lovely afternoon of free entertainment do it again next year. A parting, gentle thought for Coyote: would you kindly stop harshing our buzz?
James Moore
Toronto
Councillors the real tools in transit mess
Re Council Balks At Revenue Tools (NOW, May 10).
Two billion years ago, a small group of spineless, brainless jellyfish crawled out of the ocean onto land. After 2 billion years of not evolving, they slithered their way to becoming Toronto mayors and city councillors.
And just like them, our transit system will not evolve into something better over the next billion years.
Welcome, Torontonians, to the future: gridlock, when the only thing taxed will be people’s time, patience and the city’s economy.
Scott Robinson
Toronto
Joe Fresh one of a bad bunch
Saw Kevin Thomas’s article on Joe Fresh (NOW, May 2-8). Joe Fresh should be boycotted. But there are other companies just as bad. All the bad ones should be boycotted.
Myles M.
Toronto
Looking forward to Leafs future
Proud of the Maple Leafs despite a tough loss to the Boston Bruins Monday. Our club exceeded expectations. We’re young, demonstrably versatile and able to grow. This group will take us far in future years.
Mike Seiden
Toronto
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