Email letters@nowtoronto.com
Trans march downplayed
First, thank you for publishing the 12 photos online (NOW, June 29), but I have to say your overall coverage of Toronto’s Trans March 2013 was scanty compared to the coverage given the Pride parade Sunday or the Dyke March Saturday.
Putting aside the fact that the Pride Guide published the wrong route, the small blurb reporting the march put the number of participants at “over 500.” Just a bit over 500. Estimates by the organizers put the numbers at over 3,500, which makes it not only the largest trans march in North America, but also possibly the world. Maybe you can do better next year for Trans March at World Pride 2014.
Diana Howe
Toronto
Skirting the Issue?
Regarding the line “… especially when you could easily skirt most issues by not being stupidly noisy, and not getting wasted and fighting while people are trying to sleep” in 20 Solutions To The Park Drinking Problem (NOW, July 5):
That was the case in prior years, and there wasn’t a backlash against it in those years. This year you can get ticketed having a picnic at 2 pm at Trinity Bellwoods or at a softball game in the valley at Riverdale West at 8 pm, where no residents could hear you even if you were screaming.
Patrick Noonan
nowtoronto.com
Park drinking half-measures
Most of these solutions cost money. Wouldn’t a real solution provide the revenue to properly fund policing, park improvements, maintenance of toilets, etc, etc, etc?
Maybe this was just an initial brainstorm, but it’s always worrisome when the financial logistics aren’t mentioned.
Corina Newby
nowtoronto.com
Get out of the park!
Want a drink? Go to a bar! Queen street is lined with them.
Nic Pouliot
nowtoronto.com
Vinyl still rules
The vinyl version of Black Sabbath’s 13 is twice as dynamic as the CD, as it had far less compression applied during its mastering. The drums have more punch, impact and power as a result.
This is true whether one spins it on a $20,000 or $200 turntable. In her review of the record, Carla Gillis confuses the issue (NOW, July 4-10), and I absolutely disagree with her premise. This isn’t a “vinyl vs CD debate.” You’re speaking in general terms when this is a specific about how it was mastered differently. It’s not about the medium.
Thomas Crawford
nowtoronto.com
Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath
You’d hope that your music reviewers knew the basic facts before tackling the production and instrumentation details of records they’re writing about.
I’m sure that Ozzy Osbourne would be delighted to know that you find the lyrics on the new Sabbath album (NOW, July 4-10) fresh and relevant.
It’s only that the band’s lyrics have mostly been written by Black Sabbath bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler since 1969. Maybe you guys should stick to reviewing Arcade-Social-Japanwolf-Panther-Mother-variety lame music?
Johan B
Toronto
In (sarcastic) praise of Mayor Ford, “the taxpayer’s lord”
Jenny James’s Mayor Ford (The World Will Remember) is a great song.
Listen to the lyrics. The songwriter is keeping the questionable character of this mayor in focus. They probably are working right now on the follow-up song for when he crashes.
Alex Miller
nowtoronto.com
Supporting small retailers
Adam Giambrone’s article Bars Or Broccoli (NOW, July 4-10) was great! The lack of city control or even input on liquor licensing is a huge issue that no one at City Hall seems to be taking on.
Liz Crawford
Hamilton
Pride aftermath
I live at Church and Maitland and have lived in the “village” for 25 years.
This year I was out of town for Pride Week. Afterwards, when I walked up Church on July 3, I was disgusted and appalled by the state of the sidewalks. They were a sticky, filthy mess and clearly not cleaned up from Pride festivities.
In years past, I clearly remember the stretch of Church from Carlton to Isabella getting a complete scrub and power wash the morning after Pride. If Pride Toronto is going to accept sponsorships from large corporations such as Air Canada and TD Bank, they need to step up and clean up the mess. Our neighborhood needs to be left in better shape than when the party started. Pride needs to prioritize money for cleanup if the city will not, TD Bank, which occupies the corner of Church and Wellesley, the filthiest part of the street, should be held especially responsible. Shame on the sponsors, shame on Pride Toronto, shame on the business association. I invite Kristyn Wong-Tam to take a stroll on Church and take a deep breath.
Wayne Thomas
Toronto
Science lesson
Letter writer David Townson believes that burning 1,000 kg of fuel cannot produce 2,865 kg of carbon dioxide (NOW, June 6-12), but it does. Very light hydrogen atoms in the hydrocarbon fuel are replaced by much heavier oxygen atoms from the air in the carbon dioxide that is produced. I could do the actual math for you, but that would be boring, right? Those who do not have a basic scientific education are not qualified to understand or comment on the complex environmental issues facing us in the 21st century. Learn about science, people.
David Palter
Toronto
Right-to-work wrongs
Stephen Harper and Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak are threatening workers with legislation like the right to work (for less). It will make mandatory union dues collection voluntary, creating a system in which some workers become free riders who can opt out of paying dues, all the while receiving the benefits of union membership.
This legislation is intended to weaken the power unions have at the bargaining table and in the political arena.
Together with their unions, workers have achieved health and safety protection in the workplace, the right to free collective bargaining and improved wages, benefits and pensions.
Together, we accomplished the standard of living we enjoy today.
Roland Kiehne
President
CAW Local 112
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