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Peter Sloly surely next top cop
I believe the only reason police Chief Bill Blair’s contract was not renewed is contained in the second-last paragraph of Enzo DiMatteo’s article (NOW, August 7-13). Blair was canned to make room for Peter Sloly, pure and simple.
Police Services Board chair Alok Mukherjee’s background as a race relations consultant dictates his desire to appoint a black chief. Perhaps he is correct, but that is not the issue.
What is important is the blatant mendacity of the board’s claim that a worldwide search will be conducted to find a replacement. Nonsense.
If you are a betting man, put your money on Sloly.
Rick L.
Collingwood
Bill Blair the chief T.O. needs
It is beyond comprehension that the Police Services Board would vote not to renew Chief Blair’s contract. He is decisive, has huge experience, knows Toronto very well, and crime rates are going down. He is exactly what Toronto needs. But in particular we need Chief Blair’s presence and continuity to take us through the very embarrassing circus created by Rob Ford.
Perhaps members of the board should resign instead.
Chris Reid
Toronto
Human rights head reacts to Bulmer story
Re Toronto, People With Disabilities Deserve Better (NOW, August 8).
Alex Bulmer is, of course, right. A service animal is not a pet. Hotels and other service providers must accommodate the needs of people with disabilities. Requiring a person with a disability to pay an extra fee for his or her service animal is discrimination and a violation of the Human Rights Code. Hosting the Parapan Am Games will raise the profile of this issue, but people in Ontario need to have their rights respected now, not next summer.
I urge all service providers in the province to look to their policies and practices and to make sure they comply with the Code.
Barbara Hall
Chief Commissioner
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Rap on tiger shoot
I have just read your online story on Toronto rapper Tasha the Amazon and her video shoot using a live tiger (NOW, August 7). I am truly appalled.
Little Ms. Rapper is playing tough, posing with a leashed tiger that luckily didn’t maul anyone.
But how does using endangered species for commercial gain and cheap publicity figure into your magazine’s values? This is so wrong on so many different levels.
Please reconsider your further support for this kind of exploitation. Please keep it classy.
Monika Kosior
From nowtoronto.com
Chomsky dead wrong about Israel sanctions
Re Putting On The Pressure For Peace (NOW, August 7-13).
Those like Noam Chomsky who [favour] an arms embargo of Israel over a boycott are ignoring the historical origins of Israel’s vast modern arsenal. Since June 8, 1967, the U.S. has been the source of the majority of Israel’s weapons.
During the current assault on Gaza the U.S., as in many previous Israeli attacks, has resupplied ammunition to Israel despite the outrageous killing and wounding of hundreds of non-combatants, including many women and children.
The strategic alliance between these two countries, backed unconditionally by all U.S. presidents and Congress, will not be influenced by calls for an arms embargo. Boycott, divestment and sanctions have a much better chance of isolating Israel economically and politically.
Ted Turner
Toronto
Finding Fordian religion
Letter-writer Bob Murphy suggests that Rob Ford can’t be a racist because he can do a Jamaican accent and has a “familiarity with blacks” who use “certain words” (NOW, August 7-13).
Well, maybe. I know all the words to the Lord’s Prayer and can do a passable Scottish accent. Does that make me a Presbyterian?
Bill Kitcher
Toronto
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