Harper’s defence record exposed
Re Stephen Harper’s War Games (NOW, October 29-November 4). It’s unfortunate we didn’t learn more about Harper’s lies and deceptions about defence spending before the election it might have taken a little more out of his Prairie rump.
But I also hope Robert Smol’s story signals more revelations to come about the bizarre Conservative government we just fired.
Robert Lee, From nowtoronto.com
NDP’s fear line an insult to voters
In response to Councillor Mike Layton’s appraisal of the recent election (NOW, October 22-28), I, for one, did not vote out of fear. I analyzed the platforms and started having serious doubts about the NDP very early. I wasn’t the only one. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair was found wanting – wanting too much, too soon. Trudeau was consistent and visionary. I was looking at his growth as a politician. Layton insults voters by saying we voted out of fear.
Carole Zaza, From nowtoronto.com
What I learned from Trump campaign boss
Jonathan Goldsbie writes about Mark Towhey’s book on Rob Ford (NOW, October 27) that “Earl Provost, Ford’s subsequent chief of staff, stuck around in the mayor’s office even longer than Towhey and is now the executive director of the Ontario Liberal Party. There’s a market for this approach to politics just don’t ask us to pity you for it.”
Many years ago I worked for former Trump campaign manager Roger Stone on the gubernatorial campaign of Kristin Davis, the former madam who serviced disgraced New York governor Eliot Spitzer. I asked him, “Roger, you have worked for Democrats and Republicans. What’s the deal?” He replied, “Kev, the party I really serve is the green party – y’know, the party with the green,” as he rubbed his thumb against his fingers.
Kevin Bracken, From nowtoronto.com
Ford recovery a bigger job than being mayor
As a recovering addict, it occurs to me that the reason so many folks support a Rob Ford comeback as mayor is that they have a better chance of exploiting the city with RF at the helm.
If a mayor responsible for overseeing the extensive financial resources of Toronto also claims years of drug and alcohol addiction, are we to believe we will be well served?
Recovery is a lifetime process.
It’s a bigger job than being mayor of Toronto.
Cate S., Toronto
Steve Jobs a snooze
Went to see Steve Jobs today. Wanted to add my two cents to your review (NOW, October 14).
Only VIP tickets for $25 each were available at Cineplex at Dundas Square. Three-quarters of the theatre was empty.
A couple next to me fell asleep during the initial 20 minutes of advertisements and did not wake up until the lights went up at the end. Nothing was learned about Jobs in the film that we didn’t already know. I was yawning halfway through. Some comments overheard on the escalator going out: “Difficult to follow,” “Where was the end?” NOW’s review was very misleading.
Ewa M. Lubiewa-Michalska, Toronto
Mill Street buyout leaves bitter twist
Sarah Parniak’s Labatt’s Mill Street Buyout Is No Cause For Panic (NOW, October 22-28) omits one important complaint that many people have about the acquisition.
While it is commendable that Labatt will maintain Mill Street’s craft brewing practices as best it can, the fact remains that the business practices of Labatt’s gargantuan multinational parent, Anheuser-Busch InBev, reflect the worst tendencies of market capitalism.
Many in Hamilton, for example, boycott Labatt products because of the 2007 acquisition of Lakeport Brewing Company, which was done to terminate the $1-per-beer price Lakeport had successfully established. The Lakeport plant was shut down in 2010, axing 143 good, middle-class jobs, despite interest from several other craft brewers to take over the plant.
Quintin Zachary Hewlett, Toronto
Michael Bryant critics, take note
Re Lowering The Bar On Michael Bryant (NOW, October 28). The case of Michael Bryant and Darcy Allan Sheppard is obviously a very sad one, but I found prosecutor Richard Peck’s reasons for withdrawing charges against Bryant very well researched and convincing. Many (but not all) of the people who criticize the report haven’t bothered to read it, and I encourage everyone to do so before passing judgment.
Alex Minkin, From nowtoronto.com
Waste not when it comes to nukes
I was there for the expert panel on the grave choice to bury nuclear waste 1 kilometre from the Great Lakes (NOW, October 21). Two themes I heard: 1) this plan is insane and 2) the regulatory system is totally broken.
There are 38 nuclear plants across the Great Lakes region, and while Ontario gets most of its electricity from nuclear reactors, we have no way to safely dispose of the toxic waste.
Seventy years of nuclear tech in this country and the best solution is to bury it underground forever and cross our fingers.
Radioactive contamination is just one of dozens of problems the Great Lakes face today. The perpetual care of the Great Lakes needs powerful new thinking and collaboration.
Paul Baines, GreatLakesCommons.org
