Harper’s war on ISIS is a monstrous lie
Prime Minister Harper and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander keep saying they are helping Syrian refugees through Canada’s participation in NATO’s bombing of so-called ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq (NOW, September 3-9). The civilian death toll from such bombing has exposed their claim as a monstrous lie. In fact, Canadians (as well as all NATO members) profit from the manufacture and sale of arms that are killing civilians and driving them from their homes. It is this arms business that is creating the refugees we see fleeing for safety in Europe and beyond.
Murray Lumley
Toronto
Media myth-making on Maher Arar
Andrew Mitrovica’s article on Maher Arar (NOW, September 3-9) is another contribution to the media evangelism that has made Arar the stuff of myth and legend. His story would be better told without the adornments of moral outrage. As for the RCMP officials questioned at the inquiry, the most they can be accused of is negligence in not pressing their U.S. counterparts further about Arar and his detainment.
Ian Scott
Toronto
A defence of Harper economics
Although I am not a fan of the Harper regime, I must take exception to Trish Hennessy’s takedown of Harper’s economic policies (NOW, September 3-9.)
Youth unemployment varies from province to province depending on the economic output of that particular province. The main reason that Canada as a whole has a higher rate of youth looking for work than, say, the United States is because the minimum wage is set much too high on this side of the border. Businesses can’t afford it. I will spare readers the main argument against minimum wage laws, being they violate civil liberties and private property rights.
David Maharaj
Etobicoke
Anishnawbe not native to Germany
Re Germany’s Freaky “Hobby Indians” (NOW, September 3-9). Someone should remind Drew Hayden Taylor what “indigenous” means. The word no longer applies to him as a native person or his “Anishnawbe” T-shirt when he’s in Germany. The indigenous people of Germany are the Germans, and he’s the foreigner.
Trevor Keen
Toronto
UP Express still a deal – with a Presto card
In his article on Toronto subways (NOW, August 27-September 2), Jonathan Goldsbie again repeats the myth that the one-way fare on the Union-Pearson Express (UPX) train is $27. It’s actually $19 if you have a Presto card, which would also mean cheaper rates from Weston or Bloor. Besides, Goldsbie writes that the UPX was to open in 2008 with a one-way fare of $20. Well, $20 in 2008 is around $24 today, so with a Presto card, a passenger on the UP Express would still be getting a cheaper rate.
Mitch Klinger
North York
SmartTrack won’t mess with GO service
Re Train Wreck: Why Toronto Doesn’t Get The Transit It Deserves. At this time we have developed a service model based on the assumption that GO trains will stop at all existing and planned GO stations every 15 minutes or better. Express service will not impact our commitment to provide 15-minute service at the stations within these segments. The SmartTrack concept is modelled using GO trains.
The city of Toronto, in partnership with Metrolinx, is completing an analysis of SmartTrack, including the proposal of new stations and other infrastructure. Also, RER will electrify all or part of five corridors – not three.
Vanessa Barrasa
Strategic Communications, Metrolinx
Wheel-Trans puts up barrier to Pan Ams
I was a proud volunteer for the Pan Am Games. I happen to use a wheelchair full-time. The Games honoured me by seeing my skills for what they are and promoting me to the position of supervisor of the crew at Varsity Stadium.
The thing is, on several occasions Wheel-Trans brought me to my knees in tears of frustration. They almost rendered me incapable of doing my job.
There were two main issues: 1) The address for Varsity got changed in Wheel-Trans’s computer system. Once this mistake happened, my bus was a no-show or would be very late.
Try as I might, I could never get Wheel-Trans to fix the addressing error.
Wheel-Trans decided to exercise strict policies and refused to accommodate me with an earlier bus when I, along with my fellow volunteers, was sent home five hours early because there was no work for us to do.
When the two sporting events I went to as a spectator also ended early, Wheel-Trans wouldn’t bend and send a bus then either.
These experiences made giving my time and energies to the city hard, but I loved the Games and don’t begrudge a minute of it.
Next time, though, I hope barriers don’t reduce me to tears.
Louise Bark
Toronto
The fabulous Rick Springfield
I just read Carla Gillis’s interview with Rick Springfield (NOW, August 20-26). Well done. You may not know this, but the last time he actually performed in T.O. was in 1983 (June 23) at this very venue! Yes, he’s been here for other things but not for a show.
If you haven’t seen the documentary Affair Of The Heart, I urge you to watch. It’s fabulous! Thank you for acknowledging this truly talented man and all-round nice guy.
Darlene Richards
Toronto
Another view from the county on “hipsters”
Letter-writer L. Cummins is “concerned that hipsters and wannabe wine-makers will finally put an end to the peaceful, rural place [Prince Edward County] has always been” (NOW, September 3-9). My family feels the opposite.
Our farmhouse is adjacent to the Hayloft, and in the 40 years it’s been running as a bar it has never been more peaceful. The patrons of the Hayloft under new owners Shawn Creamer and Shannon Kohlmeier are respectful, conscious, interested and invested in the creative artistry that is now flourishing in the county.
Prior to this new wave of “hipsters,” my family contended with a weekly smashed mailbox, piercingly loud (terrible) music, broken beer bottles and bar brawls on our front lawn. The Hayloft has thoughtfully installed soundproofing, improved security and provides responsible bus shuttle service for drinkers who once regularly wrapped their cars around trees. We are happy to embrace the trendiness the county is now enjoying.
Arwyn Carpenter and Family
Cherry Valley
Military’s gay purge happened to me
I’m sorry that my English is not so good, but I want to thank you for Canada’s Secret War On Queers In The Military (NOW, August 27-September 2). It happened to me in 1978, and I’m not over it!
Lucie Laperle
Shannon, QC
