John Tory a walking controversy
Thanks for asking several intelligent questions of John Tory in your year-end review (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015).
I reread Tory’s aside that he does not “create controversy or attract it.” I then reflected on his Kim Campbell election ads mocking Jean Chretien’s face his acceptance of the Toronto Police Association’s endorsement during his first mayoral run his faith-based education idea to ensure his provincial election defeat. Let’s hope that 20 years of questionable political judgment end now.
Hal Beck
Toronto
Indigenous leading environment fight
Thanks for rounding up the significant climate-related news stories of 2014 (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015). One thing I noticed, though, is that there is no mention of any of the indigenous organizing that has continued to lead the way in environmental protection. First Nations groups have been working continually to organize against oil sands and pipeline development. It deserves at least a mention.
C. Delab
From nowtoronto.com
Another election loss lefties don’t get
Letter-writer Scotty Robinson blames “ethnic voters who drive cars and voted for Ford” for Olivia Chow’s loss (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015), thus showing once again how lefty downtowners just never will get it. They need cars to get to work, kids to school and shop in the under-served suburbs. Chow never connected with them. So they voted for John Tory, not Ford.
Naseer Ahmad
Etobicoke
One of the best of 2014 not on NOW’s radar
The Two Faces Of January was a real gem of a movie, one of the best of 2014 (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015). An intelligent adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel, it had an intriguing story and strong acting. It played at the Carlton and then the Kingsway but was never on NOW’s radar. What’s up with that?
Elizabeth Piccolo
Toronto
Divorce no inspiration for Caribou
Where on earth did NOW Magazine get the idea that Caribou’s record was a “divorce” album (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015)? Dan Snaith has mentioned that some of his friends have recently been through divorce, but he himself is married with a young daughter, which was the inspiration for the warm sound on his record. This error should be corrected.
CM
Toronto
Crad Kilodney was a CanLit original
How come Crad Kilodney wasn’t on your year-end R.I.P. list? He was a CanLit original and every bit the equal of the other Hogtown notables on your list.
David Chilton
Toronto
Deceptive Port Authority jet push
John McLeod hits the bull’s eye when he compares the slick manoeuvres and bullshit of the parties pushing for jets at the Island airport with the trickery of a magic show (NOW, December 18-24, 2014). David Copperfield, the great illusionist, can make a jet magically vanish right in front of a live audience.
But as for jets at Billy Bishop, there must be no illusions at all. If they are allowed to appear, the magic of Toronto’s waterfront would disappear, and that would be a very real shame.
Thanks, NOW, for the insight. Forewarned, as they say, is forearmed. So, folks, let’s not allow Island airport expansionists to do that voodoo that would screw you out of the natural enjoyment of the lake.
Robert McBride
Thornhill
Bring U.S. war resisters home to Canada
I know Iraq war resister Corey Glass to be a fine person (NOW, December 18-24, 2014), the kind we need more of in Canada. Last Christmas he was with us at a wonderful dinner. This year he didn’t make it.
Glass and the other war resisters are among the many veterans whose lives have still not returned to normal after their participation in the useless, atrocious wars of the Bush era. Let’s bring Glass home to Canada and do everything we need to do to make it possible for all the other war resisters, war injured and war traumatized to have the lives they so dearly wish to live.
If Canadians do the right thing in next October’s federal election, we’ll have Glass with us again next Christmas and for many Christmases to come.
Lee Zaslofsky
Toronto
TTC FUBAR
In response to letter-writer Genevieve MacKenzie’s Xmas Chaos On The TTC (NOW, December 25, 2014-January 7, 2015), I can only give a thumbs-up in agreement, although dropping f-bombs on an already decimated transportation system is kind of redundant. Let’s face it, the TTC is FUBAR. We’ve all heard the system’s excuses too many times on too many delayed days and nights.
Emolie Smith
Toronto
Vegetarians, pig out on this!
I really resent letter-writer Chris Michael Burns’s complaint that eating meat is “white privilege” (NOW, December 18-24, 2014).
The fact that he considers this the case shows how ignorant (and perhaps just how privileged) he really is. For many farmers, raising their own meat is the only way to feed their families. Many in rural Ontario rely on hunting to feed their families and actually live off the land.
The animals on our family farm growing up in northern Ontario had amazing lives and tons of open green space. We played with them, they ate the very best, and when it was time to end their lives, it was quick and painless.
I know not every pig gets such a nice life, but give me a break! Eating meat is not an elitist act.
Burns must not have any idea how expensive a vegetarian diet can be. I actually consider that a privileged diet, since I myself cannot afford it and rely on food bank handouts from time to time (and, yes, do get the odd canned ham from them).
Yeesh, open your eyes, you whiny little brat.
Marcia Frost
Etobicoke
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