Kudos to war resisters
Re For Iraq War Resisters, It’s Vietnam All Over Again, by John Hagan (NOW, November 12-18). Conscientious objectors such as Jeremy Hinzman and Rodney Watson are true heroes. They, along with thousands of other American soldiers, should be granted full rights for having the courage to resist the American government’s horrendous war machine. Kudos to them for refusing to fight for gutless politicians, central bankers and merchants of death. As Randolph Bourne said: War is the health of the state.
David Maharaj, Etobicoke
Canada held its own in Afghanistan
Re In the End, Canada Did Cut And Run, by Scott Taylor (NOW, November 12-18). The notion that the war in Afghanistan was Canada’s to win is a canard. That Afghanistan exists at all is an impressive feat, given lack of support it received from the U.S. when George Bush decided to invade Iraq. Canadians held our own in a less than stellar NATO effort. Mission accomplished, not quite. But not something to be ashamed of.
John Kemp, From nowtoronto.com
Post-Paris election question
If the election were to take place next week, after what happened in Paris, it’s a good bet Justin Trudeau would not be elected (NOW, November 16). The fact is, no one wanted to send soldiers to fight the war on terror with the Americans. But Canada isn’t just Canada any more. It’s “Camerica.”
Sahara Spracklin, Toronto
False fealty to the Queen’s heirs
I agree completely with Gary Freeman when he notes that “the process of transforming Canada into a true democratic republic that was begun by Trudeau’s father should be completed” (NOW, November 12-18). As he points out, having our elected representatives swear to serve the interests of the people of Canada, rather than pledging fealty to the British monarchy, would be a good place to start. The unsuitability of oaths of allegiance to British royals in our official inaugural protocols is further highlighted when you consider that the key players in our new government have just sworn their faithfulness and “true allegiance” to “heirs and successors” who chum around with billionaires convicted of cavorting with underage prostitutes.
Ashok Charles, Toronto
Is Canada’s silence on native crimes ending?
Re Will We See Real Nation-To-Nation Respect With Trudeau, by Pam Palmater (NOW, November 5-11). Good to see the little matter of Canada’s colonialism continuing to receive the criticism it deserves.
When Secwepemc sundancers attempted to defend their sovereign unceded territories from attacks by Canada and the BC NDP government at Gustafsen Lake in 1995, the dissident lawyer and academic expert who acted in their case was demonized, disbarred and destroyed for his efforts.
Let us hope that the long, dark silence on Canada’s crimes against indigenous nations is ending and that voices like Palmater’s ensure Canadians are kept aware and moving toward redress and just solutions.
John Gilberts, From nowtoronto.com
OPG bureaucrats confusing the public
Michelle Adelman’s assessment of our nuclear industry is bang on (NOW, November 5-11).
The unprecedented 13-year application being sought by OPG is an attempt to downplay and ignore risk to public safety, circumvent environmental regulations and stifle opposition.
I attended the licensing renewal hearings as an intervenor, with straightforward questions about OPG’s ability to cope in the event of a nuclear disaster.
Their bureaucrats provided ambiguous and complicated responses, and I left feeling confused and deceived. It’s time we called out the nuclear industry on its reckless behaviour.
Kirsten Dahl, Toronto
Free energy what’s freaking nukes out
Re Michelle Adelman’s Running Out Of Nuclear Options. The nuclear, coal and oil industries might be extremely unhappy if anything like Nikola Tesla’s free energy sees the light of day.
Jeff Pancer, Toronto
Exercising care in meat we eat
Letter writer Paul York tremendously overstates the case for veganism in saying that meat is “violence against human health” (NOW, November 12-18).
Despite the recent warnings about the carcinogenic properties of processed meat, it remains true that meat is a very rich source of protein and several other nutrients (depending upon the specific type of meat).
The point is not that meat must never be eaten, but that we should exercise some care both in the quantity and the specific kinds of meat we eat. Bacon is worse than pork chops. Eating meat twice a day is worse than eating it twice a week.
York is correct in pointing out that there is an environmental cost to the meat business, but, then, there is an environmental cost to all aspects of human activity.
Rather than abolishing the farming of animals, we should introduce better farming practices.
I have no objection to veganism. But I do object to being told that meat is violence and I can’t eat it. Choosing a healthy diet is not just a matter of cutting out meat. It is more complicated than that. Let us avoid simplistic approaches.
David Palter, Scarborough
