Harper bias and innuendo
Re Who Owns Stephen Harper? (NOW, February 5-11). Ahh, an article with no facts? Not like the NOW Magazine I read every week.
Canadians know who paid off Jean Chretien. They know who paid off Brian Mulroney.
But besides some lefty rhetoric, there is little of substance in Linda McQuaig’s article besides innuendo against the PM. Hmm, is that because the small print at the bottom of her article announces that she will be running again for the NDP in the upcoming federal election? Come on, NOW editors – talk about bias. You can do better than this.
Patricia Starr
Toronto
Ford gets fairer shake from media than PM
Linda McQuaig’s comment about “Stephen Harper’s heart (such as it is)” turned her article from newsworthy into simple mudslinging. I have heard that there are many negative facets to Harper’s administration. I voted for him in the most recent election and am seriously interested in learning about his efforts and/or his agenda. That has not happened, because every time there is a negative comment about him personally, I tune out.
Even Rob Ford got fairer treatment from the press.
Mel Brown
Toronto
Malcolm X visited Junction mosque
Interesting article by George Elliott Clarke about Malcolm X in your last issue (NOW, February 5-11).
Here is a little-known Toronto connection: while here in January 1965 to appear on the CBC’s Front Page Challenge, Malcolm X visited Toronto’s first mosque, at 3047 Dundas West in the Junction.
Jim Roche
Toronto
Jail guards’ union fight mean privatization?
Given all the failings and internal divisions described in Jailhouse Shock (NOW, February 5-11) between OPSEU and corrections workers, will the new contract signed with the province be the prelude to privatization?
S. Grady
From nowtoronto.com
Shinny over skating at Greenwood Park
Unfortunately, the Greenwood Park ice rink is not available “if you prefer to do your skating under cover” (NOW, January 29-February 4). There are no scheduled leisure skating hours for the covered rink. It is reserved solely for hockey. Leisure skaters are relegated to an adjacent figure-8 track that quickly gets too crowded on weekend afternoons.
I took up this issue with Councillor Paula Fletcher. I suggested that two hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons be set aside for leisure skating on the covered rink, leaving plenty of time for shinny. Her staff took the suggestion to the recreation department, which refused the change.When I discussed this with a rink attendant, he summed up the situation with admirable precision: “It sucks.”
Carol Damioli
Toronto
We ignore anti-Semitism at our peril
Letter-writer Judith Deutsch worries that the Canadian government is “conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism” (NOW, February 5-11).
It is important to note that Deutsch is an active member of Independent Jewish Voices, a fringe group that has nothing but criticism for Israel and unwavering, one-sided support of the Palestinian cause. They fail to recognize the complexities of the conflict and the higher standard they apply to Israel.
The rise of anti-Semitism and terrorism is a reality, and will only get worse if we don’t recognize it for what it is. Those who choose to deny it, especially Jews, do so at their own peril.
Barbara Sklar
Toronto
Liberals’ school sell-off double standard
Re Too Cool For School (NOW, February 3). The Wynne government is trying to force the new TDSB school trustees to carry out a massive sell-off of schools and green space.
In the view of Minister of Education Liz Sandals, our democratically elected trustees should be stripped of all resources and refrain from ever challenging the bureaucracy. It’s certainly a double standard when MPPs who serve the same number of residents have an office at Queen’s Park and another one in the constituency, along with three full-time assistants.
But how many of those Liberal MPPs would have been elected last May if they had campaigned on a program of closing Toronto schools?
John Cartwright
President, Toronto & York Region Labour Council
Air goes out of this Valentine’s Day
Re Screw Cupid (NOW, February 5-11). I enjoyed your anti-Valentine’s Day gift guide. But I’m sad to say I just broke up with my girlfriend. Actually, she deflated.
Martin Baker
Toronto
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