What could have been for Mulcair
Re Mulcair In For A Close Shave (NOW April 7-13). Given the result of our 2015 federal election, a tantalizing question remains: What would Justin Trudeau’s reaction have been if Mulcair had been the first to announce that government deficits were necessary to revive a sluggish economy? After all, Trudeau had earlier favoured a balanced budget, like Stephen Harper and Mulcair. Trudeau, to his credit, sensed a changed public mood and rode to victory championing large deficits and income redistribution.
Stig Harvor, Toronto
Is Big Oil behind media messaging?
Re Alberta Premier Rachel Notley Preaches Pipelines AT NDP Convention, by Daniel Rodriguez (NOW, April 10). Every single laid-off oil worker would have a job in a good clean sustainable energy industry that would become an economic boom for Alberta. Somehow, this fact is not seeping into the consciousness of the people. Could it be because the corporate media backed by the petroleum industry continues to pound a fearful backward message into the heads of its readers?
Walter Patrick McGinnis, From nowtoronto.com
Carding ban should be a no-brainer
Re If There Was Ever A Time For The Feds To End Carding, It’s Now, by Gary Freeman (NOW, April 7-13).
I have no doubt that carding helps the police in certain situations. But this is an issue of our collective rights, and it should be a no-brainer to stop this practice. Yet the comments section on this story online shows our collective apathy. When innocent black people have their rights violated… crickets. Keep pushing, NOW. This deserves your attention.
DC, From nowtoronto.com
Sarcasm masks facts in Moss Park project
Re Moss Park Mix Up, by Helen Jefferson Lenskyj (NOW, April 7-13).
At present, the community activties around Moss Park are primarily related to homelessness, the sex trade and street drug trade. Professor Lenskyj argues that these community activities will be the casualties of gentrification.
She should know that the main element of “crime prevention through environmental design” is not “user-unfriendly park benches.” It is high visibility, along with consistent diffuse lighting and community activities. Professor Lenskyl seems to prefer that academic technique of sarcastic remarks over actual facts.
MB, From nowtoronto.com
Sanctimony and hypocrisy follow Ford
I appreciated very much your article Ford Fascination (NOW, March 31-April 6). With all the sanctimony and hypocrisy after Rob Ford died, it was good to read a piece addressing the many failures of his mayoralty.
Gerry Tomany, Toronto
Bike lanes not so great for disabled
Re Bike Lanes On Bloor Change Everything, by Mike Layton (NOW, March 24-30). Bike lanes may be great for cyclists, but they ignore the needs of those who are not fully mobile.
Where is Wheel-Trans supposed to stop on a street like Bloor West when bike lanes are completed? Bike lanes are catering to athletes at the expense of everyone else.
George Goldberg, Toronto
Ghomeshi soapbox
Why give Jane Doe a soapbox for her unmitigated crap (NOW, March 24-30)? The judgment in the Ghomeshi case was correct – but perhaps credibility was the wrong reason.
The concept of condonation dates back to the good old days when adultery was the most common grounds for divorce. A woman who took steps to resume her marital relationship after learning of her husband’s adultery could not then rely on his adultery as a basis for divorce. Once condoned – most typically by resuming sex with a husband – adultery could no longer be legally resurrected.
When stories first surfaced about Ghomeshi’s sex practices and criminal charges were laid against him, I thought, “Good, the bastard is going to get what he deserves.” Then the facts came out. You can’t ask the Criminal Code to protect fools against their own stupidity.
Mirek A. Waraksa, Toronto
Queen West’s rebel rep glossed over
Lorraine Segato’s Queen West exhibit (NOW, March 4) was a whitewash. Most of the street’s eccentric, outsider, DIY ethos was ignored for the blandness that made it to the mainstream.
My first band’s record was on the 7-inch singles wall, so don’t call this sour grapes. Lots of Bamboo types but little Beverley Tavern. The vibrant post-punk scene got one poster for l’Etranger and the Rent Boys. Shadowy Men/Kids in the Hall burst from the Rivoli, and even they were ignored. Lots of gay activism, but, again, no Fifth Column. Not even Meryn Cadell.
Toronto destroys its history by tearing down old buildings and by allowing Segato to misrepresent the fringes of the city. Time gentrified Queen West, but The Rebel Zone neutered it.
Gerry Smith, Toronto
