Put heroes on front page
Why did the Free Press stop putting pictures of our Canadian heroes on the front page after they have been killed in Afghanistan? It would be proper that the Free Press honour these courageous men and women by having a picture or story on the front page or as Top News.
I've noticed that the picture has been left off the front page for each of our last two heroes killed. I found out that the 82nd soldier (Pte. Terry John Street) was killed when I got to page A9, and I didn't read about the 83rd (Cpl. Michael Starker) until I got to page A7 of Wednesday's paper. I would rather see a picture of the fallen soldier than read about the prime minister's residence needing repairs, or Red River College moving classrooms. While those stories are interesting, I don't believe they are more important than readers being informed about another fallen hero.
These are Canadian soldiers who gave their lives for our country and freedom, and I believe it minimizes the ultimate sacrifice they have made by relegating their story to the inside pages.
Blair Meadows
Winnipeg
One great tour
On Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to attend the Winnipeg General Strike Tour event hosted by Nolan Reilly and the University of Winnipeg Alumni Association. Attendees truly experienced Winnipeg's significant and influential historical past come to life. The evening began with Andy Blicq's moving and highly technically creative film Bloody Saturday, detailing strike events and including rare film footage.
Adjourning to the waiting transit bus, Reilly led us on a historical journey. Distant voices resonated and past community bustle was pulled into the present through excerpts read from local biographies, oral histories and locally set historical novels. Most strikingly, Reilly made connections between past and present. As freight trains rolled heavily past the tour group assembled near the CPR Weston Shops, Reilly pointed out the nearby scene of death for J.J. Harper -- an event that sparked the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry.
History can teach us so much. The dynamics of the inequities that led to the Winnipeg General Strike still lurk today, albeit masquerading in different form -- perhaps better understood as a shape-shifting phantom whose only constancy is its presence when its heart of social injustice is unrecognized.
Shirley Kowalchuk
Board Member, Heritage Winnipeg
Error in pension letter
Re: Retired teachers suffer, May 2.
In a letter regarding the impending plebiscite on teachers' pensions, Kai Arnot makes one clear error. My understanding is that the plebiscite is being conducted by the provincial government at government expense, not by the Manitoba Teachers' Society at teachers' expense. In addition, the letter is based on an assumption that the government's proposal, based on Tim Sale's report, is up for negotiation. I believe you will find that it is the government's official, final, position. If rejected it is gone.
As a retired teacher I have two options. I can vote to accept a pension change that is obviously less than what I would really like to see but is, at least, an immediate improvement. Or I can vote to reject the report and be back to square one with no idea of how many years it may take before a provincial government may undertake a new study to draft a new proposal.
I will vote Yes to get what I can get now and then work toward possible future improvement -- not No, which I see as a vote for nothing now and nothing for the foreseeable future.
Chris Thain
Winnipeg
Over 30, and aware of buzz
Re: Teen repellent doing the job at downtown mall, May 2.
"The secret to the Mosquito is that its buzzing beeps are apparently undetectable by those over 30."
It's been two years since I first heard that Mosquito noise. I'm 37 now and the ability to hear it hasn't deteriorated. I know at least four other people besides myself (also over 30) who can hear that Mosquito's repellent noise. I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Winnipeg. When I do, I hope that the malls that I visit will not have those devices in use. The mosquito noise causes me to experience nausea and headaches.
MICHELLE GIBSON
London, Ont.
Hire the best people
Re: Top jobs go to non-natives in northern health region, May 6.
I am appalled at Hussain Guisti's attitude towards health care. As a "doctor in the process of getting licensed," does he not feel that First Nations people deserve the best health care possible? How about the other citizens of Thompson? I would assume that the Burntwood Regional Health Authority and other health authorities strive to hire the most qualified individuals for the positions.
Why should the BRHA give preference to First Nations if they are not the most qualified for the position? Even "menial, low-paying jobs" are important in health care. Health care is one of the professions in which the most qualified people, particularly front-line workers like doctors and nurses, should be the most qualified for the position, not given the position because they are First Nations or any other visible minority. I would like to think that proper health care is more important than the doctor being able to say "hello", "how are you", and "thank you" in the native language. I agree that being able to do that is important, but it is not a valid reason for hiring a nurse or doctor who is less qualified or not qualified over someone who is the most qualified.
If Guisti has an issue with the "First Nations representation" at the Thompson General Hospital, he should be encouraging First Nations people to get educated to become the most qualified for the available positions.
TOM Kissock
Winnipeg
See the connection?
It is ironic that the front page of last Friday's Free Press reads: Mayor pleads with Ottawa 'Just do something', regarding the city's battle against violent car thieves, and the bottom of the page reads Grand Theft Auto IV: Best Game Ever. Can you see the connection here?
Matthew Lee-Wing
Winnipeg
Culture of dependency
The premier of Ontario has called for reform of the equalization program, which contributes massively to Manitoba's cash flow. The impetus of this call is Ontario's struggling economy and the growing anger that $20 billion is leaving that province to help others maintain certain quality-of-life standards. I am grateful for their help. The least we can do as Manitobans is to ease the burden on other Canadians -- for example, saying yes to the 1,100 jobs and the $200-million investment we lost by saying no to the pork-processing plant. Or are the critics right to state that equalization as presently formulated is fostering a culture of dependency among those who live off it?
GORDON HALUSHKA
Winnipeg
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