Have your say

Assault on rights

Regarding the coverage of the arrest of a suspect in the alleged murders of missing women identified as aboriginal, the Free Press has led a massive assault on the Canadian Charter of Rights, which upholds the principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty.

The burden of proof is on the prosecution, which has to collect and present enough compelling evidence, legally admissible and in most cases lawfully obtained, to show that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If reasonable doubt remains, the accused is to be acquitted.

The fact a suspect has been arrested and detained is not enough. Ask any Manitoban at this point and it would be a safe bet they think the accused is already guilty.

Whether he is or not is not the issue. What is at issue is the frightening effect the Free Press and aboriginal representatives have had on a fair trial.

RITCHIE GAGE

Winnipeg

Pierce needs to retire

Re: Buck will be back for more (July 3). I had the privilege of watching Bobby Orr play against the Philadelphia Flyers in 1969. Orr was the greatest player to ever play the game. He damaged his knee and had to retire, at age 28, I believe.

Buck Pierce is a good football player. He plays with guts and intensity. But, like Orr and many athletes over the years, he has to retire. His body cannot do what his brain and will demand it to do.

Pierce appears to be a fine young man. I admire his intensity and bravery, but he has to move on and let the Blue Bombers achieve their destiny with a healthy quarterback in charge.

KEN SCHELLENBERG

Winnipeg

Disrespecting the park

I am fortunate to live close to Assiniboine Park and am able to take daily walks through and around it. On the morning after Canada Day celebrations took place in the park, it was very discouraging to see the level of disrespect our fellow Winnipeg citizens have for this outstanding space.

The litter was non-stop from one area to the other, and the washrooms were beyond disgusting. As a Winnipegger, proud of this wonderful park, I felt ashamed that there are some who so totally misuse our public grounds.

LESLIE SCALETTA

Winnipeg

A valuable purpose

Re: City golf courses not for sale (June 30). Why would anyone want to get rid of golf courses?

Where else would one find people willing to pay good money to go out to get angry and frustrated when they can have the same experience at home for free?

GRANT RODGERS

Winnipeg

Changing traditions

Re: Breaking down the fortress, (June 30). Rev. Diane Guilford's views on mime, as expressed by her costumed alter ego Barnabus the clown, bring to mind a quote from the great London preacher and author Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892): "A time will come when instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the church will have clowns entertaining the goats."

I doubt that the traditional hymns, music and seating style of the historic Anglican and Lutheran churches were the primary cause of their current membership decline. I think changes in their historic theological beliefs, practices and theology over the last 60 years are the real reason for dwindling congregations.

I close these observations with a quote from church historian and Yale professor of history Jaroslav Pelikan (1923-2006): "Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living."

RICHARD STONYK

Winnipeg

More geese, please

My husband and I want to thank photographer Joe Bryksa and the Winnipeg Free Press for the 30-day goose picture challenge.

What a positive feature. Bryksa's photographs were gorgeous, touching and inspiring. They reminded us daily of the wonderful creatures we are fortunate to live with in our beloved city. We wish the project did not have to end after 30 days.

CHOO ROSENBLOOM

Winnipeg

Astute understanding

Bravo, Val Werier. It is so wonderful to read such a great Canada Day editorial, Our 'sorry' nation's 145th birthday (June 30).

But it is depressing that this 95-year-old gentleman has a better and more astute understanding of what Harper is doing to this wonderful country than the so-called regular Free Press. In one (unfortunately) very infrequent column, Werier does more for highlighting the iniquities of this tyrant than the rest of the Free Press does in a month.

SHANE NESTRUCK

Winnipeg

Ending the anguish

As a woman with a recent diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's disease and less than two years left before I will have to be institutionalized, I am appalled that I have no choice but to endure the mental and physical pain and anguish that the future holds for me. In addition, there will be the enormous anguish and financial burden that my husband and daughter will have to bear.

Why should any person, religion or court deny my right to put a quiet and dignified end to a life that has been a happy, loving and joyful one? To them, I say: Walk a mile in my shoes.

SUZANNE HOARD

Winnipeg

Hosing us again

We just got our new, large, recycling blue bin. Inside I discovered a brochure. I read in it that the city will now be charging 14 cents a day for recycling and garbage removal.

This charge will be put on our quarterly water bill. I feel our water bill is high enough without another charge on it. It almost scares you to turn your tap on or flush the john.

When will they stop? Isn't garbage pickup part of your yearly tax bill? What amazes me is I have been recycling for 25 years without the city's help and now they feel they should charge me for it.

TERESA GAGNON

Winnipeg

Courteous bus drivers

My wife and I recently spent a few days in Winnipeg and, rather than rent a car, we utilized your transit system.

We were so pleasantly surprised to observe the courtesy of your drivers. One even phoned his central office to make sure we received the correct information.

We also noted many of the passengers thanked the driver on their departure. The Spirit bus was a wonderful way to see the downtown area and The Forks. How refreshing to be exposed to such courtesy.

TED HOLTBY

Edmonton

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 4, 2012 A11