Have your say

Church helps refugees

In the light of your Aug. 24 story Catholic Church upsets group, which seemed to implicate the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg in the controversial use of St. Joseph's church by elements of the Eritrean community, I think it is important to note that this archdiocese last year initiated sponsorships for a total of 497 Eritrean refugees.

This is a major contribution to the well-being of the world's Eritrean refugee population. The archdiocese sponsored 352 refugees from other countries as well in 2011, placing it among the three or four largest refugee-sponsoring dioceses of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada.

TOM DENTON

Hospitality House Refugee Ministry

Winnipeg

Squeeze hockey lifeline

In his Aug. 22 column, Time for NHL fans to tune in for the sounds of bargaining, Gary Lawless states that despite all the rhetoric you hear about a new NHL collective bargaining agreement, "owners and players will continue making more money as time moves forward."

There is no CBA between fans and the league. The fans will continue to be (reluctantly) screwed. The players and owners stickhandle with one hand on the CBA and the other in the fans' pockets.

The solution? Fans boycott hockey games to put a squeeze on the lifeline of the CBA -- money. Can this happen? It could but it won't because hockey fans are too gullible, and both sides of the NHL know it.

MERV MICHALYSHEN

Oakbank

Entitled to privacy

Re: Tory leader keeps address private (Aug. 22). Brian Pallister has every right not to release his home address publicly. Indeed, it is somewhat shocking that we require provincial candidates to do so. We don't ask people in other jobs to tell us exactly where they live and even public figures deserve a measure of privacy.

At the same time, the public should know whether a candidate lives in the riding in which he or she is running. After all, for many voters, the fact that a candidate lives in their riding is a sign of commitment to the area and may mean they're in a better position to understand local issues.

A simple solution exists that would allow us to balance the legitimate interests of both candidates and voters. The Manitoba Election Act should be amended so that Elections Manitoba need only publish whether the candidate lives in a riding or not.

SEAN PETTY

Winnipeg

Medical anecdotes useless

Dr. Henry P. Krahn, a physician in Mesa, Ariz. (Indulging in politics, Letters, Aug. 21), states that in his U.S. medical experience he has never seen "anyone without insurance wait longer than two weeks to be fully insured with Medicaid."

As someone with scientific training, Krahn should understand that anecdotal statements of this kind do not have much merit. Perhaps he should also have mentioned that, according to a recent study conducted at Harvard University, approximately 62 per cent of all American bankruptcies are caused by overwhelming medical expenses.

MICHAEL CZUBOKA

Winnipeg

Admirable reaction

In his Aug. 18 article Sikhs, Amish reject vengeance, embrace forgiveness, John Longhurst notes how two different faiths, Sikhs and Amish, have reacted admirably when faced with deadly shootings of their membership. Following the shooting in Wisconsin some weeks ago, one Sikh leader asked Americans to draw from their own religious traditions to continue to respond in love and compassion and stand together to turn the tragedy into a "positive turning point for the nation."

What the Sikhs and the Amish have taught us is the principle of "going the second mile" with persons, groups and communities that due to their hurts feel frustrated and finally lash out to those around them. Only wisdom, understanding and forgiveness can heal such deeply felt hurts. That is the lifestyle that the Sikhs and the Amish are calling us to live.

KEN REDDIG

Pinawa

Meteorite policies clear

Re: Expert rejects meteor claim (Aug. 18). I would like to clear up any misconception raised by Nicole Nixon's comments that the Manitoba Museum has tried to obtain free samples of her other supposed meteorites in the past.

This statement is incorrect for two important reasons: first, because none of Nixon's finds over the years have been confirmed as meteorites; and, more important, because the museum has clear policies regarding the analysis and handling of specimens and artefacts brought to our attention by the public.

In the case of meteorites, there have been only 13 ever confirmed in Manitoba; they are extremely rare and valuable. A found meteorite belongs to the owner of the land it is found on, or to the finder in the case of public land.

A meteorite fall in Manitoba would be of tremendous scientific interest, and the museum has in the past organized ground searches when the evidence warrants it.

SCOTT YOUNG

Manitoba Museum

Winnipeg

Choosing when to rest

The Aug. 22 letters, Quoting scripture, in response to the Aug. 17 column, Never on Sunday, the one day we need a little rest, focus on the biblical interpretation of when the Sabbath should be observed and miss the larger issue raised by the column.

The main objection held by those without a religious world view is that why should the day we rest not be of our own choosing? Many Christians are not content to observe the tenets of their faith themselves and let others decide how to live their lives.

Alma Barkman can rest on Sunday, worship in the manner of her choosing and avoid the hectic world of consumerism. That is her right as a Canadian. But just because she chooses to follow what is written in the religious text to which she adheres, she shouldn't presume to tell others they should do the same.

DOUG CRAPPER

Winnipeg

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 25, 2012 A14