Have your say

Life imitates art

The late, great Canadian novelist Mordecai Richler's most famous fictional character, Duddy Kravitz, couldn't have been more pleased than to see a U.S.-based company, Duddy Enterprises, with his name on it (Katz bought Sheegl's biz, Sept. 12).

Duddy's enterprises, all geared toward his obsession with wealth and power, found their most lucrative expression in land dealings because, as his grandfather taught him, "a man without land is nobody."

What Kravitz would never have done, however, is to sell his namesake for $1 without further ample consideration. That he would have considered a truly impossible fiction.

ARTHUR ELLIS

Winnipeg

How sad that the mayor of Winnipeg finds the grief and aggravation of the honour of public service to be burdensome.

I, for one, would be content if he chooses to relieve himself of said burden by tendering his resignation.

TOM RUBY

Winnipeg

Wider investigation

From the information we have about the fire-station land swap, this is such an extraordinary way for the city to conduct business. We need a wider investigation than just the mere financial review the mayor is calling for, and the sooner the better if we are to have any confidence in how the city conducts its affairs.

So far, the mayor is standing in the way of the review this bizarre situation requires. Perhaps he should step down and allow the council to conduct a thorough investigation.

JENNIFER WOOLSTON

Winnipeg

Ending the tension

Re: U.S. Consulate attacked (Sept. 12). It is sad to read of the recent outbreak of religious tension in Egypt and Libya, where Muslims showed their anger over a movie, presumably made in America, that allegedly insults and defames the Prophet Muhammad.

The West should have realized from previous incidents of a similar nature, such as the publication of the caricatures of the prophet in a Danish newspaper, that all Muslims are offended by someone desecrating the sanctities of their faith. Those who commit this crime under the cloak of freedom of speech are on the wrong track, because freedom of speech does not allow this.

I strongly condemn the attack on U.S. consulates in Egypt and Libya and regret for the loss of life in Benghazi. But I do think that this type of protest could be avoided if the U.S. had fulfilled its duty to stop hate propaganda against Muslims.

MOHAMMAD ASHRAF

Winnipeg

Artistic symbology

Re: WAG the arts scene (Sept. 10). Brent Bellamy refers to the shape of the Winnipeg Art Gallery as "an iceberg" or "the prow of a ship."

I would suggest rather the male reproductive organ, a design that has been brainwashed into us by the war-loving, power-worshipping capitalist patriarchy since the Tower of Babel.

DAVID HAGBORG

Carman

Eating with joy

After reading Todd Hirsch's Sept. 8 column in View From the West, What a no-cutlery eatery says about the world economy, I'm tempted to write the view from the East.

The traditional way to eat in India, even now in the majority of homes, is without cutlery. Growing up, we shared a big plate called "thali" with three or four other family members or friends. This was the normal way.

We used our clean hands to eat. We broke our roti (bread) by hand, dipped it into lentils, curries or yogurt and ate it.

With great joy we savoured the food and felt blessed that we were more fortunate than many people around the world.

I think, by having no cutlery, we learned to share and care. We need to change our thought process and expectations. The billions we spend on wars and violence can be diverted towards the basic needs of the people.

The first lesson to learn from a no-cutlery eatery is to accept the challenge and make the best of what we have. The eatery had delicious food and the aura was one of happiness, and that is what really matters in life.

MANJU LODHA

Winnipeg

Accommodating cruelty

Re: Pork industry's muddy image (Sept. 8). Our animal-protection laws are written to accommodate the institutionalized cruelty that is inherent in factory farming. The Animal Care Act outlines the duties of owners and prohibits the infliction of suffering.

However, there follows a long list of so-called "accepted activities," including agricultural uses, that are exempt from the above as long as they are carried out in a manner consistent with generally accepted practices.

Imagine employers being exempt from labour laws as long as they followed their own rules. Gandhi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." If we use the laws of the land as our measure, Canada has a long way to go.

DEBBIE WALL

Winnipeg

Victory says little

The Sept. 6 editorial Win-win result for Mr. Pallister highlights Brian Pallister's victory in the Fort Whyte byelection. First, Pallister was chosen leader of Manitoba's Progressive Conservatives among only one candidate in the race. I can win gold, silver and bronze running in the 100-metre dash at the 2016 Olympics if I am the only competitor in that race.

Second, only 35 per cent of the Fort Whyte electorate decided to show up to cast a ballot. Pallister obtained slightly greater than 50 per cent of votes cast; thus, 20 per cent, or one in five, of the eligible voters believed in him.

This is hardly a condemnation of the Liberal or NDP candidates, given that Fort Whyte is a Conservative stronghold and the previous PC leader held the seat.

DON HALLIGAN

Winnipeg

Overcoming dog blocks

Re: Report urges city to bag plastic-bag ban (Sept. 8). Does Darryl Drohomerski own a dog? Maybe we should ban dogs from the city of Winnipeg, or just give up like city council has.

Surely we can find some way to overcome these roadblocks and make Winnipeg a better, greener place, not only for our children, but for everyone, including dogs.

LOUISE SOKO

Winnipeg

A wake-up call

Re: Teen killing was gang-related, police say (Sept. 11). I hope the untimely violent death of Paris "Parrot" Bruce will serve as a wake-up call to others. Being a wannabe gangsta and dying young is not cool, not cool at all.

Our youth need to be reminded that if they find themselves caught in a gang and want a way out but don't know how to go about it, it's OK to ask for help. The city and province have resources in place to help them.

MICHEL TRAHAN

Verdun, Que.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 13, 2012 A11