Letters, Nov. 25

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2022 (1390 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An inspiration to all

Re: ‘Miracle’ snowmobile-crash survivor lucky to be alive, eager to live again (Nov. 23)

Having read the biography of former Manitoba MP Steven Fletcher, What Do You Do If You Don’t Die?, I find there are similarities in Ethan Christie’s and Steven Fletcher’s situations.

Fortunately for Christie, he is on the road to a potentially full recovery, something which, unfortunately, eluded Fletcher (in the physical sense only).

Both men are very courageous and determined. I have no doubt Christie will be successful, as was Fletcher, who went on to successful careers in engineering and politics, not to mention being an inspiration and a motivation to disabled and able-bodied people everywhere.

The best of luck to you, Mr. Christie. You’ll make it. I have no doubt about it.

Gilles Roch, Winnipeg

Hearings unearth what we knew

As we conclude the seventh stultifying and thankfully final week of hearings on the triggering of the Emergency Measures Act, no one in the media is questioning this colossal waste of money.

For tens of millions of dollars, what we are learning is what we already knew — that no one was prepared for the events that unfolded; that decisions had to be made in a welter of conflicting intelligence, predictions and opinions; that not everyone involved performed admirably; and that some think that triggering the act was justified and some don’t.

The hearings will prove almost (but not quite) as useless as sending 500 Canadian delegates to COP27.

Norman Brandson, Winnipeg

It takes a team to lose

Re: Blowing a chance at history (Letters, Nov. 22)

It takes a team to win, and a team to lose, a football game. Yes, as letter writer Dave Rondeau points out, Blue Bomber placekicker Marc Liegghio missed important converts, but there were a lot of missed plays by others, as well.

I recall telling my brother, as we watched the game, that that one point would come back to haunt us. However, we still have the best quarterback in the league, and other first-class players and coaches for next year, at least.

We only lost by one point, not 50, so what does that say about Toronto? They did not play a great game, either. The radio sports analysts are dissecting all the plays, who did what wrong, and how the world has come to an end.

No one is firing missiles at us, nor us at anyone else. Therefore, life is good. Toronto’s baseball team collapsed, so now they have something to be happy about.

Don Halligan, Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers may have lost the Grey Cup game, but what a ride we Bomber fans have had these past three years.

The Bomber organization and players have exemplified camaraderie, commitment, compassion, focus, hard work and above all, dedication to family.

These character-building qualities have been modelled for our young players to practise on the field and for the rest of their lives.

As a proud former Fort Rouge resident, I say look out for next season — here come the Blue Bomber players and fans for another kick at the can.

Anna Marinelli, Calgary

Lucrative job for unemployed

Re: Mask and ye shall receive (Nov. 21)

Did Manitoba’s chief medical officer of health really say, “Our messaging regarding masks hasn’t really changed. We’ve always said it’s certainly an option for people. If you feel you’re higher risk or just feel comfortable wearing a mask, that’s certainly an option for you”?

My recollection is that he and other talking heads said we should wear masks to protect other people. And was this not mandated?

Then there is the province’s muddled messaging around symptoms and testing positive when you can mix with others.

I do not understand what we are paying our medical experts for. It is no wonder people don’t think they should wear masks, get vaccinated or isolate, given the muddled messages the province sends out.

Why don’t they just pick a bunch of unemployed people off the street and divide those insane salaries among them? Anyone can be a government ventriloquist.

Val Kellberg, Winnipeg

Counting dollars and PMs

Re: It’s time to move on from 24 Sussex Drive (Nov. 22)

I agree our government should not spend $36.6 million in tax dollars to rebuild 24 Sussex Drive. Throwing good money after bad.

There have been sufficient misspent tax dollars already.

Robert Wikstrom, Winnipeg

I’m as surprised as the Free Press to find out Joe Clark is still alive. There are, in fact, six living former prime ministers, not five.

Chris Harvey, Winnipeg

An unhelpful generalization

Re: Lack of trust goes way back (Nov. 22)

I would agree with letter writer Paul Robertson that many people do not adequately understand the history and functioning of government, whether through inattention or lack of information. But to state, “Politics requires dishonesty and exaggeration; it’s part of the job” is an extreme untruth.

Perhaps he spoke out of frustration, but this is not helpful.

There are many, many people who give enormous amounts of time and energy to improving the lot of ordinary Canadians, and in many levels of political life. I have seen this first-hand, having served three elected terms in municipal government.

To speak in generalities as evidenced in this statement does an egregious disservice to those who struggle mightily to improve our quality of life through their political work.

Margaret Mills, Headingley

COVID train-wreck ahead

Re: COVID threat level ‘severe’ in Manitoba (Nov. 17)

Politics is once again trumping science in a government reluctant to bring in a mask mandate. Front-line staff are warning of a dire threat ahead comprised of a combination of seasonal flu/RSV and various COVID-19 strains.

From a common-sense point of view, it is clear any mitigating actions on the part of individuals is crucial to the common societal good with this catastrophic train-wreck ahead.

Can we not, as a society, forget momentarily about personal freedom and “me first” thinking, and just mask up to help protect others, including the vulnerable segment of Manitobans? It’s just the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, this will never happen with the current state of affairs in Manitoba, where crime is rampant and repeat offenders are processed through a “catch and release” justice system.

Perhaps consideration should be given to abolishing the legal requirement to stop at red lights and wear seatbelts, as these requirements could be found to involve the limiting of personal freedom.

Alan Hurlburt, Winnipeg

Currie was a newsroom leader

I am saddened to hear of the death of retired Free Press journalist Maurice “Buzz” Currie.

Buzz, as everyone knew him, was a key leader in the Free Press newsroom. His intelligence, narrative sense and a natural irreverence helped develop the newspaper into a force in Manitoba and across the country.

Buzz’s skills contributed hugely to the winning of a National Newspaper Award for feature coverage of the 1997 Flood of the Century and the best-selling book that followed.

For a time, he led a sports department without equal. He had many talents, not least of which was a piercing wit that could demolish lesser mortals.

He was a colleague and he became a friend. His family will miss him, as will I and all of those who worked with him and knew him.

Nicholas Hirst, Toronto