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This article was published 06/03/2014 (4525 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ford interview cruel

As much as I dislike Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and do not condone his embarrassing antics, his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was so self-aggrandizing for the host it was unconscionable (Toronto mayor sweats it out on Jimmy Kimmel’s hot seat, Mar. 5).

I’m sure Ford knew he would be lampooned, but Kimmel’s treatment of the troubled mayor bordered on cruel. For the first time, I saw Ford as a human being with feelings; faults and flaws notwithstanding, he didn’t deserve the dressing down he received.

Americans have enough of their own buffoons, they don’t need to profit from ours. Kimmel’s treatment of Ford was inhumane.

JACKIE MORIN

Winnipeg

 

Student’s story inspires

On behalf of the War Amps, I would like to thank Elizabeth Fraser for her article featuring Connor Nykyforak, a local member of the War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program (Student singing War Amps praises, Mar. 3).

Connor’s zest for life is an inspiration to all. Through CHAMP, young amputees are encouraged to develop a positive attitude toward their amputation and live to their full potential.

Coverage like yours helps inform the public of the resources and programs available to child amputees. The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible solely through public support of our Key Tag and Address Label services.

DANITA CHISHOLM

Executive director, CHAMP Program

 

Judge shows bias

While Tim Killeen was a great defence lawyer, he’s showing his bias as a judge (Police tactic earns judges ire, Mar. 5).

Why shouldn’t police hold off on charges? The longer a criminal is locked up, the less likely the chances of re-offending, making our streets safer.

PHILLIP ROSEN

Winnipeg

 

Care lacking in home care

Re: Home-care client fears change to the system, Mar. 3.

Tom Landy’s fears are well-founded. The article makes clear this administration cares less about the needs of those needing home care than they do about “(improving) conditions for home-care workers who can now count on a guaranteed income.”

Dedicated workers are being fired to make room for those whose only concern is their paycheque.

The message comes through loud and clear: If you want home care to suit your needs, hire your own — something few people who need home care can afford.

HELEN MCNAUGHTON

Niverville

 

U.S. posturing hypocritical

It’s profoundly hypocritical for U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry to advise Russian President Vladimir Putin invading a country is “not 21st-century, G8, major-nation behaviour” (Kerry makes promise help is on the way, Mar. 5).

Has Kerry never visited Iraq or Afghanistan? Has he forgotten Grenada, Haiti and Panama?

Surely Kerry remembers Vietnam — after all, he was there.

Canada would do well to steer clear of the American appetite for invasion and the violent overthrow of sovereign nations. Far better to place our faith in the United Nations and the rule of international law that protects weaker countries.

What goes around comes around, and the support of the world may one day be our best defence should the United States ever turn its hungry eyes north.

MIKE WARD

Duncan, B.C.

 

Hydro’s future unclear

Back in the late 1950s and early ’60s, Hydro did linear regression (straight-line) projections about future demand (Keeyask not approved, has cost $1 billion, Mar. 4).

I’ve seen nothing about how their plans deal with polar ice melt or the reversing of water flow from south-north to north-south. How are their dam heights/turbines set up to handle this?

Projecting demand 30 years ahead has to also consider the future supply-side situation, including the obvious energy-production changes.

Basic economics/finance theory: The sunk $1 billion costs would be better left sunk.

DAVID HAGBORG

Carman

 

Supervision is not vengeance

While Dan Lett’s article Preaching vengeance wrong (Mar. 1) is commendable and correct regarding the need for ongoing medical treatment for those in Vince Li’s position, it’s also misleading.

None of the individuals Lett refers to suggest Li be punished, yet are condemned for their concern for others. The whole point isn’t punishment, but rather supervision while Li is in the public arena. Is supervision an interference with Li? Is it punishment? Definitely not.

The gross seriousness of Li’s behaviour when he lapsed is something about which the public should be concerned. The “insult” to the public as stated by Shelly Glover, and which Lett can’t seem grasp, has to do with this very point — Li’s being able to go about freely in public unsupervised, when his illness is presently incurable.

Lett’s sympathy for Li is where he failed to grasp the broader issue, and in his failure condemned all who may disagree with him.

ALLAN JAMES

Minnedosa

 

City puts cart before horse

So the public works committee approves a $6.4-million contract for twinning a major route through North and East Kildonan before acquiring ownership of the strips of land required (Street contracts approved, Mar. 5). Does this sound familiar?

JOHN REMPEL

Winnipeg

 

City needs frozen-pipe help

Re: City crews slow to thaw frozen pipes, Feb. 27.

Last December, Toronto experienced a massive power outage they could not handle. Crews were brought in from other parts of Canada, including Manitoba, to restore power.

It’s obvious the City of Winnipeg cannot properly handle the current frozen pipes problem. The mayor should disclose what other cities, if any, have been asked to help us resolve this problem.

FRED MORRIS

Winnipeg