Letters, Oct. 14

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/10/2022 (1329 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wise words from Dr. Seuss

Re: NATO to hold nuclear exercise despite Russian warnings (Oct. 11)

The last page of Dr. Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book shows a Yook and a Zook face to face on the narrow wall which separates their native lands. Each is threatening to drop the nuclear bomb he holds in his hand and blast the other to “small smithereens.”

The thinking reader will understand immediately that it makes no difference who drops it: they’ll both be eliminated, along with the countries they are trying to protect.

Approximately three years ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-U.S. president Donald Trump, along with about 200 other world leaders, received, directly or through their embassies, a signed copy of The Butter Battle Book addressed to them personally, with the request that they read the personal letter inserted in the back cover. This letter assured them that though the gift was small, it was theirs to keep — unless they wished to respond by inserting and signing their own comments on peace within the covers of the book and returning it to the Winnipeg address provided.

Any returned copies would be collected and offered to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights as a sign of encouragement to visitors that these leaders, at least, believed war was not the best response to violent enemies.

From all the countries in the world, only the leader of Austria returned a signed The Butter Battle Book.

Eric Unger

Winnipeg

Alberta premier chided

Re: ‘Most discriminated-against group’: Alberta premier pledges to protect unvaccinated (Oct. 11)

New Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters, “(The unvaccinated) have been the most discriminated-against group that I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime.”

This is insulting to actual victims who are discriminated against on matters they cannot change, such as skin colour, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Unvaccinated people had a choice and had to live with the consequences. This was a public-health emergency. This was not discrimination.

Leanne Hanuschuk

Winnipeg

As a longtime conservative supporter, I urge conservative leadership to look west once again and view true leadership in action. Alberta’s new premier, Danielle Smith, is battling Ottawa and pushing back for more autonomy for her province. She has identified several issues that she will tackle, such as health care.

This is what conservatives in Manitoba want: someone who stands up for conservative values, someone with the true leadership abilities that are essential to ensuring a great province.

Bruce Petterson

Winnipeg

It’s not ‘great city for cars’

Re: Loney promises ‘big-city transit’ (Oct. 11)

I am angered by Shaun Loney’s comment that “One of the reasons why we’re struggling is because we’ve built a great city for cars.”

How does this man figure Winnipeg is built for cars, when we are basically driving on an inefficient system of paved horse trails?

He fails to realize well-planned, progressive cities integrate freeways, light rapid transit and active transportation when expanding into new developments or around older neighbourhoods. This makes for an efficient, well-connected transit system.

The real reason this city is struggling is because of repeated poor planning over the decades. Back in the 1980s, when progressive cities were building their bus rapid transit and light rapid transit systems, an efficient transit system wasn’t even on Winnipeg’s radar. As we all know, Winnipeg still struggles to provide timely transit service.

Whoever the successful mayoral candidate may be, they will first have to find a way to attract and retain employees, and then fix what we have now.

Kevin Ford

Winnipeg

School officer showed worth

Re: Council to decide fate of police-in-schools program (Sept. 29)

Arrest made in assault on child outside school (Oct. 12)

The article describes a sexual assault on a transit bus and a physical assault on a young child outside an elementary school. Evidently the same person was responsible for both horrific acts.

I appreciate that the school police resource officer was there and helped provide security for the children and school staff. Sadly, it seems to me at least, there is discussion about phasing out the school police resource officers.

Robert K. Haegeman

St. Pierre-Jolys

Change name of MAiD

Re: Fears about MAiD realized (Letters, Oct. 7)

My beautiful husband Claude passed away in 2020. Claude chose medical assistance in dying but passed prior to his appointment.

Claude and I would cringe every time the nursing staff would say “MAiD is coming,” “MAiD called” or “you have an interview with MAiD today.”

The maid is who is called to clean up or tidy a mess. That is not at all what we were doing.

Names are important and so are acronyms, especially when used by health-care staff.

Each time I read an article or hear someone say MAiD, my heart breaks a little more. I ask that we do better for our loved ones and change the name for medical assistance in dying so we may have a more respectful acronym.

Joanne Marchand

Winnipeg

Perusing election propaganda

I am humbled because I just received the obligatory once-every-four-year correspondence from my city councillor, who requests my vote.

I love reading the propaganda, with my councillor publicly boasting about the fabulous job they have done in the eight years they have represented my riding. They apparently worked in the spirit of reconciliation to end homelessness and poverty, and to find ways to “fund affordable and supportive housing.” They’re working toward an efficient transit system, protection of our tree canopy, a holistic approach to safety, dealing with the root causes of crime, supporting women’s safety, community programming for youth, snow-free sidewalks, yada yada.

I wonder why Winnipeggers are increasingly afraid to go downtown or go into bus shelters? Why are there rising rates of violent crime? Why are vagrants haunting every major street corner begging for money, with our food banks swamped and our infrastructure still in shambles?

After eight years of my councillor in office, things appear to be getting worse but, after reading this pamphlet, I rest assured they are still working hard to make things better. Pamphlet filed.

Kim Trethart

Winnipeg

Refused entry at liquor store

Re: End government sale of liquor (Letters, Oct. 7)

This writer went to a Manitoba liquor store on Oct. 6 to buy wine. After waiting in line to present my identification, I was confronted with the fact that I did not have my government-issued picture identification with me, although I did have other identification that included a picture of me.

I was told I could not go in the store. I argued, but to no avail. Feeling criminalized and embarrassed, I made my exit.

I understand the history as to why extra security was added, but to turn me away defied common sense. Policy and procedures were put in place to keep out criminals, not paying customers.

I have had occasion to buy wine from a private store. I did not have to show my identification. The experience was positive.

As a former probation officer and member of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, I find Manitoba liquor store policies and procedures are too rigid. They will drive customers to private outlets, which could mean the end of government-controlled liquor stores.

Doug McKeever

Winnipeg