Letters, Aug. 18

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/08/2023 (1139 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A little love helps

With regard to media statements made by NDP leader, Wab Kinew, that tough love helped him personally, it seems to me the operative word here is love.

Mudslinging in this election is gaining traction because we crave human interest stories. And it’s all about relationships. The more news bites reveal about character, the more we want answers. Why does Kevin Klein want to be Indigenous? Why did Heather Stefanson holiday in Florida last winter instead of honouring her Manitoba tourism billboards?

Having personally witnessed the love shown to the homeless by Bear Clan Patrol Inc., Urban Wagons and Warm Hearts Winnipeg, I saw unconditional love in action. I also saw that love returned.

Where is the love in the PC prosperity mandate?

In anticipation of rebuttals that will undoubtedly say love is not enough, to fix things (and yes I’m aware George Harrison said “love is all you need,” but he never gave up his guitar), I preemptively counter with the belief that it’s a tough life without love.

Heather Marie Emberley

Winnipeg

 

Judge Kinew by recent actions

Re: Kinew vows NDP will be tough on crime (Aug. 16)

The PC Party should be very careful not to raise Kinew’s past record in conjunction with its tough-on-crime message.

Many historical figures have had a shaky start in life yet have gone on to accomplish great things. Ulysses S. Grant is a good example.

The question is whether past events have any relevance in considering political events in 2023. I believe that Kinew is entitled to be judged on his recent actions and statements, not activities that occurred during a more turbulent portion of his life, when leadership of a political party was far from his thoughts.

Kinew has every right to set forth the NDP’s plans for crime abatement, and the PCs are playing with fire to even hint that Kinew’s past is somehow connected to his party’s current stance.

If the Progressive Conservative Party could adopt policies which resonated with Indigenous peoples, it would be good for both sides. One could imagine a day when both the NDP and PC Party are led by Indigenous people. Talk about a win-win.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

 

Lessons from Pink Floyd

Re: Strength and danger (Think Tank, Aug. 17)

Strength and Danger really touched me, so thank you, Alex Passey, for your powerful words and to the FP for always presenting such impactful local commentary. Is religion harmful to us and society?

Individually I believe it can be, but the summation of charity and comfort that is often provided by religion helps to balance that out, making it a difficult question to answer.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, an album that altered my empathetic consciousness profoundly. The song Us and Them, in particular, changed me forever, as I began to understand how susceptible we are to defining our attitudes across religious, racial, and socioeconomic lines.

Have we learned anything in those 50 years? Based on everything I see and read I would have to say we have not, and if we don’t soon learn to love each other in spite of our differences, we will destroy the Heaven within which we already live. We are already halfway there, just look around you. Today I won’t be walking my dog because of the smoke.

The Hometown Band once wrote, “Everybody wants to get to Heaven, but nobody wants to die. We all live in Heaven, nobody has to die.” We just need to grow up and learn to love one another. It’s way past due.

Steve Oetting

Winnipeg

 

Where there’s a will…

Re: Cottage communities tackling short-term rentals ( Aug. 14)

Short-term rentals can certainly be regulated in a way that embraces neighbourhood harmony, tourism/economic development for the region, and safety for renters.

However, to be successful, local governments need to demonstrate both the political will and the capacity to determine the direction and develop a licensing procedure/application form that educates STR owners about their responsibilities.

They also have to be prepared to publicize the procedure through media and personal contact with owners, and follow through with all owners to ensure compliance and fairness.

This approach would need to address communication among neighbours, bylaws re: noise and fires/fireworks, the use of rental agreements, fire/safety precautions, limits on guests and vehicles, minimum stays, availability of the owner/property manager, and proper rental insurance.

If properly implemented, this process would help greatly to prevent problems, rather than deal with them after the fact.

And yes, there has to be an initial investment of staff /council time in several areas. However, I believe this would be supported by residents who want to enjoy the use of their vacation properties without troubling incidents.

Laurel Sarginson

Hillside Beach

 

Ante up, province

What is fascinating about this stand-off between the MGEU and the Stefanson government is that, during COVID, these workers were deemed essential.

These workers were threatened, assaulted, robbed and it took weeks for the government to even consider their safety. On the retail side, most are working part-time hours. Stefanson has trotted out that they want to put more money into the hands of Manitobans. Time to ante up.

Let’s try starting then with your own employees. As for CFIB, yes your business members are suffering but so are these employees and their families.

The government makes hundreds of millions off liquor each year. What 1,400 employees are asking for won’t even put a dent in profits.

As for MLL president Gerry Sul, it’s no wonder they are at a stand-off when both sides have to agree to what may go to arbitration.

It is obvious that Sul’s pay increase was not based on the ability of the government to pay. This is the mantra government has used with every public sector group that has gone into bargaining. In health care, it took them on average five years to get agreements.

Putting more money into the hands of working Manitobans is nothing more than a shell game.

Stefanson and Sul are nothing but elitist bullies so out of touch with the working person.

Lois Wales

Selkirk

 

Memento in cursive

I read with interest the pros and cons of continuing with cursive writing.

I will give you my thoughts and will give you my very personal experience. My mother — as a young bride — started writing a daily journal (in cursive).

I cannot tell you what it means to have her journals to read (they are in French) so I am going to start some notes so that our two daughters can be part of their history going back quite a few years.

Just wanted to put my thoughts in writing.

Yvette Slobodian

Winnipeg