Letters, May 22

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/05/2024 (858 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Speech notes

Re: U of M medical grad lashes out over ‘deafening silence’ on Gaza crisis (May 20)

The Canadian Medical Association’s code of ethics and professionalism places trust at the cornerstone of the medical profession and articulates a number of virtues that it expects of its practitioners, virtues meant to uphold the trustworthiness of the profession in the eyes of the public.

These include compassion (a recognition of an individual’s unique suffering and vulnerability), honesty (respecting the truth and preserving and communicating it sensitively and respectfully), humility (not overstepping the limits of their knowledge), integrity (acting in a truthful manner in accordance with professional expectations) and prudence (considering all relevant knowledge and circumstances in their application of clinical and moral reasoning). The code prominently conveys its fundamental commitment to well-being and respect for the dignity and worth of all persons.

At the recent graduation ceremony of the University Of Manitoba’s medical students, the class valedictorian seized the occasion of their valedictory speech to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, characterizing their words as “advocacy.” A number of attendees applauded as this graduate described Israeli military action in Gaza as “genocidal,” made claims about “settler colonialism” and the deliberate targeting of civilians, and urged classmates to get on the “right side of history.”

The war in Gaza is undeniably tragic and has resulted in loss of life, destruction and trauma that will likely reverberate for generations. There is much to condemn about Israel’s military response as well as its long-standing human rights violations with respect to the people of Gaza.

However, this valedictorian’s assertions are inaccurate, strongly contested, presented without context and, also importantly, vacant of any mention of Hamas and its role in initiating this war; its specific targeting of Israeli civilians in a campaign of murder, sexual assault and hostage-taking; its callous use of its own people as human shields; its long-standing subjugation and deprivation of the citizens of Gaza and its indifference to their suffering.

In failing to even consider the agony of Israeli civilians, this graduate engaged in rhetoric that was callous towards the victims of Hamas and their families, dishonest and lacking integrity in its depiction of events, arrogant in its ignorance (wilful or otherwise) to the history of the region; and irresponsible in its unbalanced and undeveloped application of moral reasoning.

Through their words, this graduate most assuredly failed to demonstrate respect for the wellbeing, dignity and worth of all persons. These words were profoundly hurtful to many in attendance (Jewish and non-Jewish alike) and several who have been made aware of them since. Calling for the protection of one group of people while allowing for the annihilation of another is not advocacy, nor is it consistent with the tenets of Canadian medical ethics or humanism. It is hate speech. As such, the University of Manitoba, the profession and the public will need to decide whether this new graduate merits its trust and whether hate is acceptable in medicine or any other forum.

Daniel Rothman

Winnipeg

Kudos to Gem Newman for using his valedictorian speech to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. There was no political agenda in his words.

Mr. Newman, who has no real power as a student, simply used his platform, for which he would have been chosen by fellow students, to deliver a message to the establishment. The recipients of his message, who will be future Canadian medical practitioners, make the perfect audience. There is no other profession whose mantra is ‘do no harm.’ How else could a student take on the establishment?

The Canadian Medical Association, Doctors Manitoba and the Professional Association of Residents and Interns of Manitoba just got delivered a powerful message from an unlikely source. Medical practitioners don’t take sides in a conflict. They only stand against death and injury, whether through conflict, starvation or disease. We have heard from a brave singular voice.

When will the establishment organizations, who represent the medical caregivers of this country and province, add their voice to his?

Wally Barton

Winnipeg

Destabilization in Iran unlikely

Re: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, supreme leader’s protege, dies at 63 in helicopter crash (May 19)

Those who hope that the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will destabilize the Islamic Republic are likely to be disappointed.

Following the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988 (essentially a bloody stalemate) Iranian military personnel were discharged into a stagnant economy. Many were unemployed or underemployed resulting in feelings of bitterness. It was perceived that those who had put their lives on the line were suffering while those who had avoided service had prospered, relatively speaking.

These veterans organized behind Khomeini’s concept of the guardianship of the Islamic jurist. This concept sees absolute power emanating from most religiously qualified authority. This jurist has control over all public matters.

The power of this jurist is guaranteed by a guardian council, a 12-member body, whose power includes veto power over legislation passed by the parliament and approving or disqualifying candidates seeking to run in elections. The council has been quite strict in disqualifying candidates who are perceived as hostile to hard line religious rule.

The Islamic Republic has so arranged affairs that a change in the governance in Iran is very unlikely.

Kurt Clyde

Winnipeg

Rules of faith

Re: ‘You could say there’s a real problem in the pews’ (May 18)

Let me begin by thanking John Longhurst for drawing attention to issues surrounding the church’s core teachings. There are important questions to be asking.

However, I have found it helpful to understand that in its early years, the church’s core beliefs were known as “ruled faith.” These convictions helped to define the church, much like the rules of hockey distinguish it from the game of football.

In recent years I have watched my grandson move through different levels of hockey. As he gradually went from “A” level to “AAA” new rules were introduced. And with the rules the game of hockey took shape. The rules are not the game, but the rules shape the game being played.

I would argue that the “ruled faith” of the church is not the end-game, but its core convictions are intended to shape the game being played. The task, it seems to me, is not to dismiss the church’s “ruled faith” but to ask how the church can play its game with imagination and integrity today.

Ray Harris

Winnipeg

Take sewer issue seriously

Re: Hail socks city, surrounding area (May 18)

It is a disgrace that Winnipeg still makes excuses for dumping untreated sewage into the Red River.

On the city’s water and waste website, there have been 24 incidents to date in 2024 that untreated sewage has gone into a waterway that many rely on for recreation and drinking water.

In the article Hail socks city, surrounding area, Coun. Brian Mayes is quoted regarding the latest disgusting dump, “(This wastewater) dumps into a major river so it does get diluted.” This is the chairman of our city’s waste and water speaking! Red flags go up when the person in charge has this attitude.

I’d like to deliver Mr. Mayes a cup of untreated sewage and ask him how much he’d like it diluted before he’d agree to drink it? This has been going on for years. When will all three levels of government see this as a serious major issue?

Jan Kushnier

Winnipeg