Letters, Sept. 17

Opinion

On euphemisms

Re: Student injured after encounter with homeless person during outdoor gym class (Sept. 10)

Our language has become so sanitized it obfuscates reality. We no longer speak of “bums” but of “homeless” or “unsheltered persons.” This might sound kinder, but it clouds the underlying truth.

The bien-pensant statements from school officials are part of the problem. Their language creates a false moral equivalence — as if the only distinction is simply having or not having a home or shelter. The word “bum” better captured the truth: idleness, refusal of responsibility, and, too often, menace.

If we can’t describe problems honestly, we can’t solve them. Euphemisms don’t make children safer; they put them in harm’s way.

Tyler Dunford

Winnipeg

Fontaine’s error

Re: Kinew risks further trouble in keeping Fontaine (Sept. 16)

There are so many reasons why Nahanni Fontaine should not have publicly displayed her thoughts on Charlie Kirk all over social media. It was a hot-headed and immature reaction. First of all, Canada abolished the death penalty and nothing Charlie Kirk said or did would make it to trial, never mind being executed for it. That’s not the Canadian way, period.

It boggles my mind though why any of our government representatives are commenting at all on Charlie Kirk’s death. Please think before you speak or post publicly. The majority of Canadians are sick of all the rage farming for the Tragedy and Trauma Circus that is the state of American politics and media.

As for Fontaine, she can’t seem to separate her activism from good governance. Except when it comes to the people she is supposed to represent in parliament. She’s the minister of accessibility and families, yet she’s been both insulting and dismissive to members of these communities when she should be advocating for them.

As Dan Lett said, there is a “nagging sense it won’t be her last error in judgment”. I don’t see how it possibly could be.

Debra McCormack

Winnipeg

“It would be too easy to show her the door,” Kinew is quoted as saying in Dan Lett’s column. “It is a much harder task to say we’re going to work through this together and I am going to try to help you understand why we need to bring people together and not divide people at this time.”

Really, Mr. Kinew?

With all the documented needs of health care, housing crisis, escalating costs for food and most everything else, an unco-operative president down south and in all likelihood a difficult path forward for many young people, you choose to babysit a senior cabinet minister who appears to have the emotional maturity of a child?

I think you owe more to the taxpayers of this province than a government representative like Nahanni Fontaine.

If Fontaine had an ethical backbone, she would resign herself and spare our government having to deal with this matter which does directly reflect on our provincial leaders.

Gloria Taylor

Winnipeg

Valued perspective

Re: Future hopes hostage to grinding war (Sept. 11)

The war in Ukraine started on Feb. 24, 2022, with a full-scale invasion by Russia. Since then, many conflicts have occurred on Ukrainian soil. The conflict continues to this day, causing immense suffering of civilian casualties and widespread destruction of Ukraine.

This has been one of the deadliest wars in Europe since the Second World War. Throughout these three years, many articles have appeared in the Free Press about Ukraine, the country itself, its people, and the challenges. Personally, I have read many articles on the subject but articles written by Melissa Martin about Ukraine really stood out among all.

Browsing through the Free Press I came across an article written by Martin. An excellent written account about Ukrainian people, their daily life, psychological and physical defacement because of the war. We all know what is happening in Ukraine. Therefore my comment in this letter is not too narrate or make a recollection of the war but to compliment Martin for her dedicated involvement as an international reporter for the Free Press, presenting an outstanding interpretation of her perspective on Ukraine.

This article identified how she felt living in Ukraine during her time there, the people she met and seeing the atrocity, that is taking place. The Free Press is fortunate to have such writers.

Peter John Manastyrsky

Winnipeg

Odd statement by Smith

Re: Talk of Alberta separation ‘bananas’: ex-premier (Sept. 16)

It was reported that the the current premier of Alberta once again stated, “I believe in Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada.”

What does this statement actually mean? At the extreme, it could mean that the premier wants Alberta to be 100 per cent in control of everything that occurs in Alberta as long as Canada remains united as a nation. However, this is a difficult path to follow. The federal government is responsible for services that affect the country nationally. Examples of these include banking, cross-border transportation, the military, telecommunications and others. This responsibility is actually embedded in the Canadian Constitution.

An amendment would be required to the Constitution in order for any province or territory to be sovereign, either totally or partially, within or outside a united Canada. This would be a long, laborious process that would take years to come to fruition, if ever.

Brian Fraser

Winnipeg

Trouble in the Village

Re: Keep up the crime crackdown: biz owners (Sept. 12)

As a long-standing resident of Osborne Village, I have certainly noticed an increase in vagrancy and begging, in the neighbourhood, in the last couple of years. Homelessness and poverty are not crimes, but they make a lot of people uneasy and fearful. Those suffering from either or both, are worthy of help and care.

Personally, I’m not afraid and feel safe. But, every single time I go to the supermarket or the drugstore or the liquor store at River and Osborne, I am besieged by many people, in the doorways, asking for money and often harassing customers. I don’t give money to people panhandling on the streets, partly because I’d be handing out cash half a dozen times a day, and partly because I don’t think it’s the answer to anybody’s problems.

Drug abuse has obviously also increased significantly, and is unnerving. People on drugs yell and curse, and often carry weapons, perhaps as much for their own protection, as for the intention to commit a crime. Addiction is a terrible affliction, and again, addicts need real help, and real resources dedicated to them.

However, it’s not fair to all of us, who love living in the Village. Part of the charm is the diversity of people attracted to the neighbourhood. The character of the area is enriched by a broad range of seniors and students and young professionals, and other working people. And the character is enhanced by the “characters.”

But, we shouldn’t need to experience abuse of this nature, when we leave our homes to walk around our neighbourhood, and patronize businesses.

One small solution I see is the removal of the concrete circular benches, immediately outside the liquor store, and near the now empty Starbucks shop. People hang out all day, sitting on the benches and engaging in unwelcome behaviour towards passersby and customers of the store. And while I can appreciate that it is important for everyone to have a place to gather and visit with others, that is not an appropriate place, and not the primary purpose of those folks using the space.

My understanding is that the benches and property on which they sit are owned by Safeway, but I expect the city has the power of persuasion to have this magnet for disorder removed.

Valerie Gilroy

Winnipeg