Letters, Sept 26

Important lessons lost

Re: Parents still in charge amid health curriculum overhaul: premier, Sept. 23

The premier’s assurance that parents could continue to “opt-out” their children from health education classes on the premise that specific topics clash with their “personal beliefs” is, at once, disappointing and concerning.

To be blunt, such an approach is Trumpian. It condones “othering.”

The new curriculum content is intended to provide students with factual information that will help keep them safe from myriad physical, emotional and mental harms while also providing opportunities to develop understanding, respect and compassion for their fellow humans.

Given the assorted factors challenging everyone’s well-being in today’s world and our ever-widening societal divide, it would seem irresponsible to allow parents to intentionally deny their kids in knowledge and tools that will equip them for life.

Topics such as setting boundaries in relationships, identifying online luring tactics and recognizing and mitigating risks in their various forms, are intended to do just that.

J Fiedler, of the Sexual Education Resource Centre, got it right in saying: “This content, however, should not be optional when gender-based violence, HIV, homophobia, transphobia and digital exploitation are happening in Manitoba.”

Amen to that.

Laurie Nealin

Winnipeg

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Sharing election issues

The Free Press published a poll showing very low interest in Winnipeg’s Oct. 28 municipal election.

Please be advised that there are a number of groups working very hard to raise awareness of the issues in our city. Seniors for Climate MB has volunteers meeting with all ward candidates to raise their awareness of citizens concerns.

Other groups like the People’s Climate Mandate, Trees Please Winnipeg and OURS Winnipeg have all been reaching out to candidates.

All Winnipeggers should find out where the candidates stand on issues and vote. The Free Press should help by publishing as much information about candidates as possible.

Pat Wally, Chair

Seniors for Climate MB

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More women needed

For all the coverage around the mayoral election — and there is certainly a lot of shenanigans to cover from the Russ Wyatt fiasco to the outpouring of apathy about the whole thing — I remain a little disheartened at the absence of substantial discussion around gender representation amongst the candidates.

Among the 12 individuals that have officially declared their intention to run for mayor, only Tracey Drexler has felt supported enough by her community to consider giving it a shot as a woman.

Are the people of this city really expected to believe that of all the incredibly talented, strong and powerful women in this city there is only one who feels qualified enough for the job of mayor?

As Canadians, we take a lot of pride in our egalitarianism, the goal of striving for a moral equitable society. I don’t know how we can say we’re making progress in that direction when one gender is represented by only eight per cent of candidates available.

I think that’s a crying shame and I’d stand behind any initiative out there trying to change this imbalance.

Roger Ward

Winnipeg

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Do your part

What can Manitobans do to reduce the climate crisis? More than most think!

No government-operated vehicles or machines at the municipal, provincial or even the federal levels should operate on fossil fuels in Manitoba. This ban could be extended to government supported agencies.

More charging stations ought to be provided as soon as possible. Businesses and industries in Manitoba ought to be encouraged to use only non-fossil fuels machines or other equipment.

Individuals ought to pitch in to mitigate climate problems. Consumers now enjoy the ease of on-line shopping. This ought to diminish.

Do we need more electric tooth brushes or packaging? Can we reuse those utilities we needed decades ago and can we recycle that box from acquired grocery or other items and can we minimize the use of pure water needed in such things as toilets?

Even turning off lights not needed in the night and when one is not in a room will help the climate to heal. The city and other governments are finding it a challenge to keep up with extra sewage and run-off pollutants.

We despair at the world’s attempt to keep up with climate change and increasing warmth. It appears citizens must assist if possible.

AI appears unable to solve these problems and the oil companies and robot makers need grassroots assistance.

Barry Hammond

Winnipeg

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Getting darker

Re: No turning back

I picked up my Free Press Thursday morning at the end of my driveway at about seven a.m.

It was dark, quite dark with heavy clouds and showers.

I realized while walking back into the house that it was going to get darker progressively later each morning right through to about Dec. 21 and that there would be no turning back the clock in early November to restore an hour’s light in the morning.

Dark and getting darker until the sun rises at about 9:30 a.m. in late December.

I always looked forward to that ‘fall-back weekend’ in early November to help me get through the cooler, darker autumn days. Not any more. Just dark and getting darker!

I’ve never suffered from anxiety before but this morning darkness is going to test me.

Cameron Laxdal

Dugald

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Hellebuyck’s treatment

Regarding Connor Hellebuyck’s request for a trade from the Jets, there has been a lot of speculation that he and his family’s treatment following the Olympics is the main motivating force. I have no trouble believing this.

The local media was especially brutal when he, along with most of his team, accepted Trump’s invitation to the Oval Office, received a standing ovation in Congress and accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

At the time it was said his attendance and acceptance of the medal was a “political act” and that he showed an “insulting lack of awareness.” Elsewhere he was called a fool and journalists indicated their “profound disappointment in him.”

Then the online trolls got involved and attacks were launched at his family and especially his wife.

We have just learned that these escalated to the point of the Jets security and even the RCMP being involved.

I felt at the time that this criticism was unwarranted and unfair and Winnipeg would likely pay a price. Why these journalists and the others involved would think that a young American hockey player, at the pinnacle of his career, should take up Canada’s cause against the U.S. was and still is baffling to me.

And here is the thing. Two months later, in April, Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen was invited to the Oval Office to meet Trump and he attended along with his team. In August he accepted the Congressional Space Medal of Honor from, again, Trump himself.

Where was the criticism of him from the journalists and online trolls? If anything it should have been worse as here was a Canadian toadying up to Trump and accepting U.S. awards, and yet… crickets.

My point is not that Hansen deserved to be criticized. My point is that neither of these people deserved it, although only Hellebuyck got it and really he deserved it least.

And my last point is that hypocrisy is a suit that doesn’t fit anyone well. I hope these people are happy with their choices.

Best goalie in the world and they ran him out of town.

Rob McConnell

Winnipeg