'Twas the season
This season, I was increasingly vexed about offering "Merry Christmas." The combination of secularization and religious diversity made me worry that my heartfelt greeting might not have been appreciated. The commonplace alternatives of "Happy Holidays" and "Season's Greetings" seemed hollow. Catching the spirit of the times, I've settled for: "Have a boisterous Boxing Day."
Peter Woolstencroft, Waterloo, Ont.
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Warren Clement's politically astute versions of Christmas songs are true genius (Here We Come A-Wassailing – editorial, Dec. 24). "Ghomeshi, merry gentlemen"? "O little town of But-Not-Him"? Thank you for the tidings of Clements and joy.
Jo Meingarten, Toronto
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Letter writer Peter Dielissen wonders why Christmas comes more often, now that he's in his 60s (A Christmas Mystery – Dec. 24). The reason is because life is like toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it unrolls.
Walter Wells, Toronto
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$10,000 is a start
Re Ontario Grits To Pay Back $10,000 Related To Gas Plants Probe (Dec. 24): It is encouraging that the Liberal Party of Ontario is doing the right thing, and covering the costs of allegedly wiping hard drives in former premier Dalton McGuinty's office to eliminate e-mails about the gas plant cancellations. In keeping with that spirit, there's the $1-billion taxpayers paid for the actual cancellation fees and another $1-billion for the eHealth scandal, not to mention the MaRS fiasco.
When can we expect payment?
Robert S. Sciuk, Oshawa, Ont.
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By-election roulette?
Re Manning Says Sorry For Urging Defection (Dec. 23): So Preston Manning says he should have urged the Wildrose defectors to do "more consultation with constituents" before debunking en masse to join the government, gutting the Official Opposition in the process? Ya think?
How about even some consultation with constituents? Better yet, do the consulting with a by-election. Let them play roulette with their careers, not our votes.
Miriam Thomas, Edmonton
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I am at a loss to understand why there is not legislation in place at all levels requiring defectors to stand down so a by-election can be held in their ridings. Danielle Smith and the eight politicians who crossed the floor with her were elected as Wildrose MLAs. Now, they no longer represent the voters who cast their ballots for them as Wildrose MLAs. As such, it seems patently wrong to me that they can continue as members in a legislature in such a faithless and perfidious manner.
The only way to correct this situation is that they be prepared to put their new loyalties to the test and stand for election under their new party colours.
How such people, particularly Ms. Smith, can live with themselves is quite baffling. It makes lawyers look like pillars of virtue!
Michael Edwards, Toronto
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The defection of the "Wildrose Nine" to the Alberta Progressive Conservatives has prompted calls for by-elections if elected politicians cross the floor.
But what happens if a caucus wants to kick out someone? What if a party leader does something that justifies caucus members quitting or rebelling, such as breaking a campaign promise? Do we force caucuses to continue to accept everyone elected under that party banner? Would a by-election be necessary if someone merely sits as an independent?
This idea of requiring by-elections has not been thought out and is probably unworkable.
Brian Graff, Toronto
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2014's whirling fan
As 2014 draws to a close, it's time to review some lists. Competition is fierce in the Most Dysfunctional Organization of the Year category.
CBC is a strong contender from the world of culture (Post-Ghomeshi, Is The CBC Coming Apart At The Seams? – Dec. 1). Representing education, we have the Toronto District School Board (Behind The Bitter Tensions At The Toronto School Board – Nov. 29). From the always reliable political field, there's Mike Duffy and the Senators (Mike Duffy's Senate Expenses Trial Slated For Spring 2015 – Sept. 23).
Sports is represented by a newcomer, the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games Organizing Committee (Taxpayers On Hook For Pan AM Expenses – Dec. 13), which beat out perennial contender Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment in the qualification round. However, MLSE is nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award.
May the worst organization win.
Tim Jeffery, Toronto
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It seems the news always has one or more of the following topics in the same edition: oil pipelines for here and there, cargo trains and oil tankers ferrying dangerous products, a proposed new dam, global weather patterns doing a new, less predictable dance, pollution on a scary scale, cities that can't maintain an effective infrastructure due to rapid growth, a Prime Minister who is more concerned with ideology than reality.
Why not face the truth and address the underlying world-wide cause: too many people driven by capitalism and greed wanting to live like royalty in a one-room planet with limited resources, and therefore choking its ability to regenerate itself?
Mix this with short-sighted politicians looking for votes to sooth their egos, and we have a package getting closer to the whirling fan.
Bill Bousada, Carleton Place, Ont.
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Vaccine bargains
Re There's No Point in Trying to Outscream Anti-Vaxxers (Dec. 22); Vaccine Misspending (letters, Dec. 23): Disease prevention is almost always cheaper than disease treatment. This has been clearly shown in Australia, where the HPV vaccine for school-age girls was introduced in 2006.
Yes, the death rate from cancer of the cervix has decreased substantially since the introduction of pap tests. However, the cost of investigation alone (without treatment) of abnormal pap tests costs Canadians $50-million a year. This is a small cost compared to actual cervical cancer treatment. And how do you put a price on a preventable death?
The percentage of oropharyngeal cancers caused by high-risk HPVs has increased exponentially in the past decade. The only economic controversy left for HPV vaccine is whether boys should be immunized as well.
Most of the economic analysis has centred on cervical cancer. It is highly likely in the future, when there is enough data about other HPV-related cancers, that HPV vaccine will prove to be an even greater bargain than it already is.
Deborah Seibel, MD, Regina
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Droning on …
Re Rise Of The Drones (editorial, Dec. 23): You note the hazards posed by the increasing use of drones. I expect to see a lot more articles in the future, such as:
"Delivery drone drops package too early – customer injured";
"Pet cat mistakenly taken away by delivery drone";
"Delivery drone delivers package, but refuses to leave without tip."
John Pope, Victoria