Cause to celebrate
Thank you, thank you for the front-page, absolutely heart-warming story about Vancouver student Somaya Amiri (Once Barred From School In Afghanistan, Teen Wins Prestigious Canadian Scholarship – Feb.25). What a beautiful, good news (only in Canada!) message that will give hope to many new Canadians.
Nancy Birtch, Aurora, Ont.
.........
In the midst of this long, brutal winter, how heart-warming to find the glowing face of Somaya Amiri, winner of a Loran scholarship, front and centre in Wednesday's Globe and Mail.
We desperately need such reminders of how much gumption, vitality and dedication new immigrants bring to this country.
Gail McLaren, Lakefield, Ont.
.........
WMD – and popcorn
It's Weapons of Mass Destruction, The Sequel (Ottawa Backs Netanyahu's 'Fears' Of Iran's Nuclear Threat – Feb. 25). In this version, the same central cast is set to again join the lead actor, the believable Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. We also have U.S. Republican stalwarts John R. Bolton, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz and the slew of Republican presidential contenders for 2016. This take will be introducing Stephen Harper cast as cheerleader.
With Sheldon Adelson, a core Republican Party financial backer, on side, the well-funded special effects are going to be wonderful. This film is sure to be a big hit, just like the first movie filmed in Iraq. Bring on the popcorn.
Bill Bousada, Ottawa
.........
Patrick Martin's article on the Iranian atomic program emphasizes differences of opinion between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mossad on Iran's estimated timeline for obtaining nuclear weapons capability (Mossad Contradicted Israeli PM On Iran – Feb. 24). Analysts worldwide, from Israel to Europe, and from the Sunni bloc to the United States, are virtually unanimous in their concern that Iran very much intends to possess the means to build a nuclear bomb. The debate is not about "if," but "when."
As an Iranian-Canadian pro-democracy activist, I can tell you that an Iranian nuclear weapon would be a disaster for human rights in Iran. This is a regime that stones women, hangs gay Iranians and imprisons Christians, Bahais and political opponents.
With a nuclear weapon, regime change from within – which the Iranian people desperately seek – would be even more difficult and dangerous than it is today.
Sayeh Hassan, Toronto
.........
Norway did
Your editorial about how Alberta's government (and its citizens; I've been one for 34 years) has squandered the good fortunes of the land (oil) is the truth (Hole In Edmonton; Culprits Identified – Feb. 25).
But your final comment is wanting. "Alberta spent its good fortune, while Norway saved" is only half the truth. Alberta never collected its good fortune through proper royalties. Norway did.
Victor Steel, Fort McMurray, Alta.
.........
A new low?
Re NDP's Chicken Clucking Raises Fowl Tone In B.C. Over Liberal Lobbyists (Feb. 24): It was B.C. Liberal Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson who did the squawking, not the NDP.
B.C.'s legislature has sometimes been described as a zoo but Mr. Wilkinson's "chicken coup" epithet is a new low. Even more troubling was Speaker Linda Reid's failure to enforce anything close to parliamentary decorum.
Norman Ruff, Victoria
.........
Economists' magic
The Bank of Canada Governor weighs in on the state of Canada's fragile economy and may defer a rate cut (Poloz Signals Rate Cut Not Imminent – Feb. 25).
In the U.S., the head of the Fed is preparing for rate hikes as a resurgent economy picks up steam.
Not to worry. Economists will do their magic, run their latest computer models of national and global economies and keep things under control.
So why am I a tad nervous?
Maybe because I remember economist John Kenneth Galbraith's admonition: "The purpose of studying economics is not to acquire a set of ready-made answers to economic questions, but to learn how to avoid being deceived by economists."
Caveat emptor!
Jack Cassan, Toronto
.........
TFSA promises
Re Tories Forecast Rising Old Age Security Costs (Feb. 25): A 2012 Parliamentary Budget Officer report showed that Old Age Security was sustainable and affordable before the unnecessary decision to increase the age of eligibility from 65 to 67.
The cost of the program, as a percentage of our GDP, actually declines over time.
The Conservative government has found billions for corporate tax cuts, income-splitting and is planning an incredibly costly promise to give the wealthiest Canadians huge tax breaks through expanding Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA). While the Conservatives have managed to help the privileged, their cuts to seniors' pensions – like cuts to health transfers and Employment Insurance – will fall hardest on the most vulnerable Canadians.
Paul Moist, national president, Canadian Union of Public Employees
.........
Re Tories' TFSA Promise Would Eat Economy 'Out Of House And Home,' Report Finds (Feb. 24): TFSAs are tax-free because the money that goes into them is after-tax income. Encouraging Canadians to save, for whatever purpose, is a good thing.
TFSAs don't take cash out of your neighbours' pockets – the way social programs do – through taxes. They encourage you to put your hand in your own pocket and save. There is a mean-spirited streak in this country that doesn't want anyone to benefit from what they don't have – no matter how hard the other guy worked for it!
Jessica French, Regina
.........
(De)bunker theories
Re Secret York U Bunker Puzzles Police (Feb. 25): Nefarious, sinister, ominous? Or possibly just the work of some who are trying to circumvent Toronto's real estate prices and winter temperatures?
Helen Godfrey, Toronto
.........
Maybe it's just a place where Leafs fans can hide rather than face yet-another disappointing season.
Gilles Coughlan, Ottawa
.........
Detective William Murdoch would've told you a century ago that the tunnel is the work of either scalawags or ne'er-do-wells. Round them all up for questioning, he'd have said: They may have been aided and abetted by riff-raff hell bent on skulduggery.
But Constable George Crabtree would have suspected those albino mole-people: Dust everything for finger marks with fine powdered sugar if you can locate some.
Brian Beckett, Nepean, Ont.
.........
It's fairly easy to explain Toronto's mystery hole. Those smart students were simply digging toward the Earth's core – where it's apparently around 6,000 C – to get warm. And if they'd asked me along, I'd have joined them.
Gordon S. Findlay, Toronto