Canada's war?
Military action in Iraq is "noble"?
Maybe yes, maybe no (Harper Lays Groundwork For Combat In Iraq – Oct. 1). But is there a viable plan? Other than bomb everything in sight and hope it turns out better than last time, which obviously was a complete fiasco.
Ross Hedley, West Vancouver
.........
Canada does not need to be dragged into this war, which could escalate alarmingly (Canada Needs War Debate – Oct. 1).
Bombing has never destroyed corruption, sectarianism or incompetence. If ever a debate was needed, it is now when we have a Prime Minister who does not believe in opposition of any kind. Like Churchill, I prefer jaw jaw to war war. Bring on the debate.
Margaret van Dijk, Toronto
.........
The Canadian government would take a big risk by inserting our combat forces into the Iraqi-Syrian conundrums. The situation in the region is far more complicated than it was when the United States occupied Iraq and found itself in the midst of a civil war.
The Islamic State is the byproduct of the complex wars that have been going on in the region for many years. The governments of Iraq and Syria are both involved in civil wars that have been influenced by the competing interests of the regional powers of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and international players such as the U.S. and Russia. This is a deeply regional problem and the region must take its ownership.
The West has an important role to play but it must not be direct military involvement.
Ali Orang, Richmond Hill, Ont.
.........
Islamic State is evil. Pure evil.
Evil doesn't just go away on its own. I'm glad we have a Prime Minister who refuses to hide from that fact.
Shannon Murphy, St. John's
.........
If a nation endeavours to fulfill its responsibility to both protect its citizens and support its allies when circumstances require such action, then the case for war already exists.
Islamic State has massacred both unarmed civilians and captured combatants. Its members have beheaded foreign nationals and are threatening death to people who hold religious beliefs other than theirs. They have issued direct threats to Canada and have recruited Canadian citizens to join their reign of terror.
To compare their actions to the conflicts between the Israelis and Palestinians, and the Ukrainians and Russians is wrong at all levels. Those are localized conflicts between two parties. The parties are not threatening to expand these specific conflicts to other countries nor are they making public and explicit threats to Canada or any of her allies.
Gary Krieger, Toronto
.........
Joe Oliver replies
Re Growing Economy Will Cut Debt: Oliver (Oct. 1): Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said that budgets balance themselves, which makes no sense. Balanced budgets require a plan and the discipline to follow it. I said that debt as a percentage of GDP will decline as the economy grows, which is a statement of fact, on the obvious assumption that we balance our budgets.
Joe Oliver, Minister of Finance
.........
Hats off, officers
The announcement that the Ministry of Public Safety will overturn a decision by the RCMP to replace muskrat hats with woollen tuques is yet another indication of the absurdity taking over Ottawa these days (Tories Overturn RCMP Move To Reduce Use Of Fur Hats – Oct. 1).
The RCMP made its decision after considering concerns from staff and the public, and conducting cold-weather tests of alternative hats. The "iconic" fur hats were not to be eliminated completely; their numbers were to be reduced by issuing them only in extreme winter conditions.
Most Canadians would consider a government agency making a significant cost reduction by replacing expensive, unnecessary fur hats with woollen tuques to be a sensible move. Instead, Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq dismissed the decision as a plot by "radical animal-rights activists" that would not be permitted. Reducing government costs is not radical. Reducing unnecessary animal suffering is not radical.
A Conservative government overturning cost-saving measures? Now that's radical – and completely irrational.
Sheryl Fink, director, Canadian Wildlife Campaigns International Fund for Animal Welfare
.........
Carry-on casualties
Re Air Canada Begins Enforcing Carry-On Sizing Regulations (Report on Business, Oct. 1): The "carry-on baggage" metal frame has been in place in front of every airline check-in desk for at least 20 years. Airlines have not insisted on its use. These frames are also located at the departure gate. Again, no enforcement.
Assuming 20 per cent of the passengers are in fact transporting "oversized" pieces, can the baggage hold accept the additional volume? Baggage handlers will have more volume with which to contend, on/off loading will increase ramp/turnaround times and incur delays.
It would be interesting to evaluate this situation in a month.
John Scott, Rockwood, Ont.
.........
$300,000 well spent
Initially, I could not believe the outcry over the $300,000 spent on a free flight home in a Canadian Forces Airbus for EU representatives here to discuss free trade (Controversial Part Of Canada-EU Trade Deal May Be Left Out Of U.S. Talks – Sept. 29).
Stephen Harper has not only the right, but the obligation to do what he thinks best in moving free trade forward and confirming its value in the minds of these visitors. If Mr. Harper believed it was of benefit to change plans at the last minute and bring these EU visitors to a place where their resolve to proceed might be strengthened, it was his obligation as Prime Minister to make such changes: $300,000 is a pittance if it paid off in positive benefits.
I am embarrassed by the pettiness of the flak from the mouths of opportunists digging for chinks in the Harper government. What must Europeans think of their potential trading partner in light of this ridiculous outburst?
Theresa Moylan, Victoria
.........
This way out …
The Globe noted a number of White House trespassing incidents of some concern, but one of the biggest in history was left off your survey (The White House's List Of Uninvited Guests Continues To Grow – Oct. 1).
In 1829, after the inauguration of Andrew Jackson, some 20,000 revellers headed to the executive mansion to celebrate and welcome the new "people's president." The "rabble mob" paraded through the White House, breaking a few dishes and generally causing a scene that did not impress the political class.
The president was hustled away to the National Hotel for a dinner to escape the crowd, while tubs of whisky were set up on the front lawn to lure the hoi polloi out.
In a wonderful turn of phrase, senator James Hamilton of South Carolina described the whole scene as "regular Saturnalia."
J.D.M. Stewart, Toronto