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Conservative reboot
Re Tories Move To Revive Faltering Campaign (Sept. 11): Stephen Harper's problem is not in getting his message out.
It is that his message is out.
Tom Brydges, Brampton, Ont.
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I agree with the readers who defended Stephen Harper after Margaret Wente's column, Why Stephen Harper Is Toast (Sept. 10). During the heat and hyperbole of election campaigning, it's easy to get caught up in emotion over sensitive issues. How quickly we have forgotten the stability and praise for our economic system after the 2008 financial crisis.
Stephen Harper is not the most charismatic leader, but he works quietly behind the scenes getting the job done. His response to the refugee crises is deliberate, thoughtful and prudent.
As we remember the recent events of 9/11, we should also remember that terrorists will capitalize on any opportunity to enter our country and plan future attacks. A haphazard, rushed approach to open the gates will not protect Canadians.
While the refugee situation is heartbreaking and requires urgent attention, we must take the time to carefully screen applicants. This will ensure the most deserving people are invited here.
Canada has been the envy of the world. Why would we change course now?
Jennifer D. Kravis, Oakville, Ont.
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The Conservative campaign is heading off the rails, and Stephen Harper can't find anyone within his team to get it back on track. He calls in Lynton Crosby, an Australian political guru, to rejuvenate the party's fortunes.
If the Conservative team is not ready to run its own campaign, how can Canadians have confidence they can run our country? Stephen Harper: "Just not ready." Nice hair though.
Paul Luoto, St. Thomas, Ont.
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A telltale sign that the wheels have fallen off the Conservative campaign is that there are more staffers under the bus than on it.
Jean-Pierre Villeneuve, Ottawa
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Left, to wonder
Jeffrey Simpson has correctly identified certain Conservative policies that may last for years in the areas of criminal justice and tax policy, including boutique tax-and-spend plans (Even If The Tories Lose, They Win On Key Issues – Sept. 11). Some of these can be disposed of by using another very Conservative strategy. Just sprinkle their demise throughout the new government's first omnibus bill.
Patrick Geale, Brampton, Ont.
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If Stephen Harper loses this election – and he assuredly does not deserve to – I plan to take comfort from rereading Jeffrey Simpson's column, although I very much doubt if that is what Mr. Simpson intended in writing it. One can but hope that the bedrock of economic and justice policy Mr. Harper has provided will support Canada until this misplaced enchantment with the hug-every-criminal, love-every-deficit politics of the left plays itself out.
Anna Mason Smith, Winnipeg
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Road to equality
Re Women Required To Register For War-Time Employment (Moment In Time – Sept. 11, 1942): Seventy-three years ago, a million women were recruited to fill jobs normally held by men. They did so successfully during and after the war, yet today women receive, on average, a fraction of men's salaries and are a minority in politics, senior management and on corporate boards.
Canada successfully fought for freedom but we still have a way to go when it comes to equality.
Marty Cutler, Toronto
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Life slows down
My husband and I could not help but chuckle as we read the Happy Trailers essay (Facts & Arguments, Sept. 11). We, too, are fairly recent converts to trailer living.
Our own getaway is in beautiful Prince Edward County; we always give a huge sigh of relief once we leave Highway 401 for the Loyalist Parkway. While our RV park is much smaller, the same cast of characters resides there.
Our neighbours are always willing to lend a hand or stop whatever they may be doing to chat. Life slows down at the trailer; it is a welcome change from the artifice and hustle of living in a large city. Compact living is indeed good for the soul.
Ingeborg James, Toronto
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Ban battery cages
It's an awkward moment when lawmakers find themselves playing ethical catch-up to the world's largest fast food restaurant; big business isn't exactly renowned for its moral integrity (First, The Chicken – editorial, Sept. 11).
But in Canada, that's exactly where the provincial and federal governments have found themselves after McDonald's said it is switching to cage-free eggs in its North American restaurants.
Despite a ban on battery cages being passed by the European Union more than a decade ago, no level of Canadian government has ever moved to restrict the intensive confinement of tens of millions of laying hens every year, and this practice has gone on unchecked.
Policy makers should take the hint and include a ban on the use of all cages in new animal-care standards currently being developed for the egg industry.
When even McDonald's knows it's the right thing to do, it's hard to argue otherwise.
Alanna Devine, Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, director of animal advocacy, Montreal
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HPV and boys
Re HPV Vaccine Coverage Ignores Boys (Sept. 10): HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. It is also self-limiting – most people clear the virus without treatment.
The incidence of cervical cancer in Canada has plummeted with Pap testing and treatment. Moreover, human papillomavirus vaccines do not prevent cancers: They prevent the transmission of a virus that could, in the right conditions, cause changes to cells that may lead to cancer.
There is little hard evidence that extending vaccination to boys is cost effective. A "comprehensive model" that shows "including boys in public HPV vaccination programs could save the health-care system between $8-million and $28-million in their lifetimes" (my emphases) just doesn't cut it.
Dr. Perry Kendall is correct to allow boys and men to self- identify as higher risk if they are having unprotected sexual activity with other men. He is a good steward of B.C.'s health dollars.
Lyba Spring, Sexual Health Education and Consulting Services, Toronto
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A grand-slam yuck
Players do it. Coaches and managers do it. It is shown to us, graphically, on the baseball broadcasts everyone is watching, including children.
There are more than 100 baseball-stat abbreviations, but this one is missing. SPGP: spitting-per-game percentage.
Herb Krol, Toronto