Scotland: yes, no
"Should Scotland be an independent country?" As an erstwhile marketing researcher, I judge this question to be biased in favour of a "yes" response. Why? Because it omits the alternative.
A more balanced query would be: "Should Scotland be an independent country, OR should it remain as part of the United Kingdom?" And, indeed, to be even more completely free from bias, the sequence of the two alternatives should be reversed in half the cases – though this would probably be asking too much.
As it is, I predict a "yes" result, though only partially a function of an inappropriately biased question.
Richard W. Crosby (former president, Canadian Association of Marketing Research Organizations), Toronto
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Scotland in the 17th century was riven by clan loyalties and religious divisions. After the Acts of Union in 1707, Scotland became part of a unified country with a flourishing modern economy and internationally recognized circle of writers and philosophers. Adam Smith, David Hume and Sir Walter Scott all freely acknowledged the benefits of the union with England.
Scots may now learn too late the importance of the United Kingdom not only to their economy, but to all that makes them proud about Scotland.
Nicholas Hudson, Vancouver
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British PM David Cameron is absolutely right – to use one of his favourite expressions – to offer changes in government powers to remove inequities suffered by Scotland. Over three centuries, Westminster has treated Scotland with condescension, sometimes contempt. But at least new policies are now on the table.
I only hope those voting in the referendum will have the sense to recognize that when something can be fixed you do just that – you don't destroy it.
Peter S. Badenoch, Windsor, Ont.
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Bonnie Prince Charlie was not the least bit interested in Scottish independence. He sought to restore the house of Stuart to the throne of a united Great Britain.
The 1745 uprising that culminated in the battle of Culloden was not a war between the Scots and the English. Rather, it was the last gasp of a dynastic struggle between two branches of the Royal Family. It was a civil war. There were Scots on both sides.
Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was largely composed of Scottish Highlanders, but there were many Highlanders on the winning Hanoverian side.
In fact, there were MacInneses on both sides at Culloden.
Norman MacInnes, Toronto
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As an Englishman, I declare my support for the Yes side. I don't want to be associated with a country that inflicted golf and curling on the world.
Norman Temple, Edmonton
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World's climate
We deny climate change because we spend our lives indoors (The Perfect Storm of Climate Change – Sept. 15). Masai people in remote parts of Kenya that I visited this summer are convinced, because they experience its reality every day – unusual weather, rainy and dry seasons changed, the grasses not growing long enough to thatch their huts.
We could see the same evidence for ourselves, if we wanted to – and then we would have good reason to make the necessary changes.
Peter Denton, Winnipeg
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In the past 20 years or so, temperatures have remained statistically flat while carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise. This observation is more compelling than computer models that prophesize doom and gloom 50 years into the future.
While there may be many great reasons to stop pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, global warming, or whatever we're calling it these days, doesn't appear to be one of them.
Michael Ashby, Toronto
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Ground the bag fees
Re WestJet To Charge Some Travellers For First Checked Bag (Sept. 15): As a Calgarian studying in Toronto, it is bad enough that we already have to pay over $600 for a round trip within our own country. Add baggage fees and we might as well walk across Canada!
There has to be a point where the intervention of government must draw a demarcation line between industry and citizens.
Not to mention that Air Canada is expected to quickly follow suit. Where is the regard for those who can already barely afford to meet their families once or twice a year?
I implore those with power and influence to act against these fees.
Omar Farooq, Maple, Ont.
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CBC? $3 a month
Re CBC Says It Can't Afford To Be Free Any More (Report on Business, Sept. 13): CRTC chair Jean-Pierre Blais says the CBC needs a subscriber fee of $25-$30 a month to provide free TV to the nation.
If indeed there are some 11 million cable and satellite subscribers in Canada, and CBC's ad revenues are about $330-million a year, a fee of about $3 per cable/satellite subscriber per month would rid the CBC of the need for advertising.
Christopher Waddell has it right when he says it's time to think of public broadcasting "as more about content." Surely the only real reason to have a public broadcaster is to feature the type of content that cannot be seen on ad-revenue-driven channels.
One hopes the CRTC will see through the often self-serving demands from the broadcast industry and use this opportunity to reshape the broadcast landscape. It's about time!
Jon Nicholls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
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When pain bites
Re Dental Fees Drive Patients Away, Panel Says (Sept. 13): Our research in Ontario has found that they also drive people to hospital emergency rooms and physicians when the dental pain becomes unbearable. Some 217,000 people turned to doctors and emergency rooms in 2013, costing Ontario's health-care system at least $34-million. But all they can get is pain medication – no dental treatment of the problem because care of teeth and gums is not covered by medicare.
Provinces need to redirect these funds and top them up to create accessible, public oral-health care programs for low-income children, adults and seniors.
Jacquie Maund, Association of Ontario Health Centres
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T.O.'s next mayor
Re 'The Ford Era Has To Come To An End' (Sept. 15): By delaying his entry into the mayoralty fray, Doug Ford may be letting John Tory harm his own campaign without any help from Mr. Ford.
Mr. Tory tells his canvassers "A Ford is a Ford. Have you driven one lately?" – thereby insulting a whole swath of Ford-owning voters in the process. Mr. Tory's demeanour is not confident and assured, but cocky and arrogant.
The race is his to lose. He may be well on his way. Déjà vu?
Cassandra King, Clementsport, N.S.
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Now we know why those bobbleheads always looked so much more like Doug than Rob Ford.
Michael Locke, Toronto