The terror
Re ‘We Are At War’ (front page, Jan. 8): With guys with explosives in their underpants? Barack Obama has officially jumped the shark.
Richard Bingham, Toronto
The fear
I took comfort from reading Judith Timson’s column It’s Time To Break Our Fear Addiction (Life, Jan. 8). She admitted that the media are, in part, to blame for their constant sky-is-falling refrain. Nevertheless, she advised us to say things such as “but, of course,” as the French do in the face of disaster, and to be aware that, no matter how often we fly, statistics show we are likely to survive. I actually began to feel better.
Then I turned a page and found this blaring headline: Passengers In Economy Class Have Higher Risk Of Catching H1N1. Good grief, I was back where I started. But nice try, Ms. Timson.
Jim Regan, Dundas, Ont.
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People in economy class are much more likely to be infected with swine flu than people in first class? That’s a shocker. Does the government know about this? Simple solution, I guess, is that everyone buys the more expensive seats. Hmm, just a second now ...
Robin Collins, Ottawa
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So, new body scanners at all major Canadian airports by spring (13 Items, Endless Questions – front page, Jan. 8)? Wonder how long it’ll take for that “enhanced security surcharge” to be added to the airfare.
Pierre Home-Douglas, Dorval, Que.
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If the Canadian Transportation Agency thinks it can create a nut-free zone in a plane with a closed air-circulation system (Reserve Nut-Free Seats, Watchdog Tells Air Canada – Report on Business, Jan. 8), it’s, well, nuts.
Brian Cornelson, Toronto
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Canadian Matthew Salmon has a degree in world religion, is currently studying Arabic in Yemen and plans to get his master’s degree in Islamic studies (Failed Bomber Had ‘No Animosity,’ Canadian Recalls – Jan. 8). Good luck trying to get on a plane.
Michelle Gage, Toronto
Suspended politics
Let me assure the anonymous “top Conservative organizer in Ontario” that concern over the prorogation of Parliament is hardly a media creation (Concern Over Suspension Of Parliament Grows, Poll Finds – Jan. 8). The media are doing their jobs, but Canadians already knew Parliament was not only a place where work got done but also the daily point of accountability for those doing that work. Perhaps that’s the point the anonymous organizer and his better-known colleagues wish to avoid.
Andrea Laforet, Peterborough, Ont.
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Stephen Harper should stop tickling the ivories and face the music.
M.J. McKenty, Winnipeg
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Rather than ask ordinary Canadians what Ottawa’s spending priorities should be (Harper Asking Canadians For Budget Advice – Jan. 8), perhaps the Prime Minister should reconvene Parliament and ask our MPs instead. After all, they’re the people we elected to speak for us.
Daina Di Veto, Lynden, Ont.
Constitutional showdown?
Jeffrey Simpson (An Altered State Of Affairs? – Jan. 8) is absolutely right: The Supreme Court has already determined that unilateral Senate reform by the federal government is impossible. True to his actions to date, Stephen Harper’s next step is clear: Abolish the Supreme Court, or at least cut its budget so it can no longer function effectively.
Peter Weinrich, Victoria
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Our government’s Senate reform commitments, including the term limits bill introduced in the last session, are within the constitutional authority of Parliament (Senate Reform Plan Sparks Standoff With Provinces – front page, Jan. 7). In 1965, senators’ term limits were first curbed when Parliament, acting alone, amended the Constitution Act to limit the appointment of senators “for life” to mandatory retirement at 75.
We have introduced the necessary legislation at various times to begin the process of reforming the Senate, but, so far, Liberal senators have refused to pass it. Ironically, opposition politicians and some pundits oppose the democratization of the Senate as much as they oppose Senate appointments. It is the provinces’ choice if they do not wish to participate in Senate reform.
Steven Fletcher, Minister of State for Democratic Reform, Ottawa
Learning to pay our way
Yes, there’s an upfront cost to green power (The High Cost Of Green Power – Jan. 8). But it’s better to pay the real cost of power now rather than hiding it in subsidies and forcing our children to pay off our debts.
