Critical mass
In his commentary An Absence Of Critical Thinking (Aug. 21), Allan Levine is critical of groups that oppose local community mosque projects, including the proposed Cordoba House near Ground Zero in New York, calling their behaviour “contrary to the tenets of critical thinking.” He quotes educational psychologist Linda Elder earlier in his piece: “People who think critically consistently attempt to live rationally, reasonably and empathetically. They work diligently to develop ... confidence in reason.”
I cannot help but see the irony in this, for where is critical thinking and rationality when it comes to any religion, Islam or otherwise?
Gordon Launcelott, Halifax
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Allan Levine’s case for the value of “critical thinking” shows what it contends. It is persuasive because it is “fair-minded” and “self-disciplined,” because it is grounded and broadly aware. Educational psychology converges with reading on an international scope and with experience in the classroom. Levine also shows what the alternative, uncritical thinking, can create. Mr. Levine’s area of study, history, is not alone in the humanities and social sciences in needing, increasingly, to argue for the importance and value of what its best practitioners instill.
Kenneth Mills, professor and chair, Department of History, University of Toronto
Parenting 101
It is certainly a sad state of affairs when we are faced with articles highlighting the benefits of using a wardrobe or image consultant for children (Dreading Back-To-School Shopping With Junior? Let A Pro Handle It – Life, Aug. 21). If the hardest part of your day is buying back-to-school clothes for your child that you can both agree on, consider yourself fortunate. As a mother of three girls, I feel embarrassed for anyone who honestly believes that enlisting the services of a wardrobe consultant is “building [a child’s] self-esteem.”
What will be left for parents to do if we outsource every basic parenting function? Seriously, if you cannot do something as fundamental as outfitting your children for school, maybe you shouldn’t have any.
Stephanie Donovan, Toronto
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Bring back the school uniform, I say, to reduce competitiveness between teens, and to save time and money for parents.
Judith Henderson, Duncan, B.C.
A Canadian in Iran
It is horrifying that Hamid Ghassemi-Shall has been unjustly held in Iran for over two years, under a death sentence, no less. To compound the sickening situation, our Canadian government has barely reacted (Please Don’t Abandon A Canadian In Need – Aug. 21).
I have spoken to several MPs and officials over the past few months, only to be politely told that they can do little to help because Mr. Ghassemi-Shall is a Canadian citizen with dual citizenship. Should that free them of the obligation to demand Iranian officials treat this Canadian fairly and openly? Even if he were not Canadian, he is the innocent pawn of a regime with an agenda against the Western world.
Frances Moore, Aurora, Ont.
People power
Tom Flanagan, in his article about the long-form census (Should We Just Shut Up And Do What Statistics Canada Tells Us? – Aug. 20), points to the link between the words “statistics” and “state,” before suggesting that it is inappropriate for the state to gather detailed information about its citizens. What he fails to mention, however, is that in a democracy “L’état, c’est nous.”
Elizabeth Marsland, Qualicum Beach, B.C.
Lessons from the past
I applaud Rod Mickleburgh for his article Let’s Stop The Posturing About Prospective Refugees (Aug. 20). Let us not forget the decision of former prime minister William Lyon Mackenzie King when the MS St. Louis asked permission to dock in the Canadian safe harbour of Halifax in 1939. The boat was carrying more than 900 German Jews trying to escape persecution by the Nazis. Mackenzie King rejected the request and the boat returned to Europe. Many on the boat eventually perished during the Second World War.
