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What he says/means
I've been trying to figure out why I've become a Trump junky, because I've never been a fan of train wrecks and I know he's a dangerous idiot. The fact is, Donald Trump is onto something big. He's manipulated the anger and angst of displaced Americans (and Canadians and others), who have been left behind by the new economy brought about by free trade. He's highlighted economic changes of the past two-plus decades that have largely benefited the rich and left young and working-class people out in the cold.
The young, even those with degrees, are struggling to find good jobs. Their dream of home ownership has gone bust. Meanwhile, Forbes listed 1,826 billionaires in 2015 and, year after year, the rich increase their percentage of the national wealth at the expense of the poor.
That this shift in wealth has been escalating for a generation must, as Mr. Trump trumpets, be laid at the feet of our intellectual, bureaucratic and political leaders – the "elite" in other words. They have clearly lacked the ideas and will to reverse this trend.
So, while I applaud the op-ed screeds against his thinly veiled racism, misogyny and homophobia, not to mention his shocking lack of policy proposals, I'm delighted he has used his bully pulpit to demonstrate the fact that our economies are out of whack, serving the few rather than the many. After American voters dispose of Mr. Trump, we may thank him for giving the political establishment a wake-up call. Assuming, of course, they are listening.
Michael Craig, Owen Sound, Ont.
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Re In Reversal, Trump Says Islamic State Claim About Obama Was Sarcastic (Aug. 12): With Donald Trump, it seems one has to wait a day after he opens his mouth to actually find out from him what he thought he was saying the day before. It's sort of a lost-in-translation the day after. Then the process starts all over again. Does Mr. Trump need an official translator?
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
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Other way around?
Re China Set To Slam Door On Canadian Canola (Aug. 12): The wording of this headline got me thinking. If the situation were reversed and Canada wanted Chinese imports that make edible oil to have a quality standard where less then 1 per cent was extraneous plant material, what would the headline be?
I hope canola oil produced in Canada has stringent standards about the purity of the seed.
Masud Sheikh, Oakville, Ont.
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Women in politics
Re Looking To The Future Of Women – In Politics, And Beyond (Aug. 12): I lived in Kingston when Flora MacDonald stood for election. I didn't vote for her, mostly because I was an NDPer but also, I now believe, because I didn't quite take her seriously as a woman in politics.
I hope I've learned better.
I suspect Jane Taber is correct that women often contribute more positively to the political process than men. Having lived with a woman for 34 years, I am sure that they bring a different experience and perspective.
We have always needed that perspective, perhaps now more than ever. Look to the lineup of Chinese leaders. Look to the Middle East. Look south.
Richard Harris, Hamilton
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So very inspiring
Penny Oleksiak is a hero (Oleksiak Wins Gold In 100-Metre Freestyle – Sports, Aug. 12). She's a hero for winning four Olympic medals with all the commitment, tenacity and training that requires. She's a hero for bringing the beauty of amateur sport back into the spotlight.
She is a young woman from Tor-onto who has amazed the world at Rio, and made our nation very proud. At these Games in particular, with their ongoing discourse of doping and controversy, her performance has been a reminder of what amateur sport is all about.
Everything from her delay in turning around to acknowledge the first-place finish on the scoreboard (and the elated smile thereafter), the humility and honesty of a 16-year-old's postrace interviews, to watching her and her talented relay teammates give it their all in the pool and celebrate each other's contributions.
It's re-instilled a feeling of what makes amateur sport so inspiring. A huge congratulations to Penny Oleksiak, and a genuine thank you for all that she done in reminding us all of the true spirit and value of amateur sport.
Anne Rowan-Legg, Ottawa
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What a wonderful photograph on the front of Friday's Sports section. There they were, two young women, one black, one white, one American, the other Canadian, not glaring competitors but gleefully celebrating a joint, equal win after they dead-heated for gold.
Smiles and hugs from both Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak after the women's 100-metre freestyle. An absolute delight for everyone to rejoice in.
The spirit of the Olympics indeed. I was in tears.
Ann Strickland-Clark, Mississauga
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Disappoint? No need
Re Somebody Is Going To Be Disappointed (editorial, Aug. 11): So, opinions vary on the proposed sacrifice of treaty rights to the Site C dam, and governments need a "recognized process to arrive at answers"?
Well, there is a process. Fundamental justice requires neutral adjudication. This is why we have an international court for treaty interpretation.
Colonial states like Canada have deviated from this principle. We define treaty rights unilaterally. This is not neutral, especially when the Supreme Court does not include a single indigenous judge. Your presumption of conflict between consultation and the "free, prior and informed consent" required by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is a product of this error. The question is not which party gets a veto. The question is how both can respect their commitments.
The go-ahead given to Site C ignored both treaty rights and Canada's own environmental and economic review. Is this "due process" fit for a "free and democratic society"?
Grace Li Xiu, Vancouver
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This way forward
Re For Female Athletes, The Media's Sexism Is The Biggest Hurdle (Life & Arts, Aug. 12): It may be that there is hope yet, with younger people less likely to gender-stereotype in sports.
I practise a traditional form of karate, Legacy Shorin-ryu, in which students are expected to have knowledge of the history and philosophy of karate. At gradings, students are asked questions on these subjects.
The founder of Shorin-ryu karate is Sokon Matsumura. Matsumura was married to Yonamine Chiru, a noted martial artist in her own right, though often thought of simply as wife to Matsumura.
At a grading recently, a young boy was asked the question, "Who was Matsumura?" The usual answer would be something like, "the founder of our style of karate." The boy answered: "He was Yonamine Chiru's husband."
The instructor paused for a moment, then he smiled and said, "That's absolutely right! Thank you."
The boy passed his grading.
Anne Barnfield, London, Ont.