Solitary, tolerated
Re 'I Don't Understand Why We Tolerate This' (Dec. 11): Canadians tolerate inappropriate treatment of offenders, such as overuse of solitary confinement, because we don't want to see or deal with difficult, seriously mentally ill people or pay for the treatment facilities they desperately need.
Why does a young girl like Ashley Smith end up in a federal penitentiary? Because there is no place else for her to go. It's easy to act horrified after the fact and blame Correctional Service of Canada, but we are, as Canadians, all responsible for this situation.
Janet Milne, Ottawa
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I've always believed experience is a great teacher. Maybe, then, the next PM or justice minister should have to spend a month or so in solitary before being allowed to take office. And maybe the next head of the CIA should have to spend a day or two being waterboarded before taking up his or her post. Attitudes toward these disgusting, dehumanizing practices would change quickly.
Nigel Bennett, Stratford, Ont.
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Your coverage has been too one-sided. While I suspect the prison system makes far too much use of solitary confinement, I really do not know that without also reading articles written from the prison system's perspective. Let's not forget, prisoners are in jail for a reason. In particular, to what extent is solitary confinement used to protect prison officials and other prisoners from dangerous or disruptive prisoners?
We've seen the articles on Eddie Snowshoe. What about the man he shot? How has his physical and mental health held up since then?
Timothy Lawrence, Waterloo, Ont.
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In cases of torture
Re Prosecute U.S. Leaders Who Okayed Abuses, UN Officials Say (Dec. 11): Of course the U.S. should prosecute torturers at the highest level: Torture is a grave crime under international law.
But Barack Obama effectively offered immunity in 2012, and the Senate Intelligence report may have been released precisely because there was little likelihood of further action. On the other hand, the ICC prosecutor has been conducting a preliminary investigation into alleged detainee abuse by U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and the Senate report may be useful to her. I doubt that we've heard the last of this.
It's also possible that individuals implicated in the report could be arrested under the principle of universal jurisdiction if they travel abroad. States have a clear legal obligation in cases of torture.
People like Dick Cheney and major CIA officials might want to rethink their next visit to the Riviera. If justice were truly to be served, lawyers such as John C. Yoo, who tweaked existing law to allow "enhanced interrogations," would also be held accountable.
Erna Paris, Toronto
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Rinelle's Canada
Rinelle Harper and Malala Yousafzai are teenaged girls who suffered horrendous physical assaults. Both survived. And both are showing great courage in speaking up in support of changes that must be brought about in their societies.
The Canadian government and people have celebrated Ms. Yousafzai. We have not shown such recognition of Ms. Harper, probably because the assault happened in Canada and the society that needs to change is ours (Teen Survivor Of Winnipeg Attack Calls For National Inquiry – Dec. 10).
Josephine Grayson, Toronto
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Climate hypocrisy
Re Harper's A Climate Hypocrite – We All Are (Dec. 11): It doesn't matter which side of the global emissions debate you take, it doesn't make sense for it to be central to our domestic policy, or for Canada to be blamed for not being a leader in domestic action.
Canada's total emissions represent about 1.5 per cent of global emissions. So a 17-per-cent reduction in our emissions, reported as the equivalent of taking every vehicle off our roads, would have about a one-quarter of 1 per cent impact on global emissions.
In such important matters, we must make better use of our thinking caps, and this goes doubly for those who are in a position to influence public opinion.
We have more important things where we can make a difference that need our attention.
Kent Hawkins, Ajax, Ont.
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The ship that is our biosphere is taking on water – and I would be delighted if Canada were among the first nations to grab a container and start bailing. Chances are, others will join in. Alternatively, we can sit back and hope that others take action – or that the climate experts are wrong – until life as we know it ceases to exist.
Justin Tanguay, Ottawa
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Many have presented the debate surrounding the Lima conference on climate as Stephen Harper refusing to act on climate change, almost as if one man were the only obstacle to a better world.
The reality is much different: While Canadians seem to agree climate change is important, they aren't willing to pay anywhere near what an aggressive energy-transition policy would cost.
According to a recent poll commissioned by my organization, 77 per cent of Canadians think the fight against climate change is important. However, barely 12 per cent would be willing to take on the type of added expenses required to make a difference.
These findings are actually in line with those of the David Suzuki Foundation, which recently found 84 per cent of Canadians are at least somewhat concerned, but only 49 per cent think it's reasonable to pay even $100 more per household toward that cause.
Michel Kelly-Gagnon, CEO, Montreal Economic Institute
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$27.50, one way
Re Metrolinx Unveils Union Pearson Express Fares (Dec. 11): So, the fare from Union Station to Pearson International will be $27.50 per person – $55 for my wife and I, plus the cost of the subway to Union and we're lugging our suitcases. I can get a limo from my house to the airport for $55, including tip, and the driver carries the luggage.
John H. Musgrave, Toronto
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Turns out the rail link to the airport paid for with public funds will only be affordable to the "well-heeled" after all.
Metrolinx's CEO is quoted as saying "We're trying to make this an extension of the airline experience …" He's right in that regard. With the landing fees at Pearson among the world's highest, this rail-link service fits right in.
For most travellers, the Toronto Transit Commission's packed Airport Rocket bus at the standard TTC adult fare ($3 cash) will still be the only affordable option.
Ian McCrea, Toronto
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Marriage in the cards
Re Mayor And Mukherjee Clash Over Facebook Posts (Dec. 11): Toronto police board chair Alok Mukherjee's post read: "Marriage is like a deck of cards. In the beginning, all you need is two hearts and a diamond. By the end, you wish you had a club and a spade." A better analogy would be: Marriage is like a game of cards. You start of with a pair, and if you play your cards right, end up with a full house.
Harald Ensslen, St. Catharines, Ont.