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Advantage Canada
Milos Raonic has done something no other Canadian man ever achieved: competed in a final at what is arguably the premier world tennis event at Wimbledon (A Coming Of Age For Canadian Tennis – July 11).
No, he didn't win, but he prevailed over a number of highly rated players, including Roger Federer. There are no guarantees in any competitive sport but the trajectory of the improvement of his play should convince his Canadian followers – and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray – that Milos Raonic will be a major threat in all future matches.
Canada should celebrate his achievements not only for his wins, but also because he is a role model for the younger players who will follow.
Roger Poultney, Belleville, Ont.
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It is often said that Canada's coming of age happened at Vimy Ridge. A century later, we're told Canadian tennis has come of age, all without a single casualty, unless we count Milos Raonic as one. The difference between these two seismic events in Canadian history is simple: We won one battle – and lost the other.
Daniel J. Christie, Port Hope, Ont.
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What Milos Raonic achieved with the world watching was not only a personal best, but Canadian history (Slammed, In Straight Sets – Sports, July 11).
Does Cathal Kelly understand what kind of pressure this puts on the shoulders of a man who two days before beat the great Roger Federer in an emotionally and physically draining match, while Mr. Raonic's opponent and hometown favourite, Andy Murray, sailed by 10th-seeded Tomas Berdych?
Mr. Raonic has improved every part of his physical game and no doubt will now focus on mental toughness. Give him a little credit.
Michelle Lavoie, Ottawa
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UN optimism
Re 'Intervention Chill' Descends On The West (July 11): The United States and United Kingdom were not willing to go through the United Nations because they were fudging their case for intervention. Crucially, neither was willing to undergo scrutiny of its motivation nor support a UN effort.
The UN has been emasculated by its most powerful member nations simply because they cannot be bothered with the burdensome niceties of internationally responsible behaviour.
Perhaps the Chilcot report will result in encouraging more serious participation by the more weighty member nations in activities channelled through the UN on the basis of serious deliberation and majority consensus.
At least an optimist could be allowed that thought …
Hal C. Hartmann, West Vancouver
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Voting 'science'
Re Consult This (editorial, July 11): The Globe is promoting the idea that Canada, from its inception in 1867, has had only one first-past-the-post electoral system – only a referendum should allow change.
This logic is misleading.
Originally, only white males over age 21 were allowed to vote; voting was spread over weeks, allowing the governing party to build electoral momentum; there was no secret ballot, allowing votes to be bought. Not only were these practices eliminated, but women and First Nations people have been enfranchised and the voting age has been lowered to 18.
Dramatic as some of the changes were, not one came about as a result of a referendum process. We elect people to make important decisions for us and that is what they should do.
Alexander MacKenzie, Limehouse, Ont.
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On June 23, The Globe published an opinion piece by Patrice Dutil, a professor at Ryerson University, who argued that without a referendum, electoral reform is unconstitutional (Without A Vote, Electoral Reform Is Unconstitutional).
On July 8, The Globe published an opinion piece by Mel Cappe and Janice Gross Stein, professors at the University of Toronto (Government By Referendums Is Not Democracy). They argued against a referendum, urging that Parliament should study electoral reform, consult and allow members "a free vote on the issue."
Where does "science" feature in "political science"? No wonder the average citizen is bewildered and frustrated by politics and intellectual elites.
Harry Sutherland, North Vancouver
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Perhaps the next Globe editorial will tell readers what level of popular support should be required for a referendum on electoral reform to pass.
Does The Globe favour supermajorities countrywide and in each electoral district, along the lines of the B.C. and Ontario referendums?
That would be in keeping with Canada's existing electoral system that regularly allows a minority of voters to impose their preferences through false majority governments manufactured by an undemocratic electoral system.
Barbara Cameron, associate professor, Department of Political Science, York University
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You say that the Liberals are telling us to "Go consult yourselves." Does it have the familiar ring of a four-letter reproach?
Rick Walker, Toronto
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The race dynamic
Re Black Lives Matter Thrust Into Spotlight (July 11): In 1981, I presented medical documentation on the alleged abuse of 19 patients (including "smotherings, cigarette burns, kicking … and beating with clubs") by Toronto Police to Ontario's standing committee on the administration of justice (Injuries Appear To Back Police Abuse Claims – Oct. 7, 1981). Fifteen of the 19 were members of minority groups, including 10 blacks and five from ethnic minorities.
All our institutions of governance and agencies of the state, including police, were built on the values of white European settlers. Although the worst features of those institutions have been eliminated, such institutions remain very much steeped in their original values and culture.
That is why 35 years later, blacks are still being targeted and indigenous people are grossly overrepresented in our prisons.
Black Lives Matter Toronto may be impolite and edgy, but they have a legitimate point. We cannot rest easy. Plus ça change …
Philip. B. Berger, MD, Toronto
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How could banning police floats from Pride parades possibly move the cause of Black Lives Matter Toronto forward?
Their message is targeted at police. Building walls between them and the police this way just hardens positions and makes it less likely anything will change.
Their strategy is lost on me.
Susan Wright, Pickering, Ont.
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Nobody feels bad
Re The Bizarro World Of Presidential Politics (July 9): When faced with a bizarre choice between two reviled and distrusted candidates, change the electoral system so people can vote for the candidate they dislike the most, with the fewest votes winning. There are two benefits to this system: Nobody feels bad about their vote – and you get a record turnout.
Bernie Teitelbaum, Toronto