Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Try to keep letters to fewer than 150 words. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com
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China's rights wall
Re Chinese Envoy Warns Airing Human-Rights Issues A Threat To Closer Ties (June 6): Luo Zhaohui, China's Ambassador to Canada, should know that if one of his citizens was detained here, Mr. Luo would know where he/she is, and would be able to talk to them.
Martin Wale, North Vancouver
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It is interesting that China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, should admonish a Western reporter who asked about human rights in China by saying, "You have no right to speak on this. The Chinese people have the right to speak."
That's the problem. They don't.
John Clench, Vancouver
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Human, with rights
Re 640 Days, Four Walls, And One Tiny Window (Focus, June 4): There are insufficient words to express the horror of what Richard Wolfe suffered when confined to prolonged segregation at the Regina Correctional Centre, as portrayed in Joe Friesen's outstanding article.
Regardless of the crimes Mr. Wolfe committed – for which he was expected to pay back dearly to society – it is to be hoped that Justin Trudeau will put a stop to this unimaginable mental treatment of prisoners and abide with international law on the rights of all humanity.
Caroline E. Whitehead, Sidney, B.C.
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I have never felt sorry for a horrible criminal until your story about Richard Wolfe. His criminal life may be one of the worst examples of how low a person can descend.
However, the story also shows how archaic our penal system is. We are now past killing people who do bad things, let's move past "solitary confinement" as a routine jail procedure.
Clint Forster, Victoria
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Animal, with rights
On the page after your cover story on how we treat people in solitary confinement, I found an editorial on animal rights in zoos (The Problem With Zoos – June 4). Our prison system could learn much from the animal-rights advocates.
Maurice Nelischer, Guelph, Ont.
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I am at volunteer at our local zoo. It is an exciting, fun place of education. In many ways, we seek to build understanding about climate change. This will not happen by carefully crafted word messages alone. Arctic animals like polar bears and the Arctic fox give a face-to-face encounter that motivates people to care about our changing environment, which could lead to the extinction of these animals.
An example: A teen's excitement at realizing that by recycling and reusing, he could contribute to saving these species.
When my grandson spotted the wolves at the zoo, he told me they teach us humility, one of the Seven Sacred Teachings of First Nations. We humans are part of an interconnected world with animals and plants. We need each other. We must find ways for face-to-face encounters which are affordable. Accredited zoos have the potential to create positive change, not trouble.
Cathie Harris, Winnipeg
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O Canada is perfect
I take exception to the idea that our national anthem does not "inspire" like the British or American ones ('I Will Return To Thee' – letters, June 6). The British anthem is God Save the Queen, which does nothing to extol Britain as a country, and is frankly boring. The American anthem is stirring and interesting, but it glorifies war (bombs bursting in air), which hardly recommends it.
O Canada is a beautiful anthem that speaks to what our country is: "glorious and free." We hope that "God keeps" it that way and that the government keeps its hands off the anthem. It's perfect the way it is.
Claire Helmers, Spruce Grove, Alta.
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June 6, plus 1
Re Wilson-Raybould's Warnings Against Legal Void Don't Tell Full Story, Lawyer Says (June 6): If the federal government is concerned about the legal void on assisted death following the expiration of the Supreme Court's June 6 deadline, it has only itself to blame.
Although it worked quickly to put together a committee to study the issue, it ignored most of the recommendations that had overwhelming support from all sides. It rejected proposed amendments, and instead tried to push through a bill that satisfies almost no one. Then it refused to apply to the Supreme Court for an extension to the June 6 deadline.
By making it political and ignoring the voices from all parties including its own, the government completely mismanaged this issue.
This is not the kind of change Canadians voted for in 2015.
Hershl Berman, MD, specialist in internal medicine and palliative care, Toronto
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Trains on the loose
Re Reining In Runaway Trains Top Priority, Garneau says (June 6): While Transport Minister Mark Garneau's emphasis on reducing the incidence of runaway trains in Canada is welcome, the declining performance of Canada's railways in this regard again highlights the need for a fundamental shift in his department's approach to regulating railway safety.
The modest changes to the existing, essentially self-regulatory regime made by the previous Conservative government in the wake of the Lac-Mégantic disaster were clearly inadequate.
Transport Canada, not the railways, needs to take the lead in setting and enforcing the rules around railway safety. The safety of Canadians will continue to be at risk until that change occurs.
Mark S. Winfield, Toronto
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'The Greatest'
Re The Life And Times Of Muhammad Ali (June 6): I nominate Cassius Clay as the wisest fool.
He had the nutty overconfidence to believe he could defeat the invincible Sonny Liston. His pacifist stance cost him prime boxing years; his adopted name of Muhammad Ali went against the norms of the time.
His foolish prefight behaviour always guaranteed the greatest crowds and made him the most recognizable person in the world. His seemingly bizarre pronouncements, such as "I ain't got nothin' against them Viet Cong" became the rallying cry of a generation.
When it comes to being a wise fool, Muhammad Ali truly was "The Greatest."
Michael Riley, Kelowna, B.C.
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Muhammad Ali was a great fighter and we mourn his passing, but the greatest?
Undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano won all of his 49 bouts, 43 by knockout.
But the most admirable aspect of his unblemished career – he never bragged about it.
Terry Harley, Stratford, Ont.
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Muhammad Ali has shuffled off to Heaven to meet the Almighty. It should be an interesting conversation: "So, you're The Greatest?"
Michael Goldbarth, Stratford, Ont.