100, 101, 102 …
After 100 days of protest, as Montrealers ask what comes next, what is left of our city to disrupt and to what end, I am reminded of Edmund Burke's warning that all that is needed for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing. I am in no way suggesting that the solidarity shown by students these past three months is evil, but using the city and innocent bystanders as pawns certainly is (One Hundred Days And Thousands Deep – May 23).
It is time for everyone to take a step back and think about the consequences. For those concerned that this is a civil rights issue, higher-level education is not a right; it is a privilege. Raising tuition is a necessary step to maintain our competitiveness on an international scale. This is not unfair.
Unfair involves introducing Charity. She, along with the other students at Motony School in Kenya, likely won't be able to study past Grade 8. I understand that this situation is deeply rooted in other issues, but it serves the purpose of putting the Quebec crisis in perspective.
If I could address the protesters, I would say: You have been heard but it is your turn to listen. This is our city, too, not to be mistaken for collateral damage for your cause.
M. Gudzio, student, Montreal
.........
Political scientist Bruce Hicks's statement that Quebec's students are both "not politically engaged" and "mobilized on the street" is contradictory. Mobilizing on the street sparks debate, forces people to confront issues and demands active participation in the political process. It is perhaps the most important part of political engagement in a democratic society.
Voting, which occurs every few years over a few hours and not continuously over 100 days, is perhaps one of the smallest parts of political engagement.
Simon Liem, Montreal
.........
Fear is a powerful motivator. The folks on the streets of Montreal share the same fear as those on the streets of Athens or Paris – in their hearts, they know the welfare state that supported a particular way of life is ending.
Some will get past their fear and leave their entitlement expectations behind. Many will not. And the demands of "I want mine!" will continue to masquerade as cries for "Justice!"
Grant Longhurst, Vancouver
.........
Surely the larger issue is the lack of gainful prospects for graduating university students in Quebec and the rest of Canada.
John Silverstein, Toronto
........
Cold comfort
You tell us that although Afghan girls and women are still suffering dreadfully, that the Afghan government remains corrupt, that the Afghan army is far from ready to protect the country from the "violent zealotry of the Taliban," that, nevertheless, things went well because, among other things, "Canada at last shook off the myth of Canadian pacifism" (Leaving With Our Heads Held High – editorial, May 23).
That must be a real comfort for the families of our dead and wounded.
Bill Boyd, Lakefield, Ont.
.........
Foxes judging foxes
What a slap in the face to Canadians and insult to the many truly ethical Mounties/police officers when one bad apple ruins the image of the entire barrel (Mountie Gets A Reprimand And Demotion – May 23).
Instead of being sacked, as anyone in any "civilian" occupation would be for such conduct – sex with subordinates, exposing himself to a co-worker, drinking on the job – this officer gets moved to a slightly lower rank by an internal disciplinary board. Yet another reason why foxes should not be allowed to sit in judgment of foxes that raid the hen house.
W.E. Hildreth, Toronto
.........
The highest mountain
While mountain climbing in Nepal, I've seen climbers who do not listen to their guides, perhaps because critical thinking deteriorates in the high altitude ('Save Me' Everest Climber Pleaded To Guides – May 23). If a climber insists on going up instead of heeding warnings by sherpas, the sherpas will accompany the person to provide logistical support, thinking they may be able to convince the person on the way up or maybe even drag the person down at one point – if it is possible.
There are also many inexperienced climbers who can risk their life because they have paid "X" amount of dollars. Climbers should try lower-altitude peaks before attempting the "Big E"; this provides a humbling experience and climbing discipline.
Avtar Dhanota, Toronto
.........
Grandma Denial
Wanting Father Creativity to solve oil spills (Oil The Wheels Of Creativity – May 23)? We're still waiting for Grandmother Denial to solve global warming, and Grandfather Greed to take a break.
This isn't rocket science. Canada has huge renewable energy potential. Using it instead will solve oil spills.
Matt Price, Duncan, B.C.
.........
Dandelions' smarts
Although it pleases me that neighbourhood children can walk barefoot across our thick, green, dandelion-free lawn without fear of chemical transfer, the main pleasure I get from organic gardening is in the practice of intelligent horticulture (Clear-Headed Dislike – letters, May 23). Any fool can use chemicals to nuke dandelions into submission; it requires a gardener to outthink them.
Jeff Fairless, Kanata, Ont.
.........
Facebook faux pas
I am an enthusiastic Facebook user, but am both amused and bemused by the uproar over Facebook's faltering IPO and initial (and dropping) stock valuation (Facebook's Bad Start Spurs Search For Answers – Report on Business, May 23). People are examining possible problems in regulations, processes and the overall IPO environment for answers.
Perhaps Occam's razor needs to be applied: There is a much simpler answer. Even people who "like" Facebook are quickly realizing that this was an overblown, overhyped stock issue and the underlying value of the property is not even close to the hyped-up prices. The bubble was artificially inflated; it thankfully isn't taking long to burst.
Michael A. Wosnick, Richmond Hill, Ont.
.........
Deux, dos
Re Learn French, It's Good For You (May 22): While I strongly agree that a second language benefits an individual's mental health and well-being, in the working world of the 21st century, Spanish or Mandarin are better choices due to the increasing prominence of nations using those languages.
French is an important part of our national identity, but in matters such as these, reality often takes priority over romantic visions of nationalistic pride. C'est la vie.
Patrick Lee, Vancouver
.........
Cottage, defined
In Vancouver, there is no confusion regarding cottage terminology, and it has no particular reference to recreation. "Cottage" is what you get when all you can afford is a million and a half. A "house" will cost you real money.
Sharlene Lazin, Mayne Island, B.C.