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Justice, scandal
Mike Duffy's reincarnation as champ after being the media's chump for so long does not eradicate the fact that justice has not been done on the wider issue of the Senate.
Given the current government's wishy-washy stand on the Red Chamber, Canadians will not likely see its eradication, nor will they see justice done on the matters related to its operation.
Carl Hager, Pontiac, Que.
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Mike Duffy and Jian Ghomeshi: In the past year, these two high-profile cases have provided fodder for the press and generated, in the minds of many, an anticipated guilty verdict for both men.
Both were acquitted. When the courts make unpopular decisions, they are functioning at their highest level. When they make unpopular decisions, they are at their best. The verdicts are a testimony to the rule of law.
Barbara Stanley, St. Andrews, N.B.
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Regardless of the outcome of the trial, one fact remains: Mike Duffy suspected that at least some of his actions were questionable, yet went ahead regardless. A person appointed to safeguard the people of Canada should have the integrity to do what they know is right, even if their peers and bosses tell them otherwise. Mr. Duffy did things that any intelligent person would immediately know were less than honourable, and does not belong in our Senate.
Barry Rueger, North Vancouver
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Over the course of the Duffy "scandal," we've learned senators live in a bubble of entitlement, truly believing themselves to be – to borrow a phrase – entitled to their entitlements. Meanwhile, most of the rest of us must make do with broken crackers and cold Camembert, if we're lucky.
Steve Soloman, Toronto
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One giant Leap
Re Start The Leap Revolution Without Me (April 22): Thomas Homer-Dixon criticizes the Leap Manifesto for creating division just when we need unity, but in fact the whole document is designed to bring together working people, indigenous groups, people concerned about economic inequality, and environmentalists to seriously address the climate crisis. Any approach which doesn't bring these constituencies on side is doomed to fail.
Perhaps all Mr. Homer-Dixon means is that because the program relies on massive government intervention in the economy, it is not currently a political possibility. But then, those proposals that are politically possible right now all appear to be too little, too late. The urgency of the crisis demands radical measures, not the weak suggestions that are politically acceptable.
Martin Tweedale, Edmonton
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I write as a former Calgary city councillor who in 1982 helped organize the the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (later to become the NDP). Yes, in Calgary. In the summer of 1932, workers, farmers, small business operators and intellectuals met at the Calgary Labour Temple and decided to organize. A manifesto was drafted there to be circulated for discussion. The next year, in Saskatchewan, a national meeting which founded the CCF adopted the historic Regina Manifesto.
As an elder, like Stephen Lewis, I am buoyed and excited at the decision the NDP made in Edmonton enabling the Leap Manifesto to be debated across this great country.
As a long-in-the-tooth activist of the left, my thanks go to Naomi Klein and Avi Lewis for this brilliant organizing tool. History will show this manifesto was as important to Canada as the one drafted 84 years ago in Calgary.
Elaine Husband, Calgary
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So reviled by many
Preston Manning is bang on that political parties need revitalized democracy to regain relevance with citizens (Playing The Real Trump Card: Revitalized Democracy – April 21). But I think we need to look further into parties' makeup to see why they are so reviled by so many.
The two parties in the United States have degenerated into tribes, with all the prejudice and intolerance that entails. The old stereotype of "My daddy was a Republican, I'm a Republican, and God knows my boy will be a Republican" is sadly too true. The inevitable result is dysfunction that gets more entrenched with each generation.
Policies become irrelevant as they are developed, not for their benefits to citizens, but as wedges intended to hamstring the enemy (and make no mistake – the others are the enemy, not just an opposition). A perfect example of this policy irrelevance is the disdain Donald Trump's disadvantaged blue collar supporters have for Bernie Sanders, whose social support policies are the best thing they could ever hope for.
Barack Obama could cure cancer but the Republicans would never give him credit for it, in the same way that George W. Bush could have achieved world peace but the Democrats would never say hurray.
We should thank our lucky stars that in Canada, we have multiple parties, which mitigates this situation somewhat. A strong third party in the U.S. could help mitigate its tribal warfare, too, and help revitalize democracy.
Michael Farrell, Oakville, Ont.
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Tattoo? Think twice
Re Tattoo You (Life & Arts, April 21): As a dermatologist with almost 40 years experience, and as the Director Of Laser at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto since 1999, I have seen my share of tattoos.
While I can understand the artistry and personal meaning of many tattoos, the public should be more aware of the darker side of tattooing.
Tattoo inks are not regulated. This means we cannot find out what's in them. Tattoo parlours and tattoo artists are not regulated. The parlours may be inspected from time to time, but that's little consolation when things go wrong, and they often do.
Almost 50 per cent of people with tattoos come to regret their decision. I have seen infections, migration of the ink, allergic reactions, warts and cancers growing in tattoos, scarring and immune reactions. I have seen many teens brought in by distraught parents after discovering their child got a tattoo. I have seen people who tried to cover a tattoo with another tattoo.
As a laser operator, I often re-move tattoos. Usually, the results are excellent, but it is expensive and time-consuming and not all colours can be removed.
To make matters worse, tattoo removal by laser is also not regulated. Anyone is allowed to do it.
Howard Bargman, MD, associate professor of dermatology, University of Toronto
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Most anti-British?
UK Independence Party Leader Nigel Farage blasted Barack Obama as "the most anti-British American President there has ever been" after Mr. Obama urged Britons to vote to stay in the European Union (Obama Expected To Back Britain Staying In EU – April 22). Mr. Obama wins Mr. Farage's anti-British booby prize – even though the first seven presidents participated in the American War of Independence against British rule.
A. A. Sayeed, Toronto