Mohamed Mursi speaks during his first televised address to the nation at the Egyptian Television headquarters in Cairo, June 24, 2012. Today’s topics: Democracy in Egypt?; Stephen Harper’s pricey protection; Karla Homolka and redemption; calves’ pain and suffering; neglected priorities of the 1812 era … and moreSTRINGER/EGYPT/Reuters
A bridge too soon
Re A Victory For Both Islamists And Democracy (June 25): I can see how the emergence of the democratically elected government in Egypt is a victory for Islamists, but it's premature to declare democracy itself a victor. The man elected president, unaffectionately referred to as "Spare Tire," is widely regarded as a puppet of the Brotherhood's real strongman, Khairat el-Shater.
We should fear the example of Iran, where a postrevolution spectrum of political hopefuls was quickly sidelined by the religious zealots who soon made Iranian democracy a farce.
Mark Slone, Toronto
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A bridge too many
The projected doubling of truck traffic required to justify and pay for the new Windsor/Detroit Bridge has no connection to reality (Two Bridges Are Far Better Than One – editorial, June 23).
Commercial traffic across the Detroit River stabilized in 2011 at 80 per cent of the 2005 peak. The decline and subsequent stabilization of truck crossings reflect the reality of the Canadian and American economies and are unrelated to congestion at the border.
The existing border crossings at Detroit – three bridges, a road tunnel and two rail tunnels – are underutilized and are adequate to sustain present and future traffic without restricting trade. This latest example of Stephen Harper's fact-free approach to decisions should be greeted by alarm, not by congratulation.
Hugh Whiteley, Guelph, Ont.
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Despite the shrill demands of new-bridge advocates, wait times at Windsor and Detroit entry points to the Ambassador Bridge are generally 10 minutes or less. Delays that do occur can be easily dealt with by the two governments manning all inspection stations, instead of half, which is now usually the case.
Upgrading the crossing should be done with rail-friendly infrastructure and not with car- and truck-friendly bridges.
Natalie Litwin, Toronto
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Pain and suffering
The alternatives to hot-iron branding are not quite as convenient, but it's a small price to pay to avoid inflicting enormous pain and suffering on calves (Why The Hot Brand Is Still Cool – Focus, June 23). This is the 21st, not the 19th century.
There is also an alternative to dehorning; various breeds make dehorning unnecessary. Castration is the only mutilation currently carried out on calves that might be justified – and there is research under way aimed at reducing the suffering associated with this.
The fact that all these procedures cause severe pain is undisputed. Anyone carrying out any of them on a dog or cat without analgesia would be subject to severe penalties.
It is the misfortune of calves, and all the animals we eat, that these procedures are regarded as normal agricultural practice.
Ian J.H. Duncan, emeritus chair in animal welfare, University of Guelph
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My stomach turned as I read this article while waiting for neighbours to arrive for our annual barbecue. The picture of the horrific look in the calf's eye was worth a thousand words.
I have always enjoyed a good steak, but after reading this article I promptly took more than 200 pounds of fresh steaks and buried them in our backyard. I, along with 42 of our neighbours, have sworn off meat. It's time to bury these ghastly, archaic rites, especially since there are more humane ways.
Lou Dorosz, Kirkland, Que.
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Selkirk slighted
Re The War That Everybody And Nobody Won (Books, June 23): Roger Hall correctly points out that by far the best book on the War of 1812 is by an American scholar, Allan Taylor. It is ironic his fellow countrymen are paying the 1812-14 events very little attention.
They are not alone: Last Thursday, BBC World accurately described the war as one between Great Britain and the United States. Canada went unmentioned. The main significance of the war was reported to be the composition of the U.S. national anthem.
Is this what we are being asked to celebrate at such extravagant cost, while ignoring the much more significant event of those years: the founding of the Selkirk Colony at Red River?
Given the composition of Stephen Harper's caucus, this seems odd – and unforgivable.
Ramsay Cook, Toronto
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Redemption?
What a sad example Margaret Wente sets when she suggests our primal, self-righteous blood lust must eternally fix Karla Homolka as "beyond redemption" (Finding Karla: The Monster Taunts Us Still – June 23).
Would "cosmic justice," or even more simply, the interests of civilization, be better served if Ms. Homolka were to "rot in hell," undergo "imprisonment for life," or "be hounded to death," rather than living in drab seclusion, "a nurturing, attentive mother who clearly loves her children and keeps a tidy house"?
If we are not all worthy of redemption, then we are all beyond it.
Bob Dodds, Toronto
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Chavez's Venezuela
Hugo Chavez has used Venezuela's oil income as a tool to gain allies through handouts, without implementing structural programs to fight poverty (Chavez's Appeal – letters, June 22).
Venezuela has one the world's highest inflation levels, and poverty – despite official statistics to the contrary – is virtually unchanged. The homicide rate is among the world's worst. The Corruption Index of Transparency International lists Venezuela among the top tier of the most corrupt countries in the world.
Today, as a result of Mr. Chavez's systematic preaching of hatred, Venezuela is a divided country.
Leonor H. Fontijn, Calgary
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Protection's price
The cost of protecting Prime Minister Stephen Harper will double this year to $20-million from 2006, when he took office Tightened Tactics Breed Detail Dissent – June 23).
This huge increase occurs at the same time that Mr. Harper has eliminated the office of CSIS's watchdog, the inspector-general, because of the cost – $1-million annually. Perhaps Mr. Harper could spare some loose change from his protection budget and reinstate the inspector-general so Canadians' civil liberties might be adequately protected from our security services.
I guess smaller government lies in the eye of the beholder.
Paul J.J. Cavalluzzo, Toronto
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With "new weapons … mock attacks, target practice" and "a growing use of SWAT teams" now employed in protecting Stephen Harper, it appears that his vision of security can be described as "higher calibre" in more ways than one.
Can a new video game be far behind?
Jeffrey Peckitt, Oakville, Ont.
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A member of the Prime Minister's Protection Detail is quoted as saying "this is not a ballerina unit, with white gloves and tutus." I doubt any of the $20-million, 120-member staff of the PMPD are tough enough for the ballet.
I can't see them performing for three hours straight with feet bloodied by toe shoes on a ballerina's salary.
Judith Scrimger, Ashdale, N.S.