Cultural taboos
While I am aware of Asian cultural taboos regarding death and dying, I am shocked and appalled that these feelings are allowed to restrict well established values and practices in Canada (Vancouver Hospice Scrapped Over 'Cultural Sensitivity' – Jan. 14). Hospices are an expression of compassion and are as well accepted in this country as hospitals and clinics. Should we now expect a cabinet minister to show up in Vancouver to apologize to these neighbourhood residents for our inconvenient and nasty habit of dying?
If this had been a different immigrant community objecting to a proposed school for girls because they objected to educating women, or a community objecting to a proposed support club for gay and lesbian teens, would UBC have given in to their feelings?
Blair Langmuir, Waterloo, Ont.
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I acknowledge that living near a hospice is undesirable for most people, especially for those whose cultural practices are quite clear on the perils of so doing. But cultural superstitions are not sound arguments for diminishing the well-being of our most vulnerable peoples.
What about the well-being of those with stringent cultural beliefs? By denying them their ideal standard of living are they not also made to 'suffer?' Perhaps, yes. But we should place a much higher value on ameliorating the suffering of those receiving palliative care.
Tal Kaikov, Vancouver
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Censoring oldies
I'm delighted to read that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has banned the playing of the old version of Money for Nothing (Golden Oldie Banned Over Anti-gay Slur – Jan. 14). Who knew it required only one complaint about offensive lyrics to successfully ban the broadcast of a song in Canada? I'm busy making my list now, starting with all those sexually suggestive rap songs and moving on to Stompin' Tom Connors's The Man in the Moon is a Newfie.
Jean Mills, Guelph, Ont.
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With respect, your editorial (Pruning A Song Till It Dies – Jan. 14) misses a key point. There are other versions of the song that Dire Straits was fine with artistically. The argument before the council was that the station should have played one of those versions, based on the industry code of ethics the station adopted.
This is different from Huck Finn, where Mark Twain never created another version. If a singer has another version they're fine with, and it causes less harm to others, playing the other version makes sense to me.
Derek Smith, Toronto
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I was under the impression that the book Nineteen eighty-four by George Orwell was a warning ... not a blueprint.
Jessica Annis, Toronto
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My first reaction upon hearing that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has censored Dire Strait's Grammy-winning song from Canadian airwaves was to check my calendar. Could it really be April Fool's Day already? Alas no – it appears that the CBSC actually wants to make Canada the world's most prudish country and ban a much-loved and acclaimed song because, in a country of 30-odd million, one person's delicate sensibilities were offended.
Equally galling is the horrible disparagement to Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. As well as being a bona fide musician, singer and songwriter, Mr. Knopfler has devoted a lot of time to charity and good works. And the message to artists? Conform to the attitude of the majority if you want your song played in Canada.
Adam La Rusic, North Vancouver
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So, am I to understand that while attending a provincially-sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts competition in Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver, I needn't worry about hearing the offensive Money for Nothing played over the public address system? Thank goodness.
Kurt Mang, North Vancouver
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Cutting red tape
There is at least one instance in which PM Harper can cut red tape right away (Harper Creates 'More Red Tape To Deal With Red Tape' – online, Jan. 13), and doing so would encourage Canadian businesses to participate in global health efforts and use Canadian aid dollars more effectively.
For seven years, Canada's Access to Medicines Regime has been tied up in unnecessary red tape, meaning the pledge of getting more affordable medicines to developing countries confronting AIDS and other health challenges has gone unfulfilled. Humanitarian organizations, generic drug manufacturers and developing country health representatives have all diagnosed the regime as unnecessarily cumbersome.
Bill C-393 could cut that red tape. Mr. Harper's government needs to join the other parties in making sure that this private member's bill gets put to a vote and is not derailed by a procedural technicality.
Richard Elliott, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Toronto
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Loving books
Fears over the loss of the printed book, the devaluation of work done by editors and publishers, in favour of digital content – cheap, interactive, accessible – is an evolution some do not feel prepared for (The Mortal Charm Of Printed Books – Jan. 13).
People who love reading and people who love books are living cells dividing from the same source. We are now seeing the divergence of publishing into "content" (the creation of the author) and "medium" (the artistry of the printed book). We will continue to love reading. We will continue to cherish the book. We can now all appreciate the complexity of art: the beauty of the written word, and the style of the book you read those words from. I can't wait, and I don't have to.
Meghan Macdonald, Stouffville, Ont.
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Hockey's blind spot
It is not only the Pittsburgh Penguins who are Blind To What Millions Saw (editorial – Jan. 14). Your editorial struck a chord, given a recent experience with the Oakville Minor Oaks Hockey Association where my son sustained a concussion as a result of a direct hit in a non-contact league.
The reaction by the referees and the convener: We didn't see it. The reaction from the league brass – since the referees didn't see it, there is nothing we can do. No concussion protocol was implemented – in fact, the referee allowed the game to continue while my son lay on the ice.
Nothing happened to the player who initiated the hit but my son was penalized. He was unable to participate in physical activity for two weeks; he was unable to take his lifeguard exam which may have helped him to gain summer employment.
Carleen Carroll, Oakville, Ont.
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Census 'criminals'
We finally get to meet one of the Canadians that Tony Clement and Maxime Bernier claim flooded their offices with complaints about the long form census (Activist convicted for refusing to fill out long-form census – Jan. 14).
Any ideas on who the other two were?
Bruce Mason, Etobicoke, Ont.