Us and them
David Bercuson speculates that Afghan villagers won't alert North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces to insurgent activities because they fear Taliban reprisals ( Deadly Attack Signals Growing Struggle For Troops - Jan. 1). A more plausible explanation may be that they fear the brutal raids and air strikes that may follow if foreign forces believe Taliban are present in their village. In a related story on the same page (Slain Were Students, UN Believes), you report two incidents in which innocent young students and other civilians were killed and wounded by the activities of the international forces. Now that is surely enough to scare many Afghans into silence.
Louise Buhler, Saskatoon
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As I drank my coffee this morning, I just about blew it all out of my mouth on reading Carol Taylor's "apologies to the Afghan civilians" ( Improvised Explosive Situation - Letters, Jan. 1). How dare you apologize to a country that is harbouring murderers? I have a brother who has completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and he will tell you that you cannot trust anybody. Our soldiers are heroes and the journalists are extremely brave in wanting to cover a dreadful situation.
Ann Neilson, London, Ont.
Jordan's claim
It is dismaying to see that Jordan has asked Canada to seize the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Royal Ontario Museum.
Jordan officially renounced its claim to the West Bank, never recognized internationally except by Britain and Pakistan, in 1988. It therefore appears Jordan has no legal basis or authority for its request. We trust Canada will act appropriately by refusing to act upon it.
Still, it raises disturbing questions. Jordan and Israel have a peace agreement, signed in 1994. Moreover, the Oslo accords, signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, but witnessed by Jordan, stipulate that Israel is the recognized custodian of artifacts like the Dead Sea Scrolls, and that the ownership of these artifacts is to be determined through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Why, then, would Jordan interfere in a process in which it has no direct involvement or valid legal claim?
This is, in effect, a ploy aimed at delegitimizing the Jewish aboriginal claim to Israel, for which the scrolls are a living testament. It is unfortunate that the scrolls, which attest to the ancient Jewish presence in Israel and are an essential part of Jewish heritage, are being used in such a cynical manner.
Moshe Ronen, chair, Canada-Israel Committee, Toronto
Hunter's parting shots
Ian Hunter's contribution to your Comment page on Dec. 30 ( The Big News: The Pope Welcomes Disaffected Anglicans) spoke in favour of Anglican rapprochement with Rome, or at least that defined by Pope Benedict's recent invitation to disaffected Anglicans. A former Anglican, Mr. Hunter fires a number of parting shots when he suggests those of us who choose to remain in an inclusive and faithful church are apostates, and that the priests who convert to Roman Catholicism are the only ones in the Anglican clergy who have any sort of a vocation. Lastly, he has the temerity to imply that those persons who choose to leave an Anglican Church in its "death throes" are doing so in an ecumenical spirit.
As one who has served the Anglican Church in its full-time employ for more than 20 years, I can claim with certainty to have worked alongside men and women who have faithfully lived their priestly vocations every day, who love the people with whom they share their ministry, and who nurture the traditions of Christian Anglicanism. The suggestion, however subtle, that these qualities exist only in those who have decided to leave the Anglican Church is untrue, unfair, and misleading to your readers. A priestly life, or one devoted to ministry, is not the exclusive preserve of the Church of Rome.
Matthew Larkin, organist and director of music, Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa
Justice in Caledonia
Of all the money thrown around by governments in 2009, one expenditure I am pleased to contribute to is the settlement made with the hapless couple in Caledonia, Ont. ( For Caledonia Couple, The Occupation Is Finally Over - Dec. 31)
The conduct of Dalton McGuinty's government in this case has compromised the rule of law in this province and been completely feckless. It has compounded the misery of this unfortunate couple by forcing them into court in order to obtain justice, only to fold quietly at the 11th hour, during a holiday period when the electorate's attention is thought to be elsewhere, thereby denying the couple their moment of public victory through the court's decision.
Kudos to Christie Blatchford for her crusade on behalf of this couple. I don't doubt that her articles played a major role in effecting justice in this case.
Rob Hawkins, Oakville, Ont.
Prorogation quibbles, hackles
Describing Stephen Harper as "the most capable manager of minority government since Lester Pearson" ( For Harper, 2009 Was A Very Good Year - Jan. 1) raises the question of what The Globe and Mail considers capable management. If the goal is to consolidate power for its own sake, yes, he is a master political tactician. The real job of a prime minister, though, is to govern wisely on behalf of all Canadians. Unlike his predecessors, Mr. Harper has failed to make that transition. On more strategic performance metrics (such as the severe erosion of our global stature, a return to a structural deficit, skyrocketing incarceration rates, actions undermining democracy, voter disengagement), Canada has lost much ground under his watch.
Ron Hartling, Kingston
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Your story suggests that for most Canadians, the Afghan detainee issue is a "quibble." I thought Canadian troops were fighting and dying to protect Canadian democratic values. Such values do not provide for the handover of anyone for torture, Afghan prisoner or otherwise.
Nor do they provide for the acceptance of demagoguery at home. Mr. Harper and his ministers have shut down open discussion of issues, interfered with access to information and demonized anyone who has gotten in their way. It is hypocritical for Canadians to criticize such actions elsewhere in the world but tolerate them in their own backyard.
Andrew Wainwright, Halifax
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It's tiresome to read letters and stories about the supposed affront to democracy posed by the prorogation of Parliament. Government legislation is being blocked by a Liberal-dominated Senate, just as that Liberal-dominated Senate has frustrated Senate reform. Before Parliament resumes, there will be Conservative Senate appointments made to even things up. Balance of power will now rest with independent senators, giving a far better chance for legislation passed by the Commons in a new session to become law. Sounds pretty democratic to me.
Peter Ward, Ottawa
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Mr. Harper's approval ratings keep going up? Maybe, just maybe, the citizens of this country are fed up with the opposition's preoccupation with the plight of Taliban prisoners. Canadians are far more concerned with the welfare of their soldiers, who risk their lives for the Afghan people.
Claude Gannon, Markham, Ont.
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I beg to differ that for most Canadians, the detainee situation is just "a quibble." Not only is this a complete violation of our humanitarian ideals, it has also severely damaged our reputation among Afghan citizens (not to mention the world), putting our soldiers at greater risk and damaging our war effort.
Mary McCollam, Kingston
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We agree with the sentiments expressed in The Globe's front-page editorial ( Democracy Diminished, Accountability Avoided - Dec. 31) and congratulate the paper for bringing such pointed attention to the undemocratic acts of this government. We would like to suggest that an additional appropriate measure for The Globe would be to print a daily front-page reminder of the number of days this country has been deprived of its Parliament - rather like the Olympic countdown.
The government has prorogued Parliament to take many issues off the front pages. A countdown would remind readers of these issues and the debate that should be occurring.
Caroline Gray and Paul White, Toronto
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Delaying the opening of Parliament again seems to sum up the bunker mentality and almost cowardly behaviour of our government. No taxation without representation - remember? Are there others who feel the way I do ? Perhaps we should form a government ourselves.
Wendy Wardle, Thornhill, Ont.
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Life is so simple for Mr. Harper - he now gets to run the country all by himself. We knew he wanted smaller government … we just didn't realize how small!
Philip Bennett, Halifax
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I thought it was Pierre Trudeau who said: " Just watch me"?
Vipin Bery, Toronto