U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.Mark Schiefelbein/The Associated Press
Touch of madness
Re “To keep Iran unbalanced, Trump may be employing Nixon’s Madman Theory” (April 7): The Nixonian “Madman Theory” as deployed during the Vietnam War was predicated on at least two things being true: First, that the leader in question appear sane, so threats of “mad” acts of destruction are seen as completely out of character, therefore totally alarming; second, that the leader in question not actually be “mad.”
Events in Iran confirm to me that neither of these things is true about how Donald Trump conducts himself. There’s no theory here, then, just a madman.
Paul Childs Edmonton
This is the most recent in a long line of media commentaries ascribing coherent stratagems to the U.S. President’s chaotic approach to policy of all kinds.
Perhaps Donald Trump is putting Richard Nixon’s “Madman Theory” into practice, but maybe, applying Occam’s razor, the situation is as it appears: the President is a dangerously impulsive and emotionally immature man waging wars and upending the global economy with no plan whatsoever.
Geoff Read Associate professor, history, Huron University; London, Ont.
Worth it
Re “Lifetime legacy” (Letters, April 7): A letter-writer, after harkening back to Margaret Thatcher, reminds us that the government’s money is our money. Fair enough.
The government is also our government. It is our vehicle to act collectively as a society.
I am not advocating confiscatory policy, arbitrary expropriation or tax levels that kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. But we should avoid an implied binary in which government is an alien entity.
Every society has government, and functioning democracies recognize and act on issues best addressed with broad-based policies. And, yes, that requires money.
Bob Goddard Kingston, Ont.
Like the other
Re “The separatists on Premier Danielle Smith’s team” (April 1): The financial arguments put forth by independence seekers in Quebec and Alberta seem to me like the same ones used in Britain to justify Brexit.
Caveat emptor.
Richard Bingham Toronto
Long game
Re “Wait a minute” (Letters, April 6): I am really annoyed at both the Liberal and Conservative positions on high-speed rail from Toronto to Quebec City.
The Conservatives seem to be playing to local NIMBYism for political advantage, while the Liberals are in project management mode. Yet this endeavour is really about a vision for a dynamic and connected 21st-century view of our country and society.
Look at the proposed route map. Think about 20 years into the future. Consider an educated, pluralistic population who can move easily between major cities for employment, cultural enrichment and pursuit of their passions and ambitions.
I am retired. This would be for my granddaughters and a chance to build opportunities for them.
The endeavour will likely not unfold as anticipated: Costs change, available technologies improve. But this is for their future. Talk about it that way.
It’s called leadership.
John Madill Oshawa, Ont.
Fit for war
Re “In Finland, preparing for war is a way of life” (April 2): This highlights how sports, culture and community life build the psychological resilience that underpins Finnish national defence.
A society worth defending must first be one to which people feel genuinely connected. The good news is our community pools, recreation centres, curling clubs and local arenas can be where Canadians build the trust and social connection that Finland’s own defence officials identify as the foundation of a resilient society.
Yet as Canada updates its national security strategy for the first time since 2004, recreational infrastructure remains invisible in that conversation. If we are serious about comprehensive security, we should look at our social fabric.
Start treating community recreation as the soft defence asset it is.
Heather Mair Professor and chair, department of recreation and leisure studies, University of Waterloo
Warning signs
Re “Alberta man launches legal action against province over closings of Calgary, Lethbridge drug-use sites” (April 3): One quote points out a crucial lack in Alberta’s and probably Canada’s policies: “At 14, he was kicked out of his family home and started living on the streets or in group homes.” No 14-year-old should be faced with this situation.
It could be predicted, based on this alone, that this man was destined for a difficult life. Any province or country that allows this to happen, without clear alternatives in place, should be at fault.
He spent time in jail and later was taken to drug-use sites where he was treated as “a human and friend.” We see regular articles on advances in medicine and law but, alas, few on heartfelt caring for our fellow human beings and abandoned children.
Now these centres are closing because of heartless, apparently clueless politicians. Government priorities are missing an essential need to care for our innocent children in a heartfelt way.
Bruce Hutchison Clinical psychologist (retired); Ottawa
With a whimper
Re “Verticals gone horizontal: Pelley tries to explain the Leafs’ failed season” (Sports, April 1): Whew, what a relief. Here I thought it was because of aging, overpaid and underperforming top-end talent, a dearth of first-round picks and a lack of solid prospects in the pipeline.
Once the horizontals are in place to support the verticals in a data-driven culture of accountability, interwoven with the correct strategy and corresponding processes, all should be good. Can’t wait for next season.
Go Leafs go.
Dave Hurley Belleville, Ont.
After 38 consecutive renewals of our Leafs season tickets, we recently decided we would not renew and, rather, just let them go.
After reading the explanation from senior management for the team’s poor performance, we now realize how wise our decision was to call it a day. Waiting for this team to get its “verticals” to be “horizontally integrated as they need to be” is not in alignment with our actual lifespans, let alone our patience.
We’re thinking of maybe taking up curling next winter.
Cathy and Chuck Robertson Mississauga
Word problem
Re “Basic math” (Letters, April 2): A letter-writer wonders if it is “the numerator or denominator that fixed the problem” of Canada meeting NATO’s 2-per-cent spending target.
Indeed, this is a very rational question.
Ross Howey Toronto
Letters to the Editor should be exclusive to The Globe and Mail. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. Keep letters to 150 words or fewer. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter by e-mail, click here: letters@globeandmail.com