U.S. President Donald Trump makes an announcement regarding the Golden Dome missile defense shield in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on May 20.Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Re “Canada in talks with U.S. about ‘Golden Dome’ defence system” (May 22): Although under the guise of security, U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system is provocative and will likely encourage another global arms race.
Unfounded faith in this technology may encourage political and military decisions that only increase the risk of incoming attack.
Since 2000, world military expenditures have nearly doubled and now amount to more than US$2-trillion a year, more than half of which is accounted for by NATO countries.
In contrast, a small percentage of this total is devoted to the United Nations’ entire body of work, including peacekeeping and its social and economic operations.
Canadian values should incline us to put additional federal dollars into global conflict resolution and emergency foreign aid rather than a costly boondoggle with an unreliable partner that will make the world even more unstable and insecure.
Larry Kazdan Vancouver
Entering a joint defence program with the party that threatens your sovereignty is like locking your front door with the intruder behind you.
Ian Starwell Toronto
If we used to be living inside an episode of The West Wing, we are now living inside the world of The Sopranos. The Golden Dome is your standard mob protection shakedown racket.
That we had to learn about it from Donald Trump while the initial response from our own government was awkward silence, I guess reveals all we need to know about Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Only a few months ago, we were concerned about purchasing F-35 jets for fear of being too vulnerable to the United States. Now it’s business as usual.
I’m starting to believe Mr. Trump when he says it wouldn’t require a military invasion to take over Canada.
So much for elbows up.
James Motluk Toronto
Re “Carney defends Golden Dome talks with U.S., says missile threats are serious” (May 22): While Canadians during the election campaign were told by Mark Carney that Donald Trump was not to be trusted as he was determined to break and own Canada, Mr. Carney now argues that we should go into partnership with Mr. Trump for a “Golden Dome” to protect us from missile attacks.
Donald Trump is no longer to be feared. In fact, we will partner and help pay for a very expensive missile defense system meant to protect the U.S.
I can only imagine how much Canadian taxpayers would need to pay. It would cost billions of dollars to cover the U.S. land mass. Canada’s land mass is bigger.
Never mind Canadians living in modular homes, we will be living in tents!
Catharina Summers Kingston
Plans and priorities
Re “Carney cabinet ministers get the same mandate letter listing ‘priorities’” (May 22): We Canadians are seasoned complainers.
Taking time to get the federal budget right is criticized as laziness. Asking ministers to help achieve seven critical priorities for the country, without the “specifics” of how to do so, is seen as a lack of transparency.
In my view, Mr. Carney is not only a leader with a clear vision, he is a competent adult, comfortable acknowledging uncertainties, and treating cabinet members as fellow adults.
In these volatile times, isn’t this exactly what Canada needs?
Donald Hall Ottawa
Payoff
Re “Carney says federal budget coming in the fall” (May 19): The lack of an April budget reminds me of the Toronto Maple Leafs founder Conn Smythe.
Asked if the sum he paid for King Clancy was in the budget, he reportedly said: “Budget? Governments have budgets, and look at the shape they’re in.”
The investment in Mr. Clancy put bums in seats (not a given at the time) and earned playoff revenue.
Perhaps we should be grateful.
Chris Stoate Oakville, Ont.
Playoff postmortem
Re “It’s not a structure issue for the Maple Leafs – they’re choke artists” (Sports, May 21): A fish stinks from the head first.
The one and only constant in the past 11 years and woeful playoff results of the Maple Leafs has been Brendan Shanahan.
In which world can a guy like that, with year after year of playoff failure, keep his job?
Shame on the MLSE board. That they allowed him to remain at the top, with a plan that is not working, is beyond incredible.
Jerry Hartman Toronto
The latest Leaf playoff exit is disappointing but not surprising.
I am 74 years old. The last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup, I was in Grade 11 and had just got my driver’s licence.
No other team has gone as long between Stanley Cups.
Leafs management have a particular talent for recruiting players who fold under pressure. Not only did they lose Game 7 on home ice, they offered only token resistance.
The team’s problem is now psychological. The longer the drought, the greater the pressure to end it. This year’s team, like so many before it, imploded under the weight of history.
Some suggest rebuilding, but postwar Germany was rebuilt quicker than this.
How long will it take to win once again? Maybe next year.
When you’ve been waiting since 1967, what’s another year?
Roy Schneider Regina
It’s not difficult to understand why the Leafs failed to play well on home ice in Game 7.
The pressure from the fans at Scotiabank Arena is just too much for them.
It is ironic and tragic that the Maple Leafs fans actually are the prime cause of the players “not showing up” for Game 7 on home ice.
It’s that simple.
Bruce Walker Oakville, Ont.
Greener pastures
Re “Canada still faces a massive brain-drain problem” (May 19): So Canada’s millionaires are relocating to the United States because of “dissatisfaction with the country’s quality of life and concerns over its economic outlook.” Really?
I expected the honest answer to be that they are seeking lower tax jurisdictions and a warmer winter climate.
Mark Roberts Gananoque, Ont.
Give and take
Re “Anxious about travelling? Six ways to manage your inner turbulence” (May 19): As a somewhat nervous flyer, I derived some solace from this advice – only to discover, mere pages later, that “Canada hosts more old passenger jets than any other country – by far" (Report on Business, May 19)
Giveth with one hand, taketh away with the other.
Julian Tanner Toronto
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