Vladimir Putin remains defiant in the face of widespread condemnation of Russia's anti-gay laws and questions about gay athletes' safety. Critics are calling for the IOC to take away the Sochi Games. Readers, print and digital, take to the podium to explore the issue
....................................................................................................................................
Re Canada To Favour Refugee Claims By Gay Russians (Aug. 12): I'm glad Canada is stepping up to the plate and helping people in need. We're finally starting to sound like the old Canada again.
Michael Daley, Saint John
.........
This has more to do with sticking it to Russia than with actually caring about these people.
Alijan Khan, Toronto
.........
Russia is banning what it calls gay "propaganda." If gay athletes don't preach about their sexual orientation, they'll be fine. And why should anyone at the Games, gay or straight, set about preaching about their sexual orientation? This whole thing is being overblown. Talk sports and not sex, and everything will be fine.
Roger Nichols, Vancouver
.........
Canada (and most other civilized countries) signed an international treaty requiring us to accept and protect genuine refugees when they have been genuinely persecuted in their home country, simply because they belong to an identified group.
Steve Cooper, Ottawa
.........
It's great to offer support, although I fear this is mostly an attempt at a great PR move that makes the Conservatives appeal to those who might otherwise have written them off.
Julian van Mossel-Forrester, Kitchener, Ont.
.........
Re Right-Wing Group Chides Baird For Backing Gay Rights (Aug. 8): I consider myself a "grassroots Canadian" and I agree with Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird that the criminalization of homosexuality is wrong.
Defending the rights of gays abroad, in this case Russia, is the right way to go.
Not being a Conservative supporter, I can't speak for the rest of Mr. Baird's constituency.
But it is to be hoped that they are considerably more enlightened than the members of REAL Women – and not just on matters related to this group's views on homosexuality.
Ann Sullivan, Peterborough, Ont.
.........
I am trying to comprehend the REAL Women of Canada position that denying basic human rights to gay people somehow makes gay people the elitists.
Michael Martyn, Orillia, Ont.
.........
Those who want Western countries to boycott the Sochi Games, or to move the Olympics because of Russia's restriction of gay rights: Yes, let's move backward toward Cold War hostilities. That's a great idea!
Michael Cust, Morinville, Alta.
.........
If every LGBT supporter in the world gave $1, it would cover Vancouver's costs for hosting the relocated 2014 Games.
Tamara Malczewska Mah, Victoria
.........
Idealistically, calling for the Games to be moved to Vancouver is a nice idea: Punish those who laugh in the face of basic human rights.
Realistically, it's impossible. Vancouver does not have enough time to accomplish this, as there are numerous factors other than the venues that are in play here.
Russia should never have been awarded the Games. There were plenty of other things going on to justify sending them a message by denying the bid.
Alina Popkova, Toronto
.........
Do you know how easy it is for hate groups to find queer athletes through Google? Move the games back to Vancouver.
Ginny Lomax, Ottawa
.........
A Canadian boycott of the Olympic Games hurts only the athletes, but a rainbow flag as an integral element of the Canadian teams' uniforms hurts only Russian bigots.
Michael D. Arkin, Toronto
.........
Next thing ya know, we'll be demanding the 2018 Winter Games be moved from South Korea to North Korea since the Stalinist system in place there is more "worker class friendly." This is how moronic this boycott movement is becoming.
David C. Moore, Salt Lake City
.........
The Olympics break down barriers through sport. Past Olympics have been hosted by countries with terrible human-rights practices. If used properly, this could be a catalyst for change in Russia.
Matt Ward, Guelph, Ont.
.........
The Olympics is a business like the rest of professional sports. An ugly, nasty business whose driving force is profit. If the Games were about the Olympic ideals, they would have never been awarded to Russia. Or to China.
Dave Cunningham, Calgary
....................................................................................................................................
ON REFLECTION MORE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
All 100 senators
Re Auditor-General Widens Review Of Senators' Expense Claims (Aug. 16): The Auditor-General will now review the expenses of all 100 Senators. Where was he before?
While the Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin cases may be extreme, this kind of thing must have been going on in the Senate in some form over the years.
The only way to control the Senate and to make senators directly accountable to Canadians is by having elected members, rather than the "friends" system we have now.
Tony ten Kortenaar, Toronto
.........
PMO hypocrisy
As much as I dislike the abuse of taxpayer funds for partisan activities by senators Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy, I begrudgingly must admit a certain empathy for their plights. They were each doing the job they were appointed to do – raise money for the Conservative Party. I don't think they went to all those fundraisers just because they like chicken.
For the PMO now to make righteously indignant noise about protecting the public purse in an attempt to distance itself is hypocritical, but sadly, typical of this government.
Michael Farrell, Oakville, Ont.
.........
I'll get the tab
Re Your Cheque, Sir (Life & Arts, Aug. 16): Any woman who goes on a date should be sure she'd be willing to go, no matter who pays.
Men have a right to grow resentful of this form of chivalry, since they end up taking out women who are more interested in a free dinner than in getting to know them. Since when did dating become like going to the food bank?
Other things matter more than taking care of the bill, like opening a car door or walking a woman home.
Alexandra Gelfenbein, Toronto
.........
Odd analogy
Re Ottawa Goes Cross-Country To Defend Its Wireless Strategy (Aug. 16): Industry Minister James Moore compares Canada's telecoms to North American auto makers in the 1980s when they faced foreign competitors.
I find his analogy odd.
Verizon will be able to use existing infrastructure and also bid for more of the new prime spectrum.
When Toyota and Honda came into Canada they were expected to build their own plants, not rely on the existing ones operated by Ford and GM.
Wynne Tummon, Grimsby, Ont.