It's that self-aware bit
According to Ekos Research president Frank Graves ( The Politics Of Emotion - March 16), political leaders who demonstrate a capacity for intellectual nuance risk being seen as insecure. The electorate, it seems, prefers plain-speaking, macho types who never hint at the possibility of being wrong.
Susan Sarandon's character in Bull Durham had it right: "The world [of politics]is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness."
David Richardson, Victoria
Feet to the coal fire
A new low for the Harper government's climate policy has been achieved ( South Africa Drags Heels On Canadian Bid To Build Power Plant - March 16). International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan is in South Africa, pressing that nation to proceed with a mega coal-fired power plant, promoted by a Canadian coal mining company. Professing to be puzzled by South Africa's resistance, Mr. Van Loan said "sooner or later they are going to come around."
Perhaps he should read the speeches from South Africa's Environment Minister at the Copenhagen climate talks. South Africa, like many other African nations, has committed to a carbon-neutral development path.
South Africa rallied to the slogan (referring to global average temperature increases): "1.5 to stay alive, two degrees is suicide, three degrees is genocide." The truth is the planet cannot avoid a two-degree global average temperature increase unless we stop building coal plants and start shutting them down. Too bad Canada's government has cut support to renewable energy. There's an export other countries actually want.
Elizabeth E. May, leader, Green Party
One too many head shots
Numerous articles have appeared about the proliferation of head shots in hockey, particularly in the NHL ( Managers Urge NHL To Fast-Track Head Shot Regulations - March 16). All agree they are dangerous with potentially serious long-term consequences. But neither the NHL, nor the NHLPA, have come forward with actions to dramatically reduce, if not eradicate, these too often career-ending injuries.
As a former NHL player, I see several causes for this violation of the rules of fair play: lack of respect by too many players for opponents; with millions at stake in player salaries, a desperate mean-spiritedness has crept into the game as journeymen with limited skills scramble for their jobs; and strong leadership has been lacking to stop it.
Maybe the so-called leaders of the game have suffered too many head shots themselves to come up with the clear thinking necessary to solve this most serious threat to the well-being of the game at all levels.
Brian Conacher, Toronto
Another kind of adrenalin rush
At a time when we are increasingly concerned about rising health-care costs, I don't see why we should collectively cover the hospital costs of injured snowmobilers, like those in the B.C. avalanche incident, whose irresponsibility verges on the criminally negligent ( 'What Happened Isn't Going To Stop Me,' Sledder Says - March 16). Similarly, I don't understand why we pay the medical costs of anyone injured while breaking the law, such as not wearing a seatbelt. Could "we" sue them or their estates? Perhaps these are cases where an increased sense of individual responsibility is not unreasonable.
Participants in "extreme" events may get an adrenalin rush from the experience; I get an adrenalin rush contemplating their medical bills.
Ian Guthrie, Ottawa
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The Big Iron Sledders knew the risks - it's really not much different than golfing through a lightning storm.
R.L. Renwick. Lethbridge, Alta.
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There's only one word to describe the participants (and onlookers) who ignored high-risk warnings of an avalanche. That word is stupid or, as the Irish would say, "eejuts!"
Terry J. Waller, Victoria
Drugs, lions, snow etc.
Budding filmmaker Misha Kleider felt he had to sample cocaine and heroin to "understand the street" ( A Walk On The Drug Side - March 16).
I admire his pluck. I just hope he applies a different modus operandi to any exploration of documentary subjects such as assisted suicide, lion taming or avalanche skiing.
Claude Adams, Surrey, B.C.
Action against bull fighting?
In view of your picture of the Spanish anti-sealing protester, how about a young Canadian making himself up as a gored bull and flinging himself on a downtown street ( Raising Harp Seal Cull By 50,000 Denounced As Reckless - March 16)? People in the background could be shouting "Ole!" Do you think a newspaper in Barcelona would carry that photo?
Dan Gleason, Fredericton
It's not about green beer
As a past president of the Irish Canadian Cultural Association of New Brunswick, I am offended by the article How To ... Survive St. Patrick's Day (Life, March 15). Are new Canadians learning that Irish Canadians and hangovers go together? What about the contributions the Irish and their descendants have made to make this country what it is today?
Our St. Patrick's Week celebration in Saint John, in its 26th year, is not about green beer. We celebrate with music, dance, culture and history, a gala dinner, and many charitable fundraising events - and, oh yes, there is a pub at the Legion.
William Brenan, Saint John
The Macdonald-Laurier name
A new think tank, the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, has proposed that the government set aside funds so that every aboriginal child can go to university ( Ending Indian Band Councils' Post-Secondary Funding Recommended - March 16). Good idea! However, the institute needs to find a better name.
Since 1945, Canada has repudiated pretty much everything Sir John A. Macdonald stood for: the British Empire, unthinking anti-Americanism, the Chinese head tax, native residential schools, protectionist tariffs, extreme centralization, and spending on grandiose nation-building public works. (Would the Institute support a trans-continental high-speed train?)
If Sir Wilfrid Laurier stood for anything at all, it was political expediency. Even by that standard, he was less effective than his protégé Mackenzie King. Laurier's many compromises (between French and English, protectionists and free traders, racists and anti-racists, Imperialists and Canadian nationalists) were ultimately less successful than the similar compromises made by King, who held power for longer.
If the institute wants to be a credible force in the fields of native, immigration, and economic policy, it will need to search the historical record for a more appropriate name. Macdonald and Laurier were extreme partisan figures, the former calling the latter a traitor during the 1891 election. Are they really suitable role models for today's politicians?
Andrew Smith, assistant professor of history, Laurentian University
Death, in context
Why could the moral context of death and dying not include the choice of when to die as the ultimate freedom humans can embrace (When Is Euthanasia Justified? - March 15)? Could choosing to die, rather than causing others the pain of watching your body or mind deteriorate beyond recognition of who you once were, not be as valiant as continuing a losing battle for life?
Could it not even be morally justified to choose death to avoid those burgeoning end of life health costs, so others in their prime would be better assured of health care?
Maintaining the moral context of living is what is important. That moral context includes freedom and choice and a quality of life that does not include the degradation of mind, body and spirit. That moral context allows for my embracing death as the final choice I make for myself and, perhaps, even for the sake of others.
Theron Kramer, Kitchener, Ont.
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It should be obvious that each of us, as citizens of Canada, does not really require protection from being forced to be alive when we would rather be dead. We need protection from being killed or "allowed to die" when we wish to remain alive. This may tragically not be obvious to many of us until it is too late.
Perhaps one day you (or someone you love) will be 77 (or 72, or even 66), retired and living on a pension. There will be an "economic downturn." You will require an expensive medicine or you will die. With the medicine, you will be healthy. What would you like the law to be?
Do you really think the proposed "right to die" legislation, if enacted, wouldn't lead to this eventually?
Paul Marrocco, MD, Peterborough, Ont.
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Yet another piece by Margaret Somerville arguing against the right of individuals to end their lives. While I agree with her about the slippery slope involved, I have yet to read or hear anything very persuasive from her regarding her equation of assisted suicide with euthanasia. Ms. Somerville claims a moral high ground that sounds a lot like the Vatican's, but people who think for themselves may find such certainty unconvincing.
David Thomas, Kanata
Something to pore over
Re Man Attacked At Fast-Food Drive-Thru (March 16): To avoid the same fate as the man who was assaulted for taking too much time at a Tim Hortons drive-thru, my next order will be for a double-double on the double-double!
Marty Cutler, Toronto