Heroes, students, scholarships
In its disparagement of academics opposed to the so-called "hero scholarships" ( Anti-Scholarship Scholars - editorial, March 27), The Globe fails to address the question of why money is directed toward this restricted group and not generally to those in need, including among others who may have lost a parent.
Many Canadians are uncomfortable with the equation of all fighters as heroes - particularly, perhaps, in an ill-defined war. The suggestion that opposition is unpatriotic and unsympathetic is as simplistic and offensive as the one that any recipients will, with one mind, fight the "pervasive and doctrinaire leftist analysis."
Anil Srivastava, Toronto
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Scholarships should be awarded on the basis of merit or need, not on the basis of your parents' achievements. However, if scholarships are to be awarded to children of parents who made the ultimate sacrifice serving their country, they should be offered to all such children. For example, dozens of construction workers are killed on the job every year, while literally building the future of our country, yet their children are denied this scholarship.
As University of Regina professor Joyce Green said, "All of my students are worthy of support." ( Criticism Of Scholarships For Children Of Fallen Soldiers Draws Sharp Rebuke - online edition, March 26) Exactly. It should be about the students, not the arbitrary elevating of one profession over others.
Bill Longstaff, Calgary
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Perhaps if the professors had offered up a solution such as a simple change of the program name to "Project Freedom," they wouldn't have tarnished the honour of this program as much as they have undermined their own.
A well-earned group sabbatical in Afghanistan might allow these professors to reacquaint themselves with the freedoms they have within their safe and secure vocation.
James MacDonald, Aurora, Ont.
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Support for military families who have lost a spouse or parent in war is a worthy goal, but perhaps by labelling servicewomen and men as "heroes" the university administration is overstepping its bounds.
A scholarship program without the loaded title, or perhaps one that offers assistance to all students who have lost a parent in war, might be met with wider support. Canadian soldiers deserve our support, but we must also support Canadians who have had to deal with disastrous consequences of war in other countries.
Joel MacDonald, Saskatoon
Afghan glee club
The only thing missing from David Bercuson's comments on the pending U.S. request that Canadian troops stay in Afghanistan after 2011 ( This U.S. Plea Is A Harper Saver - March 26) is a photo of Mr. Bercuson rubbing his hands in glee. Apparently, he has been quite worried that "the Americans are not happy with Canada's intent."
I don't know what is making him most excited: that Canadian troops can still be engaged in a war of occupation in Afghanistan, or that Canada is going to have another chance to make Americans happy.
Marguerite Warner, Winnipeg
Resources have buyers
In his fine article on the Congo ( The War That Won't End - Focus, March 27) , Geoffrey York makes reference, almost in passing, to the "incredible resources, forests and minerals, ranging from copper and tin to diamonds and gold," and to coltan, "a key material in the manufacture of mobile phones." It is the extraction of these resources that drives and finances much of the murderous activity in the Congo.
Who are the buyers? In a way, we all are, but it would be good to know exactly who purchases these illegally extracted riches, and who should stand trial for financing the purchase of arms and the continuing murderous "rebel" activity in the Congo. Then we might be able to make informed choices about our purchases of items such as mobile phones and RRSP investments.
Brewster Kneen, Ottawa
A church-specific problem, or not
With revelations of additional sexual abuses in the Catholic Church around the world being announced on an almost daily basis ( Vatican Forced To Defend Pope Over Sex Scandal - March 26), it is evident that this is not a local, cultural or national problem. Rather, it seems to be endemic in the church establishment itself.
While the victims must be heard and the perpetrators brought to justice, it is also vital that the church look within itself to determine the changes that must be made immediately to assure that the abuse stops.
Sheila Dropkin, Toronto
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The investigations in the Catholic Church have focused on sexual exploitation of young males. But it should be expanded to include cases of extortion of sexual acts from either sex at any age. And it must be made clear that this is not an exclusive church problem.
It is notorious in prisons, a subject of rules for doctors and businesses, and a problem anywhere else a person has authority over others, such as the armed forces and the police. Let us not pretend that sexual extortion only happens between priests and boys.
Michael Callaghan, Toronto
The Liberals' big bang
I am surprised that neither John Ibbitson ( The Man With A Plan For The 'Damaged Middle Class' - March 27) nor Jeffrey Simpson ( Smart People Talked, But Were The Liberals Listening? - March 27) mentioned a significant part of this weekend's Liberal Party policy conference in Montreal: namely Saturday's online communication session, which allowed people across the country to not only listen to the panel debate on education but also to e-mail or tweet comments and questions, which were displayed next to the streamed video. Many of those commenting were young people, and there were frequent messages praising the session's immediacy and the opportunity for input.
The Liberals' method of preparing for the next election - listening to what knowledgeable and concerned Canadians have to say, identifying the issues that truly matter, taking the time to craft sound policies, and holding fire until the Harperites come within range - certainly has my approval. Those who yearn for more fireworks may be disappointed in Mr. Ignatieff, but I prefer to wait for the bigger bang.
Mark DeWolf, Halifax
Devil's in the details
The photo used in One EpiPen is Good, But Two Is Better (Globe Life - March 26) shows faulty technique. The model is holding the device with her thumb over the safety-cap end. Patients at risk of anaphylaxis should be trained to grasp the EpiPen with fingers and thumb wrapped around it to make a fist.
In the panic of an allergic emergency, it is all to easy to hold the device the wrong way and strike the thigh with the safety-cap end, injecting the thumb. There are many published cases of accidental epinephrine injection into the thumb, which causes spasm of the arterial blood supply and a cold, white, painful digit. This may become a medical emergency in itself and renders the epinephrine far less effective for its intended purpose.
Also, the article itself fails to fully define the type of patient who may need two kits. Evidence is clear that the vast majority of fatal cases following accidental exposure to the offending food occur in patients with asthma. As a practising allergist, patients I see who have both an important food allergy and asthma are the likely candidates.
David Cross, MD, Calgary
Canada's trade amigo
Both Conservatives and Liberals have lost sight of the reality of life in Colombia ( Dining, Dancing, Free-Trade Deal Making - March 27). If they were to read the evidence put forward in reports of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, they would see just how absurd the arguments were concerning the proposed benefits of free trade.
The arguments put forward by Colombia's Trade Minister are spurious. The trickle-down benefits he sees coming from free trade will not help the poor of his country, but rather will only deepen societal divisions. And this will come about in a country already plagued by violence, corruption and injustice. This is the kind of trade partner we want?
Rather than "dining, dancing, free trade deal-making" with his Colombian amigo, Scott Brison should talk with human-rights activists, the displaced and family members of the hundreds of "disappeared." This proposed deal should be rejected by anybody with a conscience.
John Kirk, professor of Latin American studies, Dalhousie University
Lack-of-power hour
I turned off all my lights Saturday night and watched television as the world's cities shut down to save power. ( Darkness Descends As Earth Hour Tolls - online edition, March 27) However, I lit 16 candles so my family wouldn't be walking blindly around the house.
I wonder: Did the burning of all our candles for one hour produce more pollutants than the electricity generation stations would have?
Mervyn Jones, Nanaimo, B.C.