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Cobourg (Clive Naismith,Ontario), 16 days ago

The Editor.

I read with interest your editorial and the Letter by Roy Cowan of Port Hope. Suggesting that Canadians should boycott Mexico by you and several members of Parliament is irresponsible.

For over 17 years my wife and I spent the winter months in Mexico. In 1990 we purchased a house in a small village 10 kilometers north of San Miguel de Allende. We stayed there until 2002. We did not require a security system like we had in our house in Mississauga nor did we have any problems in the 12 years we were there. We drove down and back each year without any problems except the latter years when the government put in more restrictive entry requirements and also eliminated the mordita (money) that allowed you quick entry. It was interesting that some North Americans were upset that they could not longer gain quick entry by bribing the Border Custom personnel.

My wife learned Spanish before we went so that we could communicate with the people in their language. What we found is that many Mexicans were bilingual in Spanish and English and so for many North Americans in Mexico it was easy to get around.

We found the people of Mexico very accommodating and friendly. There is poverty to a larger degree than here in Canada and that is why you find so many street beggars, but they don't assault you as they sometimes do in Toronto.

Over the years we met and became friends with a number of Mexican families and enjoyed learning their culture. We spent many Christmas periods with a family in Mexico City and were treated like members of their family.

We found the land of Mexico very interesting. In one days travel you could pass through Mountains, desert, tropical areas before reaching either coast.

In Mexico , like any other country, if you break the law or act in a stupid manner you will find yourself in trouble. Unfortunately like France they do work on the system of Guilty until proven Innocent . When I read or hear people express their distaste for Mexico (sometimes without even having being there) I think it very unfair. It’s even more disturbing when it is done for political reasons only. Ms Martin may be innocent but as we find here in Canada some people are charged, convicted and many years later found to be innocent. The circumstances surrounding her arrest have never been made clear but for the liberals of our society, who think no one should be charged with an offence as it was probable the fault of society, we are now is the process of trying to change the customs of a sovereign country to fit our own - sounds a bit American to me.

Toronto (Charlotte Toth,Ontario), 2 months ago

Gordon Gilchrist's latest attack, on the groups that convened a press conference Wednesday is a further confirmation of the public's concerns about his attitudes. When the reasonable suggestion was made that he partake in anti-racism training, he referred to the various assembled groups representing immigrants as, "These people" who - in his opinion- have "some kind of substitute for mental capacity". I guess what Gilchrist doesn't understand is that typically people with bigoted attitudes don't admit they have them. I truly think Mr. Gilchrist believes his comments are acceptable - that is what makes them so insidious. if anyone ever needed sensitivity training it's Gordon Gilchrist and I would suggest that if he remain adamant against availing himself of a program that exists and has been offered to him then I think there is no alternative but to have him removed from his position as schoolboard Trustee.

Baltimore (D. M. MacAndrew,On.), 2 months ago

Gord Gilchrists letter seems to have not only strirred up controversy over freedom of speech, but has left residents asking if 'hurt feelings' of immigrants overrule an individuals freedom of speech. Is it punishable by firing?

Why aren't the feelings of born Canadians considered? Is it 'racist' to feel hurt that Canada is used by SOME immigrants as a 'Nation of convenience'? Is it wrong to ask why we gave citizenship and health care to the Khadr family? They allegedly have fired on NATO troops fighting for the other side! Is it wrong to ask, "why doesn't my ethnic and National heritage matter in this 'multicultural' society? Personally, I've been told that "Canadians dont' have a culture". No human rights commisions, shock or outrage ensued.

Many of us have had family that fought and died for Canada and it's freedoms. We have a love and attachment to our Nation that is unique and inseparable.

There is room for immigrants, there are opportunities and friendships to be had, but, without respect for the new country there will always be a degree of backlash.

Let's start considering the hurt and alienation citizens who are living in the only home they've ever known are feeling. This will create the warm, hospitable environment that will welcome newcomers. Their descendants will be a part of us more than the old country.

Chicago, Il (Wm. Tom Davis,United States of America), 2 months ago

Shelby Parker's article about a woman who chose to leave the Roman Catholic Church and become a minister elsewhere has no mention about what The Roman Catholic Church teaches regarding her choice. She has in essense excommunicated herself by becoming ordained in a different church. He fails to mention that her ordination is not valid in the Roman Catholic Church and that any sacraments she dispenses are also not valid in the Roman Catholic Church, only the Protestant Church she has chosen to be a member of.
Your article is misleading and confusing to those who are not familiar with what the Roman Catholic Church teaches.

Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ken Hill,Ontario), 2 months ago

Too Much Intrusion, a Slippery Slope: Premier McGuinty

Rule by Consensus, (Rule by Pressure Groups), is todays' anti-ideology in government. It depends on a figurehead government whose ultimate job seems to be that of head counting, and issuing massive amounts of propaganda. This is designed to appease the howling hordes of health care pressure groups, and distort information for public consumption.

What prevailing emotion permeates from Rule by Consensus? That emotion is demoralizing, debilitating fear, instead of an optimistic view of the future. There are very few politicians, if any, with uncompromising integrity to speak above the disgrace, in honour of truth and justice.

Last year, Premier Dalton McGuinty said he wouldn't entertain such a ban (smoking in cars with children) because it amounts to "too much intrusion in peoples' private lives." The only logical interpretation of this statement is that it is a subconscious admission, that the entire anti-smoking movement eliminates smoker's individual rights, and has always been an intrusion into the lives of a smoker's family dynamic.

In the position of being helpless pawns, the relentless, agonizing mental/emotional burden unleashed upon children by government, the media, schools, and society in general, in order to control their thinking and their behaviour in regards to smoking, will likely negate the vital growth of their self-confidence. They are disintegrating rather than lifting their human spirit.

The regurgitated onslaught of propaganda and half-truths lead children in the direction of hatred and prejudice toward any member of society that the government, through 'health and safety,' points out, as undesirable. The evidence of this conclusion is becoming more apparent. This manipulating and smothering kind of concern is the manner in which our government treats the children, that they supposedly care about. Force begets fear and panic, not understanding. Destroy the mind and the body will follow.

From the words of eminent philosopher/novelist Ayn Rand, "Under both systems, (Fascism and Communism), sacrifice is invoked as a magic, omnipotent solution in any crisis---and 'the public good' is the altar on which victims are immolated." For the less informed, anti-smoking has never been an issue of 'health and safety.' Smoke free is a hidden agenda to promote power lust.

Now having reached a moral crossroad, if a legislation, 'smoking in cars with children,' is passed, the Ontario Liberals lasting Legacy will be the "slippery slope" (from Premier McGuinty), in which our individual rights will be despoiled. The appeasement of pressure groups is of higher priority than our children, and the rest of the citizens, taxpayers, voters!