Every time Canada Day rolls around we are reminded about the greatest day of the year in the greatest country in the world.
But that is up for debate in this age of world turmoil where the present government is getting more than their feet wet by sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.
Just because Canada hasn’t fought a war on home soil — never say never. Canada has an open-gate policy when it comes to boat people etc. That becomes major news but soon forgotten as follow-ups regarding them are never clear. Many other problems caused by politicians that can sour a nation make me wonder why the lid hasn’t blown off without an outside invasion.
As a warrior, Canada could never stand alone and I believe time will show Canada really screwed up as the future enemy is gradually growing inside our open gates.
Geographically, Canada could be a great contender to be the queen at the top of nations but as far as leadership she has a bunch of duds in control of the steering wheel.
It has been said beauty is only skin deep but sadly our Canada has suffered many a homegrown heartache and bears many scars due mainly to political transients who have only two working parts that are interchangeable.
Why is it that so many snowbirds and others can’t wait to escape our lovely land to advertised places full of sunshine?
My brother was raised in Australia which became his home and love and that is where he hangs his hat and would not trade residence with me for any amount of persuasion or money.
When the north winds start blowing, the ice age is back and the arteries of transportation are covered in ice and snow, I suggest it may be better to play Russian roulette at home than venture out to drive on roads and highways covered in a snow-white blanket of fear.
Yes Canada is beautiful within its own category, much like the proud mother of her newborn who truly believes her baby is the most beautiful baby ever born when in reality it’s not.
Tom Isherwood
Olalla
*****
Cruise disrupts traffic
I enjoy seeing old vehicles as do many other people, but traffic movement needs to be better handled during the Peach City Beach Cruise parade.
There appeared to be no provision for vehicles to cross Main St. at intervals so that anybody going east-west was stymied during the time it took a few hundred vehicles to travel, slowly, from Skaha Park north to Lakeshore Drive. This is unacceptable.
I was picking up a friend living off South Main to attend a 7 p.m. event in Summerland and so had to cross Main St. twice at about 5:45 p.m. At Green Avenue, a long line of vehicles was waiting to cross, so I went down to Yorkton Street.
Again, there was a bottleneck, but the traffic manager there at least was sensible enough to allow us to get across when someone ahead pleaded with him.
On our way back to the Channel Parkway, however, my friend and I again got stuck at Green Avenue. When she went to the men stopping traffic at the intersection and asked them to let us and other vehicles across, she was told that nobody was crossing until the parade was past.
This situation needs to be improved for next year. The Cruise isn’t the only event in the area.
Eva Durance
Penticton
*****
Northern Gateway needs referendum
Excellent letter from Clifford Martin (Letters, Western News, June 20). I thoroughly agree, but would like to add a few things.
There is no question we need to export our oil, however it must be done in an environmentally safe way. At least as safe as possible, and I don’t think Northern Gateway satisfies those concerns. It must also be done with the consent and participation of First Nations.
It is our resource and we should reap most of the benefits, not some other country. Let us not be apathetic about this issue. We had a referendum in B.C. regarding the HST not so long ago and we pushed back that legislation. We have that power.
Marion A. Nordquist
Penticton
*****
Oil money is never enough
I hope many people watched the Fifth Estate on June 22. I believe everyone living in North America should be made to watch this program Silence of the Labs, about the government terminating funding for the environmental scientists. It’s about what the oil companies don’t want you to know about.
I have often noticed the commercials pertaining to the promotion of the Alberta tar sands, they rarely give you a glimpse of the actual full aerial view of the ever expanding polluted area up there. There is no doubt it’s all about the guys at the top of the ladder with all the money.
They want more and everyone knows more is never enough. They will say and do whatever they need to ensure they get what they want. At any cost.
Does anyone ever hear any discussion about whether the government has any plan to control, reverse, eliminate, or ever even try to clean up the mess of permanent pollution these oil companies have created. The truth is, they will long be dead when the rest of the planet wakes up to what is being done to this planet and with no thought about those left behind.
The fact is, when you’re dead, you’re dead. Those that follow will be the ones to deal with what is being done now.
More people need to learn and see what is taking place on this planet. And it’s all for the greed of money.
Joan Johnson
Penticton
*****
Thirsty and hungry in hospital
On April 23 my 80-year-old husband had day surgery for cancer, after which he had his third minor stroke. Since then he’s been in the hospital in Penticton four more times.
The last time, June 22, he was home and delirious with a massive infection and heart problems. So back to emergency in an ambulance he had to go.
Since this last stroke, and the gout in his hands, he’s been unable to write on his menu to order food, so he sometimes doesn’t get very much.
The juice and milk and sugar he can’t open, or peel his breakfast egg. He’s not able to hold a cup without spilling. No one helps him. He was getting thin and hungry, but I didn’t know why. And he didn’t understand how to tell me. I didn’t ask. I assumed hospital staff still looked after their patients, I was wrong.
So I will now have to go three times a day ($3 parking) and make sure he gets food and water.
Incidentally, water is even hard to get now. He was in emergency from 6 p.m. last night, till I got to the ward at 8 a.m., without a drink of water.
With a high temperature, fever and an infection he came home That’s just not right.
He’ll probably leave again, catch a taxi and come home to get something to eat. Who can blame him? Just as soon as he’s on his feet again, he’ll be here, hungry.
Thank goodness for the few professional nurses and doctors in the emergency he is still alive. But for how long?
Jennifer Farthing
Penticton
*****
RCMP don’t walk the talk
As an accommodation property operator on Lakeshore Drive in Penticton for the last number of years I cannot begin to express my disappointment regarding the lack of RCMP presence during the Cruise Weekend, and particularly on Saturday evening when the burnout fiasco between 8 and 11 p.m. was taking place, endangering the huge crowds gathered on both sides of the street, and some cars almost out of control with their irresponsible activities.
The out of town car club we host every year, with 20 rooms booked for the Cruise weekend, which had paid for spots on the street to show their cars, moved them all onto our lot out of concern for damage, and expressed their disgust with the lack of police for this event and I wholeheartedly agree with them.
So much for, “Feet on the street,” from the new sheriff in town. Talk the talk, you better be prepared to walk the walk, because the ball was dropped on this one.
If this is the manner you plan to be more community involved with your members on the street, I shudder to think what is going to take place for Boonstock.
John Webster
Penticton