(re: Guilty, Western News, March 7)
Obviously you are feeling great taking it upon yourselves not only to destroy a man (Gary Leaman) and his life achievements, but also to make life even more unbearable for his family.
Isn’t it up to the court/judge to rule on an appropriate punishment? Unlike your paper, a judge will never destroy an otherwise honorable member of our community but will sentence based on facts. Facts you don’t know.
Congratulations, you self-righteous, revenge-seeking vultures just scored a 10 in doing wrong.
Your disgusted reader,
Roland Ebneter
Naramata
Political apple doesn’t fall very far from the tree
Recently, there has been much said about various political leaders in the media.
Fingers are pointed at such things as: the Conservatives (under Stephen Harper’s steerage) are ultra-nepotistic and uncaring; the NDP (under Tom Mulcair) defying the Speaker of the House recently rather than sticking to his real role as opposition leader and last, but not least, Justin Trudeau’s recent removal of 32 Liberal appointed senators from his caucus.
If all of these leaders portray themselves as being the ultimate cure for Canada’s ills, we could be in trouble deeper than we’ve ever been before. Or, could we? Let’s go back in time to when much of this hype was similar even then. I refer to Trudeaumania. First Pierre Elliot and now Justin Pierre James Trudeau.
Now for proof that there is much truth in the old adage “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
PET came on like gangbusters (Trudeamania) by being narcissistic, flamboyant, off-the-wall and totally brash. I don’t think that anyone would refute that! What then, young Justin?
Although scaled down, young Trudeau shows some of the same characteristic signs that T, the elder did, although a little lower keyed than T, the elder.
Let’s look at some coincidences and draw a comparison. Pierre Trudeau often spoke about strengthening democracy, however, his commitment to the system would often vary. In 1977, he said that in certain countries and at certain times a one-party state would be preferable.
Recently, in a TV interview, Justin stated a parallel to what daddy said in that he extolled the virtue of China and its political one-party system as to how successful the country was.
He then had to back-pedal and say that what he said was taken out of context. Hmm ... coincidence?
Just as PET shot from the lip, so too, does Justin. He has on more than one occasion shot himself in the foot by being vocal and expressing an opinion and then doing a complete 360 degree turn. I make reference to his before and after stance on marijuana. A lesson in vacillation or what?
A further faux pas came to the fore in another interview when he stated that “Quebecers were better than the rest of Canadians.”
When asked why, he simply stated, “because they are Quebecers.” Logic or what? Yet, this guy wants to be prime minister! Scary or what?
Who knows what lies in Canada’s future? It’s almost a damned if you do scenario politically or a damned if you don’t!” Stay tuned folks. We’ll just have to wait for the “political puck to be dropped to find out how the game will be played!”
Ron Barillaro
Penticton
Last threat of separation
Once again Quebec is threatening to leave Canada. It’s about time we called their bluff. Let them go, but under the understanding that all benefits they are now getting from Canada will cease if they leave.
If they should hold a referendum, make this the last time, and any further attempts to secede should be considered an act of treason and those proposing it should be tried in a court of law, and if found guilty, sentenced to life in prison.
I don’t believe the ordinary citizen in Quebec is so ignorant as to believe seceding would be in the best interest of Quebecers. For instance, the government in a separated Quebec would lose their credit rate with the world, and every country needs a good credit standing in the world economy.
Donald E. Thorsteinson
Penticton
Deer problem not over
Well if I said it once, I have said it a hundred times. Just like my poor old mother (may she RIP) would say, deer oh deer, what on earth is this world coming to?
Thank you, Heather Caron for helping bring this deer saga almost to close. I say almost because, according to Judy Sentes, she has not had the last word on this issue.
In other words the Viking Lady with the horns on her helmet is not finished her insufferable opera just yet.
History almost repeated itself only this time it’s deer that were almost banished to the reservations because they were a threat and a nuisance. The white man sure has a way of ridding everything that irritates them. So what’s next? Round up all the chickens and truck them up Green Mountain Road? If so, I have some acquaintances that maintain vegetable gardens that will gladly take the hen poop.
Us baby boomers were given a six-pence a wheel barrel full of horse manure, in the old country, the recipients would boast the most ribbons in first and second in show for their roses. So now folks brace yourself for that situation for feeding the deer. If you have deer feeding in your yard the man in the uniform driving the little bubble car with the City of Penticton stenciled on the side is going to get you, bad boy, bad boy, where are you gonna run, where are you gonna hide.
Andy Homan
Penticton
Let garden grow
On behalf of the Penticton Garden Club I write in support of the Penticton Urban Agriculture Association and their teaching garden on Backstreet Boulevard. This small, hardworking group of about eight volunteers has taken a plot of unused land and provided a service to the community at no cost to the city.
Before 2011, the lot was a weed and junk-filled mess beside Penticton Creek. Now at least it looks like a teaching area.
At certain times of the year a garden may not look its best, but that does not mean the garden should be abandoned.
Through their efforts people who have no history or knowledge of gardening have been encouraged to take up food production. In a time of rising food costs this is a noble endeavour indeed. City council should be looking at ways to provide more assistance rather than shutting down the project.
Did the complainant offer a solution? Can a parking lot be located so close to Penticton Creek? What does council have future plans for this space?
Could council put some energy into encouraging this small group by providing publicity, suggesting the project to more people through your city newsletter and supporting these individuals who are keenly aware of the worldwide issue of food security?
The Penticton Garden Club strongly supports the work of Penticton Urban Agriculture Association.
Jan Higgins
Penticton Garden Club