I wish the readers wherever they are a happy and satisfying New Year.

Rejected Letters

It seems to be my fate that my best letters to the Editors get consigned to the heaps of obscurity and those written in jest get published. Here is a sample of what received the delete treatment from the newspapers listed below the letter.

While I support the idea of free speech (A landmark for free speech, editorial, Dec. 23) I do believe that the readers/listeners should be given some idea of the qualifications of the writer/speaker. The public expects reputable media to hire qualified commentators and edit their vituperations. Alas, no such filter is available on the internet. Consequently, internet is full of contradictory information spread by often ignorant people giving vent to their prejudices. Readers need some means of judging the validity of what is posted and a process that insists on the bloggers telling us their qualifications will be most welcome even if it is considered a violation of free speech.
Globe and Mail, 24/12/09

Re: PM’s stimulus exit plan: Get ready for five frugal years, Dec. 22.

The headline is misleading because Mr. Harper is promising five years where the better off in Canada will not be asked to share their wealth with the less fortunate. The poor will continue to become poorer and rich richer; frugal will tend towards destitution and the comfortable will bask in brighter sunshine. Whatever you may call such government, just and responsible this ain’t, not to mention totally devoid of Christmas spirit.
Globe and Mail, 22/12/09

While the disappointment of the Left (With bitter pills, Obama gets his health vote, Dec. 21) with “little steps” is understandable, one can only hope that after soul searching now being done they will continue their support for a visionary President so that several small steps can add up to become big steps rather than be retraced by the return of the self-absorbed Right,
Globe and Mail, 20/12/09

Sheila Pratt (Tory fortress under siege from left and right, December 20) is in too much of a rush to bury Ed Stelmach and his party. It is a long way to elections and the Premiere is focusing on unpleasant policy initiatives like dismantling of health care. As the election approaches, goodies will begin to roll and the pacification of enraged electorate will go in full swing. Voters will forget and/or forgive and revert to the old habit of sticking with the devil they know. Some won’t like it, as they did not last time, but Ed will be back to stumble along for another term.
Edmonton Journal, 20/12/09

Margaret Wente (When in doubt…., Dec. 19) makes an excellent case for tolerance and understanding for religions among atheists, not just for other religions among religious. Unfortunately atheists, I among them, have fallen short on this account. While taking it for granted from our religious spouses, relatives and friends we have not reciprocated; and when we have it has not been with grace. We owe sincere gratitude to Ms. Wente and hopefully this piece of excellent writing will foster some Christmas spirit among non-believers.
Globe and Mail, 19/12/09

While it would be churlish to dispute Jeffrey Simpson (It was a very good year for the Prime Minister, Dec. 18) the history will not judge Mr. Harper by his poll numbers which improved mainly because the opposition was inept but by what he did to enhance Canada’s standing in the world. Not much I am afraid. Canada’s banks survived the economic crisis because of the regulations Tories hate but did not have the majority to weaken; economy stabilized because thanks to Chinese demand commodity prices improved; Canada’s hard earned respect in the Third World is close to vanishing point because of the misguided foreign aid policies; health care is in crisis because of benign neglect at the Federal level and as the year comes to the close we have become the laughing stock because of the poor presentation of whatever logic is behind our policy on emissions.
Globe and Mail, 18/12/09

Re: We're richer, but deeper in debt, Website, Dec. 14.

Deeper debt would not be alarming if the debt was carried by the same families who are richer. Unfortunately, it is my observation that it is the families with few declining assets whose debt level is reaching dangerous levels. The crisis last year was not caused by the well-off but by the relatively poor who could not keep up with the mortgages. Their debt is what we have to worry about, not the statistical average for all and sundry. It is not beyond the pale that the next crisis will be caused by the banks failing to collect on the credit card debts incurred during Christmas season when the interest rates start creeping up from their current ridiculously low levels.
Globe and Mail, 14/12/09

Re: The recycling conundrum: How your blue bin hurts the environment, December 5.
I couldn’t agree more. I suggest that the solution of too much waste is less consumption, not recycling. Just the way it is not politic to discuss human overpopulation while discussing global warming, it is not done to talk about reducing packaging, reusing glass and plastic containers at home, consuming less and thinking twice before replacing large items. It will hurt the economy, we are told. Of course it will. If the economy were based on sustainability, not the short term and thoughtless consumption, old attitude of getting full value out of the money you spent would prevail and there will be fewer stressed men and women around.
National Post, 5/12/09

James Surowiecki (The debt economy, November 23) raises the issue of too much debt distorting the economy and blames the tax regime for it. Another reason, at least for small businesses, is the cost. By the time one has added legal, administrative and brokerage costs to the discount on share price, it is so much cheaper and quicker to go to the friendly banker. The only solution that has been ever proposed, and has had some success, is the Islamic ban on charging interest money lent. Under this system, the institution with money takes equity and acquires the responsibility of ownership. The person in need of money parts with only the interest that he must. This optimizes the transactions and is in short and long term interest of individuals, businesses and the society at large.
New Yorker, 27/11/09

Seymour M. Hersh (Defending the arsenal, November 16) refers to anti-Americanism in Pakistan army and the population. Contrary to his suggestion, the reason for this has nothing to do with the “friendship” with India since it was present, at least among the general population, before the thaw in Indo-American relations. Just like all other Islamic countries, it has everything to do with Middle East conflict. The American support for Israel has set in motion a spiral: it created anti-American feeling which encouraged fundamentalism which in turns exacerbated anti-Americanism. The only way to break the spiral is a lasting settlement of Palestine problem. Unfortunately that is not on horizon because this President, like others before him, is not likely to risk antagonizing his pro-Israel supporters by forcing an unpleasant solution on Israeli leaders.
New Yorker, 25/11/09

Re: Facebook page linked to Dion's wife harsh on Liberals, Nov. 22.
While the gloating at the misfortunes of the current leader by the disgruntled wife of the former leader is understandable, it is still unfair to kick someone when he is down. Even though Mr. Dion was poorly treated, Liberals need to work together whatever their grudges if they wish to avoid a Mulroney-Campbell type massacre in the next election. Members have complaints in any national party in opposition, partly because there is not much work to go around and partly because they are missing the lick at the trough. However, if they want to return to power, they have to fight their battles in private, not on Facebook.
Edmonton Journal, 22/11/09
Re: Taliban debating whether to end Afghan war: expert. Nov. 21

The West has at least three problems in negotiating with Taliban. First, how do you convince them that you are not negotiating to cut your losses, after all they have been fighting the combined forces of the mightiest in the world for eight years, inflicting casualties on them almost daily and are still standing in spite of all the bomb dropped on them. Second, what do you negotiate with people whose belief system is diametrically opposite to yours other than how to hand over power to them while saving your face? Third, if any one believes Taliban will honour any agreements which they consider contrary to their interpretation of Islam, I have a cheap house in Calgary to sell them.
National Post, 21/11/09

Ponzi-mania grips globe, Regulators busy as cases surge, Web, Nov. 15.

It can be argued that in the aftermath of financial meltdown more Ponzi like schemes are being investigated now than they were before and the actual number of cases is not significantly higher. In any event these schemes reap great rewards for the criminals of big losses for the victims. Considering how hard it is to find the culprits, prove the charges in court, all the time and money consuming appeals that follow, and light sentences at the end of long drawn out process during which the criminals are free on bail living high on the proceeds of their crime, there are tempting incentives for indulging in such practices. It speaks volumes on basically honest nature of Canadians that such schemes are not much more widespread. Even if they were, our justice and law enforcement systems are so tilted towards the criminal that we will never know for sure.
Calgary Herald, 15/11/09

Abdullah withdraws from Afghanistan presidential election run-off, Nov. 1

The contrast between the appearances of Karzai and Abdullah couldn’t be greater. Karzai is always dressed in conventional attire while Abdullah wears western suits, tie and a wedding ring which is not an Afghan custom. Whether it means that Abdullah is honest while Karzai is corrupt or he would have expanded the government rule beyond Kabul which Karzai has not been able to is hard to say but there can be no doubt that his approach would have been drastically different. That may be why the two can’t work together and Taliban are not likely to be defeated till they do.
Vancouver Sun, 1/11/09

Antonio Abreu (A classical superstar beats the drums for music education, Oct 31) is quoted to have said, “When Arts education takes the place in our society that it deserves, we will have much less delinquency and violence, and much more motivation towards noble achievement.”

True, but is any one of any importance taking note?
Globe and Mail, 31/10/09

Hillary wears niqab in Pakistan. Does she wear a burqa in Saudi Arabia?
What a shame another opportunity to support reform oriented Pakistani women was missed.
National Post, 21/10/09

Re: Girl riding in trunk killed in car crash; several teens injured, Oct. 25
The parents of these kids are grieving and I sympathise with them. However, before blaming the laws, the roads or the vehicles, one has to ask what were the kids that age doing on the highway at that hour. If parents do not exercise the authority they need to and instill a sense of discipline in their sons and daughters, such accidents will happen whatever laws were in force and we will continue to suffer the loss of what could have been productive citizens in a few years.
Montreal Gazette, 26/10/09

Re: Black responds, Oct. 17.

In all the arguments about the U.S. problems in which trade imbalance with China plays an important role, no one mentions the problems caused by China’s insistence on tying its currency to the U.S. dollar. If Yuan floated as other currencies do, it would be much higher, the Chinese imports would become less attractive and the local manufacturers would have a chance. As it is, China is lending Americans the money to buy its products more cheaply than would be the case at a fair exchange rate. How long will they continue to do so is any one’s guess but the situation is not sustainable in the long term.
National Post, 18/10/09

Todd Hirsch (Down under at the forefront, Oct. 17) missed the obvious difference: Kangaroos promptly did what the socialist governments do best i.e. promote “education, innovation, science, technology” while the conservative Beaver did grudgingly with hesitation what needed to be done quickly with good spirit.
Globe and Mail, 17/10/09

The answer to why Roman Polanski belongs in prison is simple: he committed a crime and escaped rather than face the music. The intervening time span and his contributions have nothing to do with it. I have brought up three daughters and have two young grand daughters. If the society and the justice system don’t protect them from individuals who are otherwise successful, I will have to take revenge for any harm to them myself. There will be no court trial, no appeals just swift punishment. And I may not go to prison either. I have been quite successful in many things I have tried during my life.
Maclean’s, 11/10/09

While no one can oppose the sentiment of Elizabeth Kolbert (Leading causes, October 5) that much more needs to be done to limit the greenhouse emissions, we also need to begin preparing for the effects of what can’t be undone. As the starter, it may already be too late for Maldives Islands and other low lying areas or the people living in the Arctic. Although it may be early days to start moving habitants of these areas, it is not too early to start planning the evacuation of these areas when it becomes necessary. One can be sure that there will not be much warning about time and place when this calamity occurs.
New Yorker, 03/10/09

Re: A changing world puts Brazil on top, Aug. 3.

IOC’s rebuff of Chicago’s bid in which the U.S. President had invested so much political capital will embolden the leaders of terrorist groups and erstwhile ‘rogue’ states in their contempt of the U.S. and to carry on with their nefarious activities. I am afraid, very afraid.
Globe and Mail, 03/10/09

Re: Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

While the apprehension of Western countries about the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons is understandable, the fear of Iran about Israel’s existing nuclear weapons should also be appreciated. Israel has, under the pretext of self-defence, expanded its territory and sent its armies in neighbouring jurisdictions at will. How to contain Israel is as much a problem to its neighbours as the presumed threat of Iran is to the West. The solution of the conflict in the Middle East in its various forms lies in restraining Israel, not in asking neighbours to enjoy their suffering.
National Post, 26/09/09