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Re: For federal parties, a season to be aware, Opinion, Sept. 6
I admire the intelligence Tasha Kheiriddin has put into her latest column in which she describes the pitfalls that both the Liberals and Conservatives need to avoid in the upcoming fall season.
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In particular, Liberals could escalate their present unpopularity if they try to turn the criminal trial of Freedom Convoy organizers into an attack on their political beliefs. This may appeal to a few, but most Canadians will be turned off by it. This is because a majority of our citizens still believe in fair play and understand it is one thing to punish the protest organizers for actual criminal behaviour and another to condemn them for their opinions about COVID.
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If there is one thing all Canadians should be totally adamant about, it is that we do not allow ourselves to become culturally and politically as polarized as our American neighbours have become. That is what happens when differences of opinion are no longer tolerated and, even worse, those who have them are punished.
Peter Mannistu, Calgary
Pitch in for a clean city
Our city is getting a bit messy. After a summer of everyone being out on the paths, enjoying the air, there is a lot of garbage again. Most things not picked up by the first snow will likely end up in our rivers. We cannot afford to wait until the spring river cleanup initiatives.
My wife and I do a lot of walking along the paths in and around Inglewood. Occasionally, we will grab a garbage bag and pick up garbage along the way and put it in the trash bins as we go. It is time for us to do it again. I would encourage others to do the same.
It is an easy volunteering opportunity that will give you some fresh air and make you feel that you contributed. Hopefully, it will make an impression on a few of the people who are tossing their trash.
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Bob Swan, Calgary
Even tolerance has its limits
Re: Hate still has a home in Alberta despite human rights legislation, Opinion, Sept. 6
Everyone can agree the LGBTQ+ crowd had/has an agenda as evidenced by where they are now compared to 50 years ago. We come to that slippery slope argument as with so many social and moral issues — when is enough too much?
Everyone should be allowed to live their fullest and best life but, in Catherine Ford’s estimation, if one cannot buy into someone else’s perception of reality, they are hateful. Speaking truth with love and caring is not hateful.
I would ask, when is tolerance pushed to an unacceptable level and why would you call someone hateful just because they are not willing to compromise their ethics and beliefs?
Maybe the boundaries of tolerance set by you need to be examined and questioned more closely, and could you be doing more harm than good with your misplaced compassion? Maybe love is not love.
Gail Singh, Calgary
Other countries swift to act on street clashes
Re: ’Senseless violence’: Calgary police chief promising arrests after weekend riot, Sept. 6
It’s unfortunate to hear that the recent Eritrean clashes in Calgary have also been witnessed in Toronto and also in Israel this past week. The fact that these new Canadians bring their political issues to our country is very concerning.
I hope our government reviews these incidents as the government in Israel did. Clashes there resulted in those involved being deported.
Vaughan Payne, Calgary