Thinking of all the soldiers
Published Thursday November 12th, 2009
Letters to the editor
Re: Wearing a poppy on Remembrance Day
This Remembrance Day, as I wear my poppy, I think of all the soldiers, whatever race, nationality they are, whether they are enemies or allies.
It is not the ordinary people who go to war and lose their lives or are maimed for life, who should be blamed for the fighting and destruction that goes on in the world.
They are not really the enemy.
The enemy is the psychopath leaders and the power hungry mongrels who are let loose in our countries, cities and communities who cannot be controlled, while the masses are tortured, suffer, and die due to the consequences of their warped leadership and corrupt ideals.
Our soldiers kill, too, as that is what they are trained to do.
People are people all over the world and most people - whatever race, religion or political stripe - are good, kind and honest.
I hope and pray for peace on earth, but it will have to come from within ourselves - each and every one of us .
That will have to suffice or else our lives will all be riddled with restlessness, anxiety and in constant turmoil that will lead to more violence and self-destruction.
What else can we really do to stop the terror that is escalating around the world and in our back yards?
I can't bare to think of it at times as the war against it is just not working.
Judi Day
Fredericton
Acting before the majority get sick
Re: H1N1 virus
Lately, we hear a lot about the H1N1.
Whether it's at the mall, at school or at home, the flu virus is serious enough that people talk about it regularly. It's not surprising when you know the effects of this pandemic flu, which sometimes leads to death.
I feel like the government is doing a lot to protect the population.
They are publishing information about the virus and the ways to protect yourself against it. They even offer a free vaccine.
One question still lingers.
Are the schools doing enough?
In a crisis situation, I feel we, as a population, should be proactive.
A simple solution could possibly reduce the contamination of children.
Maybe if the schools were closed until every child is vaccinated and protected, that group would no longer be at risk.
I don't think we should wait until the majority of children are affected before acting.
Rather, we should act before the majority become sick.
And if the schools refuse to close, wouldn't it be the parents responsibility to keep their children protected and keep them at home?
Chantal Losier
Dieppe, N.B.
NB Power deal is a bad one
Re: Proposed sale of utility to Hydro-Quebec
The way the deal to sell NB Power to Hydro-Quebec has been secretly negotiated, and then foisted upon all of us as some sort of limited time offer, exemplifies everything that is wrong with the way government works under Shawn Graham.
I am gratified that the people of New Brunswick are speaking out so strongly and so eloquently about this deal and, as leader of the Opposition, I look forward to pursuing this debate with Shawn Graham and his government when the legislature reconvenes next week.
While I will continue to listen to all the information that is being brought forward and all the opinions that are being expressed, I want you to know my fundamental positions on this issue.
They are:
* NB Power should never be sold to another province or to any foreign jurisdiction.
To do so would inevitably and permanently diminish our democratic, constitutional and sovereignty rights. However, we should be open to work and co-operate with our neighbours, as equals, to better serve our energy needs.
* NB Power should not be sold to any private interest unless the sale is made by a government which has been given a clear mandate to do so by the people of New Brunswick.
I, personally, do not intend to seek such a mandate.
* The proposed sale of NB Power to Quebec is a particularly bad deal which must be stopped.
David Alward
Leader PC Party of New Brunswick
Deal with Hydro-Quebec will last forever
Re: Proposed sale of NB Power
Mr. Graham says selling NB Power to Quebec is the answer to our provinces $4.7 billion debt.
Has NB Power been mismanaged to the extent that we cannot see our way out?
I would say yes.
Our problem is not our debt.
It's how we manage business.
Our forest industry is depleted due to selling our natural resources outright, instead of developing industry in New Brunswick to its full potential.
Now, we are selling off our future potential by losing control over our power generation and, further, the cost of power to our citizens.
If you think our fellow NB Power employee jobs are secure, guess again.
The five-year rate freeze for residents is just a smoke screen.
It's designed to lead us to believe this is a solid business deal for New Brunswick.
In Joey Smallwood's day, Newfoundland sold hydro to Quebec and, in return, they reaped the profits, leaving Newfoundland with little in the way of financial benefits. Newfoundland is still smarting over these tactics. Once Quebec has control, we have lost everything.
This is not just a friendly relationship with Quebec, this is (business) and Quebec is out to benefit Quebec.
In the past Premier Graham stated that NB Power would not be sold.
We should question his word on other promises he makes.
Why was this potential sale (memorandum of understanding) completed before any of the taxpayers were informed?
Taxpayers are the resources which our government draws from to make this government work.
NB Power is a Crown corporation owned by this province, not by our premier.
Do we see our children's future in their $5 billion?
This deal is forever.
Pauline McAloon
Nashwaak Bridge, N.B.
Ending violence against women is what it's all about
Re: Neville/Jones bed push
As many of you know, on Oct. 24, as they have for 17 years, the young men of Neville/Jones house completed another successful fundraiser in support of Women in Transition Inc. (Transition House) and raised over $12,000.
Since beginning the bed push in the early 1970s, over $220,000 has been raised for this worthy cause.
We can't thank them enough for their continued support of Transition House.
This year, the young men of Neville/Jones House experienced many challenges along the way.
However, they remained committed, as they do every year, to pushing a bed from Saint John to Fredericton.
This raises both funds and awareness for violence again women.
We would also like to acknowledge and thank the members of the Canadian Forces who provided security and ensured that those participating in the bed push were safe at all times.
We greatly appreciate your support.
As well, we would like to thank the members of the community who continue to support Transition House.
We greatly appreciate your long-standing commitment to ending violence against women.
Erica Gorman
President
Women in Transition Inc.
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Comments (7)
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Less than 100 people have died of H1N1 in Canada and the majority of those had chronic health issues which made them particularly vulnerable to the virus.
To put it in perspective, over 1000 people die in Canada each year of seasonal flu.
H1N1 is 100% treatable for the majority of the population.
The VAST majority of New Brunswickers feel that NB Power's woes can be solved here in NB. However, all the Liberals are interested in doing is getting rid of NB Power. All we need from Alward is his voicing where he stands on such a deal. He has made that very clear.
I believe the 5 year olds that you refer to are those behind this short-sighted deal as I'm quite certain that their only interest is the goodies they will receive once this sale is forced through against our collective will. Immediate gratification ... that is the Liberals only motivation.