Letters, Sept. 23

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/09/2022 (826 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Atomic nightmare returns

Re: Cornered by war, Putin makes another nuclear threat (Sept. 21)

I was born in Fargo, N.D., in 1949. All through grade school we were taught that Russia was our enemy. We practised hiding under our desks, as if that would protect us from the inevitable blast.

We took that fear to heart. And we had nightmares. My neighbour a block away built a deep fully equipped survival shelter. There were a few other shelters going into the Red River clay from 1959 to about 1963. The nuclear race was on. Mankind had equipped itself to destroy itself.

We were finally told glasnost and perestroika changed the script and that we could live in peace with Russia. Obviously it didn’t last.

Russia is again led by a a madman who seems indifferent to the idea of destroying the Earth. Scientists say an all-out nuclear war would leave 40 per cent of us alive.

I moved to Canada in 1969 because of America’s propensity to get mixed up in other nations’ wars. But what we have here isn’t just Ukraine’s war. This may be the war to end all wars.

It’s time to loosen up those F-35s, long-range artillery, big tanks and cruise missiles. And maybe a million NATO troops. Crush this madman before he crushes us.

The alternative is that my nightmare from 65 years ago may finally come true. Vaporized in a Russian nuclear holocaust, it would be the atomic death I dreamed of as a kid.

Ron Lyseng

Winnipeg

Idling of vehicles prevalent

Re: Foolish to idle vehicles (Letters, Sept. 22)

I chuckled when reading letter writer Herb Neufeld’s comments about taxing drive-thrus at fast-food restaurants. His comments are related to the number of idling vehicles damaging the environment.

Has he ever sat at a train crossing in the city and counted the number of cars idling at a given crossing? I count, on average, well over 100 at a single stop on Bishop Grandin Boulevard alone. Across the city, how many thousands of vehicles are idling while waiting for trains?

Then let’s talk about poorly timed lights and poor traffic flow in the city with no true freeway. That leads to more thousands of vehicles idling at red lights.

If we think idling at restaurant drive-thrus is bad, let’s look a bigger culprits. We have an election coming.

Len Virog

Winnipeg

I agree with the disgust of letter writers at needless idling of vehicles, but closure of drive-thrus is not a good idea right now. Why? Because we have started the process of converting from fuel-driven engines to electric motors. Would we expect those businesses to close, or not build, their drive-thrus now and have to rebuild them in a few years when much of their clientele is in electric vehicles and demanding the service?

James Wingert

Winnipeg

R.I.P. Pamela Sam

Re: Young enough to work, too old for benefits (Sept. 21)

The story describes how 72-year-old Pamela Sam, a longtime employee at Kildonan Long Term Care Home, was forced off the job by health problems, and only then learned her employer, Revera, had not told her that, owing to her age, she was no longer eligible for long-term disability and employer-sponsored life insurance.

I was very upset about how her benefits were stopped. My mother was at Pam’s care home for several years before her death at 98 in 2018. She received good care, and Pam was her favourite staff member. Pam treated the residents respectfully and with good care.

As an example, my mother said that she was happiest if Pam gave her her bath because they laughed and she had a good time. I passed it on to Pam, telling her how much we appreciated her.

She said that it was difficult for elderly people to lose their ability to do something as private as bathing. She tried to make it a happy time so they would not feel uncomfortable. She spoke of her son, and Sean can be very proud of her work. My condolences on her passing.

Ruth Thomas

Winnipeg

Allow Trudeau time for fun

Re: PM embarrasses Canadians (Letters, Sept. 21)

I disagree with letter writer Scott Edkins, who said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a fool of himself by singing Bohemian Rhapsody by the band Queen at a social gathering while in London for the queen’s funeral.

The PM had finished his day’s duties and was with some of the Canadian delegation, in a hotel piano bar, when a Quebec pianist started playing Queen songs. Big deal. The man is allowed some off time. Just shows he’s human.

Leanne Hanuschuk

Winnipeg

Home for archives essential

Re: City archives deserve a proper home (Sept. 21)

Tom Nesmith is correct in stating the need for action to preserve the City of Winnipeg Archives, which have been “temporarily” stashed away in a “metal shed” since 2016.

Winnipeg has a singular and unique place in the history of western Canada, and these archives are essential to help us tell our story — if they are properly preserved and accessible. Is the Carnegie Library on William Avenue, vacant since 2013, still in the 2023 budget?

Considering we are in a civic election, this would be a good time for forward-looking candidates to weigh in on this priority as we approach the city’s 150th birthday in 2024.

Dan Furlan

Winnipeg

Election vows must be funded

Re: Time for candidates to explain spending plans (Editorial, Sept. 21)

Winnipeg citizens will always want more municipal services than are currently provided, whether it be snow clearing, pothole repair, bike lanes or whatever. These same citizens are, by and large, against increasing taxes. They want something for nothing.

Aspiring politicians are quite happy to spin the fantasy that they can provide all the services the city currently delivers and more, just by tweaking program budgets, which amounts to selling snake oil.

Scott Gillingham should be commended for being forthright regarding the need for tax increases. The other mayoral candidates can perhaps be forgiven for not fully understanding the ramifications of their proposals, although in my view this attribute does not make them particularly attractive candidates for mayor. Glen Murray, however, has “been there, done that” and is well aware of what his proposals will cost. He just doesn’t want to tell us.

Tom Pearson

Winnipeg

Wheeler no longer a top forward

Re: Jets begin long road back (Sept. 20)

Sportswriter Mike McIntyre predicts Blake Wheeler will probably be among the top six forwards for the 2022/23 Jets lineup. Sadly, at 36 years old, Wheeler’s best-before date has come and gone. He lacks the necessary foot speed, the puck is slow to come off his stick and when he takes his 6-5 frame into the corner, he often ends up on his keester. Arguably, his most significant contribution on the ice is to make Mark Scheifele look fast.

Were the former captain on any truly competitive team, he would likely find himself on the third line. The Jets’ inability to give those with the top skill sets the most ice time likely cost us a playoff spot last year, and could cost us dangerously if it continues in the future. The young stars see this, and it does not bode well for the future.

Take Andrew Copp as proof: he goes to the eighth-ranked New York Rangers and plays a key role in the Stanley Cup playoffs on their second line, as well as special teams. Compare that how the 18th-ranked Jets used Copp and who we put out there when it counted.

Start employing and developing our young prospects, and the bums will return to the seats in the arena. Go Jets!

Gary Hook

Winnipeg