LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Take united action against Russia

Re: Britain expels 23 Russian diplomats over ex-spy poisoning, March 15.

When the West stood idly by as Russian President Vladimir Putin marched his troops into the Crimea from Ukraine, he became emboldened. I am afraid that Britain expelling 23 Russian diplomats whom it feels are Russian spies, will have little impact in deterring further aggression from Putin.

It’s nice to see the Trump administration imposing tough new sanctions, both in support of Prime Minister Theresa May’s actions after the chemical attack and because of conclusive evidence that Russia meddled in the U.S. presidential election. It would be nice to see Canada also show its condemnation of this latest Russian attack in an allied country.

Only tough, united action by the West will dissuade Putin from continuing to run roughshod over our democracies.

Larry Comeau, Ottawa

In Canada, we’re waiting

So, where are the sanctions???

Milan Stolarik, Ottawa

He’s A Columnist, not An Apologist

Re: Doug Ford drags the Ontario PCs further into the abyss, March 11.

I am astonished at the misunderstanding among some letter-writers of the role of a columnist.

For example, because Randall Denley was once an Ontario Progressive Conservative candidate, he is told by a writer: “If you can’t say anything positive about … Doug Ford, don’t say anything.”

As a columnist, regardless of his personal party preferences, Denley’s duty to his readers is not to act as a PR flak for that party, but to criticize fearlessly as he sees fit. Why would he be read or even published otherwise? John Edmond, Ottawa

Denley knows A lot A Bout losers

It sounds as if Randall Denley is still smarting from his two electoral defeats, in 2011 and again in 2014. That makes Mr. Denley a two-time loser. Linda Irving, Nepean

Trump’s sister sets good example

Re: He’s not his brother, he’s not Trump. Ford just has to convince voters of that, March 12.

Andrew Coyne is correct in noting that Doug Ford is not his brother and nor is he Donald Trump, and we can be thankful for that. However, it is also worth noting that Trump is not his sister, and we can regret that.

As far as we know, Maryanne Trump Barry has never insulted anyone because of their race, religion, ethnicity or nationality. She has never mocked anyone because of their disability.

Also, as far as we know, she has never set a bad example for her younger brother in any form of behaviour. Trump can be thankful that she did not run against him for the Republican presidential nomination although the rest of us, with the possible exception of Vladimir Putin, can regret it.

Bruce Couchman, Ottawa