Agrees with us on ICBC

Dear editor: Re: Liberals had shot at ICBC, Herald, Editorial, Nov. 5

Mr. Fries starts by giving Andrew Wilkinson the benefit of the doubt about how deep his fingerprints go in the 16-year rape of ICBC. Fair enough.

He goes on to quite clearly tell it like it is which is a polite but nonetheless damning indictment of the so-called "Liberal" party for the theft of over one billion dollars of BC taxpayers money.

Mr. Fries could have gone much deeper into the original mandate of ICBC, which of course the "Liberals" began the destruction of immediately on re-taking power.

All in all a very good article but I must take exception to the final paragraph. It should finish with "the Liberals have clearly shown that they can not be entrusted with the keys." Walter Lannon Penticton fact, according to our most recent statistics, of all the clients and families we serve, 30 per cent are children and youth.

As well, we are seeing more and more seniors (60-plus) who make up close to 20 per cent of our clientele. As the cost of living increases, they are simply unable to keep up with everyday expenses. Most of our clients are renting (80 per cent), and we all know about the high rental rates here in Penticton, and in most places in B.C. Many of our clients are on fixed income. Thirty percent are on disability.

Last year the Kettle campaign raised $111,000 for family services. This year, the goal to reach is $160,000. Kelowna raised $700,000 last year with their campaign.

Can you help me and the Salvation Army by volunteering at a kettle a few times this Christmas? The kettles are in place at eight locations in Penticton from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Sundays.

The shifts are two hours. Training is provided. You can pick your own hours and locations. Volunteer with a friend, family member or co-worker. It is easy, fun and rewarding.

Please contact me for more information by e-mail at PentictonKettleCoordinator@ shaw.ca or 250-488-0726 Val Fenn Kettle co-ordinator Penticton Salvation Army their religious icon being the Prince Of Peace.

The carnage was huge, in total more than nine million soldiers were killed, their religious and humanitarian beliefs well and truly lost in the horrible mud-filled and gas-laden trenches of historical warfare.

Spoils of war always go to the victors, and vast parts of the Ottoman Empire were carved up by English and French cartographers, known as the Sykes - Picot Agreement. Their lines scrawled on a map of the Middle East 100 years ago have proven to be the basis of constant strife that has ensued there ever since, and still makes that part of the world a most troubled and volatile hotbed of political and religious violence.

Political mistakes, and their terrible historical consequences, really are some things to ponder when pinning that blood-red poppy in your lapel again this year. Bernie Smith

Parksville