VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
GRENIER WRONG
Re “Protest in Cuba: Spreading nonconformity in the age of COVID and social media,” Dec. 14.
Prof. Yvon Grenier should be more discerning about his op-ed throwaway lines. Does he have any evidence to suggest that the Cuban authorities are likely to shoot protesters sometime in the near future? Because if the past is any indication, I highly doubt it.
And, in another parenthetical line: I’m sure that the national security types at CIA headquarters in Virginia would be shocked by Grenier’s claim that Cuba now has a “conservativeminded” government in power. For over six decades, they have been steadfast in their belief that Cuba has been “radical” in its governmental orientation.
My guess is that they are both wrong.
Peter Mckenna, professor, department of political science, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown
NOT A PRIORITY
Re: “N.S. failing people with disabilities,” Dec. 19 by Dulcie Mccallum.
Every morning, when I open my eyes I see my wheelchair sitting next to my bed. I lost the use of my legs about 15 years ago due to an illness. The old saying “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” means a lot to me. Due to my physical disability, I face major obstacles every day. The blinders that I once wore have been replaced by “a window of grandiose magnitude.”
The un-accessibility of accessibility. I believed that the Nova Scotia government’s Bill 59 (the Accessibility Act, enacted in 2017) would give the disabled an environment to better function in. Well, so far, in my opinion it has not. The governmentprovided funding to help the disabled is “a lick and a promise” that is on the bottom of their priority list and top of their “lack of available funding” list.
Disabled peoples have no control over how or when they acquire a mental or physical disability. However, with proper help — physically, mentally and financially — they can learn how to cope with their disability.
Please help the disabled become “first-class” citizens.
Karen R. Clarke, Dartmouth
FINE ACQUISITIONS
Museums in Nova Scotia made two remarkable acquisitions last week that are deserving of notice, one very small and one very large.
The Nova Scotia Museum acquired the vial from the first dose of Pfizer-biontech COVID-19 vaccine administered in Nova Scotia, a farsighted and incredibly timely acquisition.
On the other end of the scale, the Middleton Railway Museum took possession of a 75-ton, 115-year-old
CNR steam locomotive from the defunct Upper Clements amusement park and moved it to their home at the Middleton station.
Both objects are icons of Nova Scotia history and of great value to future generations, but this type of preservation does not happen by itself. It takes dedicated professionals and community support that should not be taken for granted.
Dan Conlin, Halifax
GETTING IN SYNC
Ontario has recently amended its legislation — to come into effect on a date to be set by proclamation — to adopt permanent Eastern Daylight Time with a view to harmonizing Ontario, Quebec and the state of New York in a single, permanent time zone.
This result will obviously depend on complementary legislation in each jurisdiction.
Studies have reportedly shown that changing the clocks semi-annually leads to serious negative health consequences.
This might provide an opportunity for Nova Scotia and the other Maritime provinces. If we were to remain permanently on Atlantic Standard Time, with Ontario, Quebec and New York State permanently on Eastern Daylight Time, we would all be in sync, providing potentially significant business opportunities and advantages for the Maritime provinces, without the disruptive twiceyearly time changes.
Jim Gould, Halifax