Hatred has no place in a democracy

RE: We need our own ‘kill squads’ (Letter Nov. 29)

I am gobsmacked by the hatred that was displayed in the Readers Write column.

One person wants to institute kill squads to go after Canadians who have returned to Canada after fighting with ISIS. Kill squads are not a part of any true democratic country, they are used by fascists and terrorist groups. These people returned under a previous federal government which did nothing to reintegrate them or even put them under surveillance. The current federal government is working to institute programs to deal with these Canadian citizens. Hopefully, the programs work; if not, they will be held accountable for their actions by a legal system designed to deal with criminals. We do not need a gang of brown shirts rendering “justice” to those who they disagree with.

Another rant has to do with federal government-issued apologies to a variety of Canadians who were wronged by their government. Racism, bigotry and hatred of those who are different are not the trademarks of a democratic government. When these hate/fear-filled issues become government policy, an apology is required. Canadians who believe all people are created in God’s image, and/or that these hate filled issues are wrong for governments and for people, understand why an apology is required.

People are not born filled with hate, racism and bigotry, they are taught these horrid mindsets. I believe at least some of the fault for these social ills lay at the feet of politicians, present and past. Society’s leaders who seek votes by creating hatred, fear and bigotry, overt and suggested, lead people to believe their problems will be cured when “those people” are dealt with. Bill Sullivan, Hamilton