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Commentary denied police victims’ experience

Re: Cartoon unfair to the majority of police officers (July 6)

Police officers wield significant power on interpersonal and systemic levels. Between 2000 and 2017, the CBC found that there had been 461 fatalities in police encounters with civilians. Of the 461, the SIU only laid 18 criminal charges resulting in merely two convictions. Several recent cases come to mind; Dafonte Miller, Abdirahman Abdi and Andrew Loku, to name a few.

To suggest, as Mr. Fletcher did, that these incidents are “scarce” intentionally denies the lived experiences of police violence. These instances are not scarce for marginalized persons; they are an everyday reality — a consistent fear — with tangible consequences. And to focus on police brutality seeks to dismiss the ways in which police cause other forms of harm in the community (e.g. Hamilton Pride 2019 and HPS’s “inadequate” response).

Police officers get to choose to put on a blue uniform. Marginalized persons do not have that choice. This response to justified criticism of the police reflects the deeply entrenched culture of unaccountability within the force. Rather than expressing outrage about civilian deaths perpetrated by police, police brutality and the failing “justice” system, Mr. Fletcher and other police apologists choose to uphold what Desmond Cole refers to as “Canadian mythology,” where police are seen as “a force of good in our communities.”

The lived experiences and accounts of actual minority groups say otherwise.

Maddie Brockbank, Hamilton

Kudos for an insightful opinion piece.

Congratulations to Tim Fletcher for his insightful opinion piece on policing. I am certain his voice speaks for thousands. It is a must read for all those who have used the current political climate to air their sweeping accusations. In such tribal times only intelligent, objective debate will move us forward. I see no purpose in publishing such a derogatory cartoon that defames an entire profession. Wait until masks become mandatory for public safety and our police are asked to enforce this new normal. Good luck!

David Borsellino, Hamilton

Who pays for police suit settlements?

I’ve noticed over the last couple of years the police board has been sued by individuals for false arrest/ police aggressiveness, etc. Usually the individual is suing for millions of dollars and on many occasions the individual settles out of court. My question is where does the money come from to settle these claims? Are taxpayers on the hook for this? Is there any accountability?

Ralph Corning, Stoney Creek

Trudeau showing cowardice over two Michaels

My wife and have been debating the prime minister’s stance on the two Michaels and the Chinese. She believes the PM is doing the right thing in not sending Madam Meng home. I disagree strenuously. I believe the PM is exhibiting cowardice in not intervening to rescue the two Michaels. He has backed himself into a corner and now won’t back down because he perceives it will be a sign of weakness.

The Chinese have shown they couldn’t care less about what other countries think of them. Canadian citizens will not be in any more jeopardy than they already are around the world if the PM made the trade for the two Michaels and Madam Meng.

Canadian lives come first. Do the honourable thing and bring the two Michaels home

Brian Albert, Hamilton

Trudeau right to oppose prisoner swap

Justin Trudeau made the right decision by taking a stand against the 19 signatories pushing for him to stop proceedings against China’s Meng Wanzhou in exchange for the release of two Canadian hostages. What message would it send if Trudeau gave into the demands of the Chinese government terrorists after refusing to pay the ransom of two other Canadians held hostage by Filipino terrorists resulting in their deaths in 2016, or if he interfered yet again in the judicial process after he politically interfered in the SNC Lavalin case?

We have no guarantee that China will even release the Canadians in a “prisoner” swap. What if China wants more, like Canada’s approval of Huawei for the 5G network or for Canada to remain silent regarding China’s human rights abuses? Think Hong Kong, Taiwan, Tiananmen Square, “re-education” centres for Muslims, recent skirmishes with India, COVID-19 crisis.

Why is Trudeau, who once said that he admired China’s “basic dictatorship” and who dismissed their involvement in the COVID-19 scandals, now talking tough to China? Could it be that he no longer has to suck up now that he lost his security council seat bid at the UN?

Phil Romaker, Hamilton

Front page photo was a lovely break

Re: July 2 Spec front page photo

Thank you for this front page picture of the two beautiful little girls enjoying a snapshot of what life has to offer. This photo is such a welcome change from the usual crime scenes and crowds of special interest rioting on city streets.

I also wish to thank Mother Earth and Father Nature for the glorious sunrise and gentle breeze that greeted me on my morning walk; I am sure they are busy elsewhere.

Yes, I know that the next few days promise very hot/humid conditions that we might have formerly paid big bucks to travel to on vacation; but, also promised is the lightning show and rain water deluge that will green-up our parks and freshen our lakes.

There are so many ugly things presented to us from all sides and media, with a simple heartwarming photo of two kids can banish, even briefly.

Please, keep up the encouraging daily input.

Peter McLaren, Burlington