Pipeline money not worth the risk to public’s health
Re: With Kinder Morgan approval, Premier Clark draws line in the oilsands, Column, Jan. 11
Kinder Morgan’s liability in case of an oil spill is limited to $1.3 billion, but a major catastrophe could end up costing 10 times as much. But beyond the potential devastation to British Columbia’s tourism and fishing industries, what would be the health effects of toxic fumes wafting over the populated Vancouver area?
Chemicals mixed into thick crude to make it flow begin to release when exposed to the atmosphere. A spill of diluted bitumen that occurred in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 2010 impacted the health of almost 60 per cent of the local population with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, headaches, coughing and fatigue.
The premier touts financial benefits, as she rolls the dice risking the health of local residents.
Larry Kazdan, Vancouver
Legalizing all drugs is wise
Is it still political suicide to talk about legalizing all drugs?
Surely there are enough people educated in addiction, enforcement and economics to understand that prohibition has cost us all, if not in our pocketbook, then in lives lost to overdoses.
Former Premier Mike Harcourt is right when he advocates legalization of all drugs as a way to mitigate the fentanyl crisis. The fact that he does so reluctantly, and that he cannot fathom why anyone would be so reckless with their life by using street drugs, demonstrates a common misunderstanding about addiction. Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become addicted. Once addiction takes hold, logic is no longer part of the equation. In fact, it is as illogical to continue with our present approach to dealing with illegal drugs, as it is to try to apply logic to an illogical illness.
Politicians have a choice; continue with their present approach while the bodies pile up, or legalize all drugs, thereby controlling them, saving lives and interrupting the lucrative drug trade. Money saved could be redirected to long term, professional addiction treatment.
Will the politicians blink next week when the final tally of overdoses for 2016 is released? Maybe now it will be political suicide to continue with “Band-Aid” solutions.
Bronwyn Specht, Port Moody
Ex-con shouldn’t be vilified
Re: Daniel Sedin’s trip spurs controversy, Jan. 11
I’m curious how a man with an almost decade old conviction put Canuck players at risk. How was their safety compromised? Was “Skeeter” Russell committing a crime during the helicopter ride? Has he been convicted of any crimes since 2008? According to Russell (and statements made by police), he left that life behind in 2008. Now his time and effort building a legitimate career is threatened.
Canucks president Trevor Linden said, “had they known of his apparent background, they would not have accepted the invitation.”
This strikes me as extremely classist. Ex-cons are considered deviants in our society; relegated to a secondary status reserved for people who haven’t been perfectly behaved citizens, who break the mould or buck the system. But isn’t it our hope that an ex-con embraces a lawful life? The police intentionally marginalized Russell based on his past. And the Canucks fell in line further maligning Russell’s character. There were no kudos for turning his life around. No encouragement. No one stood up for him because they feared losing their own social status.
Trina Ricketts, Surrey