Meat tax activists should ‘just mind their own business’
So self-righteous PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — are contemplating a new tax on meat.
This is just a tax and won’t help anyone choose what to eat. People will still eat meat as food is required for people to survive. Just because PETA members can get by on cucumber sandwiches doesn’t mean everyone else can.
Maybe they should just mind their own business and stay out of ours. It’s already tough enough to pay bills without having special-interest groups dictating taxes on what we eat. Don’t they have a couple of squirrels to rescue or something? Shawn Storey, Surrey
Opioids are often needed
I want to thank The Province for publishing the column by Cynthia White explaining the other side of the need for pain medication.
There are millions of people in this world who, through no fault of their own, are dealing with chronic pain. For many of these folks the only relief is through the use of opioids and they shouldn’t be penalized by the medical system for using them.
My wife went to pain clinics for persistent migraines after a car accident 43 years ago and came out the other side with pain medication being the only option other than the use of preventive headache medicine (ergotamine) that eventually damaged her heart.
The worst thing the College of Physicians and Surgeons can do in this situation is not allow doctors to deal with their patients on an individual basis and placing unrealistic guidelines around the use of opioids for those who really need it to carry on with their lives. Dan Edwards, Ucluelet
Henry lawsuits ‘suspicious’
Since Ivan Henry received an $8-million settlement for wrongful conviction, isn’t it suspicious that these lawsuits have been filed now that he has money?
It appears to be an example of lawyers going after some easy cash. The lawyer on the women’s side says they are seeking general, aggravated, punitive and special damages, but it took them 35 years to come forward. Why wasn’t this done or reported at the time of his original conviction? Glenn Nordal, Langley
Violent media needs study
As we struggle to comprehend the horrific tragedies of 2017, we desperately try to learn how to predict the devastating actions of the mentally unwell.
During this journey, when are we going to demand accountability from film and video game producers on social responsibility?
The potential of graphic, violent entertainment contributes to frenzied, unstable behaviours. It has been grossly overlooked. Exhaustive research is needed. Mokie Burnham, Victoria
Homelessness a big problem
I just noticed the gender bias on your front page Tuesday. Thirty-seven per cent of the homeless are female in Chilliwack, but you never mentioned that 63 per cent of the homeless are men.
Homelessness is a problem everywhere and the government isn’t doing enough. Instead, they hide behind the view that landlords have rights. I’m about to be evicted from a place where I have lived for the last 15 years. Why? The landlord is greedy and wants to make $15 million for his $300,000 investment.
You may think that is clever or great, but what about the people being displaced? I’m not the only person here; there are more than 65 units with more than one person and we are all seniors. John Reid, Coquitlam