Think of slain Abbotsford officer on Remembrance Day
It is always tragic when a country loses a police officer. Const. John Davidson’s murder, so close to Remembrance Day, reminds us that we should all take a minute at 11 a.m. on Saturday to remember those who have fallen in the protection of freedom and for our safety.
To paraphrase a line from the great poem, Just A Common Soldier by A. Lawrence Vaincourt, “Our country is in mourning, for an officer died today.”
Please take a moment this Remembrance Day to think about, say thank you to, and pray for all those in any service who proudly wear the Maple Leaf on their uniform. Lest we forget. Tom Cattermole, North Vancouver
Not in good taste
Could you not have shown respect and changed your headline on Tuesday to read, Police officer killed? Using the word “cop” is so tasteless. Shame on you. Laura Eburne, Maple Ridge
Enjoy the coming brownouts
Even if more electrical power is not needed for 20 years, as some say, when do they suggest the Site C dam be built?
From the outset, in 1985 under the Liberal government, the plan was to provide clean, renewable power to eliminate the need to import coal-produced electricity. Also, don’t forget that Green party leader Andrew Weaver was front and centre beside then-premier Gordon Campbell extolling the benefits of hydro.
So, if construction is cancelled now and for the foreseeable future, trust that we will be able to enjoy brownouts from a province starved for electrical power. Tom Moore, Delta
Stupidity ‘not punishable’
Letter-writer Esther Mavric wonders what Vancouver airport and the Canada Border Services Agency did to help Robert Dziekanski during his lengthy ordeal at the airport more than 10 years ago. The answer is: nothing.
The Polish immigrant was dealing with collective stupidity and indifference. That includes the public. Remember that guy from the crowd who yelled, “He speaks only Russian” when the cops arrived?
YVR and CBSA remained unscathed by the Braidwood Inquiry because stupidity is not punishable by law. Perjury, however, is why two police officers were not so lucky. Jerzy Rudowski, Langley
We need national leaders
The pipeline debate will not be over until nation builders step up who truly care about the unity and cohesiveness of our country.
All over the world, and especially in Europe, pipelines are built across international borders. We can’t even build one across provincial borders. These are democratic nations working in concert to create jobs, industrial capacity and security of supply. It enriches all.
Today, the engineering science of oil and gas pipelines is robust and well-developed. The need for Canada to export its natural resources cannot be understated and as a resource nation should only be encouraged and applauded.
When we have political manoeuvring and grandstanding local politicians playing to local activists, the Canadian federation is shown at its fault lines. Do we really have inter-provincial cooperation to move the Canadian economy and mindset forward? I fear not — it’s the votes stupid!
We need and expect better of our leaders. Charles Zwaagstra, Calgary
Set a good example
There was a news clip last week of new federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh enjoying a bike ride in Vancouver. I noted that he pulled out his cellphone while riding the bike and, while concentrating on whatever was on his phone, steered with one hand.
This is a perfect example of distracted driving, whether in control of a bicycle, a motor vehicle or a skateboard.
It was not a very good example to be setting for the public. James MacDonald, Coombs