Pub ignores Sir John A.’s rich legacy

Re Kingston pub changes name to remove reference to Sir John A. Macdonald,

Jan. 10 Owner Paul Fortier’s attempt to assure us that the pub will still feature the CPR burger should be rephrased: “We will still feature the CPR Burger — until someone complains.”

In changing the name to the bland and meaningless “Public House,” Fortier made the decision to ignore all the good Sir John A. did (which benefits millions across our country) and instead surrender to the majority of one.

We seem to have reached a point in our history where we are unwilling (or, in the age of Facebook, afraid) to defend ourselves against unreasonable demands by those who declare themselves offended.

It’s no longer enough to do good; we must do good without ever succumbing to any human frailty. Only saints need apply. Ab Dukacz, Mississauga In the interest of fair play, if reference to Sir John A. Macdonald is removed from a Kingston pub, then similar references to slave owner Chief Joseph Brant should be removed from Brantford, Brant County, Joseph Brant Hospital, etc. Anyone desiring a reference for Brant’s treatment of Blacks, including a slave girl, just has to Google “Brant’s slaves” and read the Toronto Star’s report. Douglas L. Martin, Hamilton People have favourite places to imbibe because of service, location, familiar clientele and, of course, selection. The name of such establishments counts diddly squat. As for those patrons feeling “unsafe” drinking in a watering hole named after Sir John A., they should avoid the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway like the plague. Garry Burke, Oro-Medonte, Ont.