Re: Editorial – Harper & the Truth, August 21, 2006
One reason your paper is so popular and effective is the informative style and investigative journalism. That was not apparent with the editorial about PM Harper's no-show at the AIDS Conference.
Perhaps he honestly could care less for the AIDS issue. So what!
His presence there would have only been lip service, regardless, so why does your paper and most other media make such a big deal of his absence? What really have all these conferences accomplished anyways? So what if Bill Clinton is there? His main memory in the eyes of the public was his infidelity many times during holding the highest office in the world!
AIDS is serious, but so is Canada's sovereignty over its far north, where Harper attended very well. Perhaps he sees his presence there as more meaningful than the symbolic gesture of attending the conference.
Coquitlam
In the Philippines it is the opposite case. Arroyo cheated in the last 2004 presidential elections with the help of the army, the national police and the Commission on Elections.
That goes to show, you have to have the army on your side no matter how corrupt they are. You have to allow them to have their own money making racket so they would not depose you. That does not take a genius to figure out.
It is like when kids choose who are going to play for their team. They choose the ones who will be an asset to the team, like one who have a command composed of fighter planes, ships, and tanks and armed government personnel.
The US, the UN and the world have allowed this to linger because there are no pictures of hungry and starving children, no police brutality, and no extra judicial killings.
There is nothing in Burma that the west really needs, like oil or diamonds. Teak? Only dot.com billionaires can afford yachts with teak counters and cabinets.
Even Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent, would not take two minutes from a lunch break to do a report on Aung San and Burma. It is just not interesting enough. The TV ratings would not be high enough to justify a report like that.
Vancouver, BC
Like Africans, Asians have been assaulted by Euro-centric values and coerced into worshiping a white skinned European looking god. Not until the Black African and his unique features and attributes are uplifted and respected will the rest of the world be confident and secure in their multi-coloured skins.
Even though dark skin is more healthy, more durable, more resistant to viruses and sunlight than pale skin, it lacks the military and economic power to be respected like abnormal, wrinkly and weak pale flesh.
Seoul, Korea
However, being conquered by Caucasians only reinforced this ideal. This was done consciously by the conqueror. You know bleaching one's nipples pink isn't really about looking like a fair skin Asian. Once the first generation of oppressed peoples are fed certain principles they themselves pass these beliefs on for generations. Even after they have liberated themselves.
I was recently in the beauty supply store and saw a full skin lightening product for black women. I was shocked because I had not seen a product so blatantly advertised as such since the 70's. Usually it would just say to it is to lighten dark spots. Slaves were taught that their African-ness was ugly. To this day for the most part, black men from America tend to prefer lighter skin women. Some black women still have issues with dark skin color. This issue is rarely talked about in our community, and you'll find those who deny that this still an issue among our own people.
It amazes me that we humans are not as advanced as other mammals when it comes to color. Dogs, cats, horses, etc don't care anything about color. A white dog with black pups just wants them to be healthy. People don't care about animals color either. Is a grey kitten cuter than an orange one? Is a brown race horse faster than a black?
Sorry to be corny, but human skin of all colors is beautiful just like all the beautiful animal colors, spots, & strips. Too bad so many humans aren't smart enough to love one of their original gifts right out of the box.
Detroit, Michigan
Re: Editorial – Murder unveiled but justice still elusive, Feb 1, 2006
From what I have read it seems now in Canada, in common with much of the rest of the world, wealth and status create immunity from justice. I thought the Canadians, especially the RCMP were better than that but obviously not. Come on guys – politics and political correctness should never prevent justice. You used to be the best in the world. What happened to the Mounties always getting their Man?
The trumped up charges against the Mithu in India are typical of the Money based justice system I expect in a third world country. But Canada claims to be a first world country. Clearly that claim is becoming unfounded at least as far as the justice system is concerned.
Just look at the Homolka, Bernardo case and the 'justice' meted out there.
Monroe North Carolina
It is a travesty that Canadian authorities condone murder. "Evil flourishes when good men do nothing". It is also a travesty that that Jassi’s husband is being held on bogus charges. Clearly this is a twisted story.
The price of life for honor. Mr. Sidhu and Jassi's mother are a disgrace to humankind. They are murderers and the laws of humanity have failed Jassi and Mithu. I watched this story on Dateline and something must be done to force these countries to put human life before anything.
Jackie Butcher, Airline Employee
New Caney, Texas
