Re: Editorial: The weather outside is frightful, Dec 21,2006

Conflating normal cyclic weather events which have fluctuated over millennia, into proof of global warming is quite silly.
When checking under Phillipines in “GoogleAsk”, the following information regarding disasters turned up:  “Natural hazards: astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis.”
Arctic ice is similar to 1850’s when explorers came within 190 km of NW passage. The predicted dreadful 2006 hurricane season never happened. This long term extrapolation of short term measurements is simply scare-mongering. 

Dennis Ambler
Freelance Photographer
New Quay
 

Re: Editorial: Top cop’s tenure needs an inquiry, Dec 7,2006

The RCMP just like any other police force in Canada never ceased to be an old boys club composed of WASPs and later White Eastern European Catholics, with a few token Worthy Oriental Gentlemen thrown in.
Even if they recruited only minorities for the next 200 years The Force can not achieve integration in its ranks which is in proportion to the population of every immigrant group or community in Canada.
It continues to be The RCMP, the only police force of Canada who eventually “catches their man.” Meanwhile Canada is a haven for WWII war criminals, Asian criminals, Eastern Bloc criminals, and drug runners from the Middle East, and lastly the haven for terrorists of all persuasions.
While the lenient criminal code of Canada is partly to blame for the open gates of Canada for criminals, the RCMP is clueless of the who’s who of the international criminal scene. They are even more clueless as to who the terrorists living in Canada are, because the CSIS refuses to share with the RCMP their terrorists files.
With commissioners like “Zack” and probably ten more like him waiting in the wings to take over, things will surely be slow in changing in the RCMP fiefdom.

Alfonso DeMayo
Retiree
Vancouver

Re: Bikini rebels take on Pakistan, December 21,2006

Yes, it is strict country but sure not like Saudi Arabia or Iran. There is no dress code or restriction by law for Muslim women in Pakistan.
They are free to wear whatever they want. But of course every country has it culture taboos . If we talk about showing skin; I find latin women are more open compare to Canada or US. So, does it make us (Canada) conservative society?
If I may give you some backgroud about Pakistan. About 25 years ago, Pakistan was very open tolerant society. But since the Soviet invasion and the major influx of Afgans have taken a toll in our society. They have brought their fundamental values, which is totally incompatible with our society. But good news that things are slowy changing but it will take a while.
Also, media has opened up as well. There is cross-dresser TV show, only show in Asia, which is big hit in the country. Everyone seems to like it. 

Khan
Toronto

Re: No one deserves to be killed for love, February 27,2006

I just watched murdered unveiled on true movies last night, and will never understand why her parents didn’t just disown her, instead of hunting her down and killing her like she was an animal.
My heart broke when her mother ordered them to kill her.
I hope there is justice for this terrible tragedy, her parents deserve to be 6 feet under, not Jassi. What a bunch of losers, I hope they get what they deserve.