Anti-Israel protests and those useful idiots
Now it’s the turn of University of Victoria students to continue the anti-Israel demonstrations taking place in the western world. I suspect the vast majority of them are ignorant of the history of the Middle East that has led to the current situation.
If they are aware, then they will know that the publicly stated position of Palestinian Arab leadership in conjunction with Iran is nothing less than the destruction of Israel and all Jews. And our UVic students support that?
One of the protesters is quoted as saying “the camp kind of just sprung up.” Oh really, and I suppose a dozen people carrying wooden pallets just kind of showed up.
We have another 24-year-old saying that their values are aligned with human rights. I fully support that statement, but wonder why protesters’ support of human rights do not extend to Muslim countries’ treatment of the LGBTQ community, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine going on for more than two years, Chinese treatment of Uyghurs, Myanmar treatment of Rohingyas, mass starvation in Sudan and Yemen, etc., etc.
During the Cold War, there was a term used to describe non-Communists susceptible to Communist propaganda and psychological manipulation: Useful idiots.
The term is, I would suggest, equally applicable to many of today’s protesters. But we do respect freedom of speech, so let the protesters continue a peaceful demonstration.
They should also show their faces, but I suspect they are embarrassed to be recognized.
Brian Summers
Victoria
Encampments, protests and the strangest dream
It is dismaying to read about the spreading encampments and protests about the situation in the Middle East.
What I really want to know is: Where were all these caring individuals when Russia invaded Ukraine more than two years ago?
In an ongoing war, not of their making, Ukrainians are being bombed out of their homes, hospitals, places of worship, work places and schools.
The wonderful Gettin’ Higher Choir along with other supporters of Ukraine sang on the steps of the Legislature in March 2022.
I did not see or hear of a supportive encampment at UVic then or now.
If these and other protesters want to show some support for peace and support change in our world, I would suggest they attend the Spirit of Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford Day coming up on Sunday, May 5, at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion, eat food prepared by a wonderful Syrian immigrant family and contribute to the Dr. Mary-Wynne Ashford Peace through Education Fund.
And perhaps listen closely to the words of Simon and Garfunkel in their moving song from 1964: “Last night I had the strangest dream … … . . I dreamed the world had all agreed to put an end to war.”
Ann Wilmut
Oak Bay
Don’t hide your face when you are protesting
By hiding their faces, the pro-Hamas protesters are just a faceless mob.
What are you hiding?
Are you embarrassed to be seen for what you believe?
I have a long life’s worth of participating in protests and never once hid my face. I wanted to show that I had the courage of my convictions.
It all began with anti-Vietnam War and Ban the Bomb when I was a student.
It included crossing the border to Bremerton, Wash., against the nuclear submarine base.
In the 1980s, it was against apartheid in South Africa and for First Nations rights.
I have been on the legislature lawns countless times for what I support and against what I don’t.
Most recently I’ve been on the legislature lawns to show solidarity with our local Jewish population who are being subjected to terrible levels of antisemitism.
Being seen to show yourself on behalf of what you believe is essential to freedom of expression.
Don’t hide if you want to be heard.
Bill Williamson
Saanich
Where were protests after Hamas attacked?
Masked protesters make a barricade at the University of Victoria. These people are no doubt foreign political instigators — otherwise why would bonafide students wear masks?
As another person wrote, there is no critical thinking any longer in universities, just followers of social media.
Where were the protests when Hamas massacred 1,000 people?
No future for this generation.
Maria Just
Duncan
Redistribution of wealth and property taxation
Victoria Coun. Susan Kim’s latest statement regarding property taxes shows her yet again to be not quite cognizant of her job and a few other things.
As an old-fashioned left-leaning liberal, I am all for redistribution of wealth through taxation. (How much redistribution is the tough question.)
I would point out to Kim that income tax is our society’s attempt at getting redistribution of wealth right. The more one earns, the more one pays, and the more one earns, the higher rate of taxation one pays.
As well, lower-income earners get more back in various tax credits.
Municipal property taxes have never been conceived as wealth redistribution; they are required to pay for city services.
I also remind Kim that, owning a home and renting out a suite in Fernwood, I am able to provide rental accommodation at 40 per cent lower than the going rate.
Draconian raises to property taxes would inhibit my ability to do so.
Renters do contribute to property taxes, albeit indirectly.
Richard Volet
Victoria
For good governance, let’s vote for Emerson
Why Emerson the elephant seal would be a good Mayor of Victoria:
He doesn’t need a raise, he entertains for free.
He can stop traffic in a single flop.
He has a reason for not listening, his ears are inside his head.
He can be aggressive and has a loud bark.
He likes people and doesn’t flipper you off.
He can hold his breath for 100 minutes — almost an entire council meeting.
He focuses on seal stuff.
He makes a decision and moves slowly to get there.
He eats raw fish and sharks, so he won’t need the supplied lunch at council meetings.
He has no need to fight when the girls are not around.
He is pink/white/light brown, hairless, and calloused on the neck and above, so he is ready for office.
If you fight him and lose, he will still be dominant, the subordinate runs away — wouldn’t that be helpful.
He has five fingers on his flipper, so he can only count high enough to raise taxes five per cent.
Emerson relates to the street people, he lives in a park.
Emerson for Mayor!
Paul Servos
Business owner, Fort Street
Victoria
Don’t take Emerson farther north
Why are we taking Emerson to Tofino or Nootka Island, north of the natural distribution of resident elephant seals?
Nobody blames Emerson for liking Oak Bay. Take him to Sidney or Tumbo Islands instead.
I am sure he would like them, too.
Adolf Češka
Victoria
Think of neighbours who can’t take the noise
The beautiful weather has arrived, and with it, the desire to be outside.
Except, not all of us can enjoy the great outdoors when the avid gardeners in our midst rev up their machinery, drowning out any hint of pleasure for those of us who, for one reason or another, are sensitive to noise.
The roar of machinery causes physical and mental anguish for more people than you can possibly imagine.
I can pretty much guarantee that at least one person on your street is neurodivergent or suffers migraines or other forms of chronic pain that make them highly sensitive to loud noises.
When you fire up the mowers, blowers, trimmers, washers and what-have-yous to beautify your garden, you may be unwittingly causing a neighbour unbearable pain that is not necessarily easy to escape by retreating indoors.
Those of us affected by the noise of power equipment suffer everything from crushing headaches and nausea to mood swings and all manners of dysregulation whenever the machinery starts up.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that you stop tending your yard completely, but I’m hoping that, now that you are aware of the painful effects your power gardening gear has on your sound sensitive neighbours, you might consider mowing less frequently or using a rake instead of a leaf blower.
Before you fire up your noisy equipment this summer, please think about your neighbours who may suffer debilitating pain as a result.
Jessica Duncan
Victoria
Combining firefighting may lead to bigger things
I think that any effort to consolidate municipal services in Greater Victoria would be welcomed by taxpayers.
The current initiative to combine several fire services around town could well be a precursor to more ambitious amalgamation — and the sooner the better.
David Collins
Victoria
World Cup soccer games should not be a priority
I am deeply disappointed that B.C. is hosting seven World Cup FIFA games in 2026.
To spend nearly half a billion dollars on a sports event when we have thousands experiencing food insecurity, an affordable housing crisis, inadequate disability rates and a huge shortage of available beds for drug rehab is incomprehensible.
Thousands of kids cannot afford to play a sport because their parents lack the funds for registration and equipment. Meanwhile, FIFA executives live like princes while allegations of corruption continue.
Why aren’t we helping the vulnerable in B.C. and encouraging fitness by funding kids through organizations such as KidSport B.C. rather than hosting an elite sporting event?
It feels like Nero fiddling while Rome burns. Where are our priorities?
Virginia Brucker
Nanaimo
No better way to teach children about police
There is no better way to teach children that police can be their friends and protectors than to have a friendly police person present in a school.
Only criminal elements interested in corrupting and recruiting youth into their nefarious activities would argue against their presence.
R. Lorne Holland
Victoria
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