Planet was suffering long before the boomers
MP Elizabeth May said: “Baby boomers have f—ked this planet, and we can’t walk away and leave it for our kids to fix it.”
To blame one generation for effing up the planet is misguided. Our world has been in the process of ruin long before boomers took the stage.
The problems we are experiencing, and possibly will be experiencing for generations to come, aren’t because of the actions of one particular birth group, it’s humanity.
Current and future generations will likely compromise the world in their own way, though hopefully not to the same extent.
Brad Zembic
Victoria
No problems with May’s choice of words
I support the recent letter defending MP Elizabeth May despite May’s use of the F word.
May’s frustration with our inaction over these issues is more understandable given the latest wildfire crisis in Jasper.
I am a retired oil and gas engineer and am aware of my past industry’s involvement in our problems and the simplicity of listening to “selected truths” from Gwyn Morgan.
More frustrating for May is the knowledge that, due to our parliamentary system, a vote for the Green Party means a vote subtracted from the Liberals/NDP.
This effectively adds to the likelihood of the Conservatives getting into power. My ditty in conclusion:
I find it really quite absurd,
The fuss about that naughty word.
Should parliament perhaps compile,
Without a smirk or quirky smile,
A list of words we must not say
Except of course Elizabeth May.
Nev Hircock
Qualicum Beach
Don’t fret about noise, embrace the diversity
A recent letter with complaints about the Wednesday performances in Centennial Square mentioned the noise, but seemed to reveal a contempt of the musical genres performed.
Yes, loud music can be a nuisance when you’re trying to relax in the evening — but rather than attempting to censor artists, accept that the noise is part of the reason you’re here.
The noise is not simply white noise. It is the heart of the culture of the diverse city you choose to live in. And if it’s not for you, there are much quieter (and cheaper) avenues on the island.
Victoria’s main summer music festivals (Phillips Backyard, Rifflandia) bestow heaps of culture and positive community gathering to our otherwise parched hearts and minds. Their state-of-the-art sound systems are much, much louder than the few guitar amps at Centennial Square.
I went for a bike ride when the band was playing last Wednesday and I could not hear the bands after a block. Rifflandia is heard for miles.
The music at Centennial Square is not for everyone. Music is intensely subjective. The bands are heavy, irreverent, angry, “rock bands” and that can be divisive. Personally, I love it.
Quite a few children and youths were there with their parents. The kids were having the times of their lives expressing themselves.
Where should these kids go when their favourite music is ousted from Centennial Square? Would these same rock-loving adolescents still be there if there was a white-washing of the musical content? I don’t think so.
The noise is a non-issue and an unfortunate ruse. Embrace the diversity of our community, exemplified in the varying musical events at Centennial Square, lest we sink deeper into the insidious and deceptively comfortable walls of ourselves and wither there in our quiet sadness, wincing at the new neighbour who passes when you should be offering a smile.
Chance Brown
Victoria
Cheating in sports is a small part of the problem
I felt like I felt after Ben Johnson got caught cheating, after the women’s soccer team’s drone scandal arose.
What is frustrating about this cheating is that it seems to be only viewed within the context of sport. The broader and far more important issue is that, in the same way the prime minister’s ethical misconduct has, this impacts all Canadians and especially Canadians who travel abroad.
The impact of cheating in sport has much broader implications than sport alone and there is no acknowledgement of this by those who cheated, or by those who cover it in the media. It is tremendously embarrassing as a Canadian!
Andy Sibbald
Victoria
Disappointed in Canada’s Olympic athletes
As a child and as a teacher I was taught in sports “Do your best, play fairly, and be a good sport; win or lose.”
How shocked and disappointed to hear about Canadian Olympic participants.
Sportsmanship?
Bob Baillie
Brentwood Bay
Quiet, please, when the athletes are working
When did sport commentary go from sparse, after the fact elaboration, to play-by-play that blankets the visual and overall appreciation.
I watched Simone Biles execute her floor routine, with no audio other that the gym’s ambient noise. It was a symphony of movement by one of the greatest gymnastics composers of all time.
It didn’t need any history or prophecy, or complication or simplification, stating the obvious or focusing on the minutia, hyperbole or understatement.
It just needed the athlete/artist executing their skill.
Turn down the microphones please
Bill Carere
Victoria
Look at City Hall, not the square next door
I agree that Victoria’s Centennial Square could use a revamp. Or maybe the elephant in the square is the original brick City Hall building and not the square at all.
Could we consider a new build? I wonder if our city can become more ambitious in its vision for the future.
We have too often put off solutions into a distant future and missed opportunities to do things properly.
For example: sewage treatment, purpose built central library, sports complex facilities including suitable pool and multiple ice surfaces, an art gallery and cultural complex and of course transportation links!
Jacqueline George
Victoria
Put storage spaces at the east end of Fort Street
Re: “Storage space for people in encampments,” letter, July 24.
I think a storage facility for the homeless should be built in Oak Bay. One hundred storage cages numbered so the owner can be identified and kept secure.
The bike lanes on Fort Street go to Oak Bay. This would be a perfect fit for Oak Bay.
Donald Boyce
Victoria
More service centres would help Victoria
Re: “Mayor’s proposal will spread disorder throughout Victoria,” commentary, July 24.
Victoria and British Columbia have long been a magnet for people who are struggling financially or in other ways, because our climate is kinder than most of our country.
These people are all Canadian citizens and regardless of where they’re from the deserve our acceptance and respect. Regardless of their financial stability, many have greater needs, and no supports to access them. I do wish the province was louder in demanding more assistance from the federal government to financially support our welfare and medical systems, but we have an election coming to make that request of both levels of government.
I can’t understand why having more service points across our city would be a detriment to anyone; most of us are a paycheck from joining our peers on the streets. Crime is fairly evenly spread across Victoria, and lifting some people out of dire poverty is proven to alleviate petty crime. You can check the VicPD’s crime map for recent data. I currently live near VicWest park and see all of these issues daily, and have for 8yrs.
These residents without homes are already living across the Capital Regional District and granting them more autonomy and access to services through these new centres is actually likelier to help a number of fronts. We know that a housing first policy helps people with extra needs be better cared for and therefore our community is stronger and safer.
Alexandra Edmondson
Victoria
A visit to the ER, then surgery
I entered the emergency department at Victoria General Hospital last week, and was directed for a CT scan.
After nine hours of waiting on a hard plastic chair, my name was called. After the CT Scan, I required immediate surgery. I was then put in to a “holding” cell that was so cold blankets were given.
Finally, after 11 hours, I received surgery, given by the best surgeons available at that time in the early morning. I am recovering at home.
Thank you to the team of nurses, doctors and emergency team that were on hand that day. I have your support and empathy with regard to your endless dedication toward your the care of your patients.
Lynn Gauley
Langford
Not the best time for more office space
The Telus Ocean building, under construction in Victoria, has a proposed office space of 158,000 square feet.
Yet, the July 24 headline declares that the downtown vacancy rate is up sharply, making the new Telus edifice an example of progressive obsolescence and a total waste of money.
What else is new, eh?
Steve Hoffman
Saanich
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