There are no winners when countries go to war
Regardless whom you identify with or associate with, in war there is no winner as both sides are losers.
One side may be more of a loser but no one wins as the destruction can be widespread as we have seen.
Just imagine how much all the waste of destruction and arms could impact the entire population in a positive way if not spent on war.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
Yes, it is possible to live in a smaller space
Re: “Get back to the basics with smaller housing,” letter, Oct. 21.
Decades ago my husband and I, as 18- and 21-year-old newlyweds, bought a movable house trailer with 248 square feet of living space.
We lived in this cozy space, adding two babies to our family until the oldest was nearly five years old.
At that time we “upsized” to a trailer with 420 square feet as we were expecting a third child. We lived in this space for four more years and then bought a house.
During those nine years, we moved throughout Alberta and British Columbia many times.
Each trailer was comfortable, with lots of storage and very homey. We thought them great spaces to raise our family as they had everything we needed in a very compact space.
As a society our expectations for our housing has certainly changed.
Some of these small spaces for Airbnb surely could be adapted to rent out on a longer term and perhaps trailer homes could become a partial solution to our homeless problem.
Yvonne Andre
Campbell River
Don’t forget to thank your bus driver!
A huge shout out to bus riders in Greater Victoria. We recently spent five days in Victoria, and for the most part, used the transit system for our transportation needs.
The system was awesome with trip planning and communication regarding bus waiting times.
The biggest compliment we have is for the citizens travelling on the buses. The bus drivers were super helpful to us, trying to navigate directions, connections and where to get off, but we were impressed by the respect the passengers showed the drivers.
Almost every rider, whether they were teenagers, young people, students, workers, commuters, seniors, almost every person hollered a big “thank you” to the driver as they exited.
We were amazed! That was so awesome and it really made us feel safe and in a good place when we rode the bus.
So keep up the great work, citizens of Victoria. You make this city a better place by your thoughtfulness.
Sue Robertson
Calgary, Alta.
Access to Clover Point? That was long ago
It was a gorgeous Victoria day! My husband and I had a short walk on Ross Bay, which is all he can manage on his walker.
We didn’t want to leave the glorious day so decided to take our sandwiches and tea to Clover Point.
We knew it had been mangled by Victoria city council but I thought I could at least drop him by the picnic tables and then park the car!
Oh no, that was not possible as there are barriers up and it would be impossible for him to walk from the parking area to the picnic tables. So we left.
Even though it was a lovely warm day, not one of the picnic tables was occupied and only one of the chairs was being used.
Needless to say we left with unkind thoughts for the city’s decision to change a previously well-planned, well-used beloved spot.
Anne Bell
Victoria
No scary Halloween, go with angels instead
I was driving behind a car with one of those fake hands sticking out of the trunk and I realized how inappropriate that is right now!
It made me want to throw up as we are in that reality right now – not a gory joke!
Never mind that we’re traumatizing our kids already with war and climate and everything else happening to them (including AI and bad technology)!
We have to further do it with Halloween – which no longer really fits with a happy and free lifestyle with little to no worries.
If you think that witches and skeletons and gore etc. are going to make your children happy I seriously doubt that - go with angels and fairies and cowgirls and boys or happy dress-ups if you want to try to balance the scales a little.
I’m all for peace, not war.
M.A. Trusz
North Saanich
Canada is not insulated as the world teeters
Citizens of Gaza are paying an extreme price for Hamas’ horrific terrorism attack against Israeli citizens, also innocent victims. Who could accept this?
When will the United Nations ever do their job on international peace?
Russia continues to attack innocent civilians in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, but the war continues. The UN does nothing to end the aggression by Putin. Lots of words, but the war continues.
Then the disaster in Afghanistan, where the Taliban again, seized control after so many lives lost by Western Allies.
Women are back in the dark ages as before the war. Apparently helpless, as are the citizens of Gaza. Who looks after the citizens?
World leaders need to find a better way. The UN is more concerned about being political correct than doing the job that it was mandated to do after the Second World War, the war to end all wars.
There could be World War Three, sooner than later. Canadians will be impacted. We are not insulated.
Who will lead the necessary change? I fear, not Canada.
Phil Harrison
Comox
Economic disparity must be addressed
Our economic systems are not up to the challenges that face the world today.
Anyone who has been through the palace at Versailles must surely have a better understanding of the French Revolution. Similarly, a tour through the Catherine Palace or the Peterhof in Russia clarifies some of the reasons for the Bolshevik Revolution.
Profound economic disparity leads to discontent and ultimately to violence.
The planet is now facing increasing economic disparity in much of the world, including our own society. Our social structures and programs to reduce inequity are not sufficient to address it, although some countries do better than others.
Author Katherine Hayhoe points out that “Economics that is still being taught in today’s universities is based on theories drawn out of textbooks of the 1950s and they are based on ideas from the 1850s. …We have to flip it on its head and start economics from the values we know matter today, like human well-being and planetary integrity.”
Nice idea, but those who hold the reins of economic power are not likely to relinquish them.
Not understanding this causes those who are desperate to take aim at “the other,” people of different ethnicity, skin colour or faith. Societal violence increases.
At some point, a leader may come along who sees the economic system for what it is and organizes against it.
Come the Revolution…
S.A. McBride
Cordova Bay
Islands Trust needs an environmental focus
Re: “The Islands Trust is failing to protect water and forests,” commentary, Oct. 13.
The Friends of the Gulf Islands Society shares the concerns expressed in the commentary.
The 20-year old Pender Island Trust Protection Society has recently restructured as Friends of the Gulf Islands Society, with a broad environmental-protection mandate for the entire Trust Area which includes 13 major islands from Hornby south to Saturna. This restructuring was prompted by the same concerns detailed in the article.
Friends of the Gulf Islands Society has also been researching water scarcity in the Trust Area.
Although the Trust Policy Statement states that “islands in the Trust Area should be self-sufficient in regard to their supply of freshwater,” we can attest that increasing amounts of water are being trucked to the islands as a result of drought and development.
Land use decisions by the Islands Trust do not reflect this reality.
We believe the provincial government should assist the Islands Trust by adding scientific experts to the elected Trust Council to better inform and support decision-making in these times of increased development pressure and climate change in the Gulf Islands.
We encourage other concerned B.C. residents who love the Gulf Islands to join us in advocating for a stronger, more environmentally-attuned Islands Trust.
Jennifer Margison
President
Friends of the Gulf Islands Society
Be on guard for red-light runners
It is an absolute free-for-all out there as far as running red lights. So many use the countdown lights as a excuse to go on a red.
I’m surprised there are not more accidents. We all need to be on guard because there are so many that don’t care.
Brock Carbery
Victoria
Campus life should include parking for vans
Good for the student arguing that he should be allowed to sleep in his van on campus. As a University of Victoria alumni I regularly am harassed with emails asking me to donate to the campus.
Does the cafeteria need to be renovated again? I pay $3,000 per month to live in Victoria.
As a young person I left Canada multiple times to live in places where a young person could afford their basic necessities. I still shoulder a hefty debt.
If the campus admin cannot let this struggling student exist then they should say that the university only caters to the upper classes in their next advertisement campaign.
Emma Hillian
Victoria
Let’s turn the tables to get balanced health care
I’ve figured out how our leaders can provide thousands of Canadians with their own doctor overnight.
Federal and provincial elected officials, local mayors and councillors can all give up their personal doctor, instantly freeing up spaces for the people they serve.
After that, the doctor shortage will be fixed post-haste, while the politicians enjoy the same “world class” health care as ordinary Canadians.
Kim Christensen
Esquimalt
After a bad fall, help came from many people
I recently had a fall while working out in the weight room at Westshore Parks and Recreation.
I wish to thank the patrons and weight room staff who came to my aid. Thank you to the paramedics, to the Victoria General Emergency staff and the orthopedic clinic staff.
So many people with so much care and compassion. Thank you all.
Eleanor Cyr
Langford
In an earthquake, head to the walls
There’s one inherent flaw with dropping, cover, and holding on during an earthquake.
The weakest part of a room is the centre of a ceiling. It will collapse first in a prolonged tremor, leaving those people under a desk, entombed by rubble.
During the first few seconds of a quake, move as quickly as possible to a supporting wall.
The ceiling joining the wall will form a tent-like structure during a collapse, making for a quicker rescue, and leaving room to move.
Steve Hoffman
Victoria
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