The obstacle to dealing with climate change
Quite likely the biggest obstacle to taking action on climate change is money. Not how much it will cost to initiate and maintain change but how much profit will be accrued by implementing a solution for climate change.
A good example of this theory comes from China, which creates much of the world鈥檚 pollution. The country, through its manufacturing of all products that we North Americans consume, earns mega bucks with few environmental controls. It is doubtful that big business in China would cut off their nose to spite their face (pocket book) and start a program to curtail air pollution.
My fear is that the hopes for action to change will rest mainly in the hands of corporations whose bottom line is the main priority. Ultimately, the masses affected severely by climate anomalies, including last week鈥檚 marchers for climate action, can push the manufacturers to do what is best for the planet through disobedience to normal economic practices.
A good rule of thumb might be what our household follows: Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or do without.
Steve Hoffman
Saanich
Plastic packaging and聽consumer habits
I work as a cashier at a big retail store, and every day I see the same picture: People over-using plastic. The average customer packs each item (even those which don鈥檛 need to be packed) in separate single-use plastic bags.
So, each lemon, each orange, each garlic, onion and so on will be packed separately! It is painful to see, especially, when you see this happening every day on a huge scale.
Please, take responsibility and bring your reusable bags and containers when shopping; consume less, and before buying anything, think where the package of the product will end up.
Iana Zavoloka
Victoria
Are 91原创s getting a little grumpier?
After talking and listening to a number of people dealing with the public lately, it鈥檚 obvious that we 91原创s are starting to get grumpier. Front-line people are feeling the brunt of this change.
I鈥檝e recently witnessed this at a doctor鈥檚 office when a receptionist was fielding a call from a patient who had forgotten about her appointment and wanted to reschedule another one for the next day. When the receptionist informed her that it was not possible, but could reschedule her in three weeks, the person at the other end lost it.
Why is it that we take out our frustrations on people who aren鈥檛 empowered to deal with unreasonable demands or complaints? Why aren鈥檛 the owners or managers being contacted (who want to hear what鈥檚 going wrong)? Or do people only want to vent on someone weaker, someone who cannot fight back? Or are they expressing their own frustrations?
Certain people become aggressive when encountering weak or helpless people. For some reason, weakness and helplessness in others triggers rude and bullying behaviour.
I鈥檝e heard that even the police are being harangued more and more by people who are being stopped for violations. The offenders, rather than follow instructions, choose to shout or threaten to sue. As we know, confrontations with the police can deteriorate quickly and violence often takes place. On the other hand, people who sit quietly and simply answer posed questions, benefit the most.
What is producing these tantrums? Here are a few obvious culprits: cyber-bullying, monetary difficulties, job-related issues, bad-buying decisions, lineups, computer frustration, traffic problems, airline travel, broken promises, criticism, and bad health.
There are patient people and impatient people. Which is more rewarding in the long run?
Ron Gobeil
Parksville
Suit with no tie is聽not聽a聽good look
Maybe it is considered West Coast chic and maybe I am really old fashioned, but why do businessmen and politicians wear a business suit and white shirt but no tie? To me, something is missing. If you don鈥檛 want to wear a tie, then wear a sports coat or even a patterned shirt. You would look more chic and less like a half-dressed man.
William Jesse
Victoria
I don鈥檛 hold it against聽him
Re: 鈥淩esidents of Trudeau鈥檚 Montreal riding unfazed by simmering blackface scandal,鈥 Sept. 20.
Thank you for including this story about our prime minister鈥檚 鈥渂lackface scandal鈥 and the fact that residents of Trudeau鈥檚 multi-ethnic riding said they were not offended. I think the media may be vastly overplaying this story. And unfortunately, the foreign press, especially the American, is parroting what the 91原创 press has unleashed.
As for me, I don鈥檛 need my prime minister to be perfect and I appreciate his apology. He knows he screwed up when he was younger, acknowledged it and hopes people we will not hold this against him. I do not. And I checked in with a close friend 鈥 a Somali-91原创 鈥 and asked if he was offended. He said no. And that the prime minister鈥檚 apology was contrite and enough for him. It鈥檚 Trudeau鈥檚 policies that my friend cares about.
Meanwhile, in our neighbour to the south, the latest and real scandal is the possibility that President Trump promised a foreign leader something (possibly Ukraine) military aid in exchange for dirt on Joe Biden鈥檚 son.
Back at home, let鈥檚 remember the significant challenges facing our country right now. At least we have a prime minister and cabinet working hard to deal with them.
Gennifer Ryan
Victoria
Apologies that ring聽hollow
At worst, Justin Trudeau鈥檚 actions decades ago were racist at the time. More generously, they displayed startling insensitivity and ignorance. It is worth noting that way back in 1978, the BBC cancelled its popular and long-running TV series The Black and White Minstrel Show (in which some of all-white cast wore blackface) because of accusations of racism.
I find it hard to believe that the current Trudeau has a racist bone in his body. It is not unreasonable to conclude that his actions were just plain dumb, extraordinarily so, especially considering that he was a high school teacher at the time. The same dumb judgment was shown during his Indian trip and when travelling as a guest of the Aga Khan. This juvenile behaviour is far below acceptable for a leader of a political party, let alone prime minister. His apologies ring hollow.
Dr. Adrian Fine
Saanich
Thetis backcountry trails a bewildering rats nest
Re: 鈥Hiker calling for better directions on secondary Thetis trails after six-hour ordeal,鈥 Sept. 19.
I can certainly feel for Julie Elizabeth, since I too have have been utterly lost and flummoxed trying to figure out which backcountry trail to take in Thetis Lake park off the main ones. Too bad, because it鈥檚 beautiful.
Some of the very rare backcountry markers in the park say something staggeringly useless like 鈥淪mith Trail鈥 or 鈥淛ones Trail,鈥 tidbits of no value whatsoever.
I remember years ago walking in the Swiss countryside near the Zurichsee. Incredible! At every trail junction is a thicket of arrows pointing every direction with detailed information.
Louis Guilbault
Victoria
Kudos to workers at Hartland Landfill
Re: 鈥Help was needed, and help was given,鈥 letter, Sept. 18.
I would like to add my appreciation for municipal workers. Last week, I paid what was only my second visit in 14 years to the Hartland Landfill, with several items. There was no way I could remember where to go, or where to put anything. However, I was able to navigate the site and negotiate all the different disposal places due to unfailingly friendly, good-natured and courteous staff. Because of the lady at the garbage bins, the lady in the scale office and the gentlemen at the recycling stations, this 77-year-old senior had a happy day.
I often take garden waste to the city yard on Saturdays, and it is the same story there, always helpful and friendly. This is in stark contrast to my years of experience in a small prairie city where the landfill workers were brusque and unhelpful to the point of rudeness, which was strange in an otherwise friendly place.
Andrea Ashton
Victoria
Breakwater District should include museum
Re: 鈥Breakwater District branding will include historic Ogden name,鈥 Sept. 19.
Wouldn鈥檛 it be wonderful if the Breakwater District included a beautiful building for the Maritime Museum of B.C. where all of the thousands of artifacts related to B.C.鈥檚 rich maritime history could be taken out of storage and displayed for the education and enjoyment of all the visitors to this area. If Halifax can do it, so can Victoria and B.C.
Bonnie Stacy
Victoria
Keating problem solved, $44 million saved
There were two letters last week about the proposed fly-over at the Pat Bay Highway and Keating Cross Road.
One says that it will save lives and lessen injuries and economic loss. The other says that it will eliminate a 鈥渄angerous left-turn manoeuvre.鈥 At a cost of just $44 million.
In the past five years, there have been 12聽collisions causing injury, and one causing death.
I have made that turn 6,000 times in the 20 years I鈥檝e lived in Central Saanich, and the longest time I鈥檝e ever waited was three or four minutes.
The solution is to lengthen the time of the southbound light at Island View Road by 20 seconds, and prevent right- and left-hand turns onto the highway at that intersection for, say, 20 seconds.
That would allow left-turn vehicles at Keating enough time to make the turn.
And if drivers waiting at lights would turn off their engines, it would lessen pollution. If you are going to wait 15 seconds or more, it makes up for the restart.
Ian Cameron
Brentwood Bay
Send us your letters
鈥 Email: [email protected]
鈥 Mail: Letters to the editor, Times 91原创, 2621聽Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.
Letters should be no longer than 250 words and may be edited for length, legality or clarity. Include your full name, address and telephone number. Copyright of letters or other material accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher and its licensees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic and other forms.