Letters: Who’s doing the bear poking here?
Re: “Carney must stop poking Trump bear” (Letters, April 24)
When I read a letter to the editor that says Prime Minister Mark Carney must stop “poking the bear,” I think it’s fair to ask: Who is poking whom in this strained relationship?
To poke the bear means that one is intentionally provoking another. Is Carney deliberately angering the “bear next door” with his words and actions? To me it appears his stance is defensive, in light of having to deal with an unpredictable U.S. president.
Moreover, I hold that the idea of kowtowing to and appeasing an erratic adversary whose principal strategy seems to be insulting and threatening his opponents does not go over very well with Canadians.
Perhaps those who wish that Carney find a way to settle dealings with the U.S. as soon as possible are concerned with the bottom line. That’s understandable.
However, our morale as Canadians is also important — and so far, I find Carney’s strategies are succeeding in keeping up our morale as Trump and his cronies repeatedly insult and poke their kinder and gentler bear next door.
Goldie Olszynko, Mile End
Preparing for bumps is prudent
Re: “PM softening us up for failure on U.S. trade talks” (Tasha Kheiriddin, April 23)
Prime Minister Mark Carney is not softening up citizens like frogs slowly boiling in water (what a terrible metaphor!). Not in my books.
I was a downhill ski racer in my youth, and we learned early that when faced with a jump on the course, it was best to perform an anticipatory “pre-jump” to soften the blow and not end up flying through the air. That’s how you win races.
Carney is preparing us early for any bumps in the road to prevent possible future shock. This strengthens us mentally as a country in negotiations such that we cannot be threatened by bullies. We absorb early the idea of potential setbacks, and race on to win without fear.
Patrick Martin, Westmount
Kudos to MD for DYI solution
Re: “Pediatrician on a mission to match kids with doctors” (The Gazette, April 8)
What a heartening and fascinating story about the wonderful Dr. Matthew Donlan, who is caring, dedicated and addressing a pressing need.
His Care for Every Kid initiative to connect children to pediatricians is an expedient and efficient solution to the problem — DIY at its medical finest.
Can we clone Dr. Donlan and then send his cohort out to solve every bottleneck impeding the path to a health-system nirvana?
Tony Sachs, Montreal
When bike paths get in the way
Re: “City halts bike lane plan over route” (The Gazette, April 22)
My wife, who is wheelchair-bound, and I were invited to a restaurant recently for dinner. When we arrived, we found that we had to navigate the curb of a newly built bicycle path in order to enter the restaurant. It was very difficult and trying.
I don’t disagree with cycling paths. However, people with disabilities and their access to businesses should be considered when paths are built. It would be quite easy to have made a lower part of the curb to help the situation.
George Ayoub, Outremont
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