Letters to the Editor

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Now Who’s embarrassed?

It wasn’t so long ago that we understood why Americans, embarrassed by a government that did not represent them, were moving up here in droves. Now we are getting a chance to realize how they actually feel (“Blinded by the right,” Aug 21 - Aug 27, 2008).

I feel both embarrassed and betrayed by a government that adopts only the failed policies of our neighbour, even after that neighbour is looking for ways to rescind them. Even though I did not vote for this government, I still expected, based on past experience, that any Canadian party would still conduct itself morally. I was wrong.

Clement’s obvious incompetence is criminal. I could accept his dismissal of harm reduction if he seemed to know what he was talking about. However, he prefers to talk rather than to learn. Vancouver’s Insite and other such facilities no more encourage drug use than medics encourage battlefield injuries. We might not like drug abuse or war but we still should have the compassion to tend to the wounds. Clement would rather have us withhold assistance.

It is clear that neither the World Health Organization, the Canadian Medical Association or scientific research carry any weight with the health minister, and sadly enough it is part of a pattern with these Conservatives (and I say these because I am sure there are plenty of Conservative-supporting people who are as dumbfounded by their actions as I am). This government has an agenda, and that agenda does not represent the people. Every poll has shown overwhelming support for harm reduction in Canada, every bit of research regarding Insite has recommended expansion, and none of it seems to register. Just for the record, the Liberals (though a little more responsive to evidence) were equally misguided in the drug wars, but at least they had the sense to keep their mouths shut in public.

Paul Bergen

Never mind the facts

Tony Clement is a vile monster who campaigns on the backs of sick and dying people in order to pander to the Tories’ mean-spirited, myopic, punishment-happy voter base (“Blinded by the right,” Aug 21 - Aug 27, 2008).

Never mind that junk food kills many times more Canadians than all illegal drugs combined, and that alcohol and tobacco kill in similar numbers.

Ignore the fact that it is the prohibitionist mindset of punishment-happy sickos like Harper and Clement that caused this mess in the first place.

Forget that there are only enough treatment beds for a tiny fraction of the people afflicted.

Forget that the laws around drugs in Canada are arbitrary, hypocritical, counterproductive and serve only to subsidize gangsters, lawyers, cops and jailers.

Never mind that—no matter what Clement says—harm reduction is a proven success, and that the US-style drug laws offered by the Tories are failing everywhere it has been used.

Never mind that it costs far more lives and money to approach the problem with “zero-tolerance” than with some compassion and pragmatism.

It is monstrous people like Harper and Clement that are keeping this country from moving forward with a sensible and affordable drug policy. They are the problem, not the solution.

Russell Barth

Vue Weekly welcomes reader response, whether critical or complimentary. Send your opinion by mail (Vue Weekly, 10303 - 108 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 1L7), by fax (780.426.2889) or by email (letters@vueweekly.com). Preference is given to feedback about articles in Vue Weekly. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity.

Correction

Last week’s article “Canadian government disappoints on HIV/AIDS,” stated that federal cuts would mean $500 000 less for HIV/AIDS programs in Alberta. The figure should have read $50 000. Vue apologizes for the error.

Letters to the Editor

Now Who’s embarrassed?

Never mind the facts

Correction

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