When countries go to war, there are no winners
No matter who you identify with or associate with, there is no winner in war because both sides are losers.
One side may not only be the loser, but no one will win because, as we have seen, the destruction can be widespread.
Just imagine how much all this destruction and weapons could have positively impacted the entire population if they had not been spent on war.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
Yes, it is possible to live in a smaller space.
Re: “Back to basics with smaller housing,” letter, October 21.
Decades ago, my husband and I, 18 and 21 year old newlyweds, bought a mobile home trailer with 248 square feet of living space.
We lived in this cozy room, adding two children to our family, until the eldest was almost five years old.
At the time, we had “outgrown” into a 420 square foot trailer because we were expecting our third child. We lived in this place for another four years and then bought a house.
Over those nine years, we moved around Alberta and British Columbia many times.
Each trailer was comfortable, had plenty of storage, and was very cozy. We thought they were a great place for our family to live as they had everything we needed in a very compact space.
As a society, our expectations for housing have certainly changed.
Some of these smaller Airbnb spaces could certainly be adapted for longer-term rentals, and perhaps trailer homes could be a partial solution to our homelessness problem.
Yvonne Andre
Campbell River
Don’t forget to thank the bus driver!
A huge shout out to bus drivers in Greater Victoria. We recently spent five days in Victoria and mostly used the transit system for our transportation needs.
The system did an excellent job of planning trips and informing about bus wait times.
Our biggest compliment is to citizens traveling by bus. The bus drivers were very helpful, trying to figure out how to get there and where to get off, but we were impressed by the respect the passengers showed the drivers.
Almost every rider, be it teenagers, young adults, students, workers, commuters, seniors, almost everyone shouted a big “thank you” to the driver as they got out.
We were amazed! It was so great and it really made us feel safe and in a good place while we were on the bus.
So keep up the good work, citizens of Victoria. With your care you make this city better.
Sue Robertson
Calgary, Alta.
Access to Clover Point? It was a long time ago
It was a great Victoria Day! My husband and I took a short walk around Ross Bay and that’s all he can do with his walker.
We didn’t want to give up on this glorious day, so we decided to grab sandwiches and tea at Clover Point.
We knew it had been misrepresented by the Victoria City Council, but I thought I could at least drop it off at the picnic tables and then park the car!
Oh no, that was impossible because there were barriers and he couldn’t walk from the parking lot to the picnic tables. So we left.
Even though it was a beautiful warm day, none of the picnic tables were occupied and only one of the chairs was in use.
Needless to say, we left with bad thoughts about the city’s decision to replace a previously well-planned and frequently used favorite location.
Anne Bell
Victoria
No scary Halloween, go with the angels instead
I was driving behind a car with one of those fake hands sticking out of the trunk and realized how inappropriate it is now!
It made me want to rip out how we are in this reality right now – this is not a bloody joke!
It doesn’t matter that we are already traumatizing our children with war, climate and everything else that happens to them (including artificial intelligence and bad technology)!
We will have to do the same with Halloween, which no longer corresponds to a happy and free lifestyle with little to no worries.
If you think witches, skeletons, blood, etc will make your kids happy, I seriously doubt it – go for angels, fairies, cowgirls and boys, or fun outfits if you want to try and balance the scales a little.
I am for peace, not war.
M. A. Trus
North Saanich
Canada is not isolated as the word fluctuates
The citizens of Gaza are paying a huge price for Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on Israeli citizens who are also innocent victims. Who could accept this?
When will the United Nations ever do its job of ensuring international peace?
Russia continues to attack innocent civilians in Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is a war criminal, but the war continues. The UN is doing nothing to stop Putin’s aggression. A lot of words, but the war continues.
Then the disaster in Afghanistan, where the Taliban took control again after so many lives were lost to the Western allies.
Women have returned to the dark ages, just like before the war. Apparently, they are helpless, just like the citizens of Gaza. Who cares about citizens?
World leaders need to find a better way. The UN cares more about being politically correct than doing the job it was tasked with doing after World War II, the war to end all wars.
Sooner or later the Third World War may begin. Canadians will suffer. We are not isolated.
Who will lead the necessary changes? Not Canada, I’m afraid.
Phil Harrison
Comox
Economic inequality must be eliminated
Our economic systems are unable to cope with the challenges the world faces today.
Anyone who has visited the Palace of Versailles will certainly have a better understanding of the French Revolution. Likewise, a tour of the Catherine Palace or Peterhof in Russia illuminates some of the causes of the Bolshevik Revolution.
Deep economic inequality leads to discontent and ultimately violence.
The planet is currently facing increasing economic inequality in much of the world, including our own society. Our social structures and programs to reduce inequality are not enough to solve this problem, although some countries are doing better than others.
Author Katherine Hayhoe notes that “Economics as still taught in universities today is based on theories taken from 1950s textbooks and ideas from the 1850s. …We need to turn this on its head and start the economy with the values that we know matter today, like human well-being and the integrity of the planet.”
A good idea, but those who hold the reins of economic power are unlikely to give them up.
Failure to understand this causes those who are desperate to target the “other,” people of different nationalities, colors, and creeds. Social violence is increasing.
At some point, a leader may emerge who sees the economic system for what it is and organizes against it.
Like a revolution…
S.A. McBride
Cordova Bay
Islands Trust needs an environmental approach
Re: “The Islands Trust fails to protect water and forests,” commentary, 13 October.
The Friends of the Gulf Islands shares the concerns expressed in the commentary.
The 20-year-old Pender Island Trust Trust Society was recently reorganized as the Friends of the Gulf Islands Society with a broad environmental mandate for the entire trust area, which includes 13 major islands from south of Hornby to Saturna. This restructuring was caused by the same problems detailed in the article.
The Friends of the Gulf Islands is also researching water scarcity in the Trust Area.
Although the Trust’s Policy Statement states that “the islands in the Trust Area should be self-sufficient in fresh water supplies”, we can attest that drought and development are bringing increasing amounts of water to the islands.
Islands Trust’s land use decisions do not reflect this reality.
We believe the provincial government should assist Islands Trust by adding scientific experts to the elected Trust Council to better inform and support decision-making during these times of increased development pressure and climate change in the Gulf Islands.
We encourage other concerned British Columbians who love the Gulf Islands to join us in advocating for a stronger, more environmentally-minded Islands Fund.
Jennifer Margison
The president
Friends of the Gulf Islands Society
Be careful of red light runners
This is absolute freedom for everyone when it comes to running red lights. Many people use countdown lights as an excuse to run a red light.
I’m surprised there aren’t more accidents. We all need to be on guard because a lot of people don’t care.
Brock Carbury
Victoria
Campus life must include RV parking
Good for the student arguing that he should be allowed to sleep in a van on campus. As a graduate of the University of Victoria, I am regularly bombarded with emails asking me to donate to campus causes.
Does the dining room need to be renovated again? I pay $3,000 a month to live in Victoria.
When I was young, I left Canada several times to live in places where a young person could afford the basics. I still carry a huge amount of debt.
If the campus administration cannot allow this struggling student to exist, then in their next advertising campaign they should say that the university caters only to the upper classes.
Emma Hillian
Victoria
Let’s switch roles to get balanced healthcare
I understood how our leaders could provide thousands of Canadians with their own doctor overnight.
Federal and provincial elected officials, local mayors and councilors can give up their personal physician, instantly freeing up space for the people they serve.
The doctor shortage will then be quickly addressed, and politicians will enjoy the same “world-class” health care as everyday Canadians.
Kim Christensen
Esquimalt
After a bad fall, many people came to help.
I recently fell while working out at the gym at Westshore Parks and Recreation.
I want to thank the gym members and staff who came to my aid. Thank you to the paramedics, Ambulance Victoria and Orthopedic Clinic staff.
So many people with such care and compassion. Thank you all.
Eleanor Cyr
Langford
During an earthquake, head towards the walls
There is one inherent disadvantage to falling, sheltering and holding during an earthquake.
The weakest part of the room is the center of the ceiling. First, it will collapse from prolonged shaking, leaving these people under the table buried in rubble.
During the first few seconds of an earthquake, move as quickly as possible to the supporting wall.
The ceiling, which connects to the wall, forms a tent-like structure during a collapse, speeding up rescue operations and leaving room for movement.
Steve Hoffman
Victoria
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
• Email: letters@timescolonist.com.
• Mail: Letters to the Editor Times Colonist, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, British Columbia V9A 6X5.
• Try to use no more than 250 words; subject to editing for length and clarity.