She got what she deserved
This out-of-control gambler, Joyce May Ross, and others like her deserve exactly what they are asking for. They know they have a gambling problem and yet ignore their weakness and behave foolishly. She now is blaming the casinos for her stupidity. All sane individuals know the odds are for the casinos.
Rick Mueller, Abbotsford
I’m not sympathetic
Joyce May Ross admits she has an addiction to gambling and still walked into a casino, yet she has the gall to blame the B.C. Lottery Corporation for losing a few bets?
What’s she expecting? A refund on her bad luck? Sympathy?
She’s not getting any from me.
Andy Chih, Burnaby
Stupid is as stupid does
John Wayne, the U.S. actor, said, “Life is tough, but it’s tougher when you’re stupid,” Ms. Ross
Siggy Madai, North Vancouver
Scan ID cars
The answer is simple for casinos. Have a system where you scan everyone’s driver license through a computer before they walk into a casino so they can identify who is in the self-exclusion program.
They can also have a pass card with photo ID system like they do on cruise ships.
Warren Cheng, Burnaby
I love that cheap U.S. gasoline
So gas prices are rising again.
On Tuesday I bought gas in Bellingham for $3.95 US a gallon. With the exchange rate, that worked out to $1.03 per litre, compared to up to almost $1.44 Wednesday in Metro Vancouver.
Colour me happy!
Don Campbell, Surrey
Allowing Sikh name promotes harmony
I would like to commend The Province for its coverage, support and editorial: Cadet Unit should be called Surrey Sikhs.
Sikhs have been actively involved in the growth and development of Canada for the past 125 years. This country’s policy of multiculturalism and inclusion is a model for the world.
Including the word “Sikh” in the group’s title is bound to enhance the image of the cadets and the department of national defence immensely. As you mentioned in your editorial, allowing the use of the words Surrey Sikhs in the 3300 British Columbia Royal Army Cadet would not only be proper but also Canadian.
Such a gesture would go a long way in promoting intercultural harmony and a sense of inclusion for Canada’s Sikh community.
Balwant Sanghera, Richmond
All bigotry is ugly
Letter-writer Greg Tyler of Abbotsford should be educated to the fact that bigotry is not attractive. All religions have a history of violence from some of their adherents. His slur against Sikhs is part of the problem.
Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
Cadets shouldn’t be named for religion
Allowing a cadet unit to be called the Surrey Sikhs is a no go.
You mentioned different “ethnic” names of some of our regiments in your editorial. Sikhs are East Indian by ethnicity and Sikh by religion. If we allow them to form a cadet unit under a religious name, then we open the flood gates for other religious groups like evangelical Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Catholic, etc., to demand the same privilege.
This does not help building a harmonious society; it balkanizes it.
Ejub Duric, Vancouver
Don’t be so PC!
The Sikh cadets’ dilemma stems from the fact that when Canada’s established military units were named after ethnic groups there was no politically correct regime in place. Now there is.
It’s politically correct in the modern era to be “inclusive” so using the word Sikh is verboten. I don’t have a problem with it, but the PC crowd of spineless liberals and neo-conservatives obviously do.
Monty Stewart, Abbotsford
High density means big social problems
Before the ideologues at Vancouver city hall proceed with their high-density plan, have they studied the precedents?
High-density housing in the People’s Republic of China and in the postwar high-rises of Glasgow and Sheffield both led to social disruption, where children had nowhere to play other than the stairwells, among other issues.
High density led to mental-health problems and spawned crime both petty and major. These edifices have largely been torn down.
Russell Ritchie, Vancouver
Mayor should start with his block
If Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is so sure that higher density and thin streets are the answer to affordable housing he should be thrilled to be part of a pilot project before it is imposed on others.
I suggest that he should rapidly push through rezoning of his own block so that he would be the first to embrace thin streets. This would allow him a first-hand experience of what his vision would entail plus give him the benefit of receiving feedback from his neighbours.
Craig Ibbotson, Vancouver
For the record
A photo caption in the Sept. 26 BackChat may have left the impression that Olympic Village social housing resident James Cooper is a marijuana user. He says he doesn’t smoke pot — or anything.
The editorial pages editor is Gordon Clark, who can be reached at gclark@theprovince.com. Letters to the editor can be sent to provletters@theprovince.com.
