Ukraine war is not NATO’s fault
Re: “Compromise needed to find solution in Ukraine,” commentary, March 18.
This commentary blames NATO expansion for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, so therefore it’s NATO that must compromise. We must understand that Putin feels uncomfortable to have former Soviet republics next door to Russia that voted with their feet to join NATO. Even worse that some of them might be democratic and successful economically.
But Princeton University history Professor Stephen Kotkin sees it differently: Putin invading Ukraine is replaying a recurring pattern that predates NATO. Russia looked much the same in the 19th century as it does now, says Kotkin.
“It had an autocrat. It had repression. It had militarism. It had suspicion of foreigners and the West,” Kotkin tells David Remick on The New Yorker Radio Hour.
Today, a paranoid Putin is isolated in fear of the pandemic and, probably, a palace coup — who knows if any of his advisers is telling him the truth or just what he wants to hear? He reportedly failed to advance in the KGB because he was reckless and lacked empathy — all on display now for the world to see.
Putin’s war on Ukraine is not NATO’s fault.
Chris Lawless
Victoria
‘Freedom’ protesters: think about your timing
There is a war in Ukraine and countless people are dying daily. Ukrainians are living in bomb shelters, learning how to use military equipment, and are saying goodbye to their sobbing children as they stay behind to protect their country from an oppressive dictator.
The physical and emotional damage to Ukrainians worldwide is inconceivable to the majority of us in Canada. You would think that this would warrant some empathy and respect on behalf of Canadians, and for the most part you would be right.
However the “Freedom Convoy” has continued to foster incivility. At the end of the day, they do have a right to protest peacefully; however, I would have hoped that a global crisis would have reframed their concerns.
Let’s all take a second and be grateful for what we have. Mask mandates are lifting and life is returning to normal. The honking can finally stop. Please think of others.
Gabrielle MacPherson
Victoria
Horgan’s protest views are not appreciated
Can someone explain to me why Premier John Horgan gets justly criticized for telling people to take transit because of high gas prices, yet when he went condescending and arrogant telling protesters to write letters, go home … nobody mans up to call him out?
All sizzle, no steak.
Grant Maxwell
Nanaimo
Let’s find the money, and help the refugees
I have been mulling over the recent headline asking, in essence: “How to pay for Ukrainians’ travel expenses?”
We as a country pay all our bills with tax money, that is how it is done. Whether it is cleaning up the mess left by a showdown of truckers in Ottawa, COVID sufferers given relief or military supplies for Ukraine and others, not to mention the starving peoples of the world that need our help.
Why would anyone begrudge the cost of transportation, small compared with military costs? What I am looking for is where to sign up to assist these refugees with a place to sleep, eat and get organized for the next chapter of their lives.
Please help us with this.
Helen Schuckel
Duncan
Mind your own business, Victoria city council
All Canadians share the evident concern over the pace of reconciliation with our First Nations neighbours. A very vigorous national debate on the report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission continues.
If ever Canadians have looked to their collective elected leaders for thoughtful, effective solutions, this is that time.
In the most recent federal and provincial elections, all Canadians made their choice of governments on this and other issues. This includes all residents of the City of Victoria. And yet Victoria council feels more should be done and continues to act as if it had a mandate from the voters to do so.
It does not and, for the record, the City of Victoria is not an NGO (non-government organization).
Why is council even considering wading into an area that will soon be handled by a Victoria non-profit called Reciprocity Trust? How much will the initiative cost taxpayers for tens of thousands of letters or forms, the insertion of the same, and the associated administrative handling?
What sort of financial accountability for monies received by the city will be instigated?
This proposal would suit broad discussion, which the fall election campaign will provide.
John Treleaven, chair
Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria
Many questions raised about reconciliation tax
Amidst COVID finally receding, inflation rising, financial troubles brewing and a city council soon to be ousted, the timing on the voluntary reconciliation tax proposal could not be more awkward.
Should council be in the donation/fundraising business? Should council stray into the federal government’s First Nations responsibilities? Why?
Have Victoria residents already forgotten the $200,000 of property-tax dollars recently directed by council to the same First Nations?
Surely there are better, existing tax deductible donation programs that would make the proposed invitation less desirable and redundant.
And why is this invitation offered only to homeowners? As Victoria is largely a community of renters, council should find a way to offer renters this same opportunity.
Perhaps optional donations could be a percentage of rent paid, similar to the percentage-of-property-tax idea for homeowners. Why have councillors not convinced other municipalities to make this an opportunity available to everybody in the Greater Victoria area?
Good ideas should be easily shared. Besides, success with this initiative could be a template for other programs in need such as endangered programs in the public education system.
I suggest more thought is required before implementing this proposal. Perhaps show how more and more money affects reconciliation? It is not obvious to me.
Shelley Campbell
Victoria
Tax would help us show reconciliation
The voluntary land tax in support of local First Nation resonates with me likely due to my experience in both property management and building relationships with local First Nations on behalf of my former employer.
I understand this concept has existed for several years in various American communities in California as a “Shummi” land tax.
My suggestion would be that such a tax be approached as a tax deductible donation and/or a percentage of the B.C. Property Transfer Tax.
Either way, it is a way all can actively participate in reconciliation.
Don Beamish
Duncan
Speak up to save Victoria’s trees
As a resident of James Bay, I am incensed that, yet again, our tree-killing council is determined to further divest my community of the spectacular flowering plum trees on Menzies Street, near the Five Corners.
These trees contribute so much charm and well-being to our community.
Oh, yes, council is promising to replace this mature canopy of trees, but with non-blooming native British Columbia saplings that will take years to mature and contribute to air quality.
The tourists that flock to Victoria in the spring enjoy our beautiful flowering trees and will not come to see immature trees, high rise condos and rental buildings or bicycle lanes.
Tourism is Victoria’s bread and butter. Our mayor and council seem determined to strip our city of its fine urban tree canopy.
You can help stop this destruction by speaking up at the March 24 public hearing or write your mayor and council to end this devastation, or the next street to lose its magnificent trees may be yours.
Barbara Marshall
Victoria
Pickleball has been vital in recent years
I am an event organizer on the Meetup.com website for Victoria and Area 50’s Plus Active Living and Wellness, a group that promotes a large variety of activities such as walking soccer, hiking, e-biking, yoga, roller skating and pickleball for like minded seniors.
I was saddened to learn that Todd Park will be closed to pickleball on April 1. No notice or explanation was posted on the courts, no options for close free courts and most of all, no discussion for a solution.
These courts have been used by our group every week during the past year and become part of a fitness regime and social gathering hub.
The location of the courts facilitates many members walking or biking to access, being free helps budgeting, no reservations makes scheduling flexible and the pleasure of being outside as many of us have spent the last two years inside is a mental-health win-win.
Flexibility on play hours, more tennis courts having pickleball lines, sound barriers and upgrading potential courts should be an immediate priority with the City of Victoria, no substitution for the loss of courts is not a solution.
With this being the go-to sport of the 50-plus age group and the island demographics showing a sharp increase in senior population, the city must look for a solution to accommodate one of the fastest-growing sports in Canada.
Janine Douglas
Victoria
Now, Victoria council, stop all that traffic
I live in James Bay and rode my bike to play pickleball at Todd Park from 1 to 3 p.m. when most people are out doing chores or working. Now I will drive somewhere to play.
For those of you who are complaining because it is disturbing your nap time I am truly sorry … maybe we could find softer balls so we can accommodate you.
In a way I am glad to see Victoria council can ban a healthy sport because of a few complaints, without any consultation with the players, because now maybe they can help me with my problem.
We live on the corner of Kingston, Montreal and Quebec. We are being disturbed day and night by all the noise (way more than a pickleball makes) from cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles, and we are encouraged by council’s insight, its problem-solving abilities and its power.
Would council please stop the traffic through our area between 1 and 3? That is the best time for my nap.
Mark Carlow
James Bay
Will council’s ideas ever end?
One has to ask, is Victoria city council applying with Revenue Canada for charitable status?
Will it then provide deductible tax receipts under the name of the Church of Reconciliation?
Will it then have to hire 20 young social activists to handle all this will entail?
Between this, Beacon Hill Park camping, multimillion-dollar bike lanes and the resulting traffic gridlock, will the hare-brained schemes of this group never end?
P.G. (Phil) Leith
Victoria
Congrats to the DFO; the herring are gone
I must congratulate the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for accomplishing what they have been working on for many years: They have finally wiped out the herring fishery in the Parksville/French Creek area.
I have lived on the water in Parksville for 28 years and have watched the herring spawn in front of my house deteriorate year after year. This year has been the death knell of the fishery — not a sign of a herring this year.
DFO has finally accomplished with the West Coast herring fishery what they accomplished with the East Coast cod fishery some years ago. Something for them to be proud of, I guess.
Al Skiber
Parksville
Kindness and chivalry are still here
My wife and I are in our 80s and both of us use canes. We are visiting Victoria for a month.
On Sunday we went for dim sum at a restaurant in Chinatown. There was a lineup to get in, and it went up two flights of stairs. We were at the bottom of the line on the ground floor and I noticed people had numbers, and so I asked and they said you had to go up the stairs to get one and so I started up, one step at a time.
Immediately, a young person said “I’ll get one for you” and ran up and got us a number.
While on the stairs, my wife got chatting with the young couple in front of us, finding out we had some things in common as both had spent time in Clearwater, Florida. And so the conversation continued until we reached the top and were shown to our table.
After the meal, the waitress took our list of what we had purchased and said she would bring the bill. After a time we asked where our bill was and another waiter said the young couple across the room had taken care of it.
We went over to thank them and they said “Welcome to Victoria”
On the way out we again started down the stairs along with our canes and “doggy bag.” Right away another young person took our “doggy bag” and helped us down the stairs and held the door for us.
What a great welcome to a lovely city.
Peter and Paulina Manahan
Halifax
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