The evil that is destroying all life
All the people of Canada and of the world and all life on the Earth is being attacked by a cruel evil force that is in the process of killing all life on Earth.
This evil force is causing the world’s temperatures to quickly rise to deadly heights and is causing the global climates to become ever more devastatingly violent.
We see the work of this evil force, its fire is burning up our forests and homes, more and more people are getting sick and dying from its heat and poisonous air pollution, its more devastating violent storms are damaging and destroying our homes and public infrastructure, all of which the public will have to pay for that will impoverish many.
If we do not stop this evil force, it will continue its violent devastation until all life on Earth is dead from its burning of fossil fuel.
If we act quickly, stop the burning of fossil fuel before it becomes unstoppable, we can save ourselves and all life on Earth from a cruel painful violent death.
To achieve this, we must join together en masse, organize and force our governments to stop working for this evil fossil-fuel burning force, stop the Trans Mountain pipeline and the massive B.C. Liquid Natural Gas project and transfer all available government funding to the development and the building of the cheaper natural renewable energy economy.
We can work for the evil force or we can kill it and save our children and all life on Earth by stopping the burning of fossil fuel quickly before it becomes unstoppable.
Francis Blundell
Victoria
We consumers are also responsible
City councils demanding of fossil-fuel companies that they pay costs alleged to be due to climate change makes no sense.
Why not demand the same of all furnace manufacturers, all vehicle manufacturers and so on, and definitely, all consumers of fossil fuels.
Without we consumers, none of the oil companies or car manufacturers would be in business. All of this “crisis” outcry seems impossibly late, so now the bureaucrats are looking for scapegoats.
The lawsuits that are sure to follow will eat up millions of taxpayer dollars as they inch their way toward proving something that is likely unprovable.
Ruth Robinson
Victoria
Climate scare is just flavour of the month
Re: “Greater Victoria school board declares climate emergency,” June 29.
It seems that politicians and public organizations are all jumping on the bandwagon to declare that we are facing a climate emergency.
It has become the flavour of the month, with no viable scientific proof that confirms that it is indeed an emergency.
It is a rallying cry for all those that just wish to do away with fossil fuels, and to reach zero emissions this very minute.
Of course, those that do declare these climate alarms continue to use fossil fuels for cars, heating, and plastic products, while blaming forest fires and heat waves on this so-called climate emergency.
The climate is no worse now than it was decades ago. Look at the number of forest fires in Canada – in 1995, there were 11,500 recorded fires in Canada, and in 2017 there were 5,500.
Over the years there was a significant decrease in the numbers of forest fires.
If we look at the average yearly temperatures by picking a city, like Ottawa, the temperatures have not changed. In 1995, the average yearly maximum temperature for Ottawa was 35.3 C, for 2017 it was 33.
So, where is this climate emergency, and the urgency of doing away with fossil fuels? This whole movement is not based of fact, but on fear mongering.
Roger Cyr
Victoria
Do we need road rage on the car deck?
Re: “A relaxing glass of wine on the ferry,” letter, July 4.
There are a couple of statements here that need to be addressed, the first being: “Surely we don’t need the nanny state to inform us about drinking and driving.”
Well, actually, we do. I’ve had my driver’s licence for 55 years, which means I can remember back to a time when drinking and driving was accepted behaviour.
It took a concentrated campaign by the “nanny state” to bring about the sea change in public attitude through the ’70s and ’80s, resulting in the roads being a much safer place to be today.
There are, unfortunately, still some who don’t think that it applies to them.
The second statement is: “If you don’t want to purchase liquor, you are free to refrain.” This is, at best, a facile and specious attitude, often used to try to silence thoughtful people who are trying to deal with more complex social problems.
It is interesting to note that this happens when there is another news story about ferry staff having to deal with abuse from the general public, most of whom were probably sober at the time.
While I certainly agree that it would be lovely to relax in the buffet with a glass of wine, I would, later on, have to drive off the ferry — and I doubt that the ferry workers directing traffic would be interested in dealing with those with already arrogant personalities that have been enhanced by a couple of drinks.
Road rage on the car deck?
I don’t like to be too cynical, but this proposal is purely driven by profit motive — how much money would it actually save on ferry fares? I think I’d rather pay it in exchange for a safer and more pleasant drive off the boat.
Stephen Pierrot
Saanich
A few words to brighten your day
Re: “Well done, Victoria, you passed the guest test,” July 4.
In its short summer season, Victoria displays its charms to the fullest. Jack Knox noted that tourists were well pleased by the city’s cleanliness, civility and friendliness.
For its relatively small size, Greater Victoria displays an amazingly rich and diverse multicultural community.
We retain some aspects of culture which have been lost or never attained in other places, such as beautiful homes and gardens, vibrant local businesses, accessible shorelines and beaches, playgrounds and sport complexes, a variety of music, art, and drama outlets, an amazingly rich cuisine, modern medical and care facilities, free public education, libraries and bookstores, bicycle-friendly pathways, treed parks and boulevards, and wildlife in town or close by.
Where else can you find eagles, ducks, shorebirds, whales, seals, deer, or even a marmot — living on the grounds of no less than the Empress Hotel?
Victoria is a capital city, seat of local and provincial governments, the western naval fleet, several colleges and the University of Victoria, all in a benign Mediterranean climate, which encourages outdoor activities.
We all know that Victoria does have ongoing issues that need attention, but these are being increasingly recognized and addressed at government and civil levels.
But for the tourist, al least, we exude an awareness, exuberance and tolerance not often seen elsewhere.
So, “Yes, Victoria, Well Done!”
Thor Henrich
Victoria
High praise for hospital care
It seems many people are not reluctant to complain about anything and everything that doesn’t sit well with them, which has compelled me to share my experience while undergoing treatment at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.
I was admitted to emergency, and during the next couple of weeks, received fantastic care from everyone right down the line, from specialists, hospitalists, nurses, health-care aides, porters and housekeeping staff, all of whom made a difficult situation much easier to cope with.
I would like each one of them to know how much this has meant to me during these past few weeks.
Every care member treated me with nothing but kindness and empathy and with the utmost respect for my privacy, always with a smile on their face, even while carrying out the most menial tasks.
The rooms are bright, airy and kept clean.
We are so very blessed to have access to such exemplary health care in Canada’s most beautiful city.
Patricia Moody
Brentwood Bay
Move our clocks by half an hour
Unfortunately, the provincial government’s online survey about time changes is seriously flawed, as the main question does not offer a choice between daylight time and standard time.
Standard time would be preferable in winter because, during standard time, the sun is due south (at zenith) at about 12:15 pm, and is at zenith at about 1:15 p.m. during daylight time. Standard time offers a much better balance of the same number of hours of daylight morning and afternoon.
However, to get the best of both, clocks should fall back one half-hour. Having the same time zones as the west coast of the U.S. is meaningless in this digital age.
Besides, that would put the two anchors of the country, Newfoundland and B.C. in sync!
Mike Woods
Saanichton
