Letters March 8: The expertise of ‘experts’; governed by people who care

When self-declared ‘experts’ weigh in

One of my favourite parts of the Times Colonist is the letters to the editor section. Over the years I’ve written many times and consider it one of the ways we as citizens can make our voices heard by those “‘in power.”

However, I hope I never use the terms “The solution is simple” or “The answer is easy.”

In my experience, neither of the aforementioned hold true for any issue. Ever. Usually these terms are used by those not in the know, but that doesn’t stop them from acting as self-professed “experts.”

Jim Parker
James Bay

Being governed by people who care

Re: “No need to apologize for democracy,” March 4.

Democracy. Now, how does that work? Canada has an appointed Senate with the power to pass or fail proposed legislation. The U.K. has a House of Lords. I don’t know what the lords actually do.

Media pundits are telling us that the U.S. presidential election might be decided according to cash: who can buy the most advertising.

I don’t think all First Nations had the same form of government before the Europeans arrived but I think most of their governance was based on merit and service to the community. Even if their governance wasn’t “democratic,” it worked for them.

Consent to be governed by people who care and know what they are doing is the best form of government, however the people with authority are recognized.

Heather Phillip
Sooke

A troubling scene along Pandora Avenue

I just drove down Pandora between Cook and Blanshard on a sunny Friday afternoon. The sad collection of zombies, drunks, drug dealers and mentally ill was in full force. Some were staggering about half dressed. Some were sleeping on the pavement. Most were smoking and one man was literally urinating into the street from the sidewalk. How did we let it get this bad?

There has to be a better place for this segment of society to go about living the way they live. Jail them, house them , hospitalize them or institutionalize them. Harsh words , some might say but having a part of Victoria where our seniors aren’t safe to walk is just unacceptable. I can only imagine what the tourists think.

Maybe next time city council is throwing money at outdoor pingpong tables and unnecessary bike lanes they can come up with an idea to restore the streets for citizens that actually contribute.

C. Scott Stofer
Victoria

A message for the legislature protesters

Now that you, as protesters, have vacated the B.C. legislature grounds, it is time to reflect upon three things your mothers should have taught you:

1) Don’t tell fibs.

Banners and signs with false narratives and extreme exaggerations diminish the cause. Moreover, sacredness resides in the heart, not in a fire or other external phenomena. To paraphrase Gandhi: Truth is God.

2) Clean up after yourselves.

This includes not only removing garbage from the legislature grounds, but paying for the costs of repair to any damage you may have caused and compensating people for lost income if they were blocked from going about their legitimate business. In other words, take full responsibility for your actions.

3) Keep your promises.

The deal with Indigenous Relations Minister Scott Fraser was that after your meeting, you vacate the legislature building. This should have been done immediately and voluntarily.

Breaking any or all these aforementioned rules crosses the line from legitimate, peaceful protest to selfish and petulant behaviour. Regardless of how worthy a cause might be, such conduct serves only to discredit both it and yourselves.

Daniel Kyba
Esquimalt

Those who are more equal

Re: “Hijacked protests are violating our rights,” commentary, March 5.

On April 17, 1982, when Queen Elizabeth signed into law the Constitution Act, I said then, and continue to say, “some people are more equal than others.” People who break the “rule of law” and get away with it are more equal than us who follow “the rule.”

Len Herman
Duncan