The Star and Its Readers

If the Harper government keeps an 'enemies list', which, quite frankly, I have little doubt that it does, given its infernal embrace of 'values' that are repellent to Canadians who believe in fairness, ethics, justice, and the rule of law, high on its list must be The Toronto Star and many of its readers, relentless as they are in speaking the truth about our political overseers.

As I occasionally do, I am taking this opportunity to reproduce a few letters from today's edition that address truths that even as perverted a government as we currently strain under cannot deny. Enjoy:

Re: Attawapiskat leaders want UN to intervene, Dec. 6

It’s a very special skill. Knowing instinctively how to turn every situation into a wedge issue — divide the public and conquer. And Stephen Harper has it in spades.

Who else could see videos of children suffering in atrocious conditions, ready to freeze to death this winter, and turn the country against itself in circular arguments: those who blame the Native peoples, and those who blame the government. And then do nothing about the immediate crisis, forcing an appeal to the UN for help. It’s an emergency like this that brings out true character.

There’s no leadership in Mudville today, mighty Stephen has struck out.

D.S. Barclay, Georgetown

Perhaps Stephen Harper should put Tony Clement’s constituency office under third party management. More so than Attawapiskat, there appears to have been a lack of accountability with federal funds.

Rob Strang, Orangeville

I, for one, totally believe Peter MacKay when he states that this was a “search and rescue” mission. The helicopter crew was “searching” for MacKay’s integrity. But they couldn’t find it and so they were unable to “rescue” it. Case closed.

Lawrence Jeppesen, Oakville

Re: Tories waging unending black-ops campaign, Dec. 2

Peter Van Loan considers it a “normal activity” for partisan goons to phone constituents in opposition members’ ridings; causing unwarranted mischief. According to the Conservative House Leader, “truth” is now the new name for blatant misinformation.

Mr. Van Loan will defend the right of dissemblers under “the principle of freedom of speech and the right to speak their minds.” Does this bizarre world of newspeak and dirty tricks reflect core conservative values? One can only wonder.

Linda Leon, Whitehorse, Yukon