Soria memorial
harsh but real

I really want to let you know my appreciation for the article on the late Alex Soria from the Nils, penned by Chris Barry ["Alex Soria, 1966–2004," March 3].

Such a concise story covering so much in tiny paragraphs with potent words. Much time and care was taken to build up this crescendo in letting us know about a tribute concert for a fallen and hardly known Montreal hero. That and the harsh realities of using and a place where maybe a life can be turned around.

Anyway, I've been reading the Mirror for years and this is the first time that I've wanted to salute the work of one of your journalists. Chris Barry, that was awesome. Thanks for such a poignant story so soberly and effectively told.

My time is up. Have a great day.

» S.W. Anandgyan

Thanks for your article about Alex Soria, even though it was depressing. I wish things hadn't turned out like they did for him and the Nils, but at least the music that Alex did get the opportunity to make and record still stands up. I would recommend that anyone who never heard the Nils songs try to track down some of the music, especially the Mag Wheels compilation Green Fields in Daylight, which has nearly 30 songs, including "Call of the Wild" and "Scratches and Needles" from the Primitive Air Raid compilation and BYO's Something to Believe In compilations.

» Franklin Green

Game on

I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have a new video game column [Press Start]. Once the realm of geeks and basement dwellers, gaming has finally made the transition into mass entertainment. And thanks to companies like Ubisoft, Montreal is a big player in it all. I guess you already know this since you've hopped on board too.

I just dropped big bucks on an AlienWare PC system, and I hope you keep your coverage broad to include all the major platforms - one more reason for me to pick up the paper during my weekly vacation from the basement into the outerworld.

» Jesse McCullough

Ko Phi Phi, post tsunami

I've been fortunate to be spared from the Montreal winter this year. Two months ago, I left for Thailand on vacation and have seen first hand the Thai government's response to the relief effort in areas hit by the tsunami. I've spent the last seven days on what was the truly beautiful island of Ko Phi Phi. This is a narrow island and was hit devastatingly hard on both ends by 15-foot waves killing, by government reports, 1,500 people (though locals put the count closer to 2,500).

Unlike islands to the south, Phuket and Ko Lak have received much government assistance. Here there is no Red Cross or any other relief organizations present. All supplies used in the cleanup are purchased with money donated directly to a group of volounteers who have set up here to help the local business people get back to work. The clean-up effort is done by volounteers who come to the island for a day trip, as in my case, and stay for a couple weeks.

The question most disturbing to me has been what has gone wrong on this island? One explanation, the locals say, is the Thai government's plan for redevelopment of this island - that they plan to bulldoze where local businesses once stood and build high-end hotel chains, putting the locals out of business. The locals are struggling to rebuild their businesses with the help of the volunteers. This might be one explaination as to why this island has been left to fend for itself and why the Thai government has held back relief funds from Ko Phi Phi.

If you would like to know more information of the local relief effort on Ko Phi Phi go to www.hiphiphi.com.

» Michael Cooperstone

Hide the smokes

Regarding your article on dépanneurs worried that they will lose money if they are forced to hide their cigarettes ["Smoking out tobacco," March 3]: Sorry, but I say too bad. Cigarettes are killers, everyone knows that by now. To have them lavishly displayed in glorious colours, as enticing as candy, is like making poison pretty. So either get rid of them or, conversely, legalize marijuana and allow it too to be displayed on the shelves, thus giving the tobacco industry some competition for the consumer dollar.

» Brian Hannah

For the boys

Thanks for the rundown on International Women's Day events [The Front, March 3].

And to all the men out there with testicular cancer, enlarged prostates, small penises, male pattern baldness, hairy backs, NHL withdrawal symptoms, repressed homo-erotic fantasies, hateful wives, car rust problems, height issues, beer guts, workaholism, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, Internet porn addiction, closet Sarah McLachlan appreciation and whatever else it is that holds you back: we salute you too.

» Lisa B. and friends

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