Alberta hate harmful

When I first saw Matthews Hays’s “Five reasons to hate Alberta” article [Feb. 2], I was shocked that such a thing would be printed. But even more disturbing to me was the fact that in addition to the article there was a hateful cartoon depicting a completely false stereotype of Albertans.

Before I make a formal complaint about a possible hate crime, I would like the editors of the Mirror to explain, what exactly was the motive of this article and cartoon? How would you react if the equivalent hipster rag in Edmonton published “Five reasons to hate Quebecois”?

In light of the recent uproar about the depiction of the prophet Mohammed, you think cartoonists would perhaps clue in to the fact that, as image-makers, they have a responsibility for what they put out into the world and what it generates back. To those who use the “freedom of speech” argument to support tasteless, hurtful and badly drawn artwork, I would suggest they all walk into a Hells Angels bar with someone they love and start screaming that all bikers are sissies and fags. If they actually survived, they would probably have to consider that there is no such thing as freedom of speech and that the words and images you create do have a direct effect on shaping the world around you.

The week after the article was published, the letters section was full of equally ill-informed, hateful and misguided letters from angry Albertans [“Prairie perspectives,” Feb. 16]—exactly what even the most socially retarded person knows would be the logical result of sending out such negative energy.

The article was irresponsible and does not in the slightest represent the average Montrealer, Canadian or Quebecois opinions any more than the cliché of the angry, Bible-toting, right-wing, closet-homosexual cowboy represents Albertans.

For sure I don’t like Stephen Harper—but for logical reasons and not because he is from Alberta. He is completely unqualified to lead a small town, much less a country. As far as I know, he has never had a real job in the real world, been a CEO of a successful company or held a previous post requiring any responsibility on a national or international scale. All his classroom economic and social theories have already been proven disastrous in the real world and are, in short, dated. Even King Ralph probably finds him a little too flaky and is a little worried about the direction he is going to take the country in.

But does any of this have anything to do with Harper being from Alberta? There are equally, if not more incompetent, spiteful and even racist leaders from Quebec. Does this give me the right to go out and purposely hurt and belittle the average working citizens of Quebec with words and drawings?

Regardless of your political stripes, at the end of the day you have to look at who you are and what you are doing in your life and ask yourself what is the overall effect on the world around you. Positive or negative? There is no grey area to this particular question.

Peace to all the provinces, territories and cities.

» Robertson Davies, Verdun

Haiti: cause du jour?

I am troubled to see how a fringe group has managed to convince the alternative media that they are the voice of Haitians living in Quebec [Cover, “Sunshine and squalor,” Jan. 26]. For one, they do not represent me.

These days, the main issue affecting Port-Au-Prince is public safety and not another messiah figure who has disappointed many. Kidnappings affect all, from wealthy industrials to women selling vegetables in public markets. A ransom can be a bag of rice or $100,000 (U.S.). Middle class Haitians are leaving in droves, worsening the already difficult situation.

A collapsed state, Haiti needs the help of its neighbours. As someone who is paying taxes in Canada, I am glad to see the Canadian government supporting my home country. Around the McGill and Concordia ghettoes, there are hundreds of red stickers asking Canada to get out of Haiti. Why? Is this the new PETA? Who is paying for these stickers? Is there an overwhelming support for that movement in the Haitian Montreal community? If so, where are the huge rallies in favour of Aristide that were the norm in the early 1990s?

Mr. Engler needs to find a new cause and leave my dear country alone. We have enough problems as it is and we don’t need professional protesters to help us out.

Haiti is not the new Tibet!

» Ralph Chery

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