Reefer radness

“The Reefer Man” [People, March 23] by Chris Barry is, by literary standards, a gem in its own right. Reminiscent of a scrap torn from the script of the original Dragnet TV series, “The Reefer Man” pulses with a feel of a vibe for the time. It says what it says and the author pulls no punches about it. Sleek and compact, like the cold blue steel of a Smith & Wesson 38, “The Reefer Man” has a comfort all of its own.

Is this yet another heads up for youth warning of dangers, or a candid synopsis of the life of a drug dealer as it appears? It matters little, and that is what makes this piece work so well. Whatever the reason that prompted Chris Barry’s “The Reefer Man,” it is not apparent, and that leaves the reader with far more to contemplate than otherwise possible. Great read.

» Wayne Phillips

Heroes and villains

In your apparent desire to cater to anti-American sentiment, you reviewed Eugene Jarecki’s film “Why We Fight” in your March 16 edition [Cover, “Bombs away”].

First of all, Mr. Jarecki used Frank Capra’s title of a series of documentary films by that name, made during World War II, explaining why the Allies were fighting against fascism. You then used a photograph of the U.S. Army on parade referring to it as “frightening.” Are you aware of the context of that photograph? Probably not. On August 29, 1944, at the request of General Charles de Gaulle, the 28th U.S. Infantry Division paraded down the Champs Elysées in Paris to celebrate the liberation of the French capital. Life magazine photographer Bob Landry was there to take this memorable photograph. In an attempt to vilify the United States, you portrayed the U.S. Army at its best.

» Barry Merson

Water not for sale

Regarding your March 16 Angel, Mexico City’s “fourth World Water gabfest”: As our political weasels try to conjure up some cunning plan to sell off the second to last natural resource we posses ahead of the air we breathe, let me just say that Canadian lakes, rivers and streams are in the public domain, are not yet for sale and must never be sold. If a single drop should be sold to an individual, it would open up the floodgates to corporate raiders and the highest bidder, to gobble up the rest.

To alleviate the pressing need for fresh water in arid regions abroad, water could be gifted for humanitarian considerations, certainly commercial interests could be served through shipping administration and handling fees, some jobs would be created, and the usual charitable organizations—Oxfam, Red Cross et al—could pick up the tab in the case of poverty-stricken regions, so as not to leave them flapping in the wind.

» Gerhard Hauenherm

Ray Davies ignored!

A rock and roll legend by the name of Ray Davies released his first ever solo album a few weeks ago and he (will have) just very recently performed in concert in Montreal, his first appearance here in ages. The band he fronted for over 30 years, the Kinks, is widely acknowledged as one of the most important and influential in rock music history. Now, I didn’t expect you guys at the Mirror to nab an exclusive interview with Mr. Davies, but I figured you’d at least have a little write-up somewhere in your music section, or at the very least, you’d come around to reviewing his new album for your CD reviews page, but apparently not. Such a shame you had nothing to say about this well-respected man.

» R. Barbaro

Twits, twats and Aussies

Just to let Jonathan Cummins know that his translation of the Australian sentence in his March 2 column [Punkusraucous Rex, “Get a dog up ya”] should have read: “Hey cunt. Would you like to make love? I seem to think it will be quite good.”

“Twat” does not mean a person of low intelligence,” it means “cunt.” “Twit” means person of low intelligence.

You’ll excuse me for not signing my name to this correction. And yes, Australians are cute, thank you.

» Anonymous Aussie

Anti-Israel sewage

I look at the Mirror every once in awhile and each time I do, I notice your anti-Israel sewage-spewing articles. More often than not. So, I figured you guys needed a bit of education. Please read the following article, which is full of “facts”—something your paper is clueless about. Yes, facts! www.allthingsbeautiful.com/all_things_beautiful/2006/03/the_myth_of_pal.html.

» Anonymous

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!

Send your comments, compliments or criticisms to:

Letters to the Editor,
c/o Montreal Mirror,
465 McGill, 3rd Floor
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 4B4

You may also fax us at (514) 393-3173, or reach us by e-mail:

Letters to the Editor

All letters should include your name, address and daytime phone number.

If you wish to reach someone in particular, here's a list of people involved with the production of the newspaper and this site.