Gropers chez nous

This is in response to the Riff-Raff column [“Do the Hassle,” April 6]. It’s cool that Raf Katigbak’s friends did not experience sexual harassment in Montreal. It must be awesome because me and my friends have anthologies of sexual harassment stories.

Here goes: Yesterday on the metro I was minding my business and suddenly this guy was in my face, pushing me back and grabbing my boobs. Another time, a friend was in the metro and a guy came up from behind her, reached up her skirt and grabbed her ass. Another friend was in Parasuco and a store clerk actually put his hand down her pants.

True stories—and did anyone around us who witnessed these scenarios do anything? No. Did we? No. Because even if you tried to, you’d get blown off. And maybe it seems like there’s less sexual harassment because it’s not talked about. There’s an element of shame, embarrassment and a powerless feeling.

It’s useless and counterproductive comparing ourselves to bigger cities. Patting ourselves on the back for less sexual harassment only encourages the freaks who do it, and mostly diminishes our efforts to lessen it. It definitely doesn’t make women want to stand up and talk about it. It’s great that Raf finds the heckling novel, but it gets pretty tired for a lot of us. It was a super naïve column.

» Annonymous

Smoked out of Sky

I was shocked to read in the last issue of the Mirror [Cover, “End of a smokey era,” April 13] where it quotes Peter Sergakis of Sky Complex saying: “We’re not forcing nonsmokers to come to our establishments. If you don’t want to come, don’t come.”

Is this guy nuts?! I, for one, will definitely not go to his bar—and I have gone there on numerous occasions in the past. This guy is obviously only interested in his pocketbook and not the health of his patrons. What we really need to do is protest against his protest. Pickets in front of Sky Complex anyone?

» Terry Pigeon and Leroy Gray

Intelligent design and you

With regard to your article featuring McGill Evolution Education Research Centre professor, Brian Alters. [Cover, “Monkey business,” Jan. 11, 2001]:

There is no real link between intelligent design and creationism. There is no real opposition between intelligent design and evolutionism. What there is, is an opposition between scientism and intelligent design. Scientism is the reason why there is global warming and another period of great extinction. The Oxford dictionary defines it as, “A term applied to a belief in the omnipotence of scientific knowledge and techniques,” which makes it into the “religion” of “materialism,” which conveniently justifies consumerism.

Intelligent design rejects scientistic hubris and says simply that we are a small part of something so complex that we cannot possibly understand it. It should therefore be regarded as “sacred” because we cannot create it (life), we can only destroy it by interfering with it— and we are. Scientism leaves morality out of “progress.” Intelligent design advocates the use of the precautionary principle.

So please, leave God (whatever that might be) out of this and get your facts right before you embarrass yourself again by broadcasting such misinformation. The Mirror should be ashamed of itself.. You might want to ask where the funding for the McGill Evolution Education Research Centre comes from.

» Aurora

In praise of the dandelion

I hope that one of the positive side effects of the just-implemented Quebec herbicide ban [Angel, April 6] is that the much-maligned dandelions will be seen in a far more positive light. It must be emphasised that dandelions are very nutrient-rich and contain just as much iron as spinach and as much Vitamin C as tomatoes. They are also replete with Vitamins B1 and B2. Instead of preventing any dandelions from taking root in gardens and lawns, why not encourage people to use them in salads and other dishes?

» Manish Patwari

Woman seeks haircut!

Hey, I just moved here from Calgary and before that I lived in Vancouver. I need to find a good hairdresser here in Montreal and I was wondering if you could help or throw me some options. I’m a 24- year-old female and I need to get the mop trimmed for the spring. The Montreal Mirror is a great source of resources for me. Thanks a lot for your time.

» CHIP

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