Mideast crisis questions

I am not an unconditional supporter of Israel, and I do not condone what is happening in Lebanon, yet I was shocked by Stefan Christoff’s article “Bombs over Beirut” [July 20]. As a responsible journalist, he did not ask the four most important questions, thus giving a distorted perspective.

The questions he should have asked are:

(1) Would Israel have attacked if Hezbollah (and Hamas for that matter) hadn’t crossed Israel’s border, killing eight soldiers and abducting two? The answer is a definitive no.

(2) Did Hezbollah co-ordinate their attack with Hamas? The answer is probably yes.

(3) Did Hezbollah and Hamas expect such a ferocious response from Israel? The answer, taking into consideration Israel’s previous robust responses to attacks, is yes.

Then comes the most important question: (4) Why, then, did they attack knowing what was about to happen?

Stefan Christoff, as a responsible journalist, should search for an answer to this question because truth is the only light that can lead us—all the rest is darkness.

» Max Fischer

Samosa letdown

Being a big fan of the Pushap restaurants, I was interested to read the review of Pushap la Faim du Monde [Resto, “Healthy hybrid,” July 20]. I live in the Plateau and was very excited when I heard Pushap would be opening a restaurant nearby, however I was quickly disappointed the first time I went by to pick up samosas for takeout. The original Pushap restaurants are well known for some of the best samosas in town, at the best prices as well. Imagine my disappointment when the price was not only raised—two for $1.25 vs. the three for $1—but the quality was significantly lacking. While there, I took a quick look at the menu and was also disappointed to see the regular Pushap prices had been raised as well.

In the Plateau, there is an abundance of restaurants that are vegetarian or vegetarian friendly. Upon hearing the news of Pushap’s entrance into the market, I thought it would be great to have a quality, cheap Indian option to add to my list. However, I believe I will continue to travel to Namur or Parc metro stations in order to have what I consider the true Pushap experience, which, I might add, I would recommend to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike.

» D Wolf

Still smoking

Although Mr. Matt Skala agrees that it may be true that “second-hand smoke fails to meet some arbitrary risk ratio,” he puts the onus on smokers to prove that it is safe before they light up in his presence. What kind of reasoning is this?

Nothing in life is 100 per cent risk free. Should we be asking Mr. Skala to prove that pushing his shopping cart at the grocery store is totally safe for the other shoppers before he’s allowed to do so? Or perhaps he can prove without a doubt that his ball will not hit another player over the head before he’s admitted to the golf course? Come on, Mr. Skala, you can do better than to give the readers this totally silly argument. Why don’t you just admit straightforwardly that you dislike the smell of tobacco smoke? It’s quite alright if you do. Most smokers do not wish to inconvenience people intolerant of tobacco smoke. What they are asking for is the right to be able to congregate in some designated smoking establishments, while those who choose not to enter such venues can be catered to elsewhere. Obviously this is too much to ask for in a free society!

» Iro Cyr

What’s with the repeated publication of the useless letters about the infamous smoking ban? These letters seem to have become absurd and increasingly ignorant.

Finally someone has attempted to set a little reality check in “Smoking and thinking” [July 20]. You can’t help agree that this ban may indeed be a little unfair, but I suppose the expression “Life isn’t fair” may be suitable. When I see the changes of this ban, I can’t help but see the bright side, or in fact the sunny side of it: Being “forced” outside may just be a great idea that can give those who are cooped up inside an excuse to enjoy nature. Maybe I’m exaggerating the effects, but I believe the near future will bring us convertible restaurants just to satisfy the needs of the smoking class.

» Richard Claro

Homolka hoopla

I can’t imagine that in adding a “Play Where’s Karla” activity to the Alternative Grand Prix Weekend feature [June 22], the writers were implying that anything’s humorous about the woman [“Homolka not humorous,” Letters, July 20]. It came off more to me that they’re poking fun at Montrealers’—and particularly the media’s—fascination with finding out where Homolka moved to when she got out of jail. The whole ridiculous hoopla was more like a celebrity hunt than exposing the whereabouts of a dangerous predator.

» Geoff Hurst

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