Remember Emru
and be a donor

[Re: “Remembering Emru,” News, Nov. 20] It was a pleasure to read Matthew Hays’s article about Emru Townsend. The outpouring from the Montreal community and the support from media outlets, such as the Mirror, during his search for an unrelated bone marrow donor helped Emru greatly and I think inspired some people to take action.

Another way to honour him and help people who may be in the same position currently or in the future is to learn why peripheral stem cell and bone marrow donation is important and, if you are eligible, register as a stem cell donor. Even people who are ineligible to register may one day require a transplant and receive such a gift.

To register in Quebec, contact Héma-Québec at (514) 832-5000 and request a consent kit from the Stem Cell Registry, or download a form from their Web site (www.hema-quebec.qc.ca). Héma-Québec will process the form and request an appointment to take a small blood sample.

Every year, when you are contacted to ensure your address is up-to-date, you can remember Emru, or your own reason for becoming a potential donor.

>>Tamu Townsend

Dogs are not dinner

[Re: “Dog for dinner,” Letters, Nov. 20] Dogs for dinner? How about dimwits for dinner? Cannibalism is practised in some parts of the world as well and do you think those experiencing actual starvation would refuse a thick and tasty Stupid-People Stew?

Hell, if Mr. Smythe is really so concerned about those that are about to get clobbered by the economy, maybe he should organize some urban vermin culls. I’m sure the city would be overjoyed to learn he’s simultaneously dealing with rat and pigeon overpopulation and the hunger of the impoverished at the same time. Maybe, just out of spite, he could toss an especially pampered-looking shitzu into the pot for extra flavour.

In the meantime, bonehead, why not spare us conscientious pet owners your bile.

Just because you’re cool with keeping the market afloat for chemical- and hormone-laden hooves and assholes doesn’t mean it’s what my lovely little pitbull is going to have for dinner.

Oh, and by the way, is she still considered pampered if the SPCA took her out of a place where she was beaten and starved to have her relocated somewhere she’s cared for and well-fed? Grow up. 

>>Ryan Eugene Newman

[Re: “Dog for dinner,” Letters, Nov. 20] The opinions Charles Smythe expresses about the value many people place on animals are as myopic as they are ridiculous.

The fact that companion animals are viewed as legitimate family members and deserve our best treatment in all regards doesn’t translate into lack of empathy for our fellow human citizens. People suffering in poverty aren’t deprived of food, shelter and basic life comforts because millions of people invest love and caring in their pets.

There are many organizations that cater to the needs of the poor, the needy, the homeless. It appears that Mr. Smythe’s belief system encompasses the warped view that those who seek quality of life for animals don’t care about people, thus revealing his own flawed and biased judgement.

The opposite is often true: people who respect animals and care about environmental issues are usually the first ones to address the human societies and their problems.

One can only wonder whether Charles Smythe himself extends a helping hand to people in need by volunteering in disaster relief or a soup kitchen.

>>Carolyn Zimmermann

Salacious and
scandalous

[Re: “Contempt for call girls,” Letters, Nov. 13] I agree with Rachel Burman that Chris Barry’s interview with Natalie McLennan was unnecessarily salacious. Barry’s low-brow brand of scandal-rag questioning was evidence only of his trashy objectification of women.

>>Melissa Bull

Mirror Hump fest?

I’m not sure how much you keep track of other alt weeklies across the country/continent. But if you don’t, Seattle’s The Stranger has been hosting an annual amateur porn fest for the past few years.

I think we’re a far more attractive city and the Mirror should prove that by taking a page from the Stranger and starting our own ‘Hump!’ (the name of the festival). P.S. I’d totally be down for getting this thing started.

>>C.P

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!