Women come to the defense of helpless France

I'm wondering about your sarcastic comment on the front page of last week's paper ["But can France win a war?" under the logo, July 16]. Are you jealous, or is it just the usual francophone-bashing that has become instinctive to some anglais since 1995?

Of course, you will argue it is only a joke--English humour, perhaps. But, frankly, would you have dared to make the same comment for Italy, Germany or Argentina? I don't think so.

--Sylvie Laure

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When the French won the World Cup, Brazilians decided to party with them in a true spirit of fair play. It was a great day for multiculturalism. What a contrast with the Mirror's petty cheap shot, "But can France win a war?"

Are other people's joy and victory such a threat to you that you have to show contempt in order to feel secure? Your attitude sounds as xenophobic as Jean-Marie Le Pen's.

--Valérie Ducharme

Gravenor's depression-era actress mix-up

I read with some amusement Kristian Gravenor's article on famous Westmounters ["Westmounters want their 15 minutes," The Kristian Perspective, July 9]. I did, however, wonder how Gravenor conducts his research, because most everyone knows that it was Norma Shearer, and not Mary, who was the famous actor of the 1930s and '40s. In fact, Shearer Street in Pointe St-Charles is named after the family because her father had a large manufacturing company in that part of the city.

Remember the first rule of writing: never make an assumption about easily verified facts--someone out there will know the facts. This puts all your writing in question and your readership will doubt your credibility.

--Richard Lapalme

Pigeon problems in downtown highrise

I have been living in one of the SHDM's [Société d'habitation de Montréal] downtown highrises for the past year and a half, and they continue to allow tenants to feed pigeons despite the risks to our health. We are also surrounded by parks where people drop by every morning to feed the birds. A City of Montreal bylaw states that it's illegal to feed the pigeons under threat of fine or jail term--but the city never enforces this law.

Did you know that aside from disease, pigeons bring along with them something called pigeon ticks, extremely small insects capable of making their way right through your window screen and the tiniest cracks? My apartment was crawling with them and I had no idea where they were coming from until I discovered a pigeon nest right outside my balcony door. You can spray Raid until you're hallucinating and can't breathe anymore, but it still won't keep the bugs away. Your walls will become discoloured and sticky from all the insecticide, and when you ask the city to put up a barrier to keep the pigeons away, they refuse, even though the Régie du logement says it is their responsibility. The McGill Wildlife Centre informed me that these insects can create respiratory allergies or make existing ones worse, and that the only way to be rid of them is to erect a barrier so the birds can't roost.

The SHDM's idea of a solution this year, after half the building complained about the problem, was to spread a petroleum-based repellant substance similar to Vaseline on the window sill and the edge of the balcony floor. It had no effect.

Pigeons are not only a nuisance, they're a public health hazard we can no longer afford to ignore.

--Irene Zannis

Let them drink water!

I would like to comment on the Republika concert, which took place last Sunday. Although the bands were exceptional, something must be said regarding the security team who were confiscating water bottles at the entrance gates. When I questioned the guards, I was told that this was simply a directive of the concert organizers. This was to be a 10-hour show in a venue without accessible water taps--only over-priced Naya bottles and beer. At an event that was supposedly a celebration of "independent" music and free political expression, I can't understand why the entire audience was subjected to the enforced interests of profit-hungry beverage companies.

To add insult to injury, all confiscated bottles were thrown into garbage cans and not recycled. I respect the need for tight security at events this size. But to have something as fundamental as a drinking bottle taken away from you without reasonable explanation breeds hostility and frustration. Luckily, the concert attracted a complacent and well-disciplined crowd. Maybe the Spice Girls can headline next year's show.

--Malcolm Bauld