How clean is TRASH?

I wish to express my opinion concerning TRASH ["Kicking junk with TRASH," August 5]. I'm an ex-heroin addict who is presently contaminated with the hepatitis C virus. I kicked the habit through more traditional methods and am doing very well; it's been two years since I've been out of a detox center.

My concern is that the methods TRASH are using to help heroin addicts kick their habits could easily be endangering lives of people who suffer from the same disease as I do, by giving them these herbal remedies. My specialist specifically told me not to try anything in the homeopathic area of medicine because I could gravely endanger my health. I tested negative for the disease while in detox and developed jaundice when I left, which led them to finally recognize the disease in my system.

I think TRASH's idea is ingenious, but to what extent is it safe? I'm not so sure.

--Name withheld

Blowing the pipes

This is regarding the August 5 photo [The Front] of the pipers playing at the Montreal Highland Games, with the caption "Gay or Scottish?" Well, it's a good question, but it'll be for us pipers to know and for you and your queer staff to find out. What in the world does a person's personal sexual preference have to do with their celebrating their ethnic heritage? Maybe some of the lads in the photo are gay, but then again, maybe none of them are--and their mothers and/or spouses might not appreciate seeing this cleverly crafted photographic masterpiece.

I don't run around the Highland Games celebrating the fact that I am a heterosexual Scot. I don't swing from a traffic light at the Saint Patrick's Parade screaming, "I'm a heterosexual Irishman!" I don't strut my stuff in a fleur-de-lys thong at the St-Jean Baptiste Parade just to let my female francophone cousins know that I think they're "shag-a-delic, baby!"

If sexual orientation somehow leads to its own "culture," so different, so unique that it warrants its own parade, then perhaps it's time we opened our minds a little further. Just imagine: the S&M Pride Parade could be a real hoot (sponsored by the Leather Producers of Quebec) or the clean-up that would be needed after the Necrophilia Pride Festival in Mount Royal Cemetery! Perhaps what this city needs is a great big Sex Festival so we can all show off our "true colours."

Printing a photo with a caption like that is irresponsible; there should be some kind of law against that. If this were south of the border, I'm sure there would be legal repercussions against your "fine" publication.

--"Ben Dover"

Barnoti's bull

In response to the article "Gal Caballero" [July 15], I'm not surprised many Quebec SPCAs are upset about Mr. Barnoti's encouragement of bullfights. The 25 cents a ticket isn't worth going against all the original SPCA policies, which existed way before Barnoti became director. The Montreal SPCA was always against the use of animals for entertainment, no matter what the context.

Now, not only does Barnoti encourage it, he's making money off of it. But I doubt that money will go to preventing the euthanasia of many dogs we apparently cannot afford to cure of the kennel cough we gave them, because apparently we cannot afford to clean the ventilation systems that carry airborne diseases.

Also, for Pellen to say her relationship with the bull is "like a kind of love" is ludicrous. Then again, they say love is blind, especially if you are blinded by all that Vaseline they put in the bull's eyes.

Please boycott the bullfight!

--A few SPCA employees who want to bring the SPCA back to its roots

Webber is not miserable

Though I'm sure Andrew Lloyd Webber would love having his name on something as fabulous as Les Misérables [Stage listings,
Aug. 5], this musical was actually composed by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michelle Schonberg, the same guys who created Miss Saigon.

--Nadia