Power over politeness

On behalf of the Montreal Assault Prevention Centre, I want to thank you for your article about self-defence entitled "Women kick butt" [Oct. 19].

Offering women an alternative to the usual "nice and polite" feminine role is crucial to taking back power in any abusive situation. It is worth mentioning, though, that the ACTION self-defence course for women is two days and not three days long. Thank you again for your interest.

--Sophie Schwartz, MAPC Coordinator

Cynicism criticized

As I was reading Mark Slutsky's review of the film Pay it Forward ["Movie on a mission," Oct. 19], I started to feel my blood boiling. It angers me and I feel sorry for people like him who instantly become cynical when faced with genuine and strong emotions in a movie because they just can't recognize or handle them. He chose instead to turn a blind eye and disparage the very point and message of the movie.

How can a message of brotherly love be condescending? Society has become so numb to violence and hatred that we now need to be hit over the head by a movie like this one to bring us back into focus. It takes a bitter and uncaring person to not appreciate the touching performances of Hunt, Spacey and Osment.

How can you not understand that because of his scars, a disfigured person's life is that much more difficult? There is nothing wrong with making a movie about trying to change the world. Every valuable effort counts if it's for the positive.

-- Dan Querin

Save the horses

Many papers have columnists (presumably hunters) who write about killing as sport. Restaurant reviewers are on a similar track, describing the sensual experience of tasting slaughtered animals. Last week, horse-mounted Montreal riot police attacked people demonstrating for social justice during the G-20 meetings. It's ironic that on the same week, the Mirror's resto reviewer ingratiated himself with horse meat ["Horsing around," Oct. 26]: "I'd definitely order it again and recommend it to any curious eaters with a flair for adventure."

Almost all work horses are killed off by the meat industry once their usefulness as slaves is considered not worth their food and shelter. Horses are enslaved in many ways and are only rarely permitted by members of our exalted species to live their lives in peace, in their own home environnments.

In this city, they are exploited by the police and the calèche and race-track industries. In stark contrast, caring people have built a sanctuary in the Eastern Townships where previously oppressed horses can live out their lives in a loving, caring environment. At the G-20 demos, we saw what's wrong with much of our society: 1) militaristic units, paid for by the state, composed of homosapiens who don't mind beating up and arresting citizens protesting against the injustices of the state, as long as they get paid for it; and 2) the exploitation of animals in any way deemed necessary by the state or the economy.

-- Shloime Perel

Red bum dreams?

In regards to Craig Segal's article "Dreams of a red dawn" [Oct. 19], having lived in a communist country for a large portion of my life, I witnessed the struggles of my "comrades." It's probably very hard for Mr. Legendre to understand, but the communist dream is nothing but a pain in the ass. Mr. Legendre's comments are an insult to the millions of people who spent their whole life fighting for a taste of democracy. From now on, my heart will hurt just a little more knowing that a fraction of my salary goes to support an unemployed criminal like Mr. Legendre. By the way, having your picture printed in a newspaper as a member of an extremist political movement is a privilege you would never experience in your stinking communist regime.

-- David J.

Correction

In the article on late-night eats ["Just can't get enough?" Oct. 19], the address listed for the restaurant Le Club Sandwich was misprinted. It's actually at 1570 Ste-Catherine E. in the Gay Village. We apologize for the error.