Suicide prevention

Regarding the very poignant and interesting letters on high suicide rates, I would like to suggest that gambling addiction and racism as well as child abuse, domestic physical abuse and family problems drive quite a few people to suicide.

I live in an old dilapidated building that has poor tenants and relatively cheap rents. You see, I am a struggling student with an $8 an hour part-time job but no family help. I have also experienced some discrimination because of my Chinese background. In my building, I see a lot of minimum-wage workers and unemployed people who spend huge amounts of money every week on lottery tickets, bingo games and video lottery terminals. The corner dépanneur owner admitted this to me, but said he is simply catering to a need.

Think about it. In addition to poverty our society has a lot of hidden problems. I am tired of reading letters with the cruel bootstrap mentality in Right-wing publications. The two letters you published were refreshingly sympathetic and good. But in order to reduce metro suicides we need to erect barriers or install some sort of safety mechanisms. I hope public discussion on this important topic will come about and will lead to a smart solution. Don't worry about spawning copycat suicides. People who want to commit suicide are usually smart enough to know they can do it in the metro.

--Colin Tang

Unconsummated swinging?

I'm responding to the article "No bang for the bucks" [Feb.8] concerning a certain swingers' club. It was a disappointing piece, as it had the potential to reveal the truth behind the numerous swinging myths. Sure, the meeting lounge is full of lonely guys of questionable weight and hair-cover vainly trying to get laid. But writing about the club from this viewpoint is like reviewing Sona from the coat-check area.

Whilst Mr. Barry and his friend were making out to Britney et al. with their overpriced drinks, all the bright young things were in the couples area getting their rocks off in the hot tub, mirrored room and S&M cellar. Once the clothes have been discarded, a chilled-out ambience abounds, and I've had some great times in there with my partner, making out with some dead attractive, intelligent people. I suggest that Mr. Barry returns with his wife (once she has recovered from her unfortunate viral attack) and writes a proper review of the place.

--Alan Humphreys

Degrassi lesson learned

I find it totally ironic that the people who made their livelihood by championing the rights of young people are now trying to strong-arm the same Degrassi fans who made their success possible.

Maybe they've forgotten a very relevant Degrassi episode, called "Smokescreen," where the kids of Degrassi took on a factory that was stinking up the neighbourhood. The kids learned a valuable lesson: the establishment will never worry about the concerns or rights of a bunch of kids, and the only way to get their attention is to go to the media. Looks like Mark Polger learned this lesson well. Let's hope it helps him to keep Degrassi where it's meant to be: with the fans!

--Tracy Moreau

Reflecting on the Donnas

I found your Donnas article ["Rock 'n' roll riot," Feb. 8] to be an interesting and informative article. I liked the way you promoted the girls' efforts. Only one thing I found a bit contradictory: Donna A's comment about her former classmates' goals being to "graduate from Stanford, get drunk, be slutty and then marry a doctor."

This seems inconsistent coming from girls who sing about doing "40 Boys in 40 Nights." Of course, I recognize that the duty of a writer is to report, not to make judgment! You are the "mirror" and I did like your reflection, but not necessarily parts of the content.

--Jack Fraser

Correction

In Krista's review of the CD Bonzai Beats & Beyond, she meant to give it an eight, not a six.