Cover under fire

I am writing to express my great concern regarding the inappropriate nature of the cover of last week’s Mirror [“Generation Gap,” Oct 3].

We carry your weekly in our store. It is displayed in a prominent area in our front foyer in full view of children and our general clientele» several of whom were surprised and dismayed by the lack of propriety in this overt sexual image. As a weekly and widely distributed paper, I hope in future to see more thought being put into the design of your covers.

» Judith Mappin and staff, The Double Hook Book Shop

I’m writing to say that I’m personally offended by the cover of last week’s Mirror. That photo you used is just not something I want to come face to face with every day, everywhere I go.

Even more important than that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to show an image like that on a free newspaper that anyone can see in stores and shops across the city. If it was on a top shelf somewhere, that’s fine, but kids can see it anytime. There is such a thing as bad taste, you know, and I think a lot of people would agree with me that the Mirror is guilty of it.

» M. Lewis

Bashing mega-corps

This is in response to a recent article by Patrick Lejtenyi [“Costco clobbers heritage casino,” Sept. 26]. I am disgusted and saddened by such corporate hubris, but not shocked. After all, in cities all over North America, hundreds of heritage buildings have been torn down by corporations and mega-rich real estate developers. Where will it end?

Today, many corporations are larger than national governments. They can intimidate dissidents and bribe local officials with their big bucks to get their way and squash historical buildings» even if they’ve been declared heritage sites by the government. The corporations always have a battalion of crackerjack lawyers to defend themselves. In the preface of James Laxer’s excellent book, Stalking the Elephant, the author mentions that the capital assets of the richest man in America (guess who?) are equal to the combined capital assets of the 100-million poorest Americans. This gives one an idea of the corporate mega-concentration of wealth, which is very frightening for democracy.

Activists and architects must band together to stop the juggernaut of destruction of historic buildings and even rebuild many destroyed treasures. And corporations must be rendered liable for the destruction of architectural gems. By all means, those with a social conscience should boycott Club Price stores and vote with their dollars.

» Manish Patwari

Appalled sports fan

I just read “Eradicate sports” by Kristian Gravenor [The Kristian Perspective, Oct. 3] and I was so appalled and shocked I almost fell off my chair. I still can’t believe or figure out how you agreed to print such a senseless piece. But since you actually did, I imagine the Mirror shares your “columnist’s” views on sports.

It’s a disgrace and an outrage. You need both to fire Mr. Gravenor and do yourselves a profound resetting of your mental state.

» Guillaume Rivard

Rant Line™ withdrawal

It deeply saddens me to see that for the third consecutive week, the beloved Rant Line™ has been omitted from your weekly. Should I jab a stake through my heart or wait another week in hopes of its great return?

» Kris Steeves

I was wondering why there wasn’t a Rant Line™ this week. What, have people stopped bitching that you can’t get any material for it?! Least you could do is tell us what’s going on. I love the Rant Line™! Especially when I’m having a shitty day.

» Jace

[Ed’s note: To all those who have called or written bemoaning the absence of the Rant Line™, it is on a two-month hiatus and will return to these pages in mid-November. The Mirror regrets any undue anxiety that may be caused in the meantime.]

WE WELCOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR!

Send your comments, compliments or criticisms to:

Letters to the Editor,
c/o Montreal Mirror,
465 McGill, 3rd Floor
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 4A6

You may also fax us at (514) 393-3173, or reach us by e-mail:

letters@mtl-mirror.com

All letters should include your name, address and daytime phone number.

If you wish to reach someone in particular, here's a list of people involved with the production of the newspaper and this site.