The almighty word

Thank you for having the vision, virtue and vigilance to bring this reader's attention to the poet Hussein Sharang ["Revolutionary verses," June 3]. I had no idea Montreal had such a fine visionary in its midst. Indeed, the poet in hiding until now, so to speak, is like a quiet revolution. The photograph shows a man coming out of the darkness into light, even made so much more by the white hair, the crown of wisdom.

The interview reminds me of the heroes of Greek mythology - the young man who loses his father and who never saw his mother again. A man fleeing his country in the midst of chaos, only to be betrayed violently by former allies, imprisoned, his freedom exchanged for money, then forced once again into hiding. In hiding, he can do nothing to save his friends. How many times do we sit in our own living rooms, like fugitives ourselves and hear of executions - unspeakable horrors of executions of hundreds of thousands in Rwanda and now Congo - and can do nothing? Thank God for the power of the pen to save a life.

Only recently, I walked into the Faubourg and was reminded by a Persian store owner that in biblical times Iran was called Persia. And is this not the birthplace of Rumi, the 13th-century poet, whose poems have found their way into the discourses of intellectuals who wrangle over interpretations? Then how could it be that Persia, with its long tradition and history of the power of words - its poetry, become the fear of the state?

And this is what I see throughout history. Countries that once had the word rose up against their poets and writers. The English canon is practically built up on works that were banned, its writers persecuted. Joyce and Conrad come to mind, but there are countless others who stood up for what they believed.

So thank you, Noemi LoPinto, for bringing my attention to Hussein Sharang, the man of revolutionary verses. Your fine writing has reminded me why I care about writing, and Mr. Sharang has reminded me of the power of the word to save.

» Unsigned

Stop Harper

Judging from the leadership debate, Paul Martin seems royally screwed. The other candidates have so much material to work with and Martin just seems awkward. But what's scary is the very real possibility that Stephen Harper could be the next Prime Minister.

People seem so begrudging towards the Liberals. They're splitting - here with the Blocheads and elsewhere with the NDP or Conservatives. But so many people don't realize that their discontent with the Liberals may very well lead to a leader who will be 10 times worse with Canadian finances. It seems every Conservative government leaves behind a debt 10 times worse then any debt a Liberal government would create - not to mention their horrible track record with social issues.

So at first I was considering voting Layton just to give the NDP some seats. But the prospect of a Stephen Harper government is so scary I think it'd be foolish to add to the splinter effect and help such an extreme right winger win.

People in Quebec seem to view the Bloc Québécois as their one and only option, based primarily on their elitist attitude (vive le séparatisme). What they're missing is that it's very reflective of the last American vote. People were saying how a vote for Nader was a vote for Bush. They were saying how Bush vs. Gore was like Coke vs. Pepsi: similar thing. But wow how their perspective changed when Dubya Bush showed his true colours.

» Mister Quinton

PM debate debacle

I must say that the leadership debate was even more light and puffy then I thought it would be - a debate in name only.

At one point Paul Martin reached under the podium and started to devour a live chicken, much to the shock of the moderators. When asked why, he said, "Because I didn't think you could tolerate a real live baby." Then he continued to look sad the rest of the night.

I was a little puzzled why Harper came to the debate dressed only in a loincloth and carrying a sharp stick. He said, "It doesn't matter what I do or think because journalism is dead. There isn't a reporter in the country who remembers why they went to journalism school."

I couldn't figure out the relevance of Layton smoking dope in a lawn chair with a naked bimbo by his side on the publicity posters either. I guess the only surprise was in the closing statements when all four leaders admitted that what they really wanted to do was to bend the Canadian population over a barrel and cuff us all up our collective butts and then draw straws to see who would be head of the Royal Mint. Martin figured that he could print up more bonds with his arm tied behind his back than anyone else.

I guess if I was forced to take one of these guys out for a beer I would pick Jack Layton of the NDP because he looked like he could tell some funny jokes and get me a decent price on weed.

» Spanner McNeil

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