Plucky Plume

Seeing Plume Latraverse on the cover of the Mirror rekindled memories from my childhood in this city, as it must have for many Montrealers, both anglophone and francophone [Cover, "Pitchers with Plume," Aug. 5]. I recall the neighbours in my apartment building being big fans when I was growing up. To see him again after all this time, on the cover of the Mirror no less, was unexpected and oddly appropriate.

As someone who has recently returned here, it seems to me it's more proof that for all the talk about linguistic divides we've heard over the years, there are a lot of common experiences shared across language barriers.

» Chloe S.

American ardour

As an American, I was distressed and ashamed to see such a hateful letter written on who knows what sort of pretence against Canadians and Canada [Thoughts from Americans," Letters, July 29]. I think I speak for many Americans in expressing admiration, affection and respect for the great nation of Canada and her people. People from Canada in general, and Quebec in particular, are more liberal, more tolerant and more restrained in making judgements against others than are quite a number of Americans.

I have been here for a few months and I find it a relief to be in a place in North America where you don't have to always look behind you to make sure you're not going to be mugged or shot in a drive-by. I find it exhilarating to be in a city where there are so many significant cultural events readily available (Jazz Festival, Divers/Cité, Francofolies, etc.), with many functions free of charge! I will not say I am ashamed to be an American, for the USA is also a great nation, but living abroad, and north of the border, definitely gives you a different perspective on all sorts of things political and cultural.

Vive le Québec! Long live Canada! Let's celebrate in harmony our differences as well as our similarities as North Americans.

» Milton Knutson

Trash talking Montreal

In reference to the letter, "Please don't let Montreal become a slum" [Letters, July 29], I can agree with this visitor's testimony. It really angers me to know that the mayor would rather spend our money on lavish dinners and wine instead of making an effort to clean up our city.

Montreal has beautiful parks and streets, but our tax money certainly isn't going towards keeping them clean. I live on the Plateau and I call the city at least twice a week to complain about garbage lying around. Furthermore, most of the bus stops in my area don't even have garbage cans, so people just leave their bottles or empty cigarette packs on the ground. However, I do realize that we cannot put all the blame on the city; many people are just too damn lazy and ignorant to throw their trash in the nearest garbage can. Every person can make a difference, so next time you eat a bag of chips, get off your butt and put it in the garbage can before Montreal turns into its own filthy landfill.

» Sarah Lessard

Lame as in lame

I was quite surprised while reading Chris Barry's review of A Home at the End of the World to come upon the phrase, "gay as in, ahem, lame," ["Three-way wash-out," Aug. 5]. I heard enough of those kind of comments in high school to last a lifetime and can only ascribe its appearance in a normally responsible publication to poor editing and lack of forethought.

Much care was taken in the article to distance the "bad" (i.e. lame) gay from the good (i.e. queer) kind, but the association is impossible to throw away so easily. You must realize that gay came to be used as a synonym for lame precisely because of its association with a sexual orientation that certain people feared and despised. Putting such a phrase in print leads to its legitimization. This is both irresponsible and thoughtless because yes, even if you don't mean it "that way," every derogatory use of the word is a reminder that somebody, somewhere does. Don't encourage those lacking your good intentions to perpetuate this subtle form of insult.

» Tanya Schuh

Do anglos need balls?

Regarding "Balls on the waterfront" [The Front, Aug. 5], the Dawson Community Centre will not be holding its annual sidewalk sale this year. It will be replaced by a ball festival, organized, I'm told, by the powers that be at Borough Hall. And those from the Centre Communautaire Marcel-Giroux. Why so? I can merely guess. With the loss of members from the English community due to death and departure, Dawson needs all the financing it can get if it hopes to stay alive. But then it is an English institution, isn't it.

The notices plastered all around Verdun on this event are in French only. Does this not tell you something? Why not ask the only English councillor John Gallagher. As for me, I believe that this is merely another way to screw what remains of the English community in Verdun. Don't you?

» John C. Underwood

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