Right-wing rants recall Republican meanies Dear Editor: I had to respond to Doug Collins’ March 26 picce, “Tax bucks wasted on left-wing loons.” 1’ makes me sick and embar- rassed to live in a community whose “news” paper serves up the racist rantings of Collins as stan- dard fare. | At the same time they cut off Bob Hunter, the only voice worth reading, who defends the environ- ment, gives a balance to the right- wing slant of the paper as a whole, but gets under the skin of such as Collins and many of his enthusias- ‘tic readers. He talks of grants given the “poor” and “freaks of the left,” as if they were convicted criminals and unworthy of any consideration, let alone funding. And: just where do the ‘poor come from and why are they prolif- eratiig? From the economic poli- cies of the “right” starting in the ‘80s. when the Tories dismantled our tax system and made the rich richer and the poor poorer and more numerous.’ As for the right supping on “thin gruel” as Collins contends, that’s a lie, repeated ad nauseum until ‘unsophisticated readers start to buy it. The right sups royally at the trough of tax exemptions, hidden subsidies to their bottom-fince enterprises, and a regressive GST which impacts the poor much more ‘ devastatingly in U.S.A. Alas, with cuts to jobs in all sec- tors and to UL, and the demise of the Canada Assistance Plan, more and more of the middle class are slipping down to the ranks of the dispossessed that Collins so smug- ly maligns. Collins digs . at David Lethbridge, the “Salmon Arm guy who got a $3,000 grant from the feds to fight fascism in the boonies.” He notes that Eileen Pressler of that city is suing him for libel. He doesn’t: mention that. that same Eileen Pressler runs & racist clearinghouse, edits a digest of racist literature, organizes confer- ences and tours showcasing promi- nent white supremacists and anti- Semites, and distributes anti- Jewish tracts like The Protocols for World Conquest. We're running in fear and fol- lowing in the mean-spirited foot- steps of the American Republicans. I heard a gushing political talk show host praise Reagan for “mav- ing the people.” New York Governor, Mario Cuomo comment- ed, “he made the deniai of compas- sion respectable.” Is this what we want to emu- late? Victoria Hogan North Vancouver Editor's note: Bob Hunter appears regitlarly in the Sunday edition of the North Shore News. In defence of Grunge Dear Editor: 1 was horrified to read Doug Collins’ April [6 col- umn. Where does Mr. Collins get off judging the “grunge rock- er” like that? He based his opinion solely on appear- ances. For all Mr. Collins knows that guy works very hard, or is a multi-millionaire at the age of 18. | think it is very irresponsi- ble to print such tripe. How do you think Mr. Collins would feel if he were standing in line at the eredit union and some columnist who didn't know who he was, wrote a column, saying Mr. Collins or the Apparition (as the columnist would describe) that he saw standing there minding his own business was some senile old loser who can’t get a job, because of the clothes he wears! I think Mr. Collins needs a lesson in humility and under- standing. | would like to know if Mr. Collins was always a puppet of society's tolerances, or if he’s ever done anything that the majority of peaple would think objectionable when he was a “young fascist” (as opposed to the old fascist he's become). I believe that Mr. Collins’ opinions reflect badly on the North Shore News edi- tors and management. Please do not tei this kind of judgmental writing contin- CLEANSING FACIAL PEDICURE & MANICURE WITH THIS AD - EXPIRES MAY 25/95 We specialize in excellent rejuvenating, hydrating, collyan & acne facials using only the finest and parest ingredients, Other Services: Electralysis, Sculptured Nails, Waxing, Lash Tinting, Make-up & Hair Chez Le ESTHETICS & HAIR #207-1331 Marine Dr. West Vancouver | NEXT MONDAY, MAY 1ST 95 | PHARMACY SERVIEES NOW AVAILABLE Get with the Grunge, Gramps Dear Editor: lam responding to the article by Doug Collins in the April 16 paper. It was ", about the Grunge look. . It makes me really angry to read about his contempt for young people and ~ anybody who is in any way, shape, or form, different from him. He seems to think that people who wear the Grunge look are not worthy of “the same respect that every human being is entitled to. e “" The reason we wear that sort of ‘clothing is to be different from people like © him who think that everybody should dress and act the same way. "The whole idea of Grunge is being who you really are, not what everybody else wants you to be: "In his article, he mentions that his old drill sergeant, “Wee Willie Wilkins,” would cry if he saw the young man, or, “Apparition” he describes . _ +” Well, as Usit here writing this letter, I am listening to Come As You Are by - Nirvana, and I’m sure Kurt Cobain would cry if he read Collins’ article. Robin Bennett, age 13 ; North Vancouver * : - ma Competitive Prices !!! PLUS! ENJOY THESE. OTHER VERY SPECIAL PRIVILEGES: The Advantage 60 card gives all the when of Ciub Z Card membership, sb ehaas ue in your paper. 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