Dear Editor: At this very moment, there are animals dying an agonizing death in the torests of British Columbia. Their paws are caught and crushed in steel-jawed traps. And, no matter how hard they struggle, there is ne escape. Unless the trapper returns and clubs them to death, it can take them up to a week to dic. If it isa female, she may have cubs who will also die when their mother does not return to the den. Tt could be a cub. Imagine for a moment, their fear and paia. One wonders why such atrocities are allowed to continue in a so-called civilized society, And, all in the name of profit. One is also appalled at those who would buy the product of such ter- rible suftering. What is cuphemistically called a “fir” coat, is in reality 2 coat of pain. Those who would wear such a gruesome garment are surely enaware of the agony it represents. The B.C. provincial government can stop this terrible sutter- ing. With an election in the near future, there never was a better time to let the political candidates know how vou teel about this cruel and shameful practice. The animals who are being preved upon for their pelts are powerless to defend themselves. Only we can stop their agony, Karen Scott karenscott6@excite.com MAIL 30X-—— Leg-hoid traps alom MP White remains the frontrunner From page 7 Odds: 400 to 1. 909 Laurence “The Graduate” Putnam (Progressive Conservative Party of Canada) Collingwood private school Class of 2000 grad. Tory from the age of eight. Served as “office Clydesdale” in the campaign of predeces- sor Dennis Prouse, the 1997 PC candidate, who racked up a scant 2,740 votes. An actor by trade, 18-year-old Putnam faces his toughest role to date. Tory fortunes in North Vancouver have been in steep decline since the 1980s hey- day of the late Chuck Cook. Claims the Tories are the only major party with princi- ples and integrity. Joe Clark's showing in the party Ivaders* national debates should help most PC candidates, but Putnam has- n't got the political legs to pull off any major upset in the North Vancouver race. Odds: 100 to 1. go0 Sam = “Social Justice” Schechter (New Democratic Party of Canada) Another North Vancouver teen candidate long on youthful energy but short on political campaign experience. Converted to the socialist cause at 15 by provincial NDP stalwart David Schreck. Nineteen-year-old is big on such youth issues as Young Offenders Act (unfair to youth). Believes the NDP is responsible for developing Canada’s social consciousness and is the only party that addresses global issues. Needs more cainpaign seasoning. Odds: 200 to 1. aad Ted “Two-Term” White (Canadian Alliance): Fifty-one-vear-old incum- bent has held the North Vancouver riding since beat- ing Liberal Mobina Jaffer by close to 4,300 votes in the 1993 federal election. Increased margin in 1997 with decisive victory over Liberal parachute-jumper Warren Kinsella. Low-profile MP a strong advocate of direct democra- cy and representing the peo- pie in Ottawa rather than representing Ottawa to the people. Committed to realizing goal of enacting citizen-ini- tiated referendum legislation if Alliance forms govern- OMEGA _ Tur Mars Explorer |. COMES TO LUGARO Fora limited engage De ment— November 20th—30th, Park Royal, South ny. ment; work on the Canada Elections Act has opened the door for electronic vot- ing in future Canadian elec- tions. On voting record: claims Liberal Bell is making selec- tive use of stats. On grants approval: points out that Human Resources Canada makes final decision on applications but adheres to philosophy of rejecting grants that have no clear objectives or measur- able results. Flip-flops include seeking a third term when he initial- ly promised to serve only two; opting back into the MPs’ pension plan. Remains direct, candid and available. ‘The frontrunner. Odds: 3-1. —tutrenshaw@lome.com Sunday, November 79, 2000 - North Shore News - 9 MP White just tells it like it really is Dear Editor: ina letter published Nov. 5, in the North Shore News, S. Robertson takes MP Ted White to task for his attendance record in the House of Commons, for his opinion regarding the relevancy of his vote, and. for his view that the House is a dys- functional, dictatorial, disgusting place. Robertson states that Mr. White only works three days a week and that he or she “wants a representative chat has a bet- ter, more intelligent understanding of our democratic institu- tons.” I think Mr. White does have a better, more intelligent under- standing of our democratic institutions. Better certainly than the understanding demonstrated by the current crop of Liberal MPs. He understands that MPs vote strictly along party line as dic- tated by the Prime Minister’s Office or the party Whip, which is indced disgusting. Perhaps Robertson should reflect on the fact that the Liberals have a majority government, and then try to remeniber the fast time a majority government lost a vote in the House. Or perhaps try to renuember the last time any MP, let alone an Opposition MP, was able to have a private member's bill enacted. Perhaps he or she might reflect on the fact that democracy as practised by the mainstream parties under the cur- rent system does not allow MPs to vote anything but the party Ine. , Ask John Nunziata. Or look at Ted McWhinney’s statements outside the House, and his voting record within. How relevant then, is an Opposition MP's vote in a practical sense? ‘ With revard to the ridiculous assertion about a three-day work week, if Robertson really thinks that the constructive and effective part of an MP’s work consists solely of sitting in the House to vote, then perhaps the better, more intelligent under- standing cequired is on Robertson's part. Mr. White is just telling it like it is, and I much prefer an MP, who advocates change to a systein that clearly requires an over- haul, to one who will defend the status quo while vong in the House like a trained seal. Lew Edwardson edwardson@telus.net North Vancouver OM EGA, the only watch worn on the Moon, ars : Omega, dedicated to education of outerspace, brings the “Mars :: Explorer” equipped wich the most advanced technological inno- ', .-vation to Lugaro Jewellers-Park Royal South, Nov. 20-30. 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