MAILBOX POLICY LETTERS TO the editor must be legible (preferably typewrit- ten) and include your name, full address and telephone number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot pub- lish all letters. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clar- ity, accuracy, legality and taste. Letters can be faxed to 985- mean old ist Collins Dear Editor: Mr. Randall Faro, who wrote the diatribe against Doug Collins and the North Shore News, and others who have done likewise, are completely missing the point. Doug Collins and the News are leading the fight to give Mr. Faro and those who think as he does the right to say what they think: without . penalty even if what they say _offends others such as the many ‘who are in agree- ment ‘with much of what Doug Collins writes. I wonder how many of your readers think how much. our, freedom of speech has been croded by such legislation as Bill 33, and how many people are | now afraid to express their, ‘thoughts for fear of being, ‘pilloried or even charged for saying them? If Doug and the News “are “putting themselves. in the forefront of the fight “to retain my right to say what 1 think, then I com- mend ‘them for it, even though cur views. might violent!y conflict. W. Gibbins North Vancouver _ Shoes Dear Editor: 1 heard of Doug Collins, even before I heard of Jean Chretien. It was a charming young realtor in Burnaby, who, within wecks of my arrival from England, first made me aware of the numer- _ ous perils facing unsuspecting immigrants of a particular skin color who dare venture to live on the exclusive North Shore of Vancouver, “What!” he exclaimed in total and utter disbelief, “Have you not heard of Doug Collins, the very scourge of all Asians?" I sat in silence, for a good half hour, listening to the “supposedly” verbal battering being constantly inflicted on all innocent minority Asians and gays by this self-styled crusader of white supremacy in North Vancouver... As I boldly ventured into North: Vancouver. for the first time, that day, I had somehow visualized this grumpy old grouch, poised scythe in hand, ‘ready to lop off my ears, for having dared to encroach on sacred territory reserved exclusively for, the likes of him. . : : As I stood transfixed by the alluring beauty of the town- house I sought to rent, nestled Clothing 15% OFF Unisa Aerosoles _. Glace Sketchers _ Steve Maddin 9 West Kenneth Cole _ Nickels 2nd Floor | _Lonsdale Quay Pashu Liz Claiborne Moratti Crazy Horse Notables French Connection Guess while quantities last Hours M.-Th. : 9:30-6:30 : wp Fri's til! 9:00. Sat., Sun. 9:30-6:20 so. brilliantly amongst the bosom of Capilano Canyon, all the earlier warnings were lost. This was to be my home for the next few years, I thought. Doug Collins or no Doug Collins. _ it was with some nervous- ness that I first read his article. 1 read it through, then re-read it; the second time, with added enthusiasm. Although much had been said about Doug Collins’ con- troversial views, no one had told me about his skills as a columnist. Unfortunately, Doug Collins writes well. Very well. He has a keen sense of humor which is often lost amidst the mire or hatred and ill feeling his writings seem to generate. Although [ personally do not approve of what Doug Collins says, I like the way he suys it. As a “Zoroastrian,” | could proudly trace my ancestry to the Ancient Persia of Darius and Xerxes. As a “Parsi.” whose birth coincided with the sad demise of the British Ruj in India, my skin is as brown as that of the very East Indians who are, so frequently, a target of Mr. Collins' columns. Those who do not approve of Doug Collins have the choice not to read his articles. But there are those, who, like me, enjoy reading what he writes, not for his views, but for the style in which they are expressed, Now, as I contemplate the possibility of moving closer to my work place in Burnaby, I do so with a heavy heart. I shall miss the nocturnal visits of the raccoons and the regular dinner time visits from my pet squirrels, as much as I shall miss Doug Collins and his regular tirade about those of us unfortunate encugh to be born on the wrong side of the globe! Pervin Nirumvala North Vancouver _ Anna struggled into the bus, shoved her bag under her arm while she paid her fare. “Anna, come sit with me.” She turned to see Betty. © Anna shuffled over and sat beside her friend. “Sa what's new? How are things?” Anna asked. “can't believe what this world is coming to. Read this article.” Betty shoved the paper into Anna‘s hands. “It makes your hair stand on end. Father does horrible things to his daughters and the mother doesn’t do a thing. She should be punished.” Based, on n Actual | Anna read the article. Her face grew sad, “Nobody _ ever thinks about the torment. the mother goes through, That maybe she’s also terrified of her husband.’ My husband was like that. But | don‘t want to talk about it.” Betty looked at Anna. “Why so sad, Anna? {s something wrong? How are you feeling?” Anna sighed. “Terrible. | can hardly make a living. With times being so tough, not many people want a cleaning "woman. They do the work themselves. At 51, | can't do anything else. But | haven't got enough even to eat.” Betty was sympathetic. “That must be just terrible. Have you thought of asking your five kids to help you? They're a! grown up. Three have gone to university. They all work. Between the five of them, it wouldn't cost each that much money.” | Anna looked glum. “I've tried. They won’t.” _ Betty looked concerned. “That's awiul. So [g ~ Cynthia Dan Joseph ©, Sudeyko Don ar Jabour Spence ases | 2104 but still must be signed and fully addressed. hor yows support cud confidence a It's an honour and a privilege t0 be chosen your shetnber m of the 8.C. Legislature. Give me ‘your support and” H assistance as | work for the things most important to the. & @ voters of North Vancouver-Lonsdale. (Together we must” | make better systems; processes, programs, and bette 4 decisions for our children and not burden them with 9 7 mistakes. | will do as { said { woud do. ‘and work for: shal 4 whicti is critical to you, to me and to our children. jam} i energized by your support and good wishes. I wish us, & ali the very best. ; Sincerely, fa a : KATHERINE WHIT T ‘By Claire Bern in. . Brought to you by Jabour Sudeyko . “upgrateful and ‘all: ‘youve done for them, itringing the into the world, supporting them: Hey, look:at th article | was just reading. The court. ordered these “grown- up kids to support their parents, Hf ' were: you t would take them to court.” © 7°: Anna was shocked. “A mother” “sue. cher . / children? | could never do that? eh Z Betty persisted. “Anna,: that other ‘ who sued is. not starving isten to’ me, starve. Sue instead.” ra ‘Anna sued, ' : ‘In court, Anna aigued, “You honor, ! have had ae hard fife. My husband was an alcoholic. He was : physically and emotionally abusive. | did‘ my best to: raise my children. | think | did good. Three of them went to * university. They earn good money, The law says‘ children". must provide for their. parents’ who cared: of provided support for them. Make them help their, mamma pay. ‘the: ent and buy groceries.” : The children protested angrily.’ ‘Your honor, the fa. “requires that childreri support their parents if their’ parents ' gave them care and support. Our mother did not care ‘or . support us. She didn’t protect two daughters from sexual abuse. She used harsh physical punishment. She didn't instill in us any sense of self-worth. She actually damaged us psychologically and emotionally. For that she wants us to - support her? No way.” Should the children financially support Anna? YOU! BE THE JUDGE. Then look below, for the decision of the Ontario “We handle all sorts of cases including family law." Lawyers who answer Gow legal needs in plain language Call for,your FREE Consultation Suite 300 - 233 _West_ Ist St., N. Van. 986-8600 DECISION The judge ordered Anna's children to pay her $1,000 a month. “Just because a family is dysfunctional does not mean that the children did not receive any care and support.” Todays decision fs based on the facts of the case and the faw of Ontario. if yau have a similar problem, cunsult Jabour Sudeyko. Claire Sernstein is a lawyer and syndicated columnist. Copyright 1996 Haika Enterprises.