Dear Editor: In wading through Trevor Laurens’ hysterical rhetoric concerning siy Oct. 27 letter | came to the same conclusion that he did: his response was a complete waste of time. Mr. Lautens so completely missed the fundamental argument of my letter that it seems he should assess his awn intellectu- af capabilities before taking verbal liber- ties with those of others, The point of my letter was to address what I felt was a contradiction between Mr. Lautens’ and Mr Collins’ belief in free speech and their denouncement of so-called “special interest groups,” as a threat to the democratic process. Tt seems that Lautens’ “forgot” to read the last half of the letter, where [ Globe on gridlock netoric rap posed the question as to why a group of individuals, coming together im a free society to have their concerns addressed, seemed to constitute a “crisis of demeac- racy.” [ went on to insinuate chat certain groups within our sactety bad the ability to influence the political process to their own ends without being targets of criti- cism. We operate under a system in which access to influential policy-making, insti- tutions is inherently unequal, and ulti- mately favors those with either the money or the political puil to have their voices heard over the rest. In such a systern, how is it that Collins and [ autens can criticize “special interest groups,” organizations made up of average citizens trying to influence policy making, while leaving corporations, international capital, lobby ing firms, and other private-interest groups immune to criticisnd Whether (Warren) Kinselia deserved to be silenced, despite Lautens’ exhaus- tive attempts to prove that he did, is of little consequence to my argument. F can think of countless cases where people with the right tu speak have been silenced in a similar fashion. As for Mr. Lautens’ personal attacks and charges of a Liberal “conspiracy” against the debate and the Reform party, Vib let these comments: stand on "their own merit, or lack of It seems that Lautens’ Garden of Biases can churn up its own fair share of “manure.” lL. Hodges North Vancouver Lei’s live in harmony with the natural world Dear Editor: Now we in the Lower Mainland should be thor- oughly confused. The Globe and Mail, Canada’s National newspaper, has finally recog- nized that there is a trans- porion problem in the wer Mainland (Gridlock Foreseen on Fraser Valley horizon). Arriving late, they - have nevertheless done a rea- sonably good job in the front page article of Nov, 11 and in editorial comment on the fol- WAVBIE POLICY: Lerters to the editor must be legible (prefer- ably typewritten) and include your naine, full address and tele- phone number. lowing day. The confusing part arises in the fact that a Toronto-cen- tered news *paper broke (if that is the word fora problem that has been evident for some years) the story on its front pase. . Now the question must asked, “where have the. Vancouver Sun and Province: been all these years?” W.D. Thompson West Vancouver w.d._thompson@be.sympa- tica.ca ; Submissions can be faxed to 985-2104. { PERSONAL INJURY T Free Initial Consultation Douglas W. Lahay CLARK, WILSON BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS 800-885 West Georgia Street, Van. ; 687-5700 A 24 HOUR MESSAGE 643-3161 B ICRC’s policies are not flaw. Fwill gee ‘you a fair settlement or trial award, Dear Editor: Shot! Dead. Short, precise, crisp four-letter words. Most of us can associate the two and come up with strong images — agony, pain, suffering and loss. But some of us sce the con- nection only as a simple solu- tion to a problem. Perha we've been numbed by watch- ing too many movies in which actors seemingly immune to ihe effects of being “shot” (several times) get up and keep run- ning. Not se in real life, be it human or animal. In its Nov. 6 edition, the North Shore News printed yet another story about humans conquering nature, i'm not wholly blaming the conserva. tion officers for what they “had to de,” but I’m asking: In this cra of “high-speed,” “hi-tech,” “high- powered, "surely there must be a iess aggressive way to “protect” us from the “ravages of nature?” Perhaps there is, but first we must wake up to our own stu- pidity, ignorance, and non-car- ing attitudes; change our selfish ways, and cven as we go about our business of over-populating the planet, must learn to live in harmony with the natural world. Let’s get our priorities straight. After all, it is only nature that will protect us from ourselves. Garry R. Summers North Vancouver Orweil images don't fit gov't employees Dear Editor: In the Oct.30 North Shore News, reference was made to the construction of a new office building at 8th and Lonsdale, adjacent ro the newspaper’s offices. The article created the erroneous impression that ir is being built by the Government of Canada to house the North Shore Human Resource Centre. In fact, this building is being constructed by a private . developer, and sve will be only one of its commercial ten- ants. The statf of the North Shore Human Resource centre provides vital services to thousands af North Shore resi- dents. Tacome support programs, including Employment fosurance, Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security Pension benefits, are administered by our staff. During 1995, approximately 119,000 Employment Insurance claims were processed, along ‘with approximately ~ 2,500 new applications for Canada Pension and Old Age “ Security benefits. : In 1995, this Human Resource Centre paid approxi- : mately $370 million in benefits for seniors and the unem- ": ployed, and these payments helped ensure the viability of the local economy, as well as the security and coritort of North Shore residents. In addition, we provide sugport for small business, and - those having g difficulty finding « iployment through educa- tion, trainin, “counselling, and other assistance. ; Iris not fair to invoke images of George Orweil’s pigs ir in’ describing our staff, who work hard to deliver services in a. building that is not ‘user-friendly for many of our clients. I invite the story’s author to visit our office, and meet our staff, most of whom are local residents supporting the local economy by paying taxes and sliopping at local bus nesses, Bal Sandhu North Vancouver Curlers say thanks for the: Kk Dear editor: : On behalf of the. Northwest Curling Club : would like fo thank the North Shore News for their generosity in wri a story (Sept. 25). We are pleased to tell you we sained some new members as a result of the write-up. Stu Wilkinson North Vancouver or CLOSURES OF DELAYS | Trans Canada Highway #i 2 kms east of Horseshoe Bay The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises there will be 20 minute road closures for rock slope stabilization on the Trans Canada Highway #1 near the Westport Overpass in West Vancouver, approximately 2 kilometres east of the , Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. These closures and traffic delays will be in effect as follows: NOVEMBER 19 AND NOVEMBER 20, 71996 Full 20 Minute Ciosure 10:00 am to 10:20 am Up to 26 Minute Closu follow wing periods: 11:20 am “io 12: a fern 1:20 pm to 2:00 pm 3:40 pm to 4:06 pm The Ministry encourages motorists to allow extra time to reach destinations and thanks you for your patience and cocperation. FREE INFORMATION KIT Ideal for conservative income investors * Today's tup income opportunities © Premium guranteed rates ® Safety of principal 2 Tax saving ideas. 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