& - Fritay, August 4, 1989 - North Shore News Dear Editor: I was flattered to de interviewed about Doug Collins’ retirement (North Shore News, July 2). Looking over his cook, The Best and Worst of Doug Collins, 1 was reminded again that, as quoted, I think he was a technically terrific and immensely readable columnist. But 1 didn’t say he had a talent for penetrating the ‘‘flappy”’ crust of pretension. Flabby, maybe? Still doesn’t make much sense. Must be my strange Ontario accent. And perhaps because I was, to my surprise, cast as the sole desig- nated mourner in the story — other than the New’s admirably Steadfast publisher, Peter Speck — my delight in his work was some- hew stretched to make it seem that I agreed with mest of his opinions. TV coverage ‘slanted’ Dear Editor: Doug Collins’ hugely successful roast and tribute, held last week at Centennial Theatre, was marred only by the extraordinarily poor and blatantly slanted news coverage that followed on BCTV. Aside from fleeting shots of the opening ceremony, BCTV’s entire report was made up of isolated, out-of-context flashbacks to the late 1970s and early ’80s, carefully chosen to show Collins as the hatemongering, racist bigot he never was. There were some tired old cliches like ‘‘...venom-dipped quill’”” — for which I'd have been shown the door in my own news- paper days — but not a word or frame of coverage on the speakers and what they’d had to say. I have to wonder why the station bothered to send a crew at ali. There've been many times over the years when I’ve disagreed with Collins’ views, though — like Col- lins himself — I'd defend his right to state them to the last squirt of printer’s ink. But then, freedom of thought and expression is what Dcug’s lonely crusade was all about. And the fact that most Canadian news media seem incapable of grasping that simple precept is not only our loss but theirs as well. I’m grateful to the North Shore News for bravely presenting an alternative viewpoint these last few years. Columnist Bob Hunter — no stranger to dissenting opinion himself — said it beautifully in his recent tribute to Doug. Barrie Wall, West Van. i STAR ST: RUCK? Be where Hollywood North hangs out. asa DINING [eiNeuan? ;RESTAGAART 926-8922 445 13th St., West Yan. MAILBOX Lautens didn’t always agree with Collins That might not satisfy either of us. 1 can’t recall, for instance, that he expressed strong views on abor- tion or nature — as it was called before the environment was in- vented — which are hobbyhorses of mine. More important, though, there is one issue on which, as we both well know, we are in total disagreement: the Holocaust and the Jews. After 35-odd years in the newspaper business i’m_ ruefully aware that — fortunately — you can't get everything into a story, but I emphasized this disagreement with Doug when | was interviewed and regretted that it didn’t make the fine cut. I'll also add that I greatly ad- mire (and have a shy affection for) some other columnists too, in- cluding some who were Doug’s targets: Denny Boyd, Nicole Par- ton, and the News’ own Bob Huater.. Trevor Lautens, West Van. FINALLY A SECURITY SYSTEM THATS ... I . © PORTABLE — Wireless — One time purchase ¢ FRIENDLY — Can be left on when family & pets are home @ RELIABLE © INSTANT burglar gets in © 100% COVERAGE — Every window, © SIMPLE — Ends embarrassing false alarms — No Entrance Delays — alarms before the door, floor & ceiling — No arming or zoning code to memorize 2 6k SROCT OURS TEREST. LEE BTNSTALIMET PEAR Ney, LIMITED LIFETIME GUARANTEE LICENSED © BONDED © INSURED 3) CENTURIGN SECURITY SYSTEMS [ #102-5512 EHastngs St, Burnaby, B.C. VSB 1R3 fl J Far a free estimate call 299-4200 : Wait till you see what we're to uncover on September W ell throw off all the old wraps to expose an all new, totally revamped Auto Section ... you'll get to see everything Friday, September 1. Readers and advertisers wil benefit from a new cover, a new name, more photos, new columns and yes, a little more sex appeal. Deal with someone who cares ... ... you deserve the best! Call JANET CUNNINGHAM for all your Real Estate needs 925-2911 922-5878 667-2149 " Sussex Group - S.R.C. Realty Corp. 2397 Marine Drive, West Van. JANET CUNNINGHAM ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST $399 Includes bacon, ham, sausage, scrambled eggs, potatoes and pancakes SAT. & SUN. 8am -11tam 2 FOR 1 STEAK NIGHT EVERY FRIDAY 5-9 p.m. Enjoy two 8 oz. steaks complete with steak cut fries, garlic toast and a crisp green side satad for JUST 59° gue We know you'l find the new format more exciting, more useful and more fun, so ... Watch for it — Friday, September 1 THE VOICE OF MONTH AND WERT VANCOUVER