Freedom of speech
basic tenet of a
democratic society

Open Jetter to Anita
education minister:

] understand that proposed cur-
(ailments to free speech in’ this
province have been initiated by
your ministry.

1 understand, too, that the in-
tent of the proposed legislation is
to prevent the promotion of hate
between people.

Although this objective would
appear to be praiseworthy, | find
it difficult to believe that you
would actually want to curtail a
basic tenet of democracy ~— [ree
speech — in order to reduce
hate-mongering.

If you are concerned about
hate-mongering in society, | sug-
gest that you address the causes of
this ill as opposed to trying to
suppress its symptoms.

Put on your Minister of Educa-
tion hat and Jook for ways to de-
velop curricula that allow people
to think for themselves about the
issues’ that cause hatred and
resentment between individuals.

In the meantime, do not sup-
press the symptoms of intolerance.
Leave them out there where we
can sce them and respond to their
causes so no one will spring
another ‘‘Kristall Nacht’’ on an
innocent and unsuspecting people,
or set the stage for another

Yugoslavia.
Lastly, I would presume that,

~ Why the snub?

Dear Editor:

In answer to the letter by Mary
Weir in answer to my letter re:
Wage Creek Seniors’ housing:

I wrote this letter in the first
place because so many seniors’
housing projects had been turned
down in West Vancouver and
North. Vancouver and finally
wanted to know why.

In the area where I live, the
Kiwanis Court was built last year
for seniors who can pay a reason-
able rent. ‘

At the same time, a self-owned
apartment was built on 22nd
Street just around the corner, the
sign saying ‘‘affordabie housing
for seniors.’”

I believe both these apartments
‘had a full tenancy before they
were finished, showing the need
for all types of housing for seniors
low-income, medium-income
and higher-income.

All these apartments, including
the Kiwanis Lodge, are surround-
ed by beautiful homes, and it
doesn’t seem to bother anybody.

You just prove my point for
writing when you say ‘build them
somewhere else but not on my
back yard.’

Trudy Clark
West Vancouver |

Hagen,

... NOW
- KNOW US
BY ONE

SEE PAGE 35

amongst the special interest
groups that are pressuring you to
shut up mean old Doug Collins,
there are immigrant and
multicultural representations.

| bear them no ill will, but 1
think that it is the height of irony
that many have come to this
country {0 escape oppressive gov-
ernments and the lack of free
public dialogue.

To speak your mind publicly,
without fear of prosecution, is a
privilege afforded by a free and
tolerant people,

I urge you not to tamper with
this.

R, Ree
West Vancouver

FERRYR UA A TEPSEPORR AS

Outrageous

Dear Editar:

Re: free speech

Noel and Doug and | are
all old enough to remember
how Hitler began by
limiting free speech, one of
the cornerstones of
democracy.

If our politicians had been
paying attention, and follow-
ing more closely the will of
the people, they wouldn't
have to enact new laws to
protect themselves from our
colorful comments about the
results or lack thereof which
they have achieved.

The nation and province
are nearly bankrupt by most
indications, and instead of
adequately addressing that
problem, these politicians are
busy trying to head off the
inevitable comments and
outrage we may express for
their failure to act effectively
on the real issue.

This is absolutely outra-
geous. ;

Js this why my tax dollars
-have been supporting such
people for nearly half a cen-
tury?

I don’t think so.

Ray Sutton
North Vancouver

Importers of gemstones/
Manufacturers of fine jewellery

is Gone

Friday, Suri

625) 1993’

Freedom carries responsibilities

Dear Editor:

Re: Doug Collins’ column of
Wednesday, June 16:

Freedom, | believe, carries its
own responsibilities, one of them
being the assurance that we can all
exist without persecution for our
race, color, religious beliefs, sex-
ual orientation, or gender. -

I don't believe it’s responsible
of you to hide behind ‘‘freedom
of speech’’ as an excuse for pro-
moting hatred. That was never
its intent.

Capilano Mall, North Vancouver

SORT efor

Controversy, yes. Diverse points
of view, yes, but not the intoler-
ance and racism you incite
through your support of Collins.

Whether you see it as your re-
sponsibility or not to help solve
problems, that’s beside the point;
you're adding to them.

The power of the media is
awesome, as you clearly under-
stand, and freedom is a ‘concept

that looks very different depen-

ding on whether you're the privi-
leged or the disempowered — is it

_ JEWELLERS

freedom from ... or freedom to
You have the freedom and," I
believe, the responsibility .to re-
quire Doug Collins to express: his
fears and his views without the
abuse. -
Positions of privilege, such as
yours, hold greater responsibility:
— and in this case, f ask that you
consider responsible journalism to
be one of them.. oa a
Helen Hardisty
West Vancouver