10 - Wednesday, Decernber 9, 1998 — North Shore News Enlightened females, not whining women Dear Editor: There was a great letter from Mr. Len Macht (Nov, 25) regarding my story on Nov 18. LT happen to agree that couples do come in all sizes and, for the record, I'd like to state that some things were “left out™ of the article that are of great importance. Don’t get me wrong. Katharine Hamer did a great job on the article. I guess there is only so much space for an article. I'd like to say the stuff that was left out. The article was for Vancouver, not just North Vancouver, and I never said that “all men” were under this category. How ignorant if I were to say that. Pm not an ignorant person. M1 “stressed” that men (not all) feel the same abour women. B We are not “whining” nor are we “victims.” T never say things I don’t mean, and I don’t form opinions on any- thing unless [ know what I’m talking about. I believe in this . article 100%. - [ve had feedback from both sexes and it has all been worthwhile. Some people read into things too much and come to conclusions that are not even there. The result often.is people get casily offended. That's fine and I’m OK with that but 99% of the feedback was posi- tive. Both Wendy and I adore men. Pye been blessed with knowing some fantastic guys in my lite. Thev have eniight: ened me in haw to solve problems without analy: ving it to death (as women tend to do) and as a result my lite has become less complicated and more worthwhile. Mr. Macht is correct in the fact that Wendy and I are great ladies. We rook! We are not, however, looking for love in all the wrong places. I stopped dating three years ago because T gor tired of pursuing men. Hey, E still look bur I'm worth being pursued, wined and dined. I believe that you must be happy with yourself and then positive people are aitracted to you. Pve had low: scit- esteem in the past and have settled on men who aren't worthy. T no longer need to settle. Everyone has preferences with looks, personality and how one lives. I'm no exception and this js not a crime. | just wanted an awareness to be presented to people of both sexes that we a are beauntul in our own way. ‘Chances are for those peo- ple who want pertection on the exterior of their mate may end up unhappy and lonely in the end. There are tons of awesome single men and women in Vancouver. 1 should know because I’m one of them and so is Wendy. Tina What-ott North Vancouver north shore news _MAIL Box Debating back te basics Dear Editor: Re: Hana Mercer’s Beet column. Back ote Basics? | Bon Humbug! 1 den’: hike the classitication ef our kids as “igtnoramuses ~ Thate generalizations but think that basically our voung adults are naive, bored and struggling desper ately to have a strong. indi- vidual identity but having no idea how to do it without the support of their peers ina world that disparages them all as “teenagers. 1 agree that the public schook system needs some rehalilitation, but not because the basic principles or “cooperative selr directed, child-centered icarning” and the importance Of a Trocus on self-esteem” are wrong, These principles are the eniv strenath the system has. Unfortunately, P've came to realize that os newt te Imporsinte o deliver on those ideals given the infinite mire ef bureaucracy and overpaid, over-indulged administrators and lack of public consensus on what the whole point of an education IA, f have a few ideas on fix: ing it. Throw out the lousy and expensive curriculum. Get rid of the idea of modeling the educational ISSO THUMONS sling corporate imes, complete with CEO and munus any accountabie tw. Stop tailking about our graduates ay if they were a faulty: product requiring a recall. Hire more bodies, not Mecessarify, teachers, but ordinary people front all walks of life. fet them facilitate our children’s natural inclination to learn, Finally, encourage, vali- date and support those of us who choose to home-school our kids and demonstrate to other parents the possibilities Apartheid alive in N. America Dear Editor: T would like to respond to Mr. Norman Welland’s Nov. 20 remarks about likening the Nisga’a treaty to apartheid in South Africa. Mr. Welland, have vou ever lived in South Africa? Do vou know what apartheid is all about? Let me tell you as a South African immigrant to Canada that Canada is no less guilty of racism than any South African is, black or white. Why did Canada make it law co remove First Natiott kids from their parents, force them to go to English speak- ing schools and sexually abuse them? Canada was also the last country to. litt sanctions against South Attica for its A SALE WORTH SEEING! Johnson & Johnson disposable lenses. 8 boxes (one year supply) $175 {fitting fee may apply) solutions included (offer valid untit Dec. 31/98) 1685 Marine Dr. West Vancouver 925-2110 CABINET SHOP LTD. KITCHENS ¢ BATHROOMS INTERIOR REMODELING Family Owned and Operated Since 1979 > Hundreds of Standard, Specialty & Custom Doorstyles Available > Professional Designers & Skilled Trades People , Open Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 5:00 1300 Lloyd Avenue, North Vancouver Free Estimate 985-9527 apartheid policy, however Canada was committing worse atrocities in’ its own backyard! Mr. Welland asks why the government should give them this land at all. You sound as it’ you don’t want them to have anything! To think the First Nation tolk should be given a fair deal. Apartheid is very much alive in North America; vou just haven't given i¢ a label! Glen Guerini North Vancouver B.C. GROWN toshould tree up same dearooi space fer rose parents who for sconomic reasons of for lack OF interest need someone che to facih- rate their children’s learning. The kind of education kids today need is one nar supplicd or coerced by the “ignoramus”, basically, vou and IT and those we put in charge — the ones thar fet things get this bad. Our kids need the room to self-direct and dream 3 new dream of a more equi- table world that focuses on Joe and Josephine Public and what thev really want, not on what they can be convinced to want, Carol Wilkins North Vancouver wimsey@idmail.com Christmas Gift Suggestions BRONZE STATUES © 1637 tonsdate Ave, 1730 Harine Or. North Vancouver West Vancouver | CHRISTMAS TREES ! v, WE ALSO ARE SELLING POINSETTIAS THAT WERE GROWN §0% OFF ALL REMAINING: TROPICAL PLANTS. 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