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Safety first
Dear Republic:
A very interesting article! (“Strip farming in Vancouver, Republic issue 128). I own property around the corner from Charles Dickens Elementary and see many of my neighbours with vegetable gardens as well. I agree with all your reasons on why this would be a good thing, but one thing screamed out in my mind as I was reading it. Would I trust the food? Between dogs, pollution, dirty needles, contaminated soil, and unregulated soil conditions I’m not sure! Our family invest in the food we eat: local certified organic first, then out from there depending on availability. If I didn’t have choices then I would start a garden myself and use my organic compost. Of course I’d test the soil before I put a fork of food into my children’s mouths though. What do you think?
—Kristina Hockley, Vancouver
US down
Dear Republic:
I've printed your column from the Republic, issue 128, "The late great American Empire" and I am saving it to refer to as events unfold. Thank you for writing this; I only wish it could be read by every American.
The comment below is from my mate and best friend. As for me, I'm hoping oil will peak in time to save the earth's very atmosphere from drifting away.
“Actually, I wish it were right. The prospect of an America in decline (though I think it'll come later rather than sooner) is much more appealing than yesterday's picture of a world master enforcing its will by massive mechanical violence based in space. An America in decline might even avoid the fate of a fascist dictatorship, and fragment into some smaller, more manageable and less threatening units.”
—Lenore M Luscher, Watsonville CA
Less debt
Dear Republic:
Re: “More debt please,” (Republic, issue 129). No thanks. Since far too large a percentage of our dollars go to paying interest on public debt already, I say reduce debt.
Not by cutting services, but by repatriation of our public debt to the Bank Of Canada (at higher levels then we used to). Let us remember the “ruling class” (aka Mulruhney and before) let the private banks gain control of all our public debt. Thanks to compound interest, our debt exploded.
The Bank of Canada could hold most or all of our debt at much lower interest. Yes we could have our cake and eat it to. But that is exactly what the “ruling class” does not want.
High debt does not equal more democracy. Just look at the USA, debt goes up and democracy is becoming a joke. The article itself is an over simplification of debt and democracy.
—Kai Taylor, Vancouver
National unity
Dear Republic:
You sir, are an uneducated moron (“Grab Alberta’s oil while the grabbings’ good, Republic issue 128). Good luck with your little plan to nationalize Alberta's resources using the Canadian military. All Ralphie would have to do is call the Americans and ask them how they would like a 51st state. Good luck with your propaganda.
—Blair Miciak, Alberta
Lesson learned
Dear Republic:
With breathtaking hypocrisy, the US chastises Iran for having a nuclear program which may lead to nuclear weapons. No mention is made of Israel’ s nuclear weapons and no censure is directed at America’s ally.
The lessons of the Axis of Evil propaganda, and Iraq’s subsequent occupation, have not been lost on Iran. America knew Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction. It was invaded and remains occupied; North Korea, which possessed nuclear arms, was not.
Iran, like Iraq, sits on huge oil deposits. If it wishes not to be invaded and have its oil deposits “privatized” by multinational oil companies, its only recourse is to procure enough nuclear weapons to deter American invasion.
The pretext of democracy will be invoked to justify action against Iran. The press will make no mention of the CIA’s 1953 removal of the democrat Mohammed Mossadegh. When Mossadegh nationalised Iran’s oil industry, he was deposed and replaced by the Shah’s US-sponsored dictatorship. The history of all empires, even liberal ones like Britain and America, is bloody and mendacious. To avoid the disapproval of its citizens, the US relies on a compliant press which does not present the “news” within the context of history.
—T.J. Adel, Vancouver
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