Less safety for the most vulnerable
Re: City lengthens crosswalk times for pedestrians (July 1)
The new pedestrian crosswalk “improvements” are, in some cases, new impediments.
Many people are unable to cross wider streets with meridians at one go, especially seniors and those with mobility challenges. We use the meridian for a brief pause to catch our breath, or to shake out a bad knee or hip, then press the button and continue on our way. Warning lights will now turn off before some can finish crossing, and they may find themselves stuck in the midst of traffic with vehicles passing in front of, and behind them. We simply cannot, and should not, have to rely on drivers being courteous and remaining stopped while we finish crossing.
At a time when our city administrators are encouraging people to walk and bus more, I’m disappointed with how they’ve made it more unsafe for the most vulnerable citizens to simply cross the street.
Randy Clinch
Winnipeg
No need for public religious monuments
Re: Gail Asper calls on city council to reinstall Ten Commandments monument in Assiniboine Park (July 2)
I admire the commitment Gail Asper has shown over the years to improving the city and upholding her father’s legacy, but when it comes to reinstating the Ten Commandments monument in Assiniboine Park, we differ in what we feel is best.
Like many others, I don’t believe religion belongs in the public sphere; adding or keeping it creates the impression of a favoured religion. If we reinstate a monument that holds significance for Christians and Jews, this would understandably open the door to demands from other religious groups and create potential conflicts. I’m sure the Assiniboine Park Conservancy wants to avoid the park becoming another site for encampments, police operations, and other PR debacles.
If Gail feels inspired by the Ten Commandments, perhaps she can post them in her own home, where she can walk by them even more frequently and be reminded not to kill people. I don’t personally need to be reminded not to do that. I kill as many people as I want — which is none.
Cheryl Moore
Winnipeg
In search of fresh COVID tests
When will the province be providing pharmacies in Winnipeg with COVID-19 test kits that have not gone out of date?
I have visited seven pharmacies in the past week and all of them have outdated test kits, i.e., the kits expired last September. In speaking with pharmacists at each location, all have had the same comments — all we have to offer is what is provided by the province, Shared Health.
I have tried calling a number of listed phone numbers under Shared Health and Health Links and it seems that unless one has a secret phone number, one cannot actually talk with somebody, anybody, to find an answer to my question.
Cris Kemp
Winnipeg
Never too late for a change
Re: Dumping Trudeau won’t change Liberals’ fortunes (June 29); Some honest advice for the American president (Think Tank, June 29)
Two articles in the June 29 edition caught my attention for the authors’ opposing messages.
Tom Brodbeck insists the Liberals are done for, so don’t bother changing the leader before the October 2025 election. The message, as I understand, is that Canadians want change so badly that we will blindly vote in a party whose leader has a questionable “brand of politics” and has a cutesy phrase for every issue and not much substance.
In the second article, Charles Adler recommends (very kindly, surprisingly) that Joe Biden do the right thing by stepping aside for a fitter nominee for the upcoming election later this year. Not over a year away, this November. There is time to find an appropriate replacement before the Democratic National Convention in August where the candidate for president is decided. The message is that, to defeat Trump and his questionable brand of politics, the only option is a new leader.
My message to both countries and both current leaders is that it’s never too late to do the right thing. Bring in fresh, strong, kind, capable, humble, articulate leaders who are in touch with the masses and stop the madness! It’s never too late!
Katherine Scott Suderman
Winnipeg
Why the worry over Chinese EVs?
We all accept that our current federal Liberal government wants to curb the production of greenhouse gasses largely through reducing fossil fuel consumption. One such route is their push towards the elimination of gasoline/diesel powered vehicles in favour of electric vehicles, but not, it would seem, less expensive, more affordable Chinese electric vehicles.
Towards restricting our access to those vehicles they will likely follow the path set forth by our neighbour to the south and impose a crippling tariff. I find this odd as I would have thought that they would have preceded such an initiative by placing much higher tariffs on Chinese gasoline powered vehicles made for the likes of GM, Ford and Chrysler and sold in Canada (and the U.S.).
I guess, in the minds of our current political masters, Chinese-built gasoline cars that produce greenhouse gasses are sort of OK, but affordable Chinese electric cars that are environmentally friendly are really, really bad.
John Lumley
Winnipeg
Thanks to a patriot
Re: Kinew: the patriot (June 28)
As I sit here on a rainy Canada Day, feeling a little down about not braving the rain to attend any of today’s outdoor events, I am pondering where we all are right now — locally, nationally and internationally. There is so much bad news! I was heartened to read Ms. Sanders’ piece about Wab Kinew’s renewed sense of patriotism this year and his purchase of a Canadian flag.
At last, a leader who speaks about unity and positivity, who is looking for ways to bring us all together instead of tearing someone down or tearing us apart. Thank you to Wab Kinew for your warm spirit and your thoughtful leadership, and to the Free Press for writing about it.
Theresa Shaw
Winnipeg
Ideas for Biden
Re: Supreme court rules ex-presidents have broad immunity, dimming chance of a pre-election Trump trial (July 1)
Well, if Trump’s Supreme Court allows an uncouth president to do things with impunity, Biden still has a chance to make big changes to the United States government while he is now still president. My brother had a great idea: retire all present supreme court justices, stop lifetime appointments and let the American people vote and elect Supreme Court justices every four or five years.
If any political party had an advantage over the other, it would only be for a short term and not a lifetime and most importantly chosen by the public and not by a political party. This would stop the madness in the U.S. justice system.
Robert J. Moskal
Winnipeg
