6 Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Ladysmith Chemainus Chronicle
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Op-ED
Editor’s note: The op-ed page in any newspaper is a great place to start important conversations. Readers are free to express ideas, and others are free to disagree with those ideas without attacking anyone personally. By publishing a letter, the newspaper does not agree or disagree with the writer, but is providing an opportunity for discussion. The editor reserves the right to not print something for a variety of reasons, including defamation, blatantly incorrect statements, or covering ground that has already been written, but people are generally free to express their own opinion, and we hope that sharing those opinions generates meaningful discussions around many coffee tables. Here, Michael Smith responds to letters reacting to a letter he wrote, which appeared in the June 10 Chronicle. In their reactions to Smith’s original letter, both Laurie Harding and Brian Thom drew a parallel with Don Olsen’s infamous letter to the Nanaimo Daily News, but in his letter, Olsen claimed the history of First Nations people is “notable only for underachievement” and made remarks that directly criticized aboriginal people, which Smith did not do.
YOUR WORDS
“I’ve wanted to own the building since I was a teenager.” Kristina Stauffer, Page 4
Let us have this debate
Editor: I am shocked and alarmed that Laurie Harding found my letter shocking, alarming, and misinformed. Why is it that these people, when faced with an opinion they don’t share, question a newspaper’s decision to print it. Didn’t we fight a great war to defend freedom of speech? Similarly, Brian Thom chooses to dismiss an opinion he does not share as the “ voice of a troll living under a bridge.” The fact that many people disagree with some of the “ongoing legacies of our colonial history” does not mean we are ignorant, and certainly does not mean we are racist. I submit that there may be more “trolls” under the bridge than above it, and it may come as a surprise that many of us are well educated and well informed, even though we disagree with Harding and Thom. Let us have this debate without censorship, as that is the last resort of those who are afraid their views may not be defensible. Michael Smith Ladysmith
Question of the Week
Are you enjoying this heat wave? Vote online at www.ladysmithchronicle.com. This web poll is informal, not scientific. It reflects opinions of website visitors who voluntarily participate. Results may not represent the opinions of the public as a whole. Black Press is not responsible for
Jacob Reed of Ladysmith, pictured at left playing The Fab Fourever’s drum kit, with his mother Lorraine in centre photo, and with his dear friend Erin Hager at right, is a huge Beatles fan, and he will get to meet Ringo Starr July 15. PHOTOS SUBMITTED
the statistical accuracy of opinions expressed here.
The day Jacob’s dream will come true
Results from last week’s question Do you grow your own food? Yes 40% No 60%
Editor: I’m sure everyone in Ladysmith knows Jacob Reed, a wonderful man who lives and breathes music. Jacob works at 49th Parallel Grocery, and he performs in a band called Peace Love and Joy. He is a huge Beatles fan, and it would be his dream come true to meet one of the Beatles. This dream is going to come true this week in Vancouver.
The Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province’s newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby Street, Nanaimo, B.C., V9R-2R2. For information phone 1-888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org.
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Jacob’s mother’s best friend, Bonnie, bought Jacob and his mother, Lorraine, a ticket to see Ringo Starr perform at the Hard Rock Casino on Tuesday, July 15. I really want this dream to come true for Jacob, and I want his mom to experience it with him, so I contacted the entertainment director at the Hard Rock and shared how much it would mean to Jacob to go have this experience, and he said he’s
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going to make it happen. Jacob is going to get to meet Ringo and get his picture taken with him. This is going to make his world. He’s the biggest Beatles fan, and he plays drums too, just like Ringo. Jacob is an amazing individual, and he and his mom really deserve this, so I’m grateful I can make this happen for them. Peace, Erin Hager Ladysmith
Editor ................................................ Lindsay Chung editor@ladysmithchronicle.com Reporter ................................................ Ross Armour news@ladysmithchronicle.com
Vol. 105, #50, 2014
Office / Accounts / Circulation .. Colleen Wheeler Production Manager......................... Douglas Kent production@ladysmithchronicle.com