THE TIMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011 ❘
LETTERS
❘ A9
‘Biblical illiterates’ make a difference
I, as many other “biblical illiterates” as Robert Rock describes us (Addicts don’t have a prayer, Times, Jan. 4), have as much concern, or more than him, for the addicts in our cities. I ask, Mr. Rock, what are you doing to change things? Does Mr. Rock want more of government input, with more safe injections sites? How about with the latest idea? Free booze for alcoholics? Sad to say, government run programs don’t work too well. Many addicts will tell you that halfway houses have drugs, etc., available. Detox centres keep you for a week, but you can go do your own thing. You read articles about “drugs found in jails” We do agree that there is a huge problem and things do need to change. Prayer can bring about that change. There are two very successful programs right here, funded by churches. Teen Challenge and Wagner Hills Farm. I would like to invite Mr. Rock to a Recovery Church service in Langley at Christian Life Assembly. Every Sunday evening there are a couple hundred people – mostly addicts that come for prayer and salvation from their demons. He will hear testimonies on how lives have been changed through God. Mr. Rock, would you like to come? Life is full of do’s and don’ts, no matter if you are in church, government or families. If you want to go play with your friends son, go clean your room; if you want to feed your family, go to work. Our whole life is do this for that, not just in church circles. Barry Lelond Abbotsford
themselves and the public in danger. We should be grateful that the environment ministry is taking its responsibilities seriously. Peter Fricker Van. Humane Society
de Jong’s not right as our next Premier Editor, the Times:
Denial about crime is not a good enough reason to want to be premier. But it makes perfect sense as a member of the legal profession. After all, as Attorney General, what has Mike de Jong done? Did his ministry not persecute us law abiding citizens with severe penalties with the .05 blood alcohol policy? This while choosing to ignore the real problem in B.C.: one in three cases clogging our criminal courts with repeat drunk drivers. This thanks to B.C.’s lemming judges who refuse to punish these law breakers on ideological grounds. And when the family members of innocent murder victims cannot even find a lawyer to represent them to seek relief due to wrongful death, let alone afford one, didn’t he sit idly by while his ministry paid for the multi million dollar legal bills of criminals with our hard earned tax dollars? The times we live in call for action. In my view, Mr. de Jong’s recent resignation as AG is the best thing he has done yet to serve the public interest for the people of B.C. Let’s hope it stays that way. Steve Brown Langley
Questioning the scales of justice
Wrapping up an eventful 2010
Editor, the Times:
Editor, the Times:
The idea that Mike Hopcroft (the Reptile Guy) is being subjected to “bureaucratic hassles” by government officials over his acquisition of an alligator is complete nonsense. New provincial regulations on the keeping of exotic animals have been well publicized since early 2009 and Mr. Hopcroft acquired the alligator knowing he did not have the necessary permit. So what is he complaining about? The regulations were brought in following the 2007 killing of a young woman by a tiger owned by another exotic animal enthusiast. They are designed to prevent unqualified, amateur collectors of exotic animals from putting
Salutary end for 2010. I am on occasion razzed (or take some flak) for ‘always being negative’. My reply is that it is not that I am negative, but that politicians, government and bureaucracies demonstrate a profound capacity for accomplishing negative outcomes or actions, and that where praise is due I bestow it. Since there were several items that ended 2010 on an upbeat note I thought I would kick off 2011 with those items. Swimming laps on a (almost) daily basis is a necessary part of my mental and physical wellness plan. Which is why I give two big thumbs way up to the person (or persons) respon-
sible for the Abbotsford parks and recreation program that will enable those of us who need to make frequent use of the recreation centre’s facilities for exercise and wellness to purchase a year’s pass even if our budgets do not enable us to pay for it in one large lump sum. Excellent news to end 2010 on - Kudos and Thanks. I found myself stopping at the Wave Pool on Clearbrook Road to snap a few pictures of the growing hole in the ground as construction of the supportive, affordable housing complex for women and children began. With the growing need in Abbotsford for properly managed and healthy affordable housing, the ground breaking for this project was a positive end to 2010. On a negative note, and what would the end of 2010 be without a demonstration of politician/government/ bureaucracy non-think? I sent a Christmas card to a relative in Kent Institution in Agassiz, and as I do with all personal correspondence, used sealing wax and signet to sign the card. December 31, 2010 brought the now opened card back to me. The reason cited for the return has me pondering whether a major contributor to Abbotsford, B.C. and Canada being in such dire straits is that prolonged exposure to bureaucracy causes brain damage. ‘Unknown Substance’? Exactly how badly damaged does ones mental capacity have to be not to be able to recognize wax, especially wax that has been impressed with a signet? As Homer Simpson would say: “D’oh!” The question of why they did not simply cut the offending seal off and deliver the card to the addressee in time for Christmas comes to mind, but I suppose you really do not want someone who cannot recognize wax or a wax seal playing with scissors. Still, all in all 2010 ended well - and should Santa have brought politicians, bureaucrats and prison authorities an abundant sized stocking stuffed with common sense, careful consideration, thoughtful decision making, sound judgment and appropriate priorities, this trend could extend into 2011. James W. Breckenridge Abbotsford
Fighting for MMA inside AESC Editor, the Times:
On the front page of the
Dec. 31 Times I saw a typical scene occurring at most hockey games. Two goons beating on each other. In conversation when one brings up the subject of the latest hockey game the first question is: “Did you see the fight between so and so?” And as we see, it is the fights that make the newspapers. Since the city is trying to fill the sports centre
to help pay for this white elephant, why not have mixed martial arts, where two men go into the ring and fight it out, and make some serious money?
MMA is the fastest growing sport today. What I see is the definition of hypocrisy. Tom Lester Abbotsford
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Editor, the Times: