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Polarization: Enemy of the Good
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Winter wins gun debate, says reader
Regarding the great gun control debate (June Advocate), it is my humble opinion Kirk Winter would be the winner by far when he states the proposed federal gun law makes no one safer. On the contrary, it makes society less safe. As the late Paul Harvey would say, you need to know the rest of the story. Soon the federal police will be spending more resources on policing, monitoring, surveillance and punishing responsible gun owners than they will be spending on preventing terrorism, cyber espionage, and criminal activity. This legislation will have no impact on criminal activity. Criminals are clearly beyond the reach of government and police. They don’t register their firearms, they don’t practice safe storage, and certainly don’t discharge their firearms in a safe manner. Wayne Garfield, Lindsay
Cedar Valley Park’s wetlands are being ruined, says reader
An update to Ian McKechnie’s July Advocate article on trailer parks. Cedar Valley Park was bought out by another owner and they are completely destroying the beauty of the park. Many trees have been removed and the shoreline is torn up. Turtles are struggling to live, and birds and herons no longer have a place to be living. My friends who have loved this park are now moving out along with a few other persons because they are not happy with the way the trailer park is being ruined. Having visited my friends at the park, I am wondering if Lindsay and environmental services approve of the destruction of wetland areas along the river. Heather Peter, Kawartha Lakes (Ms. Peter copied Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham on this letter. He in turn copied us on his response, which we have condensed.) Heather, any work being done along a waterfront or a wetland area would require approvals from a conservation authority or the Trent-Severn Waterway. ~ Mayor Andy Letham
Regardless of the good intentions in reasoning, could we be reducing our personal freedom due to the need of being “right” and not know it? Each successive generation takes for granted what the previous generation worked hard for. At the same time, elders do not fully understand what the new generations’ struggles are. The nuances in relationships with a vast difference in points of view, especially across generations and socio-economic groups, makes for an environment not conducive for healthy debate. Adding fear will only stoke the nuances of these relationships. Everyone is well-meaning in their intentions However different from your own, being empathetic to others’ view of what is “right” will help your own opinion. Becoming polarized is the enemy of the good. Our society was built on different perspectives striving for their version of the common good. It is messy but so is a meal made from scratch and has the same outcome: they are both healthy. Replace name-calling and lines in the sand with a healthy debate and anything is possible. If we expect this for ourselves, our elected officials will hopefully follow. After all, their purpose is to represent the culture of their constituents. To quote Winston Churchill “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Now is the time to debate a new normal that works better for all. Wesley Found, Lindsay
A Staycationer
Really enjoyed your article (Backyard Tourist, July Advocate) but wish there had been an accompanying map. Being a new “Lindsayite” I am only familiar with Highway 35 and would love to visit these places. Hope you write about more interesting places to visit. Dawn Boland, Lindsay, a staycationer
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