Peace Peace Arch Arch News News Tuesday, November 8, 2011
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letters Peace Arch News
Fight for those who fight for us Editor: If you ask MP Russ Hiebert what the compensation package is like for being under fire in Ottawa and coming out healthy and virtually unscathed, he will likely respond that it is not all that bad. All expenses paid by the public purse. Travel in the lap of luxury. A fully indexed pension for life in return for a relatively small sacrifice. Enough business contacts to launch a whole new career and create income streams. If you ask the same question of one of our young Canadian reservists, under live fire and coming home with wounds and lifelong disabilities from Afghanistan or some other country in turmoil – sent there by our government to serve – the reply will carry quite a different tone. Disabilities dealt with by paltry, one-time, under-market payments. Taxed on the proceeds of any annuities purchased with them. Denied their dreams and aspirations as a result of the restrictive nature of their injuries. Paying sacrifice for fighting in wars at our request and then left to languish for the rest of their lives with the injuries they sustained as a result, and ultimately left to their own devices for retraining, employment and income. The government – all parties – changed compensation legislation in 2006 with the result that our Canadian soldiers are effectively punished for their unquestioned service to our country. While on the one hand, I am confident this was not the intent of any individual or party, on the other hand, none of them are clamouring to correct the mistake. Equitas Society is a local nonpartisan, non-profit society which is taking the fight for these soldiers to Ottawa and to the courts to right the wrong that has victimized them. Get informed. Find out how you can help – equitassociety.ca or call 604-970-7884. Hold elected officials accountable for their actions, and encourage them to do right by those who fight for our freedoms. Jim Garnett, Surrey
Sister’s wish to protect all of us Editor: Last month, at Terry Road, my brother’s longboard was stolen. Two years ago, my iPod was stolen. Last year, my brother’s bike was stolen and his iPod touch was stolen right out of his backpack. One year ago, our scooters got stolen right from the top of our driveway under our carport. Why steal? What’s the point? I know there are gonna be people with less and people with more. If you take something that’s not yours, you didn’t work for it, it’s not yours. My brother was devastated when he went to the yard to find his board was not there. Someone went
through the gate and went to the side of the house. There were six longboards there. The person took three – my brother’s, my neighbour’s and my brother’s good friend. Longboarding is something my brother does every day. It’s amazing to watch them go down the hill and do tricks and slides. My brother and his friends are sponsored by WHR (West Hem Roll) and CR Boardworks. They make videos and stuff to advertise the company, but how are they supposed to go riding if they don’t have a board? My brother had saved up for a long time for that board, and now he has to buy a whole new one. Why take something that’s not rightfully yours? Stealing and cheating – it doesn’t help you, it just makes it worst. Even if if you are really poor, it’s still not right to steal. Someone should be able to leave their stuff inside a gate at the side of their house without it going missing. It’s more than just stealing; it’s trespassing. It’s their property. Most people – when it happens – don’t know what to do. You can call the police on the non-emergency line to report it. Also, my mom had a good idea to post it on Facebook. My brother and his friends are probably the only people with “WHR” stickers on their boards. All over the news, I hear of things getting stolen. I don’t know about you, but its mostly bad news. So why don’t they call it the bad news? There are always gonna be people who go down the wrong path and make bad choices, so make sure to
put your valuables in a safe spot. I wish that the whole world could get along, everyone had jobs and there was no stealing. But I’m 12 and I don’t know much about government and our world yet. But, at least, please stop stealing! Hanna Walde, Surrey
A change in health care Editor: Re: Shift in nursing care ill-advised, Nov. 1 letters. I am writing in response to a letter from BCNU president Debra McPherson regarding ongoing changes in staffing at Peace Arch Hospital’s residential care units. McPherson claims a reduction in the number of registered nurses (RNs) at that site, which is offset by a greater increase in the number of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and care aids, is a move designed to save Fraser Health money. The change in staffing that McPherson refers to is part of a new care-delivery model introduced at all Fraser Health residential-care sites over the past 18 months. The purpose of the new model is not to achieve costs savings but to improve care. In fact, Fraser Health has invested an additional $24 million in residential care over the past two years in support of the new model. The new model ensures every individual residing in a complex-
care facility anywhere in Fraser Health will receive the appropriate level of service. At some residentialcare sites – including Weatherby and Dr. Hogg pavilions at Peace Arch Hospital – this has meant a reduction in the number of RN positions and an increase in LPN positions. Fraser Health is reducing the number of RNs at this site by eight positions and is adding 13 LPNs and additional care aides. RNs continue to play an important role in residential care, completing complex clinical assessment, working with families and focusing on activities such as medication reviews and care planning. We are confident that the end result will be better care for the residents who call Weatherby and Dr. Hogg pavilions home. Heather Cook, executive director, Residential Care Fraser Health Q Re: PAH nursing cutbacks not about money: Fraser Health, Nov. 1. I am concerned these cutbacks/ rearrangements will adversely affect my mother’s care. She is currently in a vulnerable mode; even now it’s hard to maintain care continuity between shifts. The permanent RNs provide the steadying continuity with the LPNs and RCAs, but with the RNs taking on additional workload – more patients – that continuity will suffer, in my view. Who will talk to the doctor and provide the liaison to the staff and the patients’ loved ones? Ron Powell, White Rock
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I wish that the whole world could get along, everyone had jobs and there was no stealing. But I’m 12 and I don’t know much about government and our world yet.a Hanna Walde
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The message that began with Occupy Wall Street now seems lost in Occupy Vancouver, writes Brian Lauder.
Message lost amidst the clutter Editor: After listening to the speaker from Occupy Vancouver on the radio, I have a lot of questions. He referred to the privileged few in the world, and I am wondering who he is talking about. I am not rich but I feel privileged to be born in a country like Canada. Yes, I worked hard many years of my life, and I now am retired in a home that is mortgage free. The speaker said things about everyone being treated equal. I find it hard to understand that in a country where you get the opportunity to get a leg up in life if you are willing to work for it – and a person decides not to work and, consequently, not have the money except through welfare or other such means – that they should think they would have access to the opportunities I have. The speaker mentioned the low percentage of voters that have decided who we should follow. Everyone has
the free right in our country once they qualify to vote; if they don’t take advantage of it, we get what we ask for. I was taught that in a democracy, the majority rules. Yet all over this country, small minorities want things their way and sometimes break the laws the majority voted for. Finally, if the occupiers are talking about the small group of very rich people that make the decisions that can really make changes – good or bad – I agree. Too few people make decisions that can influence directions we take – many times the wrong way. Occupying the Vancouver Art Gallery will not change that, but the original gathering sent out a message I think most of us agree with. The message you are sending out now is a bunch of squatters making a mess of our downtown, disobeying our local laws and excluding the use of that area for tourists and other groups alike. Brian Lauder, Surrey
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