Letters, February 13 – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Correction: A think tank article in the February 12 edition of the Free Press, There is more to environmental regulations than most people realize, contained incorrect information about the Sio Silica project, suggesting that it was linked to Sio Silica's plans for a solar panel glass manufacturing project in Selkirk. In fact, the Selkirk solar panel project involves silica sand produced by Canadian Premium Sand Inc, another silica producer that uses a different mining process than Sio Silica.

Counterpoints on the sand project

Re: In defense of mining (LettersFebruary 10):

While I understand MaryAnn Mihichuk's view on behalf of the mining industry, this view should not negate the risks and implications of the Sio Silica sands project.

“A rigorous environmental impact assessment conducted by qualified independent experts identifies and mitigates potential risks,” says Mihichuk. But Mihichuk and his industry ignore the experimental and unproven nature of the process, the catastrophic consequences of a contaminated aquifer, the lack of a comprehensive assessment of risk and mitigation plans, and the environmental and financial impact. province, industry, farms, municipalities, housing, etc. depends on clean, drinking water from this aquifer.

Current environmental and risk assessments appear insufficient to make a rational decision on this project, and Mihichuk's “torpedoes be damned, full speed ahead” is not responsible based on current published information.

We have seen many catastrophic failures of quality control processes in many industries, including the one represented by the Mihichuk organization, and we must be very careful not to destroy an irreplaceable environmental resource.

Jerry Schuster

Selkirk

Schools have the right to ban phones

Congratulations to Laidlaw School, Beliveau College and West Kildonan Collegiate for considering restricting access to mobile phones during school hours. We hope this will become standard practice across the region in the future.

There is no logical reason for a student's cell phone to be on their desk unless it is being used for research or internet access. Because cell phones are left at the classroom entrance, students can easily access them when needed and return their phones between classes.

The suggestion that students need more education about proper cell phone use is naïve at best.

I'm sure every teacher has politely asked their students to turn off their phones and/or remove their headphones more than once so they can listen and focus on the lessons at hand. Many young people, as well as some adults, have become addicted to “connection” at all hours of the day and night, and have suffered from bullying and mental stress.

Technology is here to stay, but we must maintain the ability to interact with each other on a personal level for humanity to survive.

Alice is French

Winnipeg

Keep supporting Ukraine

Again: NATO leader Trump said that Russia is threatening its allies by saying they can “do whatever they want”. (February 11)

The adage “those who don't learn from history repeat it” may apply here.

A century ago, Hitler was arrested, charged with treason, and sentenced to five years in prison for taking part in a failed coup attempt. He wrote while in prison My campf describes his racist, anti-Semitic fascist ideology.

After his early release from prison, he began to implement his fascist plan, which led to the invasion of Poland, the Holocaust, and the formation of the Nazi regime that led to World War II. While Canada joined Britain in declaring war on Germany in 1939, the US was reluctant to join its allies until it was attacked by Japan in 1941. World War II was characterized by an alliance of liberal democracies, primarily Europe and North America. The Soviet Union against the fascist and authoritarian Axis powers Germany, Italy and Japan.

(After the defeat of Nazi Germany and its Axis Allies in 1945, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) helped maintain peace in Europe and elsewhere despite the Cold War with the Soviet Union

Putin's unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine has been described as the most serious threat to peace in Europe and beyond since the end of World War I. Even though it was Russia that invaded Ukraine, it was Ukraine's ally (currently not a NATO member), especially since the US did not allow Putin to move to occupy most of Ukraine and possibly annex other European countries. the former Soviet Union.

Putin may be waiting for support for Ukraine to weaken to allow him to pursue his agenda.

Canada should continue to support Ukraine and encourage NATO allies such as the United States to remain steadfast in their support. Countries like Sweden and Finland, which were previously reluctant to join NATO, should join NATO quickly. Trump's rhetoric will only serve to weaken support for Ukraine and NATO's effectiveness in keeping peace in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

Many Republicans and other Americans have expressed their intention to vote for Trump for the US presidency, even if he is convicted for his role in the January 6 uprising and other attempts to undermine the will of voters, which is reminiscent of past historical events. .

Richard Delay

Winnipeg

Imperfections on the ice

Again: Leafs Morgan Rielly will have a private hearing with the NHL Safety Department (February 11)

The sports world is agonizing over what to make of Morgan Rielly's brutal attack on Ottawa's Ridley Greig. A brutal head check for an atrocious attempt to slam the puck into the net against a respectful puck.

Talking heads, including the Leafs' coach, worried about a “lack of respect” as an excuse for Rielly's outburst. Anger that was basically an attack.

What would happen to us if we felt disrespected by our waiter because he didn't leave us a large tip? If we, say, take an umbrella and do a brutal inspection on his head? It would be much more than a three-day restaurant ban and a lecture on respect. Hockey is a beautiful game and what Rielly did was a childish, harmful act that was inappropriate for the game.

I am a big sports fan. I played, coached and watched. I record and watch every CFL game, every Jets game, all season long. I love the intensity and I'm in awe of the skill sets of the players.

But what I can't understand is the number of cases where entitled millionaires can't get over their emotions.

A player had a bad transition and came off the ice and broke a $200 stick in frustration. Poor little guy. How many minimum wage workers can use a $200 stipend? Next, how about a process that writes a check to the local minor hockey association every time a player licks and breaks a stick? If they repeat it, do we calculate the sum on an exponential scale?

Unfortunately, Rielly's punishment does not lead to serious consequences. A multi-game suspension would only be a drop in his more than $7.5 million annual salary; however, this negative idea that the issue was about “disrespecting one's opponent” should be removed from the conversation. We must make it clear that this rich man cannot handle the emotions of a young child.

Mom has to metaphorically “grab him by the ears” and take him home to learn life lessons.

Gary Hook

Winnipeg