Letters, April 16 – Winnipeg Free Press

Opinion

Bad food

Again: The simplicity of the health care system is not a recipe for healing (April 13)

Thank you, Shona Forester Smith, for reminding me of the state of health care food offerings.

In the late 1990s, the unwanted and unwanted switch to frozen “re-thermalized” food was prompted by the then government of Philemon to address the problem of two tertiary care hospitals in need of new kitchen facilities. Frozen food was imported from the provinces, toast was made far from any two- or even four-slice toasters, and mystery meat was no longer suitable for everyday consumption. I knew a dietitian who wrote down the names of her co-workers who lost their jobs and were fired out of respect for care and dignity.

In the end, we are very low, as the author so sadly notes, even Canadian prison standards in terms of health benefits and economic efficiency – and now, even in the third decade of this sad situation, my Two big hospitals still have not signed.

This may come as a surprise to many, especially health care administrators, but we humans, like all animals, are made of food, mostly protein—thanks, Mitch Calvert, above the fold on that page—and our survival depends on a reliable daily intake of these nutrients. preferably presented in a delicious way. The need becomes increasingly important when treatment and recovery are the goals of care.

I'm sure there are excellent researchers right here in Manitoba who can advise policy makers on the nutritional needs of, say, a hip fracture.

But unfortunately, for Forester Smith and thousands of others, essential nutrients are lacking, physiological recovery is difficult, and length of stay is prolonged due to complications from unexpected weight loss and concomitant functional impairment. Where is the effectiveness of this?

Thomas L Ster

Winnipeg

Let loose on the psychedelics

Again: “Grievous violation of the law” (April 11)

People should not be allowed to sell psychedelics obtained from the black market, but today's evidence shows that some are very promising treatments for many ailments.

Magic mushrooms (active ingredient psilocybin) have a cultural history that goes back thousands of years and have recently received breakthrough therapy status from the US Food and Drug Administration for intractable addiction problems such as tobacco/alcohol use and chronic depression.

This means that one US state and several US cities have legalized the possession and use of psychoactive drugs. Canada has led the way in legalizing the use of marijuana, and I think the next step should be to remove legal restrictions on psychedelics, especially for the medical conditions mentioned above, preferably medically.

Michael Dowling

Winnipeg

Climate curriculum

Again: School divisions for more funding (February 2); and Good first steps in financing education (Thinking Center, April 11)

I fully support some of the ways in which funding is distributed, particularly the huge increase in funding for school meal programs. As Prime Minister Wab Kinew pointed out, being hungry does not help in learning. I also fully support viewing education as an investment in our future and that of our children, rather than as an expense.

So I'm disappointed that increased funding for sustainable development education hasn't been announced or mentioned in the comments section.

With climate change and other serious threats to the natural environment, where everything is ultimately interdependent, it should be a high priority for students to learn how the natural world works and how to live sustainably.

Perhaps the new funding formula that will be released soon will solve this problem quickly.

Gerald Farthing

Winnipeg

Enough of the jurisdictional disputes

Again: Federations must respect provincial jurisdiction (Thinking Center, April 12)

Royce Koop's April 12 article raises two questions for me.

First, the premise of the Coop is that constitutional jurisdictions must be preserved. OK, so how do you reform the current tax and equalization system so that the government that has jurisdiction and makes the rules has the revenue to pay the bill? The expectation that federations should provide funding for provincial duties confuses me about how Confederation works.

Second, how do you ensure that Canadians have a reasonable level of service regardless of jurisdiction? Hungry kids in Manitoba might have a school lunch program, but hungry kids in another province might not mind my definition of nationhood.

I am tired of mindless political territorialism, as are the mindless politicians who believe that jurisdictional disputes should trump the duty of public service.

Ken East

Oak Bluff

The importance of trust

Re: Words of Prayer (Letters, April 13)

Many thanks to Karen Towle for sharing her insights on the Prime Minister's Legislative Prayer Initiative. In addition to the “three words” he focuses on (religion, spirituality, and faith), I would suggest a fourth: faith. Because they come from the same Greek word, “faith” and “belief” and even “faith” are commonly used interchangeably. However, there is an important difference in the “standard of daily living”.

There is a story about a man walking on a tightrope over a large waterfall. When he asked the audience if they believed he could pull through, they resounded with a resounding yes. After reaching the other end, he asked if he believed he could push the cart across. Again, they strongly expressed their belief that he would be able to do it. After completing the carriage ride, he asks one last question: “Would anyone like to ride the carriage while I'm on my way back?”

At this moment there was a great silence.

Yes, faith touches a deep center of experience that transcends words, thoughts, and even prayers. I am reminded of an old movie scene where the character had to go from one cliff to another without any obvious bridge. When he takes the first step, a bridge will appear. Faith, religion, and spirituality may push one over the edge, but only faith gives us the strength to take that important step.

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

Consider the warranty

Why prayer?

I, like many, was surprised to hear the prayer in the legislature. Rather than praying (which creates enmity no matter what they do), why not pledge?

We often hear about disrespect in the legislature, the House of Commons, and society at large. Why not pledge to the public to work for the betterment of all, to have civil exchanges, to be non-partisan as much as possible, and to conduct the business of the day with respect? A nice daily reminder of why they exist.

Janice Arnold

Winnipeg