LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor:
Jacob Carlson just completed another successful season with the South Delta Rams football club in Tsawwassen. The regular season ended with a record of seven wins/three losses.
His junior bantam team went on to the play-offs and ended their bid with an exciting, hard fought game in Victoria, B.C., against the Victoria Renegades. The Renegades won the right to play in the B.C. Provincial Championship held in B.C. Place Stadium the following weekend.
The JB Rams ended up third overall in the Vancouver Mainland Football League out of 49 teams.
Jacob has done very well for his team, winning trophies for “Most Improved Lineman” last year and taking a leading roll as middle linebacker and captain of the defense.
We are very proud of him! Congrats Jake.
Harry & Julia Carlson
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I have posted the following message on the Point Roberts Marina message board. It is an issue that I think is important enough to warrant printing in the All Point Bulletin as well.
The American government is scaring me. I realize that we live in a “post 9/11” world. But I question how many of the measures being implemented are for safety and how many are for control.
I see now that an “official” has said that fingerprinting for non-Canadian citizens is coming to Point Roberts and that it may (read as soon as we get the bugs out) be extended to include everyone crossing the border. I look to that day with great sadness. For on that day, I will give up my moorage at Point Roberts marina and stop crossing the American border.
There are limits to the invasions of my privacy that I am willing to accept. I do not see that our world has become any safer because of all the measures put in place. Just more restrictive.
Here’s a vote for sanity.
Bill Davies
Burnaby, B.C.

The Editor:
I got a kick out of A.A. Grant’s letter in your December issue of the All Point Bulletin. It made absolute sense, when you understand the word ‘synergy.’ Webster’s dictionary definition: “The co-operative interaction of different drugs.” One would have to wonder what A.A. Grant was on when he or she wrote to the APB.
This individual, who claims to be from the People’s Republic of B.C., where those in charge believed getting tough on crime means giving longer suspended sentences, would do well to re-read the letter of mine quoted.
I absolutely did not drag the teenager through the mud. On the contrary, I have from the beginning supported this individual against the injustices suffered. It was A.A. Grant’s cohorts in the Canadian media who illegally exploited the teen with names and pictures. Where was Grant’s indignity then?
In the case of Mr. Whitfield, I make no apologies. He is an admitted drug mule – it wasn’t a one-time thing and he’s a law enforcement officer to boot. Perhaps this bleeding heart Grant could open his or her house for the shattered and tattered. I’m sure Al Capone’s life was in tatters when he went to prison. Too bad A.A. Grant wasn’t around for support then.
This elitist thinks people in trailers are all trash so who’s self-aggrandizing? With so many manufactured homes in North America this makes A.A. Grant the king of the heap. I wonder who else and what other categories of people the Exalted One looks down upon.
This A.A. Grant letter was written by a very unhappy-with-life individual and its content was not about what I wrote, but about me personally. The writing style and verbiage are so familiar, I think the real author is a lot closer than Vancouver. In any case, I would like to invite A.A. Grant to my humble digs so I can meet a real reporter/reviewer, albeit retired, in person.
Ron Calder
Point Roberts

The Editor:
December 3 at the Dockside Café was the place for the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce Christmas food bank fundraiser - now that was fun!
Isn’t it great when a community of this size can come together for a small gathering of businesses and raise $1,678 for our local food bank? That is a 245 percent increase over last years $685.
The food appies were fabulous, the band was very entertaining (Gene, Jay & Byron – thank you) and a good time was had by all. Santa “Gary” is just not your average Santa. Many new faces came and helped to make this a memorable evening. Thank you all for your very generous donations.
Terrie LaPorte
Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce
Point Roberts

The Editor:
I read with amused interest the recent letter to the editor by John Lesow, about his perception of Canadians’ view of “President Bush and the United States in general.”
Mr. Lesow is simply wrong when he describes the “thinly-veiled” contempt Canadians hold of President Bush and the United States. When it comes to President Bush, their contempt is not thinly-veiled at all. It is openly displayed whenever the possibility to discuss it comes up.
As an American living in Canada, I see it all the time. As a person who embraces differences of opinion, I rejoice in their contempt for President Bush, and am amazed to see how many Canadians really do understand my country. Canada is an open pluralistic society, just like the United States is, where people are free to express themselves.
John, please try not to blame the Canadian people for their anger at our President; instead, try to understand why they are angry. If you disagree with their reasons, so be it, but do not blame them for feeling the way they do, and do not criticize them for expressing their opinions in their own country simply because their opinions disagree with yours.
As for the contempt Canadians have for the United States, it is virtually non-existent, or where you do find it, it is usually because of President Bush. Most Canadians will casually say disparaging things about the U.S., but if you talk to them, you quickly discover that it is in the context of something the President has done, and is not universally directed at the country or the people.
During the previous administration, Canadians flocked to see the U.S. President when he and his Russian counterpart met in Vancouver. Not to call him a moron or display signs of contempt, but to admire him and pay respect to the man, and the country he represented.
I’m sorry that you feel there is some universal dislike of Americans in Canada John. I know it’s easy to find anecdotal evidence that there is some deep and firm held belief that Canadians hate America. But it isn’t the case.
More importantly, the current contempt for President Bush is fleeting. The next President (who will probably not refer to the Canadian Prime Minister as “Prime Minister Poutine”) will have the opportunity to undo the damage this one has done, and all will be right with the world again – we hope.
In the end, there is little to be gained by being mad at all Canadians because some vehemently dislike Bush, and by extension, America. In the end, you are doing the same thing as they are and you seem to be crying about what a bad thing that is when they do it. The solution to the problem is not more anger, but more understanding.
Matthew Lang
Richmond and Point Roberts

Letters Policy
The All Point Bulletin welcomes letters to the editor; however, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor. Letters must include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters must not exceed 450 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality and good taste.
A fresh viewpoint on matters of general interest to local readers will increase the likelihood of publication. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis.
Thank You letters should be limited to ten names.
Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published.

Please send your letter to: P.O. Box 1451, Point Roberts, WA 98281
or fax (360) 945-1613.
E-mail:editor@allpointbulletin.com

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