William Bedford

From Oliver Cromwell to scandal-plagued York school board

From Oliver Cromwell to scandal-plagued York school board: "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"

NEW YEAR DREAMS

THE OLD YEAR FADES AS THE NEW YEAR BLOOMS GLASSES CLINK AND CHURCH- BELLS RING BUT NEW YEAR VOWS, LIKE NEW YEAR SNOWS WILL MELT BEFORE THE RAYS OF SPRING.

Dangerous Times

Stephen Hawking is a genius, but doesn't mean he's right all the time. Hawking says we are currently living in the most dangerous time in human history. I don't see how the world is more dangerous now than it was during the cold-war years, especially during the Cuban missile crisis.

New banknotes for the New Year

Leave Sir John alone. There's a simple solution to the controversy over replacing Sir John A. Macdonald's portrait on the $10 bill with a portrait of Viola Desmond: Now that our banknotes are made of plastic instead of paper why not reissue the two dollar bill and put Desmond's picture on it? And, while we are at it, replace the politicians who grace the $50. &100. bills with pictures of Terry Fox and war hero and Nobel Laureate Dr. Frederick Banting. As for the $20. bill, it should picture the greatest Canadian of all time, the one-and-only Northern Dancer.

A Free Society

Donald Trump's election victory proves how free American society is. But, sometimes a society can be too free and allow too much free speech. In the 1930's, German free society allowed Adolph Hitler to attain power and then become an evil dictator. Finding the right balance of freedom is a never ending task. American freedom gives its citizens the right to slander their neighbours and to arm themselves to the teeth. Canadian freedom allows its citizens to hold well-paid political office while they try to break up the country. It's well to remember that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Free Trade

Re "Trudeau and Chinese premier explore possible free trade deal." (Sept. 1): "He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon." Likewise, he who sups with China's Communists should have long chopsticks.

Canadian UN peacekeepers

Re "Canada's return to UN peacekeeping promises little peace." (Walkom). Aug. 11): Lester Pearson said the UN should have enough military muscle to enforce peace as well as keep it. This has never been the case, so let's do things differently this time around.

Naïve people who believed Turkey would become a regular European democracy

Those naïve people who believed Turkey would become a regular European democracy if it was allowed to join the EU must be blind not to see that Turkey is a Middle East Muslim nation and, like most Muslim countries, is incompatible with democracy. Furthermore, with today's high-tech communications and weaponry there is no need to have an unstable Turkey as a NATO member.

Bear baiting

Re "Canada should be in new NATO force in Europe." (Globe & Mail, June 10): With a few hundred combat troops,leaky submarines and worn out planes ready and willing to confront Russia, you can bet Vladimir Putin is shaking in his boots.

Canadian military

Showing mercy to convicted terrorists

Ali Hassan's lawyer says his client is very unhappy and very, very upset. My, my. I feel his pain. I suggest his sentence, if he's found guilty, be reduced from one hundred years to 99. After all, justice must be tempered with mercy. Right? William Bedford Newmarket, ON

The U.S.' right to bear arms

Americans may have a Constitutional right to bear arms, but gun ranges are privately owned businesses, and, like private homes that take in boarders, the owners have every right to reject potential customers for any reason they like.

The Cologne incident

I find it hard to believe the sexual assaults in Cologne were carried out by drunken, rampaging hoodlums. I think it more likely their actions were intended to create a backlash by Germans against all Muslims, thereby boosting recruitment for the-so called- Islamic State, whose aim is to control the whole Arab world. William Bedford Newmarket

The loonie redux

THE POOR. BATTERED LOONIE IS FALLING DOWN BUT DON'T DESPAIR, AND DON'T LEAVE TOWN

THE PRINCE OF "WAILS"

Buisness bailouts

Seeing that faltering big companies expect to be bailed out by the government, shouldn't successful big companies be willing to bail out Ontario.

Killer Foods

Hardly a day goes by when I don't read that all the foods and drinks I like are likely to kill me. I guess I'll have to quit. Quit reading, that is.

Private schools

I'm not religious but in this case I agree with the Christian School. The public schools are open to everyone, but a private school should be allowed to admit or reject pupils for whatever reason they like.

Injustice

I don't agree with Kim Davis' religious beliefs, I do, however, believe in being fair.

The Boring Campaign

State of the race to 24 Sussex Drive. Trudeau is stuck in neutral Mulcair leads the pack Harper struggles gamely with Duffy on his back May is nowhere to be seen, lost I guess in a sea of green.