Same old song
Re: “Anthem change and empty gesture,” Sex with Mish Way, June 16, 2016.
I realize that Mish Way’s column is not meant to be factual news, but rather an opinion piece. Still, she should be more careful with the accuracy of her facts before attempting to use them to bolster those opinions.
There were various English language versions of the Canadian national anthem and indeed Weir’s version, first published in 1908, became the most widely used. However revisions were made (or as Way would have it, it was “tampered with”) in 1913, 1914, and 1916. In fact the line “True patriot love thou dost in us command” was in the original 1908 version that she so wants us to respect. It was in the 1913 “tampering” that it was changed to “True patriot love in all thy sons command.” The proposed change would hardly “destroy history” but rather bring it closer to Weir’s original.
As for political correctness, it has become politically correct to rail against it, and I, for one, am weary of it. Political correctness was intended to try to ensure that our society was inclusive and respectful of everyone. Admirable attributes that society should strive for. Indeed, it went off the rails from time to time with some questionable and even bizarre results, but over time those situations have become rare.
I fully support Way’s call for the federal government to take real action against violence and discrimination especially against women and transgendered Canadians. I just wish she had spent more time addressing that as opposed to taking an opportunity to throw praise at the Conservatives or repeating right-wing propaganda about the spending of “taxpayer’s money.”
–Sandy Bauer
Union brews
Re: “So you wanna be a beer nerd? The ugly truth,” The Growler, June 16, 2016.
Fads come and go. With a little practice, anyone can make a decent beer, it isn't rocket science, that's why so many "craft" breweries are popping up. (Where did that term come from, some marketer?) Personally, I like to drink beer that's made by people who are paid union wages.
–Norman12
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