Oct. 29: Readers offended by cartoon, don’t harm Mother Earth during protests and other letters to the editor

We may sic the goblins on MacKay

I find Mr. MacKay's attempt at humour lacking. His Halloween suggestions on how to distribute treats were viable, but, I took offence to the last suggestion that if the lights are out the homeowner is a grouch! Did Mr. MacKay consider that the darkened house may have a susceptible COVID-19 senior living there or other personal reasons people might not want to answer the door? Please Mr. MacKay, let's not categorize all Halloween abstainers as grouches or we might have to send a few goblins your way!

Patricia Gallo, Hamilton

Not all grouches are really grouches

I take exception with the editorial cartoon - I am not a grouch. My lights will be out because I do not want to spread COVID. As an essential worker, I do not know which of my clients could transmit the virus to me. I had one lady pull down her mask to yell something at me because she thought I could not hear from behind my Plexiglas barrier. Others don't cover their noses. More and more essential front-line workers are getting sick, especially ones that have PPE and are trained on how to wear it. Not all grouches" are really grouches - I just want to protect the children! I don't need any more anxious and sleepless nights.

Elizabeth Kata, Hamilton

I believe in supporting the free press

Recently, I cancelled my subscription to The Spectator. I have now restarted newspaper delivery.

I did so because I enjoy The Spectator's excellent writing and also the opportunities for readers to express their views. During these troubled times it is vital to stay informed and I believe your paper tries to do this and with accuracy. I also believe in supporting the free press and local business. Appreciated the editorial headlined Canada's digital publishers need a level playing field."

Please keep your column spaces open without censorship. There's too much of that these days!

I don't have to agree with all opinions but they are good to see. It's important to listen to everyone, especially since we can't be together. We must learn to speak our truth rather than destroy others to promote our own interests.

Margo Jamieson, Burlington

Let Indigenous people decide on statues

Is Hamilton serious about reconciliation? (Oct. 22)

I read this letter with interest about highlighting and celebrating the Indigenous presence in our communities. I think this can be accomplished by inviting Indigenous sculptors, artists, writers, historians, knowledge keepers and their communities to contextualize or replace the individuals and events that settler culture has wrongly put on pedestals.

Indigenous communities and voices, in my opinion, should decide the fate of these monuments to attempted genocide, and Indigenous individuals and communities should be invited to create more truthful monuments, if they so wish. I would prefer to see this done in ceremony led by Indigenous people, rather than by a mob of settlers.

Mary Love, Hamilton

What happened to respecting nature?

Once again the poor people in Caledonia have to suffer air pollution because of burning tires. I thought Indigenous people respected nature and clean air and were peaceful. If everyone set fires and caused chaos over disputes, where would we be?

Marjorie Masuda, Hamilton

Somewhere, Jimmy Hoffa is smiling

A corrupt, dirty regime trying to rig an election. A postmaster general, tearing out sorting machines, removing mail boxes and keeping workers off the job. Gerrymandering, closing voting booths, voting mail boxes being, burned, vandalized and stolen. Voters being threatened with intimidation.

If the United States election was being held in the Middle East or Africa, the UN would have observers there to ensure that voting was done in a fair democratic manner. Instead, this is the part of the norm of the past four years. Somewhere Jimmy Hoffa is smiling.

Robert Brant, Hamilton

Burning tires harming Mother Earth

It is common knowledge that burning tires creates toxic pollution of the land and air. Indigenous peoples around Mother earth have had a strong concept of respect for nature and stewardship of the land, water and air - long before the present day conservation movement was created. Can we not resolve these disputes without harming our environment?

Joe Benedetti, Hamilton

Insurance companies changing the rules

I am sure that over the years insurance companies have made millions of dollars in premiums paid by long-term-care homes.

Now, in the middle of a pandemic, some insurance companies are removing coverage for infectious diseases from their policies. Without that coverage some LTC homes are being refused loans and lines of credit.

Once again, the most vulnerable people are being targeted. We need to name and shame and boycott these insurance companies and their agents. What's next? If a person dies from COVID-19 the companies will refuse to honour the policies?

The insurance companies involved in the removal of this coverage are nothing better than scammers.

John Cook, Hamilton

Don't give a platform to COVID deniers

I wish you would stop printing letters from people who do not believe COVID-19 is serious. Do not give a platform to conspiracy theorists who choose to ignore science and public safety. Shame on you.

Allison Fetter, Burlington