Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor

On Sept. 11, 2001 t h e w o r l d c h a n g e d f o r e v e r . T h e United S t a t e s f a c e d a n a c t o f terrorism like n e v e r b e f o r e . W h o did it? W e still d o n ' t k n o w.
terryfox
Photo by Scott Brammer - Coast Mountain Photography

On Sept. 11, 2001 t h e w o r l d c h a n g e d f o r e v e r . T h e United S t a t e s f a c e d a n a c t o f terrorism like n e v e r b e f o r e . W h o did it? W e still d o n ' t k n o w. P e o p l e point to E a s t e r n countries , b u t I s a y look into t h e n o t s o distant p a s t . P e o p l e in t h e U S A h a v e c u l t s , a n d f a n a t ic s k i l l i n g h u n d r e d s o f i n n o c e n t A m e ri c a n s o n t h e i r o w n n a t i v e s o i l . W h o i s t o s a y t h e a t t a c k d i d n o t c o m e f r o m w i t h i n ?

T h e w o r l d h o l d s i t s b r e a t h i n a n t i c i p a t i o n of m o r e a t t a c k s o r t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f r e v e n g e s t r i k e s f r o m t h e U. S. o r i t s s u p p o r t e r s i f t h e y f i n d o u t w h e r e t h e t e r r o r i s t s c a m e f r o m . W e a r e C a n a d i a n s a n d w i l l f i g h t o n t h e s i d e o f t h e U. S. i n t i m e s o f c o n f l i c t b u t a s t e n s i o n b u i l d s I s h u d d e r i n s i d e a n d a s k m y s e l f , c a n w e l e t t h i s a l r e a dy h o r r e n d o u s d i s a s t e r e s c a l a t e a n d b r i n g t h i s a l r e a d y h u r t i n g w o r l d t o i t s k n e e s i n a n o t h e r w o r l d w a r ?

P e o p l e i n t h e i r t i m e o f g r i e f f o r t h e t h o u s a n d s o f i m m e d i a t e f a m i l i e s e f f e c t e d b y d e a t h s f r o m t h i s t r a g e d y , wh i s p e r: "C a n t h i s b e t h e s t a r t o f W W I I I ? " L e t ' s h o p e n o t . A s a n a t i o n t h e U S A h a s l o s t t h o u s a n d s o f l i v e s t o t h i s h o r r i b l e a c t , d o t h e y n e e d t o l o o s e h u n d r e d s o f t h o u s a n d s m o r e l i v e s t o a wa r ?

I t h i n k f i n d i n g t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e i s n e c e s s a r y b u t r e t a l i a t i o n i n w a r i s n o t t h e a n s w e r, n o m a t t e r h o w m u c h t h i s a t t a c k h u r t .

T h e w o r l d w a s b r o u g h t t o a h a l t w h e n t h i s h a p p e n e d; i t d o e s n o t n e e d t o d e t e r i o r a t e i n t o w a r t o m a k e a n e x a m p l e o f t h e s e r e s p o n s i b l e . S p e c i f i c p e o p l e a r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h i s a t t a c k , n o t t h e w h o l e n a t i o n t h ey l i v e i n . I f t h e y a r e f o u n d , m a k e t h e m p a y f o r t h e i r c r i m e , n o t a l l t h e f a m i l i e s a n d c h i l d r e n o f t h e i r c o u n t r y.

R e m e m b e r , i n w a r n o o n e w i n s a n d o u r c h i l d r e n l o s e m o s t a n d p a y f o r o u r a g g r e s s i o n . I s e n d m y c o n d o l e n c e s t o t h e f a m i l i e s o f t h o s e w h o d i e d i n th i s d i s a s t e r . A s a p a r e n t I s a y: " R e m e m b e r o u r c h i l d r e n m u s t l i v e w i t h w h i c h e v e r p a t h w e c h o s e t o d e a l w i t h t h i s a c t o f t e r r o r i s m. " S o m e t h i n g h a s t o b e d o n e t o s h o w t h e w o r l d t h a t t h e s e a c t s o f t e r r o r i s m a r e u n a c c e p t a b l e , b u t w a r i s n o t t h e a n s w e r .

T o n y T ro s e t h .

W h i s t l e r .

Re: Whistler Terry Fox Run 2001

Last Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, 207 energetic and enthusiastic Whistlerites came out to participate in the 21st Annual Terry Fox Run in support of cancer research. The day was filled with glorious sunshine, great tunes by the fabulous local band Oongakka Chang, face-painting for the kids by Linda Marshall, heaps of fantastic food from many of Whistler's finest restaurants, many hard-working yet smiling volunteers and lots of fun running, walking or rolling en route to Meadow Park.

It was truly spectacular to see everyone, but particularly children, honouring our true Canadian hero and keeping his dream alive. The event was also incredibly successful from a fund-raising perspective, as we raised $7,926.35, a great contribution to the Terry Fox Foundation for Cancer Research.

A heartfelt thank you is extended to each and every business and individual that contributed in some way to the event, and of course all of the volunteers. Your time, energy and financial donations are very much appreciated.

A special thanks goes to Angela Ruffer, who organized all of the donations from the restaurants, and to Martha Heintzman (aka Organizer Extraordinaire), who year after year dedicates an enormous amount of her time and energy to planning this event.

See you all next year.

Joanne Turner

Whistler

Bless you, Mr. Barnett for your compassionate "Opening remarks" in the Sept. 14 edition of the Pique. I have just finished writing a letter to the editor of another Whistler publication, who took what I found to be an offensive stance on the recent tragedies in the US. As an editor, this gentleman has the power to simply delete my diatribe; however, I am hoping he will be fair and open-minded enough to publish my opinion, or others like it. On the chance that my letter (or others in the same vein) will not see the light of day in his newspaper, I implore you to give me a forum in which I can express my sorrow and anger.

In his article, the editor smugly stated that the events of late were "purely and simply" an American tragedy. These words were a grave disservice to the victims and all who have been deeply affected by this tragedy. How can this be solely an American tragedy when Canadian blood has also been shed? I doubt the grieving Canadian families and friends of those who perished would concur or appreciate this editor's glib and callous remarks.

As a Whistlerite, I cringe with embarrassment to think of how many Americans, upon reading this article, may have left our resort believing this editor's opinion to be the general consensus of Whistler. I am also saddened to think that his viewpoint may have further wounded those in mourning - American or otherwise. Whether we disagree or even condemn US past/present performance or policies, this is no time to be finger-pointing or drawing "us and them" lines.

I do not mean to belabour the point, but I simply cannot comprehend how anyone could dismiss this as one nation's exclusive tragedy. We are all affected - and will continue to be affected - whether emotionally, physically, or economically. Carefree travel is a casualty and a thing of the past. Money-wise and morale-wise, this is a fact that will affect our very own resort town, although to what extent remains to be seen.

Furthermore, our collective North American psyches are in a tailspin, trying to comprehend the havoc and horror that has been wreaked; the spectre of a potential world war looms over us all, irrespective of countries or borders. Not a Canadian tragedy? Uh-uh, I don't think so.

The bottom line is this: we are all humans, regardless of geography or politics, and we should come together and mourn together in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Given the global support we have seen in the past week, one can surmise that most of the free world recognizes and embraces this fact - a fact that eluded the editor for whatever reason.

I believe an apology or retraction is in order. If the gentleman in question will not issue either, I can only pity him for his blindness.

(The opinion expressed in this letter is personal, and is in no way representative or indicative of my restaurant's viewpoint)

Lucy Kennedy

Whistler

P.S.: On a more positive note: With the help of all the good-hearted people out there, Sushi-Ya was able to raise $890 for our employees victimized in the housing scam. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each participant and donor for their kindness and generosity.

Congratulations to Andrew Zubacs, winner of the $50 gift certificate. We look forward to seeing and serving you soon!

In closing, please know that everyone who participated is a "winner" in our hearts and minds. Thanks again, all, for the care and support - and for reminding us about the good things in this world.

This has been a week of sadness and introspection. It was encouraging to read Bob Barnett's column, however great disappointment at the immature naivete of G.D. Maxwell's column. While he "waxed poetic" and carried on about living where ".bald eagles.bank lazily." his lack of understanding of the English language or history was apparent.

The Boeing 767 did not "careen" out of the morning sun. Both planes, especially the second jet passenger liner, dropped altitude and levelled off into what would normally be seen as a "strafing run," but instead exploded through the monolith WTC towers at opposing angles to achieve the most damage.

Funny, while Maxwell comments on the U.S. isolationist posture, it was the English and Canadians that begged the U.S. to drop that position and come to their rescue in the Second World War. The population of Jewish people in the U.S. and the position of the world to return the dispossessed Jews of Europe to their historic home after WWII, has had a definite influence on the U.S. support of Israel to this day.

As an American living in my home in Canada but who grew up under the threat of nuclear destruction, I have had the chance to observe your so-called Nationalism (not)! Your own CSIS spokesperson confirms that the Canadian government is aware of but chooses not to monitor over 57 terrorist sects thriving in Canada. You might stop and consider over 100 Canadians and 200 Brits, along with people from many other countries, are missing in the WTC tragedy. The World Trade Center may have been on U.S. soil, but it was the symbol of the entire "free world" trade and economy. Because people hate and are jealous of other's success and property, doesn't give them the right to destroy and terrorize. Your observation and the lack of respect for personal and property rights that, in this province seem to be on the edge of communism, is just one step from terrorism.

Maxwell in h is comment "Pray..." comes across as hypocritical; someone who sees himself as a god. So who is he praying to? Probably the same entity that the Satanic terrorists use to justify their actions.

M.J. Berthoud

Pemberton