Preacher scaring the hell out of motorists
Sir: Regarding the Sept. 18 story, Council rejects attempt to restrict street preachers.
City council got it so wrong!
Obviously none of them has ever stopped for a red light at the intersection of Murphy and London roads and had someone with a bullhorn holler into the car.
I very nearly lost control of mine as I inadvertently took my foot off the brake.
I don’t care if he’s pleading for climate change, recycling, or giving away furry little puppies — all good causes —but he’s putting citizens’ lives at risk.
Is council really THAT obtuse?
I applaud Mr. Guerette’s zeal but is there no other corner available? And must he use a bullhorn?
Sylvia Creaner
Bright’s Grove
Voters, please, it’s time remove Justin Trudeau from office
Sir: Being prime minister of Canada is a serious and responsible position. Voters need to think about that when voting this month.
Being prime minister of Canada is not a free ticket to family vacations, to posturing in other national costumes, or taking selfies in public to gain attention.
It is not a position to be abused by breaking the law or pushing your personal ideals onto Canadians. Yet this is exactly what Canadians voted for in the last election.
Were they not smart enough, or aware of the incompetence or lack of experience of Justin Trudeau as PM of Canada, despite warnings from Conservatives?
Well, they got what they voted for, and the rest of Canada has paid dearly for their ignorance.
Canada is now the laughing stock of the world thanks to the clown acting as PM of Canada. The sad part is, they voted out a perfectly good, responsible man in Stephen Harper, who got this country through an economic crisis that could have been much worse.
Can you imagine what would happen if Justin Trudeau had to deal with an economic crisis? I can’t believe that even after his poor performance the polls show this is still a very close election.
What is wrong with voters? Please don’t make the same mistake again.
Greg Hamilton
Sarnia
Of course, Christianity informs Gladu’s politics
Sir: Re: the Sept. 12 opinion piece by Troy Shantz: “Our MP and city councillor are both right - and wrong.”
The essence of the column is that both Marilyn Gladu and Nathan Colquhoun (a former Christian minister) have read the Bible, but each has a very different take on how it informs their positions in general, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular.
Gladu supports Israel and “God’s chosen people” whereas Colquhoun supports the “BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement, which opposes Israel’s treatment of the Palestinian people.
Shantz comments that both Gladu and Colquhoun have read the same Bible, “yet their interpretation of the same religious texts differ wildly.”
I believe the main reason comes down to one simple question: “Do you believe the Bible?”
If you believe the Bible, you allow it to inform your position. If you do not believe the Bible, you will cherry-pick to find passages that support your position.
I think the Bible is pretty plain. For example, Numbers 24:9b:
Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel,
and cursed is everyone who curses you.”
Churches and denominations that do not believe the Bible are shrinking, and many are at risk of closing, because if you do not believe the Bible then you can believe anything.
The churches and denominations that do believe the Bible are healthy and growing, with a large component of young people. People seek truth. People’s lives are being changed. They are being set free from addictions and bad habits. They are rejoicing to walk in freedom.
Coun. Colquhoun said Gladu is “an embarrassment to Sarnia and Christianity.” The coming election will show the Sarnia-Lambton majority is happy with her representation. As a Christian, I believe she is representing us well. She has my vote.
Finally, leaders need to lead. When Gladu supports issues like palliative care and the heavy load corridor, she is representing all of us. When she supports Israel, she is allowing her beliefs to inform her positions.
To do otherwise would be hypocritical.
Bob Maniuk
Petrolia
Bravo to all for getting Veterans Highway designation
Sir: The Sept. 19 story, “Local veterans to be honoured with highway designation,” was wonderful.
I want to commend the two retired teachers, Tom St. Amand and Tom Slater, and city forestry supervisor Chuck Toth, for their effort and determination to get it done.
Now ALL veterans in the area will be honoured through the Veterans Highway designation on Highway 40.
Mayor Mike Bradley, Lambton Warden Bill Weber, MPP Bob Bailey, Aamjiwnaang Chief Chris Plain, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62, the 1st Hussars Association, Royal Canadian Naval Association, RCAF #403 Wing Airmen’s Club, and Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Association provided support needed to get approval from the Ontario transportation ministry.
Veterans Parkway is an honour well deserved. Congratulations. Good Work.
A supporter of our Veterans
Wilma McNeill
Sarnia
Handgun carried by police officers a very powerful thing
Sir: Last month, for the first time this year, a member of the London Ontario Police Service fired his gun in the line of duty.
After wondering what sidearm London police carry I Googled it and found they carry Glock 17’s. I don’t know what Sarnia Police have.
The company site revealed the Glock 17 is an Austrian design. It holds 17 bullets of 9 mm caliber and fully loaded weighs about two pounds. Bullets leave the gun at 1,500 ft./second.
If nothing gets in it’s way the bullet will travel 2,500 yards before falling to the ground. The effective range is around 200 feet
I Googled, “What is the accuracy of a Glock 17 during an actual firefight.” A small arms instructor on a U.S. site stated the following: “So if by “average” I take the 80% of the police officers I met, 10 yards is the average range where they can hit something.”
I watched video of Glock 17’s at a shooting range. It’s like an explosion going off in your hands, and they jump a bit when fired. I couldn’t hit a barn door with a Glock 17. Then again I’m not a police officer.
Around 9 a.m. on Sept. 3 a London policeman responded to a call about a man with an edged weapon threatening passersby near King and Richmond.
The officer, armed with two pounds of state-of-the-art deadly force, ordered the suspect to drop the weapon and get down. Security video showed the man lunging at the officer, who backed across King Street and fired twice, discharging two projectiles at 1,500 ft./second. Both missed the armed assailant.
Before travelling the full 2,500 yards the bullets hit The Richmond Tavern. One impacted 15 feet from an employee and the other went through a steel door, then a wall, then into a case of Clamato juice.
I don’t know how close the suspect was, but it’s probably a good thing the officer fired only twice.
Ed Williamson
Sarnia