Today’s comments were selected from three widely read and discussed news stories about the federal government consulting the public on banning handguns, Ian Buruma leaving the New York Review of Books and the gambling industry’s interest in Toronto’s waterfront.
From Federal government to consult public on banning handguns by Daniel LeBlanc
It’s quite simple: A total ban. Let people find a hobby that doesn’t involve a device whose only function is to send a projectile out at such force as to rip violent holes with maximum impact. All for fun. - kpare
In response to kpare:
We banned illegal drugs that has not worked. Better to work on the causes of violence such as poverty and mental illness. - Muaja
I think the people in dangerous jobs such as taxi drivers should be allowed to carry handguns, forest rangers are now carrying firearms and soon border guards. - R. John McKinley
Handguns are for killing people. Restrict their use to the police and military. Rifles are for hunting, so automatic and semi-automatic rifles are not necessary, except again for the police and military. There are too many of these weapons in circulation and in the hands of citizens. If there are fewer guns there will be fewer shootings. - canadiancomment
From Editor who published Jian Ghomeshi essay leaves New York Review of Books after backlash by Brad Wheeler
We should be very afraid. These are dangerous times. We have officially tipped over into online mob rule, freedom of speech be damned. This has nothing to do with Jian or the content of his essay - this is the beginning of the end of a civilized society, built on discourse and debate, freedom of thought and mind. The lunatics are officially running the insane asylum -- and it's an Echo Chamber. - river72
In response to river72:
That's over-the-top ridiculous. Many people (for actually pretty good reasons, in my opinion) disliked the article. The publisher made a business decision to part with the editor. They didn't have to.
And by the way, there wasn't really anything in Jian's article that involved "discourse and debate" or "freedom of thought". It was an article that contained falsehoods and obfuscations, and to many (myself included) it was rather distasteful.
Jian had a right to publish if he could find an outlet who agreed to do it. The publisher had the right to publish, but they also have the right to decide that publishing it was a bad idea. If one doesn't like the decision (and hopefully they are fully and accurate informed before reaching that conclusion), one doesn't have to read anything from the publisher again if they don't want to support that company. - Rational thought
From Gambling industry eyes Toronto waterfront by Jill Mahoney and Karen Howlett
A waterfront casino would not make the CNE or Ontario Place a great destination. Ontario Place would become a closed society, admissible, in most parts, only to adults and would preserve the bifurcation of the two entities forever. - Jim from High Park
Just make it a park with some nice waterfront cafes and restaurants and community facilities. With all the condos going up Toronto needs more parks. - tempserdue
When is our premiere going to start acting like the premiere of the province and not the mayor of Toronto? It's like he has an axe to grind or something. - Subscriber12
Here we go again. It’s like groundhog day already. Maybe the province should build a giant ferris wheel and a stadium for an NFL team while we’re at it. Oh, and a giant shopping mall too. That way we can pave the entire area over with asphalt. After all, the city of Toronto council (yes that one) did vote against such ideas put forth by you know who back 6 years ago. Come on Doug, don’t disappoint me. Show em who’s boss now. - ChandlerDay
Why are we building any casino in Toronto? We are just going to import Vancouver’s money laundering problems. - Jo301
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