Supporters of U.S. Vice President Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris hug ahead of her speech at Howard University in Washington, DC, on Nov. 6.MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images
World view
Re “Alberta alienation” (Letters, Nov. 6): If, as a Calgary letter-writer opines, the proposed emissions cap on carbon pollution is an “attack on one province,” is the increase in Alberta’s greenhouse gas emissions a declaration of war against the country, and the planet?
Michael Arkin Toronto
Back again
Re “Donald Trump wins U.S. presidential election” (Online, Nov. 6): I felt sick with disbelief when I heard the result of the U.S. presidential election.
Just a few days ago, Donald Trump claimed that his nation was a laughingstock in the eyes of the world. He was right: If it wasn’t then, it certainly is now.
In most other countries, a man with Mr. Trump’s record would be in jail. Incredibly, in the world’s foremost democracy, he is put in charge.
Only in America.
Dave Ashby Toronto
We bear witness to the death of American democracy.
No democracy can survive if the spirit of liberty is not in its people. And in choosing Donald Trump, the greater number of American voters chose to install a fascist in the White House.
They know perfectly well who he is and what he is like. They know what he wants.
He ran a campaign rooted in personal grievance and revenge. He demonized immigrants and conjured an illusory, nightmarish vision of America.
Yet the greater number of voters chose him over a normal politician, a good and decent person committed to the rule of law and a pragmatic, bipartisan approach to governance. American democracy might be restored at some point in the future. But I am no longer young and might not live to see it.
In the meantime, there are dark days ahead. For America, and for the world.
Stephen Newman Professor emeritus, department of politics, York University; Toronto
I am a fiercely proud Canadian.
However, since my first visit to the United States as a child, I have been fascinated by its history, politics, geography and people. I have visited every state, several many times.
While people cite specific issues or policies as reasons for choosing leaders, I believe we elect leaders who represent our values, even if we do so subconsciously. I find it unfathomable that the thousands of Americans who welcomed me over the decades, and whom I enjoyed meeting, could re-elect a man whose manifest flaws and sinister intentions are widely known.
It is a sad irony that this man will preside over the country’s 250-year anniversary celebrations in 2026.
John Rankin Burlington, Ont.
The trampling of the U.S. Constitution. Attacks on the weakest and most powerless, on women, on facts and on the rule of law. And, from Democrats, the increasingly desperate refrain of “this is not who we are.”
Well, guess what?
Spyro Rondos Saint-Lazare, Que.
The shoe may not fit every American elector who supported Donald Trump in the presidential election, but, ultimately his win is a triumph for misogyny and racism.
Everyone who voted for him enables it.
Bernie Labrosse Ottawa
America’s greatest celebrities couldn’t help elect Kamala Harris. What does that say about celebrity?
Jim Elliot Vancouver
My first grandchild, a girl, was born in the United States in September and I cried with joy. Now I cry for a different reason.
In Donald Trump’s victory speech, he said Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is going to “make America healthy again.” I hope my granddaughter gets her required pediatric vaccines before that happens.
Jayne Watson Ottawa
Do more
Re “Involuntary treatment for severe addiction is better than doing nothing” (Nov. 4): Finally, a sensible and reasoned argument for involuntary treatment of addiction.
One sentence says it all: “In any event, to say involuntary treatment is ineffective is to beg the question: Compared to what?”
Roger Emsley Delta, B.C.
Addiction is a chronic relapsing and remitting disease with complex multifactorial origins. It requires long-term comprehensive approaches.
It is argued that involuntary treatment for addiction is better than doing nothing. However I have found a dearth of data to support this, with some evidence of harm.
Even if involuntary treatment is pursued, where would patients go? Emergency rooms are already overburdened, psychiatric beds are continuously at overcapacity and people cannot readily access detoxification or addiction treatment on a voluntary basis.
Involuntary treatment would not address years of underfunding. Most funding for addiction still goes toward enforcement rather than prevention, harm reduction or treatment.
Limited public funds should go toward increasing capacity for voluntary inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment, engaging these patients constructively, meeting them at their current stage of change and keeping them engaged over the long term to best address their often multiple psychosocial needs.
David Crockford MD, FRCPC; professor, department of psychiatry, University of Calgary
While appreciating the benevolent intent of this proposition, we should acknowledge recent studies that strongly suggest involuntary treatment could increase risks of fatal poisoning. Forced abstinence results in loss of tolerance which, when followed by relapse, increases mortality risk.
In the age of fentanyl, mandating treatment with opioid agonists such as methadone and buprenorphine also presents problems, not least with oversight. Successful outcomes depend on long-term adherence. In British Columbia, discontinuation rates at 30 days are 50 per cent for methadone and 60 per cent for buprenorphine.
Severely addicted 12- and 13-year-olds are hardly typical. A special case can indeed be made for these children, but the lack of an evidence base is troubling.
Doing “nothing” is not an option. So we should build an accessible, effective system for primary prevention, access to mental health care, supportive housing and harm reduction and investment in a range of effective treatment options.
Perry Kendall CM, OBC, FRCPC, former B.C. provincial health officer; Victoria
Example set
Re “This is the Murray Sinclair I was privileged to know” (Nov. 5): Murray Sinclair was an extraordinary man who calmly and eloquently explained the treatment of Indigenous children and their families.
I too love the children’s tale The Ugly Duckling and the metaphor and message it gives. I will always remember Mr. Sinclair for that.
I hope Canada can follow his path and fulfill the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission soon. It’s been too long.
Marianne Freeman Vancouver
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