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Genius, in five acts
The genealogy of genius – or the descent of American democratic dignity – in five acts (Trump Is Smart At Playing Dumb, Jan. 8).
Act 1. "A native of this country, but by genius an exotic."
– Founding Father and U.S. treasury secretary Alexander Hamilton on Founding Father Gouverneur Morris, mid 1780s
Act 2. "A second-class intellect. But a first-class temperament."
– Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes on president Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1932
Act 3. "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
– President John F. Kennedy at a dinner honouring Noble Prize winners, early 1960s
Act 4. "Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they?"
– Republican senator Roman Hruska, responding to the Senate rejection of a would-be Nixon Supreme Court candidate, 1970
Act 5. "Actually throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart … I went from VERY successful businessman to top TV star to President of the United States (on my first try). I think that would qualify as not smart but genius … and a very stable genius at that."
– President Donald Trump, Twitter feed, January, 2018
Toby Zanin, Toronto
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Wage models explored
Re A Steaming Cup Of Reality (editorial, Jan. 9): The treatment of workers at some Tim Hortons franchises highlights one potential rationale for higher minimum wages.
Firms adopting very different worker-relations models can co-exist, even in highly competitive markets. One model involves low pay, few benefits, erratic shift schedules and, as a result, high worker turnover and low loyalty. That seems to fit the description of some Tim Hortons franchises.
The other model – adopted by companies such as White Spot and Lee Valley Tools – involves higher pay, better benefits and better working conditions overall. The higher hourly costs for these firms are offset by lower turnover costs and higher productivity that comes with greater worker loyalty.
A higher minimum wage makes the first model less profitable. Canadian research shows that layoff rates decline after a minimum wage increase, possibly because more firms move to the second model.
Why firms adopt one model or the other and whether consumers care is another question.
David Green, professor, Vancouver School of Economics
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Lucky doesn't cut it
Re Airline Safety And The Value Of Failure (Jan. 8): As an aviation inspector for more than 25 years, I can say with certainty that the rosy safety picture painted by your editorial masques significant concerns. Canadians died in commercial and private aircraft last year, most recently in back-to-back accidents in Northern Saskatchewan and Tweed, Ont., just a few weeks ago.
What else happened in 2017 to give air passengers pause?
We were seconds away from one of the worst aviation disasters in history last July when a Canadian airliner came within a few dozen feet of landing on four large jets full of people and fuel on the ground at San Francisco airport. Members of Parliament heard enough alarming evidence in 2017 of holes in our aviation safety net that they made 19 recommendations calling for sweeping change to the oversight of aviation in Canada.
While 2017 was a lucky year in aviation with no fatal passenger jet crashes, I think most air passengers would agree that being lucky isn't good enough.
Greg McConnell, national chair, Canadian Federal Pilots Association
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'Oughta know better'
Re Albert Schultz: An Execution, Then A Trial (Jan. 9): Margaret Wente's column is infuriating. I get her point – Albert Schultz has been found guilty in the court of public opinion. But she goes on to say that "compared with other famous miscreants, much of his alleged conduct seems almost small time." Seriously?! This is so much of what is wrong.
Behaviours are minimized, rationalized. Meanwhile, on Parliament Hill they are talking about sensitivity training and awareness for elected officials who really oughta know better.
In 2018, in Canada and the United States, no one needs sensitivity training or a PowerPoint presentation on how to behave.
It's not about training and information sharing.
It's about power, privilege and freedom from punishment. Until the consequences become too heavy to countenance, the behaviour will reamin unchanged.
Denise Corbett, Ottawa
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It is irrelevant where Albert Schultz's – or anyone's – misconduct falls on the continuum. This is a revolution, and about damn time, too. Revolution isn't about justice. It's about change.
Karin Treff, Toronto
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In my many years as an arts administrator, I have often noted board members leave their "business shoes" outside the door in order "not to hamper the artistic process." Management takes advantage of this. Good governance includes creating appropriate infrastructure, setting policies and creating checks, balances and oversight to ensure defined procedures are followed.
Being a board member of a not-for-profit that receives tax dollars is a big, layered responsibility. Riding on the coattails of a wonderfully successful theatre company is not enough.
Paulette Pelletier-Kelly, Toronto
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President Winfrey?
Re Oprah For Office? America Would Vote Yes (Jan. 9): As attractive as the idea of "President Oprah Winfrey" sounds initially, the more I think about it, the worse it gets. As president, she would forfeit the politically unfettered state that enabled her to give the exquisite speech which has prompted speculation that she should run for the office.
As Citizen Oprah, she can say what she wants. As President Winfrey … not so much, and the U.S. needs her wisdom right now, unsupervised by party handlers.
More importantly, replacing "a reactionary billionaire TV host with a progressive billionaire TV host" as president would only result in a much better version of a very bad idea.
Michael Fox, Stratford, Ont.
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Stated occupations …
Re Unusual Betting Flagged In B.C. Casino Review (Jan. 9): Given the media attention to the "stated occupations" of patrons at high-limit casino tables, surely it won't be long before these "stated occupations" change from "student" or "housewife" to titles such as "CEO," "hockey player" or in Ontario, "Tim Hortons Franchise Owner."
Patrick Tighe, Petawawa, Ont.