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QUNFUZ: The Imitator
QUNFUZ: The Imitator
by Robin Yassin-Kassab on Feb 11 2011 - 9:21am

 picture by Ali Farzat

He copies phrases from foreign newspapers into a notebook. Then he copies his notes into a larger notebook with a flag and a band of gold on the front.

His mouth imitates the words of the state TV channel, and the words of undead clerics, and the words of puff-eyed men who sit in cafés.

He curses his country’s backwardness. At the same time he proclaims that the world was brighter when his grandfather was still a rheum-eyed boy.

Letters to the Editor

LETTER: Some perspective on energy dieting

by Graham Kenyon on 14 Jun 2013
in
LETTER: Some perspective on energy dieting

Dear Editor,

Ken Holmes’ recent critique of the new Kootenay Energy Diet initiative was puzzling to me, not so much the pedantic detail offered to support his criticism, but rather the difficulty I have in understanding the ultimate purpose of his missive.  The ultimate purpose of the Energy Diet is clear enough: to conserve energy.  That’s good isn’t it? 

LETTER: Is Rossland a 'fat' energy town? And does the Energy Diet help the poor?

by ken holmes on 03 Jun 2013
in
LETTER: Is Rossland a 'fat' energy town? And does the Energy Diet help the poor?

Dear editor,

It has recently been stated in a local news publication that “Rossland held the notorious tag as the fattest energy town in BC last year”. This deserves comment and correction.

LETTER: 'Whipped' doc shows BC democracy as farce

by Contributor on 22 May 2013
in
See video
Dear editor,
 
Regardless of any particular election result, federal, provincial or municipal, certain truths remain self-evident. In the case of our two senior levels of government, excessive party discipline is slowly killing our democracy. In the May 14th BC provincial election barely 52 per cent of registered voters bothered to cast a ballot, down three per cent from 2009.

LETTER: Taxes are about sharing

by Contributor on 10 May 2013
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LETTER: Taxes are about sharing

Dear Sir,

I couldn't believe my eyes. Your letter page contained a letter from someone who holds a position of power in a local cooperative. He wrote to raise the prospect of taxation as a spectre of fear and loathing against which all co-op members should raise standards, mount ramparts and prepare to repel raiding hordes of collectors who would reap the benefits of dividends from the grasp of co-op members.

LETTER: Speaking up for sustainability

by Contributor on 08 May 2013
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LETTER: Speaking up for sustainability

To the Mayor and Councillors:

I am extremely disappointed to learn of the recommended cuts to the Sustainability Commission, and strongly urge you to revise your budget plans for 2013.

The Sustainability Commission is the hub of several community groups in Rossland, and is integral to the vision so many of us have of Rossland as a community leading the way in innovation and environmental stewardship.

LETTER: Help save Kootenay Lake Camp Koolaree

by Contributor on 20 Mar 2013
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LETTER: Help save Kootenay Lake Camp Koolaree

Dear editor,

When Laurel and moved our family to this part of the world, we were were blessed with the option of sending our children to Camp Koolaree. On the shores of Kootenay Lake, just a bit north of Nelson, it's a rustic wilderness camp owned by the United Church that’s accessible by boat or a hike on the railway only. Home to 140 kids who canoe, swim, hike, play, sing, and run every July and August, it has existed since 1932 as a place of formation and transformation for thousands of children.

LETTER: IntegrityBC recommends platform commitments for all parties before election

by Dermod Travis on 20 Feb 2013
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LETTER: IntegrityBC recommends platform commitments for all parties before election

IntegrityBC has released a letter that it has sent all 24 registered political parties in the province detailing a series of recommendations on electoral reform and government accountability for each party to consider putting forward in their respective platforms for the May 14th general election. The letter has also been sent to each BC Liberal and NDP MLA. IntegrityBC invites independent candidates to propose similar reforms.

LETTER: Clark government has millions for Indian film industry, nothing for education here in BC

by Contributor on 13 Feb 2013
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LETTER: Clark government has millions for Indian film industry, nothing for education here in BC

Dear Editor,

On Tuesday February 12, 2013 District School board 20 conducted 2nd reading and sent for 3rd reading a bylaw to close Mclean Elementary School and convert Rossland Secondary School to K to 9 and bus years 10-12 to Crowe in Trail.

As a concerned resident of School Board District 20 I would like to draw your attention to the following headline and excerpt from the Globe and Mail online edition from Jan 22 & 23 2013: “BC Government invests $11-million to Host Times of India Film awards:

LETTER: Nancy Greene Raine takes the school board to task

by Contributor on 13 Feb 2013
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LETTER: Nancy Greene Raine takes the school board to task

Dear Chairman Ganzert:

I served as a School Trustee some years ago, and I understand the difficulties that budget cuts entail, but surely somewhere along the line, the educational and social needs of a community must be taken into consideration.

OPEN LETTER: Grappling with a 'terrible choice'

by Contributor on 09 Feb 2013
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OPEN LETTER: Grappling with a 'terrible choice'

Dear trustees

I am writing regarding the difficult decision facing you in regards to schools in Rossland. I urge you to consider a few additional points in making your decision. Your decision will affect the quality of education for all students in your school district. It is not just a Rossland issue! Parents and citizens from the whole area should be concerned and should have been consulted.