Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 14, 2012, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A15 Misreading history Mike Fegelman's June 8 letter, Incorrect assumptions , in response to Dianne Baker's June 5 letter, Pawns in their game , about the economic and political status of the Palestinians, offers a series of misreadings of historical and geopolitical fact. I'll limit myself to just three of them and a suggestion. Fegelman claims UN Resolution 242 was designed to recognize Israel's possession of Palestinian territories because it conquered the land " in a defensive war." Resolution 242 does not mention defensive war; it does emphasize " the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war." Instead of recognizing Israel's right to Palestinian land, it makes the necessity of Israeli withdrawal the first of two main requirements for a " just and lasting peace." Israel has been rebuked repeatedly by the UN because of its failure to meet that basic requirement. He also makes the absurd claim that Israeli settlements make up less than three per cent of the West Bank's overall territory. A more realistic figure is provided by the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem, which uses Israeli government figures to show the settlements take up 42 per cent of the territory; another 10 per cent of the Occupied Territories has been annexed to Israel by the wall it has built to seal off the West Bank. Fegelman claims the West Bank was never " taken from the Palestinians" because it was controlled by other political entities. Very simply, the UN resolution ( 181) that underpins the modern Israeli state was designed to create two political entities, one Arab, one Jewish. Neither existed before the UN resolution since the whole area - comprising both Jewish and Arab nascent states - was controlled historically, as Fegelman notes, by the Ottomans and then the British. Both are invented states with a UN stamp of approval. Accepting one means accepting the other. CHRISTOPHER PETTY Winnipeg �� In 2004, the World Court in The Hague determined the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem are occupied territories and Israel's transfer of Jewish settlers into these Palestinian territories is illegal. Thanks to the American support and the propaganda efforts of pro- Israel groups, the rule of law however could not stop the ethnic cleansing of 60 per cent of the West Bank. Area C is now almost free of Palestinians. In 1967, the Jordan Valley had about 250,000 Palestinians. Today, it's less than 50,000. In violation of international law, the Palestinians have been confined into non- contiguous cantons separated by road blocks, settler- only roads, Jewish settlements and the Israeli wall. Israel fully controls their freedom of movement and is " warehousing" the Palestinian population on the land from the Mediterranean to the Jordan. This is no longer just an occupation or an apartheid system; it is a policy of despair that disregards the rights of the original inhabitants of the land and secures superior privilege for the new settlers. MARTINA LAUER Chesterville, Ont. Food for thought At a recent visit to a not- so- big- box store garden centre, the woman in front of me in line was purchasing a beautiful ready- made basket of garden greens. We spoke of its convenience for the garden, and for meal preparation. The cashier, a woman of about 21, was shocked to hear that the lettuce greens were edible. When I asked her where she gets her salad greens, she responded she always just got hers from the grocery store, and did not know you could buy it, grow it, and eat it. Have city- dwellers become so far removed from our food sources that this could actually occur at a garden centre? MOIRA HONEY Winnipeg Other side of coin Regarding Ron Robinson's June 6 letter, Remembering our past , if we share in the positive legacies of the British monarchy, then we must also share in the less pleasant aspects as well. While the Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee with distasteful opulence, most of the public and the media seem content to gloss over the sins of the Crown. Thanks to British imperialism, the Queen is little more than the current matriarch of one of the most successful families of murderers and thieves the world has ever seen. Many will protest the monarchy has changed, and it is no longer a sponsor of genocide and theft of wealth, but it's hard to call the institution reformed when the royals continue to live off of and benefit directly from these past improprieties. Perhaps next time the opportunity for one of these so- called celebrations comes around, we should instead opt for a day of remembrance for the victims of British imperialism - in Africa, the Americas, Australia, China, India, Ireland and countless other places. MICHAEL DWILOW Winnipeg �� Michael Bagamery asks the question, " Why is Canada not interested in a debate in the monarchy in this country and why do so many still support it?" ( A royal pain , Letters, June 4). Where has this man been for the past 50 years? Canadians have been debating the monarchy for at least that long, and those who support it do so for very good reasons. They know, for instance, that all of the most advanced democracies in the world are constitutional monarchies. The monarch is the head of state, not the head of government. The government makes policy, parliament approves it, and the monarch gives assent. In the U. S., on the other hand, at the present time, the president, who is supposedly head of state and head of government makes policy and the Congress refuses to allow it to become law. Or the Congress makes laws and the president vetoes them. BILL ROLLS Emerson Something's gotta go Re: Winnipeggers' hate- on for city services ( June 7). This " hate- on" doesn't surprise me at all. It seems to me that there is a direct connection between our mayor's constant battle to reduce or hold the line on taxes and our dissatisfaction with our city services. If we keep cutting back the income, we can't expect to maintain the services. Something's gotta go. And the people of Winnipeg, whom you call " the crabbiest people in the nation," are now seeing these reductions and are not happy. Yet every time there is a mere mention of a tax increase, the Free Press labels it an attack on the citizens. I think we need more balanced reporting on progressive taxation from our No. 1 newspaper. RICHARD P. SAWCHUK Winnipeg Plastic refuseniks Re: Plastic bags ( Editorials, June 12). Does a ban on plastic bags also include a ban on plastic garbage bags? Where will the garbage be stored? The more paper bags are used, the more trees need to be cut. A tree takes 10 to 30 years to be fully grown. A tree absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and gives out oxygen. No ecological measure matches it. ERNEST DIAS Winnipeg �� A lot of people live in multi- storied apartment buildings. These buildings have garbage chutes. People put their kitchen garbage into used plastic bags and tie the handles and drop it down the chute into the garbage room. This garbage must be wrapped. What do we use to wrap the garbage ? DENNIS MCMAHON Winnipeg T HE Canadian Co- operative Association was informed by the federal government in April Co- op Development Initiatives would be terminated along with significant cuts to the Rural and Co- operatives Secretariat. This came as a surprise to the Canadian Community Economic Development Network and our member organizations, including the Canadian Cooperative Association, the Canadian Worker Co- operative Federation, the Co- operative Housing Federation of Canada, the Manitoba Co- operative Association, and co- operatives throughout the country. Cuts will have a significant impact on the development of new co- operative businesses, jobs, and services for communities throughout Canada. In a year the United Nations has declared the International Year of Co- operatives - which the federal government endorsed at the UN and has been a partner in supporting - the elimination of the only federal government program dedicated to co- op development is not only tough to understand, it is misguided and will result in a negative economic impact much greater than the shortterm spending that is " saved." With more than $ 330 billion in assets, about 9,000 co- operatives in Canada provide services to 18 million members. They are a significant part of our economy and our communities. At a time when job creation is needed for economic recovery and growth, why cut support to a sector that employs more than 150,000 Canadians and continues to grow? In an era when economic decisions are increasingly made outside of the communities most affected by them, and wealth accumulates in ever fewer pockets, what we precisely need is stronger leadership and investment in a business model that roots ownership locally and distributes wealth equitably. In 2007, co- operatives in Manitoba distributed $ 138 million to members in patronage dividends, providing a direct economic impact for many Manitobans and for the economies in the communities they live in. Co- operatives usually start with a group of people looking to collectively address a need in their community, or capture an opportunity, in a way that puts their needs and their local economy first. Co- operatives build democracy through seven core principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; members' economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training, and information; co- operation among co- operatives; and concern for community. Members participate in the election of their boards of directors, providing the opportunity for more than 100,000 Canadians to participate as volunteer directors and committee members in the governance of co- operative businesses in their communities. Unlike traditional business models, cooperatives are businesses oriented to member service rather than the maximization of profit. This means they will operate in circumstances that meet members' and communities' needs as long as economically viable. Because they are highly invested in their communities, co- ops are more likely to consider profit in terms of the local job retention, and service to community. For example, banks have closed their doors in communities across Canada because they were not earning the profits they desired. Fortunately, more than 1,000 of these communities have financial co- operatives committed to serving their communities. In Manitoba, this is the case in 61 communities. The co- operative movement's commitment to more than the bottom line has not compromised the viability of their business model. A 2008 study in Quebec found that 62 per cent of new coops are still operating after five years, compared with 35 per cent for other new businesses. After 10 years, the figures are 44 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. Similar research in B. C. and Alberta recently found parallel results in their provinces. Investment in the development, start- up, and growth phases of co- operatives is beneficial because of the significant impact and returns they generate over time. The Co- op Development Initiative provided precisely this type of strategic investment. Since the program's inception in 2003, more than 300 new co- ops were created with support from the CDI program, and more than 1,600 groups received advice and assistance, which might yet lead to the creation of even more co- ops. In Manitoba, since 2009, a few hundred thousand dollars invested in over 25 co- operative businesses, through technical support and small grants, has allowed businesses to start up and provide much needed services. For example, Peg City Car Co- op's return on investment from the Co- op Development Initiative has already been significant. The government estimates it will save some $ 4 million by eliminating CDI and other government supports for co- operatives. This is a drop in the bucket when compared with the significant negative impact it will have on the Canadian economy and small communities in particular. Brendan Reimer is the regional co- ordinator, Canadian CED Network. This column distributed by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Manitoba. HAVE YOUR SAY: The Free Press welcomes letters from readers. Include the author's name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited. Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, R2X 3B6. Fax 697- 7412. Email letters@ freepress. mb. ca Letters represent the opinions of their writers and do not reflect the opinions of the Winnipeg Free Press or its staff. �� LETTER OF THE DAY Winnipeg Free Press Thursday, June 14, 2012 A 15 POLL �� TODAY'S QUESTION What attracts you to the Red River Ex? �� Vote online at winnipegfreepress. com �� PREVIOUS QUESTION Which riverfront location would be the best for a statue of paddler Don Starkell? TOTAL RESPONSES 3,283 Winnipeg Free Press est 1872 / Winnipeg Tribune est 1890 VOL 140 NO 211 2012 Winnipeg Free Press, a division of FP Canadian Newspapers Limited Partnership. Published seven days a week at 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 3B6, PH: 697- 7000 BOB COX / Publisher MARGO GOODHAND / Editor JULIE CARL / Deputy Editor NEWSCOM PHOTO There's a huge outcry about the comments of Manitoba's child advocate, who wonders whether an inquiry that will cost $ 4.7 million this year, has already cost a large amount and will probably cost more in subsequent years, is money well- spent. Why should the inquiry not be questioned? What will be gained in the end? The Free Press , which readily joins the crusade to advocate for enquiries, also carries stories such as the one on June 9, Getting into the swing of things , about swingers clubs in our city. This story contains nary a hint of reproach for couples - with children at home - who will engage in swinging and swapping partners with other couples. Does anyone imagine that children from such homes are not hurt by their parents' practices? A culture that can't make a critical statement about such practices should not be surprised when children are hurt, whether it is because of failures in the child welfare system or by the parents who place their own interests and desires far ahead of the welfare of their children. HAROLD JANTZ Winnipeg Nary a hint of reproach DEAR EDITOR, Obviously, the June 7 article Another downtown icon falls?, about the possible demolition of the Fortune Block on Main Street, is speculative, but it speaks to an ongoing problem with this city. It seems that what city council values and what the citizens value are two different things. We love our old buildings. Visitors to Winnipeg love our old buildings. And we all love the small, unique, character- filled businesses that make their homes in them. It is these businesses and buildings that give Winnipeg its special character. It is what visitors remark about to their friends when they go back home. It is what gives our city a personality. A brand, if that word works for you. No tourist falls in love with a city for its discount stores or ample parking. I'm in the music industry, and I see a lot of cities - and this gives me insight into all the things we do wrong here. But it also inspires lots of ideas for things we could do right. I just spent a week in San Francisco. Why is San Francisco so densely packed, wealthy, and a hotbed for both tourism and innovative ideas? Because it knows what its strengths are, builds on them, and doesn't let short- sighted decisions get in its way. The Fillmore neighbourhood - similar to Osborne Village and Corydon Avenue - has a ban on chain stores to ensure the special character of the neighbourhood is preserved. And it is the second hottest retail market in the city. Its property values would make Academy Road's most expensive outlets blush with trepidation. ( And here we are demolishing two small, unique business buildings in Osborne Village for. a Shoppers Drug Mart?) And yet within the most expensive Frisco neighbourhoods lie assorted old buildings and neighbourhood businesses - just like Times Change( d), a great little music club that has done more for our city outside our boundaries than most bigger businesses. We have it backwards. We keep tearing down our strengths in order to develop what we are lacking. New residential development is great. But build it across Main Street on the empty lot. Build it across from the old Canada Post building on Graham Avenue. Build it on any number of parking lots downtown. We have so much space to use up before we should consider taking anything down. It is time for city council to develop an aggressive and visionary plan for downtown. Reward the businesses and developments that make it a better place. Give them incentives. And penalize the surface parking lots that make downtown an embarrassment. With the right incentive- penalty policy and our city's current growth, you could fill downtown with new three- to five- storey residential buildings in 10 to 15 years, triple the downtown population - which will support downtown businesses, raise land values, get more people walking the streets - and create a vibrancy this city hasn't seen since. well, since we started tearing down buildings for parking lots back in the ' 50s. MICHAEL PETKAU FALK Winnipeg Let's keep our strengths and build around them Cuts to co- ops costly By Brendan Reimer No more statues in city: 40% The Forks: 31% Alexander Docks: 15% East Kildonan Park: 13% A_ 15_ Jun- 14- 12_ FP_ 01. indd A15 6/ 13/ 12 6: 09: 18 PM ;