Letter to the editor: The Kamala bandwagon

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THE KAMALA BANDWAGON

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Re: No one is buying it, Josh Hammer column, Aug. 26

I hate to break it to Josh Hammer, but millions of Americans are buying what Kamala Harris is selling. She’s selling good feelings, joy, hugs and kisses. And that’s fine if you’re Taylor Swift, Michelle, Barack, Oprah, Bill, Hillary, Stevie Wonder or Robert De Niro.

It’s sad to say, but, in the United States, when celebrities and the rich and famous jump on a bandwagon — in this case, the Kamala Harris bandwagon — others follow. In droves.

Roy Orbison sang Mystery Girl, which is exactly what Kamala Harris is, and so far it’s working.

JILL YOUNG
OTTAWA

24-7 BOOZE

Premier Doug Ford announced with glee that Ontarians will be able to purchase coolers and 30-pack cases of beer at convenience and big-box stores. He should be on their payrolls, with booze availability 24/7 increasing their profits.

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However, how will Ontarians’ health, long-term, be affected by the potential of increased alcoholism, a terrible disease that costs our health-care system billions while destroying the very fabric of Ontario families? How will our young adults be affected? A couple of points Ford conveniently forgot to mention.

PETER J. MIDDLEMORE SR.
WINDSOR

WHAT WILL IT TAKE?

Given the relentless onslaught of stories lately involving crimes committed by young offenders, what more will it take for the government to acknowledge that the Youth Criminal Justice Act is a dismal failure and must be rewritten or scrapped entirely?

It’s time to start charging youths as adults, regardless of age, if they are involved in abhorrent crimes such as kidnapping, assault or murder. Enough is enough. Again, what will it take?

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J. WILLIAMS
AJAX, ONT.

UNDERAGE CRIME

When I was at school in Windsor in the 1980s, the drug industry created a new weapon: Young Boys Inc. Since kids under 12 could not be charged with any offences, the dealers recruited 10- and 11-year-olds to peddle and deliver drugs to school kids.

The recruits received leather jackets with a “Young Boys Inc.” logo and plenty of spending money, which served as recruitment tools. No matter what happened, the kids could never be charged. The story stays the same. Anyone employing a person under the age of 18 to commit offences needs to be charged with human trafficking and face a mandatory minimum.

TOM CURRAN
PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

HAVE YOUR SAY

Your letters are welcome, at: OttSun.Oped@sunmedia.ca. Include your first and last name AND city/town. Keep your letters short — and please try to be civil, even when criticizing or disagreeing. We edit for accuracy, length, clarity and legal concerns.

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