Re: Olympic protesters are “terrorists”: Bloy (NewsLeader, Nov. 5)

For those in the know it is not surprising that Harry would call Olympic protesters “terrorists” and label them as having “limited intellect,” what is surprising is that Harry was able to keep a cork on his bottle of “gee! I have no idea what democracy means,” for so long.

Regardless of your support (or lack thereof) for the Olympics, please let me remind Harry that we live in Canada.

In the Canada that I hold dear we are allowed to disagree with decisions made by government and yes, that includes the right to protest.

What is the political concept so dear to Harry’s heart where that right is not granted the citizens of this province and this country?

While I have not yet protested I have lost my enthusiasm for the Olympics.

There is far too much heavy-handedness in the control of what can and cannot be done leading up to and during the Olympics.

I can only assume that my position puts me in the category of “limited intellect” soon to be terrorist.

You have gone too far Harry.

On Nov. 11 I will be saddened remembering the loss of so many young men and women who gave their lives to preserve an ideology. In my mind that ideology has a great deal to do with the right to criticize government and the freedom to do so without insult or, for that matter, any kind of repercussion.

Nancy Harris

(Former Burnaby city councillor)

Clinton, B.C.

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Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy should be ashamed of his outrageous comments. In a single breath he managed to claim support for differing opinions and legal, peaceful protests, except when he’s calling peaceful protesters terrorists as he did in the Legislature. The fact that it’s hypocritical is almost beside the point compared to the harm to our political discourse his comments caused. Comparing something or someone you find disagreeable to terrorism shows an extreme lack of sensitivity to an issue of such importance, and should not be acceptable discourse from an elected official.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only comment made on the subject, as Mr. Bloy also asserted in the same speech in the Legislature that those who oppose the Olympics simply have a reduced or limited mental capacity. This is simply beyond any kind of rhetorical necessity in any kind of political debate; there are tens of thousands of British Columbians who do have mental challenges, and to make light of their situation and struggles is simply wrong.

Mr. Bloy spoke of how people involved in “Olympic Terrorist Groups” should be ashamed of themselves, but I wonder how ashamed he is of his own comments.

I would be in his place.

Trevor Ritchie

Burnaby

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I think Bloy is an ignorant, arrogant man whose critical thinking capacity is exceeded by a high-school dropout.

He reminds me of a super-republican hillbilly who thinks a tenth of the population are “terrorists.” What he doesn’t realize is that Olympic protesters are doing what they do for a reason. They see through the glitter and know that the Olympics aren’t so much for athleticism as they are for commercialism and contracts. The only way protesters can be heard is through violence, which is unfortunate because the media doesn’t devote any time to “the other side.”

And does the MLA realize that the Olympic police are violating our human rights by setting up “protest pens” where we can practice free speech, and not anywhere else during the Games? Either he doesn’t, or he’s in on trying to supress the “terrorists.”

And unintelligent? Please, spare us the mindless insults.

Colm Bjorknas

Burnaby

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Really, Mr. Bloy, such sanctimonious rhetoric.

“Terrorized a children’s choir...” is a subjective interpretation. Police horses are the epitome of calm in the face of chaos and mere marbles would have caused no such “stampede.”

As far as “limited intellect” is concerned, if the shoe fits wear it.

Kathryn Husser

Vancouver