WHEN I SEE a high-profile person backing the proposed casino I get worried. So far, the ‘pro’ faction has based its entire argument on money, which is like a drug to the city councillors. For me, the overpriced and ugly stadium roof is bad enough. Why add another low-class, ugly disaster to the area? I care about the downtown’s future and was hoping it would become more classy. A large, lousy casino just cheapens the entire area.

- Alan Layton

ASIDE FROM THIS woman fleecing transit and taxpayers/riders who support it, where’s the intelligence in this f-yoga baloney? You don’t like yoga? Express that in a civil manner with wit, class and humour. It can be done.

- Pam Holley

INSTEAD OF supporting or blocking plans for growth, I’d really appreciate it if our municipal councils would start questioning Ottawa on why we have to accommodate the highest growth rate in the G8 from immigration, which of course greatly affects us in Vancouver. Densification means we’re losing the way of life our parents and grandparent enjoyed to accommodate more people. This growth is an issue for the federal election.

– Ashleigh Thomason

IT’S EASY for Elizabeth May and the Greens to make promises when they know they’ll never be close to being elected or have any meaningful say in national policy. Jack Layton, this means you, too

- R.P. Van Rienen

Far from harming the oil patch, economic analysis shows the oilsands will continue to expand even if governments put a very significant price on greenhouse gas pollution. A strong cap-and-trade system would give companies the push they need to ramp up the use of more environmentally friendly technology. It is clear corporate leaders are ready and eager to compete in a clean energy economy.

Canadians want to see the environment protected. Putting a price on greenhouse gas pollution is an essential tool to get us there, and we hope to see all parties support it this campaign.

Ed Whittingham, The Pembina Institute, Calgary executive director

This is just a little history some younger voters might not know. In 1973 the NDP introduced a bill to create a new Crown corporation, Petro Canada. The Liberals with a minority government under the leadership of Prime Minister Trudeau needed friends so, in 1975, Petro Canada was created with a promise that the profits from this newly created Crown corporation would be used to eliminate Canada’s debt. In 1990 the Conservative government under Prime Minister Mulroney decided it was time to privatize Petro Canada, one of the largest companies of its kind in the world. The following year he gave us GST along with the same promise. Twenty years later, still in debt, still listening to promises. In 1973 the NDP had a great idea. It’s the only party that has not been given a chance to screw this country.

- Karen McNulty

RE: Choosing staff based on looks (24 hours, March 20): Kudos to Kristy Brownlee for drawing attention to one of the biggest problems plaguing the food service industry. Speaking as a dedicated restaurant professional, it pains me to say that after almost a year and over 300 applications, I am still looking for work despite my fine dining experience, advanced wine certification, university education, and up-to-date industrial tickets (first aid, WHMIS, and FoodSafe). If you frequent these offending establishments, you should keep in mind that a skilled and organized server not only offers better service, they have the experience and presence of mind to keep you safe. If you don’t think this is a serious issue, take a FoodSafe course and check out all the things that can happen to your food between the kitchen and the table, or better yet ask the victims and families of those who never fully recover from food borne illness.

- John Adams

I’m writing to express my concern about the coming election and desire to reverse the tide as quickly as possible, because with the severe economic times we are living in, we need cooperation in government, we need to do what is best for our country and not what is best for a party or political interest, for self-serving aims. Our ambition is to have a strong, united country able to weather the storm. I ask for the ability of the common citizen to be able to voice their opinion of whether we should be going into an election, when our tax money could be spent on job creation, and instead of divisiveness creating stability. Give the citizens at least a week to express their opinions to their MP’s and senators – let the voice of citizen be heard.

- Nancy R. Oakes

I COULDN'T agree more with Mike Klassen's assessment of our chicken Mayor Gregor Robertson who if often seen sneaking out the back door of City Hall whenever a difficult question arises, yet is front and centre to take credit for others’ accomplishments when the cameras are rolling. This Greenpeace, bike-loving rookie mayor has been one terrible experiment for Vancouver. Hopefully, we've learned our lesson. Let's get out and vote next time.

– Andy Graham

I’M A LAID-OFF single parent. Looking for work is such a challenge. I did my 2009 taxes and because of an error they recently found, they’re taking away my child tax credit and HST all because I made $3,095 that year. My living allowance is about $391. With this I need to pay for my telephone, Hydro, transport, food and other basic living expenses. Why does our government make the poor bleed? If anyone wants to hire me I'll gladly work. – Lorraine Gardner

SO THE JAPAN earthquake is good for business in B.C. because we can export lumber, which means cut more trees. It’s terrible what happened and it will take many years for them to rebuild the area. But please, let’s not destroy another part of the world because of that. There are many other ways to help. And please, don’t tell me that you can export earthquake-proof lumber. That is the biggest amount of B.S. I’ve ever heard. Mother Nature will never be defeated when it comes to tsunami, earthquakes, flood and fire. Claiming such thing is sheer ignorance and arrogance. – Liz Kukely

We all send out our prayers to Japan. But here is my problem. Stephen Harper wants to be elected again, and he is going about it the wrong way. While all other countries are pulling their people out by sending in planes, he says, “Oh, here is a bus to this point, but after that you are on your own.” I don’t understand that. Does he not care about people that could vote for him? Our Canadian medical team came home. Why can’t all Canadians come home and why can’t he help? Do we want a man who does not care running our country?

Bernadette Saville

Regarding bus driver Joshlin Gybels’ feedback. For your information, cyclists are legally required to use those turning lanes and to stay out of crosswalks. It’s shocking a professional driver would be so ignorant of the rules of the road. As for Kory Fisher, if people laugh at Canada for being compassionate towards refugees, I can live with that.

– Michael Fitzpatrick

Joshlin, as a bus driver, you should know your Motor Vehicle Act better. As stated in Chapter 318, Part 3, cyclists have the same rights and duties as a driver, meaning they belong on the road and are prohibited from using sidewalks or crosswalks unless, of course, they walk their bikes. Granted, hardly any cyclists know or care about the laws and are doing the crazy/stupid things you see every day.

– Brian Gfroerer

I would just like to comment on what the bus driver said in Wednesday’s Feedback. First off, the road is for both motorists and cyclists. Secondly, the crosswalks are for pedestrians not cyclists. Give your head a shake. This is what is wrong with motorists and buses in this city. Perhaps you should learn the rules of the road, moron.

– Shawn

Kudos to Kory Fisher. Canada is long beyond becoming a joke. We have been a joke for many years and continue to prove that to be true. Immigration Canada step up and do what you are paid to do. Do whatever it takes to turn that Sri Lanka ship around before it reaches our waters.

– Lanette Hayes

Message: I suspect Colin Hansen is telling a lie in the hopes it will become true. Personally I am enraged about HST, more so for the fact its implementation involved ignoring over 700,000 signatures on the Stop the HST petition, which proves in no uncertain terms the B.C. Liberals do not respect the voters. The Liberals have permanently lost my vote.

– Gregory Roth

Bernard Von Schulmann's suggestion Canada is a paragon of human rights is ridiculous. Just ask any native person, prison justice or immigrant rights activist. The history of human rights abuse by our government deserves more exploration in the mainstream media so Canadians can be better informed and take action against governments that continue to behave badly, both at home and abroad.

– Elisabet Thor-Larsen

I just want to say thanks to the transit guy who I asked about the buses after the fireworks. As I got off the SeaBus at the quay, he made sure there where buses for all of us to get to. Thank you for being so patient.

– Bernadette Saville

Fine, we get a predictable fire ban. Sucks, but we’ll make do. My concern is with the $5 camping rate increase is that I pay for the whole experience. How about take away the fire then reduce my expenses? Take away my fire and charge $5 less. Now I call that fair. But that would make sense, so won’t happen! As long as a fire ban is in effect there should be no increase. It won’t last forever so those rate increasers will get their money. Work with us and things will go smoother.

– Sam Crow

Canada should consider the re-evaluation of its ideas. It is, after all, paradoxical – people immigrate here to escape limited freedoms. So why allow the practice of these limited "freedoms" here? I know almost all antics are allowed in Canada but we need to put some logic to it. I personally don't like women covering their faces because I am a little bit afraid of them. Who are they and what are they up to? My freedom is limited by the scary appearance of these veiled women. How do I know they are not a man who wants to hurt me? I am against burkas and covering your face with any kind of cloth because I want to see your face. If I can't, I’m afraid of you – simple as that.

– Ella Baranowska

The burkah is Islamic? Not. It's an invention of men in some Islamic countries to guard their property. There are only two vague references in the Koran. "Sociologist Ashraf Zahedi, a scholar in residence at the University of California, says, “These citations emphasize modesty and covering the bosom and neck. There is no reference to covering female hair or to the head veil”. So it's really unwillingness to adapt to a new country, and nostalgia for the old. They don't want to hear, "When in Rome ...", and that's just rude. We Canadians are pretty wimpy about putting up with rudeness, so we probably won't do anything about it. But banning the burkah isn't knee-jerk conservatism.

The French have a point, two actually: egalitarianism and equal rights [just because some perverse women embrace slavery doesn't make it permissible].

– M. Lutz

I am a student at Little Flower Academy. I was shocked at the biased article (24 hours, April 29) on the controversy between our school and a lesbian teacher on staff. This article is missing key facts that makes LFA seem preju- diced. First, the administration did not force Lisa Reimer to work at home. She was not threatened with being laid off, was not told she was banned from the school or students, or any other accusations this women had against the school. She will continue to be paid until her one-year contract ends. By only posting information from one point of view, it converges the mind of the public on to the single opinion that stems from your article – that LFA is bigoted against homosexuals.

- Gabrielle Jayme

Dear Miss Lesbian. You are working for a Catholic school. As a teacher for the school, you should model the behaviour that the school is trying to instill into its pupils. Where does that leave you? I hope out in the cold. Read the Bible and you will find no political correctness there. It is God’s word and although we all fall short, we should at least try to become better.

- John

What’s with Lisa Reimer gripe with Little Flower Academy? Surely she should have known the Catholic stance on homosexuality before she applied for the job. Go cry your crocodile tears somewhere else.

- Carlos Fernandez

Every time I hear Byfu-glien I want to say gesundheit and am reminded of Bobbit and Buttafuoco. Go Canucks go.

- Randy Hodge

Sarah, I enjoy reading your stuff. I am probably a couple of decades older than you, and childless. My response when asked about children is: Oh, is there a shortage of people in the world? Or, I have decided recycling plastic bags is not doing enough in going green so I've decided to really go green and help by not adding another human to this over burdened planet? And what are you doing?

- Reet Vahesalu

Michael Klassen appears to be a toadying lackey for Gordon Campbell, the B.C. Liberals and their corporate cronies. He misses the point completely. Mr. Tieleman is not fighting the HST as a way to create a Conservative/NDP lobby. He is fighting it because the Liberals lied to us. They lied to us first about the privatization of B.C. Rail, leaving its president running a railway the size of a pig's nostril for millions of dollars in compensation and benefits. They lied about the amount of the deficit during the election and they lied about not bringing in the HST. They are lying to us that the corporations will pass those savings on to us. Trickle-down economics doesn't work.

- William Stonier

Memo to Little Flower Academy: I realize remedying homosexual teachers and caretakers abusing/taking advantage of young people is in vogue now. Some heterosexual teachers and caretakers, however, are similarly guilty of those offences. Maybe Lisa Reimer will file a lawsuit for damages. Also, how likely is it she will interfere with students after advising the school she’s lesbian and her partner has just had a baby?

- Mike Brown

Re: Lisa Reimer and her teaching position at a private Catholic school. Obviously, a Catholic school can’t approve of lesbianism or the same-sex sex act due to Christ informing marriage is but for one man and one woman. Saint Paul informed same-sex sex is un-Godly and not natural. Reimer was and is fully aware of this truth too.

- Larry Jung

So, let me get this straight. Two people in a committed relationship wanting to raise a child are considered bad role models? The Catholic Church gives yet another sinister meaning to “hypocrisy”. Please tell us our tax money is not supporting these Dark Age fools?

- Virginia Crabill

Mike Klassen says my tax on Telus services will not go up seven per cent. At the moment I have a bill for 48 cents of PST and I’m sure with the HST it will be four times higher.

- Art Boersma

Re: Boobquake. It’s funny how some people look for any excuse to strip off their clothes and parade around in front of the public. Surely there must be a better way to make your statements without embarrassing yourself or the public.

- Jason Ma

I realize I’m part of the minority that doesn’t think Luongo is God’s gift to goaltending. I know one person doesn’t make a team, but rather the entire team as a whole contributes to their success. I can still be a fan regardless of my feelings towards one player. I am, and always have been, a Canucks fan. Go Canucks go!

- Shaista Khan

The close-mindedness of Little Flower’s administration and the parents who send their children there astounds me – Lisa Reimer teaches music! Heaven forbid she pollutes their tiny minds in musical harmony to her open lifestyle and personal strength as a woman. As a young woman raised by an open-minded Catholic, I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry at this. Time to grab our bonnets ladies and prepare for a mighty fine lynching!

- Shannon Fischer

Mike Klassen preaches more of the pro-HST propaganda. I don’t have specialty cable or phone features so yes, my bills will increase seven per cent. For all of us not below the $25K income line, we certainly don’t see those rebates.

- Jeff Tsai

So I’m just wondering, is everyone back on the ‘Nucks band wagon????

- Daniel Yung

It amazes me that the province can afford to build a huge dam yet not have the money for schools. Supposing they had to educate

ALL B.C’s Children including those at private and independant schools.

- J. Barr

Just curious – when or how did "revealing a bit of cleavage or ankle" turn into "take your shirt off"? I’m not surprised that Boobquake wasn’t well supported. I don’t suppose there are that many women in Vancouver with the desire or need to expose themselves to countless men with

cameras. Of course women with shirts that expose cleavage do not cause earthquakes. Unfortunately that message was lost in the crowd.

- Denise Gaines