Be part of the global warming solution

I wish to compliment Common Ground on its articles about global warming, particularly the excellent pieces Get Out and Look at the World Melting Mr. Harper by David Suzuki and A Prayer at a Time of Crisis by Guy Dauncey, both in the December edition.
On a recent Oprah Winfrey Show, Al Gore called for people to organize thousands of house parties across the planet to discuss global warming. Let’s make that a vision for our Kitsilano and Point Grey communities. A forum on global warming takes place on February 12 at the Ridge Theatre, 3131 Arbutus Street, 7 PM, featuring the powerful documentary An Inconvenient Truth. A five-person panel will focus on solutions, followed by a Q&A session, a short refreshment break (bring your own cup) and a free 9 PM screening of the documentary. Admission is by donation or free for those with low income. To guarantee a seat, or to join our event car pool, email (gwforum@telus.net) or visit (www3.telus.net/gwforum).
Speakers include UBC climatologist Philip Austin, SFU economist Mark Jaccard, Graham Kissak of Catalyst Paper, Ian Bruce from the David Suzuki Foundation and Dan Rogers, president of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation. I know your readership wants to become part of the solution; here is a place to start.

Shane Koscielniak, Vancouver
(shane.koscielniak@telus.net)

Will the wireless industry guarantee cell phone safety?

Your article on cell phones and industry whistleblower Dr. George Carlo (Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards of the Wireless Age, December 2006) was well timed, just as the press around the world was heralding an extensive Danish study that supports industry claims that cell phones are safe.
Don’t you find it interesting that this industry-funded study was released just in time for the Christmas frenzy? This year, there’s a dazzling array of wireless gifts, but do any of them come with health warnings? It has been documented that radiation from them penetrates the brain. The Danish study was funded by the wireless industry; fair enough, we know that all studies are funded. In this case, however, the public has the right to know what the effects are. Cell phone safety is a serious health issue and there are many reputable studies indicating significant biological effects, including penetration of radiation into the brain, leakage of the blood brain barrier and breakage of the DNA.
Common Ground has a great track record of seeking the truth; will you approach some industry participants for their guarantees that there are no health problems, and that cell phones are safe for consumers and for our children? And will they go on record and indicate how many minutes a month we can use cell phones without harm? Do you agree that consumers have a right to know who refuses your request?

Dr. Kerry Crofton, Well Being International, Victoria [Ed: See Dr. Carlo’s rebuttal on p.11 of this issue.]

Canadian Wheat Board is still at risk

The Conservatives are still leading a minority government with an agenda to kill the Canadian prairies. It’s a critical assault to the fabric of Canada, and, if successful, would destroy the bridge between our East and West. Canada so weakened would be very much easier to assimilate.
The new premier in Alberta now has his hands full. He could just be a lame duck; we don’t know yet. Meanwhile, Stéphane Dion, our new Liberal opposition leader, has made statements in support of the Canadian Wheat Board. His priorities are to consolidate the Libs’ Rae and Ignatieff factions, get Quebec in place and strengthen a base in Ontario. The West may not matter that much to Dion. The Cons could slide through the middle and still destroy the CWB before an election call. All the Cons need is the Bloc on the vote and it’s a done deal, and if the Cons give the Bloc a good reason to support the CWB wipe-out (like ripping apart the Lib base in Quebec). They will comply.
Thus, don’t cry victory until the knife has killed the beast and the body burned. This is political war for the heartland of Canada and there are too many reasons pointing out that the Cons will persevere in their sell-off of Canada. They may not get another chance as good as this again to rip the guts out of the Canadian prairies for a long time to come. Remember, we have two more years to bring the awareness levels up to a point where this treacherous agenda is fully understood by the majority of Canadians. The real and final battles are just beginning and a lot of political blood will be spilled before it’s over.

Charles J. Walter