Letters to the editor

B7

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Dear Editor,

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It is baffling the way our judicial system works.

The players involved are seemingly blinded in child custody cases, so as to dismiss court-ordered assessments given by certified members of organizations who have spent time monitoring both parents. These people are adept at determining which parent is most emotionally capable and can provide the best environment for children so they can become normal and productive members of society.

Do judges not realize that revengeful, emotionally-disturbed people can and do fool others by relying on their sense of pity? It seems numerous incompetent mothers have been granted custody of children and numerous highly competent and loving fathers have been disregarded.

These are fathers that love their children so much that they are willing to harm their own futures by going bankrupt in order to fight for them.

Recently during a child custody case, the judge disregarded the court-ordered assessments, even though they stated the mother should seek psychological help and the children should be placed in their father's care. This never took place. This only resulted in delaying the custody case and having another judge elected to hearings.

These children were left in their mother's custody for another extended period of time and now need psychological counselling themselves. This is ludicrous.

It makes one wonder what the purpose of the court-ordered assessments are for.

Isn't it time that judges were held accountable for dismissal of the court-ordered assessments, should anything happen to children?

Isn't custody supposed to be about their safety, health, happiness and unlimited opportunities for their futures? They deserve that.

Judges, remember, you hold our children's lives and futures in your hands, and that's too important to dismiss

Gloria Bell

Waasis, N.B.

To the person who stole my ATV

I'm a 40-year-old family man, laid up with back problems for nearly 10 years.

One of the activities I could still almost enjoy was four-wheeling with my family. This plan came to a abrupt halt last weekend when a cowardly bunch of individuals entered my driveway at night and stole my 2004 Polaris four-wheeler.

I bought the machine new and tried to take very good care of it so it would last a long time, only to have some thieves (whom I'm sure haven't worked an honest day in their lives, because if they did, they wouldn't have the energy to patrol around at night looking to steal from decent people) walk right in and help themselves to whatever their fancy is at the time.

They will never know the angst they have caused. I would like them to know that the whole community is extremely displeased.

Don't be fooled thinking that nobody knows who you are. I'd also advise slowing down on all the breaking and entering. People have enough problems without low-lives like yourselves complicating things further. If you are lucky, the law will catch you. If not, an angry resident will catch you.

People are now closely watching vehicles and persons lurking around, taking pictures, videos and license numbers.

I would like to thank the community for their tremendous support and all their help. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. You can't realize how much it helps.

If anyone is interested in seeing a better description of the bike, you can find it listed on Kijiji (Fredericton area) under the ATV section.

There is a reward offered for information or the return of the bike. The reward isn't gigantic as I'm unable to work, but I'll do what I can. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Audie Peterson

Cardigan N.B.

Consult experts for expert advice

Since a legislature's job is to pass laws, it is appropriate that many legislators should be lawyers.

On other topics they can hire good advice, we would think.

When the uranium is left in the ground, it will take about four-and-a-half billion years for the ground radiation and the radon to drop to half its current level (we will still have the sky's; no lack there).

Do you think in that time we shall elect a government that will decide to get advice from scientists about science, from miners about mining, from doctors, dentists and nurses about medicine, from teachers about education, and so on?

Oops - too late. About then the sun goes nova.

Stuart Mills

Fredericton

Discussion on PSE is not over

I was very disheartened to read recently that Post Secondary Education Minister Ed Doherty considers the post secondary education discussion closed and the Liberal government's PSE Action Plan has now become The PSE Action Plan.

As both an economist and a professor, I see both strengths and weaknesses in the PSE Action Plan, but I am frightened by the language (mis)used around autonomy.

According to the plan, colleges will become more autonomous, and universities will maintain their autonomy, but both must now submit a five-year strategic plan, including an annual business plan, to government - supported by performance-based contracts and indicators reflecting the strategic priorities of New Brunswick's Self-Sufficiency Action Plan.

Suppose the government determines that profitable growth in the pharmaceutical industry is part of the Self-Sufficiency Action Plan. Using a system of grants and tax credits, the government induces a company researching and producing anti-retroviral drugs, used to reduce the harmful effects of HIV-AIDS, to locate in New Brunswick.

Further suppose that researchers at one of our provincial universities want to examine the production of a vaccine to prevent HIV. Unfortunately, if successful, the vaccine will potentially put the new pharmaceutical company out of business.

Moreover, a successful vaccine has a limited product cycle (and hence profit), because once HIV is eradicated (like smallpox) there is low demand for the vaccine.

Could the government object to this line of research as it has a potentially negative impact upon an aspect of the Self-Sufficiency Action Plan?

Would raising this ethical dilemma above be condoned by this government as it calls into question the "reasonableness" of the PSE Action Plan and hence the Self-Sufficiency Action Plan?

Autonomy means freedom from external interference; it does not mean independence within boundaries to be determined by the latest plan of the government of the day.

Just because "Action Plan" is everywhere capitalized (as it is in so many of this government's pronouncements) does not necessarily make these plans wise, nor should it be used to indicate that the social discussion has ended.

Rob Moir

Clifton Royal, N.B.

How can the PM ignore Khadr?

This is an open letter to Prime Minister Harper.

Your inaction in the issue of Omar Khadr's incarceration is astonishing. I believe your government is guilty of a direct violation of all the international treaties that Canada had signed, including the convention of Geneva concerning prisoners and the convention about children soldiers.

I cannot understand your lack of compassion and your dubious sense of justice. I cannot see the values of my country in your way of doing politics.

This is not the country I am cherishing.

How can you boycott the Beijing Olympics and be so indifferent about Omar Khadr's cries for humanitarian help from his own country?

Michel Gagne

Member of the Order of Canada

Edmundston N.B.

Get priorities straight on which trees get cut

I find it extremely interesting, for lack of a better word, that the construction of the Tree Go obstacle course in Mactaquac Provincial Park was halted due to environmental concerns.

Frankly, it is quite confusing that an outdoor-based business, meant to embrace nature and the environment while increasing physical activity, is being investigated by the Environment Department, while acres of land in the UNB woodlot have been demolished in order to make room for big box stores and indoor arenas. Someone in charge has their priorities backwards.

Jill Seymour

Fredericton

Print my name right, please

I know I shouldn't be writing this letter, but I figure, if it's in the news it should be correct.

Aside from small nuances that annoy me about the piece related to me, I would just like someone to fix the spelling mistake on my name. It's Nicholas Ensley Campbell.

I tried to keep this little facet of my life hidden from friends and family for the past nine months, so not only is it embarrassing being in the media in the first place, but now people ask me if I am being sent back to Ontario to do community service, as the radio tells them I've been forced to do.

Once this error is fixed, at least when I search my name on Google, it won't come up as "are you sure you didn't mean Nicholas Hensley Campbell."

Nicholas Ensley Campbell

Fredericton