As we constantly long for our theatre to be accepted on par with the world’s best, we must realize that theatre criticism must rise to that level also. A critic has to know world literature, theatre as well as history and psychology and write well enough that the review doesn’t sound like a Grade 11 composition painfully reciting play’s the plot.
The Star’s review of “MacBeth” is one such marvellous review executed with understanding and insight. It is a very interesting piece of writing and clever analysis by Peter Edwards — assisted with fun by Harley Davidson Guindon. It was a happy surprise and a pleasure to read.
Bravo.
Kathy Millard, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Â
Carney made a mistake backing away from tech tax
I am a strong supporter of Prime Minister Mark Carney and believe he is doing the best possible job given the circumstances he is facing with that irrational, impulsive U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Carney made a mistake by not insisting the tax on the internet companies of America be paid. Probably they would have not paid the tax, choosing a legal battle instead. But his step back from a tariff war with Trump looks like appeasement.
Know thy enemy. Trump is determined to assimilate Canada and Carney must, despite his best instincts to reach a compromise, bite the bullet and against all odds, like Britain in World War II, take him on and refuse to make any more concessions.
If the Canada Day celebrations are any indication, Canadians are ready for the battle and the sacrifices that we are going to suffer. It is difficult to appreciate the hardships we are going to face, combined with the internal dissension from Alberta, to survive as a nation but for loyal Canadians there is no other answer.
David Gladstone, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½
If the situation were reversed, Trump would be demanding more
It’s bad enough that U.S. President Donald Trump trash talks all the time, but officials of his administration should know better. I hope Prime Minister Mark Carney will walk back our position to scrap the tax on tech. U.S. tech companies are making millions in Canada; a small per cent of tax is nothing to them. If the situation were the reverse, Trump would be demanding more.Â
“It’s very simple. Prime Minister Carney and Canada caved to President Trump and the United States of America,†White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday afternoon. The quote from the article in the Star is beneath contempt. We should double the price of aluminum right now.
It is time Trump learned what it is to have co-operative trading partner.
Tom McElroy, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½
Danielle Smith’s approach will not benefit Alberta or Canada
Danielle Smith planning a road show to boost separatism despite ballot rejection of the cause, July 1
Gillian Steward has written an excellent opinion piece on Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s negotiating tactics with the federal government. It is sad to see a premier resort to these tactics, to the point of fuelling separatism, for the sake of achieving certain economic objectives favourable to Alberta. Undoubtedly Alberta has some legitimate issues with Canada that need to be addressed but the approach taken by Smith will not benefit either Alberta or Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney seems like a reasonable person that you can negotiate with in good faith. Why doesn’t Smith try the sensible approach of being decent, sit down with Carney in private, outline Alberta’s issues and negotiate solutions that result in both Alberta and Canada winning. There doesn’t have to be a loser in this game. It’s called compromise.
Charles Campisi, Oakville
Canada needs some radical rethinking
U.S. President Donald Trump deserves some credit for waking us up from our collective slumber of the last 50 years. We are coming to realize that we can’t rely on our big neighbour to the south. We have to figure out how to fend more for ourselves. We can do this, but it will take a radical rethinking of our economy, social policy and perhaps the constitution.
Bruce Willson, Sault Ste Marie
The world is much worse already because Trump knows nothing about foreign affairs
Tragically, people are dying daily in Ukraine and Gaza because roughly 80 million uninformed Americans voted for a deranged person as president, believing his fantasy of leading them to the promised land.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s effect on domestic America is yet to be seen, but the world is much worse already because he knows absolutely nothing about foreign affairs. And innocent people are dying because of his narcissistic ignorance.Â
Trump has recently stated that both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Isreali President Benjamin Netanyahu want peace deals. Nothing could be further from the truth. The killing in Ukraine and Gaza will continue until Trump is gone, and that is truly tragic.
Phil Cole, Strathroy, ON
TDSB deficit dwarfed by Therme parking garage
Premier Doug Ford has kneecapped TDSB trustees using the excuse that the TDSB has a deficit of $58 million. However, the Ford government has no qualms about paying $400 million for Therme’s enormous parking garage, blocking views of the lake, looking like a mutant truck radiator on the horizon. Surely 15 per cent of that could have been diverted to our children’s education?
Ingrid Kern, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½Â
Another assault on democratic values in Canada
Ontario’s Ministry of Education, in taking over the TDSB and other boards due to fiscal problems, has prevented elected trustees from communicating with their constituents via their board email addresses. These are elected officials and should be able to respond and talk with constituents. How does the Ministry of Education have the gall and lack of respect for democracy to not allow elected officials to communicate with their constituents. This is another assault on democratic values in Canada.
Brooks Masterton, Pickering
Explanations of transportation issues are helpfulÂ
Thank you for the comprehensive article on the battle for bus and bike lanes. Deep dives like this really help me understand the city better. I hope to see many more articles on this issue.
Zuzana Betkova, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½
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