The Abbotsford News from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada • 5

A5 Opinion The Abbotsford News welcomes letters from our readers All letters must include a full name for publication, as well as an address and daytime phone number for venfication purposes Letters should be no longer than 400 words The News edits letters for accuracy, taste, clarity and length. The News also reserves the nght to not publish letters Letters should be sent to: The Editor 34375 Gladys Ave Abbotsford. C. V2S 2H5 Letters may also be faxed to 604-853-9808 or e-mail us at editorabbynews com. ABBOTSFORD NEKS Tb.

Abbotsford News Tuesday. March 4, 2008 We cant always blame impaired driving Stand back; it could be catching are probably better than the majority of people over 50 years of age, like myself. If, as it usually appears in the news, alcohol is the major factor in automobile accidents, then I would expect that in Muslim countries where alcohol is banned accident rates would be much lower. In fact, the opposite seems to be true. In my experience, the amount of traffic accidents is very high in countries like Saudi Arabia.

Let us look at the real causes of accidents without automatically attributing blame to impaired driving. Robert Patrick Editor, The News: This is in response to the article Driver faces DVYI charge after dirt biker killed (The News, Feb. 25). Why do you assume that it was the fault of the truck driver? Who would expect that there was a motorcycle driving off-road along the side of the road? Driving along road allowances is very dangerous and should be illegal. The motorcyclist is the one who must be vigilant for traffic turning into driveways.

Whether the truck driver w'as impaired is irrelevant; he committed no traffic infraction. As a 30-year-old person, his reactions, even under the influence of alcohol, changed at all. Women are still property, and blacks still arent supposed to marry whites. 5. Straight marriage w'ill be less meaningful if homosexual marriage is allowed; the sanctity of Brittany Spears 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Homosexual couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldnt be allowed to marry because our orphanages arent full yet, and the world needs more children. 7. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. Thats why we have only one religion in North America. 9.

Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. Thats why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children. 10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms, just like we havent adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans. You can argue and explain away bigotry using your bible, and forget the millions of people who have died as a result of your dogma.

Lets conveniently forget those who are killed, tortured and discriminated against while they fight for the equality they already have guaranteed by the laws of their lands. Intolerance indeed. Morality is doing what is right, regardless of what you are told. Religious dogma is doing what you are told, regardless of what is right. Dean Spyropoulos Abbotsford Editor, The News: As I read the eloquently worded bigotry of Pastor Savage (The News, March 1), I would like to weigh in on the gay -marriage issue.

As someone who works with his gay and lesbian friends and their children, 1 am reminded of the following items of significance, courtesy of christiangays.com: 1. Homosexuality is not people always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning. 2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall. 3.

Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behaviour. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract. 4. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasnt Grass shoulder is for walking, not driving Editor, The News: Sidewalks and the grass strip are for walking, not for riding motorbikes. Yes, the driver of the pickup may have been impaired, but it was in his driveway that the motorbike hit him at the door.

and four-wheelers all think they can drive wherever. Im getting tired of meeting them on all sides of the road, coming at breakneck speeds. Why do parents buy kids machines like this? Werner Meidlein I used to live in Port Moody on a hill and had motorbikes going up and down my sidewalk, crossing my driveway every day. You can see the results when you dont enforce the law. Dirtbikes, snowmobiles Grocery aisle not the place for sex ed.

PUBLIC NOTICE BIRD HEALTH INFORMATION SESSION the bathroom door? We owe them the respect to actually sit down and talk about sex. Maybe then we might not have so many teens making poor choices about what to do with their bodies. After all, parents are the most influential people in the lives of young children. I know I am. Arent you? Tracy Byers Abbotsford Editor, The News: I have read the articles and letters about the questionable magazines in the checkout aisle.

I wonder why there is so much flak about it all. Dont stores have sections for magazines that people can browse? If we removed them from the checkout aisle and put them up higher in the designated section, wouldnt it stand to reason that people would still find them? I think that the argument is not about the actual articles themselves, but rather the time and place to educate our children about sex. I have a five-year-old son and am prepared (I think) to teach him about sex, but certainly not in a grocery store with my two younger ones screaming and freaking out because there are Mentos right be side the magazines. There is a time and a place for everything, and he deserves my undivided attention so that I can talk to him honestly and explain things. While my hands are full of toilet paper and milk and cereal is not the place.

Christian or non-Christian, I think we all want the best for our kids. Did we not teach them about privacy and closing Owners of small or backyard flocks of birds are invited to attend a free information session on how to keep birds healthy and safe from serious diseases, such as avian influenza (bird flu). Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Ramada Plaza and Conference Centre 36035 North Parallel Rd.

Abbotsford, British Columbia True world citizens learn the language Presentations and handouts will explain: how to prevent the introduction and spread of disease; how to spot signs of illness; and what to expect if diseases are detected. Join us at any time throughout the session! Animal health experts from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) will be available throughout the evening to answer questions. For more information, call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or BCMAL at 1-800-661-9903. Additional information is also available on the CFIA website, www.inspection.ac.ca.

Editor, The News: While I enjoyed the article on World citizens begin their journey (The News, Feb. 28), I was disheartened how nonworld LiU.enship was conveyed in some ot uie comments from the travellers regarding their trip from Honduras to Costa Rica. too, have travelled that route and, as a person attempting to be a world citizen, it was incumbent upon me to learn the ing experience of travel and would hope that the rest of the world would change to meet expectations of comfortable travel. I find it a bit absurd that anyone would want to travel from Honduras to Costa Rica in 36 hours. My word of advice is to slow down so you can take in the life-changing experiences.

Jon Nofziger Abbotsford local language. Why should Canadians expect everyone to speak English, and if not, we relegate the experience as a difficulty in that no one spoke the language? Did our local travellers contemplate that it was actually they that didnt speak the language? I am left with a sense that these travellers are not taking their motto to heart to capture the life-chang BKI IT.SH Columbia Ihc IVm Place on Earth Canada Get your foot in the door. UCFV CAREER FAIR! DIRECTIONS 200811 The Fraser Valley's largest career grad school fair Looking to start a great new career? Seeking a new job? Considering a master's degree or professional certification? Get your foot in the door at the UCFV Career Fair 2008. Connect directly with over 1 00 top employers and graduate schools in one location while you explore career options, jobs, and educational opportunities. Visit www.ucfv.cajobscareerfairto pre-register and check out the 2008 exhibitors, contests, and full schedule of events.

Presented by 4 Fraser Valley Aboriginal Human Resource Development (FVAHRD) Steering Committee INVITATION TO SERVE ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE The Nation is the host agency for the delivery of Aboriginal Human Resource Development Strategy (AHRDS) for the Fraser Valley. The Nation Human Resource Development Office is the secretariat to the Steering Committee. To learn more about FV AHRDA, please visit our website at www.snhrd.ca To ensure that the needs and requirements for training and employment opportunities of aboriginal people located in the region are served, the Nation is accepting nominations and individual applications to serve in the Steering Committee. The Ad Hoc Screening Committee is accepting nominations and individual applications for a vacancy in the Steering Committee. Please submit your nominationsindividual applications on or before March 14.

2008. no later than 4:00 pm at the address below: Required NominationApplication Documentation: If we dont receive all of the requirements below, by the deadline, we regret that your application will not be considered. 1. Cover Letter 2. Nomination Letter 3.

Completed Application Form 4. ResumeBio-Data 5. Reference Letters (3) 6. Copy of Criminal Records Check (CRC) for the last 3 years AD HOC SELECTION COMMITTEE Clo The Manager, Nation Human Resource Development Office Nation, Building 8A, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, BC, V2R 4G5 All forms, specific requirements and guidelines for the selection of Steering Committee Members are available at the SNHRD Reception Building 8A, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack 2-OAF Caoocfcan Secvrce Security cansao Ju inteiirfjonco renseignemcnt Service Oe securiie Gold sponsors Iraserhealth CA'r; miles' Terasen Gas Silver sponsors March 20, 2008 2-6 p.m. Envision Athletic Centre UCFV Abbotsford campus (33844 King Rd.) Hiiti (Canada) Corporation Status Electrical Corporation TD Canada Trust WorkSafeBC Angus One Professional Recruitment Ltd.

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