Editor:
I would like to respond to a letter written by Laird Herbert in the Sept. 18 issue.
It has been decades since I have read something that elevated my Irish ire to the extent that Mr. Herber's letter did. While my response could entail pages or even chapters, I will contain myself to paragraphs.
First of all, I have been a tourist in a good many places in this world, quite a few of them a lot longer than 30 days and never have I had the effrontery to pass comment on local issues much less air them in a local newspaper – little or not (no, the thundering condescension did not escape me).
The righteous indignation in paragraph two could be applauded if it wasn't so pathetically misplaced. That the opinion of Mr. Hamilton should shock and affront Mr. Herbert on the native issue is an interesting conundrum. Quite clearly, Mr. Herbert thinks his views should be heard but not those of Mr. Hamilton. That not all of us are of the opinion that how things were handled "back in the day" were of a totally malicious and vindictive nature doesn't seem to occur to Mr. Herbert. And, due to his "hit and run" method of communicating, probably never will.
If Mr. Herbert thinks Mr. Hamilton should take sensitivity training, I would like to see Mr. Herbert take some as well. Quite clearly, even though he is willing to opine on issues, he has no intention of being part of the solution.
And, oh yes, the threats. When we can't, in or out of the sand box, get our own way, we revert to threats. At this point, I should be thinking that Mr. Herbert is to be more pitied than censored, but I don't think he deserves even that.
As far as "respect from Caucasians" goes, in my opinion respect should flow both ways. I was brought up next to an "Indian Reserve" and from what I experienced, contrary to Mr. Herbert's belief, there were benefits to the natives. Natives of today aren't the same people of yesteryear and neither are we. The issues we face in this day and age could be managed, in my opinion, if there weren't so many Mr. Herbert's around. There is nothing I read in his letter that, in my opinion, could be construed as positive.
Lastly, if Mr. Hamilton's opinion tainted Mr. Herbert's otherwise wonderful visit to our city, I would suggest a few places in the world that could really introduce him to a "tainted" view.
Joan Cassidy
Prince Rupert