To the editor:
Re: "Guns, jerks and steel a plague on the planet," July 27.
Why is it acceptable for Canadians to make overtly negative remarks about Americans? If the caustic comments directed toward American citizens were made about Chinese, Filipinos, Greeks, Indians, Israelis, Russians, etc., the remarks would be labelled as racist. Remember your columnist's outburst when Vancouverites complained about off-shore folks buying up houses?
For those of us who have family and friends who are American, it is disconcerting that regardless of what gatherings we happen to be in-work or social-we hear attacks which mischaracterize those we know and love. The speakers are usually fully aware of our American connections but feel comfortable making such statements.
Geoff Olson, if you think Americans are dangerous, why travel to the U.S. so often? When you attack countries for their arms sales, why leave out one nation prominent in arms sales and training of commandos and police for despotic governments? Regarding Paul Beckett's Aug. 8 letter, substitute bears for seals and B.C. has no room to criticize Texans. Is it a cultural flaw that makes us attack people whose social and business culture we emulate?
Gerry McKee, Vancouver
