Letters, Aug. 20

Old-fashioned news

I scrolled through the comment section of the online news story, my eyes darting through differing opinions until I landed on one that caught my attention. I felt my shoulders tense and my breath quicken as I read the fiery thoughts of a stranger.

Surely, there must be a better way to read the news?

I thought back to the ’90s. Every morning, my mother would open the front door to retrieve the Winnipeg Free Press. I would jump at the Arts section until I found the comics and giggle while I ate my cereal. My parents absorbed the news while getting ready for their day, and eventually the newspaper found its way to the top of the paper pile in the garage. The next morning, the cycle would repeat itself.

We had news back then, but what we didn’t have was access to an endless barrage of people commenting in real time.

When I read news on an online site now, before I even finish an article, I find myself jumping to the comments. At first I thought it was validation I was seeking. Certainly, people must share my opinion! But as I dug deeper, I realized I was focusing on the challenging opinions — the ones that stirred up strong emotions due to being so wildly different from my own.

Eventually, I realized I was paying more attention to what people thought about the news than I was the actual news.

So, I pulled up the Free Press website and browsed paper delivery options. I’m in my late 30s, and I had never subscribed to a physical newspaper before. News was fully online when I reached adulthood, so I always thought of a newspaper subscription as a thing of the past.

After a few friendly emails with the subscription department, I had signed up for 24 weeks of hard copies, delivered to my house every morning, six days a week. I found myself excited at the prospect of embracing print media.

The first morning, I excitedly opened the front door. I grabbed the paper, poured myself a cup of coffee, and made my way to the wicker couch in my backyard. Sitting in the glow of the morning sun, I laid the paper out on the couch as I ran my fingers down the crease, something that sparked a forgotten nostalgia.

I didn’t rush as I read through the articles. I knew there was nothing to scroll, no comments to engage with. I was fully embracing what the authors had to tell me without seeking out validation or arguments from others.

It was news without comments.

As I finished the last page, I realized the immense differences I felt throughout my body when compared to reading an online site. I wasn’t tense, there was no running commentary in my head, and the hunger to keep scrolling was gone.

So, if you find yourself jumping to the comments section the moment you’re done reading an article on some online new source, consider retrieving your news the old fashioned way. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, sit down with your paper, and enjoy it without the noise of the world creeping in.

(Editor’s note: The Free Press stopped accepting comments on its online news stories in July 2020.)

Diane Kozmet

Winnipeg

Pet care for profit

Re: Shelters being overwhelmed as rising vet costs force some owners to surrender pets (Aug. 17)

The major problem as I understand it is the huge corporations buying out most of the vet clinics not only in Manitoba, but around the world.

Major corporations and private equity firms are rapidly buying up independent veterinary clinics, driving up the cost of pet care. Prominent investigative TV specials, such as the CBC Marketplace and The Fifth Estate joint investigative feature “Cause for paws”, have highlighted how a handful of giant companies now control a major share of local and specialty animal hospitals.

At our previous clinic the cost of a cleaning doubled a year after takeover by a corporation. So, check who owns your veterinary clinic and try to find an independent one.

Perhaps the government needs to put some controls in place to stop the huge profits at corporate clinics?

Jane Romaniuk

Winnipeg

I have read in the Free Press lately how expensive it is to own a pet. Instead of feeling we have to own a pet, we simply can foster.

There are plenty of animals who need a temporary home for love and care. The Humane Society and other pet shelters pay for all food, vet bills, toys and a crate. You get to have your ‘pet fix’ and do an important good deed. Also, you don’t have to worry about your pet when on vacation.

It can be a bit painful to return the animal, but it is a worthwhile cause.

Doreen Wuckert

Winnipeg

Battling chronic school absenteeism

The End Homelessness Winnipeg street census of 2022 was the last to capture the education levels of those experiencing homelessness. (The question was not included in 2024.) In that census, 53.9 percent of respondents had not completed high school, while 23.7 percent had no high school education at all.

This speaks volumes. End Homelessness Winnipeg concluded “there is a direct link between homelessness and education.”

We are about to begin a new school year. In March, the Free Press reported on a leaked document, which stated that 15,000-plus students regularly missed school in Manitoba in 2023-24. Six in 10 children in one Manitoba school division were reported as “chronically absent” from class.

According to the Manitoba Education website, children are required by law to attend school. It is crucial that children attend school; continuing education opportunities require a Grade 12 diploma, as do the majority of even entry level jobs in today’s job market.

The Manitoba government needs to put its stated policy on mandatory school attendance into practice. Adequate resources must be in place to address truancy. Children need to know that they matter. The barriers children face getting to and staying in school must be addressed.

If we don’t act on school absenteeism, society will continue to see an escalation of social issues that include youth crime, addictions and homelessness.

Bev McIntyre

Winnipeg

Keep Canada first

Re: “Our booze is better” (Aug. 18); “Keep ’em separated” (Letters, Aug. 19)

I agree with letter writers Sherrill Greenaway and David Hedman. It’s true we do have a choice when it comes to whether or not we buy American rather than Canadian products.

There are, however, two things to consider. First, American products need to be clearly identified, as letter writer Brenda Johnston has suggested with regard to alcohol. Second, prices need to be at least comparable.

Shoppers may be committed to choosing Canadian products, but if doing so translates into much higher costs, many people will gradually slip back into choosing cheaper American products. In order to stay firm in our resolve to buy Canadian over American, we need a little help.

April Phillips

Winnipeg