Hinshaw should be running the COVID show
By Letter to the Editor on September 15, 2021.
Editor:
Kenney was in hiding for three weeks because he could not face Albertans due to the surge of COVID-19 cases. He is not a leader for the taxpayers; instead, he caters to the rich and the famous. It seems he creates a lockdown every 2-4 months and now that we are in the fourth wave, we have no choice but behave. MLA Nathan Neudorf suggested that Premier Kenney should use proactive measures to protect us or allow a complete lockdown to get rid of the virus. Kenney’s “solution” was to pay $100 of taxpayers’ money to unvaccinated Albertans. What about those who were vaccinated before this incentive; what do they get? There are five provinces that have agreed on a passport to monitor who has been vaccinated to allow us to mingle with people at different public events. Why doesn’t Kenney provide vaccine passports to keep all Albertans safe? I believe he should hand the reins 100 per cent to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, the Chief Medical Officer, and let her make all the right decisions regarding the health of Albertans. Both AHS Minister Tyler Shandro and Premier Kenney do not have medical backgrounds to support their decisions to prevent further spread of the Delta variant, and other variants that are now spreading in other parts of the world.Â
I agree with Gary Millington’s letter to the editor on Aug. 26. He said, “how are seniors supposed to live without a family doctor?” Premier Kenney kicked the good doctors from Alberta and did not replace them because he thought they are being overpaid compared to other provinces. He should mind his own business; he cannot judge how much BC or Saskatchewan pay their doctors. Every province in Canada has higher or lower expenses. I’m happy to hear that nurses and other medical staff will not have to roll back their wages as proposed by the UCP.Â
When we came to the province of Alberta to work, the reigning Premier was Peter Lougheed, and the Conservative Party. Since Premier Kenney got elected, he formed the United Conservative Party that involved the original Wildrose and the Conservative parties. I believe the Conservative party would have been a better government than the UCP. Jason Kenney did not have the experience to run the government in Alberta. Previously, he held the office as Employment and Social Development Minister with Stephen Harper.
I contacted him over labour standards when I needed help, he did not reply to me. I regret voting for Jason Kenney in 2019 for change in Alberta, but when his time is up in two years I will vote for someone else.
Paul Jones
Coaldale
-1
That Shandro and Kenney are “not doctors” is the not the issue. That both these men are beholden to the small number of MLAs – latter day Wild Rose libertarian types and a small but influential number of citizens is the crux.
If these two powerful men had indeed “left no stone unturned”, we would not have opened so soon and so fast and would not now be in the crisis currently spreading across Alberta. In June , scientists, medical professionals and most Albertans were screaming to hold on until the variant was better understood and vaccination numbers were higher.
But no, these two men, had they listened to the real facts, could have back-tracked and admitted that the course of action was simply wrong at that critical point in time.
Both should be held accountable for Alberta’s worsening case load.
There are many more stones left to be turned over .
At least now Dr Hinshaw is showing some contrition and admitting the government was wrong. That was some admission and quite courageous.
If only the same could be said for Kenney and Shandros.
The tine is long past for the “Kenney Cult” to go. It appears to have become this so – called “political party” is nothing more than a failed political experiment created from a a smorgasbord of at least similar (yet distinctly different) political parties, the PC’s, the Wildrose and then a fanatical somewhat charismatic career politician an ideologue who was enticed to (legally or illegally) to “lead” and “liberate” Albertans from the “evil empire” (aka the Federal Liberals) and Ottawa interference in Albertan’s livelihoods economic survival and lifestyle.
Tragically, and with an ironic twist instead of getting a savior for our province we acquired Frankenstein who is now in hiding (again) while Alberta burns.
I know I am using strong words and analogies and may turn a lot of people off, perhaps anger some. But I simply ask how much longer can we put up with, defend and blindly accept the rhetoric coming from “THE KENNEY CULT”?
People have the right to their belief’s, their, faith and to support the political party of their choice.
I would simply ask people to consider, perhaps reconsider their choices.
Yes Alberta tragically has or is becoming a have -not province and a perhaps a basket case economically. Politician have been created and elected and paid (alot by you and me) to be leaders, to be honest, to be ethical, to have integrity to manage in a fiduciary manner for the best interests of ALL their citizens .
Has that happened under the UCP? Do you think it will happen soon?
Yes the pandemic has created a tragedy for way to many.. But, with the highest numbers in the nation and dramatically rising, with the health care system self destructing before our eyes. has the UCP’s strategy of hiding in caves , while the bombs keep falling around us keep exploding. Has their strategy of ignoring and denying the issue and hoping COVID- 19 herd immunity is the answer? Knowing there will be collateral damage? Yes they say , but the collateral damage will only be for the already compromised, the elderly and the sick.
Since when has the value of life become so de-valued, over economic prosperity for the few, all the while schizophrenically adding more money to hire more health care workers to care for the affected. While at the same time hiding ; remaining protected in your caves while the bombs continue to fall around the innocents who continue to pay for your mistakes and failure of leadership.
This “political party” it;s leader and the MLA’s have all drank the “Kenney Kool Aid” and are trying their best to get us innocent Alberta’s to do the same.
No thank you. I refuse to drink “the Kenney Kool Aid” Tragically it appears the same can be said about our current Federal political party and so- called leader.
I thank you for your time, I apologize for my rambling, and somewhat bumbling emotional content. Some may feel or say I am overly dramatic, over the top. Some may say we can’t do anything about it , we don’t have the power. I disagree. Perhaps I am naive. I believe we can and must hold politicians feet to the fire when necessary and stand up and let them know how we really feel.
Social advocate groups inform me one letter written to a politician is considered equivalent to the same feelings and beliefs of 1000 people by politicians
Some may say I sound like a lunatic. Sometimes I wonder myself. But that’s ok, everyone is entitled tp their opinion. I feel compelled to speak out and speak my mind . I suspect something is just seriously wrong with our political system and /or politician as it is today.
You may disagree and that’s ok. If so all I ask is any commentary remain respectful and dignified . after all this is an editorial page, not Facebook or twitter.
Please remember the sick and dying are people ,not numbers. They are mom, dads, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, rich, poor.
Tragically, they are gone because of some stupid, unwavering ideological belief and perception and it’s happening on both sides /tribes (the vax-xers and the anti vax-xers) both are equally to blame.
All because they HAD TO be RIGHT and everyone else was WRONG.
We have seen this attitude play out before , we have seen it most recently in the USA and now sadly see it here.
Respectfully,
…..
“SOUNDS of SILENCE”
WoW!
I don’t know if it is just me, ….. But I am kind of confused after that UCP press conference Wednesday September 15, 2021. I will admit I have never been one of the brightest bulbs in the room.
Was that an apology by Mr. Kenney; or not? Am I missing something??? I feel like I am missing something. If so; please someone help me out; because I am confused and……. well kind out exhausted over having my expectations of leadership dashed again.
That’s why I am such a fan of the KISS principle.
The KISS principle did not appear to be apparent or visible tonight.
I hate sounding like a jerk and being so critical of others (that is exhausting) and have been tempted to just “suck it up… shut up and keep quiet”. But the lyrics of the following song tell me not to do that.
This whole circumstance appears to be simply symptomatic and a result of; The “Sound of Silence”.
Yes Mr. Kenney; whether you will admit it ……or not, you and your fellow team /cult members silence; has resulted in the unnecessary death and suffering of many innocent Albertan’s.
I don’t know how you are able to look at yourselves in the mirror, without tears welling up in your eyes. All because of your; “Sounds of Silence”, your ideology. I am torn as I am a strong believe in freedom of choice, freedom of speech.
Your unwillingness to listen to medical experts who were begging you for weeks and weeks. All they received from you and your pals was; “Sounds of Silence”.
Now here we are …. We all know the rest of the story. Sadly; we don’t know whether there will be a happy ending or more sorrow to come.
What does the song the sound of silence mean?
“Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” Lyrics Meaning. by SMF · Published January 20, 2020 · Updated January 20, 2020. First off it should be noted that “the sound of silence” is not a good thing. Rather it is indicative of people being unable to effectively communicate with each other, particularly on an emotional level.” (You Tube)
https://youtu.be/DCtouot15cA
Sound of Silence (Simon and Garfunkel)
“Hello darkness, my old friend
I’ve come to talk with you again
Because a vision softly creeping
Left its seeds while I was sleeping
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence”
“In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone
‘Neath the halo of a street lamp
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence”
“And in the naked light, I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence”
“Fools”, said I, “You do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you”
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed
In the wells of silence”
“And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming
And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls”
And whispered in the sound of silence”
Songwriter: Paul Simon
I recognize we have been asked to become human guinea pigs, and I don’t like it very much either, yet in order to keep myself, my family and loved ones and strangers safe according to medical expert advise; I complied and got fully vaccinated.
Am I worried about the long term after effects/side effects of an unknown / unproven vaccine? Sure I am.
But we are in a situation not of our making that is not in our control and I have chosen to put my health, trust and safety in the expertise of medical /scientific experts. In doing so, my hope is; I have done my part to help protect those who are around me who are not vaccinated as well as those who are.
I can only hope they will eventually show me the same courtesy, and together we can get through this mess and get our lives back.
Respectfully;