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In “A cycling journey, Uvalde, and sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s future” (comment, July 9), Paul Bucci graphically described the sorry state of our neighbours to the south. His description of the close observations he had the opportunity of making, by undertaking the journey on a bicycle, are very powerful.

I think sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ is in danger of cultural contamination from this huge, proximal, ­dysfunctional neighbour. I think that this comes in micro and macro ­situations.

The rudeness and offhand attitudes of persons dealing with the public seems to be increasing here in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½. The macro is demonstrated graphically by the “freedom” demonstrators, and the paralysis of our nation’s capital.

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ is in danger of pulling itself apart with non-problems. By this I mean that educated expert guidance concerning avoiding deaths and ­hospitalizations, due to COVID infections, is being portrayed as a draconian invasion of liberty.

Although I am an immigrant, I feel 100 per cent Canadian, and with pride. I feel ­privileged to live in a society where nobody will be devastated by medical expenses — wait times may be difficult to tolerate, but nobody in this nation will ever be ­financially denied necessary medical care.

I wonder if it really is ­necessary to keep self-chastising over the past colonization of this nation. It is a matter of ­history — and, ugly as it is, the past ­cannot be undone.

I feel that we are making strides in recognizing the ­damage done and are, at last, making tangible progress with truth and reconciliation.

I think the time has come where the Canadian flag needs to be protected by law, and treated with respect. I have seen unacceptable T-shirts with expletive logos which make blatant insults to the maple leaf; these go out of their way to make a mockery of “free speech.”

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ is not perfect, but it is the envy of almost every nation around the world. Many nations will resent that they cannot emulate this standard and will attempt to bring sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ down to their level by inciting internal unrest.

I think the vast silent ­majority must stand up and be counted.

More frequent use of the national anthem before or after sport and cultural presentation would hopefully remind us of the wonderful nation we are privileged to live in — where every child is educated from kindergarten to Grade 12, where every sick and disabled person will be treated and helped, and where immigrants are welcomed and encouraged to succeed.

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