February 22, 2022

Everyone I know is hurting and upset about what is going on in our society. Climate change and COVID underlie many of our problems, but they are not the only things bothering us. People are angry and upset, and my children and their children must wonder what is going on. Perhaps I can shed some light on it based on my experience and studies of history.
There was a well-documented shift in politics, especially in the US, which started in the late 1970s, which affected the whole world. It was a movement of politics from the center of the political spectrum towards the “right”. I suggest it was fueled by the takeover of politics by the extremely wealthy, resulting in the depletion of the middle class, like what happened in Germany in the 1930s. I don’t think it was meant to turn out that way, but studies show that as people get much wealthier, it affects their brain and they get greedier, amassing more wealth in fewer hands. The system became institutionalized and no one can seem to stop it.
We were warned years ago that we needed to prepare for pandemics. We were warned over 100 years ago that, as a species, we were affecting our biosphere. Doing something about these things might come at a cost to the wealth accumulation of our elites, so they actively campaigned against action to do anything about climate change. When the pandemic hit the governments of the world, especially the US, then poured billions of dollars into finding a vaccine. This resulted in vaccines being found in record time. To defeat the pandemic, the whole world needed to be vaccinated as soon as possible, but the drug companies and the governments they owned refused to share the vaccines equitably and poor countries, who could not provide for their citizens, remained hotbeds for new variations of the disease to continue to infect the world.
Our politicians are not idiots, but they know that if they do not pander to the small groups who make the most noise, and who they and we know are manipulated by well-funded elites, might negatively affect their  hold on power. “Power corrupts” is a truism. I suggest our society has never been more corrupt. Only your vote can change things.
Harry Gaede,
Camrose

February 15, 2022

Where does MP Damien Kurek get his idea that the oil and gas industry is under attack, as per his most recent mail-out? The government’s continuous subsidizing of oil and gas and their pipelines has cost Albertans and Canadians billions. Yet, when Kurek lists key issues, which he says he “is hoping to address in Parliament”, his third one is what he calls an attack on the oil and gas industry.
Kurek states that these industries are “an essential part of our lives and economy” and tells us how grateful he is for these industries “keeping Canadians warm”. He further says this industry “deserves our support”. Fair enough. However, none of these remarks support his opening sentence about oil and gas industries being attacked.
His following statements, “This industry deserves our support, and Trudeau’s carbon tax needs to go” also say absolutely nothing to enlighten the reader as to how or why Kurek feels oil and gas are being attacked.
Both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Jason Kenney have provided billions in subsidies (both federal and provincial) for pipelines and roughly $11.5 billion for upgraders. For example, Trudeau/the federal government provided Petro Canada with about $10.5 billion to buy up various oil companies…and then subsequently sold Petro Canada for only about $3.8 billion. (Canadians took that loss!)
How can Kurek flatly state that our oil and gas industries are being attacked? Where did he get that idea from? And, what data does he use to support that opinion?
All of us, politicians and the public alike, consume and pay for our use of oil and gas to fly, drive, ship goods, and heat our homes. How is that an attack on these industries?
M. R. Leithead,
Bawlf

February 15, 2022

I’m all for peaceful and respectful protests. Democracy requires them.
On January 29 and 30, we saw what some folks calling themselves “truckers” (they are certainly not the majority of truckers–90 per cent of whom are vaccinated and comply with health regulations) did in their “protest” in our nation’s capital.
Was there a well organized and peaceful protest? No. We hear the organizers never coordinated with the police or the city council in Ottawa and it also appears they did not obtain a permit for the protest. No portable toilets were set up, even though many people bragged about the millions donated to this cause.
Once in Ottawa, what did these “defenders of freedom” do? Here are some of the details so far: they desecrated the Terry Fox statue; they danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Solider; they urinated on the War Memorial; they mocked Indigenous culture by misusing video of a drum dance from a different event; they assaulted a security guard at a soup kitchen for homeless people and then, overpowering the staff, they stole food; they made their way all over Ottawa forcing businesses to close because they harassed the staff who were trying to abide by the local City of Ottawa health regulations.
Some are quick to point out these are a few bad apples. If so, then why in nearly all these instances are there videos of large groups of people cheering, while these disgusting events happened? What I see in those videos is the crowd happily egging on these so-called bad apples. It went from peaceful to a protest. In short, they showed everyone in the country and around the world who they are. Then I watched another video, where in midst of all this was our own MP Damian Kurek.
I have many questions. I’m curious who collected all that money and what groups or individuals have it now. I’m also interested in what are they really protesting…the rule of law? You opposed to that, Mr. Kurek? I’m curious and I think a lot of your constituents, whom who you claim to represent, are too. Those certainly weren’t our views you were representing.

Mark Lindberg,
Camrose

February 8, 2022

The news indicates that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is afraid to use the army to evict the truckers from downtown Ottawa and the Ottawa police are afraid to become involved. The question becomes, who runs this country? It is becoming obvious that it is the anti-vaxers. Therefore let us not resist. Remove all mandates and health restrictions. I have my three shots so I feel very safe. But I would still be free to wear a mask in public and I would be free to not attend public places where vaccine shots are not required.
Let the anti-vaxers risk their health, but protect the healthcare system. Reserve half the healthcare system for those who are vaccinated. Perhaps, then I could get an appointment for a CT scan to see how my lung cancer is progressing. Stop overstressing the healthcare workers. Too many are being burned out, overloading the rest. The anti-vaxers should have to wait for an appointment just as I do. Those who refuse to get vaccinated when sick should ask if there is space in the care system. If not go home and hope for the best.
Arnold Baker,
Camrose

February 8, 2022

Vaccine mandates, supply chain disruptions, inflation and spiraling world tension are all steadily on the rise.
My wife and I are fully vaxed to be compliant. However, that doesn’t guarantee safety against spreading of the Omicron variant, according to Pfizer. They notified the USA health minister that they are starting clinical trials on a new vaccine specifically targeting the highly transmissible Omicron variant, which has eluded the Pfizer current two-dose protection.
Conservative MPs, Premier Jason Kenney and Scott Moe, as well as numerous experts from business and commerce have urged the Prime Minister and President Biden to seek a solution of compromise to keep these trucks moving and earning driver’s pay cheques.
Justin Trudeau remains steadfast. “I won’t compromise safety.”
In view of Pfizer’s admission that current two-shot vaccines are not effective against Omicron…there’s little safety being gained to sacrifice. Since the US health minister was notified, it is safe to say that the Prime Minister and the Canadian health minister were also informed and the persistent refusal to disregard the truckers’ concerns appear to have been implemented solely to punish non-vaxers. It’s time for him to heed the new science. His disdainful response has caused these protests to appear and their persistence to stay until they’re heard. He has abdicated his responsibility.
Meanwhile, he exaggerates the degree of disrespect shown by protesters. (a few bad actors, thousands of respectful ones), but as he chastised them for their hateful behaviour…saying we must erase all forms of hatred and racism…while his voice was laced with venom.
He needs to examine his own conduct, that perfect idol that he sees in the mirror, is not what the rest of the world is seeing. His top-down autocratic style of governance is not Canadian.
All essential workers (included truckers) deserve respect.
Bill Mattinson,
Camrose

February 8, 2022

The fall of the Roman Empire was preceded by several secessio plebis (withdrawal of the commoners), where protests became bitter in the mouths of many. The ordinary citizen Roman plebians would exercise power over the Patrician elitists by calling for a general strike by abandoning their shops and workshops, leaving the city and commerce would cease. This occurred many times before the empire crumbled.
In view of recent history in North America (and in Europe), it is sad to see history repeating itself for the umpteenth time. Conflict is fueled by a burgeoning population (aided and abetted by social media) competing over decreasing land and diminishing resources.
Is there a mechanism for taking the bitterness out of the mouths of so many? The polarization of our Canadian politicians would suggest “no”.
It leads me to the sad conclusion that Homo sapiens simply do not have the capability of learning from our past (and well documented) history over the last 2,000 years.
Lynn Clark,
Camrose

February 1, 2022

Upon reading the article “Know Risks of Vaping” in the January 25 edition of The Booster, I feel there is a need to put forth a benefit of vaping.  While by no means am I saying that a person should vape, or that it is good for your health, vaping has proven to me (and many others) to be an effective way to quit smoking.
I was a heavy smoker from the age of 16, at times smoking two packs a day. A friend of my husband suggested we try vaping. So we did…starting with a substantial amount of nicotine in our e-juice.  We gradually cut the nicotine down to zero and managed to quit vaping also.
I have been smoke-free for nine years and my husband even longer. It took a while to do it, but with a commitment to using the vape as a means of quitting, it was a relatively easy and painless way to quit. Also, I feel that the vape contained less toxins than cigarettes. I lost my smoker’s cough almost immediately. Again, I do not condone vaping as a way of life, but as a quit smoking method, it was great.
Janet Tokarek,
Camrose

February 1, 2022

We all know that the last 100 years have been extraordinary in human terms. Our ancient ancestor, “Homo Erectus” has been around for more than one million years, evolving into Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo Sapiens. The last Neanderthals died off about 25,000 years ago and the Denisovans before that. It appears, from DNA evidence, that our genome contains some of their DNA, so there must have been some mixing.
In the last 200 years or so, human population has quadrupled from about two billion to eight billion, while almost all other living species are in collapse or decline. We are using up the resources we need to survive at an alarming rate. Fifty years ago, the book, The Limits of Growth was published, pointing out that on a finite planet, growth cannot continue forever.
Before I comment on this, I want to point out that never in human history has there been so many educated people. The vast majority of scientists who have ever lived, are living and working right now. Humankind has virtually all of the knowledge available to humanity at it’s fingertips.  As a result, technological knowledge is growing at an exponential rate, and we have been able to postpone the inevitable result of ever increasing exploitation of the earth’s resources.
We all know that there is a limit to the resources accessible to us. To date, humans have been successful in postponing the date of reckoning. If we can’t get into the solar system and access it’s resources, our time on this planet might end soon.
We live in a period of uncertainty with war again possible. Will we be like the Easter Islanders and cut down the last trees on our island and starve to death, or will we learn to live sustainably with the remaining of Earth’s resources. We have been in a period called “overshoot” for many years, where we are using resources that should have been left for our children and grandchildren.
Harry Gaede,
Camrose

February 1, 2022

Thank you, Mr. Erga,  as a professional educator, you will always be “Mister” to me, for bringing forth the subject of “trust”. In the normal course of interaction, there is a basic level of trust between me and those I deal with. As the people I interact with develop a level of familiarity, the level of trust I have is commensurate with the actions that I observe.
I don’t interact directly with government leaders, but their campaign promises are far different from what they actually do.  Their actions generally focus on using taxpayer dollars to get themselves re-elected. Of slightly lesser importance is being seen wearing stylish socks, the best summer ever, WE charity, and a list of things that are not important to citizens. The greater public good is far off the radar of politicians. Politicians, in general, are less trusted than used car salesmen.
The challenge is to sort out the trustworthy from the not. People who have earned educational certifications, such as a doctor or scientist, are afforded a higher level of trust in their knowledge about their subject of expertise than someone without that formal education. So when doctor after doctor after doctor states that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, I am more likely to take them at their word. When some blow-hard on Facebook says vaccines will alter my DNA and I should not take it, I am somewhat less-inclined to take them at their word.
And when a politician is speaking, my trust level is at its lowest. On the subject of trust, for pre-owned vehicle sales representatives to be mentioned in the same sentence as politicians is a grievous insult to the pre-owned vehicle sales representatives.
Mathew Banack,
Round Hill
(Not Matt Banack, Camrose Realtor)

January 18, 2022

In 79 years on this earth, I have survived the polio epidemic, diabetes, cancer and various other scary difficulties in life.
I remember the feeling of relief when I received the first polio vaccine. I trusted the scientists and medical professionals who developed this life-saving vaccine.
When I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a young man, I was grateful for the opportunity to continue my life. Again, I trusted the medical specialists who saved my life.
My cancer diagnoses was almost as scary. I trusted the cancer specialists when they recommended a treatment procedure that successfully eradicated the cancer.
I felt relief and gratitude when I received my COVID-19 vaccinations. I trusted the medical specialist team who developed another life-saving procedure for me. I have lived a long time and a wonderful life because I learned to trust.
Alan Erga,
Camrose

January 18, 2022

As a rural Alberta-raised girl, I know what it is like to have one school, one hospital, and a single RCMP detachment in the area, or perhaps a couple within a reasonable driving distance. We make do with the services we have in more remote areas and hope that amazing teachers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and law enforcement officers are willing to make these towns their home and care for our communities like we do.
However, things are changing drastically, and they are not in your best interests. If you are worried and confused right now, you should be.
The current government is seeking to transform the very fabric of what makes Rural Alberta strong. The premier elected to care for Albertans is seeking to privatize our valuable public services and vilifying the people who serve our communities–teachers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, as well as RCMP. This ongoing running down of our valued professionals is leading to burnout, despair and eventually loss of these services. It is death by 1,000 cuts.
One major issue that will impact your children’s lives is education. Premier Jason Kenney is throwing around some buzzwords that sound good on the surface but are far from helpful. For example, “Choice in Education” means that funds are being diverted from public schools to private and charter schools. What if you live in a rural area and public school is your only choice? What if the Kenney curriculum becomes law and your children are subject to an outdated, fact-based curriculum that experts deem inappropriate and regressive? Did you know that Kenney defunded a valuable educational resource for rural Alberta students (the Alberta Distance Learning Centre) and replaced it with an e-learning model for a fee? Are you really ready for homeschooling? What if your child has special needs? Funding cuts across the province mean your children will not get the services you need.
Your voice is important.  Learn about the changes to education, health care and law enforcement, and write your MLA and the opposition. You deserve so much better than what is coming down the pipe.
Dr. Angela Grace,
Calgary

January 11, 2022

Once again, Arnold Malone has nailed it. In his opinion piece on page 17 of the January 4 Camrose Booster, he deftly summarizes the balance required to live in a civilized society.
He quotes Margaret Mead (whom I had the privilege of meeting in 1965): “Helping someone through difficulty is where civilization begins.” Could I paraphrase this to say that is what we mean when we claim Camrose to be a compassionate community?
Arnold’s article should be required reading for anyone engaged in the vaccination debate. Maybe engaged in any debate around all the “pro and anti” issues becoming more and more common in our increasingly polarized society. He does not attack anyone. He simply appeals to the best nature of all of us to consider not just ourselves, but our neighbours who are affected by our choices. Just as we are by theirs.
Well done, Arnold.  Yours is a voice of reason among the cacophony of “me first” demanders.
Peter LeBlanc,
Camrose

January 11, 2022

In his year end review, Premier Jason Kenney, being the perpetual liar that he is, had to provide Albertans with one more. He claims BC is allowing coal to be safely mined and we should allow our eastern slopes to be coal mined also. What he ignores is the fact that in March 2021, we learned that Teck Coal Limited pleaded guilty to polluting waters in BC and Montana, and were fined $60 million by Fisheries Canada.
Can you imagine what would happen if we allowed this lame-brain Kenney scheme and polluted the Mississippi River, when its headwaters are the Milk River in southern Alberta? Our hero Peter Lougheed was smart enough to put protection on our mountains to make certain that nothing like this would ever happen. The farmers and ranchers in southern Alberta are to be saluted for taking a stand against this Reform Party fool. 
Alan Spiller,
formerly of Camrose

January 11, 2022

The past two years have convinced me that there are a few people who think they have a right to belittle others who think differently from themselves (and this is after a 10-year campaign to fight bullying). I just want to say that I think they are wrong, and that intelligent and free-thinking people will allow others to think freely for themselves.
Regrettably, it could be said that many freedom lovers have allowed a belittling, self-righteous attitude to interfere with their free-thought process, under the fake fear or pandemic propagated by adults acting like spoiled children, in my opinion, and these adults seem unable to decipher truth from lies, yet willingly agree with lockdowns, support vaccine test-trials that showed 80 per cent side effects, even death, and wear an impractical face covering, which limits one’s ability to breath fresh air and be healthy.
My hope is that people will not live in fear, but be able to reevaluate whether their position has merit or excellence and is not just repeating a false view spouted by self-righteous puffs of smoke. It is also nonsensical to wear a face-rag and hope to not spread a virus. In any case, I and others have the right before God and man to have our opinions regarding our lawful freedoms and health treatments.
Many reputable doctors like Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, Dr. Tom Cowan, and Dr. Vladimir Zelenkow believe COVID-19 and most viruses can be cured if given proper treatment, along with vitamins that increase one’s immune vitality. Many hospitals putting people on respirators and giving them remdesivir (a high-priced drug treatment) has been somewhat proven to decrease their chance of survival.
Furthermore, what the government spokespeople have called a “safe vaccine” is better called “inoculation”, for the germs put into these inoculations (being graphite and other ills) can change daily because they are under an emergency mandate and not subject to the safety trials used in years gone by.
Also, millions will die due to these emergency approved inoculations called vaccines–possibly a million have already died.
Tina Kawalilak,
Camrose County