Celebrate diversity

Regarding the on-going debate about the erosion of the Christmas season into the holiday season, I would argue that this is precisely the wrong direction to be taking as we try to build a truly inclusive, dynamic and multicultural society.

In Richmond, we have the potential to learn and grow in so many ways, by embracing and celebrating all the holidays and cultural celebrations that this diverse city holds.

Instead of watering down Christmas, and all the beautiful traditions and universal themes of love and joy that it encompasses, instead let us embrace Christmas fully and boldly, inviting any and all to join in with the joy of the season. At the same time, let us embrace equally fully and boldly, the festivals and traditions of all of our faiths and cultural groups, and take with both hands the priceless opportunities to learn about one another, and thus to grow from mere tolerance of others, to a deeper understanding of one another's beliefs and a true celebration of the riches that this diverse community has to offer.

By slowly hiding Christmas away, an unhealthy trend is established wherein generic "winter holidays or "spring festivals" may one day be all that is left to celebrate, leaving all the ancient riches of the world's religions and cultures to smaller groups of adherents, and leaving us all the poorer.

This year, my family (who are Christians), have had a Chanukah celebration and learned about Ramadan. In the New Year, we will join in the Chinese New Year celebrations, celebrate Naw Ruz and join in any other holiday to which we are lucky enough to be invited.

And we will embrace Christmas, and welcome any who would like to join in the celebrations, or merely observe, ask questions and learn, as we hope to learn from the many different and diverse people who are our neighbours in Richmond. What an opportunity!

Easter today, hare tomorrow

I'm so sick of it, this dumbing-down of Christmas and Christianity, with Care Trees, Holiday Trees and The Twelve Days of Giving. And now we are losing the lovely carol sing at Minoru Chapel. I suspect it has nothing to do with fiscal restraint and everything to do with Political Correctness.

If I had to spend any length of time in say, Iran, Singapore or India I doubt that they would change anything about their religious observances so as not to offend me. Nor would I expect it.

After the politically correct police have ruined Christmas, what next? Are we to get ready for the March Hare and the April Eggs?

Chan is not the man

I have read the complete translated interview of Raymond Chan in Ming Pao (Oct. 8) and I am outraged that in the last paragraph Mr. Chan stated his was going to "run for the position of Member of Parliament for Richmond. On the one hand, I am doing this for the Chinese Canadians; on the other hand, I have deep feelings for China and would like to help China in the development of its economy and education."

Richmond voters want a MP who will work for all the diverse communities that make up the City of Richmond. Our MP, Joe Peschisolido is doing just that. He represents every facet of our multicultural city and does it very well. Although Mr. Peschisolido is of Italian heritage, I have never once heard him say he wanted to be a Member of Parliament so he could help Italian Canadians or Italy. Joe Peschisolido works hard to represent Richmond and Canada. Please Mr. Chan, remember it is the Parliament of Canada.

I am concerned that Mr. Chan has formed the All-Chinese Canadian political Participation Movement. While I have no complaint with the Chinese members of our community becoming more involved in politics I believe Mr. Chan's tactics are divisive and will only serve to cause suspicion and distrust between our communities. What would you think Mr. Chan if someone formed the All-Caucasian Political Movement? It would sound like racism wouldn't it? Richmond is a wonderful, multicultural city and I am angry that Mr. Chan makes statements that will build barriers between our communities.

What did former MP do?

Re: "Chan planning on running again".

I'm not surprised that Mr. Chan wants to return to federal politicsit pays well. I am also not surprised that he intends to wait until his well-paying current position with the federal government expires.

We have heard more from and about Mr. Chan since our present MP, Joe Peschisolido, switched to the Liberals than we ever did when he was in the office. In fact, I am hard pressed to recall anything that Mr. Chan achieved for Richmond during his two terms in office.

Since Peschisolido was elected as MP, he has actively involved himself in the concerns and issues of the entire community and, both as an economic and political statues of Richmond and all its residents.

That Raymond Chan wants to concentrate on building support among the Chinese-Canadian section of Richmond voters is typical of his past record and underscores how out of touch he is with the multicultural make up of Richmond.

While some people strongly object to Joe Peschisolido's changing parties, it is undeniable that he has worked hard for the entire community, and I feel that returning Raymond Chan to power will be a big step backwards.

Chan's interest welcomed

We welcome Raymond Chan's interest in regaining the Liberal nomination for Richmond as positive for democracy.In the Richmond Review (December 7-8) Richmond MP Joe Peschisolido is quoted as saying, "If there's a nomination meeting, I welcome it. The people will decide."

If Mr. Peschisolido had cared enough to ask the people of Richmond to ratify his decision to change parties, he might have won the ensuing by-election and restored his credibility. Given that fresh vote of confidence, he likely also would have avoided this hostile challenge to his nomination, and his political career might have been saved.

True democracy requires that "what you see is what you get."

We hope that every candidate in the next federal election will truly believe in the policies and platform of the party for which they stand.Without this, voters can have no faith in the people they elect, public opinion of politicians becomes more tarnished, and fewer citizens bother even to vote.Someone once said that politicians are like diapersÉ they need to be changed regularly. While that may be unfair to the steadfast politicians, those who unilaterally change affiliations tarnish the political process by all the broken trusts they leave behind.