YOU SAID IT: Keep sanctions in place

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KEEP SANCTIONS IN PLACE

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While Vladimir Putin and company won’t admit it, the condemnation and sanctions of most of the rest of the world are having an effect. One can hope they convince him (and sooner than later) to withdraw.

That said, should he withdraw, western nations, businesses and organizations cannot immediately cancel their sanctions. They must keep them in place for some considerable time as ongoing punishment and to push Putin to make Ukraine whole once more.

Sanctioners need to drive home the total abhorrence at Putin’s ill-advised and illegal invasion. Lifting sanctions too quickly will only telegraph to him that all is well and the world is back to business as usual with Russia. Business will remain far from “as usual” with Russia for a long time.

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MIKE ALAIN

OTTAWA

(Life will remain far from “as usual” in Ukraine for a long time.)

NOW’S THE TIME

While I understand that the Liberals have a lot on their plate right now, an opportunity has recently presented itself. As Vladimir Putin’s invasion and Europe’s dependence on Russian energy has shown, leaving your country vulnerable by depending on authoritarian nations to supply essential goods and services is foolhardy.

Now, after many years of waffling, it’s clearly time for the prime minister to officially ban Huawei. Sure, the Chinese won’t be happy about it, but they also have a lot on their plate right now and will be more than a little distracted by the geo-political crisis that is currently unfolding.

AL WILLEY

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EDMONTON

(The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.)

THE BOY LEADING YOUR COUNTRY

With all due respect to my Canadian friends, your PM needed to put his big-boy pants on instead of having his temper tantrums because the “Freedom Convoy” wouldn’t do as he said. His heavy-handed autocratic demands of him clearly showed that Canadians can only be free if they do exactly as he says.

Freedom of choice? Not in Canada. Where are the spines of the people in Parliament? By the way, had the boy who rules your land bothered to read the science himself — and learned about how other countries are handling COVID-19 — he wouldn’t be so misguided.

However, I do not want to leave you with the impression that I think my country (USA) has done much better, if at all.

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PAM JUNG

NORTHBROOK, ILL.

(Thanks for reading.)

SINCERE EMPATHY

Media outlets are presenting the world with informative updates on the battle in Ukraine. Narratives and videos of the progressive destruction by missiles and cluster bombs, which have killed many civilians, including young children. Hundreds of thousands fleeing into Poland and surrounding countries, taking with them only the necessities they can carry.

What the future holds for these innocents is uncertain, but it seems the whole world is prepared to assist in any way possible. My discretionary spending power, age and health won’t allow me the chance to do much of anything except try to compose with my arthritic hands and put pen to paper with what I hope are words of best wishes and sincere empathy.

It doesn’t matter where you live or what language you speak, we all have people we love and care for dearly. I feel saddened for the young, who don’t have a clue about what has turned their world upside down. Godspeed, you gentle souls.

WAYNE KIRK

PEMBROKE

(Stay well.)