YOU SAID IT: Bus boondoggle

Article content

BUS BOONDOGGLE

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

YOU SAID IT: Bus boondoggle Back to video

Re: Ottawa to get $350M boost from federal government for e-bus fleet, online edition, Jan. 19

Reeling from a disastrous LRT project that is still swallowing up hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, now the brains trust at city hall who worship at the Gaia altar are about to purchase hundreds of electric red and white rockets, including building charging infrastructure that will be cost prohibitive. The feds have kicked in $350 million, but that is still our money.

There was nothing wrong with diesel buses, they were very reliable and worked quite well in freezing-cold conditions. Yes, we are experiencing a mild winter so far, but this is supposed to change. I can visualize it now, 25 below zero, the “Streetcar to Nowhere” stuck on some track and the electric coaches stone dead between stops because the batteries lost their charge. Speaking of zeros, the ones who decided on this venture fit that word perfectly.

STEPHEN FLANAGAN

OTTAWA

(Thanks for reading.)

PUTIN MUST BE STOPPED

The sooner NATO stops Putin, the sooner the world economy can start to recover. A worldwide recession might be putting it mildly. While Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the world supply chain of everything will only worsen, causing hardship to all. Just look at the history books from past wars. When the war ends, the economy explodes in opportunity.

Like fighting a forest fire, sometimes intentional burns are needed to stop the spread. So far these NATO decisions are hurting us all. The continued reaction of procrastination by NATO to stand by is like slowly watching Hitler’s twin at work. It is certainly not what anyone wants, but sometimes sacrifice is necessary for the betterment of all. The sooner Putin is stopped at any cost, the better.

MIKE DEFALCO

ARNPRIOR

(What kind of sacrifice are you suggesting?)

KISS, PLEASE

KISS (not the band) means “keep it simple, stupid.”

Years ago, using common sense, the roadway along the Ottawa River in Ottawa was named The Ottawa River Parkway. Then common sense went out the window and the Ottawa River Parkway became The Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway. Anyway, I’ve driven down it (the parkway) many times, and not once, not once have I ever said, “While driving down The Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway blah, blah, blah.”

So, while the powers that be rack their brains choosing an Indigenous name for what I and others (could be many or most) call “The Parkway,” first and foremost they (the smart people) should remember KISS and “keep it simple stupid.”

JILL YOUNG

OTTAWA

(We’ll be watching for news of the new name.)