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| IN THIS SECTION, WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF THE RESULTS OF REQUESTS WE HAVE RECEIVED FOR AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ON THE ISSUES ADDRESSED. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We encourage you, as a concerned citizen and/or member of POINT, to use your consumer power. Think twice about, or refrain from shopping at those businesses that market or promote violence and/or violent forms of sports and entertainment. Let as many people as you can, know about your decision to do so. In this way, you can give substance to your decisions. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 1, 2000 SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES – THEIR EFFECT ON POLLUTION AND FUEL PROBLEMS Recently, it has come to my attention that regulations governing pollution controls, totally overlook the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV’s as they are known) and the Trucking Industries. Actually, the fact that trucks have been allowed to be without pollution controls is not at all new. However, SUV’s are fairly new to automobile manufacturing, having grown out of the “four-wheeler” craze. These vehicles are in such demand that it prompted one automobile consumer advocate to write that fans of SUV’s are sending the message to manufacturer’s essentially saying “Please charge us more money - we’ll pay anything you want”! Somehow, there is a huge inequity here! SUV’s, trucks and the like, are major contributors to air pollution and noise pollution, yet manufacturers of these vehicles do not have to build them with the same standard of pollution control equipment that regular automobiles are required to have. People who drive ordinary cars are being unduly taxed and inspected while these vehicles continue to ride the road, many not only in abominable condition, but also necessitating huge fuel consumption. Now we have seen the emergence of SUV’s by the crème de la crème of passenger car manufacturers such as Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, etc. I think it was Jimmy Durante who said it best - “Everybody’s trying to get into the act”! Who would have thought it? But it makes sense to the manufacturers, and “mucho” dollars. They can make all of these vehicles, charge top dollar, and get away with not having to build them with the extra costs that pollution deterrents require. A “no-brainer”! That is why we are seeing something like 1 out of every 5 autos being bigger vans, trucks and/or variations of both, on our streets and highways. A few evenings ago while walking, we saw two people park and emerge from a huge, shiny black SUV, made by one of the elite manufacturers named above. These people looked like “city folk”, not the type who would be off-roading or driving through rough country terrain – which is supposed to be the main purpose of these heavy-duty vehicles. A quick glance at the interior showed luxurious leather seating – not meant to carry equipment of any kind. So who is to blame for all the extra noise, gas smells and barrage of bigger vehicles around? How many of us think about the size and fuel consumption of our vehicles, with anything other than the dollar costs on our minds? Do we all need to be forewarned of the hazards of our vehicle before we purchase it, just as we are forewarned of the hazards of smoking? Are many people buying these vehicles without any knowledge or realization of the extra damaging effects on the environment? Do we not care enough and again, just want what we want when we want it? I certainly hope it is only ignorance and not lack of caring. Is it too late to stop the snowballing effect of the manufacturing and the consumers’ desire for these huge machines? As you can see, I have lots of questions, even lots of suggestions, - but not the answers to this dilemma. I would bet that many people, who now own these machines, would be shocked to think that others consider these vehicles to be a blight on society. Some may purchase such vehicles for space and durability, but how many people whose needs are only for one or two passengers, buy them for the power and or status they represent? Others will say, “What about boats, ships and planes – don’t they contribute to pollution”? Yes, they do. However, the percentage of us who own and operate ground vehicles, (often more than one), is far greater than the percentage of us who own and/or operate, air and water vehicles. It seems that excessiveness of all sorts, is gaining ground over common sense, responsibility and practicality of any sort. We would have a little less to complain about if there were at least stringent rules and heavy taxes levied on these vehicles, commercial or otherwise. For we, the taxpayer, end up losing more than just dollars, we continually lose what none of us can afford - the quality of our air, water, and the earth itself. May 1, 2000 CHARLTON HESTON IS NO MOSES Charlton Heston’s well-known role as Moses, in the powerful 1956 movie, “The Ten Commandments”, made him forever associated with Moses, in the minds and hearts of the public. Many of Mr. Heston’s subsequent public appearances would affectionately and sometimes jokingly, make reference to this portrayal. When one becomes a celebrity in his/her field, it has become a habit in our society, to give or seek out that person, for honours or endorsement in other unrelated areas. Such seems to be the case with Mr. Heston being president of the USA based, National Rifle Association. In his capacity as President, Mr. Heston recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of Canadians, in Prince George, BC He told his audience that they do not have freedom in Canada, because the Canadian Government has made it mandatory for every gun owner to license and/or register their firearms. He considers that to be a terrible infringement on an individual’s rights. It is very doubtful that Moses would have had any part of Mr. Heston’s reasoning, given that one of the most important of the Ten Commandments is, “THOU SHALT NOT KILL”! Moses may well have been dismayed to have someone with Mr. Heston’s beliefs portray him, since Mr. Heston’s present actions and words where guns are concerned, seemingly contradict this commandment. Freedom is having the choice to purchase items that may require registration, and/or licensing, such as cars, boats, cycles, radio transmitters, and now, guns. For what reason would guns be exempt from this requirement? Purchasing and owning a gun is not a casual decision! Many people feel that guns are hardly a necessity of life, and to a peace-loving person, freedom has nothing to do with guns. Since the only purpose, for which guns are used, when aimed at another person, is to injure at the very least, do any of us really believe we have the inalienable right to do so? Does freedom mean you have the right to use a gun on another person if you deem it necessary? Are people, Canadian or otherwise, being indoctrinated by influential “role models” such as Charlton Heston? Who does he think he is telling Canadians, what constitutes freedom? It is only his opinion - one that is not shared by everyone. Real freedom is for him to have the opportunity to state his opinion - an opportunity that he was afforded in Canada. His words and his opinions, are not facts nor truth, but nothing more than his opinion, and therefore can be challenged by anyone. This is an example of how people to whom WE have given celebrity status, try to use their influence for many reasons which are counterproductive to achieving and maintaining, a decent, peaceful world. We need to be able to see beyond the words and messages that are being conveyed by these people, and realize they may have ulterior motives. April 03, 2000 The Sports Network 2225 Sheppard Avenue, East Suite 100 North York, ON, M2J 5C2 Attention: Audience Relations Dear Sir/Madam; We are writing to you, not only as co-founders of POINT, but also on behalf of our membership comprised of adults from all walks of life, and children the world over. There are terrible wrongs being committed in the name of entertainment - be it sports, movies, games or the like. For the purposes of this letter, we will focus on the world of wrestling. Not too many years ago, wrestling was a relatively harmless, entertaining exhibition of might, agility, and acting. What has happened in the last number of years is a continuing “devolution for dollars” which is undermining existing values of family, friends, and any semblance of a mutually supportive society. Recently, clips on the “net” of the pre-Wrestlemania events, depict the entire McMahon family bashing, hitting, and swearing at one another. Father (Vince) and son (Shane) warring to support their wrestler; Mother (Linda) being slapped, knocked to the mat, and verbally abused by her daughter (Stephanie). All this, with the announcer swearing and inciting the crowd to scream and yell, while witnessing this disgusting exhibition. This is supposed to be “sport” and entertainment. Vince McMahon has succeeded in creating monsters out of the fans as well as those taking part as wrestlers, performers, and incidental officials. We have yet to hear any of the top wrestlers say they are happy with the state of their profession. They certainly like the money and therefore have sold themselves on all levels. But they all say that wrestling is full of liars, cheaters, and exploiters of human frailty, power, and greed. Last July, a 13 year old boy killed a 6 year old playmate by attempting to copy some wrestling moves that he had watched the “pros” perform on TV. Incidentally, as a result of this murder, wrestlers Terry (Hulk Hogan) Bollea, Steve (Sting) Borden, and Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson, have been supoenaed to testify at the trial of the 13 year old, and to show jurors how pro wrestlers make their televised actions appear authentic. Owen Hart’s actual death may have been an accident, but it happened only because the promoters and the heads of the wrestling organizations totally threw out responsible decision-making. They are interested in nothing but making millions of dollars. They use people - wrestlers and fans alike - in the most horrifying, disgusting ways possible! Several well known wrestling performers, are partially paralyzed or severely injured, resulting from the state of wrestling today. McMahon was quoted as saying that wrestling is not a sport - it’s entertainment. We would pose the question: If wrestling is not a sport - then what is it doing on TSN? To make matters even worse, Vince McMahon has succeeded in making his XFL football league a reality, with NBC as a 50% partner. It is pathetic to read or listen to McMahon and NBC executives justifying the concept of XFL, as if there is any doubt that their only justification is greed!. When is this going to stop? What will evil minds like McMahon’s come up with next? How much further can we allow greed to control humanity? No matter what the numbers show in terms of fans of this kind of horror, there are millions of people who are terrified and dismayed about all of the manifestations of gratuitous violence. The proof of the destructive spin-off effects of wrestling are only too obvious, given the recent chain of events. We need TSN and other courageous companies to represent people who want a decent world to exist. Any person who condones, watches, and/or supports these displays, shares in the responsibility for such incidents and/or accidents. TSN’s responsibility is much greater. Is this for what TSN stands? How can any of this possibly equate to the talent of those involved in the many human-friendly sports TSN promotes? Are you putting dollars before social responsibility? TSN has a responsibility to opt out of supporting the greedy, dehumanizing, vulgar, anti-socially-oriented programs, such as those presented by the world of professional wrestling. We, the public (to whom POINT is committed), depend on you to exercise responsible choice in the programs you make available. You have an enormous opportunity to be the leader in making a difference, using the medium that affords you access to the minds of youth and adults alike. Because of the huge numbers of people who tune into wrestling, this would indeed take great courage and foresight on the part of TSN - but the short term losses would be replaced by long term gains - for all of humanity. Do you at TSN, have what it takes? POINT hopes that you do; all of our members are anxiously awaiting your response. Sincerely, Sylvia and Larry Singer C.C.: Baila Lazarus ; Pat Johnson ; Kyle Berger ; Calgary Herald ; Calgary Sun ; Catholic Family Development Centre ; Catholic Family Services of Regina ; Child and Family Services of Central Manitoba ; Children's Aid Society of Metro Toronto ; Chreche Child and Family Centre ; Edmonton Journal ; Family Service Centre of Ottawa-Carleton ; Family Services Canada ; Federation of Child and Family Services of BC ; Hon. Iris Evans ; Hon. John Baird ; Jewish Family & Child Service ; John Cruickshank ; Macdonald Youth Services ; Manitoba Family Services ; Michael Cooke ; Montreal Gazette ; National Post ; Ottawa Citizen ; Sen. Frank Mahovlich ; Sen. Mira Spivak ; Sen. Pat Carney ; Sen. Richard Kroft ; The Globe and Mail ; The Hon. Hedy Fry ; The Hon. Sheila Copps ; The Right Hon. Jean Chretien ; Tim Stevenson ; Toronto Star ; Toronto Sun ; Valerie Casselton ; Winnipeg Free Press February 29, 2000 Stephen E. Bachand President and Chief Executive Officer Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited Dear Mr. Bachand; It is with a great deal of dismay and consternation that I am writing to you. I have just had a copy of the 2000 Annual Catalogue delivered to my home, and while I am currently not a Canadian Tire customer, I nonetheless browsed through the catalogue. To say that I was upset when I reached pages 116 and 117 (paintball accessories) is to express my feelings very mildly. How dare you promote products that encourage the simulated shooting of others, and pass it off as “today’s fastest growing outdoor recreation sport”? As a company that obviously targets families, how could you justify the inclusion of such products? Are you totally unaware and/or insensitive to the violence being displayed not only in society generally, but more particularly in our schools? Are you so concerned with profits that you do not take into account the effect that the sale of your products will have? Would you want your children (or friends and associates for that matter) to practice shooting at others? Do you, as Chief Executive of a large national retail chain, have the courage and foresight to say: “Enough’s enough. Let’s take a stand, return these offensive items to the manufacturer, and refuse to be a part of contributing to violence.”? I would hope that you would have the courage and foresight to do so. If you do, then you will also have the foresight to know that taking such a stand would ultimately lead to GREATER profits, because of how Canadian Tire would be perceived by the Canadian public. (NB: Please note that as I am writing this, a newsflash just came into my computer. A 6 year old girl was shot and killed by a classmate at a school in Flint, Michigan). Mr. Bachand, rest assured that we will actively encourage our members to watch Canadian Tire’s actions in this regard, and direct their shopping habits accordingly. Please visit our website at http://maxpages.com/point to learn more about POINT. I look forward to hearing from you within the next few days. Sincerely, Larry Singer President (NOTE: As of March 23, 2000, the official response was: "It has been reviewed with the Purchasing Team, and we have decided to continue offering this product to our customers.") |
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