Pants stolen, be on alert

Dear Editors,

This is a warning—keep your doors locked. With the weather getting warmer people are inclined to leave their doors and windows open but take my advice and don’t take the risk.

Last week on William Street there was more than one attempted break-in.

Fortunately the thieves were foiled by a neighbour who noticed some sketchy looking characters peering in the windows of a house. She bravely confronted them and chased them down the street. I would like to congratulate her for her courage.

My car was broken into last week and so was my neighbour’s car. They only took a pair of pants and didn’t do much damage, but my neighbour will have to pay for his smashed window. It really makes me angry when things like this happen and its disappointing.

We have enough to worry about. We shouldn’t have to be paranoid about keeping our doors locked at all times. But the ghetto in the summer time, especially with people sub-letting, and moving in and out of houses, is an easy target. Please keep your eyes out for weird stuff going on so I don’t lose any more pants.

—Kris Croome, ArtSci ’02

Let loyalties lie

Dear Editors,

Apparently, loving the game of basketball can be an argumentative pastime, especially if you’re not a Toronto Raptors fan.

Over the past few weeks I have gone to local sports bars in order to watch the game and the team I adore for all their merits- The Philadelphia 76’ers. Sadly, I found myself harassed and belittled for my loyalty to a team that eliminated Canada’s beloved ball team.

It is possible to be Canadian and yet not love the Raptors or Vince Carter. I know it’s tough to swallow but such people do exist and should be respected.

I cannot claim to be a Toronto fan simply because I live in Canada. I’ve watched basketball for most of my life and I’ve always had an opinion. I watch for players that I enjoy-game styles that thrill me and Philly has been my team for the past few years. I cannot be expected to simply change loyalties because a Canadian team appears on the scene that neither thrills or inspires me.

I love the game and I’m happy to see that more Canadians are beginning to take interest. Yet I beg of you, let me enjoy the game in peace and love what team I choose to without dreading your response. My condolences on the defeat and elimination of the Raptors but at least now, I don’t have to dodge arguments and ridicule because of my divergent loyalty. Good luck next time Toronto!

—Bernadette Zakher, ArtSci ’02

Green with envy

Dear Editors,

As an environmental engineer, I was dumbfounded upon arrival at Queen’s recently. Enormous stacks of refuse littered fronts of student houses, awaiting pickup for garbage disposal. Strolling by, I glanced over several tempting articles, but refrained. This is typical of the school cycle: scrambling to university in September, acquiring furniture for living needs, surviving the frantic year of social or scholastic pursuits, and finally rushing off after final exams to pursue out-of-town summer jobs. Oh, one more thing: if the lease expires, the ‘junk’ is tossed madly out the door and onto the lawn.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Where are the leaders? There is an obvious solution to this madness; the six R’s. Namely:

1)Reduce waste by redirecting the annual waste. Intercept it!

2)Re-use couches, chairs, shelves, beds, etc. Any artists out there? Touch ‘em up and resell. A little artistic magic makes the difference.

3)Recycle what can’t be recovered- metal, wood, etc.

4)Rethink the current philosophy. Transport, pickup and landfill fees add up!

5)Revitalize the second-hand market- an opportunity to be creative.

6)Ridiculous if this isn’t reviewed. It’s a win-win opportunity!

It’s the perfect moment for green sector enterprises to tackle the panorama of possibilities. Is there a system already in place at Queen’s University or the city of Kingston? I read once about a new environmental strategy at the universities across Canada. Does Queen’s apply?

Until that time, I remain a little green with envy—cocooned in the classroom, pursuing my MBA, developing the tools to save the world. However, as I do so, some conscientious leader basks in the sunshine while implementing the seventh R: Responsibility.

—Peter Ormond, MBA ’02