Really, that “Big Bad Oil” cartoon in the April 8 edition of the Sooke News Mirror was seriously out of touch with the community. The “protestors” shown in the cartoon are nothing like the people active on the “no more tankers” issue. Satire needs a little spice of truth—that cartoon seems closer to slander.
There is a little truth in the cartoon. That placard showing environmental issues from the past? Acid rain, the ozone hole and green house gas emissions: each of these issues was identified by science, brought to governments’ attention by citizens and has resulted in legislated changes to production and use of materials to lessen the environmental effects of pollution. Perhaps this nod to informed citizen protests was unintended.
The editorial themes in “Our View” recently also seem a little out of touch. After lecturing Sooke’s volunteer community on how to behave one week, the next week they are asked to use less of their energy to protect the environment and more to lobby for sidewalks.
The mayor, council and staff are competent to sort out planning and funding sidewalks. When I connect the dots, I see that getting a competent mayor and council is huge and I thank the idealists and altruistic people who voted in District of Sooke.
Heather Phillips
Otter Point