Article content continued

LARRY COMEAU

OTTAWA

(There’s a spring election to win, of course, but it’s certainly looking like Kenney will get the chance to turn up the heat.)

NO MERCY FOR DISTRACTED DRIVERS

Kudos to the Ford government for increasing the fines for distracted drivers, with the emphasis on texting. The fines are stiff, but the demerit point loss is not enough. A first offence should carry a six-point loss and a 30-day licence take-away; a second offence, regardless of the time span in between, should result in a year suspension of driving privilege and 12 points; and a third offence should result in a five-year ban.

Regular police patrolling (RIDE checks will stop zero) looking out for this scourge should be a strong enough deterrent; once a few are caught, the message should get through to most.

STEPHEN FLANAGAN

OTTAWA

(RIDE checks and measures to stop distracted driving are apples to oranges, but there’s no disputing that we must find a way to get people to pay attention behind the wheel.)

DREAM BIG

For Marianne Faithful, “She realized she’d never ride through Paris in a sports car with the warm wind in her hair.” The dream of her youth was dashed by reality.

For me, it was, “I’m not going to walk on the moon.” As a child growing up in the ’60s, the NASA space program and the moon landing offered the promise of space exploration for all and travel to other planets. Fifty years later, it hasn’t happened, and for me it probably won’t happen.

The end of the year brings another resolution: Lose weight and a review of last year’s resolution — lose weight — and again reality interferes with intention.

What should we all do? Lower our expectations and almost achieve them or aim high and look for the best? The world needs more people to aim for that which we all think we can’t achieve, as a few will make it and the world will be better for their efforts.

DENNIS FITZGERALD

MELBOURNE

(A very nice The Ballad of Lucy Jordan reference — and a nice message, too.)