April 30: South Sudan, math skills, LRT direction and other letters to the editor

Canada and UN must act in South Sudan

RE: South Sudan conflict spreads

In mid-April a new wave of violence erupted as a tribal feud spilled over the South Sudanese border into Ethiopia leaving more than 200 men, women, and children dead, more than 100 children kidnapped, and more than 2,000 head of cattle looted in the villages of the ethnic Nuer. The same people suffered immense loss of life during the genocide which took place during the conflict in South Sudan in 2013. This tribe has been routinely singled out as non-ethnic Sudanese and pointedly targeted.

As a personal survivor of the conflict with North Sudan and as a concerned citizen, this event pains me greatly and makes me fear the worst.

It is crucial that both the South Sudanese government and international community acknowledge and condemn this horrific crime. The Ethiopian government has played an integral role helping to broker the recent peace agreement which brought to an end the conflict in South Sudan. To not acknowledge this aggression and not offer strategies to address this issue would be gravely disrespectful to the Ethiopians, who have provided refuge and aid to thousands fleeing the conflict.

I invite the Canadian government and the United Nations to stand up and address this event and to work together with the African Union to reach a peaceful resolution. To do nothing further enhances the potential for further conflict and more suffering.

Simon T. Mach, Hamilton

Numeracy and math can't be separated

RE: More isn't better (and other math lies) (April 25)

Latham Hunter's columns are usually controversial and I enjoy them for that reason. But her recent diatribe on math education sees her offering strong and absolute opinions about a subject in which she admittedly has less education (Grade 9 math) than almost all her students and readers. She interprets select academics as telling us math in the real world is different from that taught in schools. This is curious thinking, given that many of our engineered systems are built using the very algebra, calculus, trigonometry and higher levels of math she fears. As examples, bridges are built based on linear algebra and computed tomography imagers on trigonometry and calculus.

Ms. Hunter embraces the idea of numeracy but she fails to appreciate its breadth and how it can be enhanced by high school and university-level math. For example, learning statistical inference in a university undergraduate course helps people critique and appreciate the possible limitations of research study results such as may be reported in a newspaper. Similarly, a well-taught introductory calculus course teaches students how changes in one variable affect another, allowing them to estimate all manner of real world things, from how much their RRSP portfolio will shrink with each one-per-cent drop in the TSX to how much oxygen they will lose with each 100 metres they hike up a mountainside.

I strongly disagree with her suggestion that we can teach less math and at the same time maintain real world numeracy. The relationship between the two is not so simple.

Douglas R. Wyman, Dundas

Why isn't LRT going to the waterfront?

RE: Much-anticipated LRT plans ready for public viewing (April 27)

It is great to see so much detail in the Spectator about the proposed LRT and waterfront development. One item stands out to me as a glaring potential mistake in planning — the lack of funds and resolute commitment to extend the LRT to the waterfront.

Parking and traffic have already been identified as challenges with the waterfront expansion. The proposed investment in the harbour includes residential and commercial development as well as recreation and tourist attractions which will increase the volume of people needing transport. So why would a new billion-dollar LRT system not firmly accommodate the demands of this new development?

I am reminded of the saying, "Measure twice, cut once." Let's get it right the first time, Hamilton.

Robin McGinlay, Dundas

An exquisite look at illiteracy

RE: Illiteracy and the authoritarian nightmare (April 26)

Professor Henry Giroux has written not only an exquisite explanation of today's cultural temperature, but a preamble to a movement. He beautifully summarized today's educational, political and cultural challenges and rightly posed the question — how do we fix this? We see the smoke, we know there's a fire, but we're simply spectators gawking and tweeting about it. Indeed, Mr. Giroux, what is the solution to this multilevel issue?

Lucio Palazzo, Hamilton (lived in the U.S. for 20 years)

… though not everyone agrees

RE: Illiteracy and the authoritarian nightmare (April 26)

The only nightmare I had was trying to understand what this gentleman was saying.

Bruce Scott, Burlington

Carding comes as no surprise

RE: Councillor says he was carded by police (April 27)

Considering the questionable behaviour of many of our allegedly fine and upstanding councillors, I am not surprised one was "carded" at a bus stop.

Michael Adkins, Hamilton