Kevin O'Leary -- Conservative leader?

Hi Everyone,

Here's the link to the interview with Kevin O'Leary from the CBC radio show As It Happens.

O'Leary shows us that he's a skilled interviewee, declaring that his lack of political experience is an advantage, and that, like Trump, he has the money to finance his leadership campaign.

What do you think of this man and his ideas?

LINC Student Survey

Hello LINC 8 Students,

Please go to the link and fill in our VCC LINC student survey.http://tinyurl.com/ht4pncd

Fill in the first page like this:

Start date:     09/06/2016         [meaning Sept. 6]

End date:      12/01/2016         [meaning Dec. 1]

Shift:           choose Morning or Afternoon

Select 4 Days:    Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday AND Thursday (check them all!)


Thanks!

Doug

Canadian Values?

Hi Everyone,

Here's the link to the Kellie Leitch interview about Canadian values. What do you think of her defense of her position -- and what do you think of the interviewer's questions?

One posted comment was:

"Good job nailing her to the wall with her comments and her attempt to dodge an honest answer."
NOTE: The idiom "nailing her to the wall" means to understand someone's real meaning (what they are really talking about).

How to Live to Be 100

Hi LINC 8 Morning Students,

Here's the link to the TED Talk "How to Live to Be 100."

And here's a link to the transcript of the lecture.

Here's the link to information on the fourth "blue zone" -- part of Costa Rica.

Enjoy!

Devices and children

Hello Everyone,

Here's the link to the program "Q" on CBC radio about children and the use of computers.

Letters to the Editor

Hello LINC 8 Students,

Here's the link to a letter to the editor in the Vancouver Sun about the US election.

And here's a letter to the editor about the recent Vancouver School Board trustee firings.



Sample letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my concern that hours may be cut at our branch libraries. As a cost-cutting measure, the City is recommending that the library close all branches on Mondays. [IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM]

I am a staff member at the Washington Branch, and I work weekday afternoons. Each day, as school closes, dozens of students file into the library to do homework, use the library’s 13 computers, or socialize in a safe place. Many of these children would otherwise go home to empty houses, and the library is the one place that provides a secure, supervised alternative to being home alone.    [REASONS TO NOT CUT HOURS]

Our library has put several after-school programs in place to give students who are not doing homework something constructive to do; and other library customers have told us that they are surprised and delighted that the young people are so well-behaved. Teachers have called to say that some of their struggling students’ work has improved since spending afternoons at the library. Parents have told us they are grateful for the library’s welcome to their children. Closing on Mondays will be a major disruption for these children, and I’m certain there are other ways to save money without risking their safety and the productive use of their afternoons.   [ARGUMENTS FOR STAYING OPEN     &     OFFERING ALTERNATIVES]

I urge your readers to contact their City Council representatives and urge them to vote to keep libraries open! Contact information is on the library’s website. [RESTATE MY PURPOSE]

Sincerely,
Your name and city

To the Editor,

Your recent article, “Sex Encouraged with Comprehensive Education,” questioned the effect of comprehensive sex education on sexual activity. Many people worry that giving youth accurate information about sexual health will encourage them to have sex, but this isn’t so.

Studies have proven that those of us who receive comprehensive sex education are more likely to delay sexual activity and to use contraceptives when we do become sexually active. Even the Surgeon General has declared that it is “imperative and clear that youth need accurate information about contraceptives.” Yet, the current administration chooses ideology over science and spends millions of dollars on ineffective and inaccurate abstinence-only programs. 

The Responsible Education about Life (REAL) Act would provide states with funding to implement school-based sex education that includes information about both abstinence and also contraception. It is imperative that we urge Congress to support the REAL Act. 

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
(City, US State)

Dear Editor:

Your article on the challenges of schizophrenia. published on August 30, states it perfectly. Canada is the only G8 country without a national strategy for mental illness. Considering the fact that 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime, it is critical that our country establish a national body to oversee mental health and illness issues.

Millions of Canadians who are directly and indirectly impacted by mental illness have waited long enough. There is a significant and immediate need for a national mental health commission to begin making improvements to our mental illness system.

It is time for the government to act on this issue.

(Name)

(City, Province)

Sample letter from The Denver Post:

Re: “Proposed Colorado marijuana edibles ban shows lingering pot discord”

It seems hard to believe that many forms of edible marijuana are made to look like candy and treats that children often eat, yet the public is supposed to believe that the marijuana industry isn’t marketing to the youth. 

It has been reported that nine children have been treated at local hospitals after ingesting marijuana edibles. Further, one college student jumped off of a balcony after eating a cookie that contained marijuana. Now, parents are being warned more than ever before to check their children’s Halloween candy, suggesting that if they see anything that looks unfamiliar or strange, it could be a form of edible marijuana and should be thrown out. 

For these reasons and for the health and safety of all youth in Colorado, banning edible marijuana seems like the clear choice.

MC, Lakewood, CO