re: June 20 letter, "Draper off the mark, as usual."

In this letter, the writer uses some classic right-wing strategy. In accusing Doug Draper of "demeaning Western leaders" like Bush, Harper and (oddly enough) Hillary Clinton, the letter goes on to list the many benefits we enjoy as a society, i.e, clean water, home heating, air conditioning, more food in corner stores than in Darfur, etc. Yep, no mess here -- move along, folks!

Then, in a classic conservative shoot-the-messenger tactic, the writer tells us where the mess is ... it is with the media.

That would be the same media whose ownership is, for the most part, supportive of the right wing ideology the Conservatives are pushing, the media that is constantly giving Harper and other like minded politicians an easy ride.

In 2006, people took the Conservatives at their word that they had shed their right wing social conservative agenda. Today, the Harper government, staffed by Alberta reformers and Mike Harris retreads, have embraced most of the failed policies of the U.S right wing under George W. Bush.

Their aim, it appears, is to weaken the power of the federal government to the point that only the military and immigration and customs falls under federal control. The rest can be left to the provinces (Quebec already has immigration powers) and to corporate power and interests.

In using another tactic that was once used by right-wing radicals in the Vietnam protest era, the writer advises Draper that if he likes Barack Obama so much, "the border is only a few miles away."

Yes, sir, love it or leave it, that's the answer.

Doug Draper does not need me to defend him, but I feel I must respond. The letter writer states that "democracy elected Stephen Harper to be our leader."

I contend that democracy allows Doug Draper to air his opinions in print without being attacked in the most ridiculous fashion.

Richard Murri

Niagara Falls