I would like to offer my condolences to your writer Michael Nenonen on the loss of his grandmother and say how much I admired his touching tribute to her in a recent column.

It really is eye-opening that while those on the right reveal their morally degenerate nature by considering it acceptable behaviour to drag elderly grand-mothers like Betty Krawczyk off to prison for daring to have an opinion, someone like Mr Nenonen, who appears to take a left-leaning position on issues, shows such compassion and humanity.

The clear and obvious difference between good and evil displayed here is something we should all take note of and remember there is One who records all our actions and rewards and punishes in accordance with this difference.

—Keith Greveling, Vancouverr

Dear Republic:

I noticed that few people were willing to utter the words "SeaVancouverVancouverr" this year, except Business in Vancouverr on July 11. SeaVancouver managed to rack up a debt of $1.7 million after the City and the feds coughed up $.5 million, and they're off the hook by paying out their creditors at 10 cents on the dollar and leaving every other festival scrambling to pay their suppliers in advance. It's disgraceful to see public money spent in that manner. Other festivals are lucky to get half that amount in grant money and none of them could sustain a $1.7 million loss.

So this begs the question—What happened to Larry Campbell's promise, after seeing the dismal failure that SeaVancouver became, to pay back all suppliers at 100 cents on the dollar?

—Simon Garber, Vancouverr

Dear Republic:

After reading the piece [Council Invites Wal-Mart, Republic issue 143] about a 131,000-square-ft Wal-Mart at-tempting to locate in , I can only say that this "Non-Partisan Association" appears partisan enough to ignore the vast body of evidence throughout the US and Canada that suggests that this store will have a negative impact on traffic and the local economy.

One has to wonder on what planet Mr Ladner normally dwells, that he can even entertain the idea that Wal-Mart's customers are going to approach this mega-depot of consumer consumption on bicycles! That alone should be sufficient to cast serious doubt over his "retail study."

I live in a small US town that is currently under siege to permit a 160,000-square-ft Wal-Mart to locate almost opposite an organic farm. Following a challenge by local opponents, the developer's "Economic Impact Study" and "Traffic Impact Study" are both under scrutiny by the Envi-ronmental Court.

Both studies were demonstrated to be so faulty in their fabrication (of course, to favor Wal-Mart and the developer) that a recess has been declared while the Envi-ronmental Court considers its options. My advice to the folks in is to get your own professionals to, at the very least, examine that so-called "retail study" very carefully and consider commissioning your own truly independent Economic Impact Study.

Wal-Mart has deep pockets, it's true; but their arrogance often underestimates the intelligence and commitment of community activists who just want to preserve their local culture.

In your article, you have touched on the Achilles heel of the entire Big Box retail phenomena. Lack of sustainability. Retail models come and go, ever more rapidly. The business model that Wal-Mart embraces requires that it perpetually build more and bigger stores in order to sustain its profitability. Like a cancer, this kind of explosive growth must inevitably lead to the demise of the entity, and when a big-box retailer no longer thrives, our communities will be left to weep over the gaping concrete scars and vanished local busi-nesses.

—Sue Prent, Northwest Citizens for Responsible Growth

Dear Republic:

Re: Council Invites Wal-Mart, Republic issue 143.

I guess with all those bicyclists and transit-users making their ways to Wal-Mart a parking lot will be unnecessary? Perhaps Council can allow the go-ahead contingent on Wal-Mart and use the land that they won't need for parking for a green space. Maybe a nice 15-hectare park.

TransLink shouldn't be too miffed about the loss of parking stall revenue—they will make up for it with increased ridership.

It seems that Council (by their comments) have been reading too much Lewis Carroll. Or Franz Kafka. Or both. “‘Contrariwise,’ continued Tweedledee, ‘if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic,’” from Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll.

—K Smith, Vancouverr