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6- The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 5, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com OPINION & LETTERS The Oakville Beaver 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5567 Classified Advertising: 845-3824, ext. 224 Circulation: 845-9742 Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: NEIL OLIVER Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The Oakville Beaver is a division of IAN OLIVER President Media Group Ltd. DAVID HARVEY General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief ROD JERRED Managing Editor DANIEL BAIRD Advertising Director RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director SANDY PARE Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution ALEXANDRIA ANCHOR Circ. Manager Auto industry vital to community By simple definition, an editorial cartoon is a drawing on an editorial page employing exaggeration, satire and symbolism on an issue of the day. Our cartoon, which ran on Page 6 of our Nov. 28 edition reflecting on the economy and the auto industry, was no different. However, the cartoon offended some employed by the auto industry, including local dealerships. Oakville is an auto-manufacturing town whose economic success is closely tied to the auto industry. The Beaver fully understands this and has long supported the auto industry. The Beaver has also been a long supporter of local automotive dealers by highlighting their generosity and tireless commitment to the community through their many charitable endeavours. The auto industry itself, including dealerships, plays a vital role in making Oakville the most livable community in Canada. The intent of the cartoon was not to rub salt in a wound, but rather draw public attention to a serious issue that needs to be dealt with swiftly by Ottawa. The purpose was to illustrate the far-reaching ripple effect that an ailing auto industry has on the country. One in seven jobs in Canada is tied to the auto sector, and when that industry suffers, those jobs suffer as well. The cartoon was never meant to insult, belittle or predict. Unfortunately, this cartoon -- as are many editorial cartoons -- is open to interpretation. In these uncertain economic times, we understand that local car dealers and others in the auto sector may have perceived the cartoon as extremely insensitive to their precarious situation. That was never our intent and we apologize. Oakville's future economic health is tied directly to this market segment. The auto industry is the backbone of not only this community, but also the province. No matter what happens in Ottawa, the politicians must come through for the auto industry and ensure it not only survives, but also thrives. The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I am agnostic about whether or not the coalition should overthrow the Conservative minority government. However, I believe that neither the Conservative government nor anyone can construe this potential overthrow as a coup d'état. Why? Well, because coups generally refer to an overthrow that is illegitimate. Yet, the coalition overthrow would be entirely legitimate. This is because our Constitution Coalition is not attempting a coup d'état allows the Governor General to determine whether an overthrow of a federal minority government is to lead to a new election or a coalition government. Consequently, labelling the potential takeover as a coup is inaccurate. Furthermore, it is true that the majority of voting Canadians voted against the Conservatives. However, it is false that the majority of voting Canadians voted in favour of coalition seats (with Bloc co-operation). Instead, the majority of voting Canadians only voted in support for the individual members or parties that now make up the coalition (along with the Bloc). Thence, coalition supporters need to quit speaking as if the majority of Canadians support the coalition party as a whole simply because the majority of voting Canadians did not vote Conservative. Smarten up, people. M. JORDAN BY STEVE NEASE snease@haltonsearch.com Coalition should run in next election The recent announcement of a Liberal-led coalition with the NDP and Bloc intending to form the government is most interesting. There are very strong opinions both for and against this proposal. By co-ordinating a non-confidence motion in the House, they have every right to bring down the government. The other shoe, in this case, is their assumption that they can then form the next government without an election. What the coalition must do is run in the next election as the Progressive Coalition. If the Conservatives had the support of the NDP and the Bloc and tried to pull this same manoeuver on Paul Martin, I could only imagine how loud the "Fiberals" and their supporters would have howled. Right is right and wrong is wrong no matter who the players are. If the coalition wants to take down the government, go right ahead, but they must also get a mandate from the people. Conservatives versus the Progressive Coalition, now that's democracy. STEVE EDGAR Pud Cowardly Conservative government I am shocked at the cowardly actions of this illegitimate government. Stopping the business of parliament is the action of a banana republic dictator, not the leader of a democracy. One wonders how far Stephen Harper will go to keep his job in January, if the political winds don't suit him by then. Matthew Bin The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council.The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206,Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981.Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate.The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.