Black Friday shopping

Re. Manon Mulder's letter Laments Christmas excess (Castanet, Nov. 25)

During the First and Second World Wars, Christmas was celebrated by the Allied forces’ families. Obviously dads and some moms were all over the world fighting for liberty against Germany. Canada answered the bell again with arms, diplomatic and economic sanctions and humanitarian aid

Governments actually encouraged a scaled down version of Christmas to bring a sense of comfort to the children and mothers back home. It was not a celebration as much as bringing some normality to the soldiers and families.

Those wars were fought in far away places, not unlike the current war in Ukraine, launched

by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's aggression.

The horror and death in Ukraine is not limited to only one side. A ruthless leader is sending Russians to the front line without training, proper provisions, weapons, and clothing. I feel for these young vulnerable Russians who want nothing to do with this war.

Secondly, what proof does (the writer) have that the people you call “shopaholics”—Black Friday shoppers—are not regular contributors to war efforts in Ukraine, and, elsewhere?

Here, and (in other countries around) the world, we are getting past COVID after 2 1/2 years and our (resident) and children could use a happy time to see relatives again. Christmas can be that happy time.

Our retailers need the revenue boost to keep their staff working during January and February. I am happy for them.

Thirdly, mocking Canadians for eating traditional Christmas dinners makes no point, it just gives you an apple box to stand on to voice your opinions. Having that plastic tree up gives families and kids a nice feeling, even if it's for a day.

Kenneth Warren, Kelowna