Hunger in Toronto is a tale of two cities –Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/09/21/hunger-in-toronto-is-a-tale-of-two-cities.html During over fifty years as a regular Star reader; I have never ceased to be amused at some of the woeful stories propagated by your paper. I see now that you even have a “Social Justice Reporter” in the person of Laurie Monsebraaten. The Star has a long and honourable history of muckraking; and ferreting out rogues and political rascals ( should I mention Rob Ford?). However; when you dredge up individual hard-luck stories; you sometimes go overboard in your sympathies; without vetting the stories properly before printing. First; just a personal comment: In the early sixties; I was a young immigrant in Toronto; without an extended family or other social support system; struggling to survive. There was a small café around Gerrard & Oakwood that sold “all you can eat” breakfast for 50 cents; on which I survived for quite some time. There were no “foodbank” in those days; and even if there were; I wouldn’t even know how to spell it. I could have returned to the “old country”; my parents would surely have sent me the fare; but I was determined to stay; even if it killed me. I did; and it didn’t. I don’t know the full story of Ashley-Victoria Martineau; but it does appear she is “old stock” Canadian with the available opportunities this country can afford. She also has a “partner”; who –unsurprisingly – is also disabled and on the public dole. Lest I sound too cynical and uncaring; let l me give just a few recent examples –amongst many –of my experience with people on disability “pensions”. I rent out a two-bedroom apartment; and it attracts not the upper crust of society; which I accept with proper vetting. I get some strange potential renters: once a young couple came; both on “disability” support; driving a large; fairly new pickup truck with three huge dogs in the back. They both smoked like chimneys. They were being evicted from a basement apartment because of the dogs. No; I didn’t accept them. However; I did accept a middle-aged couple who seemed nice; and checked out fairly well; though the lady was on “disability pension”; and the man was “partially disabled” and drove a delivery van pat time; until he decided it was too much and went on full time “disability.” The woman was not in any way handicapped that I could see; she got around fine; but if I knocked on the door unannounced; she would take a long time to get to the door; and I could hear shuffling and grunting; until the door opened and she was on her crutches! They both drank like fish and there were empty beer bottles stacked to the roof. However; she kept the apartment fairly clean and neat; and their welfare cheque never bounced, so I felt it was not my business; though I do resent this abuse of our generous welfare system. At least these people didn’t wreck the place; which another young couple did and then left when the welfare cheque was eventually discontinued. I realize that any welfare system is open to abuse; and the cost of closer monitoring would likely exceed the cost of the money wasted. It could also adversely affect people truly in need. I do think; however; that the The Star should look behind their door before splashing such lugubrious stories on your esteemed pages. It’s an affront to the really disadvantaged and suffering poor. Sigmund Roseth Mississauga, ON (905) 820-6766