Ontario taxpayers are footing the bill for Ford's "Protect Ontario" ads.

Doug Ford's "Protect Ontario" ads are everywhere.  If you live in this province, you can't escape them on television and on the radio.  The ads are highly political and partisan.  They are paid for by the government of Ontario, but they are definitely not government ads.  They do not provide useful information to the people of Ontario.  They are campaign ads.  They reflect the policies of Doug Ford and his Progressive? Conservative government.  

Why should Ontario taxpayers pay for Ford propaganda?  Of course, the Ford government has a right to publicize its platform and its policies, but not at the expense of hardworking taxpayers.  The PC Party of Ontario should pay for those ads.  If the premier wants to promote his agenda, let his party pay for it.  Aren't conservatives the ones who scream and shout about respecting taxpayer's money?  Aren't they the ones who constantly chatter about stopping the gravy train?  The money spent on those ubiquitous ads could be spent on health and education.  

I resent the "Protect Ontario" advertising blitz.  At a time when working people are forced to use food banks because they can't make ends meet, they are a waste of money.  It's truly disgraceful.  So is the money Ford is wasting on moving the Ontario Science Centre.  A much wiser choice would have been to renovate the old Science Centre and keep it at the same Don Mills location.  As for Ford taking control of the Billy Bishop Airport, the people of Toronto should have a say in the matter.  Do we really need for pollution and noise surrounding the island airport?  Do we want it to become as busy and loud as Pearson airport?

- Joanne

Artificial intelligence: Should we put the brakes on AI?

                                         
Artificial intelligence is here to stay.  It has benefits, especially in the medical field.  However, before we proceed full speed ahead, isn't it about time to step back and take stock.  Although AI has some great assets, it also poses some very real dangers.  

Pope Leo X1V warned us of those dangers in his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity).  Leo provided his perspective on the worldwide debate on artificial intelligence.  The pontiff implored us to "safeguard our humanity."  He acknowledged that although "a valuable tool," this technology will never possess a soul.  "We must avoid the misconception of equating this type of 'intelligence' with that of human beings," he wrote.  "So-called artificial intelligences do not possess a body, do not feel joy or pain, do not mature through relationships and do not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean."

Leo XIV

Our common humanity must always take precedence over any technology.  Think about all the greatest works of art, literature and music.  Reflect upon the finest of human achievements.  Did Shakespeare use AI to write his plays and sonnets?  Did Leonardo da Vinci require AI to paint the Mona Lisa?  Dud Beethoven, Bach and Mozart compose their music with the aid of AI?  Could AI create the statue of David or paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel?  Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, published in 1818, dealt with the consequences of scientific overreach.  We know how that monster was created.

Of course, high tech moguls such as trillionaire Elon Musk tout AI as the be-all and end-all.  Musk envisions an automated future in which work will be optional due to AI and millions of robots replacing many jobs.  He has stated that by 2030, AI will surpass human intelligence.

Musk

It seems we are headed to such a world now, but are people any happier, more fulfilled?  Are they more connected?  Is there more of a sense of community.  I find Musk's vision of the future quite scary because it doesn't take into account our basic humanity.  If Musk really wants to make a difference, he could single-handedly end hunger.  According to UN estimates, ending hunger by 2030 would cost $93 billion a year.  That would be chump change for Musk and well under one per cent of the $21.9 trillion spent on military budgets over the past decade, according to the United Nations.  

By the way, Musk spent at least $277 million backing Trump and the Republicans in the 2024 election, according to documents filed by the U.S. Federal Election Commission.  He was likely the largest single doner of the election, mostly through his personal super PAC. America PAC.  

After Trump won the election, Musk became head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  The richest man in the world did Trump's bidding by cruelly making cuts that hurt ordinary Americans.  He even posed for cameras with a chainsaw, emphasizing is willingness to perform Trump's cost-cutting.  

Pope Leo and Elon Musk do not share the same values regarding technology and AI,  This is not a blanket condemnation of artificial intelligence.  It is only to advocate that artificial intelligence be used wisely and intelligently.  What a monumental tragedy it would be if humanity lost control over itself, if human beings became subservient to technology and machines!  Are we destined to serve robots, as Elon Musk suggests?

- Joanne

What childeren have learned from Trump

Do you really want your children to emulate Trump?  Are those the qualities of a decent human being?

- Joanne

The world needs to know the truth about Trump's health

 On the eve of America's 250th anniversary, it's truly sad to see that the country has sunk so low that it is being led by a cruel madman.  As a Canadian, I am terribly disappointed about how Trump has destroyed the friendly relationship between our two countries.  He has imposed tariffs which have hurt the Canadian economy and the economy of the United States.  He has insulted Canadians repeatedly and interfered with our sovereignty.  Whether Canadians like it or not, he seems determined to make Canada the 51st state.  But his territorial ambitions don't end there.  He also wants Greenland and Cuba, whether they like it or not.  

Let me be clear.  My quarrel is not with the American people.  My quarrel is with the Trump regime.  Americans and non-Americans alike deserve transparency.  We deserve to know the truth about the health of  a man who holds such power and control over others.  Enough of the lies.!  Come clean! That means you, Secretary of State Marco Rubio.  You were shown a video of Trump falling asleep right beside you.  Yet, you denied what we see with our own eyes over and over again.  When questioned in Congress, you lied.  You said you have never seen him fall asleep in pubic.  Remember, Mr. Secretary, that this is a man who once referred to you as "little Marco."  He would not hesitate to throw you under the bus if it suited his own purposes.

Rubio

Secretary Rubio, it is obvious that you have presidential aspirations.  You hope to become the Republican candidate for president in 2028.  To achieve your ambitions, you have sold your soul and you have forsaken the welfare of your own country.  The American people are suffering greatly, as is the whole world, due to the actions and the erratic behaviour of the authoritarian despot in the White House.  An unstable America is not good for humanity.

Trump has ruined the American economy and he has hurt the economies of other countries with his tariffs and his illegal and unnecessary war with Iran.  His war is costing American taxpayers a great deal of money and fueling inflation.  Yet Trump's billionaire friends (hello there Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg) don't care.  They're doing quite nicely, thank you very much.  So is Big Oil.  Meanwhile, Trump continually blabs about building his ballroom and his other vanity projects.  

Unfortunately, Donald Trump seems incapable of transparency.  He will never admit the truth about his physical and mental condition because he believes it will demonstrate weakness.  He only cares about loyalty to himself, not to the United States of America.  Will the Republican Party wake up and show some loyalty to the Republic?   Republicans, by doing Trump's bidding, you are enabling the decline of your country,  Please, somebody, shout that the emperor has no clothes.

- Joanne