My 2025 Wish List

Last year I posted my personal wish list for 2024.  I promised to let you know which of my wishes came true and to write another wish list for 2025.  

To be perfectly honest, very few of my 2024 wishes came true.  I was truly broken-hearted that Donald Trump has been returned to office.  He represents almost everything I find repugnant. However, I will not lose hope and I will continue to support democracy.  Unfortunately, I believe that the whole world is in for a rough ride.

In sports, I wished all the Toronto teams the best of fortune in 2024.  Only the Toronto Argonauts delivered.  They won the Grey Cup.  The Toronto Maple Leafs played well in the regular season, but didn't get past the first round of the playoffs.  As for the Toronto Blue Jays, they had a miserable season.  They were a disappointment as they finished last in the American League East.  The Raptors are rebuilding and they had a lot of injuries to key players.  Not much was expected of them, and they weren't contenders.

I wished that the Summer Olympics in Paris would be successful.  They were, despite worries about terrorism and unrest.  Summer McIntosh, a true champion swimmer, made Canada proud.  She won three gold medals and one silver.

Trump, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu are an unholy trio.  They are all Alpha males in their 70s and they have caused an enormous amount suffering, death and destruction.  All three pose a threat to world peace.  Unfortunately, they are still in power.  We don't know how long we'll have to endure Putin and Netanyahu, but Trump will be president for four years (or longer).

Putin

 Netanyahu 

Trump

My final wish for 2024 was that there would be more civility in the world in, and less political and social polarization.  Trump's return to power does not bode well for that.  However, life goes on, and I can only hope that the pendulum swings in another direction. I had hoped for a greater connection between people and less isolation. I continue to hope.  I have to admit that I am glad 2024 is on its way out.  

Here is my 2025 wish list:

I continue to hope for more civility in the world, and an end to conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine.  The world needs leadership as never before.  It needs stability.  I hope for stability in my own country, Canada, which is at a crossroads.  Canadians will be going to the polls in 2025.

One bright spot in 2024, was the fall of Assad in Syria.  It is my wish that life in Syria improves in 2025.  Syrians deserve a better future.

As usual, I hope that Toronto sports teams do well.  Unfortunately, I am not optimistic about the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays.  The Maple Leafs do well enough in the regular season, but they won't impress me until they win playoff games.  The Raptors have talent, but they have to put some wins on the board.  The Argos have been doing well, and I hope they continue in that direction.

All the best to you and yours in 2025.  I wish you happiness and good health.  In January of, 2026, I will write another wish list and I will let you know if any of my 2025 wishes came true. 

 Happy New Year!

     

- Joanne        

Photos from Centennial Park Conservatory (Part Two)

I always relish a visit to the Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke, Ontario (in the west end of Toronto).  At this time of year, I especially appreciate its Christmas theme.  Here is a second batch of photos of the greenhouse that I took two days ago.  I hope you enjoy them.  I hope they delight you.

- Joanne

Photos from Centennial Park Conservatory (Part One)

I always relish a visit to the Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke, Ontario (in the west end of Toronto).  At this time of year, I especially appreciate its Christmas theme.  Here are some photos of the greenhouse that I took two days ago.  I hope you enjoy them.  I hope they delight you.

- Joanne

Note:  I have posted a separate second batch of photos from the Centennial Park Conservatory.

 

Christmas Reflections 2024

Joy to the world and peace to people on earth!  Christmas sends a message of  hope in world full of war and turmoil.  It is a shining light in the darkest of  days,  Sadly, innocent women and children have always suffered the most due to  poverty, strife, and social injustice.  However, amid all the Yuletide celebrations, many people take time to remember the marginalized in our society.  Many people are doing their best to fight climate change and its devastating effects.  I take heart from this.

In 2024,  Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, begins on December 25th and ends on January 2nd, 2025.  So, Jews and Christians will be celebrating at the shining of the light at the same time this year.  That is a very good thing.  Christians have much in common with their brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith, as well as adherents of other faiths. 

Unfortunately, due to extremism, terrorism and conflict in the Middle East, incidents of Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are on the rise.  This is intolerable in a civil society.  Jews, Christians and Muslims are all "Children of Abraham."  The desecration of synagogues and mosques must be strongly condemned.  Houses of God must be respected.

In previous Christmas postings, I have discussed the restoration of the venerable Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris.  On December 8, 2024, the ancient cathedral reopened five years after it was severely  damaged by a devastating fire on April 15, 2019.

Remember the poor and the lonely, not just on Christmas Day, but always.  Remember those whom society has rejected.  There will be justice because "the first shall be last and the last shall be first."

A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the season, and a Happy Hanukkah to all the Jewish faithful.

Take care,

Joanne

Is Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" an Award?

Time magazine should change its "Person of the Year" to "Newsmaker of the Year"  Here's why.  First, some background.  Time's tradition of selecting a "Man of the Year" began privately in 1927, when the magazine's editors chose to focus on aviator Charles Lindbergh as the most prominent news story of  that year.  Lindbergh, who made the first nonstop trans-Atlantic airplane flight, was selected, partially to compensate for Time's embarrassment at not having him on its cover after his historic transatlantic flight.  The issue depicting Lucky Lindy as "Man of the Year was published in early 1928.

Below is the first Time "Man of the Year" issue with Charles Lindbergh on the cover.

In 1936. Wallis Simpson became the first "Woman of the Year," after the British monarch, King Edward VIII, gave up the throne to marry the twice-divorced American.  In 1999, Time finally recognized women by changing the name of its "Man of the Year" to "Person of the Year."  However,

It must be stressed that the "Person of the Year" designation was never intend to be an award or an honour.  In 1998, Walter Isaaaon, then editor of Time, wrote that the  person of the year title recognized the individual "who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important the year, for better or for worse."  Nevertheless,, "Person of the Year" certainly sounds like a prestigious honour. 

It must be remembered that Adolf Hitler was selected as Time's "Man of the Year" in 1938.  Joseph Stalin was chosen twice, in 1939 and 1942.  Vladimir Putin was named "Person of the Year" in 2007.

Another reason the title should be changed to "Newsmaker of the Year" is that a person has not always been given the designation.  In 1982, for example, "The Computer" was named "Machine of the Year."  

Sometimes an organization or a specific group has been named.  In 1956, the American Fighting Man was chosen.  In 1966, Time named "The Inheritor" as "Man of the Year."  The cover story story specifically mentioned a few young adults, but it was meant to focus on the under-25 Baby Boom generation.  

In 2005, 'The Good Samaritan" was designated "Person of the Year."  In the cover story, Bill and Melinda Gates and U2's Bono were noted for their philanthropy.

In 2006, Time named "You" the "Person of the Year."  It was intended to refer to anyone who uploads information on internet sites and social media.  Some critics accused this choice as being gimmicky. as well as self-promotional.

The title "Person of the Year" is confusing and ambiguous.  It sounds like an accolade.  It has a positive connotation.  It seems to indicate approval.  If that's not what Time intends, the current editors should be more clear about what many consider to be an award.  The magazine's choice for 2024 was Donald Trump (He was also chosen in 2016.}.  Trump has most definitely "affected the news and our lives."  Therefore, he is certainly qualified to be "Newsmaker of the Year."  However, he is far too controversial to be honoured  as "Person of the Year."  Yes, to some Trump is a hero.  To others, however, he is a menace.  An honour should be given to someone who has unequivocally contributed to the betterment of humanity and to society.

END NOTE

* Since Time's "Man of the Year" began in 1927, every sitting American president has been named. to the title, with the exceptions of Calvin Coolidge, in office at the time of the first issue, Herbert Hoover, Coolidge's successor, and Gerald Ford, who became president in 1974 after Nixon's resignation.  Ford was never elected to the office.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the only person to be chosen three times, in 1931, 1934 and 1942.

* In 1999, Albert Einstein was chosen "Person of the Century."

- Joanne

Who speaks for sports fans?

 

Sports fans are the lifeblood of professional sports, and yet they are taken for granted.  Oh sure, teams play lip service to the fans.  They have fan appreciation days at the end of the season and somebody wins a car paid for by a sponsor.  The truth is, however, that nobody really represents the interests of the ordinary sports fan.  It's becoming more and more difficult to attend a game for everyday fans,  With sky-high ticket prices and the outrageous cost of refreshments, the cost of attending a professional sports event is becoming less and less affordable with each passing day.  

It turns out that ordinary sports fans are also being asked to dole out more money to watch sports on television.  More and more games are now only available on streaming services.  That is the trend. and it is pure, unadulterated greed on the part of owners, players and agents.  No professional athlete would dare suggest ticket prices are too high or that athletes make too much money.  He or she would be spurned for spouting such heresy.  

Major League Baseball used to be one of the most affordable professional sports.  Sadly, those days are long gone.  Juan Soto has just signed a 15-year contact with the New York Mets for $765 million U.S.  On December 11, 2023, Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani signed a ten-year $700 million U.S. contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.  I'm not saying they shouldn't be paid well, but those are obscene amounts of money in a world where there is so much need.  It won't be long before a professional player signs the first billion dollar contract.

I know!  I know!  I get it!  Sports is a business.  But shouldn't tit be about be more than?  I'm not saying that players and owners and agents shouldn't make money.  I'm just saying that more consideration should be given to the welfare of the fane and the integrity of the games.  Why should attending a game be out of reach financially for so many people?

- Joanne

Trump's tariffs

JFK

"Geography has made us neighbours.  History has made us friends.  Economics has made us partners.  And necessity has made us allies."

- John F. Kennedy on the relationship between Canada and the United States, in the Canadian House of Commons, May 17, 1961

Trump

"It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.  I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular to all."

 - Donald Trump, Truth Social, December 10, 2024

John F. Kennedy knew who his friends and allies were.  Donald Trump shows nothing but contempt for America's northern neighbour.  The disrespect that he shows Canada's prime minister is appalling.  It is absolutely disgraceful.  It seems that Trump is friendlier and more respectful to dictators such as Putin and Kim Jung-Un than the leader of a democratic country like Canada.  Has Trump ever mocked a dictator?  

I would dearly like to ignore Donald Trump.  Unfortunately, he is going to be in our faces for another four years or more (if he suspends elections).  At any rate, Trump seems hellbent on imposing a 25-per-cent tariff on all products coming to the United States from Canada and Mexico.  This will have a devasting affect on the economies of America's closest neighbours that could upend North American trade and supply chains.  

It is possible that Trump's real goal is a 5 per cent or 10 per cent tariff.  This may just be a ploy so that when he eventually reduces the 25 per cent, Canada and Mexico will be relieved and grateful that he is softening his position, that he is willing to compromise.  It could all be trickery and deception.

Trump wrote his post about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after Trudeau declared that Canada is prepared to respond to Trump's tariff threat.  By the way, I must comment on the name of the platform where Trump posts his ravings.  It is called Truth Social, which sounds like something out of George Orwell's 1984.  I've learned that anything called "truth" is usually propaganda.  "Pravda" was the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union   "Pravda" means truth.

Trudeau isn't the only leader who spoke of retaliation against the tariffs.  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that her government would retaliate if Trump followed through with his 25 per cent across-the board tariff.  She claimed that retaliation by Mexico could kill 400,000 U.S. jobs and drive up prices for American consumers.  During a press conference, Sheinbaum said, "If there are U.S. tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs."

Trudeau

Sheinbaum

Trump's protective tariffs will lead to a trade war in which nobody wins.  Do we never learn from history.  In 1927, the League of Nations' World Economic Conference met in Geneva, Switzerland.  The League concluded its final report with the words "that the time has come to put an end to tariffs, and to move in the opposite direction."  However, many of the delegates' did not move in the opposite direction.  They paid debts and reparations by imposing tariffs on goods.  In 1928, France was the first to do so by passing a new tariff and quota system.

In 1930, Herbert Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised import duties.  Smoot-Hawley was designed to  protect American businesses and farmers.  Instead, it added considerable strain to the economic climate of the Great Depression.  It backfired and worsened  the misery of the Depression.  

Herbert Hoover lost the 1932 election to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  In 1932, unlike 2024, Americans chose optimism for the future.  Roosevelt's presidential campaign song was "Happy Day are Here Again."  On November 5th, 2024, voters rejected Kamala Harris's vision of America.  They chose Trump's chaos and dystopian vision instead.  They decided to go back rather than ahead, and they returned  a convicted criminal to the White House.

Archie Bunker was wrong when he sang "Mister, we could use a man like Herbert Hoover again."  The United States could really use a man like FDR again.  Instead of FDR and Eleanor, America has Donald and Melania.  Sad!

- Joanne