Letters, Oct. 14

Opinion

Standing together

Every donation Canadians make to United States public media, National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, supports democracy on both sides of the border.

We are well aware of the shrill rhetoric which takes direct aim at Canadian sovereignty and of the deleterious effects of tariffs on Canada’s prosperity and that of U.S. citizens. We also know that the United States is suffering from extremism, cruel attacks on migrants and federal government employees and services, and attacks on courts and the U.S. Constitution. Canada and its institutions are not immune. Division being sowed in the U.S. is seeping into Canada.

For better or for worse, from integrated trade and defence, to collaborative science, sport and educational endeavours, our two nations are joined together. We can stand together to defend democracy. Public media helps to do that.

PBS and NPR provide great journalism and educational programming which help keep the democratic values of critical thinking and free speech alive. October 1st was the last day federal funding flowed to either service. However, NPR and PBS have always relied on donations from organizations, trust funds and individuals like the readers of the Free Press.

Peter Kirby

Kenora, Ont.

 

The good and bad of AI

Re: Is there an AI bubble? Financial institutions sound warning (Oct. 9)

The Free Press article published on Oct. 8 questions the billionaires who are now reaping investments for their companies. Most of the books I read are skeptical of this technology, pointing out that less than five per cent of businesses in the U.S. have bought into AI since its mistakes are making its usefulness questionable.

A concern rarely expressed is its lack of human qualities like emotions and altruism, noting instead that the facial recognition feature of some machines is wrong in 15 per cent of cases. Also, the errors are mainly of Black and other non-white people.

It appears some of the vulnerable people buying into AI are youths and seniors. Students are getting AI to write essays, and seniors who don’t know of the coding and algorithms used, are less aware of this new technology.

At this new stage in society where tech giants like Google and Amazon are ruling the economy, people need a balanced view of the good and bad of AI. Hopefully more information will help people decide if government by technology is best for all.

Barry Hammond

Winnipeg

 

Make Winnipeg more appealing

Re: Time for a shakeup at city hall (Think Tank, Oct. 9)

Erna Buffie’s article couldn’t be more timely. I live right near the river walkway and it has deteriorated from a once lovely walk or bike ride to a dilapidated, crumbling embarrassment.

I wonder what visitors to our city think. City hall should give some thought to maintaining our existing infrastructure. Our city could be so much more appealing.

Marie Carrington

Winnipeg

 

Taking care of each other

Re: Making change as an individual (Think Tank, Oct. 9)

Joanne Seiff is to be commended for reminding us of the simple, yet profound ways we can bring light and love to a troubled world.

Her words are a timely call to action: even the smallest ripples of kindness and compassion strengthen the larger web of human interconnectedness, nudging us closer to those tipping points of global change.

In his song Forever Young, Nobel laureate Bob Dylan wrote, “May you always do for others and let others do for you.” It’s a beautiful sentiment — and a subtle reminder that doing for others also means being open to receiving help. Many of us, myself included, find it difficult to accept support, even from well-meaning friends and neighbours.

There are many reasons we might resist: fear of feeling indebted, discomfort with acknowledging our limitations or simply pride. Yet refusing help can hinder the growth and maintenance of meaningful relationships. Just as we feel uplifted when we offer support, accepting help allows others to experience that same joy — without the burden of expectation or “payback.”

Ms. Seiff’s observation that “the world seems to be falling apart” reflects a deeper truth: we often forget that we are all in this together.

Edwin Buettner

Winnipeg

 

The Canadian game

Our Canadian-style game of football goes back 150 years.

The recently announced changes to our game such as reducing field and end zones to American size and moving the goal posts to the back of the end zone, not only eliminate the exciting missed field goal play, but also reduces the end zone scoring area. The new rules do nothing to add to the enjoyment of the game.

The statistics I see show that the Canadian Football League averages 67 points per game versus 47 in the National Football League.

So why the changes to our CFL game which is a faster, more multi-dimensional and exciting game compared to what the NFL serves up to their fans?

For those who appreciate CFL football, last month’s rule change announcement only makes sense in one scenario.

The CFL franchises, with the exception of Winnipeg and Regina, lose money.

The league likely covets a lucrative American TV contract. Those networks will demand that the CFL Americanize the on-field product for their audiences. We can therefore interpret the recently announced alterations to the game as the first step towards this end. We might reasonably expect further adjustments including: four downs, narrowing of the field of play, elimination of the pre-snap motion, reduction to 11 players, the rouge and incorporation of the NFL clock and timeouts.

Our CFL commissioner and league governors might envision the CFL evolving into a farm league for the NFL or an independent league with expansion into the U.S. Potential franchise owners may well be lining up already.

This scenario would enable the NFL to place a franchise in the Toronto area and potentially other cities in Canada.

There was good reason that CFL coaches, managers, players, media and fans were excluded from these “sea change” rule decisions. This was a financial decision by the league governors. This appears to represent the initial step in a plan to evolve the CFL into something fans of Canadian style football will not recognize.

These actions show no intention of preserving our Canadian game and are in fact eroding it. Along with the loss of the rules of a game, we would be losing another Canadian institution. Canadian professional football, which so many of us cherish, appears to be an endangered species.

Gavin Smith

Winnipeg

 

‘Elbows up’ fails

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s much-anticipated visit to Washington ended with no concrete deal to lift U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods — a glaring failure for a leader who campaigned on his supposed ability to manage U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade tactics.

Before he was even elected, Canadians were led to believe that Carney’s experience and composure would make him the ideal negotiator to protect Canada’s economic interests. Yet, his performance in Washington suggests the opposite. Despite Trump’s public flattery and talk of progress, no tangible results emerged. The tariffs remain, and Canada is left empty-handed once again.

Carney appeared more eager to please than to push back. His promise of potential US$1 trillion in Canadian investments if a deal were struck came across less as negotiation and more as capitulation. The “elbows up” approach that once symbolized Canadian resolve seems to have vanished.

Empty gestures and polite smiles do not replace the hard realities of trade. Canada continues to face punishing tariffs on steel, aluminum and other critical sectors — with more on the horizon.

If this was Carney’s best attempt at defending Canadian industry, it raises serious questions about his leadership and vision.

Yog Rahi Gupta

Winnipeg