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A collection of letters debates the Monroe Doctrine's relevance, Canada's global role, an Alberta referendum on immigration, AI control, and gambling addiction risks.
In a series of letters to the editor dated September 19, readers responded to recent opinion pieces and editorials, covering topics from the Monroe Doctrine and Canada's place in the world to immigration, artificial intelligence, and sports betting. The letters reflect a range of concerns about shifting global alliances, national identity, and domestic policy challenges.
Monroe Doctrine and Canadian Sovereignty
Steve Soloman of Toronto wrote that the Monroe Doctrine, which declares any foreign intervention in the Americas a potentially hostile act, is outdated. He noted that the doctrine originated when the United States had a weak navy and Britain ruled the waves. Soloman argued that the modern U.S. is brazenly certain of its greatness, making the doctrine a relic alongside Manifest Destiny and American exceptionalism. He stated that the rest of the world is moving toward an unpredictable future, and while Americans are welcome to join, they have chosen to cling to an irrelevant past.
Terrence Downey of Calgary described the current period as a rare privilege to witness the disintegration of the old world order and the gestation of a new one. He said Canada is at the nucleus of this transformation, evoking both dread and exhilaration. Downey noted that while a minority of Canadians accept a neocolonial status offered by the Trump regime, most Canadians are rising to the occasion. He quoted British poet William Wordsworth on the French Revolution: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, But to be young was very heaven.
Janice Dickin of Calgary, a former Canadian studies teacher, recalled Pierre Trudeau's description of Canada as a mouse sleeping next to an elephant. She explained that the elephant could roll over on the mouse, but the mouse could run up the elephant's nostril even with its elbows up.
Immigration Referendum and AI Control
Dono Bandoro of Calgary addressed an Alberta referendum that singles out immigrants as a political problem. He acknowledged that governments have the right to debate immigration levels, housing pressures, health care, and public services. However, he warned that blaming newcomers for problems governments must solve is troubling. Bandoro cited philosopher Jason Stanley's 2018 book How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them, which examines how fascist politics exploits fear, nationalism, and divisions by identifying an outsider group to blame. Bandoro argued that using immigrants as scapegoats diverts attention from creative solutions for housing, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. He concluded that a referendum should help solve problems, not deepen divisions.
Robert Milan of Victoria wrote about artificial intelligence, saying that if AI is to benefit people, it should be controlled or owned by the people. He argued that fretting over AI threatening humanity will continue as long as the corporate billionaire class is in charge and allows freewheeling evolution for power and profit. Milan said AI's main goals should focus on solving humanity's problems, and guardrails are necessary to prevent improper features and direct development. He saw government control as the only way to ensure major benefits, calling it a tall task but preferable to an existential threat.
Gambling Addiction Concerns
A letter from an unspecified writer expressed surprise at reading that emergency visits for gambling issues have increased significantly. The writer said gambling-related health concerns and addictions have likely become more prevalent, accompanied by destruction of individual lives and impacts on families and society. The public is inundated with celebrities and sports icons promoting gambling sites, making it seem acceptable. The letter was in response to an opinion piece titled Canada opened the door to private sports betting years ago, and then walked away, published on September 19.
Monroe Doctrine Canada Immigration Artificial Intelligence Alberta Referendum Gambling Addiction Donald Trump
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