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Opinion

More threats to the freedom of speech

Editorials

The freedom of speech and of the press is not a gift bestowed by a president, Congress or a federal agency. It is a natural right of all persons. The First Amendment does not create that right; it prohibits the government from infringing upon it. The ability to think, speak, write, criticize, ridicule, persuade, offend, dissent and challenge those in government is among the most fundamental preconditions of the exercise of human liberty. It is also indispensable to personal happiness. A person who cannot speak his mind, question authority, express unpopular ideas or tell the government ...

AI: A substitute for real intelligence

Editorials

I have a theory about the artificial intelligence craze that is delighting some and scaring others. It is that we are losing natural intelligence and thus risk seduction by something that can do the thinking for us. Never mind acquiring wisdom, which is defined as “the ability to use your knowledge, experience, and deep understanding to make sound decisions, good judgments, and insightful choices.” Why bother with any of this when you can have AI take the place of your brain? Except that AI only responds to what you ask it to do— such as write an essay on a topic. It makes no ...

Patrick Clancy’s riveting ‘60 Minutes’ interview

Editorials

Patrick Clancy’s interview on “60 Minutes” was among the most riveting, painful and spiritually challenging conversations I have witnessed in years. It was not merely an interview about a criminal trial or a family tragedy. It was the testimony of a father attempting to remain alive after the world he knew was destroyed. Patrick lost his three children Cora, Dawson and Callan at the hands of their mother, Lindsay Clancy. No sentence can adequately contain the horror of that reality. There are losses so profound that ordinary language becomes inadequate. Yet Patrick sat ...

Go orange, act to ease Valley hunger

Editorials

Come Tuesday, color your world orange. On that day, bright orange lights will radiate brilliantly through Dave Grohl Alley in downtown Warren and in Huntington Bank Community Alley in downtown Youngstown. No, the accent on orange is not some kind of September spoof to the spooky Halloween season. Rather, orange will shine attention on a more serious, more ongoing and more pressing communitywide social issue: Hunger. Tuesday will be observed nationwide as Hunger Action Day, the climax of Hunger Action Month. On that day, compassionate and able Americans are urged to act to reduce the ...

Orchids & onions

Editorials

ORCHID: To Phantom Fireworks owner Bruce Zoldan and Pamela Benger, co-chairs of Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music Crescendo Campaign, for their eye-poppingly generous donation of $5 million to the laudable drive at its launch last week. The $20 million campaign is designed to enhance and update the prestigious school’s resources and to attract new students. It will also further the longstanding legacy of Dana as one of the oldest and most celebrated institutions for musical excellence and academic preparation in the United States. To donate to the campaign, contact ...

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Letters to the Editor

When 47 wanted to make Canada the 51st state of America, Canada fought back. As retribution, 47 levied exorbitant tariffs, up to 50%, on Canadian imports, essentially huge taxes on Americans. He claimed we do not need Canada, a lie! US gets vital minerals, auto parts, lumber, aluminum and steel from Canada. There is NO valid reason to destroy our years of friendship, relations and trade with our bordering neighbor just for ignorant spite or self-enrichment. Again, 47 has damaged relations with allies near and far. — Canfield The Kennedy Center is a MEMORIAL to JFK, a beloved ...