Margaret Atwood takes to Twitter to battle Toronto mayor about library closures

The Toronto Public Library system is not a dispensable service. Here are some facts:
1. Seventy-two percent of Torontonians use the Toronto Public Library
2. Toronto Public Library is the world's busiest urban public library system
3. 1.25 million people are registered Toronto Public Library cardholders. In 2010, there were 165,000 new registrations - a 4 percent increase over 2009
4. In 2010, the Toronto Public Library system had 18 million visits to our 99 branches - a 4 percent increase over 2009

I pay taxes towards everyone's garbage being picked up, even though my household produces one small bag every two weeks. I am dismayed that funding for this luxury is not in question while there is the potential for the Toronto Public Library system to receive funding cuts.

Why am I not surprised that the Ford bros. don't know who Margaret Atwood is.

he does not know who atwood is. and that (for me at least) says everything about him. as far as ford comment about more libraries than timmies...i dont even know where to start. the two are not even comparable...

Margaret Eleanor Atwood, CC, OOnt, FRSC (born November 18, 1939) is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history......google for more info. Mr. Ford and Mr. Ford

@starodunder
You mouth off about welfare and how it's 11 am and accuse people of just getting up. Are you in fact at work and posting your drivel on your employers time??

There are almost 70 employees at the Toronto Public Library who are paid more that $100,000 .annual salary...for a 2010 total of over $8.Million ...plus benefits...not saying they don't deserve it...just saying

To Rob and Chris - your insults make me feel so good! It shows that I can get under your skin but that's not a big achievement for small minds like yours. The reason I do this is because I CAN. I hate stupidity and Atwood's actions are just plain malicious and stupid. As for her minions, as the "leader" goes. the followers....

I believe that what she has done is irresponsible. She may have acted originally in an honourable manner but then sequestering herself while the battle rages and implicitly promoting the dastardly smearing of a legally elected official is nothing short of dishonourable. I earnestly would love her to redeem herself and hear HER plan for the deficit.

Frankly it is none of your business why I can post all day nor is it your business my motivation. Just know that I find your stupidity comical.

Libraries are extrememly important in our society because they provide people with low incomes opportunities to have access to a wealth of literary sources both fiction and non-fiction, they provide a quiet environment for people to go and study, and they represent the value that a society places on the importance of a knowledgeable population. Austerity programs challenge the humanitarian principles that are the foundation of our liberal society. We need to start asking ourselves what kind of society do we want to live in and at what cost.

Starowonder...Margaret Atwood a minor author...really ? you are kidding right? Please tell me you were only kidding?
And please tell me how you have licence to accuse people of being unemployed for posting on here at 11 am? Or are you one of the unemployed?

It's sad when people are proud of their ignorance

"Well good luck to Margaret Atwood. I don't even know her."
This statement pretty much summarizes his intelligence level.

I can't link it but look up the Sunshine List for 2010 and check out the 30 or so library employees on it

Starodunder has gone to the library to bone up on her reading comprehension ;-)

Rob Ford as mayor should be required to take a drug test.

Since he is allowing his brother the same spot light, this tag team of Tweedledee and Tweedledum should be required to submit to drug testing on a monthly basis.

other occupations that have less impact on the public well being are required to submit to drug testing so why not the mayor and his side kick brother.

it would appear from their comments about Margaret that they lack grace and dignity and that comes from either stupidity or drug use or both.

what is up with our mayor and his brother? I am tired of those who talk and then balk.

Starowonder, not sure what you're furious about, but Margaret Atwood is actually is a world renowned author. I got this off the internet for you: " ...She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Prince of Asturias award for Literature, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times, winning once, and has been a finalist for the Governor General's Award seven times, winning twice..." How about reading one of her books? And maybe an anger management class? Hope this helps!

Curious how all those Ford supporters who actually completed Highschool feel about him and his twin now? Choo Choo.

I'm not surprised that the Ford brothers don't know who Margaret Atwood is; I AM surprised that they're not embarrassed to acknowledge their ignorance. :(

I think it speaks volumes the Doug Ford doesn't know who Margaret Atwood is, and that he only listens to dmocratially elected officials. I guess that mean us plebs can stuff ourselves. I don't mind people being crass and ignorant, but I just wish the Fords weren't so proud of themselves about it. And Rob Ford apparently flipped off a kid who had the temerity to give him a thumbs-down when she saw him driving and talking on the phone at the same time in the last couple of days. Not exactly gret representatives of a great city.

Go Margaret go!!! Ford is a poorly educated semi-literate buffoon, an embarrassment for Toronto and Canada and a blip on the political landscape. He will be dumped in the next election.

As a parent, my daughter and I spent many afternoons enjoying the many books and Story Times. It saddens me to think how many children will be deprived of this. And I would read to her every night.