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The 'Flip Flop' Drumbeat
CanWest, CTV play along as Tories label Dion.
Harper stole riff from Bush
Is Stéphane Dion a flip-flopper? When you think of him, do you picture a fish out of water, flipping and flopping in a desperate attempt to get back into the (main)stream? If enough Canadians believe he is, Dion stands to lose the next election. That's what happened to John Kerry in the 2004 U.S. presidential election. The Republicans tarred him as a chronic flip-flopper, and the label stuck.
Google "John Kerry" and "flip flop" and you'll get 250,000 hits. You'll even find a brand of footwear called the John Kerry flip-flops, which are perfect to wear to the beach. That's where you'll find Kerry -- or on the ski slopes -- while his rival is busy in Washington looking after the nation's business.
George W. Bush can thank pollster Frank Luntz in part for bringing down Kerry, and Stephen Harper has turned to Luntz for advice on how to win his election. Time for some Kerry treatment on Dion.
Luntz is a prominent Republican spin-doctor, a master at framing the political debate through his use of language. He's credited with the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994 via his bogus Contract with America.
Luntz was in Canada in May 2006, to meet privately with Harper and to address the shadowy Civitas Society, whose members include Harper's chief-of-staff Ian Brodie, his longtime political mentor Tom Flanagan, and Environment Minister John Baird. Montreal Gazette reporter Elizabeth Thompson heard Luntz tell the 200 libertarians and neoconservatives that voters want someone who is credible and they can trust, more than someone who shares their ideas. "More than anything else, they want to know you are a straight shooter," he added.
Flip-flopper Kerry-Dion; straight-shooter Bush-Harper?
After Bush featured Kerry's flip-flopping as a central theme in his convention speech, Luntz asked swing voters in Ohio to give him one word to describe Kerry. The top answer was "flip-flop." The message got through, and Luntz must have been satisfied. Bush won Ohio, and Ohio gave Bush the presidency. Of course, we must remember that the state Republican administration ensured that 357,000 Ohio voters, the overwhelming majority of them Democrats, were prevented from voting or did not have their ballots counted.
Double standards
Harper can't rely on such shenanigans to get him elected in Canada, so the Dion-as-flip-flopper frame needs to do some heavy lifting for the Tories.
What is a flip-flopper? People must change their minds from time to time, as situations change or new information becomes available. There is nothing wrong with this. Even our most prominent citizens do it. In a recent Globe and Mail column, Rick Salutin called Conrad Black a flip-flopper who changed from hating Canada to loving it. Salutin argued that flip-flopping is "a sign of adulthood. If you don't flip-flop, you're either perfect or you've stopped growing."
There's even a word for changing one's mind: volte-face, a reversal of policy, an about-face. But "Dion the volte-facer" doesn't cut the mustard the way flip-flopper does. What kind of footwear does volte-face conjure?
Of course, volte-face does have the merit of being French, and we shouldn't forget the attempts by the Harper conservatives at the Western Standard to vilify Dion by accusing him of divided loyalties because of his dual Canadian and French citizenship.
There's a Kerry angle here too. When France refused to toe the Bush line on Iraq, it was placed on the Bush enemies list. French fries were renamed freedom fries. All of a sudden, people thought Kerry looked French and this was discussed at great length on the conservative media. (Google "John Kerry" and "French" and you'll get over a million hits.) The highlight was the line by a senior administration functionary who started his news conference by saying, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, or, as John Kerry would say, 'bonjour.'"
Harper has changed his mind more than a few times. Think of his about-faces on Kyoto and taxing investment trusts. But few in the media are calling him on it. And while Dion's flip-flops demonstrate weakness, Harper's are a sign of strength, at least according to National Post columnist Don Martin. After slagging Dion for most of his column, Martin then writes, "to be fair, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been known to change his mind. Just ask income trust investors." Harper the straight-shooter changes his mind. Dion never changes his mind, just flip-flops.
Don't get framed
And don't blame only the Conservatives. On a swing through Southern Ontario, Dion offered these words: "We did not flip-flop, not at all," bringing to mind Richard Nixon's fateful words regarding his role in the Watergate case, "I am not a crook." No sooner had those words entered the ether than he was eternally branded as a crook.
Dion's advisors need to read George Lakoff's book on framing, Don't Think of an Elephant. If you say the word "elephant," it's impossible not to think of an elephant, Lakoff argues. Denying you are a flip-flopper simply reinforces the frame.
The Conservatives have gone to great effort to implant the frame in voters' minds, attempting to define Dion for the voters before Dion does it himself. Harper kicked off the flip-flop campaign in the House of Commons during the debate over the extension of sunset provisions in the Anti-terrorism Act regarding preventive arrests and investigative hearings. The Liberals had enacted the law in 2001 and now Liberals were voting against an extension. This was a flip-flop of colossal proportions, he charged.
The accusations of Liberal flip-floppery were relentless, occurring 33 times over the next three weeks. Most were about the Anti-terrorism Act, but accusations of flip-flopping spread to Liberal policies on Kyoto and sending troops to Afghanistan. Harper himself most frequently used the term (five times), followed by Stockwell Day (four) and a clutch of Tory backbenchers (three each). Harper said, "...the Liberal Party had done a complete flip-flop on an issue that is of vital concern to the safety and security of Canadians..."; "We had the support of the leader of the Opposition until a couple of weeks ago when he abruptly flip-flopped his position on the issue..."; "...abruptly the leader of the Liberal Party flip-flopped on his support...."
CanWest picks up the beat
Parliament recessed on March 2, but by then the campaign had taken full flight in the media and on the Internet. Dion the flip-flopper was placed prominently on the Conservative Party's home page. Under a banner showing Stephen Harper "getting things done for all of us," was mounted the bodiless head of Dion on a blood-red background, interlaced with the words "flip flop flip...." The title read, "Dion's Terror Flip Flop Exposes Weak Leadership."
Aping the role of Fox News as the main cheerleader for the Bush administration, the Asper family's right-wing bully pulpit, the National Post, led and broadened the campaign against Dion. One editorial attacked Bill C-257, which would outlaw replacement workers in strikes against employers in federally regulated industries. Liberal support for this bill, the Post hectored, "would mark another colossal flip flop of the kind the former governing party has become famous for since Stéphane Dion took over as leader last December."
A week later, in a piece headlined "Liberals go from Dithers to Flipper," Post columnist Don Martin weighed in with the assessment that Dion had a "lousy week." Why? "Not once or twice, but three times in four days we saw Mr. Dion flip-flop on positions he'd taken during the leadership race or his party had supported last fall." The column was apparently considered vital reading for all Canadians, since it was reprinted in the Montreal Gazette, Vancouver Sun and Ottawa Citizen.
And a few days after that, another Post editorial reminded readers of the "already long list of Liberal flip-flops, which includes...Afghanistan, the Anti-Terrorism Act, Bill C-257 … the rehabilitation of Adscam bagmen...and a carbon tax on fossil fuel consumption." Whew!
CTV's supporting act
A second vehicle for disseminating the flip-flop message was the nightly Mike Duffy Countdown segment on CTV, where the Conservative frame was provided a friendly welcome. Government whip Jay Hill led off by slamming "the flip-flop on Afghanistan, or the flip-flop now of the Anti-terrorism Act...."
Next, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day skewered Dion's flip-flop on the anti-terrorism law and its implications for the Air India investigation. Jay Hill was back several days later, as the vote on the anti-terrorism law extension neared. Harper appeared the same evening, repeating the phrase "abruptly flip-flopped" he used twice in Parliament. Apparently, abrupt flip-flopping is worse than gradual flip-flopping.
Conservative strategist Roxanna Benoit couldn't understand why Dion needed to flip-flop, Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Poilievre hoped Dion would flip-flop once again on the environment, and backbencher Garry Breitkreuz accused Dion of being like a fish out of water, going flip, flop, flip, flop, probably repeating the phrase for the benefit of slow learners in the audience.
And in a campaign-style speech Harper gave to 5,000 of the party faithful in Toronto on St. Patrick's Day, Harper ended by complaining about "the flip-flops, the scandals and the empty rhetoric."
If you Googled "Stéphane Dion" and "flip-flop" on Thursday, you got 12,600 hits (and no footwear). Not even the 10-to-one ratio you'd expect when comparing the two countries. If you did the same search on Sunday, 13,700 hits would be returned, 14,100 on Monday, and 15,700 on Tuesday.
It's still early in the campaign and if the slur sticks as well with Canadian voters as it did with the Americans, expect to see a lot more flip-flops. Stéphane Dion will have a hard time explaining who he is to the Canadian voters. The Conservatives are already doing it for him.
Related Tyee stories:
- Has Harper Really Evolved?
- Harper, Bush Share Roots in Controversial Philosophy
- How the Left Should Frame Issues
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- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Who Mowed Down the Premier?
- Canada's Economy, Deconstructed (by a 12 year-old)
- Death in Remand: a Tyee Inquiry
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Death In Remand: 'A Gut Feeling'
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Alberta Fills Pipes with Corrosive Denial
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- How Our Immune Systems Exaggerate Fear
- BC biotech company seeks approval for GM apple
- What's Behind BC's Doors?
- 'The Dictator'
- Death in Remand: Stacked Deck
- 'Moonrise Kingdom'
- From Financial Advisor to Occupier
- Seven Goals to Build the Conservative 'Dream'
- How Our Immune Systems Exaggerate Fear
- Who Mowed Down the Premier?
- Does Simon Fraser University Need a Men's Centre?
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- Why Blackberry's Embrace of HTML5 Is Good Karma
51
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The brain
5 years ago
Harper's always been Republican backed
Anyone who's followed Harpers history in the early years should have caught on to this, but his presidency with the national citizens Coalition (NCC) where Harper was president of this organization, should spell it out in spades. I'll remind you all that Harper was president of this organization for 5 years from late '97 to late 2001, stepping down after he took control of the Conservative leadership. The NCC never did get another president.
Who exactly is the National Citizens Coalition? A group of U.S. multinational oil, insurance and banking corporations, also funded and heavily guided by the Repubican party of the U.S... and they have been doing the best they can to assert the corporate takeover of every resource and service industry in this country, not stopping for anything other than to own Canada outright.
Notice the website name...
www.morefreedom.org
I've put in a few clips from their website which has been toned down over the years... its not as racist as it once was, but the core of the Republican neo right is still there.
Financial Accountability
Canada needs to cut big government spending, find innovative ways to get a better return on our health-care investments, and allow Canadians to keep more of the money they earn. - NCC
It means privatize all government crowns and privatize health care and deregulate foreign ownership of these sectors. (U.S. economic takeover)
Give the senate more control, americanize it with elections and make the senate easier to bribe than 308 MP's and jack up Military spending to fight Bush led corporate wars for the resources of other nations...
Canada needs to entrench property rights, repeal the gag law and end the Wheat Board monopoly. Canada needs to restore rights to union workers, end CRTC censorship and restore language rights to English speaking Quebeckers. - NCC
Basically means entrench corporate property rights, allow massive spending to occur in the media during elections (from outside of the country at that, let the propaganda spin out of control...), deregulate communications to allow U.S. media to take over Canadian content and market share, and divide Quebec with language issues.
The brain
5 years ago
Cont.
Well, the NCC certainly isn't short of money and power. And they've got Harper! He was only their president for 5 years... sadly, Harper wasn't singing a different tune when he was prez. No flip flop here. And people on the street have no clue. If they did...
Did I mention they like to bust unions? (its cheaper to hire immigrants, you know, its the corporate way)
Harper is on record for saying stuff like this pretty much word for word. And now he's suddenly green? Harper's suddenly stopped supporting U.S. multinational oil companies? How about that... he's a flip flopper, excuse me, just changed his mind. And were getting 1.5 billion spent on the environment? Has anyone looked at what difference that spending is going to make? Won't stop the flow of oil and CO2 in the atmosphere in this country. He's all spin.
Yah, just make room for U.S. health insurance companies and private hospitals to run the show...
The brain
5 years ago
Cont.
I don't think people have any clue whatsover about what a Harper majority would mean to this country. This message never changed when Harper was prez of the NCC for 5 years, by the way. What, is he now flip flopping? Not on your life. Straight shooter. He gets a majority, and its goodbye public healthcare. He'll change the constitution if he has to, to do it. People just don't get how much power majority governments possess. He'd be doing it now, if he was granted this kind of power. Don't do it, folks... don't do it.
And the U.S. defence corps get a nice boost from Canadian spending to fight Bush's corporate driven wars for oil and "free market" democracy. How nice...
I can't prove it, but I suspect that the reason why the Conservative party got such a big jolt of cash since the 90's up until this law was passed, was due to direct contributions from the NCC. To translate, the Conservative party rose from the asses by being financially backed by U.S. born multinational's and the Republican party itself... and they want to continue to do it, to create even stronger control of the Conservative party of Canada.
The history of the NCC is deep and dark. Who was behind the major media campaigns against the NEP back in the 70's to promote the U.S. ownership of Canadian oil? The NCC. Who was behind the hatespeak of asian immigration of refugee's in the 70's? The NCC. In the 80's, they pushed the FTA and NAFTA. In the 90's, they resurrected the Conservative party and drafted their brightest student of ideologue crazy... Stephen Harper. This man quite simply, after knowing who and what he's represented for 5 years and before then, can't be trusted.
The brain
5 years ago
Cont.
When I think about how far Harper has gone as far as he has in this country politically... and the bought media... Canwest and the CTV and Globe... it makes me wonder how patriotic or brainwashed people really are.
I know a good chunk of us are just doing 9 to 5's and trying raise kids and getting about our day, but if you love your country and care about its future, I hope you'll do whats right. Get informed about who you're leaders are, where they come from, and just who it is that they really represent. And I can tell you this much. Harper doesn't represent Canada. All he represents is U.S. corporations and the Republican party of the USA and I shouldn't have to get into to much detail over what the Republican party represents. A Harper majority? Don't do it, folks. Just don't do it.
The brain
5 years ago
One last note
If Harper deregulates the banking industry of this country to foreign takeover, its over. Checkmate. We lose our economic sovereignty for good. Mulroney tried it with FTA until it lost so much support in a hurry, he had to axe the idea. Harpers vision to decentralize federal powers simply plays into the hands of more U.S. control. I can go on and on about what the Republican playbook is for this country, but it is really nothing more than to "own" us and were not alone amoung exploited nations.
We are nothing more than a market to corporate america and the sooner we catch on to it and realize just what U.S. "foreign policy" is all about both Republican and Democrat, the better off this nation will be. Until then, we are nothing short of uneducated voters who are highly likely to elect bad politicians and bad governments. Er.. ah... in case we hadn't noticed, we've done it before, have we not?
squishy
5 years ago
Not bad...
...Sorry to say, while I've missed media criticism on the Tyee of late, I haven't really missed Gutstein that much. He usually comes over so heavy that I find myself playing devil's advocate to him by default. This time, though, he stays largely on message with a very astute (and naturally under-reported) assessment of Conservative media strategy in the as-yet-undeclared federal election campaign. Nice work.
(Note to the comments master: Isn't there some sort of rule as to how many times in a row someone can post, though? I think brain out-wrote the column itself...)
BC Mary
5 years ago
CanWest packs many self-serving insults into its columns
It's really important to deconstruct the messages being sold (especially in B.C.) as CanWest news and I think Donald Gutstein is the guy to get that healthy exercise rolling.
There are strong, intelligent, socially concerned British Columbians who have been literally destroyed by "the news" whereas there are anti-social scoundrels who have been elevated to the highest powers by "the news".
Someday, students will read about us and laugh at our stupidity. But it doesn't feel much like a joke right now that we have things like TILMA,
Bill 6, and bulldozers aimed at the Legislature Library.
DJT
5 years ago
"Highly likely"?
The Brain says: "We are nothing more than a market to corporate america [sic] and the sooner we catch on to it...the better off this nation will be. Until then, we are nothing short of uneducated voters who are highly likely to elect bad politicians and bad governments". Highly likely? The problem is, it has been exactly likely. Then again, it is hard to become an "educated" voter when you swallow what CanWest has to offer or do not have the intelligence, concern and/ or time to seek alternative views and/ or the truth. It seems that politicians in this country (particularly our provincial politicians), rely on this (sadly apparent) fact and CanWest is more than happy to comply and dish out the propaganda.
As a European politician said in the 1930's, "How fortunate for politicians that most people are stupid".
kl
5 years ago
Oh the Irony
Harper the master flip flopper is trying to tar Dion with what he apparently is so good at. Unless, of course his flip flopping is all just a charade. I mean, how can Harper flip flop on so many issues, global warming, health care, the middle class, and the Iraq war (which contrary to whatever he says, he was in full support of sending our troops there, not just symbolically standing up and supporting the war) to name but a few.
Harper is defintely getting advice from south of the border on how to frame your opponents. Shameful.
BC Mary
5 years ago
CanWest, CanWest ... read all about it ...
From "Magazine Takeover about money" by Antonia Zerbesias.
Toronto Star, 20 March 2007
... All rather anti-climactic considering the buzz about CanWest Global's takeover last month of the 93-year-old magazine in which it had acquired minority stake last year.
"Finally Cementing Its Utter Irrelevance, ` New Republic ' Now Owned by Canadians," sneered Alex Pareene on the Washington blog, Wonkette.
That was when CanWest announced its acquisition. After that, U.S. media critics started doing their homework – and word soon spread that the Asper family's stance on Israel would take The New Republic even further to the right than its previous owner Martin Peretz, who remains as editor-in-chief, had.
"The bad news for TNR staffers is that CanWest's recent history is littered with lawsuits, gag orders, and byline strikes, buffered by a steady stream of columnists, reporters, and editors who complain CanWest actively censors its employees who stray from the company's conservative, pro-war, pro-Israel blueprint," noted Eric Boehlert of Media Matters. "On paper, that's not a problem for The New Republic , since it was proudly pro-war and pro-Israel under its previous ownership."
...........................................................................
Thanks, Antonia. Ya sure don't see stuff like this in a CanWest ... um er ... "news"paper!
G West
5 years ago
Au contraire / partly
Taking no exception to Lorne's analysis, I think there's one area he did miss. Just in the last few days, the Harper 'agenda' for First Nations has been rolling out across the media.
I'm sure he meant to bring up the way Jim Prentice has been echoing and re-echoing the Tom Flanagan mantra at every media opportunity he could corral during the past two weeks. This emphasis upon privatizing the lands and interests of the peoples who are the descendants of those from whom our colonial predecessors stole this continent is being mounted in the name of personal choice and the sanctity of property, not to mention the hidden Flanagan objective of cultural extinguishment. And it has been getting little attention in the media from anyone except the folks doing the serial and fawningly disingenuous interviews with Prentice..
Embarrassed, as we should rightly be at the Colonial residue of the imperialist project of our predecessors, many Canadians are going to confuse Prentice’s program with something positive, billed as it is being, as the last best chance to finally bring First Nations into the mainstream. No one, to my knowledge, has pointed out that, just like the current incarnation of the B.C. Treaty process, this racist agenda involves a blatant reach around to undemocratic and patriarchal elements within many native communities and a corporate agenda that DOES NOT HAVE natives best interests in mind.
This process, carefully organized and structured by Harper’s eminence grise, Tom Flanagan means to import the American melting pot ethos into Canadian affairs and will, if it is allowed to continue and not ‘stopped’ in its tracks by natives themselves, permit the eventual ‘privatization’ of Indian lands, the end of traditional practices and the extinguishment of what indigenous culture that has not already been wiped out by our colonialist and patriarchal ancestors.
There is some indication recently that native leaders themselves are beginning to pick up on this part of the Harper agenda. Dion should start making an alliance with Native Peoples a key part of his campaign and he should do it now.
Prentice, as anyone who has listened to him speak recently, has learned Flanagan’s lines very well. Dion and the Liberals have their work cut out for them on this file as well.
MyBrainIsOnFire
5 years ago
the Dion Disaster (TM) has nothing to do with canwest
Dion will be a total failure in the next election because of his own damn self.
And do not blame him for his ascension - the fault cklearly lies in the hollow ambition of Gerard Kennedy who provided the voted to get him elected leader.
I met Kennedy in Parkdale while he was doing a streeter and it was clear from anyone who met him that he was an empty, shallow politico looking for votes and nothing more.
Anyone who engaged him that day knew it too.
Dion has no good ideas and more importantlyu cannot communicate effectively - he comes off as a prissy, stuck-up know-it-all.
Sure CTV hates the NDP, but they are a lot of liberal supporters on CTV, inclusing our own Bill Good. They just seem to be Con clones cuz being on TV, they are natural born censors who mimic to a lesser degree the egregious attitudes of the worst of the Cons.
The Dion Disaster (that's my trademark!) is here for the Libs and Canada in general...but you know let's see what happens in QC today.
Jeffrey J.
5 years ago
Canada's media monopoly
Political freemom is eroded when the press is owned by a tiny number of corporate interests. As we have seen in Canada. Nowhere is the worse than in western Canada, where our daily media is completely controlled by CanWestGlobal. And most of our weeklies are owend by David Black, a well known neoconservative monopolist, with a long track record of anit-First Nations sentiment and anti-NDP. Welcome to our new democracy.
OF COURSE framing the issues is everything. Instead of using brute force to compel citizens to acquiesce, you instead manufacture their consent.
We are very fortunate to have the Tyee, Donald Gutstein and the many, many educated writers and contributors helping us understand what is really occuring. Thanks so much. Freedom of expression is like many other privileges in this world: use it or lose it! And I am glad to see Canadians using it today on the Tyee.
Van Isle
5 years ago
Outraged
If you're not outraged then it's obvious that you haven't being paying attention
Elliot
5 years ago
what would the tyee do
what would the tyee do without pictures of harper and bush standing side-by-side? pretty easy, pretty cheap, pretty transparent. also pretty amazing that so many people would use such a one-sided media outlet to criticize canwest for being one-sided. only on the left coast i guess.
G West
5 years ago
Good question El
I can't figure out WHY you're here.
thats 217 - nil
Elliot
5 years ago
pretty busy working again
pretty busy working again today eh gwest/alcibiades/?/?/?. might be time to get a life dude. btw, i sure like this new routing you have where you repost my posts and 'keep score'. you're proving yourself to be even more moronic than i originally thought.
The brain
5 years ago
For squishy
O_O
You and every other Harper supporter will say the exact same thing. Like I say, I could go on and on and on... if it didn't "offend" sooooo many people.
G West's point with First Nations is duefully noted. They are seen as a problem for U.S. corporate ownership of Canada (not to mention, racists vote too!). BC Mary's points concerning Canwest are just as duefully noted. Gutting social spending, decentralized federal powers, ending the wheatboard for the likes of U.S. mulinational grainshippers to control the worldwide market and take over ours outright, cause in case we haven't notice, Canadians only have a near bankrupt Sask wheatpool to go to. And if Cargill or Pioneer becomes a worldcom? Look out farmers, the checks will bounce. Oh and it can't happen? Over the next 50 years of market booms and crashes it won't happen? Its the tip of the iceburg. Deregulate... they want our insurance and banking sectors, always have, always will, will not stop pursing it and if we don't get smart quick, these U.S. mulinationals will get their way. The immediate danger is Harper.
And if you knew why they take crooks like David Emerson with his sellout portfolio of BC resources to Harpers Republican friends... the voters have a right to know that David Emerson sold BC gas to direct, Bush owned Teresen for a big fat directorship and shares while "serving the public interest". BC voters have a right to know what kind of men we are dealing with, here. Crooks! Liars! And the media is just as corrupt.
Be thankful that individuals like myself deeply care about this country enough to do what we can to preserve it, and this goes for you, squishy, and those like you.
'thou shall not muzzle an ox that treads out the grain'
Lorne Mcuaig (Canadian patriot)
Revelstoke BC, Canada
Bluenose
5 years ago
Flop Flip
The mainstream media doesn't report the news; it reports what it thinks should be the news. It doesn't document or report reality; it creates it, or a version of it with specific cultural or economic ends in mind. And covert support from the media is a time-honoured fascist tactic.
Politics is about power, not principle. The acquisition and exercise of political power is necessary in order to implement the ideals and principles it wishes to advance. The federal NDP has never learned this; the federal Liberals seem to have forgotten it. The NDP puts the cart before the horse and wonders why the horse won't trot. The Liberals think that if they choose an old nag rather than a show horse, the cart will hitch itself to the horse. Only the Harper Conservatives are truly hungry for power and seem willing to do whatever it takes to obtain it, and that's why they're likely to be rewarded with a majority at the next election. They appeal to the myopic self-interest of the electorate, who seem too cynical and apathetic to consider the long-term implications of a Conservative majority government. It seems that another Conservative government in Canada will walk hand-in-hand with yet another Republican government in the U.S. C'est dommage.
G West
5 years ago
218 - nil
and credit for another own goal.
G West
5 years ago
Excellent point bluenose
Dion's quest for power in the next election can only be successful, if at all, if he takes the initiative to establish a meaningful power-sharing coalition with the NDP and Greens. It may be a status shock for a lot of old line Liberal opportunists but the alternative is worse. As you point out very clearly.
Instead of pretending that he is not on the ropes it's time for Dion to exercise some real politick, some genuine non-partisan leadership, and undertake a meeting of minds among the forces who have available the means to keep Harper from gaining the power we can all see he is tasting with a good deal of relish already. What is a danger in the green stick will be truly disastrous in the dry – to mangle a biblical metaphor.
‘Time is a-wasting'
Elliot
5 years ago
did you say something
did you say something gwest/alcibiades/?/?/??
G West
5 years ago
Another own goal 219 - nil
did you say something gwest/alcibiades/?/?/??
It's a good thing you aren't with the Canucks.
Bluenose
5 years ago
Dion's Quest
G West writes:
100% agreement here. But will he? Will they? The Liberals ... the NDP ... the Greens? Will they all agree to put partisan politics behind them and concentrate on the future of Canada instead? It would be in their best interests to do so ... and in the best interests of this country. Otherwise Canada will likely become yet another victim of 'Manifest Destiny,' i.e., American Hegemony.
Elliot
5 years ago
liberal/ndp/green coalition
talk about the blind leading the blind.
G West
5 years ago
We can only hope
Otherwise, we're into Peter Weiss territory. if you know what I mean.
I think the Greens and the NDP would go for it if Dion had the jam to stand up to his back room.
DO I think it'll happen?
No. However we live in hope.
It's clear the prospect frightens Elliot though.
Elliot
5 years ago
frightens? are you kidding?
frightens? are you kidding? it would be hilarious to watch those clowns trip over their coattails and slit each other's throats.
G West
5 years ago
220 - nil
frightens? are you kidding? it would be hilarious to watch those clowns trip over their coattails and slit each other's throats.
maestro
5 years ago
Pearls of wisdom
Old quotes :
Something about in a land of the blind a one - eyed person is King.
Cyclops Dion and/or Cyclops Layton...nice ring to it, N-O Vision, line up for special- interest group-skys starts waaay over there(ie in the East).
Yeah it was , at first glance, a scary thought that NDP/Liberal/Green coalition(though I think the Greens are unfortunately lumped with the NDP-sky's)...but then again, Dr. Kervorkian is out of prison soon, isn't he?
Perhaps we should offer this to the either (i) each party separately , or (ii)as a coalition:
http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/webdocs/Humour/Gift-Certificate.html
N/C.
If that fails....I say let them coalition-ize...I want a front row seat .
This could be worth a big laugh. Can the U.S. handle 30 millions Canadians seeking refugee status , give or take Quebec's future ? One of you other TYEE posters can turn out the lights,so we can reduce Climate Change.
lynn
5 years ago
We are losing this country
The brain, extremely good posts above.
I like that you continued them from one post to another because it highlighted how under seige we have become from every angle. How relentless the attacks and how long the list of those attacks on our autonomy have become, both provincially and federally... well, on every level, really - even on the municipal, home turf level we are being targeted now.
It has become almost overwhelming for the people of this country to take in - not to mention surreal to be betrayed on so many fronts at the same time. The tendency of most people is to deny it is actually even happening.
Yup, the enemy clearly inside the gates and for some time now, welcomed in fact by our shameless governments, and busily sabotaging the sovereignty of this country and the rights of our people. Certainly as you say, it is operating to facilitate the agenda of The NCC and ultimately smoothing the way for an unopposed NAU... or more to the point, facilitating an NAU that is "unable to be opposed" by the people of this land. Agreements like TILMA et al are oiling this clandestine transition process - to not only access Canada as resource "product" - but to end it as a sovereign nation.
A war - but without the official declaration that would give their sly game away.
Less messy that way.
Soooo much better to have a war where you actually see the invading soldiers. Instead this is a surreptitious war being waged through undermining all that we hold of value in Canada, a war waged down intentionally dusky corporate corridors..where nothing can be seen in a clear light and all is hazy subterfuge, including traitorous and ill-defined legislation.... with nary a detail in sight.
It really is the ugliest of treacheries - identity theft, really, on the grandest of scales.
clancey
5 years ago
Tories are Consummate Flip Flops
Tory efforts to paitn Dion as a flip flopper are humurous given the fact Harper's Tories are relentless flip floppers. On nearly every major issue and most major planks of their platform they have been forced to flip flop as they work to micro manage their appeal to voters.
They will hold completely opposing views on major policies in different parts of the country as they strive to tailor their look and feel to match local interests. They will be green outside Alberta and feep Blue inside Alberta. They will be pro-west in the Prairies and dismiss the west as a cultural backwater in efforts to win over Ontario and Quebec.
As is typical of conservatives, they spend like drunken sailors, yet try to brandish their opponants as wild spenders. The two most outrageous spending governments in recent memory were the pre-Chretien Tories and the current Republican regime in the United States. Both worked so hard to divert income from ordinary tax-payers into the hands of billion dollar corporations that they created nearly insurmountable national debts.
This is a long standing tactic of Tories and Republicans -- use language crafted to make opponants look like they plan to implement their actual policies.
So, of course, Stephen "flip flop" Harper paints Dion as one. It diverts attention from his own poll-based leadership style. Similarly, "flip flop" Harper paints the Liberals as wild spenders even as he views taxes paid by Canadians as his personal funds.
ov
5 years ago
Why Canada was in G7
Lorne, thanks for that information on the national citizens coalition, hopefully it will inspire somebody to write an article on the subject that will be read by a larger audience than these blog comments. One of the reasons that I think the comments on this site are at least as useful as the actual articles.
However, I would disagree with your one last note, specifically the first part of this sentence: "We are nothing more than a market to corporate america and the sooner we catch on to it and realize just what U.S. 'foreign policy' is all about both Republican and Democrat, the better off this nation will be." I'll cache a quote here from Saul's "The Collapse of Globalism" - pg 90. Emphasis added.
Now as much as we like to snicker up our smug Canadian sleeve, as Connie the prairie correspondent played by Mary Walsh on This Hour Has 22 Minutes would say, we are not innocent victims here but co-dependent abusers to humanity. When it comes to the impact that Canadian mining companies have around the world nil to none say a word. To say this is due to a failure of the main stream media would be too kind, though this lesser condemnation of the soft liberal alternative media may be applicable.
If you dig beneath the surface of the Saul quote you will find lots of interesting history, and I think the main reason that it wasn't included in his book is because he wanted to get it printed. (huge overlap in gatekeepers between the press and the publishing houses) After outlining what I had to say on the point I realized it was much too long for a comment, and would take more time than I had available right now, so I'll just leave this little intro that I started with and move on.
Thanks to Gutstein on the lead to the Civitas Society. I found some more information at SourceWatch, a wiki that is the closest thing to a left wing think tank on media analysis available, and noticed that there are vacancies for CanWest and other Canadian related topics that are just crying out for content.
G West
5 years ago
excellent observations
Thanks clancey.
The only thing you've not mentioned is that governments like Harper's actually "DO" have a record of doing the opposite of what they've promised. Not least of many examples being Mulroney's flip-flop on free trade.
The one thing they don't flip-flop on is using cash from their friends to smooth their own transition between private and public life.
I heard an interview with Karl Heinz Schrieber on the radio last night. His tale of three envelopes full of cash being passed across the table to Brian brought back such memories - almost made me forget the Gomery Inquiry.
There was another CP story out of Ottawa this morning too. Don’t know if you noticed:
OPP investigating affidavit alleging Tory link to mayoralty offer
Bruce Cheadle
Canadian Press
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
OTTAWA (CP) - The Ontario Provincial Police have launched an investigation into a sworn affidavit that claims a senior Tory close to Prime Minister Stephen Harper was involved in an alleged bid to buy off an Ottawa mayoralty candidate.
A certain ‘John Reynolds’ appears to have been involved in this one too.
BC Dude
5 years ago
As I've pointed out all
As I've pointed out all along WE have got to take to the streets and DEMAND ALL OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS BACK and an independent investigation into the Harper, Campbell "money trail" dictatorship of breaking up "OUR HOME AND NATIVE LAND GLORIOUS AND FREE, OH CANADA WE STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE"!
Make the Federal Gov. election parties top priority to give back the powers to OUR once proud Bank of Canada as all loans to the infrastructure, schools, health care Dental, Physio Therapy, Optometrists etc were all covered by B of C at 1% interest which was returned to US the taxpayer, check it out.
I'd say give the Cananadian Action Party the job as I'd trust them 90% over any other party!
http://canadianactionparty.ca/cgi/page.cgi?zine=show&aid=343&_id=27
http://saltspringnews.com/
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/canada.htm
"Find out just what people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.” Frederick Douglass
BC Dude
5 years ago
Give CAParty the job of an
Give CAParty the job of an independent investigation into the treasonous acts being carried out against the people of BC and Canada
BC Dude
5 years ago
http://home.freeuk.net/freena
http://home.freeuk.net/freenations/british-eurofederalists.html
Accenture - previously Andersen Consulting
Accenture, isn't that the outfit gordo is using to keep OUR medical records s-a-f-e, NOT SAFE FROM BIG BROTHER
Read this:
http://commonground.ca/iss/0702188/cg188_bush.shtml
ov
5 years ago
BC Dude
I forget the name of the company that got the contract but I remember that they were also major developers of face recognition software. So heh, nothing to worry about, because if you can't trust these high level security guys then we are truly f@@ked.
BC Dude
5 years ago
ov we're only screwed if WE
ov we're only screwed if WE give into these "vermin".
Right now people are waking-up only because the middle class are now and have been under attack by the corporate super rich!
http://www.cfoss.com/
http://www.oneglobalcommunity.com/
http://www.co-intelligence.org/
http://www.therealnews.com/web/index.php
http://www.robinupton.com/people/WizardsOfMoney/
http://freespeechca.blogspot.com/
http://www.democraticunderground.com/
http://www.liberatefreedom.com/archive/2006/10/15/freedom-%e2%80%94-to-give-our-brightest-deepest-truth/
We will over come these few pigs at the trough!
Corporations have no power with out us and our power is not buying anything except local!
ov
5 years ago
Screwed?
Nay slay the dragon, I came to screw. I just want to have some consensus on the terms.
I'm hopeful. I think that when the global currency goes the way of the Weimar mark that local community will prevail, we'll be able to turn this around without fail, and it won't take too long, just stop doing all the things that are wrong, keep the important stuff and we all know what those are, as for all the rest simply let it slide, and instead commune in creativity, and harvest the honey of the hive.
Localize as much as possible. The only services that the nation state provide is war and debt, which are two products that imho we don't need, so why not let free market forces decide in that particular domain?
Liked your links and I'll be checking out some of the podcasts. I like listening to stuff like that while I cook.
BC Dude
5 years ago
As Gordo and Ralphy want to
As Gordo and Ralphy want to bring in TILMA on April 01, 07, I'd say let US the People bring in OUR own "British Columbian’s Democratic People’s Liberation Front"
A call for the immediate removal of these Corporate Traitors "NOW"!
The BC Fiberals are being investigated for possible links to organized crime through OUR Legislature Buildings, how is that they are still in power?
Like gordo's impaired charge, how is it he doesn't have a criminal record?
Where is OUR justice system?
http://canadianactionparty.ca/cgi/page.cgi?zine=show&aid=402&_id=27
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. When you give up that force, you are ruined.”
— Patrick Henry
ov
5 years ago
In my email box this morning
Take Action To Stop TILMA's Implementation: Provincial Day of Action - March 30, 2007
The Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement - TILMA - which was signed in secret by the BC and Alberta governments last April - is scheduled to come into effect on April Fools Day, 2007. Join activists throughout the province who say NO to the agreement's implementation.
TILMA has been called 'the New NAFTA', hurricane TILMA, Another Bad Deal for Canada, and the 'Death of Local Government'. This deal extends privileges similar to those in the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) to corporations and individuals, allowing them to sue provincial governments and their official agencies for any regulation deemed harmful to investment (i.e. ability to make profit). The agreement assures investors that there will be no 'barriers' to investment and will force governments - down to the municipal level - to harmonize regulations, allowing investors to choose the weaker regulation of the two provinces under which to operate their business. So, under TILMA, even provincial or municipal policies designed to protect the environment and public health are vulnerable to attack from corporate lawsuits of up to $5million dollars.
The Ministry for Economic Development has consistently stated that TILMA will add $4.8 billion to BC's economy, create upwards of 78,000 jobs and will not 'dictate that only the 'lower' standard will be adopted by both governments'. However, both figures have recently been debunked and with the threat of a $5 million dollar lawsuit breathing down a local government's back, there is little doubt that municipal governments will be squeezed to adopt lower standards and refrain from passing any further regulations which contravene another's.
What can you do? Provincial Day of Action - March 30, 2007
On March 30, join with other concerned citizens across the province to say NO to TILMA's implementation with a visit to your MLA's office. Let them know that they must stop the Agreement from going into effect until the public has been consulted and a full debate in the legislature has taken place. The Citizen's Declaration is posted at: http://groups.google.com/group/stoptilma/
ov
5 years ago
second half
To find your MLA's contact information, check: http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/3-1-1.htm
-Call your MLAs local office and schedule a meeting to hear their views on TILMA and deliver the declaration. You can find out if they voted for or against the motion (Motion 43) to debate TILMA in the Legislature here: http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th3rd/votes/v070305.htm
-If your MLA cannot meeting with you, take the declaration to her/his office and deliver it to the door of the office. For media's sake, it would be best to have your event before noon, however some MLAs may not be back in their local office until the afternoon.
-In either case, call the media and let them know that you are taking action. We'll provide a sample/template press release, once you let us know about your action!
-Encourage others to join you on March 30, as well as continue to write letters to the editor to your local papers. Letter writing tips and sample letters can be seen at: http://groups.google.com/group/stoptilma/
Please contact the Council of Canadians office in Vancouver (contact details below) to hook up with other activists in your community, and for additional media support.
Be in touch, and take action to stop TILMA's implementation.
Best, Carleen
Carleen Pickard BC/Yukon Regional Organizer/Council of Canadians #700- 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver BC V6B 1H7 t. 604.688.8846/1.888.566.3888 www.canadians.org
G West
5 years ago
Thanks OV - I got that one too
I also found this:
Chapter 5 of Budget 2007 states that,
"Budget 2007 takes action on creating an Entrepreneurial Advantage in Canada by...Committing to work with interested provinces/territories to examine how the Alberta-British Columbia Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement could be applied more broadly. This will help build our economic union and promote the free flow of people and goods within Canada."
Then a bit further down:
"A more competitive domestic market will better prepare Canadian businesses for further success in the global economy. Artificial barriers to labour mobility can make it difficult for firms to find the skilled labour they need. Other impediments to internal trade can raise business costs and reduce competition. Reducing internal trade barriers will benefit us all through greater product and service choice, lower prices and higher economic growth.
All governments within Canada can contribute to a stronger domestic market. In April 2006, the Governments of Alberta and British Columbia signed the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), a wide-ranging internal trade deal that will make it much easier for goods, investments and skilled workers to move between these two provinces. This agreement, the most comprehensive of its type in Canadian history, has created significant momentum. The federal government is committed to building on this momentum and will work with interested provinces and territories to examine how the TILMA provisions could be applied more broadly to reduce interprovincial barriers to trade and labour mobility across the country."
G West
5 years ago
and continued...
If you go to http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc5ce.html#commerce you'll see this section on TILMA, along with other references such as:
* "...developing a more comprehensive trade and investment relationship with our closest trading partner, the United States, is key to the success of Canadian business. For more than 60 years, we have been able to rely on our trade relationship with the world's largest, most dynamic economy. We continue to benefit from this relationship, yet we must recognize that new players are challenging us in our traditional market. The Global Commerce Strategy will address this challenge by reinforcing our U.S. presence and implementing new initiatives such as the direct engagement of private sector experts in order to connect Canadian companies with new opportunities and attract investment."
* "At the heart of the Government's strategy is the adoption of a new Cabinet Directive on Streamlining Regulation that will come into effect on April 1, 2007...To meet the Government's Advantage Canada commitment to a new modern approach to regulation and improved efficiency and effectiveness, Budget 2007 provides $9 million over two years to implement this initiative."
This whole thing is clearly part of the Harper/Campbell/etc neocon project. Time to pay attention for anyone who thinks pee wee has changed his spots. No real flip-flops for Harper. He has his beady eyes firmly fixed on the prize. My view.
BC Dude
5 years ago
"LETS ROLL on March 30th
"LETS ROLL on March 30th 2007"
TILMA
THIS WILL GIVE ALL POWERS OVER TO THE CORPORATIONS AS THE CAMPBELL LIBERALS HAVE IN ESSESANCE ABBDICATED ALL OUR RIGHTS AWAY, AS I SEE IT THIS IS A TREASONOUS ACT AGAINST US THE PEOPLE OF BC 4,000,000 STRONG, LETS GET OFF OUR BUTTS AND GIVE THEM HELL!
The brain
5 years ago
Excellent point, Ov
When it comes to the mining sector, there is no question that we have become a major player in globalization as far as exploiting mineral and metal assets worldwide. And some of the feedback with various mining companies worldwide has not been good. But aside from some Canadian born mining corps that have treated labor and environmental issues badly in the past in other nations, the mining sector is a large part of Canada's economy.
But a more thorough overview of what Canada's role has been with globalization reveals that the Canadian TSX and Venture is laden with mining companies for a reason and that reason has to do with the ease of Canadian corporate startups, banking support for mining companies in general when there is something "real" to invest in, and the reality that a ton of foreign mining corps trade shares through the TSX. The reason for it is clear... exposure. The TSX is known as being one of the largest mining corp markets in the world.
A serious broker who knows the mining sector in great detail in honesty, would be telling any investor that close to 4 out of 5 mining corps are not legit in terms of the assets mining companies claim to be sitting on. To a larger extent its small caps, to a smaller extent, its mid and large caps. The examination of the mining sector in Canada hilights more than ever, the leadership or lackthereof in the CEO department of Canada's corps in terms of reporting accurate news as well as meeting Canadian mining standards abroad. What's interesting is that CEO respect, abuse, or misues of power in the Canadian mining sector is typically reflective of the attitudes of CEO's in general throughout the markets worldwide. (its funny what pure capitalists say... on one hand, "its the best system we've got, the only way to go." On the other hand, they say to their closest buddies, "watch were you play your money, its a greed orgy fest and alot of it is dirty.")
Having said this, things differ in terms of comparing mining with other commodity sectors such as oil. Minerals and metals are quite simply needed. We go without copper, we go without power and the whole world is in the dark. In other words, the mining sector is here to stay while oil and gas on the other hand, should be phased out by far more progressive alternatives for the sake of our environment.
The brain
5 years ago
Cont.
The enironmental damage done by mines are also localized in most cases. In most cases, the cosmetic damage to the environment should be overlooked due to economic factors. But certain scenarios created by acid leeching large quantities of poor grade ores as well as dam tailing spills that occur in more mountainous regions, have be far more regulated than they are now not just in this country, but world wide.
The feds have never put out any kind of program to encourage Canadian corporate mining development for this country... largely because there are a ton of fakes listed in the TSX and Venture, but also largely because it's a sector that Canadians are doing well in overall in teh markets. Nevertheless, they could regulate more than they are now, more than anything, to protect the investor from fraudulent companies and enviromental projects that should never have been considered for development in the first place. Examples would be rain belt area's that risk breaking gold mine tailings dams with high levels of arsenic and other dangerous elements within the tailings, as well as water contamination. As well, atmospheric leeching methods should be seriously re-examined as opposed to closed systems.
Offering further, the mining sector has been depressed since the late /70's until the last couple years and since there is a great deal more at stake in terms of major rises in metal and mineral valuations, the mining sector needs more regulation, not less. Over the last 5 years major de-regulation has occured in this country, specifically this province, all areas. Sadly, the mining sector has been no exception and this too, has gone way over peoples heads, especially in BC. And is the media to blame? In spades!!
ov
5 years ago
Mining
Interesting info Lorne. Being from Revelstoke I'm wondering if you have inside contacts on this stuff. We definitely need to be more informed. Maybe the Tyee would publish an article if somebody wrote it. After I wrote that comment of mine I noticed the article on Salcito for her expose on mining practices, which jogged a memory of having heard about that on the radio, probably as a result of her story. I'm wondering how many more equally outrageous practices are currently going on that we know nothing about.
Sounds like TSX has stepped in to fill the void that VSX used to hold. I'd heard it was one of the biggest brokering centers for fraud in North America. Is it still around? I guess with the condo market and casinos for laundry of our ten billion a year bud business it wasn't needed anymore. Where else but Vancouver would you see a bus go by with a full length advertisement for a hydroponic company. Tomatoes just aren't worth that much.
One thing about oil is that it gets consumed but almost all metals can be recycled. Landfills and computer graveyards have to be the hot mining prospects for the future.
I read the other day that there are hardly any fish in the oceans that are free of mercury poisoning. Isn't gold mining the source of most mercury contamination? I don't have a clue on this stuff, and it would be nice to be better informed.
BC Dude
5 years ago
TILMA This is a treasonous
TILMA
This is a treasonous act against US the people taxpayers who pay these vermin, leaches.
WE MARCH TOMORROW LET'S MAKE OUT VOICES HEARD LOAD AND CLEAR!
If The Vancouver Canucks fans at GM Place = 18,630 and another 100,000+ TV fans can keep CBC going for another 7 years maybe WE should recruit them to help in OUR March 30th protest march!
Just look at the Ont Lottery Corp CEO Brown severance package of $750,000. for not doing his job?
BC and Canada is our country "OUR CANADA WE STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE"
http://trustislands.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/bc-liberals-keep-voters-in-the-dark-about-tilma/
BC Dude
5 years ago
LOAD = LOUD
LOAD = LOUD
BC Dude
5 years ago
TILMA = Treason As We are at
TILMA = Treason
As We are at war in Afghanistan supposedly to bring Democracy to the Afghans (42+ Canadians dead)
Yet WE at home here in Canada are under attack by OUR own elected band of criminals and big business, wouldn't this constitute an Act of Treason against the people of BC/Canada by those who are trying to push TILMA through?
There has to be lawyers who could see if there are grounds for a trial for this Treasonus Act called TILMA?