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The Asper Slam on News Media
'Lazy, dishonest, biased, Marxists' and more accusations from Izzy and son Leonard.
CanWest CEO Leonard Asper.
[Editor's note: This is the last of four excerpts from Marc Edge's new book 'Asper Nation: Canada's Most Dangerous Media Company.']
While not a follower of Judaism, Israel Asper admitted an affinity with his namesake Jewish homeland established in Palestine after World War II, which displaced indigenous Arabs. "I'm what you would call a secular Jew," he told the Toronto Star in 2000. "I do consider myself quite Jewish in cultural terms. Very early on, I became a Zionist. It's been a lifelong pursuit of mine." After the 1973Yom Kippur War, Asper was instrumental in raising money and political support for Israel. He helped found an informal organization that evolved into the Winnipeg Jewish community's lobbying arm, the Canada-Israel Committee. Over the years, he had been a sharp critic of Canada's foreign policy toward Israel. After CanWest acquired the Southam newspapers, he often made his views known in print.
In a June 2001 speech in Jerusalem, Asper described Canada's UN record of voting to condemn Israel's actions against the Palestinians as "shameful." The speech was given on accepting an honorary doctorate after he contributed $5 million to help establish a business school at the Hebrew University. It was excerpted in the National Post and other CanWest newspapers. In it, Asper blamed most of the Western world for allowing the Holocaust that killed millions of Jews. "Britain welching on its word, duplicitously shut down Jewish immigration, and countries like Canada refused to accept fleeing European Jews as immigrants, all combining to trap Europe's Jewish community and leave it intact for Hitler's inferno."
In September of 2002, the Asper Foundation co-hosted a four-city speaking tour in Canada by former hard-line Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After 200 window-smashing protesters disrupted Netanyahu's speech at Montreal's Concordia University, forcing its cancellation, Asper accused them of Nazi tactics. "The minority of a rabble, a rioting group of essentially thugs [and] lawbreakers employed the techniques introduced 70 years ago by Adolf Hitler and his Brown Shirts," he said after five arrests were made. The incident was made into a CanWest Global film the following spring, Confrontation at Concordia, by Middle East correspondent Martin Himel. It compared the window smashing at Concordia to the 1938 Kristallnacht that saw Jewish shop windows smashed across Germany and presaged the Holocaust. Numerous groups, including those representing Muslims and Palestinians, complained to the CRTC and the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council that the film defamed them. Globe and Mail television critic John Doyle described it as "absurdly pointed" and an "outrageously aggressive" point-of-view documentary. The film did not mention the Asper Foundation's role in sponsoring Netanyahu's tour.
'Lazy, biased journalism'
A month after the Concordia incident, Asper made his strongest criticism yet of the news media and those who did not support Israel. In a Montreal speech, he attacked journalists in Canada and around the world for their coverage of the Middle East conflict. The speech was excerpted in the National Post and other Southam newspapers. "Both Israel and the honour of the news media are under grievous assault," he told a dinner hosted by the fundraising group Israel Bonds. "Dishonest reporting is destroying the trust in and credibility of the media and the journalists, and the same dishonest reporting is biased against Israel, thus destroying the world's favourable disposition toward it."
The first and worst lie is what this war is all about. Dishonest reporting tells you that it's about territory, and Jerusalem, and Palestinian statehood, and alleged refugees. Honest reporting would tell you that it is a war to destroy Israel and kill or expel or subjugate all the Jews. That is proved by the words and deeds of all the key Arab Palestinian leaders. But the media has bought and reported dishonestly and relentlessly the big lie. That big lie is that this war could be ended by Israeli land concessions.
Asper named many international media outlets, including CNN, the BBC and the New York Times, in providing examples of alleged bias. He promised he would not mention Canadian media outlets by name because they were competitors to CanWest, with one exception. "That exception is the CBC," he said, "because all Canadians own it and the governments we elect are responsible to us and it for its quality, and integrity." He singled out the CBC's Middle East correspondent, Neil Macdonald, for incorrectly portraying Palestinian suicide bombers. "The CBC, along with . . . other left-wing media, will still not label the Palestinian murderers as terrorists. By any world recognized definition of terrorism, they are terrorists, but the CBC, particularly in the person of Neil Macdonald, simply refers to them as 'militants.'" Reasons for the biased media coverage, according to Asper, ranged from negligence to malice. "Firstly, too many of the journalists are lazy, or sloppy, or stupid. They are ignorant of the history of the subject on which they are writing. Others are, plain and simple, biased, or anti-Semitic, or are taken captive by a simplistic ideology." Asper announced he had a remedy for the problem, however. "The solution starts on the campus, and in the journalism schools, then it goes to the boardrooms of the media owners, and finally, and most importantly, with the public."
He urged his audience to take action to influence not only media coverage, but also the education of journalists. "You, the public, must take action against the media wrongdoers," he said, suggesting the cancellation of subscriptions and the withholding of advertising from media guilty of "dishonest" reporting. He urged the formation of "honest reporting response groups" to call offending media to account. He advocated political activism to influence government policy in favor of Israel, which he called "the only beacon of democracy in a swamp of hate, violence and terrorism." One way of helping to change media coverage of the Middle East, he told his audience, was for them to join the boards of universities. Once in a position of influence, he added, they should "demand that the administrators of higher education retake control of the teaching process."
We must demand that the journalism schools do a better job of teaching integrity more forcibly. Then, we must demand that our media owners invest more money in educating their journalists, and media operators. . . . And we should withhold our financial support from those institutions that fail this obligation of educational integrity.
Asper even issued a warning to the journalists he employed. "If any CanWest media outlets happen to fall within this indictment, then they, too, should take notice that I will always do all in my power to stamp out dishonest reporting, and biased reporting on any subject." Honest reporting, he said, included fulfilling certain responsibilities. "The responsibility to report everything that the public needs to know about a given matter and not just selectively, so that the public may be fully informed; to report everything honestly and not slant the news, biased toward their own point of view. That is, news is news, and should appear as such, and opinion is opinion, and must be clearly designated as such." Dishonest reporting, on the other hand, came in several forms, according to Asper, including the use of misleading terminology. "The term 'terror' has been well defined by major recognized laws," he said. "But many biased media describe the Palestinian perpetrators of clear acts of terror against Israel, merely as 'militants,' 'resistance fighters,' 'gunmen,' 'extremists.'" A blatant example of this type of dishonest reporting, he added, was a report on National Public Radio in the U.S. According to Asper, it described "a group of Arab murderers who crept into an Israeli home, at night, and murdered a mother and her children, as 'commandos!'" Similar terms, such as "cycle of violence," "moderate Arab states," "peace process," "occupied territories," and "illegal settlements," he said, had become tools. They were used by "journalistic propagandists in their desire to create undeserved sympathy for the Palestinians and opprobrium for Israel."
His father's son
Although he was Izzy Asper's youngest child, Leonard showed at an early age the affinity for business that would make him the logical successor to his father as CanWest CEO. According to his sister Gail, Leonard was reading the Wall Street Journal and carrying around the Canadian securities handbook in pre-adolescence. His brazen nature was demonstrated by the story she told about how, when Leonard was three, he picked flowers from a neighbor's front yard and tried to sell them back to the owner. The inclination toward larceny, reported Ric Dolphin of the Calgary Herald, ran in the family. "She and David used to do the same thing with crabapples." One of Leonard's earliest lessons in business, he told another Herald reporter, came after he hurried home with $6 in revenue from a lemonade stand he set up at age four. "Dad said, 'What did the gas cost for your Mom to go to the store to buy lemonade? What did the lemonade cost? What did you pay for the Dixie cups? How much was the wagon and how about that little tray you used for a cash register?'" The realities of entrepreneurship thus sank in at an early age. "By the time he'd finished," Leonard recalled, "I'd lost $600 and was a puddle of tears."
Named CanWest CEO in 1999 at age 35, Leonard's youthful looks and pleasant disposition often led business associates to find him out of place in the cutthroat corporate world. "Leonard lacks the imposing presence, the growl and glare, of his . . . father; in its place is an apparent willingness to please," noted Report on Business magazine in 2000. "A dimpled grin and a boyish enthusiasm gives the young CEO a somewhat merry air that, were he anyone else, might make it difficult for him to gain serious attention in a boardroom." Those who made the mistake of under-estimating him, however, were missing some important traits Leonard inherited from his father, noted Maclean's. "People talk so much about Izzy Asper's smarts that they miss or ignore similar qualities in Leonard, whose polite, soft-spoken manner and enormous devotion to his family belie his toughness."
Of all the Asper offspring, Leonard took after his father most of all in the public arena, proving to be almost as prodigious and pugnacious. "He has his father's quick tongue and love of a good fight," noted Gordon Pitts in Kings of Convergence. According to business writer David Olive, Leonard also had "his litigious father's intolerance for dissenters, both in and outside the camp." His verbal fractiousness was evidenced by the insults he often dispensed toward critics of CanWest. He seemed to love the public pulpit as much as his father did, and he used it often to dispense his opinions. In appearing before the Lincoln Committee hearings on broadcasting policy in 2002, for example, he ridiculed critics of media concentration. "Canadian media are more fragmented and less concentrated than ever before," he testified. "I submit that people who believe otherwise are not looking at the facts and they also probably believe Elvis is still alive." In 2003, while announcing changes at the National Post, he derided the Post's competition as an "axis of snivel."
In his father's mold
Like his father, Leonard Asper reserved his strongest attacks for the CBC. He echoed his father's argument that the CBC should not be competing with private networks by airing popular programming such as news and sports. "Because private broadcasters can now afford to, and are showing a willingness to, invest in news and information programming, the CBC should produce only that kind of programming that is not commercial," he said in 2003. "That's why we say they shouldn't carry Hockey Night in Canada using your money, my money, taxpayers' money to outbid private broadcasters for something that private broadcasters would do just as well." Hockey Night in Canada was one of the few programmes that actually earned a profit for the CBC. Asper argued, however, that the public broadcaster should instead spend taxpayer dollars on unpopular programming. "Where it's uneconomic to invest is [in] what they call indigenous drama: kinds of things that don't unfortunately get the ratings but are deemed to contribute to Canadian culture or help Canadian artists," he said. "That's what the CBC should do though, is try new programs, try the drama, the variety programming and the arts programming that doesn't make it on an unsubsidized broadcaster."
Leonard Asper also saved his harshest criticism of the CBC for its coverage of the Middle East, in particular correspondent Neil Macdonald. In a speech in September of 2003, Asper reprised his father's attack on the world media, accusing them of bias against Israel. He went one step farther, however, and attributed the bias to racism. "Racism is very difficult to prove, particularly when the accused do not openly state the reason for their attacks or their bias," he told an audience at the Gray Academy of Jewish Education in Winnipeg. "No reporter screams: 'I hate Jews.'" The racism of news media was instead an "institutionalized" bias against Israel, according to Asper. "Knowingly or not, the media who cover Israel do not recognize it as either a homeland or a fortress for the protection of Jews both within Israel and for Jews living everywhere." He saw the reporting as resistance to making Israel a Jewish homeland. "Therefore to them Zionism is racism," noted Asper, "and some reporters condemn all Jews for the existence of what they deem to be a racist state." Terrorism in support of displaced Palestinians, he pointed out, had resulted in wild conspiracy theories.
The reversion to the "blame the Jews" solution for terrorism everywhere is prevalent among the intelligentsia, including journalists. The Jews and therefore Israel are to blame for 9/11; they are to blame for the attacks on the United States and UN installations; they are to blame for the war in Iraq, and even economic decline.
Attacking the media
Asper's speech, which was excerpted in the National Post and other CanWest newspapers, echoed his father's attack on lazy, stupid, ignorant journalists for dishonest reporting. Part of the problem, he said, was that unlike its early underdog years, Israel had come to be seen as the aggressor in the conflict. "Many news journalists are either doctrinaire socialists or hold political views left of center," he said. "They are generally supportive of anyone who they deem to be oppressed, victimized or otherwise aggrieved by a stronger party." The problem was made worse, he added, by the fact that Israel was "unprepared for propaganda wars." It was thus losing the battle for hearts and minds in the television age. "Journalists, some of whom are even Jewish, complain openly that they generally receive only an official government statement from Israel, often post-deadline, while from the Arabs they are granted interviews with whomever they want -- Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Aqsa or Islamic Jihad."
They get instant access to wild funerals, replete with bug-eyed youths chanting "death to Israel and America" and they are given packaged home videos from Arabs. These home video shots are either fabricated or edited to paint Israelis in the worst possible light. Professional ethics have fallen by the wayside in the interests of good raw video and deadlines.
Some reporters covering the Middle East, he added, were "fooled by the openness of Israeli society" and the debate in that country over treatment of the Palestinians. Disagreement between politicians from the Labour and Likud parties, he said, as well as by journalists from Israeli newspapers, led many journalists to an incorrect conclusion. "The raging debate," he said, "confirms in many journalists' minds that Israel does bear at least some blame for the deaths that occur on both sides of the conflict." The biggest problem, he added, was that many journalists covering the Middle East simply lacked the background to do so competently. "Many reporters sent to the Middle East are unqualified for complex war coverage," he said. "They know nothing about the history but worse, they do not bother to make their own inquiries." Most journalists, he said, did not know that "the terrorist and weapons-infested Jenin refugee camp is run by the United Nations and has been for more than 50 years." Sympathy for Palestinian refugees seemed to Asper undeserved and mostly due to the ignorance of journalists. "Most do not have any clue that the so-called Arab refugees became refugees because they were urged to leave by Arab leaders when they were attacking Israel in 1948." Asper singled out only one media outlet and one journalist by name in charging "hints of anti-Semitism" in the Canadian media.
When Hezbollah, the well-known terrorist group, was finally banned in Canada, Neil Macdonald of the CBC pompously, but dangerously, suggested Hezbollah was a "national liberation movement victimized by unfair smears cast around by supporters of the Jewish state." No reference to Israel, just "the Jewish state."
Pointing out that while some journalists were "neither Marxists nor anti-Semites," Asper lamented that "they have little help." Fortunately, he told his audience, CanWest had been working toward a solution. "There is some hope, as we have found in observing the results of various programs to educate journalists," Asper continued. "With fair-minded journalists, who actually do care more about the truth than their own ideologies, there has been a positive response once the hard facts are known. But for some, their work must be done for them." In addition to training programs, proper media hiring practices were important to ensure the correct coverage of news, he added. "Media proprietors and managers must ensure that the people they hire do not bring their ideology into their newsrooms, and that journalists do proper research before filing stories." He echoed his father's call to action by urging his audience to hold the media's feet to the fire and point out anti-Israel bias where they detected it. "The media must be held accountable, just as they purport to hold others accountable. Respond to bias when you see it. Demand informed, objective and accurate reporting."
Some in the media were outraged that Asper had spoken out on such contentious issues. Christopher Dornan, then director of Carleton University's journalism school, thought it was entirely appropriate for Asper to give his opinion on an issue of concern to journalists, however. After all, he was the CEO of Canada's largest private-sector news media company. "No, the problem is not that he spoke out," wrote Dornan in the Globe and Mail. "It is what he said." The CanWest leader's criticism of Canadian journalists, according to Dornan, was not only ill-advised and ill-founded, but worse. "Here's what's wrong with Mr. Asper's position: It's dumb as all get out." While Asper had prefaced his remarks by stressing they were his personal views and not CanWest editorial policy, Dornan found his disclaimer "either disingenuous or naive." The resulting influence on CanWest journalists was unavoidable, he noted. "When the person in charge of a national media corporation offers his deep-down opinion on what he hopes for in news coverage, the people who work for him cannot help but take notice." The extreme nature of Asper's comments betrayed his own ideology, noted Dornan.
Journalists are all too often constitutionally Jew-hating Marxists who are intellectually dishonest and therefore morally bankrupt? Pardon? Mr. Asper takes a complicated matter that merits serious attention and reduces it to baiting and name-calling. He should know better, but apparently, he doesn't. This guy hasn't the foggiest idea how journalism works, but for the moment, much of Canadian journalism works for him.
Izzy Asper died of a heart attack a week later, leaving Leonard as "Canada's most important media magnate," according to the Globe and Mail. Gordon Pitts had already deemed him the country's most important media executive because "unlike his rivals at BCE and Bell Globemedia, Leonard actually owns the shop." The CanWest founder's funeral in Winnipeg drew a crowd of 1,600 mourners, including Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin, and Stephen Harper. Leonard Asper, his voice breaking with emotion, eulogized his father. "Thank you for what you gave to the world and to your family," he said. "We have your checklist. We know what's left to be done. We will not let you down."
Related Tyee stories:
- The rest of this Asper Nation series.
- Big Media is Hungry!
Watch the short, funny video. - CanWest's Clumsy Vendetta against CBC
The more the National Post cries bias, the more oddly obsessed it appears
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
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- ...while on the streets, pirates and ninjas put aside mutual animosity to join student protests
58
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rjm
4 years ago
asper loyalty
a few days after 9/11, i saw charles adler interview john manley on canwest bctv. i believe manley was, at the time, minister of foreign affairs representing the government of canada. adler, of course, was representing canwest.
adler made a clear and glaring demand that canada immediately surrender its sovereignty to the government of the united states. the demand was devoid of ambiguity, but formed such as to be possibly and quite loosely interpreted as a question, though it certainly (with the help of adler slamming his fist on his desk) came across as a demand.
i have written numerous letters the make reference to what,i believe, is an act of sedition or outright treason on adler and canwests part, including letters sent to adler personally as well the winnipeg sun newspaper.
i have also highlighted the fact that adler was not reprimanded in any visible way by canwest, in fact, his participation seemed to be expanded subsequent to his demand that the canadian government immediately surrender to foreign authorities.
many of the letters have been printed.
i have never be sued.
tks,
rjm
BC Mary
4 years ago
Good on you, rjm. And
Good on you, rjm.
And this:
"The responsibility to report everything that the public needs to know about a given matter and not just selectively, so that the public may be fully informed; to report everything honestly and not slant the news, biased toward their own point of view."
For anyone with respect for the meaning of words, this is a ghastly shriek from a very deep dark hole in the earth. It's damwell not about British Columbians and their need to know what happened to B.C. Rail, for starters.
Just one question for the charming, boyish Asper: have you heard about the raid on the B.C. Legislature and the charges against three former government employees?
I searched in vain and found -0- in the 3 big CanWest (converged) B.C. dailies about Justice Bennett "blowing her top" in B.C. Supreme Court last Friday. And yet this whole case is about Canada's 3rd largest railway, publicly owned until 2003. And we, the previous owners, aren't sure what happened after that.
Jeez, and you pontificate about "everything the public needs to know". Like, in CanWest newsrooms, who's deciding what we need to know?
Asper Question: why isn't the Basi-Virk-BCRail Case given the same daily drum-beat as the Pickton trial? Please explain that.
Gary
4 years ago
My take on...
..the Asper Canwest Media is: lazy, sloppy,stupid journalism, biased reporting and any thing else you can think of.
Witness the lack of facts and the prevalence of innuendo in almost every column in their papers or reports on their TV stations. And the biggest crime this company is perpetrating is right here in BC. The almost total lack of reporting on the Legislature Raids. And when a reporter does report on it they spin the outcome to so the Governing party here doesn't look so bad compared to the previous government.
The one saving grace is that we have places like The Tyee or IWT or Blogs to get the real scoop or any scoop at all for that matter.
Grumpy
4 years ago
George Orwell had it right
"Early in life I had noticed that no event is ever correctly reported in a newspaper."
I have now found the Vancouver sun so incompetent in its reporting, so biased in its outlook that I have cancelled my subscription. The Seattle PI has more news and a lot more interesting articles.
I urge everyone to cancel their subscription to the Sun!
Jeffrey J.
4 years ago
Jewish Peace Movement Strong
The Asper's efforts to equate criticism of Isreal's neoconservative regime with anti-semitism is a well developed ploy south of the border. Such logic however is patently fallacious, inspite of its power as a political tool. First, Israel peace movements (such as Gush Shalom) are strong voices in Israel, condemning the right wing government just as Canadians and American condemn similar policies in the West.
It is not about semitism, but about rejecting aggressive foreign policy and resisting tyranny.Unfortunately, like hard liners around the world, neo-con Israelis can be as strident and imperioius and ideological as neo-con Westerners like Bush, Cheney and our own Steve Harper. The former cloak their criticism of free speech with allegations of anti-semitism; the latter stifle free speech with allegations of unpatriotism or proterrorism. Its the old "you're either with us or with the terrorists" in different language. A patent fallacy itself.
The existence of the "Israeli Lobby" in US policy is well researched by two progressive Jewish writers and is well worth considering:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Israel_Lobby_and_U.S._Foreign_Policy.
Cogent criticism of Israeli neocon policies abound, beginning with Einstein's grave concerns over violence by Israel, and continuing with critiques by Noam Chomsky (Princeton University) Uri Avnery (former publisher and Knesset member),and Canada's own Naomi Klein (No Logo, Shock Doctine).
Thoughtful people everywhere must reject the logic that forbids criticism of a military regime, whether that regime be Israel, the US or Canada.
Excellent series Tyee and Marc Edge. This great book is officially on my Christmas list. Can't wait to read the full version.
working slog
4 years ago
THANK GOD FOR THE CBC!
And we wonder why the social culture in Western Canada is so messed up. With these creeps ruling the roost when it comes to the news media, how on earth will Western Canadian society ever know what genuine reality is rather than Canwest's biased perspective.
PLEASE - We need to do everything we can to save the CBC because these Canwest creeps will do everything to keep us from getting the real news.
G West
4 years ago
Jeffrey J
Without taking issue with your general thesis I would like to clarify one point.
I do not believe that Mearsheimer and Walt are Jews - progressive or otherwise.
The other individuals you mention, Einstein, Chomsky, Avnery and Klein certainly are.
Working Memory
4 years ago
Better than SEX !!
This series is better than sex.
Nice foreplay David & Marc.
I had a feeling a couple of days ago that the climax today was going to be great ... and you guys delivered. My wife is jealous.
I made a public plea to Carole James for a news media inquiry regarding British Columbia and the 2010 Olympics in September of 2006.
It fell on deaf ears.
CanWest has interviewed me a number of times, but they never publish my views. I assume it is because I always, at some point during the course of the interview, implicate them in deceiving the public.
CanWest seems to like my perspective regarding the 2010 Olympics enough to call for interviews, but apparently they don't like what I say about them, so as expected, they pan me.
Who knew they would be so persistently biased?
Here's what I wrote about CanWest in 2006;
Working Memory
4 years ago
Action
Quote:
I urge everyone to cancel their subscription to the Sun!
Right on Grumpy!
Passive action speaks louder than words.
You might also want to let a few of their advertisers know of your dissatisfaction.
Start with the smaller companies and work your way up. They all have email. Send them a link to the story here in The Tyee.
Individuals cancelling subscriptions certainly does hurt, but losing one large account impacts their revenue stream in a big way and sends CEOs scurrying to the boardroom in a heartbeat.
Skywalker
4 years ago
This won't help.
I really do not need to know any more about the Asper's opinions. I doesn't seem to help their cause if they have one beyond making their fortunes with propaganda instead of news. If I made generalization about a race of people based on the Asper's attitude then I I would be just as bad. All this is more than I ever wanted to know about them as individuals. I still object to their manipulation of the news people get to read and hear. In that respect they are just as bad as any other group trying to deny the truth.
Working Memory
4 years ago
Keep writing rjm
It takes a lot of courage to write letters as you have rjm.
Please see my note to Grumpy above, and keep up voicing your opinion.
You are not alone.
Working Memory
4 years ago
It will help
Actually, Skywalker, it will help, if for no other reason than to encourage people not to be so apathetic.
With not a hint of sarcasm and all due respect for your opinion, not everyone is as astute as you, nor do they read The Tyee as often. For some people this could be the first time they've seen tangible evidence that what they've suspected is true.
I do agree with you however that repeating the same mantra over and over gets boring, but sometimes that's what it takes to drill down to a crowd that needs more inspiration to get them off their hands.
Also, I'm not sure what everyone else does here, but when I find a jewel like this I blast links of it around the world to other news media, and especially a company's national competition.
Dan Rather didn't show up here last month by accident. The request came from UBC students who asked him to investigate our homeless situation. Articles like this give international media an opportunity exert pressure we can not possibly do on our own.
News media is a business. Publishers have to be concerned with their customers as well as their competition. No one wants to be next on the list to be targeted.
Leverage the momentum.
Think local act global.
Birch
4 years ago
Life's blinkers
This series of articles on the Asper media empire reveal clearly why it is important to have a diverse media rather than a concentrated few magnates in control.
One can understand the Asper's preoccupation with Israel; it's not unique within the larger Jewish community. There were terrible things done with respect to the holocaust and its victims, and as is pointed out above, not all of them were done by Hitler and his cohorts. It seems very difficult to be anything but paranoid and combative when huge swaths of history have shown that many people were, and are, out to get you.
That being said, I fail to see much difference between an ideology devoted to social justice (or the dreaded "socialism", if you prefer) and an ideology devoted to promoting capitalism and Israel (not necessarily in that order) AS IDEOLOGIES. They can both be hidebound and blinkered, prone to see only the advantages and benefits of their own side and overlooking their own failings and evils.
I fail to see the logic in demanding that the employees (the journalists) do original research (something Asper deplores the lack of according to this article) and THEN COME UP WITH THE POLITICALLY CORRECT ANALYSIS as defined by the editor or publisher. The journalists might as well just phone him and say, "What would you like me to write today?"
Asper's papers do have some good writing in them, particularly the parts of the paper to do with culture, the arts, and business. But their tedious lack of originality with respect to international and national issues makes them just another right wing mouthpiece. I'd as soon listen to Rush Limbaugh, which is pretty much as crappy as you can get.
Bobb999
4 years ago
"Truthiness" in Journalism, Canwest style
To hear Aspers ranting about dishonest, ideologically driven journalism is hilarious, as Canwest itself is the most culpable purveyor of dishonest, ideological journalism of any media group in Canada. And in the western world, Canwest may be second only to Rupert Murdoch's Newscorp which includes his infamous FAUX News TV, for such questionable "journalism".
Also hilarious is Izzy's call to boycott
media outlets and publishers that are guilty of dishonest journalism!
Because I'm fairly certain Canwest is on the receiving end of significantly more boycotting by angered Canadians than is any other media org. in Canada.
I'm sure I'm but one of many who contentedly boycotts Canwest, at least as far as paying any $. I do read some online Canwest articles, including from their disgraceful flagship Post, just to keep track a bit of who they're sliming, and their latest misleading propaganda campaigns.
The Audit Bureau of Circulations which, twice yearly, gathers independent stats on paid newspaper readership seems to confirm this.
The latest stats released this month show, of the 3 Toronto majors, Globe, Nat. Post, and Star, The Post saw, as it typically does, the largest paid circulation decline at -3.7%, compared to the Globe's small decline of -0.3%.
Nationally, The Globe leads the Post in paid circulation in all major Cdn. cities except Edmonton. The Globe's circulation has outperformed the Post for years, with The Post deteriorating at a rapid rate.
Last year, The Globe was the only Toronto-based newspaper to buck a trend of declining circulation, and actually grew circulation.
http://tinyurl.com/2vg9jo
http://tinyurl.com/2gnfev
So who's getting boycotted? It looks like Canwest is!
Just one example: According to Norman Spector, The National Post, way back in 2001, had an exclusive scoop on news of the mysterious 6 digit cash payouts from Mr. Schreiber to Mr. Mulroney, but instead of informing the public, chose to not carry, but bury the story nationwide. Aside from a few small-mention exceptions that got past the Canwest censor, Canwest outlets sat on the story for years.
It's true other media outlets were slow to pick up on the Schreiber story, but while others came around to covering it in the last few years, including last year's fine CBC TV doc., Canwest continued to kill the story right up until very recently when Schreiber's affidavit and the spillover from it finally made it impossible for even Canwest to ignore any longer.
Honest journalism, Aspers? Ho ho ha ha hee hee.
Skywalker
4 years ago
Working Memory
I found Asper's comments so close to insane that I found myself wondering how anyone from a group of people so ill treated by lies in the past would suggest that journalists, many of who have a family history similar, need to have their heads filled with Asper opinions. As though they can't recognize truth without Asper explaining and defining it for them. The arrogance of the man.
I didn't think much of the Aspers and the Asper media before and that was the reason I said that I really didn't need to know more. Most people whose ancestors had gone through something like what I assume the Asper's ancestors did would be obsessed with facts, truth and freedom. Proposing to send journalists to an Asper approved reeducation camp is hardly a way to a better world or a better image for that matter.
Fogotwillingate
4 years ago
Who says one has to be an
Who says one has to be an orthodox Jew to support Israel? The foundation of Israel was consistent with nationalist goals, shared the civilized world after World War 2. The displacement argument for Arab rights is a joke. They fought a collective war of "extermination" against the new country, and were defeated. In fact, it is Jews and Christians who have been displaced by imperialist Arabs. Over 2,000,000 Christians have been coerced out of their Holy Lands since 1947. And the Arab position is not nationalistic, in spite of their phony claim to the Roman imperial title of "palestinian."
Their leaders seek to enforce ethnic cleansing provisions of the Muslim Quran and Hadith. And they get UN subsidies for their military bases, posed as "refugee" camps. Too bad that those ethnically cleansed by Arabs don't get the photo ops that the Arab victims of Arabs are delivered by the door mat media.
As for the National Post, it is a poor paper with little going for it. When they pushed ourt Mark Steyn and Christie Blatchford, they cut their own throats.
On another matter, who needs proof that cops use tasers for a purpose other than for preserving life. Check out this video from Utah.
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/11/21/video-bro-tased/
The cop tases a man for walking away from him, as did Robert D. I did some research and learned that Utah cops can't use the killer weapon in cases of passive resistance. Here the cop unlawfully refused to hear exculpatory evidence, and humped rubbish about cop "orders" being gospel.
Who says a citizen can't fight cops who are acting illegally?
http://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bcpc/doc/2002/2002bcpc585/2002bcpc585.html
G West
4 years ago
Fogotwillingate
On the Middle East:
I think a lot of it depends upon where you decide to start counting coup. If you go back to the British sellout of their commitment to the Arabs during WWI the whole 'creation' of Israel has to be characterized in a different fashion - but I don't think that's the central issue in the Asper problem anyway.
On the Taser thing, I agree with you.
Have a look at this:
http://www.cprc.org/docs/bcopcc_final.pdf
Particularly the recommendations at the bottom of page 34 and top of page 35.
My understanding is that this June 2005 report was sent to all BC Police forces and was meant to be part of their training protocols: Although the head of the BC Police Chiefs' Association - speaking about the subject in a news conference this week - apparently knew nothing about the recommendations.
Lefty
4 years ago
Zionazi
If there ever was an argument to be made against dual citizenship this is it. These creeps can leave my country anytime the sooner the better.
We have some real problems with Israel.It is a racist state which has no right to exist.
Here http://www.counterpunch.org/cook11232007.html is a link to an article which will argue that point for me.
It seems to me that the zionists, instead of refuting the tactics that the nazis used against the Jews, have claimed those same tactics for their own. Big leg up for Jew haters everywhere. Big downer for Jews everywhere else.
Any Jew who promotes zionism should be considered a potential spy for foreign interests, and a security risk if they are government employees or elected to government. The interests of the zionists run counter to the interests of free men. Canada should end all diplomatic, cultural and commercial relations with Israel until that festering wound on the face of the planet has been healed.
Asper is un-Canadian.
read the link provided.
Lefty
4 years ago
the Asper News Network
Asper news is the last place I would look for news. I do however thank them for delivering via my mailbox sufficient quantities of newspaper for fish wrap, litter box liner and occasional wood stove starter.
Truman Green
4 years ago
Something smells about this article.
Is there really a single reader here who doesn't already understand what CanWest represents?
But the Tyee agrees with the CanWest point of view on all the big issues; it trots out the same one-sided nonsense that global warming is a catastrophe; brings in Matthew Rothschild to laugh at those who don't believe the official version of 911; publishes fake progressive leftist Terry Glavin to harrass what he pretends are that portion of the left community who don't live up to his expectations; mimicks all the same old pretense that there's an hiv epidemic in Canada and around the world.
Methinks you all do protest CanWest too much.
BC Mary
4 years ago
Don't cancel your CanWest subscriptions ...
Grumpy, Working Memory:
I share your general disillusionment with the CanWest media. They mock the notion of intelligent reporting as a public duty.
Worse, they campaign for -- and elect -- their own selfish policies with their own selfish candidates. They don't seem to care much about the best agendas for the greatest number of citizens.
But CanWest won't even notice if you cancel your subscription. They're just too big, too rich, too headstrong to be put off by a lost customer or two.
As for you? You're left out in the cold, not knowing what they're scheming to do next.
Keep your subscriptions and study the damn things for weak spots. Then write or telephone to make your PoV known to the journalist and/or to the Newsroom.
Explain the facts o'life to them. Be brief, be polite, be persistent. Give substance to "the public interest" so the journalists and editors can actually begin to feel that people care. How else will they know?
They can't publish most letters but they do pay attention to them. So I think that's the best tactic for improvement.
Right now, Judith Lavoie is doing a decent job, within space restructions, on the disturbing land giveaway of Tree Farm Licences which were intended to preserve and protect the forests for employment.
For that kind of writing, I think a journalist and the newsroom deserve praise.
Truman Green
4 years ago
Very strange, BC Mary.
Would you buy a car from a dealer for whom you had no respect?
I can't understand why you would counsel people not to cancel their subscriptions if they believe that the CanWest papers do not act in the best interest of their readers and the general population.
G West
4 years ago
Sadly Mary
Sadly, Mary, for the odd exemplary 'Judith Lavoie', there are dozens of front page exposes of opulent excess like that on display above the fold of today's Times-Colonist.
Luxury's high end: Region's priciest homes by assessed values
At least they got the apostrophe right.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
CanWest still expanding
Reported in The Daily Planet, Nov. 25, 2007.
WINDSOR, ON, Nov. 19 /CNW/
"CanWest MediaWorks buys six community papers in Essex County. 'Through these acquisitions, CanWest has established a community newspaper network in the Windsor market. We look forward to exploring the potential for growth of these publications in this region,' said Rob Leuschner, President of the CanWest Community Publishing division, which now includes 30 community publications throughout Canada. 'This is yet another example of CanWest's commitment to developing strong community voices across this country.' "
http://www.the-daily-planet.ca/content.php?id=907
BC Mary
4 years ago
I guess I didn't say it clearly enough.
I didn't suggest that people maintain their subscriptions in order to swallow all the wrong-headed bits.
Quite the opposite.
And I'm assuming you actually WANT to do something to change CanWest's point of view.
So I ask you, how can you begin to reason with CanWest if you have no idea what they're saying?
If you want to actively try to change CanWest, you have to look at them, think their stuff through, and then -- didn't I say this? -- write or telephone the journalist and the newsroom. Tell them where they went wrong. And tell them when, occasionally, they get things right: as with Judith Lavoie.
Sure I said it. I said "Be brief. Be polite. Be persistent." And I said those CanWest guys might not publish, but they'll read what you say and slowly (sure, like water dripping on granite) they'll begin to change.
Try what Maurice Cardinal suggests: adopt a journalist. I seem to be stuck with Gary Mason but I note that lately he's gone missing from The Globe and Mail so I guess the Old Reliable figured him out for themselves.
Truman, that's a silly question. Buying a car ain't subscribing to a newspaper. And that dubious car ain't gonna change. Who you kiddin'.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
Cancelling subscriptions
I've cancelled my subscription, but I've found ways of getting copy for free. When I write to them, they don't know that I don't buy their stuff. Except for groceries, I really try to avoid buying from the companies that advertise in CanWest. In this way I don't support CanWest nor their advertisers, but I do find a way to monitor them.
Bobb999
4 years ago
Boycotting Canwest is working!
It's apparent from The Audit Bureau of Circulations stats stretching back years that there is an ever growing contingent of EX- subscribers to Canwest. It's true most major newspapers in North America, and probably worldwide are suffering from net competition, but in Canada, Canwest, and certainly their flagship Post is losing paid readers at a faster rate than other Cdn. papers. There's only one explanation for this: Readers are fleeing from Canwest,
ceasing to buy or subscribe.
I'm with those here who totally support the notion of canceling subscriptions. Ultimately, the financial bottom line is something the Aspers, as businessmen, MUST
pay attention to. And, as Canwest is a publicly traded co., not a private one, the Aspers must take into account the best interests of shareholders.
There's enough freely available Canwest content online, that one can still keep track of what they are up without having to reward them by contributing $ to help reduce their growing red ink river.
Btw, I notice that more, and maybe all Vanc. Sun articles are free online now. For instance, Vaughn Palmer's column, one of the best things about the Sun, imo, is no longer behind a subscriber wall. It's free online.
I often end up reading Canwest stuff via Norman Spector's excellent site, which is essentially a very good news aggregator.
The pressure Canwest must feel from its declining mkt. share is arguably having some effect already at moderating their
positions, or showing a bit more tolerance
of thought.
I see this trend occurring in the Vancouver Sun a bit, for instance. That CanWest recently turned over "editorship for a day" to Dr. David Suzuki,at least a few times, surprised me. To allow a larger degree of environmental coverage is something I wouldn't have expected from Canwest before.
Some people on previous Tyee threads have opined that even their flagship hardline Post appears to be mellowing ever so slightly. I can't vouch for this myself, as I still seem to find lots of Post articles that make my blood boil, and I don't scrutinize the Post thoroughly enough to be able to say for sure, but it's conceivable.
I've received calls from Canwest's subscriptions sales call centers a few times in the past year. I always explain exactly why I won't subscribe: that I view Canwest as purveyors of dishonest, ideologically driven propagandist "journalism". It's quite possible they keep track of decliners' reasons to aid their marketing research, so it may be a useful idea to not just say no, but to tell them why.
So, I say DO boycott Canwest, DO cancel subscriptions, 'cause it seems to be
starting to have the hoped for effect: Canwest may be beginning to mellow ever so slightly, to be a bit more open and honest, instead of stifling debate to the same degree as before. They still have an awful long way to go though, so till then, I say,
"Just say NO" to Canwest-Global!
BC Mary
4 years ago
Whatever works, do it!
Thanks for the info., Bob 999, I didn't know that Vancouver Sun has unlocked more of their stuff.
I've had to buy a digital subscription in order to fully track the Basi-Virk coverage -- mostly the lack of coverage -- on the BCRail Case and so those Subscribers' locks don't appear on my screen.
Whatever works, I hope people take steps to try to shake CanWest out of their complacency. The way it is, CanWest's 3 big daily B.C. newspapers are a disgrace to a civilized democracy.
More and more, I think, citizens are having to assert their own rights. It needs just a little bit more than to "not buy" something.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
CanWest Global
CanWest Global Communications Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter 2007 Results:
http://www.canwestglobal.com/mediarelations/newsreleases.html
Although subscriptions are down, they are the only game in town for much of BC. As their television revenues are the highest source of income, and they give but a very few, often slanted, TV news stories in any one day, I'd say that they are accomplishing their goal of dumbing down their audiences. Fewer newspaper readers means more TV watchers. What else could explain Canadians' election choices and the horrific programming/reporting on TV making more money for Global? Most of my friends and colleagues get a good deal of newsworthy news from the Internet, but most people aren't there yet.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
time for a employee-owned paper
I think it is time for some disgruntled and jilted former Asper employees and unemployed or barely-employed writers to band together and build a great newspaper. There has to be a press sitting mostly idly nearby waiting for someone to ink the drums. There is nothing I would like more than a full-service newspaper that offers real investigative unbiased reporting. I would buy a year's subscription in a heartbeat if someone could bring a couple of hundred people together, and I would pay more than what the Sun costs. Democracy requires it.
Perhaps a new government (should one get in) will put together the start-up capital to fund a newspaper to rival Aspers. The taxpayers could own 40% of the shares and the newpaper employees would get 60%. Part of their wage would be based upon the newspaper's earning money. The editors and writers, by law, would take not direction from the government. Could it ever be made to happen?
G West
4 years ago
Looks to me like they're liquidating assets
Take those transactions out of the mix and things don't look so rosy...
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
I saw that too GWest, but...
I think those gains have to come over the balance sheet worth of their holdings. I believe that a publicly held business or any business must record a gain if it is sold for more than one has invested in it. Gains were made through liquidation, but the release stated TV is driving their profits. I believe they are not allowed to lie in or about their financial statements. True, it never stopped Enron, but... I imagine the Aspers have ticked enough people off that some investigative reporter ought to be gunning for them and it would only be a short matter of time before they were caught.
G West
4 years ago
Oh they'll cover off the legal niceties
There will be a note (sometimes a footnote) on the financial statements that explains what the effect on the bottom line is. If they're selling assets to keep the EPS positive it isn't something they can continue to do forever.
I think they also have a huge tax liability outstanding in Australia relative to a scheme they cooked up that's gone south - so to speak.
I think they're doing all they can to make things look good but the fact they had to go to a New York firm to get the backing (and surrender a good deal of control for the next five years or so) for their recent acquisition of several channels on the cable dial tells me they have cash flow problems.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
Good News, then.
Always great to hear/read good news, G West.
Truman Green
4 years ago
Great comments, G.West and Sharing is
Good.
But then why wouldn't they be as it HAS to be obvious to any bright person that you're BOTH the same person.
Just read Sharing's comment beginning with, "I saw that too, G.West," then read, "Oh they'll cover..."
Then read "Sharing" talking to G.West:
"Always good to hear/read good news, G.West.
Then think about what kind of person would do this.
Working Memory
4 years ago
Advertisers are watching
Respective of share prices, bottom lines, and profits;
There is some good info being traded here, but keep in mind too that revenues are generated by advertisers.
Here's what CanWest hopes consumers won't figure out anytime soon;
In the past it was difficult to reach a news company's advertisers directly.
Today it is simply a matter of going to the advertiser's website to tell them what you think about their products as well as how they advertise.
Large public companies that answer to shareholders do not want their image associated with any person or entity perceived to be unethical.
It is why I suggested above that if it gives you satisfaction to cancel your newspaper subscription then do so, but more importantly, take an extra step and let advertisers know what you think.
In Olympics regions, many of the advertisers you see buying local news media have international images to promote and protect. Multinational advertisers are already using the momentum of the 2010 Olympics to promote their global image on the back of our host community (Vancouver). They are willing to lose face locally in order to boast to international customers (4 billion of them according to official Olympics broadcaster NBC) that they are Olympics sponsors.
Quite simply, they sell us out to win bigger accolades around the world.
For example, have you noticed that Rona does not consistently place the Olympics logo on all their local ads? If you look closely you'll see that they don't take advantage of the opportunity as much as they could. I'm sure there are many strategic reasons, but it also has a lot do with preserving their local reputation. If Rona executives did even rudimentary research they know that history has proven in past Olympic regions that as we get closer to the big event in 2010, BC residents will not be as enthused about the Games as we were when we "won" the Bid.
In the past there was little an Olympics host community could do but succumb to the economic pressure placed on it (Salt Lake City deficit $1.2 billion, Athens $12 billion, Turing $till counting).
Today you can email McDonalds, Coca Cola, and Rona directly and tell then what you think, and boycott them too if you like. A strategy like this bypasses local news media companies entirely, and when this happens their advertisers bail out.
If you let this 2010 opportunity slip by it will never return.
Don't just complain to CanWest.
Complain to their advertisers too.
You can start by sending them a link to this article.
Let them know that you know what they're doing.
Most people never consider that an official Olympics sponsor company would be embarrassed to place an Olympics logo on their advertising.
If they think local and act global - you should too.
Times, they are a changin'.
G West
4 years ago
Maybe
Just think about someone, Truman, who is so steeped in conspiracy theory that he thinks he sees one behind every bush...and you'll understand what's going on.
I've told you and everyone else the whole story about G West and Alcibiades and I'm inordinately proud of that story.
Anyone who is still curious, or new to the site, can refresh their memory here:
http://thetyee.ca/Views/Teacherdiaries/2007/02/27/BoyTrouble/
Everyone else: Frank, SIG, and whoever else your furtive imagination has conjured up as elements of my invention are separate individuals and they speak for themselves.
Whether they agree with me or not.
Period.
Someone who can't get that simple information into their head by this time IS pretty funny.
Sorry for the digression.
SharingIsGood
4 years ago
Sorry Truman
Would that I could think as clearly and write as elegantly as G West, I would claim to be him; but can't so I won't. None-the-less, thanks for the compliment.
I am sure that if you go through enough of my posts, perhaps you will find that G West and I have quite different styles. You will find that I make great numbers of typos, for one.
To G West, my condolences.
Truman Green
4 years ago
Mary, I think the 'buying a car from some
one you don't trust' is an appropriate metaphor for buying CanWest's papers although you don't trust them.
I stopped buying CanWest, except when the big story comes around, like Katrina or Air India, because I don't trust them.
Seems fairly elementary.
What is silly, I think, is believing we're going to change them. Media monopolists are media monopolists because they want to unduly and unfairly influence peoples' minds.
The Aspers and the other mogul monopolists in North America have no concern that controlling such huge swaths of media is a uniquely immoral thing to do.
Democracies don't benefit from this kind of control.
As if these controllers don't know.
Do a study on exactly how much of the media--television and print--is controlled by the same globalist cabal.
These people have an agenda alright, but it isn't in the best interests of the general population.
And so, Mary, to think that we're going to change their attitude is a bit pollyanish.
If they were moral they simply would not be interested in the monopolizing of the dissemination of information.
Decent people understand that this is pure evil.
village
4 years ago
to Gwest , as to your links provided which I found invaluable .
''I am perfectly aware that in addressing matters of that sort I am walking on thin ice with the risk of sinking into the river of ideology and partisan politics. This sinking I want to avoid of course. To walk on that thin ice without breaking it requires a lot of prudence and many other intellectual and personal qualities (that I may not have). It also needs, I think, the reelaboration of the discourse of the method which was basic to the practice of science since Descartes. This is an enormous (and maybe crazy) program. But I consider it as one of the most interesting challenge facing today's reflexive practice. To get out of the narrow scientific program which is based on the ultimate goal of objectiving and sterilizing our understanding of the world while not going relativist, nihilist or cynical but to explore the fantastic possibilities opened up by a sensible and balanced (yet to be theorized and argumented) articulation of subjectivity (account of) and objectivity (factuality of the past), that is a problem which excites me very much at this time and that I want to tackle in a respectful way to the learned tradition[9]''
So wrote the author that you linked me up to in the previous instalment of MARK EDGE's series on CANWEST.. and me thought it was too bad that the session/forum was closed .. however I understand the Publisher's challenges in running such an enterprise as the TYEE...,
Thus , what I simply wanted to add is that the discussions of these series dealing with CANWEST go to the very heart and core of what this particular researcher you linked me up to calls..,:
''DIGGING INTO HISTORICAL CONSCIOUSNESS,
INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE. OVERVIEW OF A RESEARCH TRAJECTORY
And indeed as your very astute question asked in that previous forum .., was of and I quote.you asking .: ''HOW i SEE fact and myth combining to lead us as a nation (not just as a collection of communities) into the creation of some kind of a coherent and useful image of ourselves?''
( continued... )
village
4 years ago
The quote I attributed to the author/researcher ..
The quote I attributed to the author/researcher .. at the beginning of my post here.. goes to the heart of my observations ... as I see that he is indeed walking on thin ice... especially as he seems to have very little knowledge or MEMORY OF LES CANADIENS*.., within his very abundant knowledge of the process and cause and effect of THOUGHT and THINKING itself..
What seems to be missing in my opinion is the deeper HISTORICAL ROOTS of CANADA.., for indeed though he fully grasps the conundrum of thinking and narrating a story itself.., as per the FOREST AND TREES conundrum itself.., he nevertheless seems oblivious to that which is invisible to the naked eye..when staring at forest and trees - perceptively speaking.. , and of course I speak of ROOTS , which are often not visible to the eyes ..yet without which neither FOREST nor TREES could exist.., to use a metaphor pointedly.. *.. as I am doing at this moment..,
In the art of the NARRATIVE..or ', STORY TELLING.. what needs mostly to be accomplished is the CONTINUUM.. of past/present and future probes and subsequent resulting linkages..(within the MINDS of individuals or collectives..) to eventualy realise that much like rivers flowing through the landscape.., this particular river.. ( MEMORY ) flows through our MINDSCAPEs.., ( individually and collectively speaking *).. and provides for that most important of vitality.., energy to recreate one's reality*
village...
village
4 years ago
The quote I attributed to the author/researcher ..
The quote I attributed to the author/researcher .. at the beginning of my post here.. goes to the heart of my observations ... as I see that he is indeed walking on thin ice... especially as he seems to have very little knowledge or MEMORY OF LES CANADIENS*.., within his very abundant knowledge of the process and cause and effect of THOUGHT and THINKING itself..
What seems to be missing in my opinion is the deeper HISTORICAL ROOTS of CANADA.., for indeed though he fully grasps the conundrum of thinking and narrating a story itself.., as per the FOREST AND TREES conundrum itself.., he nevertheless seems oblivious to that which is invisible to the naked eye..when staring at forest and trees - perceptively speaking.. , and of course I speak of ROOTS , which are often not visible to the eyes ..yet without which neither FOREST nor TREES could exist.., to use a metaphor pointedly.. *.. as I am doing at this moment..,
In the art of the NARRATIVE..or ', STORY TELLING.. what needs mostly to be accomplished is the CONTINUUM.. of past/present and future probes and subsequent resulting linkages..(within the MINDS of individuals or collectives..) to eventualy realise that much like rivers flowing through the landscape.., this particular river.. ( MEMORY ) flows through our MINDSCAPEs.., ( individually and collectively speaking *).. and provides for that most important of vitality.., energy to recreate one's reality*
village...
village
4 years ago
Thus '' imagination'' is that most crucial of ressources to be
nurtured and with a resulting harvesting of the shared knowledge ..,comes CREATIVITY.. and an engaged CITIZENRY.
Thus I find your sources and links provide for a richer forum experience and with all due respect Truman ,the issue in this kind of environment isn't even about who the contributor is but ... rather one of THE STRENGHT OF THE CONTRIBUTION AS PER THE IDEAS PRESENTED TO THE READER!
And in this ,Gwest has shown himself to be very valuable.. ( As an example is the most recent links provided to me ..re : our discussions , as noted above..)
Village.
G West
4 years ago
village
I think Letourneau is also very interested in stories...the kinds of ones we tell ourselves about where we've come from and where we're going. He seems to think that the 'historical' conception of les Québécois are, in some sense, misapprehended by the people of Quebec themselves.
In the sense that so much of Quebec's history is an us/them dichotomy when maybe it shouldn't be.
I think that sometimes the same thing happens between east (or central Canada) and west in this country; between whites and natives; between citizens and immigrants too. We assume certain things are factual and base our behavior on these so-called realities and we get into a lot of trouble on that account.
Letourneau is, in fact, very interested in childhood education and family photographs as a way to re-anchor people to a reality they may no longer understand or appreciate.
You might find this interesting as well:
http://www.operation-dialogue.com/lafontaine-baldwin/e/2001_article_gm_letourneau.html
dp
4 years ago
The idea that an Asper can speak ...
The idea that an Asper, Izzy or Lenny, can speak on behalf of average, tax-paying Canadians is stupid and annoying. My life-savings are pocket change to these guys.
I'm sure there's a funny comparison with convicts commenting on the penal system, but it escapes me.
village
4 years ago
Thanks Gwest.. : re: WE'RE TRAPPED BY MISTAKEN IDENITIES ..
The link offers some interesting perspectives..*
When I think of mirrors as the author speaks of them.., ( and then link this up to NEWSPAPERS.. and MSM ).. and for that matter the kind of roles played by GATEKEEPERS of IDENTITY as I see people and corporations as CANWEST be.. then I'm convinced that many more readers need to hear what this individual has to say.. about how culture's and individuals who find themselves - or loses themselves at times - experience the COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT that shapes and melds them...
Marshall McLuhan would indeed agree that these networks or MEDIUMS are indeed the real MESSAGE..* thus the very nature of this series offered up by the TYEE... fits well into the definition that comes with .. buyer beware!
an example of the caution approaches he advises all of us..- is an excerpt I've made from the link you provided Gwest..
'' In fact, objective knowledge is just one part of the current of information that nourishes and enriches people's imaginations and behaviour. But this current, in which we swim around like fish, is not homogeneous. Rumours coexist with facts. Value judgments are found along with balanced opinions. Gossip and hearsay stand side-by-side with credible information and comment.
It is almost impossible to resist the pull of this current that mixes truths, falsehoods and lies in a rather subtle blend. It flows around us, sometimes without us even being aware of it.
It is so effective that, over time, the image of something, formed out of a loose collection of information, often replaces the thing itself.
The image cloaks or moulds the thing, and what we see is not the thing itself in all its complexities and ambiguities, but rather the thing outside itself, reshaped according to our intentions, classifications and speculations. That is how myths are born and that is often the problem.''
GOOD ADVICE , and one to be heeded..*
Village.
village
4 years ago
Because EDUCATION itself is within the domain of the PROVINCES..
We , in Canada do indeed live in a land of the '' MANY CANADA's'' , and this would fit well with letourneau's observations ( and mine )..
The Communications Matrix that clearly needs to be experienced by all inhabitants of this country ..,is much like the building of the railroad of another era.. whereas in this 21st Century the ''HIGHWAYS'' are indeed..,
''COMMUNICATIONS HIGHWAYS'' such as the internet makes possible through it's many innovations that have done much like the .., frontiers of yesteryears.., by encouraging the IMAGINATIVE MINDS to innovate.., and to in effect CREATE*...,
Such is what is going on here at the TYEE..,
The mirrors that exist within our national psyche are indeed etched into the history books , as written by the ENGLISH and the FRENCH - ( from ENGLAND and FRANCE primarily ).. this was the earliest reflections made on CANADA*..
And neither had any use for LES CANADIENS*..- historically speaking- but in finding a way to insert them ( les canadiens ) as an asterisk in the HISTORICAL perspective of their EMPIRE building dreams..,
No wonder we have such difficulty in recalling that MEMORY of ourselves ..
for neither FRANCE nor ENGLAND saw any benefit in perpetuating a STORY * that would hinder their dreams of EMPIRE...,
for indeed in the same way that the people's who came to be known as AMERICANS .., could not be denied a historical memory in whatever books were published in the centuries that saw these people ( American ) rise.. , it was in converse very easy to .., simply relegate the memory of LES CANADIENS* to a certain long and lost memory of the earliest part of CANADA's history..
And since the earliest books that was to be written about CANADA , were from EMPIRE'S across the Ocean.. then.. , they were simply erased from our memory.., PERIOD..
It is with these thoughts in mind that I question LETOURNEAU's search for explaining away the NARRATIVE's.., ( all the while seemingly ignorant of that particular eradicating fact that I mention above..
The rest is history, as they say..
Village.
Bobb999
4 years ago
Vancouver Sun is Free online
Don't pay! Mary, you can cancel your subscription and still get to read it all!
There's no need for anyone who likes to read the Vancouver Sun to pay Canwest for it any more, unless they happen to like holding a hard copy in their hands, because on checking the Sun's site today, every single article and op-ed is free to non-subscribers like me.
It's likely the same deal with The Province.
I believe this has been the situation for weeks now, although I didn't check it out thoroughly till today.
Whether this is a permanent change, I don't know. I know The NY Times has just recently reverted to being completely free online again. The LA Times did the same earlier. This seems to be the trend.
Whether "Sharing is Good" is a G. West clone or not I can't say, but I like his or her idea of some brave Canwest employees and others establishing a competing major Vancouver/BC daily paper to challenge the
Canwest monopoly here, a newspaper stranglehold unknown in other major Cdn. cities. I, and I'm sure many others would gladly support it with a subscription.
Poaching talent from CanWest probably isn't that difficult. The Globe snagged Christie Blatchford. MacLeans got Andrew Coyne.
Not that I'm big fans of those two, but I'm thinking of people like Vaughn Palmer.
A new paper poaching The Sun's and Province's best talent could do very well.
It could happen!
Truman: Somewhere I saw a post by you suggesting you're a global warming skeptic.
If this is true, I should tell you The National Post is a paper made for you, at least on that issue! To find
articles that sow doubt about global warming as a CO2/man made problem, Canwest's Post is the go-to rag in Canada. In my view, The Post has become a shill for Big Oil in this regard, and Truman, so have you, if unwittingly.
Btw, this was the strategy of Big Tobacco for many years. The memos and testimony
have since come to light: Sow doubt about
health dangers of tobacco, even when their own secret file of statistics proved health dangers. Sowing doubt helps allow business-as-usual to merrily continue.
Not long ago, I did as BC Mary suggests:
wrote a Canwest "journalist" to call him on an appalling piece. I think his name is Dan Gardner. He wrote an article (he's since written at least one similar follow up)trying to defend the chemical industry, arguing that industrial chemicals are NOT cancer causing after all! Oh, please.
He certainly didn't recant, but he was greatly p*ssed off, judging by his brief but agitated response to my sarcastic but serious email. I wonder, is his anger a possible guilt reaction of an Asper shill for the "cancer industry"?
That's just one of the Asper's current propaganda campaigns: sow doubt about carcinogens to help the chemical industry
keep on doing business-as-usual.
These folks can be lower than snakes' bellies.
village
4 years ago
Though '' free online '', I must admit that for my trips abroad
Though '' free online '', I must admit that for my trips abroad
I find the availability of hard copy.. of not only the VANCOUVER SUN.. but of THE GLOBE AND MAIL, and NATIONAL POST to name the three from this province..,
I find them worthy of being purchased for the real reason that , as this past weekend proved once again with .., the VANCOUVER SUN's featuring the .., seizure of crime assets articles.., very worthy of a headline that serves as a WAKE UP call.. to all residents of this province.. ( in that this particular paper , it must be noted , has done over the period of a year or so .., begun to bring to the PUBLIC , a consciousness, as per not only the existence of gangs and criminal activities ..but showed also some courage in tackling head on , the INVESTIGATIVE WORK that needs to be done to come up with the backgrounder - such as was being presented .. this week end )
The GLOBE and MAIL.. continued being the best read of the 3 above named papers.. for the mere fact that it was able to give a continuing head's up warning on ever complicating forces that is threatening the economic order .., of the world's richest? .. .nations , and ECONOMIES.*..
The National Post , provides a direct contact with the thinking of peoples..that would support the kind of CANADA that Stephen Harper envisions.., such as it is.., ( and yet within it's pages I can detect a certain questioning that is beginning to emerge..).. THUS OBSERVATIONS BY MANY in these posts.., as to the influence that CITIZEN JOURNALIST..( such as all who participate in BLOGS..or FORUMS such as these.., are having on these above noted publications) is clearly on the rise..!
By the way the one thing I've clearly given up ..and never missed..is TELEVISION itself. which I booted completely out of my house.., 15 years ago.., ( I've explained to many who asked as to why.. that one day I realised that the TV set was the visitor who at one time had an interesting story to share..so I let him stay for a while.., but years thereafter.., as I thought about it.., this VISITOR..had SETTLED in not only in my living room.., but seemed to be taking over my HOUSE.. ( and my THINKING ).. and so I booted him/her OUT!)
And never looked back ..
It's amazing how peaceful and how much clarity exist in this kind of environment..*..,
Village.
nwal.42@gmail.com
4 years ago
The Aspers and peace for Israel and Palestinians
The Aspers are indulging in the wealthy person's game of my freedom, my press.
Challenging the Aspers for their media hegemony is essential to regaining communicative democracy in Canada. Our tactics, be they alternative news sources, boycotts, constant vigilance over news content and bias, or the imposition of legal controls over media concentration have one thing in common -- urgency.
The other point we need to remember when dealing with the Aspers and their criticisms of media bias regarding the Middle East is that peace is the goal. The one question I would ask of any media person or anyone else who reports stories about Israeli, Arab or Palestinian atrocities past or present, is whether the manner of reporting is bringing us any closer to peace. So many of the messages circulating on the Internet from both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian issue seem designed only to escalate and maintain hatred and anger.
What to do? Demonstrating in Israel, the lands seized in war or the Palestinian areas is possible, but costly. Not many of us can afford to move to Israel to engage in political activism.
However, one practical approach for people tied up with family, job, social action in Canada, is to support the peaceniks. The Israeli group Peace Now influences the Israeli government and monitors and reports on violations of settlement freezes. It is recognized for its role in pushing the Israeli government to freeze settlements and implement the order for a freeze. Canadians can support Canadian Friends of Peace Now. You will be on their e- and postal mailing list, and will know that your support goes to moving Israel in the direction of peace, while using the knowledge you gain to pressure Canadian politicians to increase their pressure on Israel to move towards peace.
Campaign for Pu...
4 years ago
Control of university agenda
The Aspers' plans to control public opinion and policy not only through their own media empire, but by seizing control of journalism schools at Canadian universities is a serious assault on our democracy.
Does anyone know of other statements by wealthy and powerful capitalists in which they declare their intention to seize control of the agenda at Canadian universities?
G West
4 years ago
I'm actually more worried about
I'm actually more worried about CanWest having dropped its support for and membership in CP than the fact that the Aspers spend some of their loose change on the odd Academic Chair.
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:kmQ_O9SpMNsJ:thestar.blogs.com/azerb/2006/06/not_surprisingl.html+Scott+Anderson+Antonia+Zerbisias&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1
The Scott Anderson in this Antonia Zerbisias item from a year or so ago is the same fella who has just been pushed upstairs from the Ottawa Citizen:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2007/11/15/ot-citizen-071115.html?ref=rss
And the real question is: Will he be as much of a 'loyal stenographer' as Murdoch Davis - about whom you can read in this article from the Ryerson J Review:
http://www.rrj.ca/issue/2003/summer/407/
Bobb999
4 years ago
Nat. Post free online now, Globe but partially
Well, I see The National Post has joined the Vanc. Sun, and is now completely free online. No longer are any columns or editorials behind a subscriber wall.
But I see the Globe, most of whose content is free online, is continuing its policy of keeping columnists and some editorials still behind a payers-only wall. But Norman Spector often posts large excerpts from many Globe columns and editorials on his site, making even more Globe content freely available. The excellent Toronto Star has been all free online for years.
I read online that recent "Seized" article and its large screaming hard copy headline that "Village" mentions. I saw it at a newsstand, and I swear they must have used a 1.5" tall font. Is the Sun mimicking The Province's screaming headlines now?!
I don't often email journalists about articles, but I did write that "Seized" article's author, Neil Hall, not 'cause I had any complaint with him or his piece, which was quite informative, but to voice my concerns about implications of the law that allows gov't seizure of "proceeds of crime".
Bobb999
4 years ago
O.T. on Sun's Sat. "Seized" article
(This a bit off topic from CanWest):
I fear this BC "proceeds of crime" forfeiture law is potentially too open to abuse by authorities, and that people whose transgressions are minimal to non-existent may still be subject to unjustly having homes, cars, and bank accounts confiscated.
The law comes under civil, not criminal law. Civil law demands a much lower burden of proof, and so someone merely suspected of a crime (usually drug related) may end up losing their house under such a law.
-Imagine a son who lives with his parents is growing pot in the attic and selling it , unbeknown to his parents who are busy with work and often not home. (This in fact occurred with my brother's step son, though fortunately the parents "busted" the grow-op before police could do any busting and confiscating of their own).
But imagine the police bust the grow-op, and decide to assume the parents are in on it, 'cause they're not educated, pillars of society types, and have that look about them that says they might be dopers! Or maybe the father even has a conviction for pot possession from his teen years, but has not used any drugs in years. Or maybe the parents even are dopers and smoke pot now and then, and the police smell it around them when they go to the house to investigate. So the police just assume the parents must know about the grow op and are in on it, even though they are not. Couldn't the family's home be wrongly confiscated under this law?
Or how about someone, a regular person, not of a criminal underworld gang, who has a hobby grow-op they recently started mainly for personal use, plus supplying (selling to) a few friends as a favour.
They owned their home before they even
began their minimalist grow-op.
Yet a BC judge conceivably could decide to confiscate the house of such a "hobby gardener" growing a plant our gov't otherwise accepts to be a legal and legally growable,if controlled, medicine - for some Canadians.
This forfeiture law, as well as the Tories' proposed new crime bill, is likely to over-zealously target drug related crime, while doing little or nothing additional against white collar criminals who prey on average non-drug using citizens, often destroying them financially -- ironically, something like what the forfeiture law is capable of doing too - destroying innocent people financially.
Working Memory
4 years ago
CanWest Tipping Point
Today, November 27, 2007, The Vancouver Sun ran articles on their front page that actually made it look like they are reading what we are writing.
There was not one feelgood, navel-gazing we are better-than-the-rest article in the bunch.
What took them so long to emulate The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail? Was it something we said? If they keep it up, in a few years Vancouverites will eventually understand how we really stack up on the global landscape.
Maybe then we can become truly competitive and command genuine respect instead of being primarily portrayed as granola munching tree hugging protesters and ski bums ... not that there's anything wrong with it considering I'm guilty as charged. If The Sun keeps it up Vancouverites might also be able to recognize in a timely manner when politicians and developers are manipulating us so we can prevent carnage like the Downtown Eastside and Olympics mismanagement.
Before anyone accuses me of being naive, or thinks we have accomplished something epic respective of The Sun, I also want to point out that newspapers have an inherent mandate to be leaders, not followers. It's too little too late just like it was for major record labels.
Local news media have caused considerable, and in some cases irreparable damage, and they should be held accountable.
If they make a public apology for selling out our community, I might forgive them, but not before there is some type of financial restitution for the damage they've caused. Hopefully, that restitution will come in 2011 in the form of a class action suit after the 2010 invoice arrives in taxpayers' mailboxes.
Bob999, I described in another Tyee article what you are discussing above, and Village responded by labeling it "manufactured consent," which news media do in order to appease advertisers. Over the next two plus years, the 2010 volunteer conscription campaign will be a highly controversial manufactured consent program managed by The Sun. Watch for it. http://www.olyblog.com/f/07/HealthCareF08202007.shtml
Regarding GWest, I've noticed he only goes after those deserving of his pointed attention. The rest he treats with respect. If GWest is one person, his depth of research/knowledge is impressive. If it's a group managing his posts, welcome to the new world. For all we know he could be hired by David Beers, but I hope not because that would be pushing ethics to the wall and reflect one of the reasons we criticize mainstream news. For all we know, he could BE David Beers lol. Anonymity is one of the paradoxes of new media dynamics, but still a much better system than old media. As long as the information is good, I'm fine with it. I often tell people I wrote a book about 2010, but the reality is that there is a large group of very smart people behind it.
asher
4 years ago
Cancel your subscription
BC Mary, you should cancel your subscription for the very reason that newspaper carriers are exploited by CanWest. Nevermind the issue about centralizied editorial content. Newspapers are the #1 exploiters of child labour in Canada! They are Canada's sweatshops.
The Facts: In BC, newspaper carriers who work less than 15 hours/week (the vast majority of carriers) are exempted from the Employment Standards Act, and therefore, not being "employees", they are also exempted from Occupational and Health Safety Standards. So, they do not have the right to refuse unsafe work - such as delivering papers in the dark at 5am on icy roads and walkways.
In BC, carriers are bullied to work in unsafe work conditions by unionized "distribution managers" taking orders from non-unionized managers. If a carrier refuses work in unsafe conditions they are summarily fired by a union member.
During a snowy period, CanWest newspapers force carriers to deliver based on the number of customer complaints. So, even if work conditions are still unsafe, carriers are forced back to work if enough customers complain about not getting the paper.
Further, CanWest newspapers do not even have a policy on what constitutes unsafe work conditions for carriers. Since there is no policy on what is unsafe, carriers can be forced to deliver even when roads and walkways are icy.
The exploitation of carriers is a managerial speciality for hundreds of Canadians who are members of a decades-old professional organizations for distribution managers, the Circulation Management Association of Canada.
www.circ.org
The exploitation of child labour and migrant workers as carriers has been systematic and organized since the 1920s in Canada.
Today, Canadian circulaiton managers take counsel from the union-busting labour lawyer Michael Zinser - An American Bushite. He was named the person of the year by circulation managers in N.I.C.E.
For more read York University law prof Eric Tukcer's book "Self-Employed Workers Organize"
Working Memory
4 years ago
Seized Bob999
I wouldn't worry about it Bob999.
It's a lot of bluster meant to intimidate, much in the same way photo boxes are erected empty of cameras on busy Vancouver street corners. Mainstream news could investigate this more thoroughly, but they won't because they have no incentive. When the world comes for 2010, politicians and VANOC want to create a perception of a civilized Vancouver society so it doesn't scare away spectators and television advertisers. Keep in mind that VANOC is partnered with all three levels of government, including the feds. The IOC also recently announced a partnership with The Vancouver Sun to boost the Olympics.
Where will politicians find the money to manage the SEIZE program at a grassroots level when people are still dieing in the DTS and Dan Rather is watching? Where will judges put pseudo-innocent people caught in the crossfire of amagro-ops? Our prisons are already bursting to double capacity with the likes of hardened criminals like Betty Krawczyk (that's a joke, Betty isn't hardened at all, she's sweet. http://www.olyblog.com/f/07/CityTVSimiF06202007.shtml#BETTYK ).
When 2010 blows through, much of this civic posturing will too.
Newspapers stories are meant to scare you.
Relax, but keep a good eye on your attic just in case.
Working Memory
4 years ago
Good Point Asher
I've read your perspective here at The Tyee in the past regarding carriers, and it makes good sense. I was a carrier when I was a kid. Both my kids did it too and it sucked big time when newspapers took away their collection duties. It meant no tips at Christmas.
When my kids were relieved of their bi-weekly collection duties they quit because it felt uncomfortable to show up at the neighbors' doors with a handout at Xmas. It felt too much like begging.
The only financial incentive were Christmas tips because the newspaper paid very poor wages to carriers.
If newspapers can't take care of the little people, whom exactly, do they take care of?