Canada's democratic future
I wanted to share some thoughts and links I recently distributed, regarding: media ethics, grassroots democracy, manual balloting, and Canada-US relations. Diverse coalition-building will be necessary to preserve even a small part of Canada's independence.
Canada's sovereignty and unity - not to mention basic democracy - are going down the tubes. And mainstream media's complicitness with corporate interests is speeding up the process. Shouldn’t there be a (proactive) think-tank for this issue?
See a Wired News article on journalism ethics.
CASE IN POINT: Recent Federal Election
1) Why is nobody questioning the use of *manual ballots*? Hello, US election?!
- This was an important -- and close -- federal election. NDP lost 10 seats by narrow margins, including two highly popular Toronto candidates (Peggy Nash, Olivia Chow). To say manual balloting is more 'accurate' and offers 'more control' is confounding at best. Yet people swallowed it. Wasn't the reason for introducing electronic balloting (as used in provincial elections) to improve accuracy, efficiency, and help reduce possibility of tampering?
[Edit: Based on U.S. election in November 2004, I take this back. Electronic ballots are probably just as bad, possibly worse. Also see thoughts on online voting.
'How I could have voted three times' - NOW Magazine, July 1-7, 2004
[Edit: Author manages to create this little adventure, write and submit this article for the very next issue, which starts the day after the election. Interesting - bizarre - impossible? Why do I question this? I believe public perceptions are being manipulated by indirectly displacing judgements based on race. Some groups are more easily scapegoated than others. To get an idea, see 'Questions about U.S. election.']
'Florida faces election fracas' - Wired News, June 14, 2004
2) Media examination of the various parties, and angles explored, was trite and predictable.
Consider this: we live next door to the world's biggest super-power; there are wars going on, which we are indirectly supporting.
- Similar to Afghanistan and Iraq, Canada is important to the US and its future agenda, both strategically and logistically. We should be examining things from this perspective.
- Right after taking power, Martin had an official visit with Bush and 'vibes were very, very good,' according to media (TTC electronic news). In this same period, Martin axed several heads of crown corporations.
- Piecemeal news events indicate Liberals under Martin (particularly in Ontario) are actively co-operating with US, yet still no major or alternative media outlets are researching the overall implications in any depth.
3) Maclean’s Peter C. Newman’s explanation for Liberals resurging popularity lacks street credibility.
- Perhaps the single largest factor boosting Liberals’ popularity was how much front-page media coverage party leader Stephen Harper and the New Conservatives got. ‘Good cop / bad cop’ interplay between Martin and Harper worked. It stirred palpable fear in people, moving some people to vote who hadn't done so in years, and causing many people to vote strategically, thus, abandoning the NDPs.
(Learn more about Canadian political parties: Thomson Nelson and Politics Watch
4) Analyzing post-election happenings.
a) Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney being considered for Air Canada board speaks volumes. [Award-winning journalist Stevie Cameron wrote a book about Mulroney and the Air Bus kickbacks scandal.]
- Unless citizens and institutions help keep corruption in check, Canada's integration/merger with the US will continue unabated. Canada will become part of the US war machine. PM Martin has already agreed to support weaponization of outerspace.
[Edit: After winning the 2004 elections, U.S. President George W. Bush has announced his first official visit to Canada.]
b) Former Liberal MP Dennis Mills is being considered to oversee Toronto Port Authority. Toronto – Rochester tradings and minglings are speedily underway. Large posters at Dundas-Yonge are already vaunting it as 'The New North' (...um, north of where exactly?)
There is an FBI presence in Toronto. Progressive and marginalized communities and organizations (including alternative media) are being monitored, infiltrated, and manipulated. Frightfully easy to do.
How will conscientious journalists help ensure responsible journalism, now and in future? It used to be one of this country’s key strengths – yet grassroots power is waning. Voices that critique are getting isolated and suppressed. Without depth and variety of information and perspectives, citizens are unable to make informed choices.
Democracy in Canada - and for the free world - is increasingly on the line. Not an understatement, if one considers how little real say and influence the vast majority of thinking people have, both in Canada and the US.
Innovative coalition-building will be necessary to preserve even a small part of Canada's political independence and freedom.
----------------------------------
This may seem out in left field, but the current 9/11 Truth Movement and the Citizens' Inquiry into 9/11 (Phase 1 held in San Francisco, Phase 2 in Toronto, and Phase 3 in New York this September) is critical to Canada's democratic future. This issue needs to be on every person's radar.
Toronto Star: 'Poking Holes in the Official Story,' May 28, 2004.
www.cooperativeresearch.org (**see 'Complete 9/11 Timeline')
www.911truth.org
Citizens' Inquiry into 9-11
(Sent email circulars before the election. This is a post-election compilation.)
Canada's sovereignty and unity - not to mention basic democracy - are going down the tubes. And mainstream media's complicitness with corporate interests is speeding up the process. Shouldn’t there be a (proactive) think-tank for this issue?
See a Wired News article on journalism ethics.
CASE IN POINT: Recent Federal Election
1) Why is nobody questioning the use of *manual ballots*? Hello, US election?!
- This was an important -- and close -- federal election. NDP lost 10 seats by narrow margins, including two highly popular Toronto candidates (Peggy Nash, Olivia Chow). To say manual balloting is more 'accurate' and offers 'more control' is confounding at best. Yet people swallowed it. Wasn't the reason for introducing electronic balloting (as used in provincial elections) to improve accuracy, efficiency, and help reduce possibility of tampering?
[Edit: Based on U.S. election in November 2004, I take this back. Electronic ballots are probably just as bad, possibly worse. Also see thoughts on online voting.
'How I could have voted three times' - NOW Magazine, July 1-7, 2004
[Edit: Author manages to create this little adventure, write and submit this article for the very next issue, which starts the day after the election. Interesting - bizarre - impossible? Why do I question this? I believe public perceptions are being manipulated by indirectly displacing judgements based on race. Some groups are more easily scapegoated than others. To get an idea, see 'Questions about U.S. election.']
'Florida faces election fracas' - Wired News, June 14, 2004
2) Media examination of the various parties, and angles explored, was trite and predictable.
Consider this: we live next door to the world's biggest super-power; there are wars going on, which we are indirectly supporting.
- Similar to Afghanistan and Iraq, Canada is important to the US and its future agenda, both strategically and logistically. We should be examining things from this perspective.
- Right after taking power, Martin had an official visit with Bush and 'vibes were very, very good,' according to media (TTC electronic news). In this same period, Martin axed several heads of crown corporations.
- Piecemeal news events indicate Liberals under Martin (particularly in Ontario) are actively co-operating with US, yet still no major or alternative media outlets are researching the overall implications in any depth.
3) Maclean’s Peter C. Newman’s explanation for Liberals resurging popularity lacks street credibility.
- Perhaps the single largest factor boosting Liberals’ popularity was how much front-page media coverage party leader Stephen Harper and the New Conservatives got. ‘Good cop / bad cop’ interplay between Martin and Harper worked. It stirred palpable fear in people, moving some people to vote who hadn't done so in years, and causing many people to vote strategically, thus, abandoning the NDPs.
(Learn more about Canadian political parties: Thomson Nelson and Politics Watch
4) Analyzing post-election happenings.
a) Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney being considered for Air Canada board speaks volumes. [Award-winning journalist Stevie Cameron wrote a book about Mulroney and the Air Bus kickbacks scandal.]
- Unless citizens and institutions help keep corruption in check, Canada's integration/merger with the US will continue unabated. Canada will become part of the US war machine. PM Martin has already agreed to support weaponization of outerspace.
[Edit: After winning the 2004 elections, U.S. President George W. Bush has announced his first official visit to Canada.]
b) Former Liberal MP Dennis Mills is being considered to oversee Toronto Port Authority. Toronto – Rochester tradings and minglings are speedily underway. Large posters at Dundas-Yonge are already vaunting it as 'The New North' (...um, north of where exactly?)
There is an FBI presence in Toronto. Progressive and marginalized communities and organizations (including alternative media) are being monitored, infiltrated, and manipulated. Frightfully easy to do.
How will conscientious journalists help ensure responsible journalism, now and in future? It used to be one of this country’s key strengths – yet grassroots power is waning. Voices that critique are getting isolated and suppressed. Without depth and variety of information and perspectives, citizens are unable to make informed choices.
Democracy in Canada - and for the free world - is increasingly on the line. Not an understatement, if one considers how little real say and influence the vast majority of thinking people have, both in Canada and the US.
Innovative coalition-building will be necessary to preserve even a small part of Canada's political independence and freedom.
----------------------------------
This may seem out in left field, but the current 9/11 Truth Movement and the Citizens' Inquiry into 9/11 (Phase 1 held in San Francisco, Phase 2 in Toronto, and Phase 3 in New York this September) is critical to Canada's democratic future. This issue needs to be on every person's radar.
Toronto Star: 'Poking Holes in the Official Story,' May 28, 2004.
www.cooperativeresearch.org (**see 'Complete 9/11 Timeline')
www.911truth.org
Citizens' Inquiry into 9-11
(Sent email circulars before the election. This is a post-election compilation.)
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