Fox News and free speech
Having questioned several CRTC decisions this past year, I shouldn't be surprised that Fox News, a media channel heavily supported by U.S. Republicans, is now coming to Canada.
CBC News: 'CRTC approves Fox News for Canada' - November 18, 2004
I previously suggested various CRTC motions are backhandedly facilitating Canada's loss of sovereignty, and loss of free speech, while possibly enabling U.S. agendas. This includes shutting down CHOI-FM, a popular though bigoted Quebec radio station, shortly after the federal election. Two days later, the CRTC approved controversial Arab TV station, al-Jazeera, for television.
This clampdown on free speech in Quebec - where federal election voters strongly favoured grassroots independence - followed by a blatant gesture of embracing diversity and tolerance by choosing al-Jazeera over other popular foreign-language TV programs, demands some critique. In two successive strokes, the CRTC sent a clear message: undermine democratic processes in French Canada, while possibly opening the door to more cultural fragmentation by choosing al-Jazeera. Personally, I think all this belies a more conservative game plan.
Hello, 9-11?
Most people cannot imagine that the 3000-plus dead and wounded in New York may be calculated losses for greater gains. Many find this idea difficult to grasp or accept, yet there's much evidence to suggest 'the Official Story' isn't the full scoop. See summeroftruth.org, 9-11 Oddities, and cooperativeresearch.org.
Media is a powerful means of controlling the public imagination. Besides promoting materialism and glamour galore, media can help shape perceptions, plant fears, and reinforce certain social norms. This would be a perfect means by which the U.S. may divide and conquer the Great White North.
fab Magazine, a queer rag revived by Managing Editor Mitchel Raphael, formerly of the National Post, seems to walk a fine line in his Editor's Letter.[1] Raphael teasingly implies that anti-Americanism is really defensive pride and provincial close-mindedness. I've discussed elsewhere that being gay, visible, or flamboyant doesn't necessarily mean one's politics are progressive - sometimes, just the opposite.
The point is not whether some Americans have come to Canada and been positive influences - the point IS, do we want to be an American puppet, or do we want to preserve what's good and great about Canada?
Why Multiculturalism?
These conflicting issues force one to look at Canada's recent history. The country's multiculturalism policy/ies, for example, may require closer examination. While former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and the Liberal party had an incredible vision, they may not have fully anticipated or implemented the checks and balances necessary for dealing with this new orientation.
Multiculturalism is doable - without being a strain on local communities, or a drain on the government - yet, perhaps, planning and implementation needed to be more practical and participatory.
Trudeau's aspirations also ran counter to Canada's characteristic traits of reserve and caution, paternalistic governance, and so on. Yet multiculturalism demands co-operation, effort, and accountability on the part of all citizens to function well.
Passing the Buck, Pocketing Two
Where does all this leave Canada today? The country's most respected institutions are selling its citizens out - and quickly.[2]
Even Prime Minister Paul Martin's latest interest in making the territories equal in status to provinces is questionable. This speaks to long range vision and planning, which may not necessarily originate from Ottawa, or the federal Cabinet.
Since taking the helm, Martin and the Liberals have been tweaking Canada's key infrastructural strengths and geographical vulnerabilities - be it healthcare, Crown Corporations, the Territories, and so on. That's WONDERFUL, if these moves were actually geared to strengthening the country. I somehow doubt it, judging by U.S. President George Bush's swift visit to Canada, following his recent...uh, victory (?).
I know I'm a sensationalist, fanning people's fears. Guilty as charged. Yet since the 9-11 attacks in New York, we really don't have the luxury of time to contemplate whether a conspiracy is going on. 'Deep penetration' by the U.S. - never mind 'integration' - is accelerating quickly.
Innovation is much needed, and wacky truth-seekers need to support one another. To stem the tide, it may help to link up with various grassroots activists and sites, like the ones below, and build from there:
Canadians.org
Greenspiration.org
BetterCanada.ca
CanadaWakeUp.com.
PlanetFriendly.net
-------
Footnote:
[1] I mentioned above how one mag editor 'walks a fine line' in describing Canada-U.S. ties. One month later, a Maclean's article entitled, 'Walking a fine line,' outlines Stephen Harper and the Conservatives' game plan, and their expectations of being elected next time around.
[2] The dam opening for U.S. economic imperialism was created by the original free trade agreement signed with the U.S. in 1989, under then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives. Like many others, I pamphleteered against free trade, but the deal was quickly pushed through. I felt the same way then, as I did reading about global warming and the greenhouse effect in 1981: deeply despairing. Voter turn-out has dropped ever since.
[Edit: See February 16, 2005 - 'Tribute to Lois Hole.']
CBC News: 'CRTC approves Fox News for Canada' - November 18, 2004
I previously suggested various CRTC motions are backhandedly facilitating Canada's loss of sovereignty, and loss of free speech, while possibly enabling U.S. agendas. This includes shutting down CHOI-FM, a popular though bigoted Quebec radio station, shortly after the federal election. Two days later, the CRTC approved controversial Arab TV station, al-Jazeera, for television.
This clampdown on free speech in Quebec - where federal election voters strongly favoured grassroots independence - followed by a blatant gesture of embracing diversity and tolerance by choosing al-Jazeera over other popular foreign-language TV programs, demands some critique. In two successive strokes, the CRTC sent a clear message: undermine democratic processes in French Canada, while possibly opening the door to more cultural fragmentation by choosing al-Jazeera. Personally, I think all this belies a more conservative game plan.
Hello, 9-11?
Most people cannot imagine that the 3000-plus dead and wounded in New York may be calculated losses for greater gains. Many find this idea difficult to grasp or accept, yet there's much evidence to suggest 'the Official Story' isn't the full scoop. See summeroftruth.org, 9-11 Oddities, and cooperativeresearch.org.
Media is a powerful means of controlling the public imagination. Besides promoting materialism and glamour galore, media can help shape perceptions, plant fears, and reinforce certain social norms. This would be a perfect means by which the U.S. may divide and conquer the Great White North.
fab Magazine, a queer rag revived by Managing Editor Mitchel Raphael, formerly of the National Post, seems to walk a fine line in his Editor's Letter.[1] Raphael teasingly implies that anti-Americanism is really defensive pride and provincial close-mindedness. I've discussed elsewhere that being gay, visible, or flamboyant doesn't necessarily mean one's politics are progressive - sometimes, just the opposite.
The point is not whether some Americans have come to Canada and been positive influences - the point IS, do we want to be an American puppet, or do we want to preserve what's good and great about Canada?
Why Multiculturalism?
These conflicting issues force one to look at Canada's recent history. The country's multiculturalism policy/ies, for example, may require closer examination. While former prime minister Pierre Trudeau and the Liberal party had an incredible vision, they may not have fully anticipated or implemented the checks and balances necessary for dealing with this new orientation.
Multiculturalism is doable - without being a strain on local communities, or a drain on the government - yet, perhaps, planning and implementation needed to be more practical and participatory.
Trudeau's aspirations also ran counter to Canada's characteristic traits of reserve and caution, paternalistic governance, and so on. Yet multiculturalism demands co-operation, effort, and accountability on the part of all citizens to function well.
Passing the Buck, Pocketing Two
Where does all this leave Canada today? The country's most respected institutions are selling its citizens out - and quickly.[2]
Even Prime Minister Paul Martin's latest interest in making the territories equal in status to provinces is questionable. This speaks to long range vision and planning, which may not necessarily originate from Ottawa, or the federal Cabinet.
Since taking the helm, Martin and the Liberals have been tweaking Canada's key infrastructural strengths and geographical vulnerabilities - be it healthcare, Crown Corporations, the Territories, and so on. That's WONDERFUL, if these moves were actually geared to strengthening the country. I somehow doubt it, judging by U.S. President George Bush's swift visit to Canada, following his recent...uh, victory (?).
I know I'm a sensationalist, fanning people's fears. Guilty as charged. Yet since the 9-11 attacks in New York, we really don't have the luxury of time to contemplate whether a conspiracy is going on. 'Deep penetration' by the U.S. - never mind 'integration' - is accelerating quickly.
Innovation is much needed, and wacky truth-seekers need to support one another. To stem the tide, it may help to link up with various grassroots activists and sites, like the ones below, and build from there:
Canadians.org
Greenspiration.org
BetterCanada.ca
CanadaWakeUp.com.
PlanetFriendly.net
-------
Footnote:
[1] I mentioned above how one mag editor 'walks a fine line' in describing Canada-U.S. ties. One month later, a Maclean's article entitled, 'Walking a fine line,' outlines Stephen Harper and the Conservatives' game plan, and their expectations of being elected next time around.
[2] The dam opening for U.S. economic imperialism was created by the original free trade agreement signed with the U.S. in 1989, under then-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the Progressive Conservatives. Like many others, I pamphleteered against free trade, but the deal was quickly pushed through. I felt the same way then, as I did reading about global warming and the greenhouse effect in 1981: deeply despairing. Voter turn-out has dropped ever since.
[Edit: See February 16, 2005 - 'Tribute to Lois Hole.']
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