Thank you Bas and Congratulations

Congratulations to Bas Jamieson on receiving the RTNDA lifetime achievement award.
I would like to take this post to pay special tribute to a wonderful Newfoundlander who dedicated his professional life to broadcasting. He's retired now and I miss his wonderful personality and genuine interest in public affairs.
Outside of his obvious broadcast achievements he was a man who promoted oral tradition with his quirky and intelligent sayings.
"More brains in a Can of Rabbit" comes to mind when a caller or politician was saying or doing something ridiculous. He is witty, intelligent, compassionate, and a true Newfoundlander and Canadian.
I believe the courage, yes I mean courage he showed during the great Hydro Privatization Debate was unmatched by any journalist before, in recent time, or since. It has nothing to do with the side he eventually chose but more to do with his willingness to hear all sides. He questioned every one of us; Premier Wells, Rex Gibbons, Jack Harris, Lynn Verge, Cy Abery, and definitely me.
He showed more guts during those 2 1/2 years than any reporter going.
Remember the Government spent 40 million for the privatization attempt while the Power of the People spent perhaps 20 thousand and thousands of hours in volunteer effort. How important was this campaign? It saved us from the second largest giveaway in our history, billions in lost revenue to the people, and the loss of our company NLH; which today is the catalyst for future energy projects and windfalls.
Whether on the road doing a remote at Pipers, on the air doing a commercial or PSA, or at lakeside calling the Regatta, you knew the voice. That voice meant you were home in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Don't ever let his modesty fool you. He is an extremely intelligent man with a memory just like his brother's. They traveled different roads but they came back to the same place.
The Order of Newfoundland and Labrador must surely be on the way.
Bas, I wish you and your family all the best.
Thanks and God Bless. There I finally got the last word.