Over the past couple of weeks some members of the media - commentators, reporters, and pundits appeared to have been dissuading people and politicians alike - from continued opposition to Muskrat Falls.
I have heard statements like - "nothing new" - which of course was the spin being promoted by Dunderdale and company.
I have a question for David Cochrane who carries himself like the head honcho of Newfoundland and Labrador "journalism". Have all the previously noted concerns been resolved?
The problem is that if a question - the same question - goes unanswered (satisfactorily) should one just stop asking?
From where I sit many questions asked from day one - have never been answered. The fact that Kennedy or Dunderdale open mouths and spew rhetoric does not mean an issue is resolved.
We are talking about 6-8 billion dollars of our money, the money of our children and grandchildren; we need to know if this project is the right one.
Some of the Unanswered Concerns:
1. What happens in 2041 and does this project have the potential to harm us in future dealings?
2. The need for power.
3. Alternatives.
4. Lowest Cost Alternative.
5. Labrador benefits.
6. Cheaper power for Nova Scotia.
7. Subsidization by Newfoundland and Labrador ratepayers.
8. The need of a partner.
9. Long-term jobs.
10. Potential for alternative industrial development.
The problem - as I see it - is the media who are demonstrably frustrated by the ongoing debate are those individuals who are not educated enough on the issue to ask the right questions or lack the guts to take on the governing PC's.
I have watched most of Cochrane's material and in my opinion - he lacks information or the desire to really challenge the "facts" the government puts forth.
Randy Simms - in my opinion does not have the knowledge to determine if something regarding the project has been answered satisfactorily.
If they are going to use the media power available to them - they must also appreciate the responsibility that goes with that. I do not see that concern in them - and therefore - in my opinion they are doing the province and its people a disservice.
Now of course I am assuming here that the media will not act like Dunderdale and Kennedy and condemn somebody for speaking up. I do know better however.
3 comments:
Dunderdale told the media this week that the opposition were not asking any new questions about Muskrat Falls. What's the point of asking new questions if you can't get answers to the old ones.!!!
It seems Randy Simms has decided MF is a done deal. I do know he said that if he had a choice between this deal and the Grimes deal; he'd pick the Grimes deal.
I have listened to Randy Simms of late and the number of times he has said to the people of NL in case of MF and OCI, that these are done deals stop fighting and accept the inevitable.I guess he should do the same and allow St. Johns to swallow Mount Pearl. Give up the fight Randy its a DONE DEAL IT`S INEVITABLE!
I have bees saying for quite some time now, and have made comments to and about the media, that I feel they are not doing their job as investigative journalists. What passes for investigative journalism in this province is a joke, with the ionof Russell Wangersky. The PC's have, in my view, injected an atmosphere of fear into all aspects of life for anyone who has even a remote connection the government's largesse.
Of course, it all started with the great DW but has now become the two-headed monster, of media manipulation and government propaganda. They have effectively combined to suppress any message that does not fit with their message. Shame on the media for not having the courage or integrity to combat these distorted "truths"!
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