The most obvious example of how blatantly corrupt the Harper government is was on full social media display the past few days.
The Universal Child Care benefit - touted as everything short of the savior of mankind (which it is not) - is being used by the Harper government as a major election plank.
Pierre Poilievre Harper's choice for Minister of Employment and Social Development has taken propaganda, deception, and unethical to a whole new level.
This born again Harperite preaches from the Conservative Party Pulpit wearing a CPC Cassock and expects that thinking Canadians will accept his version of the Harper bible.
In a completely abused Twitter account Poilievre spams the Canadian Twitter-sphere with garbage like: "One more sleep until Christmas in July for Moms and Dads!"
This Minister should be removed from his portfolio and made to apologize to Canadians for ignoring/breaking Treasury Board rules. This extremist should be monitored to insure this zealot is not dangerous to the social well being of Canada. He is knowingly and deliberately ignoring established guidelines and is a Minister of the Crown.
I have no idea - as a Canadian - how far this fellow will go to promote the CPC doctrine - which in and of itself is concerning.
The fellow who once said - "But I can’t accept a union representing public servants working for the
government of Canada which forcefully takes money out of the pockets of
Canada’s public servants to support parties that want to break up the
country. How can it be in the interests of public servants to support
the breakup of Canada? - has no problem using government money (our tax dollars) to support a political party.
The fellow who used the term "tar baby" and used foul language in a committee meeting and made unparliamentary gestures - continues to believe he is not out of control.
The fellow who despite his vocal concern on national security did not believe rules applied to him and "got impatient waiting at a Parliament Hill checkpoint and pressed a
button to open the security gate and drove his car through without being
identified and without having his vehicle inspected."
The fellow who suggested that aboriginals need to learn the value of hard work more than they need financial compensation - should probably apply that thought to himself.
The fellow who when talking about the Fair Elections Act (a complete fiasco) claimed the Chief Electoral Officer wanted "more power, a bigger budget and less accountability." - when Marc Mayrand dared criticize the Act.
It is time that Canadians from coast to coast to coast removed from office - through the election process - this Minister and many more of the CPC zealots.
On another note - the NDP and LPC should remember that the majority of Canadians do not want Harper or the Conservatives re-elected - therefore they should do everything to insure that does not happen. Focusing on their own political lot versus focusing on defeating the CPC is self-serving - not nation-serving.
The Conservatives believe that the collective intelligence of the Canadian public can be mitigated by sending out this Minister who acts like the head cheerleader of a dictator. Listening to him - one wonders if there will be only one name on ballots this fall.
Lastly - while the national media made an attempt to counter the propaganda of the CPC on the Universal Child Care benefit bribe - they continue to fall short on holding Stephen Harper to account. The PM continues to successfully manipulate journalists by avoiding scrums and open interviews.
The national media continues to be a source for parliamentary secretaries to chant CPC propaganda - while hoping to convince Canadians that such rubbish is news.
Is this Minister being monitored?
Showing posts with label power play. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power play. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Canada's National Media - News or Propaganda?
I would like to scrum the national media. I would like to ask
questions about their coverage of "news" and of their editorial
decisions. I would like to grill the assignment editors and get reasons
for their choices.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Yesterday I watched a Harper orchestrated media fest and watched our Prime Minister do what he does best - direct our national media outlets as he sees fit. The fact that our media complies is another issue and one that should concern all Canadians.
The federal election is in October and the Conservative Party Script is unfolding.
Yesterday morning many of us were alerted - on Twitter - that Peter MacKay was "resigning". This set the stage for the all-day puppy like behavior of our national "journalists".
Next we were told that the RCMP had released the remainder (18 seconds) of the video left by the deceased Parliament Hill shooter. This too began a Pavlovian like fear conditioning of the voting public. The timing of the release begs questions that were not forthcoming.
Today Canada's media stopped being journalistic and became part of the Conservative Party of Canada narrative.
The media - for a brief second - mused that the 18 second video release was not much more than what had already been released. Regardless of that assessment - the media then spent half the nation's daily media time to talk about ISIS, terror, war, and national defence.
With regard to the MacKay story - Canada's national media spent an entire day predicting, chasing, and musing on the announcement that the CPC co-founder and PC defector was not going to run again. This of course became frenzied once it was determined that the Prime Minister was going to attend the "announcement".
Oh good I thought - finally the media would trap the Prime Minister in Nova Scotia and scrum him. That hope was quickly dashed when I recognized the choreography unfolding. Harper spoke first - then MacKay - then a tea - and finally Peter MacKay gave a scrum. Prime Minister Harper - once again - used the media for free campaign advertising. You see the PM began and ended with CPC talking points on the government's "accomplishments" - without one second for the media to question him on those statements. That is not news. That is propaganda.
Peter MacKay is not running again because he "loves his family more". As a senior Cabinet Minister and long time MP a News Release was warranted and could be noted by the media. What we got however was a soap opera of the entire MacKay family - probably best kept for a thank-you party for his dedicated volunteers - in private.
We are without a fully functioning fourth estate - making the fifth estate more important now than ever before.
It is now suggested by noted academics that bloggers, social media, and non-mainstream forums are the fifth estate. READ MORE HERE
It is time that our national media refuse to cover photo-ops and prepared self-serving events of the Prime Minister until he opens himself up to proper media scrutiny. It is time that we challenged our mainstream national media. We have the social media tools and technology and we must use these to protect our democracy.
We must have the courage to challenge our media and hold them to account as we would our politicians. There is no doubt there are some in the mainstream media that can be as vindictive and petty as the worst of our hyper-partisan elected officials. Some spend more time attacking the general public on social media than they spend keeping our MP's honest. There are journalists in our country who maintain professional standards and understand the important role they play in our society. Ironically - many of them have turned to blogs and use of social media to free themselves of outside or inside (management/executive) influence.
Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs all enable the citizens of Canada to communicate with one another and share opinions, information, and ideas - with relative ease. We can now utilize more resources to get the news of the day and different spins of it.
With these relatively new communications tools - people are seeing the mainstream media in a new light. The national news broadcasters, national papers, and news magazines are seen as one source of news not the only source. Breaking news often comes from citizen reporter and often provides evidence in the case of criminal activity.
Political events have changed as live tweeting occurs during the affair. What a politician says one day can be replayed at a moments notice. Budget documents - legislation - the Hansard and talk shows - all easily accessible.
Some journalists have embraced this new communications era. They supplement and improve their own material with information from social media. Sadly others dismiss bloggers, tweeters and citizen reporters. They actually spend work time attempting to marginalize people - ironically the same people they want to support their work.
So yesterday was a banner day for mainstream media. Mackay's announcement that he was not going to seek election again was given coverage usually reserved for a second coming. Just to pump the CPC a little more - they threw in 18 seconds of video that added nothing substantial to what we citizens have already seen regarding the Parliament Hill shooting.
Yesterday was Stephen Harper's day - orchestrated and directed. We were subjected to hours of propaganda and free CPC advertising.
Paid political pundits and "journalists" going on about Peter MacKay and his love of family. I would hope that all our politicians have such love and that all politicians do not find it necessary to bail on public service when they have a family.
When my children were young - I spent a period of time working full-time - raising two wonderful children (now wonderful adults) and on the side spending 30-40 hours a week for 2 years trying to stop the privatization of hydro. I am not alone - there are parents out there doing the same thing everyday - some having to work three jobs to support their families. We have thousands of volunteers giving of themselves while raising children and earning income.
The media should know that a cardiologist putting in 80 hour weeks so others may live to be with their families - retire without a word - let alone a Prime Ministerial visit and speaking engagement.
As for Peter's body of work - well after they dispensed with his political pedigree (the history of Elmer) they spoke ad nauseam about his portfolios and importance in the political history of Canada. The fathers of Confederation had nothing on Steve and Pete. MacKay's body of work has for the most part been a failure. I cannot speak to the benefits received directly by his district - but looking at his national contribution he has been a failure.
1. The first order of his business was to be slimy - how did he win the PC leadership? What did he swear not to do?
2. Pesky helicopters.
3. Questionable comments about women - (judges, lawyers, past girlfriend).
4. Extreme right-wing "family" values. Marriage, Right to die, or how about a woman's right to choose which political party she'd like to support?
5. Complete dismissal or ignorance of our Constitution.
6. “far-fetched hypothetical scenario” he says while condemning the Supreme Court of Canada (arrogant much?)
7. "life cycles" of F-35's fiasco.
8. Harper's lieutenant (wow) there's a plus
The mainstream media did a complete disservice to the public yesterday and once again showed how fearful or supportive they are of Harper. The Prime Minister who ducks debates, ducks scrums, ducks first Minister's conferences, and ducks real democracy - pulled the strings of our national media yet again.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Harper and Coleman eerily similar
Continuing from my post yesterday - the Conservative edge of politics both here and in Ottawa has adopted an arrogant dictatorial sharpness that is cutting the electorate patience to the core.
Harper has amped his manliness up by intellectually going after our Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice - Beverly McLachlin; a frontal lobe competition our Prime Minister will soon regret.
But really the most concerning, revealing, and consistent trait of Harper is his refusal to communicate; at least in a way that is normal for a mature democracy.
At the basic core of this fellow is a stereo-typical troglodyte - a being so caught up in self-preservation that he appears paranoid. With his basic refusal to accept some science as real - he may easily believe that Mansbridge, Soloman, Martin or any Ottawa journalist are the dinosaurs waiting to pounce.
Sadly - as Canadians - we have failed by generally treating the PM's dismissal of unfettered scrums or appearances on national network political programs - as normal. Harper's protective communication goons have effectively removed their boss from open media access. The man has also annihilated the First Minister's conference. Why meet openly with Canada's real leaders - the Premiers of the federation.
The PMO has become a term that we have become too familiar with - as it's not Harper who is responsible for the bad deeds. The PMO said this and that. Media now reports regularly on what the PMO says - not what the PM says. In this regard the media is failing in its duty to the people of our country. The photo-ops carefully planned and executed are dutifully reported by the Hill's men and women - who have otherwise been trained to probe and ask questions in an open environment.
So what does all this have to do with Frank Coleman? You should seriously consider that question and look at what we've been handed by the chosen one to date. The training of our media here has already begun.
Harper has amped his manliness up by intellectually going after our Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice - Beverly McLachlin; a frontal lobe competition our Prime Minister will soon regret.
But really the most concerning, revealing, and consistent trait of Harper is his refusal to communicate; at least in a way that is normal for a mature democracy.
At the basic core of this fellow is a stereo-typical troglodyte - a being so caught up in self-preservation that he appears paranoid. With his basic refusal to accept some science as real - he may easily believe that Mansbridge, Soloman, Martin or any Ottawa journalist are the dinosaurs waiting to pounce.
Sadly - as Canadians - we have failed by generally treating the PM's dismissal of unfettered scrums or appearances on national network political programs - as normal. Harper's protective communication goons have effectively removed their boss from open media access. The man has also annihilated the First Minister's conference. Why meet openly with Canada's real leaders - the Premiers of the federation.
The PMO has become a term that we have become too familiar with - as it's not Harper who is responsible for the bad deeds. The PMO said this and that. Media now reports regularly on what the PMO says - not what the PM says. In this regard the media is failing in its duty to the people of our country. The photo-ops carefully planned and executed are dutifully reported by the Hill's men and women - who have otherwise been trained to probe and ask questions in an open environment.
So what does all this have to do with Frank Coleman? You should seriously consider that question and look at what we've been handed by the chosen one to date. The training of our media here has already begun.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Hill Journalists PR for PM
I have for some time been commenting on the National media and their coverage of Prime Minister Harper.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
Clearly there are problems - the PM will not allow scrums, will not hold unfettered news conferences, and dictates who can ask a question and how many questions may be asked.
More recently the behavior of Harper has gotten worse as he ducks and hides from open media scrutiny of the whole Senate scandal - more particularly the Mike Duffy affair.
The highly paid and educated journalists on the Hill have been reduced to news interns chasing the PM around to photo-ops. When not doing that these otherwise skilled professionals are gathering groups of people together in panels to see if anybody else might know what Harper is thinking, doing, or involved in.
Yesterday took the cake - reaching new heights - (no pun intended) as the PM sat in the front of Canada's version of Air Force One - while the media was herded to the back. The Prime Minister was his usual self stating no questions were to be asked or answered - but allowed them a little visit to the front to see his guests, former Prime Ministers Mulroney and Chretien.
It was almost pathetic to watch the media scramble and excitement as the former PM's joined them in the back of the plane for some chit-chat.
What a disgrace - and what a pathetic sight. Journalists have allowed their integrity and professionalism to be damaged because Stephen Harper won't talk to them.
There is only one answer to this and that is that all media on the Hill STOP covering Harper. Ignore the News Releases from the PMO and do not attend his photo-ops. Cut him off and instead spend your time covering the Opposition parties, leaders, and MP's. Let the Opposition do all the speculation without an Harperionette inputting talking points.
And one more thing - when Stephen and Laureen stop at the top of the boarding stairs and wave - please show us a reverse angle so we can see who they are waving at.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Media and Harper both failing Canadians
Hockey is entertainment for many - a diversion from day to day responsibilities and woes. It is not - however worthy of the coverage it gets by our national media. Big Corporations make big deals daily - but the hockey rights sale is getting the coverage you'd expect from a story like a comet is going to hit earth.
There are many other interests for people who are not hockey fans or even zealots. There are other sports, there are plays, visual art, and writing/reading, music - to name just a few.
The serious stuff - the management of our country - the development and fostering of province to province relationships and country to province relationships deserves as much real journalistic time.
What happens to Don Cherry's commentary is really not that important in the life scheme of things and whether Rogers or CBC owns exclusive broadcast rights to hockey will not change natural resources policy or sovereignty issues.
For months now the Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau affair has been developing. This is a serious issue. There may be criminal repercussions, the destruction of democracy, the dismantling of the Senate. The complete mess seems to revolve around the PMO.
We already know that Prime Minister is not a great judge of character - his appointments speak for themselves - in his office, in his Cabinet, and to the Senate.
Why then - is it impossible for our national media to interview Harper on what's going on? The media have hunted down Mike Duffy and Rob Ford - but do not chase the PM around until he speaks.
Stephen Harper is a liar - he has proven that many times - so as he tries to run from the Senate scandal - he should be tracked down by the media corp and held accountable.
Programs like Power and Politics and Power Play are turning into the rumour mills and guessing game shows as everybody and their mothers are speaking about what Harper knew, thinks, and was involved in. Everybody that is except the man himself.
The national media has been neutered by this Prime Minister - and all without a word of protest. He dictates who can attend a carefully planned and managed news conference - he then dictates who can ask questions and how many they can ask. He no longer attends First Ministers conferences and treats Opposition parties like unelected pests. This PM has done more to erode democracy and interest in it - than any PM before him.
It is time that as much emphasis is placed on getting Harper to answer the media as is wondering what will happen to Cherry and MacLean.
There are many other interests for people who are not hockey fans or even zealots. There are other sports, there are plays, visual art, and writing/reading, music - to name just a few.
The serious stuff - the management of our country - the development and fostering of province to province relationships and country to province relationships deserves as much real journalistic time.
What happens to Don Cherry's commentary is really not that important in the life scheme of things and whether Rogers or CBC owns exclusive broadcast rights to hockey will not change natural resources policy or sovereignty issues.
For months now the Duffy, Wallin, Brazeau affair has been developing. This is a serious issue. There may be criminal repercussions, the destruction of democracy, the dismantling of the Senate. The complete mess seems to revolve around the PMO.
We already know that Prime Minister is not a great judge of character - his appointments speak for themselves - in his office, in his Cabinet, and to the Senate.
Why then - is it impossible for our national media to interview Harper on what's going on? The media have hunted down Mike Duffy and Rob Ford - but do not chase the PM around until he speaks.
Stephen Harper is a liar - he has proven that many times - so as he tries to run from the Senate scandal - he should be tracked down by the media corp and held accountable.
Programs like Power and Politics and Power Play are turning into the rumour mills and guessing game shows as everybody and their mothers are speaking about what Harper knew, thinks, and was involved in. Everybody that is except the man himself.
The national media has been neutered by this Prime Minister - and all without a word of protest. He dictates who can attend a carefully planned and managed news conference - he then dictates who can ask questions and how many they can ask. He no longer attends First Ministers conferences and treats Opposition parties like unelected pests. This PM has done more to erode democracy and interest in it - than any PM before him.
It is time that as much emphasis is placed on getting Harper to answer the media as is wondering what will happen to Cherry and MacLean.
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