The 'right' in all it's various forms, bloggers, news media, columnists, government and staffers have attacked Stephane Dion from the day he became leader.In my opinion, the Liberal party has often been too slow to respond to some of the nonsense, I suspect because they saw it as inane and more easily dealt with in real terms with policy. In a sense, they were correct, because when Dion came out with the Green Shift, the media changed their tone somewhat.
But now, deep into summer, the media is grasping for stories and it's tilting again.
The columnists on the 'right' of course jumped on the Green Shift from day one. Some are climate change deniers to begin with, so no surprise there, others are simply Harper cheerleaders, who defend him come hell or high water. Journalists aren't off the hook here either though. Initially they reported the Green Shift as only a carbon tax. Slowly they have come around to include the fact that there is also tax relief to ease some of the pain. That's good, but what no one has ever done though, (or few), is to include the fact that both the NDP and Conservative plans, place a price on carbon and offer no relief. Why? I suspect few have any real idea of what an Environmental Policy entails. They just want a story.
Well, time's up imo. I simply can't sit back anymore and listen to, read or watch the Con's and the NDP accuse Dion of implementing the very plan they intend to put forward. It's ridiulous and no one is calling them on it.
The plan that is often described as Dion's is one that would increase prices for Canadians in all areas of their lives, period. That's not Dion's plan. It's Layton's and Harper's. Alice in Wonderland days are over in my mind. It's time to call a plan out for what it is, what it really is.
So, as silly as this might sound, I'm going to write to every journalists or columnist each and every time I see this happen. I'll apply the KISS principle to my mail, but I'll ask that they include fact. I'll also a include links in a full post or at the bottom of a post of the offenders if you would care to join me.
If the public does not keep these guys in line, who will?
As I wrote a while back, I've tried to compile a 'fact check' on media. What's been blatant I've written about here. Real media, hasn't crossed the line too much, save the aforementioned omissions, but the columnists were just too much to contend with. I think now is the time to address them too.
So, I'll provide the links to their e-mail and maybe even cc e-mails to editors where appropriate. If they do not provide e-mail addresses, I'll find a way to reach them or their masters.
Will you join me and use your voice to set them straight?
29 comments:
Regulate industry where those companies that go over their ghg limit, pay a fee into an R&D fund; the fund can then be used to research and develop alternate energy sources. (government plan)
Ok knb, describe the Green Shift in under 35 words.
The media NEEDS sound bites, to grab attention of the readers, and hold it.
Even Lib MPs don't fully understand the GS after Dion spoke for 60 minutes about it.
Side deals, no side deals.
West pays big, West exports so pays little.
It's total confusion. Media is confused, Libs are confused, Canadians are confused.
I will join knb! Just provide the links!!!
You go girl!!!!!
Count me in. I started a few weeks ago with my local paper and I am game to keep the pressure on.
knb... I don't expect you to give the NDP plan fair shake that you demand that everyone else gives the Liberal one, so with that being said, let's set the record straight here.
The NDP plan will take the proceeds from Cap and Trade and will use those funds for funds to home retrofits, public transit, and other programs to help people use less carbon, therefore using less energy and saving money. The Liberal plan is to take the proceeds from the carbon tax and put it towards tax cuts, which might put more money in some people pockets, but not all. The Conservative plan has mega soft targets and if it actually collects and funds, they don't plan on putting anything towards using less.
If you want to try to lump the NDP and Con plans together, it's disingenous and it doesn't help your plea for "accountability".
Many thanks for your ongoing balanced & fair minded treatment. I too am tired of the one sidedness to this Climate Change debate and the seemingly contrived confusion practised by the Con & NDP party's; aided & abetted by the msm ... I'm keen to vigourously assist you in this mission.
I definitely will join your movement to keep media honest and keep our news relevant. The local papers here in the Okanagan continue to give our local Conservative M.L.A's a column and at the top of the page each time is a large heading of NEWS. The so called article last month had M.P. Colin Mayes started of " Have you see question period lately? it then goes on to bash the Liberals for questioning the governments role in the Cadman tape, and stating they now have experts that disclaim the accusations. Then he goes on to defend Maxime Bernier and how he made an honest mistake. This article came out early July and I know for a fact he writes an article every two to three weeks, why did he not write about these things when the house was actually sitting for question period. He closes his article by stating " In spite of these distracting, fabricated dramas and accusations by the opposition, our government is moving forward with priorities and getting the job done." The newspaper should have to charge these guys for advertising, the very next week the provincial Liberals had to pay to circulate a full page advertising on how to live greener and lower emissions and how the carbon tax benefits the fight on global warming. They have to pay to help our society and the Conservatives get all the free journalism they need to destroy our society? This same newspaper( which is Kelowna's biggest) two weeks later publishes a half page letter to the editor with the heading "Global Warming a Natural Process" The constant cartoons slamming Dion, Campbell and the Liberals is getting to be too much, I can't be the only one who objects to this one sided point of view from a trusted media outlet. Maybe we will have laws against such "false advertising" but until then your way may be the best way to combat it. Another good example is Michael Ignatief is going to be speaking here in five days to speak about the "Green Shift Plan" and all I have seen for coverage is a small inch and half story explaining when and where? ( incidentally 5:00 p.m. Thursday Aug.14th at the K.L.O. college)
You betcha - it time. Keep track of their advertisers and sponsors - complain to them as well. Money talks.
Wilson - life and plans don't always follow 35 words or less - you want to limit your brain and be treated like you're stupid, go ahead.
Sweden (NDP's model country) use a similar plan to Dion's and they are doing extremely well.
It's funny listening to the media lament the political spin and soundbite environment, when in fact they are the real culprits, because they don't demand more, they can't deal with substance.
I'm already in :)
You should also consider adding the email option to your posts. There have been many occasions where I would have liked to have been able to simply click & send your articles.
The next election will be fought on the econonmy and not the environment.
KNB - take a boo at Zorpheus' blog today (Wingernuterer) with respect to a letter his wife sent Air Canada....perhaps this is a good route to go to the media and as many as possible join in.
Ruralsandi - you're doing what we always accused the cons of, complaining about the media. It doesn't work and it just makes us look like whiners.
My concern is media bias....I don't want media to be left or right....I want integrity, the old fashioned voice of the people, investigative reporting, truth...not just stupid headlines and opinion.
Wouldn't it be nice to have non-partisan newspaper?
I feel like I'm reading the same thing day in day out....Dion, caucus, debts, Dion, secret sources, etc. BORING
The next federal election should not be fought on either the economy or the environment, but on the cultural direction this neoconservative government (along with its allies in the Christian right) is attempting to take the country. That Harper and his gang of throwbacks remain stalled in the polls makes me optimistic Canadians are seeing through the thin veneer of this troublesome movement.
Cam, we've had this discussion and you know I'm not lumping the 2 plans together.
I'm simply saying that the media never mention the fact that both the NDP and Con plan will put a price on carbon, which will increase the price of the same things that Conservatives are saying the Lib plan will.
To my knowledge and his credit, I don't think Layton has said that, but as I said, that's not my point.
Penlan, Deb, Sandi, Frankly Canadian, dman, Steve and Omar, thanks for the support.
Frankly Canadian are you referring to the Courier?
Sandi, do you mean writing a similar kind of letter or posting it?
anon@2:14. My point is not to whine about the media or even cry bias. My point is to keep them accountable in terms of telling the full story.
They are held accountable athe moment and we've only ourselves to blame, so if I'm part of the reason that media isn't doing what they should, then it's up to me to do something about that.
Omar, in general I agree with your comment, but then we run the risk of being labelled as trying to scare Canadians a la Paul Martin.
That said, it has to be brought into the dialogue.
Personally, I'd like to see that done in a positive way to show what Liberal's can offer the country in terms of progressive moves forward, which will highlight how regressive the current gang is.
As to your other request, done.
Canadians need to scared of this lot. In hindsight the Libs scare tactics seem pretty tame now that we have experienced Reform in power.
My request for comment emailing?
I don't see the envelope icon at the bottom of posts.
Above the clock in sidebar, Contact.
Ah, I see. What I'm referring to is in your settings under "Show Email Post links?", if you choose 'yes' then readers have the option to email your posts to friends, etc.
Got it. Done.
I misread your comment to say I'd like to send you articles, not, send your articles.
Sorry about that.
No knb, it is the Capital News that has a mass free circulation throughout the valley, and there are plenty of others who write in to correct misinformations, however the paper is definately one sided. This should not be too hard to believe since the last time a federal liberal was an M.P. here was I think back in 1967 or so. I know there is a big difference between the Progressive Conservatives and the Conservative we have now, but the roots are still deep I believe.
WOW! Read the comments after this link. They are mostly anti-CON & people can really see them for who they are!!! It's on this mornings Ethics Committee Hearing:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080811.wtories0811/CommentStory/National/home
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080811.wtories0811/CommentStory/National/home
I haven't read the comments yet penlan, but just posted a bit on the meeting.
Who votes for these people?
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