Let's have a losers' debate!

Much talk has been made about how Elisabeth May will not be invited to the debate. The other authors of this blog have already taken a stand on the issue. I agree mostly with Owner and Doggy on this one: it is the network's choice. They are, after all, hosting the debate, and paying for all expenses of the event (to the best of my knowledge). It is their debate which will lack the quick-witted debater who was keen to point out errors in her opponents position and logic.

But instead of simply sitting around and saying, "It's too bad, but what can we possibly do about it?", I propose that May organize a "loser's debate". This debate would incorporate all the parties that do not get seats, but get a sizable portion of the "loose" votes (votes not for major parties). This debate would be a true battle of ideas and logic: Libertarians would face off against Communist, Benevolent Dictators (or statists, either one) against Anarchists, and Socialists against Fascists (the non-Nazi kind). It would be a veritable debate, with ideologies explaining themselves, making their case, and destroying the others'.

Although many years back this would not be possible, now, thanks to modern technological innovations, it can be done. The leaders could link up through video-conferencing, allowing the party leaders to represent from all over the country. The whole thing could be live-streamed, and made available for download on a later date. The whole thing would cost very little, too: under 50$ for a video-conferencing software (or free, depending on which one); live-streaming is generally free or cheap; file-hosting sites will carry a file for very little money.

On top of giving a voice to all the parties that normally remain in the shadows the rest of the time, it would allow a better understanding of the various roots of the normal ideologies of the mainstream political parties: Libertarians and Classical Liberals for Conservatives (generally), Socialists and Classical Liberals for Liberals (generally), Socialists for the NDP, and Neo-Liberals for the Bloc (?). It would allow us to better understand why people vote for a party, even when that party seems to be doing things counter to the ideology (the way people vote for Conservatives, even when they go on spending binges).

In conclusion, instead of sitting around waiting for the next debate, watching a mud-slinging competition (sorry--debate of the party leaders), we should carpe the diem: seize the day. The Green party should organize a debate of the non-elected parties, where ideas would be discussed and ideologies could prove their points. This would not only help the third-party parties, who remain in the shadows, but help the average Canadian better understand the ideologies behind the parties, and the valid points held by the opponents. The whole thing would cost very little, and could have a large impact on the impressions of Canadians. Besides, what does the Green party have to lose? They appear as a doer, they get free publicity as all the third parties tune in, and it costs them almost nothing; the third-parties get a large audience to present to. I, personally, would watch the debate of the best and brightest of the country in politics squaring off in a battle of ideas than the typical mud fight.

Illegal Conservative Ads

Not only are the new Conservative ads unethical and lying, they are also illegal. Their new attack ads, while blowing things out of proportion and using out-of-context statements, also use file footage from CBC. The Tories did not ask permission to use the video. It's a requisite for the CBC to not provide this footage for political use.

Yet the Conservatives think that it is fair to use this footage without even having the decency to make a request. This kind of arrogance should not be tolerated. They are not entitled to use anything for the lies of attack ads they broadcast. The ads will backfire.

The CBC is demanding the Conservatives withdraw file footage from the national broadcaster that appears in new Tory ads targeting their political opponents.

Read more at the Globe and Mail. 

Related articles

• Tories seek alms to keep attack ads on air (theglobeandmail.com)
• It’s a risky time for attack ads (theglobeandmail.com)

Keep our Airwaves Clean

The CRTC is proposing a change to the ban on broadcasting false news. This modification would allow false news to be broadcast except for the kind that "endangers or is likely to endanger the lives, health or safety of the public." The problem with such narrow specifications is that all other types of false news would be allowed. I could see a Fox-like SunTV News in the future, broadcasting false lies without any punishment. The ban on spreading lies through the media must be upheld by the CRTC.

OTTAWA — The CRTC is proposing a regulatory change that would give Canadian TV and radio stations more leeway to broadcast false or misleading news. 

Current regulations contain a blanket prohibition on broadcasting "any false or misleading news."

Read more at CTV.

Kory Teneycke Leaves

Kory Teneycke has announced that he was leaving SunTV News. I'm not sure what to make of this. However, a source that the Globe and Mail got a hold of a source familiar with Quebecor Media. This person said that this is a last-chance effort to try and get SunTV News the license they want. I do not think SunTV is going to get the permit it's looking for. Harper will not step in or he will risk losing a lot of support.

The former Harper government spin doctor behind a drive to build a right-leaning cable news network in Canada has abruptly quit the project, saying increasingly bitter public controversy over his role has made him a liability to the TV venture.

Kory Teneycke’s decision to fall on his sword raises questions about the future of plans by Quebec billionaire Pierre Karl Péladeau to establish Sun TV as a 24-hour all-news network.

Read more at the Globe and Mail.

The Quebec Tea Party?

A new group has been formed in Quebec called the Réseau Liberté Québec. It is a right-wing group devoted to a right-wing movement in Quebec. This is a good idea in essence, to make the debate in Quebec between right-wing and left-wing parties, not federalist and sovereigntist parties. But, this just seems like another right-wing propaganda group meant to brainwash the population into supporting right-wing parties. Unsurprisingly, this is backed by Kory Teneyke, one of the key members of the new Sun TV News, the Fox News North. I've already seen Fox News and it is totally horrible! In conclusion, these right-wing organisations can often be found to be spreading propaganda. On that note sign the petition to stop Sun TV here.

For now they’re just a small band of libertarians seeking to replace the sovereigntist-versus-federalist divide in Quebec with a new brand of political confrontation between the right and the left.

They call themselves Réseau Liberté Québec, or the Quebec Freedom Network, and could be considered Quebec’s version of the right-wing populist Tea Party in the United States.

Read more at the Globe and Mail.

Stop Whining!

Come on. Isn't it enough. We all know that Conservatives like to bash the CBC. They say it's biased, Liberal even communist! Some say it's the Communist Broadcasting Corporation. It's just getting silly. They can't just keep blaming the Mass Media for their troubles. It's always about the poor Conservatives. However, if you look at the polls, most Canadians didn't support Stephen Harper last election. Therefore, most Canadians will have an opinion against him. Should they all be silenced so we can have only true-blue broadcasting? If people want to speak then they should be able to without being bashed by the attack-ad party.

1. How Tory operatives spend their Friday nights. Stephen Harper’s Conservatives just don’t give up when it comes to bashing the CBC. It’s getting silly, with the Tories again questioning the broadcaster’s impartiality as a result of comments about a recent poll on women in politics.

Read more at the Globe and Mail and here.

It will already be too late

Once we start feeling harsher symptoms of global warming it will be too late to turn our planet around. Right now, people are suffering economically, physically because of climate change. We must not wait for this pain to spread and intensify. We must act now against global warming.

Advertising Costs

The Harper government has spent 42 million dollars on advertising the stimulus package. I've seen some of these on television. This is a complete waste of government money. These are ads made to stir up support for the Conservatives. The Tories' reason for these ads is to communicate with Canadians about coming out of the economic crisis. There is no need for the government to do this kind of advertising. Chances are, if someone sees the ad, they are aware of the current financial situation. This is a complete waste of our money and should be stopped immediately.

OTTAWA — Federal departments have spent nearly $42 million promoting the Harper government's economic stimulus programs. Documents introduced in Parliament detail the massive wave of print, radio, TV and online advertising intended to highlight the Economic Action Plan launched in January 2009.

The advertising blitz includes everything from $110,000 in newspaper ads for the Agriculture Department's slaughterhouse improvement program to the $44,000 spent to wrap two Go Transit commuter trains in the Toronto area with the distinctive green and blue EAP logo.

Read more at the Ottawa Citizen.

Integration

Integrating the Winter Olympics and Paralympics so that they take place at the same time could be tricky. But it’s worth it. With events happening at the same time, Canadians and the world’s population would be aware of Paralympics happening. We could and should be as excited as we are for the Olympics. I guess we don’t because the initial excitement has worn off after the Olympics. Integration would make sure that TV stations would show more events and therefore, Canadians would watch more events. For our athletes, it means more support and a better feeling. So let’s all get behind our athletes in the Olympics and Paralympics and cheer them on!

Robert Steadward thinks it's time to start seriously discussing integrating the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
The founder of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said as much in Vancouver recently and reinforced that view in a telephone interview on Saturday.
"I'm sure we'll see in the future that more world championships will incorporate both of them (able-bodied and disabled athletes) together concurrently," Steadward said. "I think you'll see, as well, more regional games that will include both disabled and able-bodied athletes.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/2010wintergames/call+integrating+Games/2711646/story.html

Sold!

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty wants to sell off some of the Crown assets. These assets could include the CBC and Via Rail. It’s obvious why the Conservatives would want privatize CBC. It’s run by the government and they are against spending. However, the CBC runs a television and radio service with many great shows such as Dragons’ Den. CBC news is trusted by many as a corporation that can be trusted. By selling off the CBC, the Tories will be selling off our heritage and a part of Canada. We cannot let this happen.


That's right. It's our own and we can't let it be taken away.