(Updated) Cameron Inquiry: Like the Tides - All Things are Known

For most of the goings-on that occupy our news there is a sad inevitability. We have lived on this planet long enough now to have learned a few things. Sadly predictable, boring at best.

I get a free copy of "Canada's Nation Newspaper" thrown on my desk where it rests briefly, more out of respect for the trees killed in its printing than the actual content of its pages. These days the front pages are filled with news of the American's. Sad that only the side-boob of an MP's girlfriend was able to curb the news of Hillary and Barack. Looking at the faces of the potential president one can't help but see the writing on the wall. All the would-a, could-a, should-a aside... isn't it in the cards that Obama will be the democratic candidate and Clinton will be his running mate? Enough said. Let's move on.

The truly sad predictability though for me is the news of the Cameron inquiry. Already a couple of inevitabilities have revealed themselves and more are to come. Already the cost of the inquiry has been argued against the need for the full and open disclosure of the inquiry. Already the CEOs, Government officials and higher management of the Health Care corporation are shrugging their shoulders and passing the buck.

Who couldn't see that coming a mile away?

There are a couple of things we can expect to see as this whole unfortunate story is told. There will be recommendations made to improve the procedures. These will come as a revelation and the cost of the inquiry will be justified based on these findings... But without a dollar spend we can already list them. They have been spoken repeatedly in frustration at countless management meetings by pathologists and specialists, they have remained largely unheard. They have been discovered across Canada in much the same way as we are discovering here. The Globe and Mail has recently written an article with the problems and solutions in Black and White, these are country-wide issues; overworked Pathologists and the like.

In the end isn't this truly what we need to get from this inquiry? How can we improve, how can we ensure it never happens again?

There is one more news story that will be as sure as the tides. This will come when the class-action lawsuit is settled and the ladies of our Newfoundland and Labrador who have been so traumatically affected by the events of this fiasco, finally get some compensation. The story will be how much money the inquiry has cost, how much the lawyers have made, how much money the class-action has made for the lawyer vs the compensation to the ladies involved. That story will be the most shocking. The lawyers will have made millions, the victims of this mayhem substantially less. In the Class Action Against Improper Sterilization in Labrador the victims get $450, their spouses $100, the lawyers $119,000. Where is the fairness? Then again maybe that story may be missed, the elite do have the greatest ways and means of self-preservation.

With respect to the amount of torment, physical health and mental anguish of the victims family and friends, there will be a pittance offered for their suffering. The bulk of the money will fatten the wallets of the Class-Action lawyers, the inquiry lawyers, CEOs and Upper Echelon of our society. The bit of productive information that will come out of the inquiry will be held as if it is an epiphany and the inquiry's expense will be held to be justifiable. Information that we know right now, at this point in time, without a dollar spend.

Look after these ladies, they should have no financial worries for the rest of their lives and they should sleep sound knowing the mistakes that were made with them will never happen again. That's where our money should be spend. Invest in health care not Jaguars for lawyers. In the days of President Obama and Vice-President Clinton we should have the best pathology processes in Canada, and the ladies who have ordealed this great tragedy can be content in knowing it was not in vain.

Note from NewfoundlandinCanada - The article mentions a story from the Globe and Mail:
The Globe and Mail June 3 2008. "Pathologists call on governments to remedy problems at overworked labs." Consider:

1. Governments need to invest funding to repair an ailing system.
2. Canada lacks a national quality assurance program.
3. Overworked laboratories lack the necessary tools to prevent potential quality-control nightmares.
4. Increasingly complex medical tests.
5. Growing demands for faster results.
6. Critical shortage of pathologists and lab workers.
7. Call for the creation of a national body that sets national standards and links existing accreditation programs across provinces.

These recommendations were free for the asking. Imagine if fees amounting to millions were actually put towards implementing some of these recommendations instead of being directed to St. John's generous population of lawyers.

http://www.chescrosbie.com/default.aspx?page=5
http://www.chescrosbie.com/default.aspx?page=25
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2007/05/28/suit-certified.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/10/19/cancer-suit.html

Canada Needs to Act Like a Country

One of the wisest things I've ever heard regarding Newfoundland and Labrador's place in Canada was on a radio talk show. Whatever your feelings on this conduit of information there are occasionally gems of wisdom that for me makes all the talk about potholes and pokey worthwhile. This gentleman was reflecting on Newfoundland and Labrador's adoption/marriage/confederation/sell-out to Canada. What he said was that he wished that Newfoundland and Labrador had voted differently in confederation. That if Newfoundland and Labrador had become it's own country we could then have negotiated our own terms of union as a full fledged dominion.

A brief moment here for reflection.

Newfoundland and Labrador's status as a country has always been a subject of debate and confusion. My own personal feelings aside I take the moderate stance that Newfoundland and Labrador needs to act like a country regardless of where we are socially, politically and geographically on this blue green sphere. Why can't Newfoundland and Labrador be independent thinking and act like a country? What could be our hesitation?

Part of the answer came last week with the seizure of the eco-terrorist ship named for one of Canada's most prolific liars. You know the one. I don't care to give them a mention here. The answer to the previous ramblings about sovereignty is that not only has the sovereignty issue eluded us in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is a concept our mater Canada has trouble with. Canada itself is not used to acting like a sovereign nation. When Russian vessels drop a flag and claim the Arctic the response from Canada is muted rumblings and shoulder shrugs. "Sher' the world knows the Arctic belongs to Canada right?"

Then our eco-terrorist buddy Paul creeps his way into the very mouth of the nation into the Gulf of St. Lawrence and claims that as long as he is 12 miles from either shore he is entitled to do whatever catches his whim as an international vessel in International waters.

He makes the assertion that Canada's claim to Gulf waters is "disputed" by European countries and the United States. Additional, he feels in his skewed logic, that if he runs into trouble he will high-tail it for St. Pierre and Miquelon. France he believes to be an ally. It is beyond his scope of thought of course that the tiny islands have a people of a strong independent spirit that are not mere outposts of France. We know of course how that went.

This goes beyond the issue of seals and eco-terrorists. This goes to the very issue of Canada's right to protect its own sovereignty.

Should Canada have seized the SS Ship? Absolutely. How many times are you going to let someone slap you with their glove before accepting the challenge. We may be peacekeepers, we may be the polite cousin in the global family, but cowards we are not. As for the ship being Dutch, they are sea-faring people very much like ourselves. I doubt they would give this little tug a second thought, if they respect their naval heritage they will know what an abomination the Farley Mowat and its crew are to marine law and history.

Terrorist cannot go unchecked. Take a lesson from St. Pierre et Miquelon and go at them with axes swinging.

The Proclaimers in St. John's

http://www.proclaimers.co.uk/
http://www.whatshappening.ca/
http://www.sonicconcerts.com

For years NewfoundlandInCanada has used a quote from the Proclaimers song "Cap in Hand" in expressing a common sentiment of Newfoundland and Labradors place in Canada. It reads "We fight - when they ask us, We boast - then we cower. We beg for a piece of what's already ours. I don't understand why we let someone else rule our land."

Many have commented to me that this quote rings true for the feelings of so many in Newfoundland and Labrador. NewfoundlandinCanada used another quote from Proclaimers in "Who is a Newfoundlander or Labradorian" which quotes a line from "Scotlands Story."

NewfoundlandinCanada was pleased to have received permission from The Proclaimers for the use of this quote. So much of what Craig and Charlie Reid write has relavance to Newfoundland and Labrador and global concerns.

Since they will be playing is St. John's at Club One this weekend I take the opportunity to thank them and wish them a great show.

Born and Bred

Rethink the Barbarian

Our people are called barbarians by people who wish "our children to be skinned alive in front of us"

They are called barbarians by ladies in luxury suites in Calgary who say: "I am so happy to hear of the deaths of 4 sealers on Saturday March 29 although, it was a tragedy that more of them, if not all, were not killed in this fortunate accident."

We are called barbarians who speak in defense of the Seal Hunt and we accept threats of death and harm for our writing.

Who is the Barbarian?

59 and Counting

Our Place in Canada?

Port aux Basques for Hockeyville 2008

Finally a vote I can endorse without hesitation!

Vote for the Lovely community of Port of Basques for Hockeyville 2008. Vote often (close your browser between votes)

I have fond memories of the Ferry ride from Port aux Basques. I hope they succeed in bringing hockeyville to the rock.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/hockeyville/finalists/bruceiiarena

From Halifax to Vancouver - Sears Fundraiser Misses Tremendous Opportunity

The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride has sadly missed a tremendous opportunity in deciding to exclude New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador and the Territories. Aside from the fact that the Run is called a "National" one, and aside from the fact that they call it a "Coast to Coast" Ride, this fund raiser has missed a great opportunity to experience the tremendous giving heart of the Newfoundlander and Labradorian in their fund raising event.

Because it is a truly noble cause it is hard to be critical. We wish them the best. But to their Promotions people: It's a big country folks, expand your boundaries you may be pleased with the result.

http://www.nationalkidscancerride.com/

Facist States

According to Wikipedia the definition of fascism states include the following:

Some of the governments and parties most often considered to have been fascist include Fascist Italy under Mussolini, Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, Spain's Falange, Portugal's New State, Hungary's Arrow Cross Party, Japan's Imperial Way Faction, Romania's Iron Guard, Iraq's Party of National Brotherhood, South Africa under the National Party and the United States under George W. Bush.

It does cause one pause for thought that Bush's U.S. is listed with Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy?! Coincidently enough at the same time I read that a news brief on the radio mentioned that Justice Gomery (of Gomery Inquiry fame) has been critical that the Canadian Government under Stephen Harper has not implimented any of the recommendations from the lengthy and expensive inquiry.

So if a fascist state oppresses individual rights over the rights of the state (government protection of itself for its own sake)... can Canada be far behind in that list of self-serving government states? Harper has upgraded/degraded Canadians role from Peacekeeper to full out military command. He ignores the recommendation of independent inquiries into government affairs. In fact Gomery suggests that "Failure to decentralize PMO power poses danger to democracy"

My advice to Harper is to refrain from wearing those military fatigues he has been known to don. And don't grow a mustache - your colours are beginning to show.

Home. Care?

I've been keeping my head low these days, trusting that the powers that be have more sense than I give them credit for. For this one though I have to pull my head from the sand. On the suggestion that seniors may be removed from their home care in Labrador and moved to facilities in St. John's. ( I shake my head) I won't jump the gun on this - except to say that this situation would be incredibly calous and uncaring. Are we suggesting that a man or woman who has lived their lives in Labrador, and calls Labrador home, should now be moved to the island to live out their final days?! St. John's is a gem of a city, but to suggest that it is reasonable to displace a Labradorian and have them breath their last breath away from their home in our capital is viewing the world through a set of glasses that skews perspective. St. John's is not the centre of the universe in our Newfoundland and Labrador.

I make this statement with every bit of selfish intent, for fear of someone deciding for me in 2048 that the best place for me is Toronto. God Forbid.

The Lady and The Knight

Is a knight who refuses a challenge truly a knight? Let's see what Sir Paul is made of...

News Release – to be released on March 7th

One Newfoundlander
Newfoundlander invites Sir Paul McCartney to gain truth of seal hunt


St. John ’s March 2nd, 2008 - Samantha Gerbeau of Newfoundland and Labrador , Canada , is inviting Sir Paul McCartney to learn the truth about the North Atlantic Seal Hunt.

Ms. Gerbeau is extending the offer to Sir Paul McCartney to draw his lordships’ attention to the numerous misrepresentations and disingenuous practices of groups alleging to support the rights of animals.

“Hopefully his lordship will be able to observe for himself that he and many other celebrities have been duped into accepting as truths the outright lies about the seal hunt and its benefits beyond the acquisition of seal pelts to humanity,” said Samantha.

A HIGHLY EXPENSIVE campaign to influence the new European parliament to ban the importation of seal products has begun. “It is no secret the anti-hunt lobbyists selectively target those European parliamentarians whose countries have the fewest resources to counter the effects of their lobbying,” said Gerbeau.

By inviting Sir Paul to the front Ms. Gerbeau hopes those anti-seal hunt protestors will not succeed in furthering their ludicrous allegations unto parliamentarians or other celebrities, like arranging televised interviews with them as was done in 2006 to Sir Paul McCartney in the Larry King Live television interview.

These groups regularly use media that can be attracted to their sideshows to support their causes. Those media events – sometimes staged, have been effective events as admitted by various anti-seal hunt groups.

“The numerous government releases and statements to leaders and members of HSUS, the IFWA and the WWF and other groups opposed to the seal hunt are being ignored. Statements of the seal population explosion which has been steadily occurring (not just on the coast of Newfoundland or near the state of Maine ), are ignored and the serious threats to global warming and health of the environment shows how little interest our planet is to these groups. Equally mystifying is the position presented in these statements that the hunt supports inhumane killing of baby seals. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

As one reads the media reports, or observes staged video footage of alleged seal hunts, it becomes readily apparent these hunt protestors are stating they are more competent to determine that methods used to dispatch MATURE seals are inhumane than are members of the IVWG or Independent Veterinarians Working Group whom by law must supervise the harvests and have stated to the European Food and Safety Association that in fact the Atlantic Canadian Seal Hunt is very well managed and humane.

-30-

Contact:

Samantha Gerbeau
To view Sam's blog go to www.newfoundcare.blogspot.com support the spring harvest!
Founder of Newfoundcare and Author of The ABC's of The Real Treat!
Past President of Memorial Toastmasters
INCO Innovation Center Room 2014
709-740-2532
www.newfoundcare.ca



Samantha Gerbeau helps heal the ills of humanity. Samantha advocates awareness to promote natural sustainability for the planet. As a researcher, crisis communications planner, she is actively involved in sustaining a natural food supply her home and original fishing station of Europe, Newfoundland and Labrador.
She spent her formative years attending a British private school in Barbados, W.I. after her father’s death. She regarded the experience as an insightful look into the cultural differences and similarities of what it means to live on an island that mainly relies on fish for its livelihood. The warm climate and abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables were not enough to keep Samantha away from her home, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Samantha is a fighter for humanity and seeks solutions for social responsibility. Her foresight comes from recognizing how the outworn industrialized ways of the world need reform for our present earth conditions. In 2004, she wrote a children's book called, The ABC's of the Real Treat! and published it herself in 2007 with the help of the Sisters of Mercy and Presentation of Newfoundland and Labrador. Samantha feels that no one should have to pay for education or essential knowledge, especially children. She believed that by giving the book as a gift to 15,000 children in Newfoundland and Labrador, she was helping to inform others that 'the real treat is to eat good food'. With an ever-increasing rate of obesity and type-two diabetes, that exists in Newfoundland and Labrador, she seen the need to create more awareness of eating well for the environment and give kids real knowledge of what gives them good energy. Now, she provides in-class picnics that show and tell children all about the natural world around them. She tells them the best ways to find natural energy and how moods are affected by what we eat. Her environmental healthy eating program can be found at www.newfoundcare.ca
Samantha Gerbeau began working in public relations in 1995 while living in British Columbia. There, she worked as a Customer One representative for Chrysler Canada. About 10 years later, Samantha devoted much of her time raising her two children. While she remained active in the tourism industry for the latter part of the 1990's, she went back to public relations within the last seven years. Since then, she has researched and developed the preliminaries for an Emergency Response Plan for the City of St. John's, worked with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada during the Venus Transit of 2004 and communications and special events for Kids Eat Smart Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2007. As an independent, she has provided public speaking/media relations training to city directors, small and medium size business owners and provides customer service training and research. As a motivational speaker, her award winning speech, The Secrets of Sugar, helps to show society how to find the fountain of youth by eliminating this age-inducing substance out of the diet.

The Rock remembers The Rock

152 MPs vs 152 MPs, The Atlantic Accord was on the line. One MP from Vancouver determines its fate.

A new book suggests MP Cadman was stronger than we knew:


http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/02/27/cadman-book.html

Happy Flag Day

Another version is here if you are so inclined

Merry Christmas from Air Canada!

Merry Christmas to all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have made it home for the Holidays in spite of the obstacles.

... now for something completely different

The number one new Restaurant in Canada for 2007 according to En Route Magazine is non-other than Atlantica, on the shores of Portugal Cove overlooking the ferry to Bell Island. Reminiscent of "The Auk" from the "Rare Birds" movie and novel this tucked away little place has attracted quite a bit of attention it seems.

Of course the best of the best are always from Newfoundland and Labrador.

http://www.enroutemag.com/e/november07/best_b.html

Canadians Wants to Orphan Newfoundland and Labrador Children

The Portnoys of Marystown are living in hell on earth hounded by the Canadian authorities. There are of course two sides to every story but nothing in the past of The Portnoy's can justify what the Canadians have done to this family. It is entirely unacceptable in a country that prides itself on being an example of democracy and humanitarianism for the globe.

The essense of the argument for or against deporting the Portnoys have been bandied about to exhaustion. The primary question is a simple one. Are the Portnoys entitled to live in Canada? The Canadian Government has to decide based on its pre-formed heuristic if this family can stay. They have decided that cannot. It would be quick and easy to end the discussion at that point. They've made their decision -end of story... ?!

In the case of the Portnoys though it becomes important to investigate the very process of government itself. Can we have confidence that the federal government has made the right decision on behalf of 30 million Canadians, and especially 1/2 million Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Can we have confidence that the best decision was made? For that we need to look beyond the paper work and consider the human interests in this story. We have our answer based on running an application through a machine... now let's run some facts through the people of Canada and let them decide.

The Portnoys are not two Israeli's and their Kids. We are in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada - The Portnoys are three Canadian Children, two of them are Newfoundland and Labradorians, with their siblings and parents.

This is a family that has the support of the community in which they live. The Portnoys are from Marystown.

This is a family who have a great deal of support in this Newfoundland and Labrador. The Portnoys are Newfoundland and Labradorian.

As Canadians we have to ask ourselves what has happened to lead up to this terrible situation for this Newfoundland and Labrador family, and what do we do as a civilized community to rectify the situation?

The situation was caused by a bureaucracy that made the final decision. It is the result of a decision made by a group who do not live in Marystown, they do not even live in Newfoundland and Labrador - but they make decisions for us. There is a fundamental flaw in this federation when a Newfoundlander or Labradorian has absolutely no say into who their neighbour is. To the question of who is a Newfoundlander, who is a Labradorian... that decision is made elsewhere. That is fundamentally wrong!

The situation with the Portnoys is the result of this inept bureaucracy. A federal department and it's arms length committees that take a decade to stamp an application. A decade passes. A decade in our life, a lifetime in the five Portnoy children. They are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, they go to school with our kids, they contribute to the youth culture of the community... Then a small minded ineffective bureaucratic organization reaches down from another land and turns the only world they've known upside down. A faceless bogeyman who snatches their father while he is running a errand to help a friend. A monster who threatens daily to steal away their mother if she should step into the daylight.

So we humbly look to the scales of justice:

On one side of the scale, the argument to deport the Portnoys. The weak accusation against Alexi that refers to a petty crime as a youth. An accusation which has been adequately explained.

On the opposite side of the scale we have the inefficiency of the immigration committees. Add to that the children who are born and bred Canadian, and their rights as Canadians. Consider the children who were born in Marystown and are members of that community for the entire duration of their young lives. Add to that the tremendous support of the community in Marystown. Add to that the tremendous support of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians all over this island and in the Big Land. Add to that the health and welfare of two of the children who receive specialized attention in their community.

Now make your decision.

But wait, there is one more consideration. The immigration committee has made it's decision. There is a strong defensive stance that says that the immigration committee has to have it's own autonomy. It has to have it's own integrity, it has to be immune to criticisms from mere mortals. That bull-headed self preservation has to be a factor. Place that on our scales of justice. This one is very heavy because it goes to government power and bureaucratic self-preservation.

This is now very much a decision in the public arena. The immigration authourities need either to give us the solid reasoning behind its ineffective, inhumane, inept, and weak arguments or it's time for them to listen to the many voices from "down-east"

They have a lot to answer to. Better late than never.
---

The Portnoy Family Website

The Funny Thing About Clowns

Two cannibals are eating a clown when one turns to the other and says - "does this taste funny to you?"

On October 11 newfoundlandincanada posted a graphic suggesting the Premier of Nova Scotia as a clown. There were hits from the national media looking at that post. The funny thing is that today on October 15 the National Post publishes the editorial below. (re-electing a clown)

So Newfoundlandincanada thinks Rodney MacDonald is a clown for signing Harper's contract, and the National Post thinks Danny is a clown for refusing it.

... so two premiers are reading a contract on equalization when the Newfoundland and Labrador premier says "Does this seem funny to you". (The other premier was to busy signing to reply.)

I'm not a partisan person but I'll wear the over-sized novelty shoes and suggest that Harper, MacDonald and the mainland media stuff it up their collective ass. I'd rather have a big red nose than a brown one.

__

Re-electing a clown
REPRINTED FROM OCT 15 NATIONAL POST

And to think that in the early days of his government back in 2003, we fairly gushed over the prospects of Danny Williams transforming Newfoundland and Labrador into a “have” province. Back then, though, he was pledging to wean his province off dependence on federal welfare. Instead, Mr. Williams has chosen bombast and continued addiction to Ottawa’s handouts. While his militant schtick has proven wildly popular in Newfoundland — he won re-election on Tuesday with nearly 70% of the total vote — it will prove toxic to his province in the long run.

Almost from the start, Mr. Williams showed himself to be a tub-thumping populist from the Huey Long school. He stormed out of a first minsters’ meeting on equalization when then-prime minister Paul Martin dared suggest equalization to have-not provinces should begin to go down once they’ve reached “have” status. Later, Mr. Williams ordered all Canadian flags pulled down from above Newfoundland’s provincial buildings. After Stephen Harper and his Conservatives took over in 2006, Mr. Williams ran national newspaper ads against the federal government, urging people to vote “ABC” — Anybody but Conservatives.

The Premier also likes to talk tough with the oil companies looking to develop his province’s Hibernia South and Hebron offshore oil fields. This, too, has proven itself popular with voters but has cost the provincial economy hundreds of millions —if not billions — of dollars.

Thanks to Mr. Williams’ demands for “superroyalties” from the oil companies, the Hibernia field has been shelved for the foreseeable future and the Hebron field will now go ahead only because Mr. Williams swallowed his pride and made major concessions.

Like all demagogues, Mr. Williams is fond of the pronoun “I” — as in I won the deal with the oil companies through my personal “determination and strength of conviction.” If “ I’ve accomplished anything here, I just think it’s that: Pride in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Only I can back down Stephen Harper. His victory speech on Tuesday evening barely acknowledged that he had a caucus and party around him.

Meanwhile, while Mr. Williams was huffing and puffing his way to victory, Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald was quietly negotiating a settlement in the Ottawa-Atlantic equalization skirmish. Under terms of his deal with the Harper government, Nova Scotia may accept the new equalization formula offered in last spring’s budget, or it may opt for the old formula any time it feels the new one is shortchanging the province.

The same deal is open to Mr. Williams, but he has painted himself into such a rhetorical corner to win re-election, it’s hard to see how he could agree — even though it is a better deal for his province than the one it currently has.

Mr. Williams is a character. Of that there is no doubt. But his outsized ego and inflammatory stunts are hurting the people who voted him into office.

Harper's New Mascot

With sympathy and great respect for my friends in Nova Scotia...

I Spy with my Little Eye, Something that is Blue

Consequences of Last Night's Election:

* Giant novelty cheques for expectant mothers.

* Giant electrical outlet for Red Bay. Giant extension cord for St. Anthony.

* Fiber Optic fed for everyone!

* Have Status in two years – Canada seeks new scapegoat.

* Out-port Newfoundland and Labrador now called “cottage country”

* One step closer to Danny acquiring The Bomb. Steven Harper is spied at Home Depot buying new locks, batteries and candles.

* Opposition meets at Tim Horton’s.

* New NDP Slogan: "From Nun to One"

* New Tory Slogan: "Four Seats to a Dictatorship"

* New Liberal Slogan: "F%$K ya we tried!"

* In Gambo: “Joey’s Lookout” to be renamed “Joey, Look out!”

* Seeking funds, the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador changes its name to “Pepsi, The Choice of a New Generation Party of Newfoundland and Labrador”

Rage Against the Machine II

I've had this one in the line-up for a while trying to decide if I should post it. the first "Rage" generated so much venum it made me a little weary of snakes. In the end though free speech has a value in our Newfoundland and Labrador...

The first "Rage Against the Machine" asked: When I read blogs and the like am I reading an opinion, or an advertisement? I did not really expect an answer. It was mostly rhetoric, and rhetorical questions by their nature don't demand an answer.

But I did receive a response. Veiled threats, articles on "Libel" and blogging. Promises that I would be revealed to the world, "my pants lowered and my forked tail exposed". (Even a cowardly anonymous e-mail apparently written by a nine year old.)

I can be faulted for one thing. I specifically stated being paid as the reason a bias would exists. That was wrong and I duly apologised for the implication. There are other rewards beyond the simple exchange of cash. Not that any of these apply to our local newspapers, radio and bloggers...

So, gagged as I am from speaking freely by those with "asbestos suits" and "lawyer friends". I will speak in vague terms and use an example that is not as locally relevent. Is there indeed a media machine that feds us redigested tripe? Take for example this article "Brain Injury, Not Steroids, Seen in Wrestler Death". As the title implies "Brain injury, not steroids" were the reason that Pro Wrestler Chris Benoit lost faculty of his senses killeding his family and himself. The article was sent to the news feeds by the "Sports Legacy Institute". But here is were that swallowed Red Pill causes trouble. Google that name... who is the SPI? Ex-WWE wrestler, some brain surgents and lawyers.

... and there I go opening myself up again to the accusation of being a perveyor of conspiracy. Am I the only one who would question the legitimacy of an article written by associates and lawyers of the WWE? Does that make me paranoid and delusional as I have been accused of by my own peers - or does it in fact offer a look at the paint beneath? These are of course baseless questions about motivation, offering only speculation, no evidence is provided or produced. For conspiracy theory none are needed. Condemnation through quiet implication. This is Newfoundland and Labrador after all, none of that here... (he whispers)

We need to be better sheep spouting the words we have read verbatum as if they are gospel. Selling the latest political candidate, or flavour of Coke. We are safe to adopt the opinion as our own because it has come from such learned blokes: I know its true, because I saw it on TV. When someone boasts they are in the "persuasion business" we should sip our Pepsi and Screetch ignoring the elephant in the room.

For those who are not registered lobbyists, opinions from regular Joes and Joannes like myself are like arseholes - everyone has one but no one wants to hear yours. No odds. Just an opinion. Fortunately we are the masterless men, we no longer bow to the elite. Those who in their income, politics and acedemics would close our minds.

I've said too much, my tinfoil hat has fallen loose and I fear they will be banging on my bunker door. Unfortunately for those of us who have swallowed the Red Pill, we'll always be prone to look for the underpainting. We scratch the surface and let the light in, even as the paint is still being applied.


Humbly yours,
Self-embarassing fork-tailed conspiracy theorist pseudonom sock puppet

A Colourful Election

I'm trying to follow along with the provincial election and do a little writing for October Reign but I have to admit I'm completely thrown for a loop. Time was when being a Liberal, PC or NDP meant something. These days with Red Tories, Blue Grits, Green NDP, it's enough to leave you black and blue.

I'm checking out the candidate for St. John's Centre. A good NDP candidate - unfortunately she's a Liberal. The Premier is talking about baby bonuses and social programs as if he too is an NDP. The NDP are talking about environmental polluters like the Greens. Then the solid Grit Simon Lono casts his vote for a conservative nomination.

... So if Reds are Orange, and Red Blues are actually Orange, and Orange is Green, while Red is actually Blue... wait I have a headache... at the same time I've been accused of being Red, Blue, and Pink White and Green, and one self-righteous blogger even calls me Yellow. Truth is although nothing is black and white, I finally understand Hendrix.

I'm completely in a Purple Haze. Excuse me while I kiss the sky...