No one doubts that some of the actions of the Toronto Police during this past Summer's G20 Summit were dubious. Even the police themselves have admitted such. As a Canadian, and as a Torontonian, I am highly disturbed by the portrayal of the events in the Fifth Estate documentary we were required to watch. It is conspicuous that the documentary follows the sequence of events as told by the protesters only. The victims of police violence were given ample time to narrate what happened to them while Chief Bill Blair (the only police officer interviewed) was never given any time to do so but only asked trite questions about the size of individual police officers guns.
A more fair, honest documentary would have included interviews of more police officers, allowing them ample opportunity to explain their actions as well as narrate the sequence of events from their understanding. It would also be profitable to include interactions between the police and their victims. This documentary is a stunning example of yellow journalism.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Media Analysis
A Major News Story:
It seems as though the whole fiasco to do with Bev Oda has failed to matter much to Canadians. According to a recent poll, only 32% of respondents believe that the minister ought to resign. This must be a sore disappointment to the opposition because according to the Hansard they have asked 79 questions in two weeks concerning the affair. I honestly don't know why this situation has received so much attention in the media. Canadians clearly don't care too much about it and there are for more interesting things going on in the world. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it probably has to do with the fact that because the opposition is hoping to make this issue stick so close to a possible election.
An under-reported story,
The Cato Institute has published pocket-sized copies of the US constitution in Arabic. Cato, an American Libertarian think-tank, has published this with a view to "encourage people everywhere to better understand and appreciate the principles of government that are set forth in America's founding documents." I am quite interested in Cato's work and I find it highly suspicious that such a book was not available before all of the turmoil in the Middle East. Perhaps this is their way of spreading liberty abroad? Nothing better to do that than education!
It seems as though the whole fiasco to do with Bev Oda has failed to matter much to Canadians. According to a recent poll, only 32% of respondents believe that the minister ought to resign. This must be a sore disappointment to the opposition because according to the Hansard they have asked 79 questions in two weeks concerning the affair. I honestly don't know why this situation has received so much attention in the media. Canadians clearly don't care too much about it and there are for more interesting things going on in the world. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it probably has to do with the fact that because the opposition is hoping to make this issue stick so close to a possible election.
An under-reported story,
The Cato Institute has published pocket-sized copies of the US constitution in Arabic. Cato, an American Libertarian think-tank, has published this with a view to "encourage people everywhere to better understand and appreciate the principles of government that are set forth in America's founding documents." I am quite interested in Cato's work and I find it highly suspicious that such a book was not available before all of the turmoil in the Middle East. Perhaps this is their way of spreading liberty abroad? Nothing better to do that than education!
Beyond the Text: United States of Canada vs. Jesusland
I don't like this cartoon even a little bit. It ignores the vast diversity of political views represented in both countries. To simply imply that Americans living in the Northern and West Coast states are Canadian and that the rest are all quazi-fundamentalist Evangelicals is arrogant in the extreme. I also find it interesting that Ohio, North Dakota and South Dakota are all part of the United States of Canada. Hah.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Research Discovery-Interacting with my "peers."
I commented on Likda's (who evidently doesn't have a surname), Paul Chrusciel's,
Peter LaMarre's, Laura Wright's, and Daniel Toney's blogs.
Peter LaMarre's, Laura Wright's, and Daniel Toney's blogs.
Question of the Week-Europe, Multiculturalism, the GTA and the Next Election.
Merkle, Cameron and most recently Sarkozy have all publicly repudiated multiculturalism. Harper has not. We also know that minorities have played a big part in electing conservative mayor Rob Ford.
- Is the PM hesitating to join the chorus of his fellow conservatives because he doesn't want to bite the hand he hopes will feed him?
Reflective Journal-The Constitution
About one month ago I finished reading The Trouble with Canada...Still! by William Gairdner. I am almost totally convinced of his analysis of the problems with the constitution of this country and I came to class these past two lectures wanting to burst, my head swimming as it was with the problems of Canada, as I see them, at least.
Perhaps the what burned in my mind the most are all the unanswered questions I have about Canada's messy constitution. If I had the luxury of having a private lecture with Professor Alexander here are a few of the questions I'd ask:
Perhaps the what burned in my mind the most are all the unanswered questions I have about Canada's messy constitution. If I had the luxury of having a private lecture with Professor Alexander here are a few of the questions I'd ask:
- How exactly does the constitution allow for Civil Law (Quebec) and Common Law (R.O.C.)? (Yes, I know the text talks about this but I'm not satisfied with the answer.)
- To what extent was Trudeau predicting the future when he said the British Common Law System "must be welcomed as a valuable tool which permits dynamic parties to plant socialist governments in certain provinces, from which the seeds of radicalism can slowly spread."?
- Does the fact that no popular consent is required to make constituional change leave us at the mercy of judicial activists?
Media Analysis
Egypt's military has taken over. The parliament is dissolved and the constitution is suspended. Yes, I am aware that this meets two demands of the pro-democracy demonstrators. But it's telling that all this is happening on the eve of the army clearing out the remaining protesters. The book about military dictatorships willingly relinquishing control is a short one. Frankly when I read this about fifteen minutes ago the cynicism I felt at the protest on Friday my was totally justified. I really, really hope all this works out for the Egyptian people. My sense of historical irony kicks in too fast for me to ever give into it however.
So, what about the Copts? Throughout this whole shtick in Egypt I've spent most of my time considering possible ramifications for the State of Israel. Never once did I think about what it means for the sizable Coptic-Christian minority, and other minorities in Egypt. It seems like the media is by-and-large as guilty as I. What voice are they going to be given? How do we know they'll be included in the dialogue? We don't know.
It's important to mention that as far as we can tell, Christian-owned businesses have not been targeted for vandalism. However in light of the recent attacks on Coptic churches, this fact likely does nothing to calm anyone's nerves. Does Friday's events apply to Egyptian Christians? Is the revolution which we're told is going to spread across the Arab world something that Christians there can look forward to? If the answer to these questions is no this whole revolution is a insult.
So, what about the Copts? Throughout this whole shtick in Egypt I've spent most of my time considering possible ramifications for the State of Israel. Never once did I think about what it means for the sizable Coptic-Christian minority, and other minorities in Egypt. It seems like the media is by-and-large as guilty as I. What voice are they going to be given? How do we know they'll be included in the dialogue? We don't know.
It's important to mention that as far as we can tell, Christian-owned businesses have not been targeted for vandalism. However in light of the recent attacks on Coptic churches, this fact likely does nothing to calm anyone's nerves. Does Friday's events apply to Egyptian Christians? Is the revolution which we're told is going to spread across the Arab world something that Christians there can look forward to? If the answer to these questions is no this whole revolution is a insult.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)