Schmedia
The longer I live, and let's hope this keeps on working out for me, the more I grow disillusioned with the mainstream media and what passes for news. I am an recovering CNN junkie, so I can speak with some authority on the issue. In fact, for years I was coopted by that leviathan as an innocent-looking paper boy for the Halifax Herald, and the Waterloo Chronicle.
I will not be able to tackle this issue in one post. Suffice it to say that this is likely the beginning of a theme that you will see me expand on.
Media Myth: Gordon O'Connor must be disqualified as Defence Minister because he once advised the Defence industry. This appointment is inconsistent with Harper's promise to prevent cabinet ministers from becoming lobbyists within 5 years of leaving politics.
Refuting the Globe:
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor spent 30 years serving his country and dedicating his career to the profession of arms. He spent 6 years after his military career advising defence contractors how to go about their business with DND. He spent 2 years as the Tory critic for defence, and as a Member of Parliament. The Globe and Mail would have us believe that Gordon O'Connor is not fit for the job because of his experience in defense lobbying. Using this logic, Stephen Harper should not be Prime Minister because of his past with a lobby group. This egregious logic would preclude qualified people from many jobs.
A conflict of interest is not created by past associations. A conflict of interest is created by current conflicts. On top of all of this, Gordon O'Connor is the most qualified minister of national defense since Major General George Pearkes, VC (for those unfamiliar with VC, it stands for Victoria Cross and is Canada's highest award for valour and bravery) was defense minister in the post-war years. Let the man do his job, and we will judge his actions, not a small portion of his resumé.
Leave the man alone
Wayne Gretzky. His wife allegedly placed some bets, his colleague allegedly took bets, and he allegedly did nothing illegal. This one sentence sums up the essence of the news story. However, the pirhannas want blood, and insist on publishing photos and innuendo to the effect that maybe Wayne is hiding something. Maybe Wayne is involved. Let the story unfold, and leave the guy alone until you've got some real evidence. Remember, we're talking about grown adults betting their own money. Let's not lose our sense of perspective. I'm not even a hockey fan for godssake.
I will not be able to tackle this issue in one post. Suffice it to say that this is likely the beginning of a theme that you will see me expand on.
Media Myth: Gordon O'Connor must be disqualified as Defence Minister because he once advised the Defence industry. This appointment is inconsistent with Harper's promise to prevent cabinet ministers from becoming lobbyists within 5 years of leaving politics.
Refuting the Globe:
Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor spent 30 years serving his country and dedicating his career to the profession of arms. He spent 6 years after his military career advising defence contractors how to go about their business with DND. He spent 2 years as the Tory critic for defence, and as a Member of Parliament. The Globe and Mail would have us believe that Gordon O'Connor is not fit for the job because of his experience in defense lobbying. Using this logic, Stephen Harper should not be Prime Minister because of his past with a lobby group. This egregious logic would preclude qualified people from many jobs.
A conflict of interest is not created by past associations. A conflict of interest is created by current conflicts. On top of all of this, Gordon O'Connor is the most qualified minister of national defense since Major General George Pearkes, VC (for those unfamiliar with VC, it stands for Victoria Cross and is Canada's highest award for valour and bravery) was defense minister in the post-war years. Let the man do his job, and we will judge his actions, not a small portion of his resumé.
Leave the man alone
Wayne Gretzky. His wife allegedly placed some bets, his colleague allegedly took bets, and he allegedly did nothing illegal. This one sentence sums up the essence of the news story. However, the pirhannas want blood, and insist on publishing photos and innuendo to the effect that maybe Wayne is hiding something. Maybe Wayne is involved. Let the story unfold, and leave the guy alone until you've got some real evidence. Remember, we're talking about grown adults betting their own money. Let's not lose our sense of perspective. I'm not even a hockey fan for godssake.
posted by Lt Smash at 6:23 PM
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