Sister Sage's Musings

Today’s Conservative: afraid of debate, emboldened by a docile media

By Jymn, on January 31st, 2012

For the 13th time in nine months, the Conservatives have stifled debate on an issue important to Canadians, especially those approaching old age. “Enthusiastic support”, indeed. When the public is shut out from discussion, of whose support is Van Loan speaking?

Mr. Van Loan made the accusations of delay in spite of . . . → Read More: Today’s Conservative: afraid of debate, emboldened by a docile media

The Pension Plan fiasco. Who cares? There are few jobs for someone 60, let alone 65 or 67.

By Jymn, on January 28th, 2012

I’ve been watching bemusedly – and with no little horror – the arguments waged between elite media types, celebrated authors and lowly bloggers over Stephen Harper’s hint about raising the qualification for old age pension from 65 to 67.

It’s all academic, literally. What’s not being considered in these finely-wrought debates . . . → Read More: The Pension Plan fiasco. Who cares? There are few jobs for someone 60, let alone 65 or 67.

Tanker Safety

By Kim, on January 16th, 2012

There is much talk these days about the safety of transporting bitumen via tankers in the Douglas Channel and out into Hecate Straight. The proponentspimps of the project insist that technology is just wonderful and there will be the utmost care taken to avoid the unthinkable, a catastrophic spill on the pristine North . . . → Read More: Tanker Safety

Canada’s Energy Future

By Kim, on January 5th, 2012

Pressure mounts in the Media, as Canadian Petroleum Producers bombard us with propaganda to forcefeed the Northern Gateway Pipeline and it’s associated Tanker traffic in the most dangerous and pristine water ways in the world. Across Canada, you are being told by the Press that the majority of British Columbians support a . . . → Read More: Canada’s Energy Future

Operation Maple takes on Globe & Mail. Number 6 in Gang of Seven.

By Jymn, on January 4th, 2012

Operation Maple has been doing a yeoman’s job in pointing out the main pillars of Canada’s Conservative media monopoly. So far OM has grappled with the following behemoths of industry:

Sun Media Corporation Bell Canada Enterprises The Rogers Dynasty Irving Media Shaw Media

And now at number 6, OM tackles . . . → Read More: Operation Maple takes on Globe & Mail. Number 6 in Gang of Seven.

Scott Stinson’s alternate universe. “Stephen Harper said voters didn’t care about partisan tactics. He was right”.

By Jymn, on January 1st, 2012

Stinson neglects to mention all those negative ads from the Cons broadcast for months personally attacking Michael Ignatieff and his family, part of a message machine which almost single-handedly conned the Canadian public into voting a Harper majority.

Does he mention 90 percent of our media went after ‘Iggy’ on behalf of . . . → Read More: Scott Stinson’s alternate universe. “Stephen Harper said voters didn’t care about partisan tactics. He was right”.

Jymn’s half-assed Predictions for 2012

By Jymn, on January 1st, 2012

Occupy will stay underground and grow its infrastructure and goals. More and more organizations and individuals will pledge allegiance to the movement. The media will interpret this lack of visibility to the failure of Occupy and continue to treat supporters as dirty fucking hippies. The year of Occupy will have to wait until . . . → Read More: Jymn’s half-assed Predictions for 2012

Top story of 2011

By Kim, on December 27th, 2011

First of all, best wishes to all of you in your endeavours in the new year. We need more then ever to strive towards enlightenment in the new reality that we pretend is democracy. In this spirit, I will resolve to educate as many people as I can reach on the dangers we . . . → Read More: Top story of 2011

Globe & Mail editors pick Harper majority as story of the year

By Jymn, on December 27th, 2011

Globe editors relax in Florida for prescribed vacay following another Con victory party

To celebrate, Globe editors put aside their crutches and patronizing air to low five each other over cocktails and wienies. No report on the obligatory congratulatory call from Stephen Harper although rumours of an army of nurses in attendance have . . . → Read More: Globe & Mail editors pick Harper majority as story of the year

Welcome to Harperland

By Kim, on December 15th, 2011

How we embraced hate. I was watching the CBC News this morning, Suhana Meharchand was the host. Talking about Attawapiskat, she interviewed NDP/MP Charlie Angus. Hostilely, she asked him, “What would you do if you were Minister? Throw money at the problem?” His reply showed unflappable professionalism, indicating that he would first alleviate . . . → Read More: Welcome to Harperland

on truth in journalism, III (terrace daily edition)

By Kim, on December 13th, 2011

By the incomparable Merv Ritchie, editor of the Terrace Daily Frontpage, one of the last bastions of free press in BC and Canada for that matter. IS IT TRUE ELMER DERRICK IS “THE” GITXSAN HEREDITARY CHIEF? This is the claim recently made in a commentary Elmer Derrick submitted and had published in the . . . → Read More: on truth in journalism, III (terrace daily edition)

Barely Five Minutes After He Was Announced Leader of The Bloc Quebecois, Daniel Paille is Out of The Starting Gate

By ck, on December 12th, 2011

It’s official, Daniel Paille has won the Bloc Quebecois leadership with a little over 61% on the second ballot (they used a preferential voting system). Ahuntsic MP, Maria Mourani came in second and Haute-Gaspésie—La Mitis—Matane—Matapedia’s rookie MP, Jean-Francois Fortin came in third and was knocked off the second round.

I contend that this . . . → Read More: Barely Five Minutes After He Was Announced Leader of The Bloc Quebecois, Daniel Paille is Out of The Starting Gate

Christie Blatchy Blatchford Misses John Wayne And Other Machismo–Plus Other Bonus Tracks

By ck, on December 10th, 2011

Poor Chrissie, down time from hanging around the Shafia trial and sounding “honour killing” dog whistles is proving not to suit her too much. Her latest column in the Nasty post proves as much. I guess during down time for Chrissie, she can only write so many autobiographical columns about being a bitter . . . → Read More: Christie Blatchy Blatchford Misses John Wayne And Other Machismo–Plus Other Bonus Tracks

December 6, 22nd Anniversary of the Polytechnique Massacre–With Every Passing Year, We Seem To Keep Going Backward

By ck, on December 6th, 2011

Here we are again, boys ‘n’ girls, another somber December 6; another year has come and gone and it is time again to commemorate the Polytechnique Massacre when fourteen young women’s lives were lost at the hands of a deranged misogynist. For the two plus years since I’ve started Sister Sage’s Musings, I’ve . . . → Read More: December 6, 22nd Anniversary of the Polytechnique Massacre–With Every Passing Year, We Seem To Keep Going Backward

update to Truth in Journalism

By Kim, on December 6th, 2011

After my last post, I sent a letter to Kirk LaPointe, the CBC Ombudsman.

Mr. LaPointe,

I am writing to lodge a complaint about a story that is incorrect. I refer to the story published Friday, December 2, 2011,

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/12/02/bc-first-nation-signs-pipeline-deal.html

This story incorrectly attributed the title of chief to a man who is . . . → Read More: update to Truth in Journalism

Truth in Journalism

By Kim, on December 4th, 2011

On December 2nd, the CBC posted this story, B.C. First Nation backs Northern Gateway pipeline CBC News Posted: Dec 2, 2011 5:12 PM PT Last Updated: Dec 2, 2011 7:30 PM PT

A B.C. First Nation has announced it’s backing the Northern Gateway pipeline project to ship oilsands crude to the West Coast, . . . → Read More: Truth in Journalism

Trying To Understand Politics In Quebec These Days–Part 1–Is Sovereignty Really Dead? The Potential Resurrection of Gilles Duceppe

By ck, on November 30th, 2011

I had heard nothing from the federalist media, particularly from those from the right who say nothing but sovereignty is dead in la belle province. The evidence they have? Well, some polls, which I do take with a grain of salt–the usual suspects–Leger Marketing. Sadly, that is all most Quebecers have to work . . . → Read More: Trying To Understand Politics In Quebec These Days–Part 1–Is Sovereignty Really Dead? The Potential Resurrection of Gilles Duceppe

What Gregor Robertson’s win means to the right wing: “Vancouverites are now raising sheep and growing corn in their backyards”

By Jymn, on November 22nd, 2011

You know how right wingers love to predict the end of the world if a non-conservative is elected? Republican presidential contenders in the States are conjuring death panels, rampant socialism if not communism (or is it fascism – the right can’t seem to make up its mind), gay parents raping their . . . → Read More: What Gregor Robertson’s win means to the right wing: “Vancouverites are now raising sheep and growing corn in their backyards”

How can opposition battle Harper’s War Against Information when there’s no battle plan?

By Jymn, on November 21st, 2011

HillTimes:

There are an estimated 1,500 communications staffers working in ministers’ offices and departments, including 87 in the PMO and PCO.

(And don’t forget Sun Media, Postmedia, editorial board at Globe & Mail and 90 percent of the media.)

Soon after Mr. Harper won power, the Prime Minister’s staff started deciding . . . → Read More: How can opposition battle Harper’s War Against Information when there’s no battle plan?

Occupy: Canadian media turns its back on the homeless, the marginalized, the disenfranchised

By Jymn, on November 21st, 2011

While many of us progressives like to think that the Occupy movement has awakened Canadians to the 99%, the reality is different. Editorial boards across Canada have seen to the marginalization of Occupy by concentrating on its weakest and most vulnerable members.

By accommodating the homeless, the disenfranchised and the marginalized, Occupy has . . . → Read More: Occupy: Canadian media turns its back on the homeless, the marginalized, the disenfranchised