Facebook Notes & Updates

American Exceptionalism in Practice?

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:06:39 -0400

I know that I am not the only one who finds it more than a little disquieting to hear a US president pre-empt the potential prosecution of US officials for committing acts of torture.

Popularity should no more trump the rule of law under an Obama regime than under the Bush Administration.

Torture committed by agents of the State violates natural law & international law. Mr. Obama has no more right to forgive it than Mr. Bush had to authorise it.

Getting Recognition in the USA... But not from the CBC

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:56:41 -0400

Former White House spokesmen to pitch Canada, J. Wingrove, Globe and Mail, 16/04/2009

“The federal government has hired two former White House spokesmen to pitch Canada's image to major American media outlets.

Michael McCurry, a former press secretary for Bill Clinton, and Ari Fleischer, one of George W. Bush's press secretaries, will work to secure Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper interviews with U.S. media outlets to discuss Canada, its economic system and its relationship with the United States.

‘They are two individuals with experience that is unparalleled in working with the U.S. media,” said Kory Teneycke, communications director for the Prime Minister's Office. “I think it serves Canada well to have some of the basic facts of our relationship better known in the United States.’

The spokesman who will take advantage of any airtime or newspaper attention will typically be Mr. Harper himself, a leader Canadian media have long clamoured for greater access to.

‘The object is not to make the [Canadian] Parliamentary press gallery happy,” said Mr. Teneycke, Mr. Harper's top spokesman. “It's really appropriate for the prime minister to blaze that trail in helping get that story out, and there a number of others who can play a supporting role in communicating in the U.S.’

The PMO is hoping to spread the word about Canada's strong banking system, its ability to avoid meltdowns seen at U.S. banks, and the importance of Canadian energy to American consumers.

Mr. Teneycke also said boosting American awareness about the two countries' integrated auto industries and environmental plans will help both governments work more effectively.

To do that, they're going after interviews with media, rather than speaking directly to decision-makers in Washington in hopes that broad press exposure will be more effective.

‘To view the U.S. government as simply the administration is to not fully understand how the system works. It's also about communicating to governors, the broader U.S. business community, to congressional representatives as well. And Canada is well-served by having these things understood more broadly.’

Mr. Teneycke refused to say what the high-profile hires will cost Canadian taxpayers, or how long the government plans to retain the men.

They have already been working with the Canadian government. Mr. Fleisher co-ordinated interviews during the recent G-20 conference, while Mr. McCurry has worked to set up interviews for this week's Summit of the Americas.

‘These two individuals have been helping us,” Mr. Teneycke said. “The purpose is to communicate Canada's position going into these international summits as well as talk about some of these larger issues.’

Mr. McCurry served four years as Mr. Clinton's press secretary, and now works with consulting firm Public Strategies Washington Inc. Mr. Fleischer left the White House press room in 2003. He still works as a conservative commentator and runs a sports communications firm in New York."

Sounds like an innovative idea to me. I was disappointed to see it attacked by CBC reporter Neil MacDonald later that same night. MacDonald mocked the decision on the grounds that there were lots of Canadian officials in the country’s embassy upon which PM Harper should call, and that Mr. Harper had thus far “only” managed to obtain interviews with “Conservative Media Outlets” such as the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC and Fox News.

MacDonald accordingly demonstrated himself to be as pompous and out of touch as ever (as most left-wing Canadian elites consistently prove themselves to be).

Does this guy actually believe that Foreign Affairs bureaucrats are capable of developing a US media strategy for this country?

Here's a news flash for the CBC: the WSJ, FoxNews & MSNBC are exactly the kind of media outlets to hit when seeking US investment.

Canadians Love Their Hard Rock Guitar Bands

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:42:54 -0400

My ears are still ringing from listening to 2.5 hours of Neil Young wailing on his guitar with a whammy bar that must have been so hot that his strings were probably melting.

He may have looked like a walking heart attack, but this is one ageing rocker who still looks like he belongs on stage.

I Bet You Billy Bob Thornton is a Zombie

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:52:40 -0400

Woody Harrelson claims he mistook photographer for zombie, A. Duke, CNN.com, 10/04/2009

“Canadian National Railway Co. has developed a transformative strategy it calls the "Pipeline on Rail" that can move oil-sands production quickly and cheaply to markets in North America or Asia."

I wonder if anybody in the US administration is taking note of how one of the continent's largest railway operators claims to have developed the capability to ship massive quantities of bitumen long distances, such as Prince Rupert (i.e. gateway to China)?

More pressing, however, is whether the 'bring back the big government boondoggle' folks in Edmonton (aka the Provincial Liberals, NDP and the Alberta Federation of Labour) are paying attention? I hope not.

Next thing you know, they'll be clamouring for performance requirements mandating the processing of bitumen in Alberta...

Say It Ain’t So, Billy Bob!

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:45:42 -0400

How on earth Canada will survive without the benefit of the musical stylings of Billy Bob "Don't call me a Movie Star, Jackass" Thornton?

While it is disappointing to hear that Willie Nelson has suddenly been left without an opening act for the rest of his Canadian tour, I applaud Mr. Thornton's act of self-sacrifice. Artists must stand united against the tyranny of music journalists not shutting up and only saying what we tell them to say when they interview us.

I also applaud Mr. Thornton for not allowing his immeasurable musical talent overshadow the journeymen lucky enough to share a stage with him. Willie Nelson, you have no greater friend than BBT.

And he has acted now and then, in his spare time, too? Really? Wow!

Can you imagine being geared up an evening of classic country only to be greeted by the spectacular distraction of THE icon who made the classic remake of the classic film, the Bad News Bears, possible? Be still my cinematic heart!

Who could possibly concentrate on music after being treated to such a spectacle?

Certainly not I...

Click here to see the great thespian putting an incredulous wag in his proper place.