News http://www.citizenspress.org Site News daily 1 2010-04-26T22:48:00Z The Ignorance Enabling Industry Comes To Canada http://www.citizenspress.org/editorials/ignoranceindustry The Ignorance Peddlers have come to Canadian air-waves. They are turning off thoughtful people and undermining informed debate and comment. They are using Internet chatroom and comment thread antics, but it is organized and corporate-funded and has one goal: distort the message. Thinking people need to respond. by Graham Cox — last modified Jan 14, 2012

Corporate-backed ignorance peddlers have come north to Canada to assault both the intelligence and ears of the Canadian news-watching public. As insulting as the arrogant grin on an oil executive's face saying sorry about the massive oil spill that put your livelihood out of business and as slick as your father's suit you wore to the high-school formal that is two sizes too small, these professional liars, cheats, and immoral peddlers of fairy-tales have invaded our country.

These ignorance enablers are focused on undermining thoughtful dialogue, interrupting informed analysis, and repeating contradiction-fueled and seizure-inducing corporate double speak in three-second message boxes.

We have all heard it on the US cable "news" shows from our neighbour to the south and we have all shaken our heads while reaching for the remote, wondering how the Americans had allowed the level of debate to fall so far. Around the world, people have wondered if it was the US education system, the short attention span of the MTV generation, that gives support to the proud to be an ignoramus culture that oozes from their cynical populist politics. In Canada, we had hoped it was a uniquely American fault and that our borders, even though open to all forms of content, would somehow keep it out. Well, it has turned out to be wishful thinking. The menace of the mega-corporation funded ignorance-producing industry has setup a base in Canada, and it has seemingly setup inside the Conservative Party's office of public relations.

Now, it is no secret, even to the world, that the vast majority of Canadians enjoy or even crave informed debate. We, in Canada, like watching people who know more than us tell us how it is, challenging us to think more critically. We do not take ourselves so seriously that we devolve into feces throwing exercises at the drop of a point that we disagree with. This is not just a Canadian trait, but I think it is generally recognized that Canadians have an abundance of this tolerant-to-alternative-views trait. It is because, if we cannot be as big and powerful as our neighbours to the south, we are at least going to be taken seriously by the rest of the world. We understand, like that old saying that starts "do onto others", that to get respect and to be taken seriously, one must dish-out the same to others.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the attitude that allows the cry-baby ignorance peddlers to operate so effectively in Canada. They have mastered the dubious art of rehearsed lines that make you feel bad for them because they do not get it or, in some cases question their sanity, and in the moment that you have paused to say "there, there, we can think through the problem" they, the Ignorance Peddlers, have turned on you like a rabid zombie, bit you on the leg and spewed another pre-packaged, freeze-dried line that at once attacks your man/woman-hood, calls you a traitor, and makes that tiny percent of ignoramuses accidentally watching the show feel good about themselves.

It is hard to know how to deal with these kind of people who are increasingly appearing on-air and in our papers, but the thinking people of Canada better figure it out soon. While it is not hard to spot these menaces as they are usually speaking on behalf of some mind-bendingly contradictory position (oil being ethical, good for nature mining, public services you pay for out-of-pocket being cheaper than those that are free), it is hard to limit their impact.

Of course, this is not a new problem. This new version of the charlatans, coming from the line of (ethical) snake-oil and Ponzi Scheme salespeople, however, are more dangerous. They now come with professional trickster certificates from university and one heck of a lot of money. The only way to deal with them is the same as before.

First, it is best just to identify and avoid, but when that fails, and you end up face-to-face with one on TV or radio, do all us thinking people a favour: call them out, tell them that they are hurting debate in the country, that the majority of people do not appreciate being dragged into the mud. Then immediately go back to the rational, informed comment you were so rudely interrupted from making. In short, follow the Internet comment-thread wisdom and don't feed the trolls.

]]> No publisher Graham Cox Canada Aritcle Editorial 2012-01-14T16:10:00Z News Item Community Supporters Of Locked Out Postal Workers - Part 2 http://www.citizenspress.org/news/community-supporters-of-locked-out-postal-workers-part-2 "Harper is undermining the collective bargaining rights of postal workers and this is the kind of unfair legislation we can expect for the next four years. What is exciting is the street power that is blossoming across the country with people from all walks joining together in solidarity to re-claim power and demand fair, green jobs. Today’s occupation of John Baird’s office shows that people are not only hungry for change, they are creating that change by taking action." --Brigette DePape No publisher Martin Canada Call to Action 2011-06-23T16:15:00Z News Item Community Supporters Of Locked Out Postal Workers Occupying MP John Baird’s Constituency Office http://www.citizenspress.org/news/community-supporters-of-locked-out-postal-workers-occupying-mp-john-baird2019s-constituency-office June 23, 2011

Ottawa – At 9:30am today, supporters of locked out Postal Workers began an occupation of Conservative MP John Baird’s constituency office, located at 2249 Carling Avenue, Suite 418. The occupation aims to draw attention towards back-to-work legislation currently being debated in the House of Commons.

The individuals occupying the office are not members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. They are all residents of Ottawa who wanted to speak up in support of the 48 000 locked out CUPW members.

“The contract Harper wants to force on CUPW will short-change postal workers even more than Canada Post would have,” says James Meades. “By passing back-to-work legislation, the Harper government is attacking every worker in the country, both private and public, union and non-union. Harper is wants us all to feel we never have the right to demand better working conditions, fair wages, or job security. We won’t let Harper silence us.”

The community members occupying Minister Baird’s office are also concerned about the wider implications of cutbacks desired by the Harper government, particularly the two tier wage system central to both the current CUPW dispute and the recent Canadian Auto Workers strike at Air Canada.

“There isn’t a two tier system for grocery bills or rent,” says James Meades. “This is just one more sign that Harper wants to help the already wealthy at the expense of poor and working people.”

In the last few days there have been occupations of Conservative MP offices by Postal Workers in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal and Fredericton.

Media Inquiries: James Meades – 613 784 9932

 

 

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Communauté d’appui des travailleurs(euses) des postes occupe le bureau de circonscription du MP John Baird

23 juin, 2011

Ottawa – Aujourd’hui, à 9h30, les supporters(trices) des travailleurs(euses) des postes ont entamé l’occupation du bureau de circonscription du MP John Baird, situé au 2249 avenue Carling, suite 418. Cette occupation vise à attirer l’attention sur la loi de retour au travail qui est actuellement à l’ordre du jour à la chambre des communes.

Les individus qui occupant le bureau ne sont pas membres du syndicat des travailleurs(euses) des postes (STTP). Ce sont tous et toutes des résidents d’Ottawa qui ont voulu prêter leurs voix à la cause des 48 000 membres du STTP qui font face à un lock-out.

«Le contrat que veut forcer Harper sur le STTP va nuire aux travailleurs(euses) encore plus que l’aurait fait Postes Canada», dit James Meades. «En faisant passer la législation de retour au travail, le gouvernement attaque chacun(e) des travailleurs(euses) du pays, privé et public, syndicalisé et non-syndicalisé. Harper ne veut pas qu’on demande de meilleures conditions de travail, de meilleurs salaires ou la sécurité d’emploi. Harper ne nous fera pas taire.»

Les membres de la communauté qui occupent le bureau du ministre Baird sont aussi inquiets pour les plus larges implications des coupures souhaitées par le gouvernement Harper, le régime de salaires à double pallier, entre autres, qui est au coeur du conflit du STTP et de la grève récente du syndicat national de l’automobile d’Air Canada.

«Il n’y a pas de système à double pallier pour les factures ou le loyer, » dit James Meades. «Ceci n’est qu’un autre indicateur que Harper veut aider les riches à s’enrichir davantage aux dépens des pauvres et des travailleurs(euses). »

Ces derniers jours, il y a eu des occupations de bureaux de MP conservateurs par des travailleurs(euses) des postes à Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montréal et Fredericton.

Renseignements aux médias: James Meades – 613 784 9932

 

 Occupation

]]> No publisher Martin Canada Call to Action 2011-06-23T13:35:00Z News Item Process used by Self-Sufficiency Task Force Undemocratic -- Press Release http://www.citizenspress.org/news/process-used-by-self-sufficiency-task-force-undemocratic-press-release Many groups and individuals from all corners of New Brunswick are raising concerns about the lack of democracy employed in the process used by Premier Shawn Graham's Self-Sufficiency Task Force. We are calling on the Premier to open the discussion to all New Brunswick residents by holding public meetings across the province. Citizens of New Brunswick deserve an open debate about their future.

 

“A task force charged to solve a particularly complex problem is generally comprised of individuals representing a variety of perspectives, expertise and experience and it engages in broad public consultation to inform its deliberations. A report with recommendations comes at the end of a thoughtful, inclusive process, and reflects as much as possible a consensus of thinking among its diverse members, influenced by what they have heard from the public.” – Janice Harvey, Telegraph-Journal column, February 21, 2007

This task force has a mandate to make recommendations to the government that will have a major impact on the economy, environment and social fabric of the province for at least the next generation. In order to properly examine the issues facing the province, the task force must explore the issues from many viewpoints and be open to a wide range of suggestions and ideas. Instead, this task force is seeking input through a limited number of mechanisms such as private meetings, the Internet and only 3 days of public hearings in Fredericton.

We believe that the ongoing private meetings are not sufficient and that a democratic and public process is required. Such a process would recognize all citizens as stakeholders in New Brunswick's social, economic and ecological future and provide an opportunity for all citizens to participate through a series of open public meetings held in all areas of the province.

The Self-Sufficiency Task Force is holding three days of hearings in Fredericton but this is not sufficient and the hearings are already full. As well, the process is very limited because of the resources, such as money and time, which are needed in order for organizations, citizen committees or individuals to participate. This applies even more so, for those from the Edmundston, Restigouche or Bathurst areas, all of which will be heavily impacted by the current proposals.

The survey offered on the Self-Sufficiency Task Force website is simplistic and restrictive. It only allows survey takers to agree or disagree with the statements in the reports authored by the task force. The topics for discussion are framed solely in terms of the statements made in the task force reports. A democratic process would provide an opportunity for input on topics other than those presented in the Self-Sufficiency task force reports.

A percentage of New Brunswickers do not have access to the Internet, limiting the number of people who are able to participate in the web-based survey. As well, the survey is not secure and can be taken several times by any individual who wishes to do so. This will produce meaningless results that have the potential to be highly skewed. The Self-Sufficiency Task Force cannot use this survey as a measure of support for their ideas.

Many citizens who would like and need to give input, are not able to submit briefs, due to time and/or financial restrictions. There is no indication that those who do submit briefs will have the opportunity to present and defend their submissions publicly.

We call on Premier Shawn Graham to open the Self-Sufficiency Task Force to all citizens of New Brunswick through public meetings in every region of the province. Every New Brunswicker has a right to participate in the debate about the future development of their province regardless of social position, level of education, place of residence or accessibility to the Internet.

 

Groups endorsing this statement include:

  •   Bathurst Sustainable Development, Brenda Kelly, 548-2106
  •   Campaign for Pesticide Reduction – NB, Patty Donovan, 849-8997
  •   Citizens Coalition for Clean Air, Gordon Dalzell, 696-3510
  •   Citizens' Press, Graham Cox, 455-8756
  •   Civic Fidelity Inc., John-Paul Arp, 461-4071
  •   Coalition of Concerned Citizens, Unions and Small Businesses – Saint John, Teresa Debly, 633-0270
  •   Common Front for Social Justice, Linda McCaustlin, 854-5856
  •   Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Jaime Watson, 476-6093
  •   Council of Canadians - Greater Moncton Chapter, Anne Levesque, 389-1779
  •   Council of Canadians -Saint John Chapter, George Vair, 672-1412
  •   Environnement Vie, Florian Levesque, 826-2648
  •   Forest Watch – Kent, Roger Babin, 775-6639
  •   Fredericton Social Network, Tracy Glynn, 454-9527
  •   KAIROS Saint John, Sister Angie Martz
  •   New Brunswick Federation of Labour, Michel Boudreau, 381-8969
  •   New Brunswick Partners in Agriculture, Gabriele Kretzschmar, 488-2407
  •   Opponents to the Grand Lake Industrial Waste Landfill, Randy Nason, 339-5448
  •   People Against Nuclear Energy, Beth McLaughlin, 854-6377
  •   Public for the Protection of the Forests of New Brunswick, Donald Thébeau, 775-9239
  •   SOS Eau Water Sankwan, Louisa Barton-Duguay, 204-0473
  •   Symbiose, Simon Dubé, 384-2938
  •   Coalition for Pay Equity of NB
  •   Public Service Alliance of Canada, Dave Shaw, Atlantic Regional Organizer
]]> No publisher Graham Cox 2008-10-29T11:10:00Z News Item