The Mulroney Tapes: Brian Mulroney, Peter Newman, the CBC & MSM

CBC television, Nov. 21, 05

I expected the usual CBC shiv in ex-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's back, exquisitely positioned so as to go through him and into the Conservative Party of Canada, CBC's usual modus operandi -- if they have nobody else at that time. CBC certainly advertised The Mulroney Tapes by Peter Newman so as to put the most negative light possible on him; they kept advertising his "coarse language".

I was not a great Mulroney fan during his administration--his voice or its timbre put me off--and so fed were all of us with negative mainstream media criticism that I suspect I was affected. I have come to reconsider his administration though I did not agree with all of his ideas. However, last night's program was a revelation. He has a lovely voice when talking on a personal level. Not only did he have some astute observations, but they were delivered intelligently--whether he was into his midnight cups or not, as has been hinted at by . . . whom? Mainstream media and particularly, CBC, of course. Anyway, I was delightfully surprised.

I liked the man revealed. Mulroney came across as genuine and genuinely surprised at Canadians' reaction to the Meech Lake Accord. He was correct in that, if PE Trudeau hadn't been so desperate to have a constitution--despite the fact that Canada had worked well previously, and despite the Separatists--PET wouldn't have played around with one at all. . . and should not have. Trudeau's legacy is now sorely tarnished, anyway, without the Mulroney tapes.

Our experience of the Constitution has hardly been an unalloyed blessing. Had PET left things alone, Canadians would still have had the traditional common law approach we inherited from the British tradition. However, PET just had to get a constitution for Canada -- and so there has been much more controversy than Mulroney felt was needed. Mulroney sounded as though he really thought he could right the situation with Quebec -- but it is an arguable position that well-intentioned people could dispute. That was never the sovereigntists plan, anyway -- think Bouchard. Also, it was revealed that, after a speech in Quebec, Mulroney had to fire Bouchard -- not the story we were told in the MSM. The rest of the Quebec-Canada problems everyone knows only too well.

Mulroney skewered people delightfully and shares some of my own pet peeves too -- the media negativity without regard to the facts of what his administration accomplished -- the close relationship between the Liberals and the CBC which we have had occasion to appreciate since, with the CBC's Adrienne Clarkson and now, the CBC's Michaelle Jean, both appointed GG. As Mulroney termed the cross-pollination, (I remember) something along the line of this whole "leftist / liberal Press Gallery / CBC relationship is so incestuous." Indeed!

I felt Mulroney was a man I would like. His coarse language? Most of the men I know use it -- or worse. They're men, for goodness sakes. I don't expect men not to use salty language occasionally. Actually, Mulroney surprised me by how articulate he actually is in private -- or when he thinks he is.

CBC may not have meant to present Brian Mulroney in a positive light, but they erred.

As for Peter C. Newman -- well, who would ever trust him as a friend now? Honour? Forget it. A disappointment. He simply revealed himself and it is not positive. His questions were those of a sleazy individual leading on one who thought Newman was a friend and Newman's tone hinted at betrayal--but that is by hindsight. Newman has also trashed Conrad Black's reputation and that of Barbara Frum. Has Newman been a one-man sleeper cell for the Liberals all along?



CBC's "CHECKPOINT": A Barrier to Understanding -- What happens when a movie crew drops into a conflict zone for three years and produces an 80-minute, narrowly-focused documentary lacking context or narration? November 22, 2005

Checkpoint shows poignant and disturbing images of Israelis with weapons controlling the movements of unarmed Palestinians.

CBC's introductory voice-over and closing note failed to mention the deadly violence that brought about the checkpoints. And CBC's online description of the film -- 317 words long -- never informed viewers that the checkpoints were intended to stop suicide bombings. Instead, it spoke of Israelis' "almost unlimited position of power" and "the corruption of the conqueror brought about by extended occupation." [. . . . ]

Learn more at HonestReporting.ca

CBC Newsworld will re-broadcast CHECKPOINT on Nov. 26 at 10:00 PM ET/PT.



Win $$$ with ideas

Explore ideas -- "the "dean of Washington political journalists", David Broder, had a column on this site."

We're looking for fresh, new ideas for a better America. Do you have a common-sense idea that will improve the day-to-day lives of everyday Americans? Or an opinion on how working families can succeed in the new global economy?

You have until December 5, 2005, to submit your idea and to weigh in. A panel of judges will select the top 21 ideas. All of America will be able to vote on the finalists, and on February 1, one person will win $100,000—runners up receive $50,000 each.

Someone, get this going for Canada.




Read the comments: "Still soft peddling the violence problem-it's the drugs and power" -- original Star article here



U.S. as OPEC's hostage Also Canada's PM is making anti-American noises -- enough that the US may be hostage to the deals being worked out with China and the EU--check France and Total / TotalFinaElf.

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