Bravo to You Toronto Star, for Calling Like it is!



Dear Toronto Star

You are the King of Mixed Results.

Sometimes you do things poorly. I have used this blog to denounce your continued desire to employ one of the worst journalists in the world - Rosie Di Manno. I don't know why you continue to do this. She is stupid and, more importantly, one day her careless efforts in your paper will get you sued. Seriously. You cannot make accusational calls against individuals BEFORE their trials and not cause bias among the general public, and it is an easy leap from here to libel. Don't say I didn't warn you when you get served.

However, sometimes you are dead on. Lately I have had mixed results with Phil Booth's Horoscope column, but I can overlook this.

Today I give you full credit for your editorial cartoon. I have always felt that your cartoonists have the balls that most of your reporters lack. I get this sense once again.

Yeah, sure we could all be patting ourselves on the back because Obama has chosen to come to Canada as his first international trip, but let's be realistic. Maybe it isn't the thrill of Canada that is attracting him, but more likely Obama (a smart man) wants to get the dirty deed of meeting Prime Minister Harper over with.

Stephen Harper isn't cool. And, let's be honest, he isn't smart. The man's "leadership" during the economic crisis puts his Economics degree to shame. The University of Calgary clearly has low standards and must stop granting this degree.

No leader in his or her right mind, takes one look at Harper and says "Now there is a man that I admire!" They might say "Now there is a guy who got lucky!" But that is about it.

Obama is visiting Canada for the same reason all Americans do - it's a good dry run at this 'international travel' stuff. We speak English, he can make analogies about "30 Rock" or "24" and we will understand what he means, his kids can play outside without worry -- we are a pretty safe first foray into international travel. No biggie.

So Canada, get off it. Obama doesn't love us. He doesn't even care. He's just doing everyone involved a favor. And getting it all over with.

God help us all if Harper (stupido that he is) actually gives Obama the freakin' Mix Tape.

And bravo to you Toronto Star!

Mix Tape Diplomacy

Leave it to the CBC. Only the CBC and their Grand Dame of All Things Music, Denise Donlon, could come up with this one.

While leaders around the world concern themselves with economic collapse, war in the Gaza strip and pirates off the coast of Somalia, Canada worries almost solely about US-Canada relations. And, further to that, how Canada's shaky parliamentary government led by the Conservatives and Stephen Harper will get-on with President Barak Obama.

When, suddenly, flying in to save the day is the CBC...with Mix Tape Diplomacy.

Yes, you've heard of Big Stick Diplomacy and Ping-Pong Diplomacy, but in the minds of the CBC's top executives all you need to bring together the leaders of Canada and the United States is a shared love of Bachman-Turner Overdrive...Mix Tape Diplomacy.

CBC's Radio 2 recently launched a contest "49 from North of 49" which encourages Canadians to put together 49 songs representative of the country that we think President Elect Barak Obama should listen to in order to better understand Canada, its people, its land and its priorities.

Oh. Please. Kill. Me. Now.

One might think that, I don't know, THERE ARE BIGGER ISSUES IN THE WORLD TO DEAL WITH! But no, to the CBC, a Mix Tape will save the day.

Now, personally, I'm happy to see it suggested that Canada wants to take it to the next level in their relationship with the U.S. by offering them a Mix Tape, but I don't know whether a Mix Tape is going to cut it when the gutting of NAFTA is taking place. I mean I question whether the threat of, "Hey, if you get rid of Section 9 in the Trade Agreement - no more Rush for you!" is really a deterrent. (Besides according to popular wisdom only Republicans like Rush)

And when is Mr. Obama supposed to be listening to this? Is there not an economic crisis going on? I'm not sure that the American people will truly appreciate the President taking hours out of his day in order to listen to 49 songs by foreigners. And you know it would play out like that. Can't you just hear it now: "Damn those foreigner and their crazy music distracting the President with their jingle-jangle." I mean, Gordon Lightfoot isn't very maverick-y.

But, in all seriousness, must Canadians go through this again? And, are Canadians SERIOUSLY that manipulable?

This is the millionth time the CBC has launched the same damn contest, but with slightly different versions. Remember Canada's 50 Tracks? Haven't we already done this exercise? How many times do we have to do this? Did it occur to anyone out there that you simply subtract 1 track from the 50, and port them over to a Mix Tape for Obama?

Why?! Is this part of their licensing agreement with the CRTC, because really there is no other excuse?

I'm not having it anymore. The first time we did 50 Tracks, it was kinda cool. But the second time, its uber lame.

So, here is what I recommend - between now and tomorrow visit the "49 for 49" site and nominate the stupidest songs you can think of. I don't mean cool/bad stuff, I mean bad, cringe-worthy stuff. Think Men Without Hats "The Safety Dance," or Glass Tiger "Don't Forget Me When I'm Gone," or Honeymoon Suite or Platinum Blonde. Anything Gino Vanelli will work! Loverboy! "Music Box Dancer"! Admit it - for every amazing Canadian song there are loads that were horrible.

So, then when it comes to voting starting January 12, you gotta vote for the bad ones too. I mean it HAS to happen people, because, hey, this is a democracy. And in a democracy when you ask a stupid question, someone should hit you really hard. Its Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em Policy Making.

We should be teaching the CBC a lesson here: first, not to mess with us and our national pride as well as out love for legitimately good Canadian music; second, that the CBC should be able to put together a day-to-day playlist on its own, not be constantly checking in with us on it; and third - Mix Tape Diplomacy...are you kidding me?

I would hope all national leaders would be busying themselves with things other than a mix tape.