The Canadian Conversation is Not One Dimensional-But The MSM Is! *Updated*

Richard Hughes-Political Blogger

The concentrated ownership of the corporate media has created predictable, dull and unreliable sources of news and information. Canadians have seen their once diverse ‘Mainstream Media’ devolve into a homogeneous blur too often failing to reflect the texture or variation of views that exist in our towns, cities, homes, workplaces and around our kitchen tables .

Never has this been more clear than with the coverage of the ‘Idle No More’movement and protests.

The MSM is obediently falling into place framing the discussion along boring, self serving and inaccurate lines.

The unrelenting attacks on Chief Spence largely based on bigotry and misinformation from those who we depend on to keep us informed.

Attiwapiskat Chief Theresa Spence Continues Her Hunger Strike

The scrutiny, so called, of the Attawapiskat financial circumstances has certainly not been applied when looking at the fiscal mismanagement of the Harper Government.Check out this Toronto Law Firms analysis of funding models comparing native bands with municipal models.

Now, why is it it so hard for our MSM to grasp the financial challenge facing First Nations Governments today?

The UN determined that Attawapiskat residents many are living in appalling third world living conditions. In this case the Globe and Mail covered those findings in a substantial report by Kim Macrael in December 2011.

As Canadians we should be ashamed of our dirty secrets entrenched for far too long.

PM Stephen Harper- Playing A Divide and Conquer Game

What has the Harper government done following the UN findings. Damn little other than accelerating his attacks, much of that through the provisions secreted away from public view or discussion in the now roundly condemned ‘Omnibus Bills’ that harnessed and delivered unheard of dictatorial measures unseen in any previous Canadian Government in our history.

The MSM are frequently advancing uninformed baseline positions that do not hold water.  Why is it that the funding models models behind much of the difficulties have not been revealed and addressed?

Why has the out of date Indian Act been kept in place if it is such a bottomless pit of inept bureaucracy and out of control spending within the Indian Affairs departments?

A patronizing colonial entrenched attitude that dominates the Harper Doctrine and was clearly evident when after years of considerable efforts , consultation and negotiations with multiple levels of the Paul Martin Liberal Government produced the ‘Kelowna Accord.’  At that time the minority Martin Government was forced into an  election that resulted in a minority victory for Harper. Once in office he trashed it. He threw it on the scrap heap without discussion, negotiation or consideration.

Nothing of substance replaced the improved processes and agreements in the Kelowna efforts. Quite the opposite in fact and the Omnibus Bill exacerbated the problems and threats towards our First Nations citizens.

Ottawa has a constitutionally entrenched responsibility towards First Nations and that is of course why the role of the Governor General in meetings is crucial. He represents the Queen and is obligated to uphold those agreements despite the politics of the day or particular office holder at any given time.

The CF-35 fiasco,  the Omnibus Bills and a seemingly unending list of programs slashed depleting the currency of the commons built up over decades for the common good fails to garner the attention now directed towards uppity natives demanding fairness and decency in their own land.

The Attawapiskat circumstances, while compelling and screaming for humanitarian address and response, are but one in our rich country of excesses that marginalize and essentially steal the natural wealth from the native communities from coast to coast to coast.

Canadians suffer from the corporate media domination. The fearless defenders of the over-dogs are the main force we hear from. Too many of their reporters and columnists are  taking up space and air better directed to alternate news sources increasingly available, especially on the Internet.

Idle No More Protests Continue Across Canada

Yes, of course there are some quality reporters out there, but ask yourself why the same sing song style of reporting is the main tone and texture heard and read on the MSM outlets.Why the lack of varied views and opinions?

Why the thinly disguised ridicule of the First Nations leaders and issues?

We are facing a widespread challenge by the ‘Idle No More’ forces that speak for all Canadians, our environment and our resource base that should be harvested responsibly, not raped and pillaged like the Northern Alberta Tar Sands!

When are our opposition politicians going to crank it up and speak truth to power effectively instead allowing themselves to be handcuffed with talking points and frames too often written and dictated by unelected party functionaries?

The MSM will condemn them if they fail to stay in the approved boxes of thought and deed. They know that and conduct themselves accordingly. Any departure stands out because it is such a rare occurrence. Canadians deserve better.

This ‘Idle No More’ effort could well be a major step in bringing about beneficial change in Canada. It will not be a single voice or point of view any more than the non native community embraces. Canada has never been like that. Somebody should tell the MSM that.