From a conservative conference in Ottawa to a progressive feminist event in Toronto, viewpoint diversity is alive and well. Plus, six hopeful developments from this week.
re: Item 6. Just a reminder to everyone that the Canadian government refused for many years to subsidize the failing mainstream media. MSM were having a tough time navigating the change from TV and newspapers to Internet. "Why should I pay for a paper when I can get the internet news for free". Then in 2018 the liberal government abruptly changed course and offered over half a billion dollars in subsidies to 30 MSM and held a meeting to divvy up the money. This was a year before the 2019 election. The conservatives have vowed to not pay any subsidies to MSM. The NDP will never form the government. The only way for the failing MSM to get subsidies is to keep the liberals in power. Now tell me there was no quid pro quo at work here.
Hallelujah - yes perhaps the fever is starting to break on the left - I remain to be convinced 100%. But the fever on the other side (I’m in NY, USA) remains at 105. Don’t know what it will take or how long but perhaps I’ve argued, the Republican Party needs to cease as an institution -
"Naming perceived harm, exploring it, and debating solutions with people who disagree about the nature and fact of the harm or the correct solutions are the very essence of legal work. Lively, candid, civil, and evidence-based discourse in disagreement is not just positive for our community, constituted as it is in difference, it is a professional duty. Observance of this duty matters most, not least, when we are convinced that others haven’t."
No, no and no again. There is no benefit to humanity discussing “perceived harm” unless you are sitting in a chair with a therapist. We cannot allow the recipient of harm to define harm because this is exactly what we get… a grievance industry, an army of crybullies and a society that devolves into a mess of low-coping skills weak people… and that take the country down with them. There is something called “material harm” and THAT should be the only benchmark for what we form a moral and just society around. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
"We can — and should — have a vigorous debate about how a democracy and the press can serve the public better. But the answer to our failures as a society and as a profession is not to renounce principles and standards."
The second sentence contradicts the first if taken too far. There used to be a succinct professional code for the profession of journalism. The job of the press is to serve the public information… facts, truth, balance. I say we jettison even the slightest notion that the press is suppose to serve the public anything other than news. If you want to change the world get another career.
"The actual leftists are coming for the identitarian movement that styles itself as leftism."
I don’t know about this. I live in a liberal dominated community and the old liberals have clearly adopted the language and memes of woke. If woke is a virus (and I think it is), the evidence from my perspective is that it has infected most people that vote Democrat.
"The independent media is on fire."
Yea, read Heather Richardson Cox on Substack and take a look at the comment section. It is my reminder that the coastal and big city left is still insane. The rise of the Independent media is good, but it is still split between objective journalists and those working the ideological capture business... mostly on the left. There are broken journalists in addition to a broken mainstream media. Independent media will attract the broken journalists. And when will independent media like Substack just be acquired by the same Wall Street globalist corporatist cabal? We need some legislative work done there to prevent media consolidation and Wall Street cross-ownership.
The irony of Washington Post having a moment of self reflection. They have been one of the most egregious woke voices in the press, reinforcing the Russia hoax and more.
re: Item 6. Just a reminder to everyone that the Canadian government refused for many years to subsidize the failing mainstream media. MSM were having a tough time navigating the change from TV and newspapers to Internet. "Why should I pay for a paper when I can get the internet news for free". Then in 2018 the liberal government abruptly changed course and offered over half a billion dollars in subsidies to 30 MSM and held a meeting to divvy up the money. This was a year before the 2019 election. The conservatives have vowed to not pay any subsidies to MSM. The NDP will never form the government. The only way for the failing MSM to get subsidies is to keep the liberals in power. Now tell me there was no quid pro quo at work here.
I am impressed by your work and that of other independent journalists. It gives me hope.
Thanks for the optimism, Tara.
Hallelujah - yes perhaps the fever is starting to break on the left - I remain to be convinced 100%. But the fever on the other side (I’m in NY, USA) remains at 105. Don’t know what it will take or how long but perhaps I’ve argued, the Republican Party needs to cease as an institution -
"Naming perceived harm, exploring it, and debating solutions with people who disagree about the nature and fact of the harm or the correct solutions are the very essence of legal work. Lively, candid, civil, and evidence-based discourse in disagreement is not just positive for our community, constituted as it is in difference, it is a professional duty. Observance of this duty matters most, not least, when we are convinced that others haven’t."
No, no and no again. There is no benefit to humanity discussing “perceived harm” unless you are sitting in a chair with a therapist. We cannot allow the recipient of harm to define harm because this is exactly what we get… a grievance industry, an army of crybullies and a society that devolves into a mess of low-coping skills weak people… and that take the country down with them. There is something called “material harm” and THAT should be the only benchmark for what we form a moral and just society around. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
"We can — and should — have a vigorous debate about how a democracy and the press can serve the public better. But the answer to our failures as a society and as a profession is not to renounce principles and standards."
The second sentence contradicts the first if taken too far. There used to be a succinct professional code for the profession of journalism. The job of the press is to serve the public information… facts, truth, balance. I say we jettison even the slightest notion that the press is suppose to serve the public anything other than news. If you want to change the world get another career.
"The actual leftists are coming for the identitarian movement that styles itself as leftism."
I don’t know about this. I live in a liberal dominated community and the old liberals have clearly adopted the language and memes of woke. If woke is a virus (and I think it is), the evidence from my perspective is that it has infected most people that vote Democrat.
"The independent media is on fire."
Yea, read Heather Richardson Cox on Substack and take a look at the comment section. It is my reminder that the coastal and big city left is still insane. The rise of the Independent media is good, but it is still split between objective journalists and those working the ideological capture business... mostly on the left. There are broken journalists in addition to a broken mainstream media. Independent media will attract the broken journalists. And when will independent media like Substack just be acquired by the same Wall Street globalist corporatist cabal? We need some legislative work done there to prevent media consolidation and Wall Street cross-ownership.
The irony of Washington Post having a moment of self reflection. They have been one of the most egregious woke voices in the press, reinforcing the Russia hoax and more.
I really enjoy these weekend summaries, Tara (and your weekday work, of course). They are always informative and thought-provoking. Thank you!
Always a great read. Always introducing new great content, and, always great to see Michael Geist pop up too.
We subscribe for a reason, and speaking for myself... I'm always impressed with the content.