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Alias
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 3:38 am Post subject: Canada-media ban on return of dead soldiers |
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Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended his government's decision to ban the media from covering the return of bodies of soldiers killed in the line of duty, accusing the opposition of politicizing the issue.
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I consider trying to hide bad press from the public as politicizing the issue.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/04/25/soldiers-return-media060425.html |
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thepeel
Joined: 08 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:17 am Post subject: |
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From A Canadian Forces Widow
Yesterday I received an email that I've received permission to share. I've edited the identifying details, as the writer would like to preserve her privacy;
Hi Kate,
I have enjoyed your blog since discovered it during the election.
I trust if you share any of my email that you would keep me anonymous please. I am still having *issues* to say the least with regards to my husbands death.
[The investigation into the circumstances of his death during a training exercise] is still ongoing, at least I think it is. I have never EVER been officially updated on it. That said, the only thing that has been confirmed is there was no pilot error (important for me and my husbands memory to bring that up).
The reason I am emailing you is the issue of banning the media from the base when the soldiers' remains are returned to their families. While my husband was not overseas, I will share with you my personal experience with the media and a very public death.
Thankfully the media had yet to discover my house when I had to go see my husband for the first time. They found me by 6 AM the following morning. My parents had driven up immediately after my frantic phone call. My father stepped outside to get the papers and he was besieged (to say it lightly) with media camped out in my driveway! They were knocking at my door, putting the cameras on us as we opened it. There was always their cars there, with them sitting in them, waiting for someone to come or go. Phone call after phone call to the house when the lines were needed for more important issues. Our grief was made very public. I was asked if I wanted media at the funeral and I agreed to have them there. I wanted the people of Canada to know that even when Canada's sons and daughters do not go overseas, lives are put on the lone on a daily basis for the safety and security of every Canadian. To show them how the phrase "military cut backs' translates into real life in the forces. I had insisted that there not be a close up on any family member. I was sure Joe Blow watching the news did not need to see my tears, or those of my children to know we were distraught. Yet this rule was broken.
The media also pushed for the release of the names of those killed ASAP. Why?? Does it matter to Joe Blow? Shouldn't it matter more that ALL family (not just immediate) and close friends are informed personally even by phone than to hear it on the news? Families of victims killed in auto accidents can request that the names not be released and Joe Blow doesn't complain.
About the Peace tower and the flag flap, if anyone understand tradition it is a military member and his family. Did I expect the flag at the Peace tower to be flown at 1/2 mast for my husband?? oh hell no! But I did expect a phone call or something from our Prime Minister? Just the letter with his stamped signature would have to be good enough. He was in Europe and there is no way that letter was written there and sent to me to receive so quickly. It is also noticeable the signature is from a stamp and not hand signed. I did get a touching phone call and a lovely letter from the Governor General, HE Clarkson.
I will end this letter now. I could go on but I am sure you don't want to hear all the sordid details of how a military widow is really treated.
Except to add, that if I were to walk into funerals of people I didn't know stating it is my right to know who they are etc I'd be frowned on or even thrown out. |
http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/003897.html
I consider sticking cameras in the faces of the families during what is likely the hardest moments of their lives to be politicising the issue.
I'm against the Canadian deployment to Afghanistan. But I find it absolutely deplorable the way that the media uses the image of coffins, without the permission of families (if they agree, I don't care) to push whatever agenda they are hawking (the left to end the deployment due to the 'costs' and the right to support the conflict to honour the deaths and not 'cut and run').
But, Naahh, Harper is a fascist. Shiiiiittt, he will most certainly be blowing up the CBC next. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:34 am Post subject: |
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It's hard to pick a side when both sides are bad guy on this issue.
I agreed with the Conservatives that the lowering of flags should be done for all service members on Nov 11.
It demeans all of us if we have to debate for whom the flag gets lowered
(contractor? Civilian Can-Ex or Tim Horton's employee? Or only actual combat troops? Fall from a roof, vehicle flipping during routine transit, IED, friendly fire, or only if 100% certainty of having been killed by the enemy?)
and for how long
(a day? until the body arrives home? until the funeral in the hometown?).
And controlling media access to give grieving friends, family and service members the space they need and deserve, how could anyone possibly argue against that?
HOWEVER, I don't agree that a total media ban is neccessary or right or fair for anyone except the Conservative govt whois stupid enough to think it can control public opinion this way and who thinks the public is stupid enough to allow itself to be manipulated in such a way.
What an asinine blunder on their part.
But on the other hand, I caught some of CTV newsworld's 'live' coverage of the return of the soldiers to Trenton and was thoroughly disgusted by it. CBC on the other hand kept things in perspective and from what I saw, covered the event briefly and with more dignity.
Up until yesterday I caught much of my tv news on the fly through CTV newsworld-
but not any longer. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Has the Canadian media shown itself to be a problem in this issue? Harper is making an issue and shifting the focus away from the families and turning it political. What a jack ass. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Wed Apr 26, 2006 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
| Has the Canadian media shown itself to be a problem in this issue? Harper is making an issue and shifting the focus away from the families and turning it political. What a jack ass. |
Yes, exactly. When it's necessary for the government to do something like this it's a sure sign that something's not right with the mission. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:43 am Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
| Has the Canadian media shown itself to be a problem in this issue? |
Yes it has.
At least CTV has, for one.
I think I was pretty clear on that point in my thread, but of course if you weren't watching CTV newsworld that afternoon, you probably won't have the same perspective.
I'd say the Conservatives started out with a good point (flag at half mast on Nov 11) but with opposition and media criticism it quickly escalated into BS all around.
Don't make the Conservatives out to be the only bad guys here- the opposition and at least some of the media are also covered in shit (rhymes with wit), and I daresay that if you guys are using the issue to simply 'stick it' to the Conservatives then you're covered in it too.
| Quote: |
| When it's necessary for the government to do something like this it's a sure sign that something's not right with the mission. |
When this mission that the Liberals started? That is supported by and under the auspices of NATO?
You'd like to turn it into a reason to hate the Conservatives?
Partisan politics isn't just something that happens in the US. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Bulsajo wrote: |
| Quote: |
| When it's necessary for the government to do something like this it's a sure sign that something's not right with the mission. |
When this mission that the Liberals started? That is supported by and under the auspices of NATO?
You'd like to turn it into a reason to hate the Conservatives?
Partisan politics isn't just something that happens in the US. |
I don't think there's a problem with the mission. But if the conservatives are going to circle the wagons as if there is an American style problem, it will create the problem. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| But if the conservatives are going to circle the wagons as if there is an American style problem, it will create the problem. |
I agree, and I'm not defending the Conservatives' current position on the media ban. |
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Octavius Hite
Joined: 28 Jan 2004
Location: Househunting, looking for a new bunker from which to convert the world to homosexuality.
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| Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Ive never seen a Canadian journalist stick a camera in the face of any grieving relative, they have always shown a great amount of restraint unlike the US media (and definitely more than the Korean media!). This is just Harper being nutz like he has a tendency, he seems to be punishing the media becasue for the last 4 years the media has been relentless in its Tory bashing. Whether they were attacking the Chin, or his idiot replacement (Campbell), Doris Day and his wacky jet ski rides or even Harper's Mr. Freeze impressions. Its Tory payback time so they are blocking the media at every turn. But thats the great thing about politics, its cyclical and when he f*%ks up they will eat him alive. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:20 am Post subject: |
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| Octavius Hite wrote: |
| Ive never seen a Canadian journalist stick a camera in the face of any grieving relative, they have always shown a great amount of restraint unlike the US media (. |
Did you not read the link above? |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:20 am Post subject: |
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| BJWD wrote: |
| Quote: |
From A Canadian Forces Widow
Yesterday I received an email that I've received permission to share. I've edited the identifying details, as the writer would like to preserve her privacy;
Hi Kate,
I have enjoyed your blog since discovered it during the election.
I trust if you share any of my email that you would keep me anonymous please. I am still having *issues* to say the least with regards to my husbands death.
[The investigation into the circumstances of his death during a training exercise] is still ongoing, at least I think it is. I have never EVER been officially updated on it. That said, the only thing that has been confirmed is there was no pilot error (important for me and my husbands memory to bring that up).
The reason I am emailing you is the issue of banning the media from the base when the soldiers' remains are returned to their families. While my husband was not overseas, I will share with you my personal experience with the media and a very public death.
Thankfully the media had yet to discover my house when I had to go see my husband for the first time. They found me by 6 AM the following morning. My parents had driven up immediately after my frantic phone call. My father stepped outside to get the papers and he was besieged (to say it lightly) with media camped out in my driveway! They were knocking at my door, putting the cameras on us as we opened it. There was always their cars there, with them sitting in them, waiting for someone to come or go. Phone call after phone call to the house when the lines were needed for more important issues. Our grief was made very public. I was asked if I wanted media at the funeral and I agreed to have them there. I wanted the people of Canada to know that even when Canada's sons and daughters do not go overseas, lives are put on the lone on a daily basis for the safety and security of every Canadian. To show them how the phrase "military cut backs' translates into real life in the forces. I had insisted that there not be a close up on any family member. I was sure Joe Blow watching the news did not need to see my tears, or those of my children to know we were distraught. Yet this rule was broken.
The media also pushed for the release of the names of those killed ASAP. Why?? Does it matter to Joe Blow? Shouldn't it matter more that ALL family (not just immediate) and close friends are informed personally even by phone than to hear it on the news? Families of victims killed in auto accidents can request that the names not be released and Joe Blow doesn't complain.
About the Peace tower and the flag flap, if anyone understand tradition it is a military member and his family. Did I expect the flag at the Peace tower to be flown at 1/2 mast for my husband?? oh hell no! But I did expect a phone call or something from our Prime Minister? Just the letter with his stamped signature would have to be good enough. He was in Europe and there is no way that letter was written there and sent to me to receive so quickly. It is also noticeable the signature is from a stamp and not hand signed. I did get a touching phone call and a lovely letter from the Governor General, HE Clarkson.
I will end this letter now. I could go on but I am sure you don't want to hear all the sordid details of how a military widow is really treated.
Except to add, that if I were to walk into funerals of people I didn't know stating it is my right to know who they are etc I'd be frowned on or even thrown out. |
http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/003897.html
I consider sticking cameras in the faces of the families during what is likely the hardest moments of their lives to be politicising the issue.
I'm against the Canadian deployment to Afghanistan. But I find it absolutely deplorable the way that the media uses the image of coffins, without the permission of families (if they agree, I don't care) to push whatever agenda they are hawking (the left to end the deployment due to the 'costs' and the right to support the conflict to honour the deaths and not 'cut and run').
But, Naahh, Harper is a fascist. Shiiiiittt, he will most certainly be blowing up the CBC next. |
Here it is.
To Mr. Hive Why do you insist on commenting on things you know nothing about?
That doesn't seem like showing any restraint whatsoever.
Last edited by TheUrbanMyth on Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:28 am; edited 1 time in total |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:24 am Post subject: |
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| Bulsajo wrote: |
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| But if the conservatives are going to circle the wagons as if there is an American style problem, it will create the problem. |
I agree, and I'm not defending the Conservatives' current position on the media ban. |
How do you equate showing respect for the families with circling the wagons? Harper has said that he is doing this for the people who have lost loved ones. And as the second post in this thread shows, they need it.
They are not trying to control or manipulate, there are some very politically aware people on the Harper team (as TIME magazine has pointed out). I see this as a matter of principle, and bollocks to politics. |
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Nowhere Man
Joined: 08 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 4:47 am Post subject: ... |
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Were coffins shown before the election?
Was Canadian media in people's faces before the election?
I don't know. Just asking.
But I thought those are important questions. |
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Bulsajo
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:14 am Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| Bulsajo wrote: |
| Quote: |
| But if the conservatives are going to circle the wagons as if there is an American style problem, it will create the problem. |
I agree, and I'm not defending the Conservatives' current position on the media ban. |
How do you equate showing respect for the families with circling the wagons? |
To be clearer- the current position is to allow no media coverage whatsoever- this means that when the plane lands and there is a ceremony to unload the caskets, media are restricted from entering the base, as was the case in Trenton last weekend.
IMO, this crosses the line from 'respect to families' to 'hiding caskets from public view'. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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| Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, I served in the Canadian forces. For me, November 11th is to remember all Canadian soldiers who have died serving the country. Ottawa won't deviate from its own definition in order to cultivate the image that Canada is a pacific nation. |
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