Commentary:
You were a kid. You pointed your finger, said "bang" and the enemy fell dead. It was mindless.
Now we're all grown up. CTV goes "bang" and 150 positions disappear. Sun Media fires Matthew Fisher, one of the veterans of foreign coverage. It has nothing to do with journalism and everything to do with asset-managing-bottom-line-conscious managers, trying to run a company that is over its head in debt over acquisitions.
Media used to be run by people who were passionate about the news. If profits were skinny they didn't pad the bottom line by eliminating salaries. They soldiered on, convinced that their mission was to provide information.
Does anyone seriously believe that BCE (nee Bell Canada) really has any interest in news? Will they start to pare away problem salaries at the Globe and Mail? Look at how Global has axed staff at The Post.
I am astonished to hear myself admit that Buzz has pulled a rabbit out of the hat of misery and layoffs. If in fact he, not the employees at Air Canada, produced a solution that works, all praise to him. There will be job-sharing.
A few weeks ago I floated the idea that instead of laying people off keep them working at reduced hours and demand that the Federal government top up the salaries. It would be cheaper than paying out Employment Insurance. People would be employed. Taxes would be paid. Mortgages would be covered.
The hilarious (if it weren't so sad) paradox is that business is unified on one objective: consumers should keep spending because that's how to restore the economy. Stop me if you've as perplexed as I am. The same companies that urge us to spend remove our buying power. You can't spend money if you have just been relieved of the ability to make it.
Anti-war rant is anti-American
On another front, I dissent from the prevailing Left opinion about the "war" against terrorism. Negotiate. Bring on the U.N. Stop the bombing. Use diplomacy. Like the mice agreeing that the cat has to be belled: good idea but who will do it?
The rant against anti-terrorism is flagrant anti-Americanism. We all know that U.S. Foreign Policy has been fraught with stupidity; that covert war has been made on democratic movements; that America will sit down at table with the worst dictators. Yeah Yeah Yeah. But what alternative is there? Appeasement? Pacifism?
Hate them if you will but America needs friends more than ever. After the terror problem is controlled we can sit down and remake the so-called Free World. Meanwhile, crisis is calling and someone has to answer.
So what do you think?
Should America be left to drown in its own mistakes?
Do you know people whose jobs are evaporating? Have you called your MP to demand Employment Insurance assistance for those willing to job share? Should someone stop the mindless downsizing? Should "expanding" companies be allowed to borrow indiscriminately and then pass the cost on to others? That includes the tax department, which foregoes billions in revenues.
Are you as perplexed about companies that take away income while urging us to spend? Do you agree with Larry and Stephen Lewis about anti-War protestors being anti-American? Larry Solway and Straight Goods invite you to tell us: Job-sharing...? Anti-Americanism...? You choose
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Posted: October 29, 2001
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