Scanned, recopied or Internet copy, if there are errors, please e-mail me with corrections: Opening comments: More at the end. Mississauga News - July 16, 2009 - BLOG by Bucky1 - Running On Empty Crossing the line After 25 years in Mississauga as a reporter and editor, I have come to know this: the day after most politicians are elected, they forget the promises that won your vote.Most of them have egos the size of Manhattan. And, even the ones who serve you best, serve themselves first. But, hey, we all gotta serve somebody. Right, Bob? The relationship between the media and politicians definitely is a marriage of necessity. It certainly isn't a marriage of convenience; in fact, there's nothing convenient about it. Much the same as the relationship between the media and the cops. We need each other, but we don't like each other. This excerpt from a Toronto Star story about city council ending the traditional Question Period made me laugh, at first, and then I started to really think about it. Then I got mad. Now I'm indignant. Mayor Hazel McCallion was addressing self-styled citizen activist Don Barber, who can be a royal pain in the neck at the best of times. I was going to say that Hazel was way out of line here, but it's more to the point to say that she simply showed her true colours. "You better be careful. Do you know what you are doing, Don? You are ruining the opportunity for people to come before council because you misuse the freedom that we've granted and leniency that we've granted over the years," she said. "And I think that is unfortunate, very unfortunate. So please ... deal with the councillors and the mayor with respect." Are you kidding, Hazel? You sound like Queen Victoria, for God's sake. I think all of our city councillors would do well to remember who they work for. When I first got into the news game 30 years ago, a seasoned reporter gave me a great piece of advice. He told me that when you cross the line from covering the news to thinking you are the news, it's time to look for a new line of work. I can't help thinking that applies to our mayor and city councillors. In their minds, I believe, they have crossed the line from servants to masters. Maybe they should all look for a new line of work. Comments by others, 5, to this web-page; Uatu Jul 30, 2009 5:34 PM Them: yes, they should. All of them. You: Definitely not, that would be tragic. For some time, I have been following the evolution of the media from investigators who hold government's feet to the fire into meek stenograpers who repeat what government tells them, often with approving nods. You are a refreshing counter-example and we need more like you, not fewer. * Agree 2 MISSISSAUGAWATCH Jul 28, 2009 8:39 PM With admiration, respect and above all, gratitude, The MIssissauga Muse WOW! Home Page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a page - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
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