Typical Media Bias

[CPCFTW]

At its peak, Edmonton’s protest included about 50 people, lasting a total of two hours as scheduled. At one point, a counter-protester came, holding up a sign saying “Reserves are Canada’s Spoiled Children.” Identifying himself only as Steve, the man argued with protesters over whose land the highway was, before leaving after about 20 minutes. “I’m tired of their movement,” he said, adding: “I was kinda hoping someone would take a swing at me.”

Several protesters had calmly talked to him.

http://www.theglobea...article7446747/

Ok so a crazy counter protester showed up wanting to start a fight, but the peaceful Ghandi-like natives just calmly reasoned with him right? Then the protester must have left after 20 minutes after being outwitted.

Oh wait, there's video of the event:

http://www.sunnewsne...116-170014.html

I wonder why G&M didn't offer any quotes from the fat native that was probably 5 seconds from shanking the counter-protester, or the chief who implied to the counter-protestor that only the natives could protest there because the land was his (the Chief's)...

Edited January 17, 2013 by CPCFTW

[Michael Hardner]

Wait - those are different events though.

Edited to add: i.e. they are different incidents within that protest event.

I agree that the G&M article glosses over any altercations, ASSUMING they were there when the 2nd incident linked happened.

[Accountability Now]

That band of natives isn't even federally recognized. They're fighting a totally different cause and using IDM to do it. Again another sign of no clear message from this group. I guess if you have a grievance with the white man...now is the time to bring it up!

[CPCFTW]

Wait - those are different events though.

Edited to add: i.e. they are different incidents within that protest event.

I agree that the G&M article glosses over any altercations, ASSUMING they were there when the 2nd incident linked happened.

There is a video of the incident on my sun news link. There are two videos.

Edited January 17, 2013 by CPCFTW

[Michael Hardner]

There is a video of the incident on my sun news link. There are two videos.

The first link ? That's it ? The G&M article is a fair assessment then.

[CPCFTW]

The first link ? That's it ? The G&M article is a fair assessment then.

Erm.. The 2nd video with the chief and the fat indian berating a peaceful counter-protester.

[Michael Hardner]

Erm.. The 2nd video with the chief and the fat indian berating a peaceful counter-protester.

Right. I already talked about that one. The G&M didn't refer to it - maybe they weren't there. If you have an incident that is covered by the G&M and also has video then we can look at it and see if they're whitewashing things. As it is, I don't see how the evidence leads to the conclusion.

[CPCFTW]

Right. I already talked about that one. The G&M didn't refer to it - maybe they weren't there. If you have an incident that is covered by the G&M and also has video then we can look at it and see if they're whitewashing things. As it is, I don't see how the evidence leads to the conclusion.

That is the video of the incident referred to in the excerpt of the g&m article I quoted. Read the sign that the man in the video has and then read the excerpt I quoted. I know it's hard to believe they are reporting onthis event because it is so biased.

[CPCFTW]

I may have the wrong link. I'm on my phone so I can't check. It's a video within the truck woman story.

[Michael Hardner]

That is the video of the incident referred to in the excerpt of the g&m article I quoted. Read the sign that the man in the video has and then read the excerpt I quoted. I know it's hard to believe they are reporting onthis event because it is so biased.

Biased how ? They had a calm, if pointed, discussion. I don't see any bias there.

[Accountability Now]

There were two separate incidents (one with the lady driving through the blockade and the other with the coutner-protester). The G&M article address both but really does gloss over the details. The bias that I see is that they interview the IDM protesters to ask about this guy so which way is that going to push the argument? I don't feel the person writing the article has a bias by what they say but perhaps by who they chose to interview. They should have interviewed 'Steve' (the counter protester) or another non-IDM to balance the approach.

If you watch the video, the guy doesn't say anything wrong and doesn't get heated....he's just a guy trying to say his opinion. If I were him I would have brought up the fact that their band isn't even federally recongnized and that treaties were signed with the recognized bands to surrender these lands years ago. But that's just me.

[guyser]

“I was kinda hoping someone would take a swing at me.”

Its the only reason he was there. He wanted someone to hit him so he could go full idiot on them.

He likely knows nothing about the FN's plight , nor does he care. He wants to scrap.

Edited January 17, 2013 by guyser

[Accountability Now]

I see he's quoted as saying that in the article but I don't hear him say that in the video. I could have missed it and/or he said it after the video.

I don't think he was there to physically fight anyone. He really didn't put up much of an argument once they started arguing. Anyone looking for a fight would have provoked it much more. Just my opinion

[Michael Hardner]

The G&M article address . They should have interviewed 'Steve' (the counter protester) or another non-IDM to balance the approach.

I see a quote from Steve in the excerpt above ?

Edit: OK - you saw that. Both sounded reasonable. Did the G&M mention that they negotiated away their land ?

[Accountability Now]

No...they stayed away from the topic. When they say "This is Papaschase land" they are actually referring to reserve land and NOT the typical native rant referring to all of Canada being their land. The Papaschase used to have a reserve on the Southside of Edmonton a long time ago (1880s) but the cheifs and band member of that time sold their land and moved to the Enoch reserve (west of Edmonton). Modern day natives of the Papaschase band (or so called band) are trying to get more out of the government with a false land claim however the Supreme Court unanimously shut them down and doesn't even recognize them as a legal band. Here's a good article on it:

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/01/16/gunter-papaschase-grievances-are-largely-illusory

I stick to my earlier point. Idle No More has less to do with a common goal or objective points....it is solely an opportunity to bring up any grievance (right or wrong) against the 'white man'. Keep in mind the 'white man' now consists of black, brown, yellow....just saying.

[Michael Hardner]

Idle No More has less to do with a common goal or objective points....it is solely an opportunity to bring up any grievance (right or wrong) against the 'white man'. Keep in mind the 'white man' now consists of black, brown, yellow....just saying.

Just like Occupy is a protest against rich people and the Tea Party is a protest against... uh... the Tea Tax (?)... oh wait... TSA searches.... oh wait... Obama's secret birth certificate... oh wait....

[CPCFTW]

“I was kinda hoping someone would take a swing at me.”

Its the only reason he was there. He wanted someone to hit him so he could go full idiot on them.

He likely knows nothing about the FN's plight , nor does he care. He wants to scrap.

That's exactly the point. The article makes you believe that, but the video clearly shows who was starting to try a fight.

Michael: I don't see how you can characterize that as a calm discussion. Both the overweight indian and the chief were clearly attempting to intimidate the counter-protesting and appear to have succeeded given that he left after 20 minutes.

[Accountability Now]

That's exactly the point. The article makes you believe that, but the video clearly shows who was starting to try a fight.

Michael: I don't see how you can characterize that as a calm discussion. Both the overweight indian and the chief were clearly attempting to intimidate the counter-protesting and appear to have succeeded given that he left after 20 minutes.

I think the guy only wanted to come and make a presence. If he came to argue, then he was horribly prepared! I think he's alot like most Canadians in that we disapprove of the Native front but we don't know exactly how to approach it. Good for him for doing it but next time he should be more prepared.

[guyser]

That's exactly the point. The article makes you believe that, .

No...his words make me beleive that.

[CPCFTW]

No...his words make me beleive that.

They shouldn't after watching the video. It's clear that he was commenting on their aggression.

[Spiderfish]

He likely knows nothing about the FN's plight , nor does he care. He wants to scrap.

Yeah, I thought when he stated "I am being peaceful, I'm a peaceful person" he must be spoiling for a fight. And that handshake he gave the chief was particularly menacing.

I'm not sure what you've based your assumptions on, other than he doesn't support their movement so somehow he must be ignorant of the situation.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Spiderfish

[betsy]

CBC and CTV never said anything about the status of the Papachase - the group that blocks the busiest highway!

And the media potrayed the First nations as "innocently naive," when they demanded the presence of the Governor General at the meeting with Harper, explaining that they (aboriginals) misunderstood the role of the GG on politics and government policy.

It's either the CBC and CTV are both incompetent and didn't do their homework - or they are the ones who's naive.

The First Nations sees themselves as a nation! Equal to Canada in that status.

[PIK]

People are getting upset and the indians better realize that. They may regret all this in the end.

[Michael Hardner]

People are getting upset and the indians better realize that. They may regret all this in the end.

Both sides may regret it. Also, we non-FN people have more to lose because, well, we have more.

[g_bambino]

[T]he media potrayed the First nations as "innocently naive," when they demanded the presence of the Governor General at the meeting with Harper, explaining that they (aboriginals) misunderstood the role of the GG on politics and government policy.

What do you think the media should have said, then?