(Response: Welcome. It’s only a hobby … no ads or sponsors ..just me telling it as I see it …trying to get good discussions of real issues going ..and it’s all spread by word of mouth or mentions by people who want to publicize it. (For obvious reasons, many mainstream media, don’t do that! h.o.

They wouldn’t have proposed the idea, if it had been inappropriate for their needs. That’s what I couldn’t understand (and am not a novice).

However … today, Vancouver Observer responded. Guess what? There was a glitch in their new computer software … and all incoming e.mails had been sent to the Junk box.

I’m still shaking my head.

I was contacted a few weeks ago with a request to do a feature story for a special print edition of VANCOUVER OBSERVER. The topic: the trial of Basi, Virk, Basi.

Being perfectly willing to work on a no-fee basis to tell the BC Rail story, I replied, asking about the deadline (fairly short), the word-length, and some idea of how much of this big story they wanted.

The editor replied that they planned to do a 1-page spread using photos of all the players. The page would be tabloid size.

Well, I realized that they had chosen an impossible task, so excused myself … leaving an offer to proof or help.

In due course, I received a first draft which I read, and offered some comment. I was thanked, and then … nothing.

Vancouver Observer has been published. No story appears about Basi, Virk, or BC Rail. No clue about it coming later. Nothing.

But the most puzzling thing is that I can’t get a response from them. I mean, THEY contacted ME … and there’s a form to fill out on their VANCOUVER OBSERVER web-site for people wishing to contact them. I’ve tried 3 … maybe 4 times … not a glimmer.

Since Vancouver Observer is a production of the U.B.C. School of Journalism … does this sound right to you?

Something in me, says that UBC should NOT be giving up on the BC Rail story.

(Response: Whether in newspapers I worked for or at BCTV, there were always stories that were left on the editing room floor, for various reasons: they just didn’t fit with the overall flavour the section they would have been published; something more interesting came along; too many articles/stories for too little space; legal concerns; poor writing etc. Magazines/journals have even greater problems than newspapers when it comes to space/focus. The bototm, line..when something is not used, it leaves room for all kinds of speculation: the fact they didn’t reply can fuel that, but all it really proves, if they did receive your inquiries, is that they are rude. h.o)

I am new to your site but I did hear you on talk1410 occasionally. I have long said that the media (both TV and print) are no more than propaganda arms of the ruling elite. I stopped watching TV news a long time ago. I only occasionally pick up a newspaper. With the demise of talk1410, I wonder who will hold the government’s feet to the fire.

We no longer have a free press but a managed press. We no longer have free speech but a managed speech. I fear for this country.

Among so many former colleagues at the Cable retirement party, did you get a sense of what they think of other bloggers (besides an appreciation for your blog, I mean)? I’d be interested to know their professional assessment of the work many of us put into blogging. Or are they all “Morley Saffers”?

Also: after encountering a very informative little news service … TERRACE DAILY ONLINE …

I thought it suggested a way of the future. I could imagine many small, independent news-blogs forming a network to provide a very lively daily look at provincial affairs, at very little cost.

The surprise and delight of TERRACE DAILY ONLINE is (a) their fearless truth-telling, and (b) their publication of news which rarely shows up in Southern BC. For example, that god-awful keynote address Gordo made recently to the Independent Power Producers. Gordo explained his newest vision of letting these corporations cut up BC’s sacred forests into firewood and burning it, for the purpose of making electricity which he would then force BC Hydro to buy … and Gordo calls this “GREEN ENERGY”.

TERRACE DAILY ONLINE had the news of Eurocan’s shutdown before anyone else; also the possibility of Kemano becoming only a power producer … and don’t you smell a big back-story there, Harv? where the Province of BC gave up lakes and rivers and forests to provide Alcan with the power to process aluminum? And now, Gordo waves his magic wand, and Rio Tinto Alcan can simply turn its back on the people of BC, and simply sell that electricity … shut down the smelter … and decimate the town of Kitimat primarily made up of Alcan workers. TERRACE DAILY ONLINE gladly shared those reports (with credit), and

I was able to share some news which they hadn’t seen before, either. So a CITIZENS’ ONLINE NETWORK might have a very good effect on the province, I think.

Would you consider writing a column on your views about this?

(Response: No, we didn’t talk much about blogging … just about their take on mine and how the blogosphere is growiing. Did much more reminisicing about work and the current financial crisis facing Global. As for writing a column elsewhere… I’m flattered … bit I am retired, right! Can hardly keep up with writing for my own blog and handling responses. But again, I’m flattered. h.o.

(Response: Great questions ..from the man who, along with Keith Bradbury, turned BCTV into the powerhouse it once way ..and who hired me away from The Vancouver Sun. Wish I had the answers .. except to say that be looking at what/who goes to air, I don’t think they care as much about such things anymore. h.o.)

Mais oui! I can state this from personal experience since I used to work for her…but that’s as far as I’ll go, for now.

And she’s not that old, actually, just about as useful (and open-minded) as two tits on a bull.

MSM elites don;t like me because I call it the way it is. I’m never going to win any Mr. Handsome Awards and I don’t suffer fools–period. The complacent MSM in this town are more interested in doing ‘Entertainment Tonight’ spots and pretending they have an angle that will resonate.

It used to be that the only godamned angle that matter was something called the truth.

But, apparently, that doesn’t sell advertising.

Bollocks! I have the most popular column in the city on Thursdays, (in 24 Hours…h.o.) and advertisers flock to get on the same page as my scribblings.

You have to take a chance and build a following. People like the gal I referred to above, are interested in providing nothing more than what’s required to write two dozen paycheques bi-monthly.

Imagine if they really cared about the public…..

Even the CBC “journalists” are now so afraid of losing their jobs that they violate all journalistic ethics to enable Harpo’s gang of global warming deniers.

http://www.themarknews.com/articles/516-fanning-the-flames

(Response: No one has offered. Plus I’m retired (LOL!) and take off esp in the winter/spring for weeks at a time so thev regularity would not be there, which would hurt the effrot.) And I have my blog to get ideas out ..and here, get others involved in the discussion as well ..often teaching me things i did not know.. h.o.)