Jen Moore is a passionate believer in the power of local community radio. She is also a person who believes in international activism and social justice. Below is a letter that I and others received from her promoting her early morning radio slot - Far Too Canadian .

Now, I am a regular CBC radio listener and I truly do enjoy listening to Metro Morning - especially the incredible bantering of Kevin Sylvester the sports guy (whom, I believe is the most articulate sports analyst in the world - he is witty, intelligent and is anything but a “homer”).

Still, there are times when we need to spice up our media diet. Jen’s show and those like “Food in your Face” and the ‘The Mich Vish Interracial Morning Show!” help us to keep ourselves locally oriented. These people provide us with an alternative to the CBC alternative - ad free, critical and enjoyable radio.

So why not give some of these shows a listen - they are at 93.3 FM in Guelph and are also available on Web cast. I especially urge you to consider Jen’s show if you are interested in the local perspective on international issues.
Now here is Jen’s letter; remember “Think Globally, Listen Locally”.

Hello,

So I feel it’s about time I should announce a new radio program that I’m broadcasting every Friday morning from 7 to 8am called Far Too Canadian. It’s very much inspired by the stories that we are learning about what it really means to be Canadian in the experience of Haiti. Over the coming weeks and months, it will aim to understand the machinations of our role in the world and how that relates to our national identity through examples in other parts as well. Aside from these features, you can expect to hear lots of super music, film reviews, media critiques and discussions around building solidarity and what the hell that means.

(The show could probably also be called What the Hell!, but I’m going to stick with Far Too Canadian.)

Take note that you can find past programs on the archives page of www.cfru.ca in case tuning in at 7am on Fridays is tricky. I delayed putting the word out about this because I wasn’t sure how tricky it would be for me! Anyways, seems to be alright, so check it out.

This morning’s show dealt with the President’s inaugural dialogue on the media that took place on Wednesday this week, Jean Saint Vil on the Haitian Revolution and the new equivalents for colonial language in what’s going on today, as well as a feature about the film The Agronomist looking at the life and work of Haitian journalist Jean Dominique who was assassinated in 2000.
Patrick Elie who will be speaking this coming Wednesday has a lot to say about Jean, so I thought it was pertinent to look once again at this particular flick.

Check it out, let me know what you think and stay posted for an upcoming blog!

Cheers,
Jen
–
Spoken Word Coordinator
CFRU 93.3 FM
c/o University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
(519) 824-4120 x56920
spokenword@cfru.ca

I have lifted the followng editorial from Straight Goods, an on line journal to which I subscribe. This outlines the latest on two former New Democrats who have experimented with Liberalism. Ish Theilheimer has been tireless in promoting critical analysis of Canadian and World Politics. Please consider supporting Straight Goods by donating or taking out a subscription.

Liberal leadership Olympics, buzzing off and more

Perhaps chocolate risotto will become part of the recipe for strategic voting.

Dateline: Tuesday, February 21, 2006

by Ish Theilheimer

Former Ontario Premier and NDP Leader Bob Rae has snuck into second place in the Liberal leadership Olympics, according to a new poll by SES Research, right behind Ken Dryden (12 percent vs. 14 percent). Rae, of course, was forever branded by imposing a “Social Contract” on public servants, running up a $10 billion deficit and launching an armed armada of lobby groups who hated him, either for what he did for others or what he didn’t do for them. Now he’s touted for federal Liberal leader and hasn’t said no.

— — — — —

What would Buzz Hargrove do about a Liberal Party run by Rae? As one member of the Straight Goods tribe put it “Surely Buzz would suggest voters cast one half their vote for the NDP and one half for the candidate best able to make chocolate risotto and/or defeat the Tory, unless the Tory once worked in the auto parts industry, but not in Quebec.”

The NDP would be crazy to want Buzz back.

Hargrove made the news again this week when executive of the Ontario NDP “suspended” his membership, presumably until he sees the error of his ways. Otherwise-respectable NDP MPs like Jack Layton and Joe Comartin have been suggesting they oppose this, but surely they protest too much? They would be crazy to want him back.

The man may carry a party card, but his record of treachery concerning the NDP is quite stunning. Carol Goar wrote a good summary in the Toronto Star this week of the man’s sins against “his” party.

Some members of NDP circles argue that bouncing Buzz sends a confusing signal to party supporters at CAW. It will certainly make things uncomfortable for them, but for NDP supporters elsewhere it will be a breath of fresh air. People who believe in a cause can accept losing and suffering, but not smiling bastards who claim to be friends while sticking the knife repeatedly in one’s back.

Recently, a friend of mine hosted a meeting of her Condo Executive. At that meeting she felt under attack for supporting CUPE’s call for job action to oppose changes to pension laws.

Another friend of mine wrote the following to her to explain why she needs to stay strong in the face of adversity. I think these (slightly edited) words, written by a guy who has been there, speak volumes about why unions and why sometimes, job actions matter and why we need to recognise that they protect all of us - whether we are union members on not.

Dearest R,

I am so very sorry of the abuse inflicted on you by such narrow minded, ill informed, people. Insults at the workplace or on a picket line are bad enough, but in your own home, these are absolutely innapropriate. A person should always feel safe in his or her home. Verbal abuse of any type must never be tolerated.

RE: The comment “We should shoot all Union Workers”

I hope you will indulge me in this rather significant piece of Canadian labour history. When I was on a picket line freezing one December with the CUPW., my thoughts would turn to Winnipeg in the early part of the last century.

Again when participating in seven “Days of Action” against Mike “The Hammer Harris” my heart was in Winnipeg,1919.

Representing workers on a difficult day on racism or homophobia, my thoughts would normaly turn to the struggles of the past that brought us justice as workers and as a people.

In 1917 Laborers and Union leaders in Western Canada wanted to peacefully modernise Canada by radically increasing the political power of the working class. The preferred method was called “One Big Union” (OBW).Organize all workers in Canada into one big Union. Unionists asked that the Government recognize the legal right of Collective Bargaining for all the workers of Canada.

Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council (WTLC) was the bargaining agent.

On May 5,1919 the (WTLC) called for a general strike to shut down the city of Winnipeg. The strike fought for free collective bargaining rights, better wages and working conditions. More than 30.000 Union and non-union workers joined in the strike.

The union organizing body maitained essential services for the city - despite the desire of the police and others to join the strike.

Eastern European immigrants were widely accused of organizing comunism. The Government passed a law allowing the police and immigration officials sweeping new powers of deportation. The Government was inefective because the union Leadership was primarly Canadian or British.

After five weeks of strike the government fired all striking workers and hired war vets., as special constables to break the strike.

Before sunrise on Saturday June 21st. 1919 Police arrested ten strike leaders including R.B. Russel and future “C.C.F.” founder J.S. Woodsworth.

Later that day a peaceful march began to work its way down Main St. to protest the arrests. It got out of hand. Demonstrators set fire to 1 empty street car.

The Police respond with baseball bats

Workers fought back with stones and fists.

The POLICE charged twice more this time firing guns.

The workers dispersed in fear. TWO WORKERS WERE SHOT AND KILLED and dozens were injured.

That day is now known in Canadian Labour history as “BLOODY SATURDAY”.

Things changed after “Bloody Saturday.” The police and constables patrolled the streets with “machine guns” Additional Strike Leaders were arrested.

By June 25, 1919 the Workers gave up their peaceful attempt to gain collective bargaining because of the threat of more Government sanctioned violence.

THE WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE ENDED WITHOUT THE WORKERS ACHIEVING THEIR ENDS. OR DID IT?

Eighty years later Members of the Canadian Labour Movement have a legal right to organize the workfloor and enjoy their right to “free collective bargaining”

When it get’s tough in your livingroom, in the workplace, or on a picket line please, remember “Bloody Saturday”.

Your friend in Solidarity,

JDM