A lack of compassion - from whose side?
June 3, 2011 11:24 AM   Subscribe

Canadian contemporary dance icon Margie Gillis gets interviewed by right-wing network "Sun TV". Perhaps "interview" is too kind a word. (and as there is reference to it in the interview, a little background on the current PM's views on the arts)
posted by ameliaaah (42 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
Is that Avery Jessup?
posted by helmutdog at 11:28 AM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


Congrats, you just doubled SunNEWs' viewership.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:37 AM on June 3, 2011 [6 favorites]


And also doubled Margie Gillis' visibility?
posted by ameliaaah at 11:40 AM on June 3, 2011 [3 favorites]


This is about as useful as a link to The Enquirer or Fox News. Tripe and garbage.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:45 AM on June 3, 2011


Is there a summary available of this elsewhere? I've studiously avoided Stun TV ever since I stumbled upon it in their first week, and some blowhard was spewing the worst, baseless, irresponsible invective about Gilles Duceppe, basically accusing him of necromancy. Not that I'm terribly sympathetic towards Duceppe, but jeez -- if you can't challenge him on his ideas, maybe you don't have anything to contribute. But yes -- I would like to know what went on here.
posted by Capt. Renault at 11:46 AM on June 3, 2011


I'm a big fan of the arts, but living in the US, I can't help but think how relatively nice it would be to live in a country where conservatives attack arts funding instead of reproductive freedom, Medicare, teachers, and gay rights.
posted by DiscountDeity at 11:46 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


So this is that new Onion show on Comedy Central? I would have thought the production value would've been much higher.
posted by jbickers at 11:56 AM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


basically accusing him of necromancy

CANADA SOUNDS AWESOME.
posted by thsmchnekllsfascists at 11:59 AM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


Echoing Capt. Renault. Is there a story here that doesn't require me to watch a video? Some of us know how to read.
posted by rocket88 at 11:59 AM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


a country where conservatives attack arts funding instead of reproductive freedom, Medicare, teachers, and gay rights

They were only handed a majority government a few weeks ago. Baby steps, baby steps.
posted by CynicalKnight at 11:59 AM on June 3, 2011 [5 favorites]


> instead of reproductive freedom, Medicare, teachers, and gay rights.

Our local MP, elected once again due to vote splitting, has refused to answer questions about his position on these issues. Considering these fuckers are funded by the same fuckers who fund the elephants in the states, the agenda is the same -- just a few bullet points behind. (I got nauseated this morning when the radio mentioned the crime bill and budget. Please make it stop!)
posted by seanmpuckett at 12:05 PM on June 3, 2011


a country where conservatives attack arts funding instead of reproductive freedom, Medicare, teachers, and gay rights.

1) Instead of?

2) That's exactly where they started here too. "We shouldn't be spending YOUR MONEY on PEE ART! instead we'll spend your money on killing brown people and we won't spend rich people's money at all!"
posted by DU at 12:06 PM on June 3, 2011 [4 favorites]


Approximately $1.2 million a year over 13+ years, so just over $92k a year. With this plus whatever private donations she receives this woman creates jobs and runs a dance company. Ms. Gillis seems lovely, and I thought she held her own pretty well.
posted by tetsuo at 12:13 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


Ok, i'm taking one for the team here (hi, Cap'n!) but here's a rough summary. Not verbatim.

Interviewer thanks Margie for coming. She says that SUN asked a whole bunch of other artsy folks to come on but no one volunteered. Then they get into the thick of it. The interviewer says that Gillis' Foundation got $1.2 million in funding since 1998. How does Margie justify that? Margie talks about intangible benefits to the society at large of the arts and dance. The interviewer runs a video clip showing Margie saying that Canada is no longer a compassionate society. The interviewer then turns on Margie, and asks how she can say that. What about the soldiers in Afghanistan?? Margie says she's not talking about soldiers in Afghanistan. They do a lot of simultaneous talking. There's some more hot talk about why the taxpayer should subsidize things that don't make money. Then towards the end the interviewer ramps it down a bit. Margie gets two uninterrupted minutes to talk about her current work in conflict resolution. Interviewer says she doesn't understand any of it but she does appreciate Gillis coming to the interview. The interviewer salutes Gillis for coming and calls her an iconic dancer. (This is Canada after all).
posted by storybored at 12:17 PM on June 3, 2011 [9 favorites]


I've studiously avoided Stun TV ever

If the U.S. Secret Service can stomach pseudo-fascist propoganda, we should watch it too. Just scrolling through the video library and seeing titles like "Canadian Pride", "Red Rising" and "Obama's an idiot, Part II" gives me a tingling feeling of otherwordly disconnect, like I'm watching a bizzarro universe version of "Canada".
posted by CynicalKnight at 12:18 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


SunNews - This was my first and last watch.
I guess SunNews is going to be the unofficial propaganda arm of the Harper majority government.
I think I am going to be sick.
posted by dougzilla at 12:23 PM on June 3, 2011


Wait, has Sun TV rebranded itself recently? The last time I heard about Sun TV, it was when they were showing syndicated episodes of The A-Team, and equally high calibre TV. They've turned themselves into some sort of Fox News North now?
posted by antifuse at 12:25 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


There's some more hot talk about why the taxpayer should subsidize things that don't make money.

Yes, it makes much more sense to subsidize things that do make money, like the oil sands.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:30 PM on June 3, 2011


> They've turned themselves into some sort of Fox News North now?

That's exactly what they've done. My wife and I are doubly bummed out about it because Sun TV used to be our go-to option when we were in the mood for movies about insane grizzly bears going on a rampage or sexy serial killers.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:50 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


As I recall, they were also carrying Happy Days and the Muppet Show when the Christian teevee network ran short of syndication cash or found Potsie to be an infidel or whatever.
posted by Capt. Renault at 12:58 PM on June 3, 2011


a country where conservatives attack arts funding instead of reproductive freedom, Medicare, teachers, and gay rights

Instead of? Never fear, they're good multitaskers.
  • reproductive rights: List of known anti-choice Conservative MPs as of May 2011
  • Medicare: Right-wing think tank publishes paper concluding that "Canada’s health system produces rates of growth in health spending that are not sustainable solely through redistributive public financing. Supplementary user-based, private financing would off-load public cost pressures, encourage economic efficiency, and offer a sustainable source of additional resources." [emphasis mine]
  • teachers: conservative BC politician proposes merit pay system for teachers
  • gay rights: In 2005, current prime minister Stephen Harper speaks at an anti-same sex marriage rally [video]: "Your beliefs, your values, our values, are the real Canadian values. You know my position, you know the position of the Conservative Party of Canada. When elected prime minister at the next election--whenever that may be--we'll reveal legislation that will define marriage as the union of one man and one woman."
Yes, I know that Stephen Harper has publicly stated that he would not reopen debates on abortion or gay marriage. But do leopards really change their spots? I'm skeptical, especially now that the Conservatives have a majority government.posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:58 PM on June 3, 2011 [3 favorites]


Yep, Sun TV in now Fox News North. It's broadcast OTA in glorious HD in across Golden Horseshoe. It's The Sun tabloid for TV and everyone is all dressed up -just like serious, successful business people!

So far, I think Ezra Levant seems to doing the best version of Glen Beck but they're all trying their darndest. It's a dull, horrible spectacle.
posted by bonobothegreat at 1:16 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


Harper may be many things, and while I am not a fan, dumb is not one of them. He knows his precious majority is dependent on urban support, and there is precisely no chance of him retaining that support and using the notwithstanding clause of the constitution to override the Supreme Court's views on abortion and same-sex marriage. And even with his two appointees to the Court coming up, the view within the legal establishment including all his potential nominees is that that issue is settled in Canada. It's done. It's not coming back. Parts of his base will froth and churn, but so long as he does stuff like scrap the long-gun registry (which his bread and butter base will love but urban Canadians won't really give two shits about as compared to abortion rights), he will be able to cobble together an effectively centre-right majority until the Libs/NDP get their shit in order.

Also, this FPP is rubbish, which is why nobody's really talking about it.
posted by modernnomad at 1:21 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]


I think I'll feel free to sum it up in the local patois: "T' Fuckin' Sun." This contains overtones of dismissal, and not a little bit of 'more in sorrow than in anger.'

And yes, the feeling of nausea, but I surmised that was universally understood.

Or, as my aged mum says "Tsk, Them Bitches."
posted by LD Feral at 1:25 PM on June 3, 2011


storybored: "The interviewer runs a video clip showing Margie saying that Canada is no longer a compassionate society. The interviewer then turns on Margie, and asks how she can say that. What about the soldiers in Afghanistan?? Margie says she's not talking about soldiers in Afghanistan. They do a lot of simultaneous talking. There's some more hot talk about why the taxpayer should subsidize things that don't make money. "

---------

Wait, what? I mean... He's calling soliders "compassionate"? You mean the guys who are trained to kill? OK, maybe they're doing "humanitarian" work, but you can do that without, you know... killing. Is that what the interviewer was alluding to? Then hot talk about "subsidizing things that don't make money"... like... the military???
posted by symbioid at 2:07 PM on June 3, 2011


Symbioid, it was a little unclear in the interview. iirc the interviewer seemed to be saying we felt compassion for the soldiers who died in combat....but it was pretty much a tacky over-the-top debating point.
posted by storybored at 2:14 PM on June 3, 2011


Wait, has Sun TV rebranded itself recently? The last time I heard about Sun TV, it was when they were showing syndicated episodes of The A-Team, and equally high calibre TV. They've turned themselves into some sort of Fox News North now?

---------

I didn't know that Sun TV existed prior to the current "Fox News North" version. I would much rather watch A-Team reruns than watch Ezra Levant dress up like a postie and make bizarre double entendres in which he compares bills to balls (yes, that actually happened; unfortunately I can't find a link to the video).
posted by asnider at 2:19 PM on June 3, 2011


Whoa! Just saw this: University of Ottawa graduate serving as Senate page interrupts throne speech to protest Stephen Harper. Very interesting. There's a picture of her holding up a sign that says "STOP HARPER" in the middle of the floor, just as she's about to be escorted out.

From her press release: "Harper's agenda is disastrous for this country and for my generation," Brigette Marcelle [aka Brigette DePape] says. "We have to stop him from wasting billions on fighter jets, military bases, and corporate tax cuts while cutting social programs and destroying the climate. Most people in this country know what we need are green jobs, better medicare, and a healthy environment for future generations."

She's got guts, I'll say that. Apparently she also already has a job offer from the Public Service Alliance of Canada, a very large union which represents (mostly) federal government workers.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:43 PM on June 3, 2011 [10 favorites]


This "interview" is seriously messed up. It's funny when you're watching stuff like this from across the border, but it actually made me feel a bit sick to see it happening in Canada.

American friends, I'm so sorry. I didn't understand the pained look on your faces that remained after our laughter had passed, when we watched those Glen Beck videos on youtube. I know why now.
posted by mariokrat at 3:10 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]


There's some more hot talk about why the taxpayer should subsidize things that don't make money.

Yes, the Department of Defense is such a profit leader for the country. *eyeroll*

There are a great many things of value beyond the $$ part of the discussion, but apparently we can't talk about that.
posted by never used baby shoes at 3:36 PM on June 3, 2011


Sun TV down to as few as 4000 viewers. So how does that compare to the number of people Margie Gillis has inspired. And beyond that - apparently they don't have to have ANY viewers to make money, simply because of how cable bundles work.

How's that for allowing the free market to decide winners and losers. Sun TV - what a bunch of fucking hypocrites. They are Secret Commies living off of wierd Government mandated CRTC rules on cable fees!!
posted by helmutdog at 3:57 PM on June 3, 2011 [4 favorites]


I've seen Margie Gillis dance, and she's not really my cup of tea, either. But I am in favour of arts funding. (That interviewer was awful, and Margie was great.)
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 6:19 PM on June 3, 2011


I loved this video. It shows how competent and objective their staff is, and how illiterate they are in front of someone who speaks with her whole life as a proof of how wrong they are.
posted by ddaavviidd at 6:34 PM on June 3, 2011


OH MI GOSH YOUR WORLDVIEW IS NOT IDENTICAL TO MINE

OH MI GOSH LET'S ESTABLISH THIS FACT 37 TIMES AND ACT SURPRISED AND CONFUSED EVERY TIME
posted by foursentences at 6:55 PM on June 3, 2011


"[something something] unOfficial propaganda arm of the Harper majority government."
posted by sneebler at 6:57 PM on June 3, 2011


Margie Gillis did an outstanding job of standing up against attack journalism. My favourite crosstalk was when Avery Jessup was saying "Let me ask the questions! this is benefitting no one!" and she just calmly said "I am a guest on your show." I would have stood up and walked out at minute two, so, bless her heart.

And the statement "Canadian taxpayers gave you 1.2 million dollars!! ISNT THAT ENOUGH COMPASSION??"" made me spit wine on my monitor. Compassion = cash money, who knew? Someone better inform Jesus of this.
posted by mek at 12:26 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


Wow... As a Canadian I'm disgusted by the interviewer. That's just junk journalism.

Those grants? Perfectly reasonable.

Love the way Margie stands her ground.

I'll demonstrate my disgust by never watching this show again.
posted by TravellingDen at 9:58 AM on June 5, 2011 [1 favorite]


I didn't know that Sun TV existed prior to the current "Fox News North" version. I would much rather watch A-Team reruns than watch Ezra Levant dress up like a postie and make bizarre double entendres in which he compares bills to balls (yes, that actually happened; unfortunately I can't find a link to the video).

Sun TV was an awesome little network to go to for all your "OMG I haven't watched this show in YEARS" syndication fun. I'm sad that they've changed formats, but I guess since it's probably been 2-3 years since I turned on the network, I'm probably not the market they were aiming for.
posted by antifuse at 11:11 AM on June 6, 2011


So Sun TV can keep going with only 4000 viewers? Oh that's just not fair.
posted by Theta States at 9:27 AM on June 9, 2011




(more than double the number of complaints received in a typical year)
posted by shoesfullofdust at 1:53 PM on June 29, 2011


Also equal to about 1/3 of Sun TVs average viewership.
posted by five fresh fish at 2:21 PM on June 29, 2011


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