What the media is missing
Realpolitik is a term used to describe the functioning world of politics. This is not the crap that gets studied in political science classes. Not the idealistic rants that students engage in before hitting the pub after class to sip dark ales and talk about Darfur. Realpolitik is where the dirty shit gets done. The pragmatic nastiness of democracy is usually glossed over by the media and on-record political people, much like the personal battles, the love affairs and the drugs. The S&M parties that Ottawa is famous for... Usually this stuff goes unreported despite being quite obvious.
No mainstream Canadian journalist is going to report that the political scene goes so far beyond absurdity that it makes Marilyn Manson's Christmas parties seem boring. But since media people are also prone to going on coke binges and cheating on their taxes (ever notice that reporters rarely get busted for anything?), I believe there's an unhealthy exchange of favours in place.
The media keeps the reporting simple and the politicians supply simplistic info: the environment is important, working Canadians are wonderful, keep the part-time jobs rolling, don't worry about laws and the economy because it's all so complicated and the right people are in charge most of the time. Life is good, sucker, so keep buying that bottled water and maybe one day you'll be able to afford that 75 inch flat screen.
Both journalists and politicians know they're lying, or at least not telling the public all they know (sins of omission) because of protocol and job security. Yes, what could be worse than having a Masters in Journalism rendered useless because you reported an unpleasant story about an obvious political situation and no one will print or air your work because you never learnt the time honoured double standard of political reportage: Don't bury the people that feed you news.
I can't think of any other reason why the mainstream media has not picked up on Iggy Flop's question period mockery of Stephane Dion last week. Check it out on Youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=vhwVgT-Wdf4). Remember while you watch the clip that Stephane Dion is Iggy Flop's political boss, the Liberal team leader.
In case you don't watch the clip let me describe it to you. Iggy Flop is seated to the left of Dion. Dion is stumbling his way through a series of meaningless comments related to the equally pointless Throne Speech. While Dion is speaking, Iggy smirks, grimaces, laughs, rolls his eyes and generally acts like a Harvard Prof sitting with a bunch of serfs who have the gall to play his game of choice. Iggy's lack of respect for his leader is not new, but to undress your party's leader in public, in the House of Commons in question period, is another matter entirely. Iggy knew the camera was focused on Dion and knew that his reactions were being taped.
It's hard to imagine Stephen Harper, Jack Layton or Gilles Duceppe allowing such a blatant display of disdain from their respective deputy leaders. Okay, not hard to imagine. Try impossible. Imagine being caught on camera, totally sober, making fun of your boss while he's performing one of his most important tasks. Remember the entire scene is taped and available on the Internet and that every person in your boss' work and social circles will watch the video. Now go back to work. That would be an uncomfortable situation and you may even be fired or demoted. There would be consequences, no doubt.
Unfortunately for Dion, Iggy Flop is an elected Member of Parliament, and a credential heavy intellectual.
In Realpolitik terms there's simply no point, since Dion's career as Liberal leader is effectively over. To save the party any further embarrassment, Dion will be a good soldier and not mention Iggy Flop's crude question period antics, which is too bad. It's not like the party can sink much lower. Dion might even regain a hint of respect if he tossed Iggy from caucus. Such a move might illustrate to Canadians that Iggy is a dangerous person to have on your side - a fact the media probably won't mention.
I think the media is shying away from this story because of Iggy's blatant leadership lust. Dion can be kicked around until he quits or is ushered to the sidelines, but Iggy will still be in the game. Any journalist who writes that Iggy is an arrogant parachute king with more credentials than accomplishments, would essentially jeopardize their future access to a Liberal leader. It'll be interesting to watch Iggy operate over the coming months, but I wonder: Will anyone honestly report on his unannounced leadership bid? Stay tuned. The political scene is about to get very real.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
No mainstream Canadian journalist is going to report that the political scene goes so far beyond absurdity that it makes Marilyn Manson's Christmas parties seem boring. But since media people are also prone to going on coke binges and cheating on their taxes (ever notice that reporters rarely get busted for anything?), I believe there's an unhealthy exchange of favours in place.
The media keeps the reporting simple and the politicians supply simplistic info: the environment is important, working Canadians are wonderful, keep the part-time jobs rolling, don't worry about laws and the economy because it's all so complicated and the right people are in charge most of the time. Life is good, sucker, so keep buying that bottled water and maybe one day you'll be able to afford that 75 inch flat screen.
Both journalists and politicians know they're lying, or at least not telling the public all they know (sins of omission) because of protocol and job security. Yes, what could be worse than having a Masters in Journalism rendered useless because you reported an unpleasant story about an obvious political situation and no one will print or air your work because you never learnt the time honoured double standard of political reportage: Don't bury the people that feed you news.
I can't think of any other reason why the mainstream media has not picked up on Iggy Flop's question period mockery of Stephane Dion last week. Check it out on Youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=vhwVgT-Wdf4). Remember while you watch the clip that Stephane Dion is Iggy Flop's political boss, the Liberal team leader.
In case you don't watch the clip let me describe it to you. Iggy Flop is seated to the left of Dion. Dion is stumbling his way through a series of meaningless comments related to the equally pointless Throne Speech. While Dion is speaking, Iggy smirks, grimaces, laughs, rolls his eyes and generally acts like a Harvard Prof sitting with a bunch of serfs who have the gall to play his game of choice. Iggy's lack of respect for his leader is not new, but to undress your party's leader in public, in the House of Commons in question period, is another matter entirely. Iggy knew the camera was focused on Dion and knew that his reactions were being taped.
It's hard to imagine Stephen Harper, Jack Layton or Gilles Duceppe allowing such a blatant display of disdain from their respective deputy leaders. Okay, not hard to imagine. Try impossible. Imagine being caught on camera, totally sober, making fun of your boss while he's performing one of his most important tasks. Remember the entire scene is taped and available on the Internet and that every person in your boss' work and social circles will watch the video. Now go back to work. That would be an uncomfortable situation and you may even be fired or demoted. There would be consequences, no doubt.
Unfortunately for Dion, Iggy Flop is an elected Member of Parliament, and a credential heavy intellectual.
In Realpolitik terms there's simply no point, since Dion's career as Liberal leader is effectively over. To save the party any further embarrassment, Dion will be a good soldier and not mention Iggy Flop's crude question period antics, which is too bad. It's not like the party can sink much lower. Dion might even regain a hint of respect if he tossed Iggy from caucus. Such a move might illustrate to Canadians that Iggy is a dangerous person to have on your side - a fact the media probably won't mention.
I think the media is shying away from this story because of Iggy's blatant leadership lust. Dion can be kicked around until he quits or is ushered to the sidelines, but Iggy will still be in the game. Any journalist who writes that Iggy is an arrogant parachute king with more credentials than accomplishments, would essentially jeopardize their future access to a Liberal leader. It'll be interesting to watch Iggy operate over the coming months, but I wonder: Will anyone honestly report on his unannounced leadership bid? Stay tuned. The political scene is about to get very real.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
