If you watch the Sun News Network these days, other than commercials for walk-in baths and showers, you will see a lot of Jating: a term I just made up which refers to Justin hating, which is not to be confused with being a J-theist: the term for those who are not beliebers. #Jating#J-theist...go!
For some reason, Sun News is really offended by what Justin Trudeau said about China, perhaps because Justin took a direct dig at Sun News, while answering a question at his Unplugged: Intimate and Interactive special last week in Toronto.
For those of you who like doing your own reading, here is what Justin said (according to reports from the event):
"There's a level of admiration I actually have for China because their basic dictatorship is allowing them to actually turn their economy around on a dime and say 'we need to go greenest, fastest, we need to invest in solar. I mean there's a flexibility that I know Stephen Harper must dream about, of having a dictatorship that he can do everything he wanted, that I find quite interesting. But if I were to reach out and say which...kind of administration I most admire, I think there's something to be said right here in Canada for the way our territories are run. Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon are done without political parties around consensus, and are much more like a municipal government. And I think there's a lot to be said for people pulling together to try and solve issues rather than to score points off of each other...but Sun News can now report that I prefer China."
So what did he say:
1. He admires China's dictatorship because it allows them to efficiently re-tool their economy and move towards green energy industries.
2. the actual type of administration he most admires is right here in Canada, in northern governments without political parties but based on consensus-style governing principles.
3. he has much to say about people who come together to try to solve issues rather than scoring political points, and
4. Sun News is probably going to miss the point and make it all about China.
Sounds reasonable. But Sun News and the Conservatives (who we are supposed to think are not one and the same) don't seem to think so. Think they are overreacting? Does Bev Oda enjoy $16 glasses of orange juice?
First of all, can we just get over that word? Its five little letters that are missing here. I won't get into that; I'll do it sort of properly...it's "China."
I am not too sure of what to make of Sun News' reaction. One the one hand, Sun News put up a big stink in the past when the B.C. government tried to set up an economic blockade of Alberta in order for Asian markets to have access to the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Where do they think that bitumen is going, Tibet?
Or better still, Sun News went on a pretty significant PR offensive in order to drum up public/base support of the CNOOC/Nexen deal, which allowed the Chinese government to acquire a Calgary based oil and gas producer, despite foreign investment restrictions.
So how come we can ship our oil to this country, and allow its government to acquire our resource companies, but nobody named Justin Trudeau can ever speak of it in a positive light? If this country and its government are so offensive, why are some people so hot to become business partners with it? It doesn't make sense. Neither does making Justin's comments a "top story" on your headlines, especially given the mayor of Canada's biggest city has just admitted to smoking crack in the same two-week period where three senators were suspended for making improper benefit claims (which may or may not have involved the PMO in some way).
So, instead of getting their jate on for somebody admiring a less-than admirable government for taking an admirable position on the pursuit of greener industries, maybe Sun News should focus their attention on the upcoming War on Christmas season, how ludicrous it is that we expect our top judicial officials in the country to be bilingual, or what David Suzuki is up to.
I may be off, but I think Justin is just referring to the fact that a party with 40 per cent of the popular vote, yet is able to stonewall any attempts by the vast majority of the popular vote, who are trying to solve a real identifiable issue that is climate change, to bring about any changes to our environmental policies or a shift in our industries.
But don't let substance get in the way of your preoccupation with style.