Posted on: 20-01-09 10:15:36
Since yesterday evening and my entire commute this morning, I could not listen to anything but the "O" word on radio. I kept on flipping the stations, but could not escape the discussion about what is happening south of border.
I wonder why Canadians, especially Canadian media is so much excited about Obama becoming the president of US. Bill Carol from 1010 is broadcasting live from Washington. 680 is giving news about how people are taking a day off to see the inauguration live. CBC is also giving news about how handful of people are going to Washington in chartered bus.
I agree that for Americans it can be a watershed moment in history giving its tryst with slavery in past. But why are Canadians so excited about Obama being the president? On the world stage, this event is hardly a blip. Would the Canadians be as much excited, if somebody of Asian or African origin be the next PM?
Yes. US is Canada's largest trading partner. Agreed that most of our economy depends upon US. Yes. US is a superpower, but seems like Canadian media is in the awe of Barak Obama.
The problem is everybody in media seems to think that Obama has some kind of magic wand that will make all the troubles disappear. War in Afghanistan and Iraq will be over. Economy will improve dramatically. Everything will be rosy from tomorrow. But any person in sound mind knows that it takes time for things to change. And in politics, sometimes things do not change at all. Hope people realise it sooner.
IMO, the biggest headline yesterday was the report about Khadr identifying Arar. What if it turns out that millions of our tax dollar went to pay a man who may have links to terrorism? Seems like nobody cares in this euphoria
It's not a case just with Canada.. In many countries things are same.. including India.. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-world-waits-for-the-new-american-president/83244-2.html
Doubt if at least 10% Americans know who Indian or even Canadian PM is!
Get used to it because Canada is unofficially the 51 st state of USA.
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You know you are a desi when ........ You spew forth the virtues of India, but don't want to live there...............You've never had a tanning salon membership
Quote:
Originally posted by meghal
Since yesterday evening and my entire commute this morning, I could not listen to anything but the "O" word on radio. I kept on flipping the stations, but could not escape the discussion about what is happening south of border.
I wonder why Canadians, especially Canadian media is so much excited about Obama becoming the president of US. Bill Carol from 1010 is broadcasting live from Washington. 680 is giving news about how people are taking a day off to see the inauguration live. CBC is also giving news about how handful of people are going to Washington in chartered bus.
I agree that for Americans it can be a watershed moment in history giving its tryst with slavery in past. But why are Canadians so excited about Obama being the president? On the world stage, this event is hardly a blip. Would the Canadians be as much excited, if somebody of Asian or African origin be the next PM?
Yes. US is Canada's largest trading partner. Agreed that most of our economy depends upon US. Yes. US is a superpower, but seems like Canadian media is in the awe of Barak Obama.
The problem is everybody in media seems to think that Obama has some kind of magic wand that will make all the troubles disappear. War in Afghanistan and Iraq will be over. Economy will improve dramatically. Everything will be rosy from tomorrow. But any person in sound mind knows that it takes time for things to change. And in politics, sometimes things do not change at all. Hope people realise it sooner.
IMO, the biggest headline yesterday was the report about Khadr identifying Arar. What if it turns out that millions of our tax dollar went to pay a man who may have links to terrorism? Seems like nobody cares in this euphoria
It's not only the Canadian media, but the whole world following the historic event. The Canadian media doesn't have anything else to cover anyways; other than US politics, US sports, US economy.
The damage Dubya did in his eight year tenure will be very evident for a long time to come unless Obama pulls out a magic wand out of his ass.
I think he will rethink a lot of major policies and will take his own time to undo the damage. Most important on his plate would be the economy and the foreign policy. Pakistan will be on his list too. He is very much against the unaccounted US aid to Pakistan.
Regarding Khadr, Canadians are very much expected to screw up in 'ultra sensitive' matters. Remember the Kanishka trial, which is till date the most expensive trial in Canadian history. RCMP screwed up the case big time and it still lingers in limbo land.
Somehow this morning I found "mauja hi mauja" from "jab we met" (thanks to my wife's compilation) do more to perk up my morning along with a cup of joe than the coverage of Obama's inauguration compared to any other given day when I religiously do listen to what Mr.Carol has to say.
Having said that, the media coverage is well justified. a) it is a historic moment and given Canada's proximity to the US, I wouldn't have expected anything less and b) it is the nature of the business. While Khadr/Arar news might have had more to do with Canada and Canadians, it would not be in the best interests of the station to cover that news than the most happening thing in this part of the world - the inauguration. It is sort of an obvious choice a news/talk-radio station would make. No brainer really.
I wonder what the FAN did...them and the dumb leafs 
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
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Haha.
That's what media does.
"Overdoing".
Ooh, BTW, BOC dropped the key intrest rate by 0.5% and major banks matched their prime rate as well 
I watched today's news. Somehow I missed that report.
Back to inauguration event. Why was that "overdone":
. First black person. (Well, if you don't overdo, hmm .. is that coz he's black? None wanna take chance). If some desi does something good on the other side of the planet, I'm gonna be proud. I probably won't care much if that "good" is good for all or just a fraction of population.
. His slogan "Change" and his speech "create more jobs" "more descent paying jobs" "Fix economy" blah blah blah. Anybody that's badly hurt by economy, will surely join the crowd and yell as he sure see some hope. (House, foreclosure. Job, gone. What's there to loose?)
. Economy. People believe that Bush broke it. Once he's out, anybody that's in will and can fix it.
