Tsakumis CENSORED by CKNW’s Carly Nicol: Appearance for March 16th., 2011 CANCELLED!
Some years ago, Fox News had asked for writer Christopher Hitchens to appear and provide commentary on the death of nauseating American televangelist and spiritual fraud the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
Prior to the Hitch’s appearance, three producers banded together and demanded that he, the greatest English language writer of our time, be banned from Fox News for his faithful atheism and disdain for Falwell. He was “loathsome” according to one producer; “unbearable” according to another.
But after the heads of Fox News stepped in, he was not only allowed to appear, but delivered one of the greatest commentaries on Falwell ever recorded.
Yesterday, I confirmed my appearance, for today, on ‘The Mike Smyth Show’ guest hosted by Simi Sara.
Thus, I waited for an appropriate time to explain to my eldest daughter that I would not be able to attend her ‘Student Led Conference’–which is a joy that I am now missing for nothing–which has upset me to no end. Her little tears were apparently all for naught.
I have been censored. There will be no appearance by me to talk about the Premier on Simi Sara’s show.
Late this morning, I received a very polite phone call from a clearly deflated Sara–the consummate professional, who informed me that my appearance on her show was cancelled by one Carly Nicol, a producer. Apparently, Ms. Nicol, uninterested in fair comment or real journalism, stormed in to see Sara and told here that she would not produce a show I was on because of my opinions, written yesterday, about Nicol’s friend and former fellow bubblehead, Rebecca Scott, who left Bill Good’s detail and is now openly, a Christy Clark partisan–hired as her Deputy Communications Director, after being Bill Good’s producer.
Sara, in turn, did the only thing she could and called me to apologize (which was unnecessary, but appreciated).
Far be it from me to question Nicol, who is a 26 year-old wet behind the ears, uncontainable shrew, that graduated from the hallowed halls of Harvard, er, excuse me, BCIT, and has been producing shows at CKNW for six years…since I’ve never accomplished anything significant in life, like her.
Sara on the other hand has been in the business for over 20 years, with an exceptional record. Tail wagging the dog? You be the judge.
Likely just an angry little mutt, with tail wagging.
I also received a phone call from Ian Koenigsfest, the Program Manager for CKNW, who apologized for the fact that I was missing Gina’s conference and the way I was treated. Again, unnecessary, as Koenigsfest and I get along very well. But this is the second time NW have had to apologize to me, as Tom Plasteras (who is also first class, like Koenigsfest), the Programming Head, called once not long ago to apologize for Bill Good taking successive runs at me on air (and not providing me the same opportunity–since I’d demolish him on his own program).
But what does this tell us?
That Nicol, who has given CKNW notice of her departure–freeing them from any further militancy of the bubblehead contingent, was upset I outed her pal Rebecca Scott and further revealed the obvious bias of their work through the purposeful apotheosis of Clark during the leadership. Bill Good, we all know, has been produced by both Scott and Nicol and has NEVER asked Clark any hard questions ever, often lobbing softballs. He also most certainly DID NOT treat any of Clark’s leadership rivals with such soft hands and pummeled the NDP leadership candidates when on.
This is journalism? This is balanced reporting? This is cutting edge radio? Instead of holding Clark’s feet to the fire people like Scott and Nicol were offering the Premier pedicures.
If fakery and buffoonery were currency, Nicol would be a billionaire.
More of a concern, is that it speaks to media CENSORSHIP. Nicol, either far too young or far too stupid (the evidence supports that she is much of both), will now be known as one who practices shameful bias. The brutality of censorship is the death knell of any media venue–as I am still very much an NW supporter, I would hope this episode was a one off. Pity that NW couldn’t have more expanded budgets to afford real producers, who Koenigsfest tells me are “equal” to hosts in the relationship to shows done on NW.
The greatest tyranny, in fact the origin of all tyranny in any society, is when the media, infested by knaves and fools like Nicol, are incapable of maintaining the public’s trust because they are unwilling to protect the public’s right to know–YOUR right to know.
I was intent on giving the public some real perspective today on the sham that is now your government in Victoria, but apparently, this doesn’t meet with young Ms. Nicol’s want to censor opinion she finds disagreeable.
Carly Nicol is yet another reason why you must be suspect of the mainstream press. There are many such harridans that occupy positions they were clearly never good enough to carry–but for financial reasons, media venues consider them essential.
Nicol is the embodiment of the desire to be a failure to the same public trust the Bradleys, Murrows, Woodwards, Websters and Fotheringhams delivered you with dedication, care and aplomb.
Write her, and tell her what you think at: carly.nicol@corusent.com
Some of her colleagues have already spoken to me to express their sincere, although private but absolute disgust with her despicable behavior of today. I thought you might like to express your disgust to her as well. Not that I’d expect one who acts like a feral child to understand.
As for me, I remain an unapologetic, staunch contrarian and provocateur. I believe in your right to know, and you’ll continue to get it, uncensored from wherever I am. You will continue to get ‘Basi-Virk’ posts from me, and I will continue to expose the Premier (and her ready made trollops in the media) for the scurrilous lies she has told you.
Oh, and by the way, in case you haven’t heard, guess who will be on as super special guest tomorrow morning, featured prominently by Bill Good?
Premier Christy Clark.
Starting to get the picture?
If CKNW does nothing to address this they will be forever known as the BC Liberal’s farm team.
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I think that’s a forgone conclusion since the triumvirate of Baldrey, Palmer and Good, every Friday, is nothing more than a servicing to Clark. It’s offensive. Where are their scruples? Clark is deep sixing the investigation of how the Basi-Virk legal fees were arrived at and they sit on their thumbs and talk about other, much lesser matters.
Your liberty is being eroded.
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http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2evosR6mrs/TYLvoxjopBI/AAAAAAAAAx8/WWEctMbxZgc/s1600/carlys-tantrum.jpg
David in North Burnaby is at it again. LOL
http://davidinnorthburnablog.blogspot.com/
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Here we are again.
I have a poster on my door .
It’s about September 28th. The International Right to Know Day.
The right to know what our governments are doing, both good and when it’s not so good.
The right to know without political interference.
Spent my entire life believing in this.
The mainstream media seems to have been muzzled big time.
By whom?
As someone who has had family members die for this country, and come back wounded for this county I believe we HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW!
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You do–but CKNW doesn’t care. They have some great hosts who have done super work, but as long as they allow that lazy, biased, buffoon on every morning, it’s the Christy Clark Promo everyday.
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Did I miss this somewhere on your blog? Carly Nicol is no longer working at CKNW. Liza Yuzda is taking over for her.
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Yes, Witchy Poo has gone to the PR business…where bullshit is high currency and conniving is key.
She’ll do well.
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I don’t get it. Was she fired? Did she quit? Was she pressured to leave by CKNW brass? The timing of it all appears it had something to do with Carly canceling you from the show.
PR business? Working for Christy Clark.
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Nicol was not fired but had given notice that she was leaving. This was prior to censoring me. She’s gone to a PR firm. This is all the information I have at this point.
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Still no reply from the ‘good’ folks at CKNW. (I’m not holding my breath!)
Alex, could you please comment on the editorial in the Sun the other day, “One issue left to close BC Rail case–who pays legal bills?” It’s worrisome, to say the least.
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I saw it but not much to say on the Sun’s editorial. They are deep in the tank for the Clark camp and nothing about the BC Rail scandal has ever much resonated with them.
Don’t forget, they have often been co-sponsors with CN or the Webster Awards….’nough said.
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Dont these prople know how facism starts. Time for a history lesson for Miss carly. Who the HELL does she think she is?
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The funny part is that NW have circled the wagons and instead of apologizing early and often to avoid what they’ve now contended with, they’re currently consulting lawyers even though they routinely allow Bill Good to slander me on air. It’s absolutely tragic.
And ridiculous. They allow for censorship and yet I’m the villain??? Incredible…
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Consulting lawyers – hah. A veiled threat. They would not dare go into court as plaintiffs on a libel action to defend defective journalism and biased commentary. They would be asked to reveal revenues from the the government and its agencies for whom they pander. Good, Palmer and Baldry would be asked to explain who has been paying lecture and appearance fees and getting kid glove treatment.
If NW is accused of bias, they would have to be free of bias to defend themselves. Truth is after all the ultimate defense, which is why they have to simply take the lumps that they deserve.
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I don’t know if it is worth a try or not but here goes.
This stations silence on this issue and failure to address allegations of, political bias, and appearance of political conflict of interest, and possible journalistic violation of ethical principles is well deserving of an investigation.
If you agree join me in asking these award winning journalists to investigate this story and the rot that is permeating our air waves and the ‘journalism’ that is undermining our society and the public interest.
http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/content/contact/
Mailing Address:
the fifth estate
PO Box 500, Stn.’A’
Toronto, Ontario
M5W 1E6
Telephone: 416-205-6663
Fax: (416) 205-6668
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CKNW is not silent on this issue. They’ve apparently decided to circle the wagons. I am the target of a probable lawsuit and they have totally changed the reason for my cancellation.
Cover up? You be the judge. I know what Sara told me was the reason Nicol cancelled my appearance, but now Programming Manager Ian Koenigsfest is telling my readers that are calling in that “it’s gone to legal” and that my “language” in this post is, FOR HIM, “inappropriate.”
This from a guy who routinely allows Bill Good to slander me on an almost weekly basis on air.
So, to recap, if I were insignificant, would Palmer and Good have mocked me on air again this morning? Why wouldn’t Koenigsfest, instead of hiding behind his lawyers, not simply pick up the phone and apologize properly and end the issue?
We’re going to find out. So expect that this story will continue next week.
But I have more evidence that I and others may have deceived ourselves…the bias in favour of Christy Clark was much higher up than Nicol.
Stay tuned. If they want a war, I’m happy to provide one. But they shouldn’t complain when they lose–they drew first blood.
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Ian Koenigsfest is not a (EDITED). He’s a corporate shell of a once proud broadcaster (Editor: Opinion). Anybody with decency and two molecules resembling a brain would have apologized, killed the issue, and moved on.
I know you hold Plasteras and Koenigsfest in high regard, but I have a friend who is a former NW broadcaster who would tell you they’re slimy, deceitful and two-faced (EDITOR: Opinion).
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Well, that’s never been my experience with Ian or Tom–particularly Tom. But Ian’s performance on this issue is, in my opinion, shameful. HE failed the listening public of CKNW on several key fronts that many of you have pointed out.
If some people went too far, well, that’s unfortunate. I have a loyal following and if they didn’t know that before, they do now. But I guess they’re prepared to extend that. So be it.
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Fwiw, both are routinely vilified on the radio boards. Thing is, Alex, NW has been headed down the dumper for quite some time. If the people in charge aren’t culpable, who are?
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@ Bewley
Interesting idea of yours to make “5th” aware of this situataion. I am going to contact them as well, but I am going to characterize the metastasis as being more agressive. I am going to suggest that the multi-media collusion began prior to the Olympics, partially to cultivate and preserve the desired image of the games, and just stayed in place thereafter to be deployed where convenient. (I consider the mysterious demise of CFUN to be a casualty in all of this as well, btw.)
As an American, I am reminded of “The Patriot Act” and other such post 9/11 policy and legislation that was put in place to address an ostensibly temporary need, but stayed in practice permanently because it so effectively serves those who want control (both parties).
This needs to be nipped in the bud.
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@Fonzo
2nded. Great post.
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I think the guru’s at NW are suffering blog shock and don’t know what to do – so when the chips are down threaten a lawsuit. Campbell & Co. have pulled this stunt many a time.
I have done the following, I phoned London Drugs and said that due to the fact that you advertise on NW, I will not patronize your business because the radio station censors guest if they do not have a Liberal viewpoint..
Simple and effective, though I doubt they will miss my patronage, but I would wager that a phone call has been made to NW’s corporate headquarters. Feeling somewhat empowered, I phone two other advertisers and said the same thing. Oh its is so nice to be miserable.
The only way the ’98 chaps and chappets will listen to their customers is to hit them in the wallet.
Alas, I will never be invited as guest again on NW, oh boo hoo, boo hoo.
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“I phoned London Drugs and said that due to the fact that you advertise on NW, I will not patronize your business … I phoned two other advertisers and said the same thing.”
Good on you. That’s exactly what we all need to do, EE.
” … though I doubt they will miss my patronage … ”
Well, the maxim is ‘you lose your customers one at a time’, isn’t it? Successful outfits like LD have learned they need to be pretty sensitive about stuff. And you are unlikely to have been the only one to call/email etc about this. LD are smart enuff to count each one as representing (X according to their market research) and consider accordingly.
Let’s remember radio in general isn’t exactly King of Media these days either; there are other options and specifically, NW’s ratings have not been quite so stellar for a while now.
” … but I would wager that a phone call has been made to NW’s corporate headquarters.”
I would consider that a safe bet imho.
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http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/articles/diversity/bias_racial_media.cfm
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“This from a guy who routinely allows Bill Good to slander me on an almost weekly basis on air”
I’d expect you have audio clips of this too =P
I don’t get what they so badly need to defend if they are willing to go as far as seek legal opinions.. Honestly there is nothing and nobody to defend.
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I now have THREE legal opinions: There is nothing actionable in my post. Now, some of your comments may be salty, but actionable? From anonymous posters?
Let them prove injury. It’s just gone so beyond ridiculous, I can’t find the words to describe it. They completely screwed up and left me twisting, and it’s my fault the tens of thousands in the ‘Alex Armada’ feel so put off?
Laughable…
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It is time for a new “hard hitting” talk radio station to become competiton to NW. The “loyal listeners” of NW are not being served well. CJOR in the 1960′s & 1970′s was a good station…not sure why they chose not to improve and take over NW. Now we are left with drivel coming from the hosts. I am tuning out…so long NW. Too bad that I have to tune in to American stations to hear what talk radio is suppose to represent….I will try 790 to try to restimulate my brain that is being numbed by NW’s boring anchor talk show host & censorship.
I long for the days when censorship did not dictate the topics discussed on talk radio. The late Pat Burns of CJOR would always introduce his open line segment by stating that listeners could discuss “any topic under the sun where there are no false gods or sacred cows”.
Obviously, this lack of censorship (within reason….Pat got into trouble by not censoring himself towards the end of his career) supported CJOR’s “hard hitting” moniker.
Is Vancouver too small of a market to have two talk radio shows…or atleast to have one that has integrity?
As a side note:
Jim Nielsen was News Director for CFAX and CFUN in the 1960′s, and a talk show host with CJOR in the 1970′s prior to entering politcs (ran for the Progressive Conservites in the 1974 Federal election, and was asked by Bill Bennett to run in the 1975 election for Social Credit).
He then did a two year stint (?) as a talk show host for another Vancouver radio station (Dave Abbott was the anchor host for this station – both Jim and Dave worked at CJOR in the 1970′s), but the station had the same silly format as CJOR did with Rafe Mair – a terrible mixture of Tony Bennett et al (no insult intended) and talk radio…does not attract the proper listeners to make talk radio successful. He served as a Councillor in Peachland until he moved back to the Lower Mainland in 2008. He continues to write a newspaper column for a Kelowna paper.
Media to politician to media to politician to media.
John Reynolds was a Member of Parliament prior to replacing Jim Nielsen at CJOR prior to becoming a MLA for Social Credit.
Politician to media to politician.
Christy Clark – political hack to politician to media to politician.
In the end, it does not matter what job a person had prior to becoming a politician. Integrity, ethics, the ability to make decisions, and most importantly, telling the truth should be requirements of being a politican. Somehow this just does not matter to so many people…such as those who supported Christy and VanderZalm to become Premiers. I need to find a pair of those rose coloured glasses….
Maybe a new station will come along and have someone like yourself as a talk show host…the discussions would be lively and entertaining.
In general, I enjoy reading the blogs such as yours as well as the “lefty” Tyee etc. I am not a “right wing” nut case, and want to read the many viewpoints of various people. I prefer to read about common sense solutions. I do not want to feel like I am reading just a far “right” or “left” wing blog. BC is a centrist province. I grew up in a “Socred” family with a grandfather supporting the NDP, and now live in Poco with Farnsworth as MLA – a nice guy worth considering supporting instead of blindly supporting a Party with a proven liar as Premier. too many people have their head in the sand.
It is time for the people with common sense to get involved in politcs to support a Party that actually can appeal to the soft Liberal and soft NDP voters. The BC Conservative scare me because they seem to be controlled by the religious zealots like the Reform Party was. Keep the religion in the church. Bill VanderZalm once said that his church was first, and then his family. He let his religious views influence how he governed. Not sure about John Cummings or Stockwell Day if they considered getting involved with the BC Conservatives. Time will only tell…. Where does one turn to support?
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Already in talks. CKNW made a MAJOR mistake the other day. They’ve been keeping me on ice for some time, and now they know I won’t go back after what they allowed to happen, so to discredit me in case I go elsewhere, they will sue. Very pedestrian. There is NOTHING libelous in what I wrote. Invective is not actionable unless it’s attached to a falsehood. Everything I wrote in that post is 100% true.
But now they want to extend the story? Okay by me.
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“But now they want to extend the story? Okay by me.”
Yes, lawyering up and making the stench rise higher, brilliant, just brilliant.
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Morning Alex,i phoned into the Bill Good show.
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Yes, I was told so by another reader. I was on the phone long distance. But there is really no point, I’m done with NW. They have shown breathtaking bias. And now they’re trying to cover up. Absurd.
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Heard your call Jack,
Sorry to hear you treated like that. It seemed as if you got cut off ? Good (no pun intended) for you, in your attempt to try and get an answer from CKNW.
Were you able to hear his comments to you? I believe it was between
10: 30 to 10:35…just in case anyone else would like to hear it.
I turned the radio OFF after that.. it was NW’s last chance for redemption for me… we need another radio option…an unbiased choice.
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Wait, on it’s way…
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“Apparently, Ms. Nicol, uninterested in fair comment or real journalism, stormed in to see Sara…”
Why only an apparently?
You question Simi’s honesty?
Just curious for more details as I would be should the station have stated disturbing comments about you publicly.
It does seem strange to me that a veteran such as Sara would word things to you in such a way as to possibly have her colleague’s credibility shattered and maybe even end up being fired.
Congrat’s on breaking your comments record!
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No, you misread my use of the word. Sara is as honest as the day is long. She wouldn’t lie. That’s what Nicol told her but now Koeigsfest is telling people otherwise. It’s painfully obvious what they are trying to do. Sara was clear: Nicol was NOT goign to work the show because of my comments related to Rebecca Scott moving to Christy Clark. My general sentiments about Clark being unfit to serve were also something Nicol noted to colleagues. I guess an outgoing employee is giving us a glimpse of what transpires in the Black Tower.
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Is Christy Clark CKNW’s “sacred cow” as demonstrated by the censorship of the Producers? Pat Burns is rolling in his grave.
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At this point, Pay is a gold medal gymnast!
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Typical of a bully SLAP lawsuits can actually be an efective means of silencing critics and other like minded folk, but I doubt it will work here. I think these tactics are shameless, and really show everyone what type of “monster” these types are.
Posters / Commentors don’t be afraid of these ilk that wish to silence your freedom of expression, that then have the audacity to dare to pretend to be its champions.
Attacks on the public and the blogosphere are short sighted and will prove to be their self inflicted undoing.
Keep it up “Monster” you’re fangs and rabid disregard for the public interest are now in full view!
(I have seen the bully and it is the “Monster”)
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I sensed this a while back when Rafe got turfed from NW…..there really was no-one to fill the void.
Rafe would take an issue into the back alley and beat the crap out it.
IMHO, what happened was a backroom orchestration, to embarrass Alex….leave him twisting and baiting a response…with the “our lawyers are looking into it “.
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Just heard Bill Good say he had learned yesterday about somebody who had claimed to send him six or seven e-mails and was complaining about not receiving a response. Sound familiar?
It seems he never saw them. Sounds like his producer censors his e-mail. Wonder if she censors his guest list too? Naaaw, that would never happen at ‘NW. Would it……?
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He received at least one that was copied to both Vaughn Palmer and Keith Baldrey. They both replied to me privately about it without mentioning Bill’s feud with me, instead focusing on their reasons for feeling I was wrong on BC Rail.
The others were sent directly to him. All the others were sent to his NW address. And yes, I believe he may have been shielded from seeing them. Bill’s not a liar. In a bubble, too abrasive on air with people who disagree with him, and soft of Christy–absolutely.
Rebecca Scott and Carly Nicol are linguine liberals who never liked me. I wouldn’t be surprised at all at that kind of unprofessionalism.
It doesn’t matter. Mike Savage, Rush Limbaugh, Rafe Mair, they all have similar stories to tell of their early days dealing with difficult people that want gentle opinions. How can these people expect gentle opinions when the public is getting so violently screwed by people they defend, like Clark and Campbell???
Craziness…
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Craziness. Rush Limbaugh wouldn’t last several days in BC politics.
But interesting observation:
Many people here rag on the MSM to the point they hate the MSM and don’t care what they think on issues, and yet they still listen and/or watch.
Comes down to “I like them when I agree with them, but hate them when I disagree with them”.
Personally I don’t like what CKNW has become, compared to what they used to be (something to listen to), but still listen to get one viewpoint, read Pravda (the Province) to get another, the Scum (Sun)
for another, etc, but rarely read the Mop and Pail. Did read the Times Communist (Times Colonist) for Island stories, but rarely do unless it has something worthwhile.
What some people forget is that media (including bloggers) respond to what they see.
in fact some reporters are bloggers, but not all bloggers are reporters.
Some bloggers are great at observing (such as AT) here, others are bent to the left (such as Tieleman, who still hasn’t covered anything of merit on the NDP leadership despite being in there).
Depends on what turns your crank.
The Tyee used to be good, but it has become far more left wing than SFU’s The Peak. It’s mostly left wing junk opinion perpetuated by a core group of 6 or so.
At least with AT, there’s intellgient opinion, much of it thought out, and
the detail of ATs observations are well worth a click in to see what he is up to next (and who is cowering under the desk, shaking in fear)
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Vaughn Palmer’s article today.
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Liberals+have+outside+expert+review+controversial+Rail+policy/4462659/story.html#ixzz1GyfiGu00
My viewpoint on the matter:
The BCLP has done an ‘appearance’ of an about face for an inquiry of the policy that allowed for $6 million in legal fees to be paid for Basi and Virk by calling for a “review.” A “review” as to how the policy in question ‘evolved’ to the point where two people working for the government could plead guilty and STILL have their legal fees paid IS not enough.
This issue isn’t solely about the evolution of such a policy that has apparently evolved beyond its written parameters which has brought about this sudden about face on the matter. Rather, this issue for many in BC is about GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION and ABUSE OF POWER!
This call for a “review” is deflection at best.
If the BCLP thinks that everyone is going to forget that the likes of Garry Collins and even Campbell himself had the potential to be called to testify and that an abrupt halt to the trial in question was nothing more than a confusion in the application of the government policy in question here, then they really think the voters have no grey matter between their ears.
Arrogance, compounded on top of more arrogance. There is no end.
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How can this policy have “evolved” to its present form. There is only one case of the BC Government paying millions for the defense of guilty defendants. It was the Basi/Virk case. Do not forget the government had security for a large amount of the legal fee payments and could have acted on that collateral.
Of course, they had non-financial reasons to see this case ended and it took $6 million and an almost unrestricted non-custodial sentence to achieve. Slap on the wrist and a pile of cash or take your chances. Did Basi and Virk have any choice but to take the deal? No one would have failed to do what they did.
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so here is a question, and there was a great deal of discussion regarding the issue…on NW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlgZRcBcLCQ
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Alex,
First let me know where I can donate to your legal defence fund. Second I assume if this lawsuit goes ahead they will be seeking a publication ban on any and all evidence and testimony.
Take care and good luck.
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Alex, hang in there my friend!.
I have a feeling they are just wanting this to go away and threatening lawsuits is a bluff they will try. The problem for them is this is all attracting a lot of negative responses to them and so it should. They really are in a precarious position at the moment, their legal team surprises me, to even go this direction for them is suicide. To attack you after asking you to appear is the height of stupidity.
When Christy was voted by her party to lead i said to my wife,” I am worried for Alex” but really upon reflection I am not as it is well documented all that has happened and this new development was a given. This has Christy and family written all over it and so in that light i can almost guarantee you will win this bluff, it is too far reaching for them to want to push too hard.
You have only relayed to the public that which they all chose to hide and to push you they run the risk of exposing that in it’s entirety something they would be nuts to do.
My respect goes out to you Alex, they are afraid and this is the poor way they have chosen to deal with it. In my opinion they couldn’t have made a worse decision but that is for them to live with. I and many are behind you Alex so if push comes to shove we’ve got your back.
CKNW must be put on notice of this!
Don
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Well, I’d just like to say thanks for the recommendation. Not. Ooh Simi Sara, Simi Sara, its like I’m on her fan site sometimes.
The last time I tuned Simi out she was pulling cotton wool out her ears in defense of the cult of multiculti. Today I just manage to endure what seemed like a full hour of Simi giving John Horgan an on-air tongue bath.
Not exactly Webster, didn’t put me in mind of Warren.
So let’s see, I can listen to Pratt and Taylor carrying on like a pair of dirty-minded 12 year olds …
CKWX, here I come!
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The rumble we hear across BC is growing and becoming louder. People are awakening from their slumber and we will not tolerate the lame spin doctor’s deflection anymore. Pandora’s box has been opened and behold Alex’s army on the move. It’s not about right and left anymore but about right and wrong.
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Alex,
I didn’t listen to CKNW before. After reading your post, it turns out that I’m not going to start listening now… or ever. Plus…after seeing that picture of Christy Clark, Carly Nicol and that guy that looks like Joel Solomon (Robbie above posted the link) it’s clear were the orders came from, or even more terrifying, for the impartiality of the press, if that act was pure ass kissing and ballet.
‘Hey Gals! Keeping that feet of yours, graciously in front, doesn’t make you taller or sexier. You have to be in bikinis in order to work for you. Hellloooo ! Brrrrrrrrr…
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Alex,
I see by the response count, at the top of the comments section, that it is up to 337 and counting.
I would be willing to guess this is coming up on a record of responses, and well it should be.
Kudos to all here that have kept the fight up; CENSORSHIP has no place in our society. Too many have died to secure the right for free speech. This cannot be overlooked.
Alex, any updates re: NW?
Keep the faith, we are behind you.
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Hi James:
It has shattered all previous records for comments and readership.
Haven’t heard from anyone at NW except friends who are completely appalled by their employers actions. Nicol and Scott were tolerated, barely, by the first team. Not a ton of unity there. But I must say how hurt I am by their position. I stayed quiet and steadfast at their request(s). I was perfectly willing to go on and do the job I will know do elsewhere.
But for a senior manager to try to spin my reasons for appearing by rewriting how Nicol committed to censorship is beyond the pale.
I certainly appreciate the support. Thank you very much.
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The guy in the pink is Dave Texeira from Port Coquitlam. He was involved in her campaign as a techy…also worked with her on the anti-bullying campaign…and developed & managed her CKNW website…and a huge cheerleader for Christy. He worked for Harry Bloy in his constituency — the only MLA to have supported Christy.
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And the other shoe drops…incredible that NW can still deny bias.
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Maybe it has been discussed here before…Could the $6 million paid in legal fees to Basi and Virk be considered taxable income?
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No. It is not taxable.
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I think in ordinary circumstances it would be taxable income. Any employer who pays legal fees on behalf of an employee that are unrelated to the employee’s legal conduct of duties has vested a taxable benefit in the employee’s hands.
You can bet that the plea agreement had a clause that protected Basi and Virk from income tax in the event Canada Revenue Agency deems it a personal benefit. It is not possible to argue that committing illegal acts is a requirement of employment. Therefore, the employee’s failed defence cannot be for a business purpose .
Also, CRA can go after Basi for tax and penalties on the received bribes if he did not declare the income. As a contractor, he would have been required to remit GST on the bribe too. If CRA has not caused the men difficulty, a deal has been worked out between federal and provincial government.
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My wife receives a municipal pension. Her pension plan includes a provision that pays her medical plan premiums. That amount is considered a taxable benefit.
How the hell can the CRA go after a pensioner because the employer pays her medical plan premiums, and at the same time let another employer pay millions in lawyer’s fees on behalf of a convicted criminal with no tax implications?
I’d like those who don’t think the fees are a taxable benefit to point to the specific exemption in legislation that allows this.
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Alex:
Well it looks like Christy played the two of clubs and Vaughan Palmer the sycophant that he is agrees…
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opinion+Liberals+have+outside+expert+review+controversial+Rail+policy/4461248/story.html
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Two of clubs, now thats just too funny.
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Thought I would even up your response numbers to 350. I have been lurking for some time but have until now not been moved to post. There are so many of us out here that think there is something so wrong with politics these days and feel so helpless to do anything about it. The rich just keep getting richer and the criminals just keep getting away with their crimes and profitting by them. We were brought up to be honest and do the right thing and this is just sickening. How stupid are we?? The guy down the street is taken away in handcuffs for having a grow op and now he is home driving a Hummer. Nothing happens to these people!! That is why the BC Rail deal is so wrong. I appreciate all the information you give us. Now if we could only do something about it. Maybe CKNW gets far too much government advertising to be UNBIASED. It would be interesting to find out just how much they get from government. Thanks for your hard work.
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I don’t even know what to say. I am so fed up with media pollution. I can’t read them, listen to them nor watch them anymore.
What cowards they are. They censored you out of fear, you are too tough of an opponent for them. They used an underhanded tactic, that is so familiar with the BC Liberals. Run, duck and hide. Shame on the media.
Out of curiosity. What happens to the media, when the BC Liberals are out on their butt’s? You have done A-1 job, for the BC people, Alex, and they hate you for that. I say to hell with their threats. All they have to go on, are their lies. We have all heard their b.sing bias. Just remember, they HAVE to lie, you don’t.
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Thank you Granny.
I expect they’ll go on full attack against them.
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Alex
Below is your statement from this post, I know you are an intelligent man, and have probably gotten a legal opinion before posting. I trust what you have written.
BUT I WAS BLATANTLY LIED TO BY IAN KOENIGSFEST, when we spoke Friday March 18 2011.
I was given two very different reasons, for CKNW not allowing you on air, Ian further tried to discredit you, he then chastised me in the process, for raising my voice.
For confidentiality reasons I won’t expose them here Ian, but we are both well aware of what you said.
Trust me Ian, I have a passionate voice and I expect to be heard and not LIED to, by you, the condescending Program Manager, on behalf of CKNW.
What you stated to me Ian was very disingenuous, it leads me to question everything I hear on your radio station (CKNW).
I deserve a written apology, just as I believe Alex and his daughter Gina, deserve a very public apology from CKNW.
I have made it very clear to Ian Koenigsfest that I intend to follow up with both the Corus Corporate Office, CRTC, and will forward my letter of complaint to all advertisers of CKNW.
Shame on CKNW for the biased stance they have taken. As a voting citizen in British Columbia, I have a right to hear both sides of an issue, not just what your program staff decides they want me to hear.
Thank you for posting Alex.
**I also received a phone call from Ian Koenigsfest, the Program Manager for CKNW, who apologized for the fact that I was missing Gina’s conference and the way I was treated. Again, unnecessary, as Koenigsfest and I get along very well. But this is the second time NW have had to apologize to me, as Tom Plasteras (who is also first class, like Koenigsfest), the Programming Head, called once not long ago to apologize for Bill Good taking successive runs at me on air **
What or WHO changed your mind Ian?
An even bigger question is WHY?
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Good (yuk) call, Norm Farrell! This is getting weirder and weirder (“i before except after c” – what about ‘weight’?) with apologies to Alice whats-her-name.
Just had to get my two-bits in and add to Alex’s biggest comment section. I’ll bet that before the dust settles there will be a bigger one to come.
I’d be VERY interested to see how the Dept. of Revenue handles this one. Tax on $6 million is a sizeable amount. Lucky the HST wasn’t in effect then.
This Blog is better than an alarm clock in getting me out of bed in the morning!
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Alex:
I thought that your readers would appreciate the following definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_republic
As I see it, the only difference between the current political culture in BC and a banana republic in Latin America is that BC is not dependent upon its agricultural resources. Rather and as was noted by the Canadian economist Harold Innis in his book the Fur Trade in Canada, Canada and hence BC is dependent on its natural resources and as such, we are hewers of wood and drawers of water.
By the way, Innis was also the greatest political economist of the 20th century…read his book Empire and Communications…where he linked advances in communication technology to the creation of new empires…including the American Empire…for which he coined the term.
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You are one informed hombre, amigo…
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Alex,
Did you hear what Sean Leslie said about you? It was between 3:30 and 4:00 on Saturday afternoon. He had Aleese Mills on and a caller got through to ask why CKNW censored you. Sean wouldn’t go into details except to say and I quote, “Alex said some real jerky things.” Wouldn’t go beyond that.
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Yes, I was told about it but can’t be bothered to go beyond that and listen to something so inarticulate as to describe my accurate words about former NW producers Scott and Nicol. Interesting that this is yet a THIRD explanation for being censored, which in and of itself tells you everything you need to know. But it’s unfortunate, Sean, who was simply being a company man, is their finest host and a super guy. I shall miss being on his program, but he’ll always be welcome on mine…
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I heard that call to Sean Leslie’s show yesterday, Alex. I changed stations immediately after Leslie commented. That was the last time I will listen to Leslie.
In the past, I have thought he was reasonably open minded and fair – but his ugly display of corporate CYA regarding you was the last straw. I hope he, and Bill Boring and the three stooges, are all “house-cleaned” really soon –but, only because I do not always get good reception to non-Vancouver stations.
I must take exception to your comment that “Sean, who was simply being a company man, is their finest host and a super guy.” Yesterday, Leslie was a sleazy CYA “company man” and ,in the past, he may well have been their finest host, and may have been, in the past, a super guy. Fine hosts and super guys don’t stab anyone in the back, as Leslie did to you, Alex.
Leslie could have simply said, “I do not agree with you caller, but you are entitled to express your opinion.” But all he did was to imply that you are a jerk; i.e., someone who says “jerky” things.
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As I have done from the beginning of this mess, vitriol aside–post insult, I’m taking the high road. I enjoyed my days at NW and will always wish them well.
We will now compete soon enough and they well very much regret their censorship of my reasoned and balanced opinions.
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Well, Leslie had a schmoozefest this afternoon with David Schreck, again, no hard hitting questions, no challenges to Schreck’s assertions….that’s what talk radio used to be about, thrust and parry.
Today, it just seems like nothing more than a press release, with the host prompting the next point, and kissing the ring of the guest….
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Soooooo, I’m checking all the online news and editorial websites, as is my habit to do every morning, (if only to temper my morning optimism with an overwhelming sense of foreboding after actually digesting the “news of the day”), when this thought struck me:
Alex Tsakumis does NOT have enough to do and really should develop a daily news and op-ed, online Left Coast Canadian website. Of course this would involve contributing participants, much editing, advertising, staff, techno-weenies, researchers and gawd only knows what else.
The overall “Theme” would remain: Bare-knuckled TRUTH, the exposure of posers and the spotlight on “The Good Guys”.
Sort of a “Tyee” only with objectivity and integrity.
j
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Well, I’m in the middle of much discussion with some folks, that’s been goin on for almost ten months. The NW nonsense sealed it last week, so you’ll see something coming, question is how soon…
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I, for one, am willing to wait. Integrity is always worth the wait.
j
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Thank you, Sir.
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Two items from my end:
1) For some strange reason, CKNW’s Facebook page still has “negative” comments on it regarding this whole fiasso. And their mods have been on the page since and have NOT deleted it. Have they actually learned, or are they trying to get more ammunition in their pea shooter?
2) I was at the Whitecaps game Saturday afternoon, when one Christy Clark was introduced to the crowd, and 30,000 soccer fanatics booed her (and then followed up by giving Steve Nash the loudest cheer of the match)! It says something when 30,000 people who were cheering EVERYTHING would boo you like that.
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She was also taunted by no shortage of fans who kept yelling “LIAR!”
But she’s a soccer/hockey Mom…just watch, it’s already started to unravel.
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“Christy Clark was introduced to the crowd, and 30,000 soccer fanatics booed her …”
Golly, I haven’t heard a word about this in the antique media. I can’t imagine why.
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Yes, funny that. Every one of my pals who attended the game had the same reaction. The boos were so loud and widespread against Christy that many of those i knew in attendance were surprises the media never picked up on it.
But we know better around here…
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What I find shamefull is the total lack of integrity shown by the MSM. I went to The Sun and The Province online sights and typed in the search “Stories on the NDP leadership race” and MOST of the results I got back were stories on Christy Clark. Alex – if I remember correctly – you are going to do an article on the NDP leadership race. I would really appreciate that because as an NDP supporter I CANNOT get any articles on this story anywhere in the MSN. It is disgracefull that the official opposition is denied any air or print time to let voters know what they have to say. Actually the province had more stories on the BC Conservatives than they did on the official opposition. Well I look forward to your article on the race as site’s like yours is the only place they can get any coverage. Keep up the good work.
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It is an outrageous disgrace that the three people who have talked more about substantive policy making than ANY of the candidates for both parties–Farnworth, Horgan and Dix, are ignored.
The MSM just continue to sink. Oops, I missed a ‘t’ in that last word…
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Strangely, Gary Mason writes in the Globe and Mail that he cannot understand why the NDP candidates have failed to gain the interest of the public..
I suspect that was an inside joke, directed at his colleagues.
No other possible explanation unless he too has come down with dementia praecox.
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Mason is quite serious about it. He has lamented to many of how the number of those willing to hold the government’s feet to the fire are dwindling.
I agree with him. And tomorrow afternoon, at least on the Basi-Virk file, I’ll show you why.
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I think it might be just that the NDP doesn’t look as newsworthy (read “sexy” news) as they would like to be perceived. The people who threw James overboard thought it was her but maybe they will have to do some soul searching to find out the real reason.
Frankly I think they made a big mistake giving Carol James the silver bullet but what do I know.
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They truly made a huge mistake. James would still be ahead in the polls.
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Letter to the editor in The Province today asking to give CC a “break” cuz she’s new in the job.
Written by someone who worked on her leadership campaign (per Facebook).
I don’t think taxpayers should have to pay for an apprentice in the Premier’s seat.
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This we have come to expect.
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I feel your pain AGT….I got the same feeling when Christy Clark banned me from the airwaves for making her retract on air for fibbing on BC Ferries..
And the stooges for banning me from the cutting ledge show (with the help of Nick O on the controls)…
I scared the hell out of them in 60 second sound bites, they can`t take 20 minutes of Tsakumis mud bringing down a premier…
They got to everyone there Alex….John McComb is the only one left who plays fair(and Simi)…
Sad days for radio
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Oh, I would say that Bennett, Leslie and Smyth still ring the bell on the Premier’s truthiness on a regular basis.
The problem is that their first show, with Bill, is generally such bad programming and such a shameless echo chamber for the Clark government, that words can’t describe the frustration any fair minded individual would feel. He’s just toxic, particularly when he’s challenged. It’s quite ridiculous.
It is indeed sad days for radio. For now…
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Yes….for now; we are all waiting for you to hit the airwaves, Alex…….
Soon, I hope…..
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Just listened to your interview on CJNL…I’m glad to see that at least one media syndicate picked up the story.
Just make sure to turn off your phone the next time you do an interview, or get a cooler ringtone!
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Ha! Funny that. Forgot to turn the ringer off.
It was great to be on with Jim Harrison, a consummate professional and gentleman.
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The Liberals sure have their leash nice and tight around the Vancouver Sun’s neck…
Mention in the comments of a story about a picture of Mike De Jong flipping the finger to the photographer, and a couple of days later the picture will not load with the article. I notice someone else commented that he looked like the devil in the picture (which he does on closer inspection).
I no longer have any faith in the mainstream media to report the story without any bias, or allow their readers to comment WITHOUT CENSORSHIP.
Thank god for the Internet, so voices like you, Rafe et al can comment and report on the real story without having it reduced to pablum by the mainstreamers. I shudder to think of how screwed we’d be if we depended solely on the Sun, Province and CKN-double-EWWWW for objective, unbiased reporting on the real issues and corruption surrounding government.
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The Sun did the same thing when I published the picture of Mark Marissen and Erik Bornmann. Within an hour it was down, but I saved it.
I’ll dig for the DeJong pic. I have software that can draw it out if it’s hidden.
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I had a similar situation yesterday with the Sun, a story was posted with a photo regarding a liberal candidate from Maple Ridge…I minimized it and when I came back a few moments later it was erased from the internet…
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Lots of that happening with the Sun lately…
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Sorry, I failed to mention the story was in reference to an old DUI charge..
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No problem.
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Whenever I read the comments section on the Sun or Province website, there’s always a few comments that say “This comment was left by a user who has been blocked by our staff.” Is it because this person is a legitimate nuisance who has violated the “terms of usage”, or a thorn in their side of the Sun who tells the truth on what’s happening in the BC and makes the MSM look silly?
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Don’t ask…LOL!
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re: “This comment was left by a user who has been blocked by our staff.
”It’s because we’re a horn in the side of the Vancouver Sun/Province who refuse to participate in their extremist left wing doctrine. This happened to me, so I cancelled my newspaper subscription with them. Something I had for 14 years.
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I just couldn’t resist being number 400!
The next couple of weeks sound pretty exciting too.
Think Alex has any more BC Rail stuff up his sleave? I certainly hope so.
When do Basi and Virk start collecting their taxpayer funded pensions?
How much are they?
Did they ever pay income tax on their $6 million ‘employee benefit’?
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It’s already been paid and non-taxable.
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Hi again, Alex.
My compadres and I experienced the same thing with the Georgia Straight. I know you’re asking what the hell are you doing there at that piece of a shitrag. On a lark, we tested their limits of tolerance for opinions other than the right-bashing, leftard shit that normally permeates that “publication”. Turns out Charlie Smith has little tolerance for it and he promptly held back one of our posts until one of us, who was a minority called out the bastard and said that if he was withholding the post it was only because it was written by a minority. I guess that scared the shit out of him, as he promptly put the post up.
At least you Alex, have a pair to take on all comers and don’t apologize. Cajones!
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Thank you.
Yes, Charlie Smith can be utterly pathetic. He’s a die-hard left winger. All his lather about consorting with the right and left is pure bunkum.
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eliza…
funny you should mention this..I too am being censored at the Georgia Straight.
Some months ago I connected Alex’s link to a post..my post was not approved and since that time my IP address has been flagged..it doesn’t matter if I try changing my moniker..I’ve been banned..
Interesting, I thought it was just me.. good to know.
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The Georgia Straight is a far left wing rag that isn’t worth wrapping halibut with.
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Hey George and Alex. Hope you had a good long weekend.
Hi George,
My friends and I have observed the censorship habits of the Georgia Straight for some time now and Alex is right, the Straight is really nothing more than an ad-hoc dog shit scooper. As for your being banned, I think they are tracing the cookies that are left on your hard drive after your last visit to the site. If you erase all your cookies before visiting the site and it would be a pretty good idea if you actually blocked cookies from the site while you are there, you may be able to evade detection. You can find out how to do this if you Google how to erase and block cookies. They are tracing you through cookies and censoring you after recognizing you. They really make scumbags look good. I think there are privacy issues they are violating along with free speech rights.
If you still want to post something, you may have to “adjust” your words, especially if the bastard Charlie Smith is “moderating”. You can’t make certain points that will cause significant “shrinkage” (a la Seinfeld) – points or criticisms that threaten Smith’s pet issues or NDP politicians they are aiming to protect. Smith’s default is to silence you. On the other hand, you’ll notice that it’s open season on Libs and Conservatives there.
And if you still are very passionate about what you want to say and refuse to alter anything just to get past the censors, then you’ll have to figuratively punch the creeps in the face by confronting them on their censoring. Or really get in their face and ask if they are censoring because they think you are an ethnic minority, in our case.
If the creepos grudgingly allow your post, expect them to rally all their leftward dimwits to press disagree on your comment as if to make it seem wildly unpopular. It’s what they resort to when they’ve lost the battle. Also expect NDP trolls to try to verbally bully you in response to your post. There is one particular freaky guy named “Stephen” that we suspect is a political science instructor at one of the second rate community colleges and his job is to beat non-believers into a pulp with Ivy league words. We also suspect that “Stephen” is also president of an NDP riding association schlepping vigorously for the party.
If after all this you still want to post, you must feel your issue is monumentally important. If it isn’t, it just isn’t worth any of your time. The experience is a sickening one.
Hope this helps. Eliza.
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Yes, it confirms everything I already knew about the Georgia Straight and Charlie. But what do you expect from a community paper/magazine that takes sex ads, and by virtue, promotes prostitution? If someone wants to hump, they can make the effort on their own and likely don’t need to work that hard in making a connection. Why the Georgia Straight feels it should be that vessel is beyond me, but it certainly fits with the PROSTITUTED, far left wing whackjob opinions of most of its writers, particularly Smith.
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Eliza,
Thank you so much and yes this does help very much.Your explanation points out to me the fact that there are many of us that aren’t technology savvy…and it is used to manipulate the final outcome of a discussion.
Which in the spirit of the upcoming municipal election brings up another question, or observation, IMO this is a definite reason why voting should never be allowed to be done electronically.
Thank you so much for taking the time and explaining to me how to solve the problem.
On a side note I really hope your issue with the Georgia Straight wasn’t because of your identifying as an ethnic minority, that would be indeed very sad.
I grew up during the Civil Rights movement during the sixties, and listened to the fear in my Fathers voice as he talked about crawling on his belly from his place of employment to his car, trying to avoid the snipers, as martial law took over the city.
We fought for so many of these freedoms, and sadly it appears that some media are forgetting these facts…I believe that is why on this post alone, the fact that Alex was censored, has so many comments listed, and we are still discussing it all these months later.
I am very sorry this happened to you Eliza.. very sorry
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Thank you for your support George. Good luck.
And Alex, thanks for bringing up the issue of the Straight’s existence being largely attributed to the proceeds of prostitution. Who really knows whether these “dating” establishments or “hook-up” huts who are major sources of revenue for the Straight aren’t forcibly keeping vulnerable women in the trade?
I never thought I could think lower of the Georgia Straight, but yes, there’s even lower.
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It’s the reason I have always considered the Straight journalistic douchebaggery. The “live” off the avails of advertising prostitution. It’s a disgusting prospect.
If you want a hooker, by all means go right ahead, but to be reading a paper that would whore themselves like that is beyond words. And their slant is so obvious and despicable.
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When Kevin Falcon was on Bill Good’s show during leadership
race I thought I was listening to an infommercial
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You were! LOL!
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