A man of unusual dynamism in matters beyond his jurisdiction, Pat Binns - leader of North America's tiniest semi-sovereign almost principality - hath spake and spake thusly upon the CBC lockout:
CBC, through its radio, television and web programming, is an important part of Island life by helping Islanders tell their stories to other Islanders and to the world. From Canada Now (Compass) and Island Morning to Hockey Night In Canada, Islanders enjoy a host of CBC programs. CBC and its staff are also a valuable part of our community through their ongoing support of charitable efforts such as the Annual Turkey Drive. I call upon all parties involved in this dispute to renew their efforts to reach a timely and satisfactory resolution.For Heaven's sake, people!!! I know this was all fun and games when it started but it's no joke when the turkey drive in in peril. Watch it or he will have no other recourse but re-issue the statement with the words Island or Islander used, maybe, twelve times. More maybe.
Comments
Humblebub - August 25, 2005 7:57 PM
Awe Al, I knew it I knew it. You are homesick, eh.
Jean - August 25, 2005 8:09 PM
He didn't really say that, did he? Ohmygawd...I am surprised he didn't add that all the lost dogs and cats on the Island are suffering because they do not currently have the CBC to help them get home again. You sure as heck do not hear CFCY and CHTN waxing on about a cat that was found wandering by the side of the road.
Cyn - August 25, 2005 8:40 PM
No Jean, CFCY and CHTN do not report on lost cats but they do report on the deaths...2 to 4, 7 to 9...internment to follow in the People's Cemetary...you know the rest.
Donna - August 26, 2005 12:04 AM
Sure, I could Google this, but maybe y'all could answer this: what the hell is the annual turkey drive? And why is Pat Binns so worried about the CBC's lack of involvement in it? Do CBCers volunteer to drive truckloads of gobblers or something?
Alan - August 26, 2005 7:29 AM
Yes, that is it. CBC PEI is pretty much the only game in town in terms of independent news (no local private TV news or radio other than press release repeaters, no paper that will report fully on the government). It acts like a community radio station, the CBC as well as a sacred cow of inordinate proportions. Mr. B has also a habit of sticking his oar in in relation to CBC PEI even to the point he announced once that a vacancy in senior management should be filled by an "Islander" - a shadowy faction within the population whose activities mirror the Masons to a certain degree. And, yes, every year they organize a frozen turkey charitable collection for the food bank.
Donna - August 26, 2005 5:18 PM
Do these "Islanders" have sacred symbols and rituals like the Masons do? Can you share these secrets with those of us in the ROC? ;)
Alan - August 26, 2005 5:30 PM
Excellent inquiry. Of course they do. The conversation went over here for a while on the nature of the word Islander but there certainly trappings and indicia most notably last name and the ability to successfuly answer the question: "Who's yer faaaather?" Paternal lineage and answering specific questions properly are prized among both Islanders and Masons alike. <p>Certain allegorical mason-like rituals and imagery also approximate the strange but important relationship Islanders have with Anne of Green Gables (a story about a Nova Scotian by a person mostly resident in Ontario) and especially in their shared tradition of a confusion of fact and fiction illustrated on one side of the election by the red head's nomination as CBC PEI's "Islander of the 20th Century" in which she beat out many actual human beings. Conversely, there are far fewer fist fights when Masons get together for a friendly drink. At least those not involved with the Vatican Bank scandal of the 1980s.<p>I hope that helps, Donna.