Sunday, September 28, 2008

Vote ABC open letter to Canadian musicians - Lettre ouverte de Vote ABC aux musiciens et musiciennes du Canada

(La version français suit)


September 25, 2008

Dear Canadian musician,

I am writing to encourage you to donate your time and talent to help convince Canadians to vote for any party other than the Conservatives in the upcoming federal election. I administer one of several Facebook groups with memberships now numbering in the tens of thousands that are dedicated to “vote ABC” (Anything But Conservative). While online protests are useful, many of our members believe that the most effective way to get Canadians excited about the movement against the Tories would be to hold a large collective music concert. Such an event would not only gain widespread media attention, but would foster a sense of excitement and camaraderie amongst those who oppose the Conservatives’ social, environmental, artistic, cultural, and economic policies.

I understand that this may be a lot to ask, but I (and others who are concerned about the state of the country) lack the resources to organize and put on the concert that could stop the Harper government. We would like to ask you to use your contacts, friends, instruments, and whatever resources are at your disposal to stage a show somewhere in Canada that will attract as large an audience as possible.

Such a concert would require the donation of a great deal of time and resources; nevertheless, I (and other members of various ABC groups) believe that given the recent cuts to arts funding in Canada, such a sacrifice could actually be an investment for the future. The Prime Minister has recently stated publicly that governments should not go out of their way to support Canadian artistic talent, and unless something is done now, before the October 14th election, Mr. Harper’s vision for Canada’s future will become a reality.

Please call your friends and colleagues today. Your country needs you… and your music!

Sincerely,

Danny Jackson

P.S. Neither I nor any of the administrators of the other above mentioned Facebook groups are officially connected to the Anything But Conservative campaign run by Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams; however, we fully support Mr. Williams’s endeavor to convince Canadians not to vote for the federal Conservatives.






Jeudi, le 25 septembre, 2008

Cher musicien canadien, chère musicienne canadienne,

Je vous écris cette letter pour vous encourager de contribuer votre temps et votre talent pour aider à convaincre la population canadienne de ne pas voter pour le parti conservateur de Stephen Harper. Je suis administrateur d’un groupe Facebook dédiée à la cause ABC (À Bas les Conservateurs). Il y a plusieurs de ces groupes, et nos members sont nombreux (au dessus de dix mille). Nous voulons étendre nos protestations à l’extérieur du domaine virtuel, et nous croyons que la meilleure façon de créer de l’enthousiasme entre canadiens/canadiennes contre les conservateurs serait d’avoir un grand spectacle de musique. Cet évènement pourrait attirer l’intérêt des médias et créer un esprit d’équipe entre ceux et celles qui opposent les politiques sociales, environnementales, artistiques, culturelles, et économiques des conservateurs de Harper.

C’est une demande extraordinaire, peut-être, mais nous, n’avons pas les resources pour arrêter le gouvernement Harper sans votre aide. Nous vous demandons d’assembler vos amis, vos collègues, et vos instruments et d’organiser un spectacle au Canada pour atteindre le plus grand nombre de spectateurs possible.

Ce spectacle demanderait beaucoup de votre temps et de vos ressources, mais je croix (et mes members croient) que si vous considérez les récentes annulations de programmes culturelles et artistiques au Canada, un geste contre les conservateurs pourrait être considéré comme un bon investissement pour le futur. Le premier ministre a récemment déclaré que les gouvernements ne devraient pas se forcer pour appuyer le talent artistique canadienne. Si nous ne réagissons pas immédiatement, avant l’élection du 14 octobre, cette vision du Canada deviendra réalité.

S’il vous plaît, contactez vos amis et collègues tout de suite. Votre pays compte sur vous… et votre musique!

Veuillez agréer, Monsieur ou Madame, l’expression de mes sentiments distingués,

Danny Jackson

OH, NO, TRUST STEVE, HE'S BEEN DOING SUCH A STELLAR JOB SO FAR

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FULL TEXT
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From Saturday's Globe and Mail
September 26, 2008 at 8:17 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
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Harper: Dion ‘cheering' for a recession
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Globe and Mail Update
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FULL TEXT
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Harper accuses opponents of 'talking down' Canadian economy
The Canadian Press
September 27, 2008 at 6:01 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080927.wharper0927/BNStory/politics/home

ARTS CUTS

Country’s culture ministers want $45 million restored to arts programs print this article
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FULL TEXT
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=175449&sc=507



Artists denounce cuts
The Hamilton Spectator
BURLINGTON (Sep 27, 2008)

FULL TEXT
http://www.thespec.com/News/CanadaWorld/article/441380

GO BILL GO!

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Sun. Sep 28 - 12:51 PM

FULL TEXT
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1081644.html

YEAH, RIGHT, HE'S GOING TO HURT THE TAR SANDS

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FULL TEXT
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/election/story/4231246p-4872452c.html

NO LUCK IN THE EAST

Harper facing uphill battle in Atlantic region
By: Mia Rabson
Updated: September 27 at 08:26 AM CDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/election/story/4231667p-4872903c.html

NO COMMENT

Tory candidates tight-lipped
Sep 27, 2008 04:30 AM
Linda Diebel, Robyn Doolittle, Staff Reporters

FULL TEXT
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/507466

OH, NO, TRUST STEVE, HE'S BEEN DOING SUCH A STELLAR JOB SO FAR

Harper blasts Dion over recession talk
Stop 'talking down' economy, Prime Minister tells Liberal leader

Sep 28, 2008 04:30 AM

FULL TEXT
http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/507778



Ottawa posts much smaller budget surplus
KEVIN CARMICHAEL
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
September 26, 2008 at 8:17 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080926.welectionsurplus26/BNStory/politics/home



Harper: Dion ‘cheering' for a recession
CAMPBELL CLARK AND STEVEN CHASE
Globe and Mail Update
September 26, 2008 at 4:53 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080926.welexharper0926/BNStory/politics/home



Harper accuses opponents of 'talking down' Canadian economy
The Canadian Press
September 27, 2008 at 6:01 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080927.wharper0927/BNStory/politics/home

GG WANTS KHADR HOME...BUT NOT STEVE

Harper takes issue with report on Khadr
CAMPBELL CLARK
Globe and Mail Update
September 26, 2008 at 6:55 PM EDT

FULL TEXT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080926.welxnkhadr0926/BNStory/politics/home
 

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