Bread and circuses still, eh? Can we ever get beyond this? The notion of what constitutes a civil society in this country is ideologically arbitrary at best, ignorant and self-serving for the most part and repugnant, spiteful and hostile at its worst. Bloody hell.
I don't know about failing athletics... We had the most golds in Vancouver in the winter Olympics. Our women athletes are some of the best in the world. We basically supply the NHL with talent. Tons of great MMA fighters are now coming out of Canada. Look in all sports - you'll see great Canadians.
Failed athletics? Why? Because we don't win the 100m dash anymore?
I hardly think Mrs. Harper needs your pity, Russell. I also think that she would very much bristle at the term "estranged." You're an elitist punk. I hope the cuts at the Globe eventually find their way to you.
"You're an elitist punk. I hope the cuts at the Globe eventually find their way to you."
What a hateful and presumptuous comment! At least Russell Smith was expressing from real life experience and facts. You back your thoughts with nothing but opinion, no facts whatsoever. Do you know Russell Smith or his background? Is there any concrete basis when you accuses him of being an "elitist punk". If not, a person of character would at least apologize for their venom. I know you won't.
Following the logic of some of the anti-arts commenters, why should my tax dollars go to pay for roads? I don't have a car, I don't need them. If drivers want roads, they'll find a way to build and maintain them themselves. Why should my taxes go towards subsidizing ridiculously massive spectacles of dubious public worth like the Vancouver Olympics and the G8/G20 summit? Why subsidize farmers? industry? the military? If these things are worth doing, they'll pay for themselves. Same logic.
I can't understand statements that assert that art, at it's foundation, is a commodity and that monetary value is a direct reflection of worth. By that logic, the most "successful" art is the best. Celine Dion is better than Leonard Cohen. Porky's is better than Black Robe...
What's more, history is littered with examples of artists whose genius was only recognised after their death speaking to the fact that good art is visionary, but not always digestible.
@cmoker99 Any canadian tax money put into arts in an investment, Not a waste. The arts bring in huge tax revenue. It's even better when it's Canadian Artists. Then you get their income taxes too instead of giving our money to Visiting artists.
I wonder if all these arena's built with tax monies could finacially survive without the arts filling seats.
I am an artist, singer and a writer, too. What I and Harper don't want is "the arts" to be subject to public funding. If some "art" is truly worth anything, let it stand for itself and it can fund itself. If it isn't worth anything and it can't be of any value to anyone else, then it should be relegated to the trash bin where it belongs. If I was a bad singer, do I still have the right to public funding? If so, sign me up? I will sing about how well I am living off your money at my worst!
@shonitus What, fund only the good artists? As a singer, you should know more your industry. We're talking investments, investments in culture that may not ever have a return in years, or ever. But theres a lot more value in art, even if the Canadian government funded Scott Pilgrim vs. The World bombed in the box office, it's still regarded by many as one of the best films of 2010.
Isn't it ridiculous that some Conservatives, and even a few Liberals, are now claiming that Jack Layton (and/or Gilles Duceppe in one version) may not have been born in Canada?
Our very own Birther Movement - how original...
Google "Girther Movement" if you haven't already heard about it.
Also do a search for "Freedom Haters Conservatives" for a revealing look at the Canadian right.
Seems Canada's got its own "Tea Party" now, and it's extra milky with no sugar.
Harper devalues his wife's causes because Harper belongs to a church that devalues women as a whole, requiring them to defer and submit to men
ThinkingManNeil 10 months ago
Bread and circuses still, eh? Can we ever get beyond this? The notion of what constitutes a civil society in this country is ideologically arbitrary at best, ignorant and self-serving for the most part and repugnant, spiteful and hostile at its worst. Bloody hell.
johnnysoho 10 months ago
I don't know about failing athletics... We had the most golds in Vancouver in the winter Olympics. Our women athletes are some of the best in the world. We basically supply the NHL with talent. Tons of great MMA fighters are now coming out of Canada. Look in all sports - you'll see great Canadians.
Failed athletics? Why? Because we don't win the 100m dash anymore?
MookieWilson71 10 months ago
I hardly think Mrs. Harper needs your pity, Russell. I also think that she would very much bristle at the term "estranged." You're an elitist punk. I hope the cuts at the Globe eventually find their way to you.
sylvestb 10 months ago
@sylvestb
"You're an elitist punk. I hope the cuts at the Globe eventually find their way to you."
What a hateful and presumptuous comment! At least Russell Smith was expressing from real life experience and facts. You back your thoughts with nothing but opinion, no facts whatsoever. Do you know Russell Smith or his background? Is there any concrete basis when you accuses him of being an "elitist punk". If not, a person of character would at least apologize for their venom. I know you won't.
valentin6li 10 months ago
Following the logic of some of the anti-arts commenters, why should my tax dollars go to pay for roads? I don't have a car, I don't need them. If drivers want roads, they'll find a way to build and maintain them themselves. Why should my taxes go towards subsidizing ridiculously massive spectacles of dubious public worth like the Vancouver Olympics and the G8/G20 summit? Why subsidize farmers? industry? the military? If these things are worth doing, they'll pay for themselves. Same logic.
Barituneful 10 months ago
I can't understand statements that assert that art, at it's foundation, is a commodity and that monetary value is a direct reflection of worth. By that logic, the most "successful" art is the best. Celine Dion is better than Leonard Cohen. Porky's is better than Black Robe...
What's more, history is littered with examples of artists whose genius was only recognised after their death speaking to the fact that good art is visionary, but not always digestible.
LordProtractor 10 months ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
maybe if your art was any good you wouldn't have to beg the tax payers to pay for it?
How about that?
Get a job and stop playing with play-doh.
How about that?
Seriously why in hell should the tax payers prop up failing artists? ridiculous
cmoker99 10 months ago
@cmoker99 Any canadian tax money put into arts in an investment, Not a waste. The arts bring in huge tax revenue. It's even better when it's Canadian Artists. Then you get their income taxes too instead of giving our money to Visiting artists.
I wonder if all these arena's built with tax monies could finacially survive without the arts filling seats.
Why should tax payers prop up failing athletes???
Graffitisounds 10 months ago 6
@cmoker99 You're joking. Please tell me you're joking.
TheDaftMonk 10 months ago
@cmoker99 what makes making something beautiful not a job but making a big-mac is?
boyswillbeb0ys 10 months ago
I am an artist, singer and a writer, too. What I and Harper don't want is "the arts" to be subject to public funding. If some "art" is truly worth anything, let it stand for itself and it can fund itself. If it isn't worth anything and it can't be of any value to anyone else, then it should be relegated to the trash bin where it belongs. If I was a bad singer, do I still have the right to public funding? If so, sign me up? I will sing about how well I am living off your money at my worst!
shonitus 10 months ago
@shonitus What, fund only the good artists? As a singer, you should know more your industry. We're talking investments, investments in culture that may not ever have a return in years, or ever. But theres a lot more value in art, even if the Canadian government funded Scott Pilgrim vs. The World bombed in the box office, it's still regarded by many as one of the best films of 2010.
DevynBrugge 10 months ago
Very good speech.
Isn't it ridiculous that some Conservatives, and even a few Liberals, are now claiming that Jack Layton (and/or Gilles Duceppe in one version) may not have been born in Canada?
Our very own Birther Movement - how original...
Google "Girther Movement" if you haven't already heard about it.
Also do a search for "Freedom Haters Conservatives" for a revealing look at the Canadian right.
Seems Canada's got its own "Tea Party" now, and it's extra milky with no sugar.
Canaderek 10 months ago
Thank you.
laurasmithns 10 months ago