Tax Funding for the Arts

[Kikarok]

There's something I can't quite wrap my mind around. How can one say that a book wouldn't be written if the author didn't get a grant? I can understand something like painting or sculpture needing some starting capital, but writing costs next to nothing. How does writing need any kind of start-up capital? Why does a writer need to be funded? Stephen King started writing while he had a simple day job. Look at him now.

[Kikarok]

Do the writers these guys are talking about just lack the work ethic to keep themselves fed and housed while writing? The only thing that might need money that I can think of would be to help get a publisher, and that doesn't usually come until something is... well, you know, written. The whole writing discussion at the beginning is completely absurd.

[DeanApril14]

McKeever I am so sorry you had to debate these collectivist fools

[YCDTOYT]

You gotta love the governments statement at the 10 min mark. No wonder I'm not making money.

[Entropy56]

So was the Italian Renaissance a product of capitalism or government tax subsidies?

[WickedWilmes]

Hi Paul, just saw this video the other night. I admire your courage. Intimidation was flying in from all directions, but you did not fall into the trap. Inspiring. Thanks,

Ralf Wilmes

[Mammonist]

With no libraries people will be illiterate!! That's where you learn to read, at the library I guess. I thought it was at home and then some schooling. What percentage of the population actually use the library to borrow books?

I had to stop watching at that point in the video. And since I don't get audio-video material at the library and the audio-visual arts are underfunded, I could no longer understand or comprehend the images and sound.

[illuded]

Although I agree with Paul McKeever, and as much I distaste Larry Solway's demeanour, something can be learned from Mr. Solway's story other than it was bad business decisioning. He said he started the venture from his own pocket with a passion for good theatre. He took a chance on an ambition and, because of insufficient audiences, it bombed (presumably). He seems to have quit altogether and doesn't seem to have fully recovered. A character such as Roak would of kept aiming for his ambitions.

[illuded]

I guess my main qualm is not with Mr. Solway, despite his conduct on the show, but that the people did not appreciate 'good, quality theatre (assuming Mr. Solway did produce this). I'm appauled more about the insufficient amount of people with quality taste to maintain quality arts than Mr. Solway who at least attempted to bring forth quality art.

[Drillinstructor179]

On second thought, the only exceptionally asinine participant is Larry

[Drillinstructor179]

Porn 1

Art subsidies 0

Why is it that contemporary liberals must always associate pornography with the market? The market simply recognizes one's right to finance and patronize pornography - it doesn't demand it.

PM is surrounded by dim-wits

[natdavi]

Paul McKeever is my hero!

[horvay]

HAHAHA, the end was the best. He gives his big sad story, and said, "what was wrong with that?". Then the pause... "bad business decision."

Way to hit it right on the head.

By the way, do you think the people there (except for the Tom), generally didn't know what money is? That they don't attribute money to one's lifeblood? That is, their survival? That to them, money is just some floating abstraction that gets in the way?

[JLCMJelly]

That Larry guy is absolutely ridiculous. The last argument about losing his shirt when doing quality theater in some small town, was laughable.

If we follow his principle, then:

The government should fund a hockey team in Geneva, Alabama(pop. 4000), because they play quality hockey. Yes, there will be someone who comes to watch Sidney Crosby probably in Geneva, AL, so therefore we should fund it on the basis that people want to watch hockey in Detroit, Michigan......

[PaulMcKeever]

Yes, my reply got a few such responses at the time. I wasn't really trying to be rude, just factual.

[Sam26100]

Keep up the fight Paul. I play piano, and im with you 100%. There should be no federal funding for the arts. It's always possible for people to economize, and maybe stop spending money on something that's unessential in order to pay for a child's studies. I've seen poverty, and I know it can be done.

[horvay]

Was this to have a before and after shot of the beard?

[PaulMcKeever]

Ha! My child says to me the other day: "I don't remember what you look like without a beard"...so, may-be.

Actually, the purposes for posting this were that (a) we've got hours and hours of footage that isn't online yet, so I thought it would be good to put some up, and (b) in Canada's current election, the Liberals are complaining that the Conservatives cut funding for the arts by $45M, so it's timely.

[grantsinmypants2]

Larry Solway is an appaling individual. I haven't seen such dishonest debating tactics in a long time; I was shocked to be reminded that such people exist.

He's the type of individual who, at the turn of the century, you would find on the docks in New York or Boston harbors pressuring new immigrants into taking jobs through, and voting for, the local political bosses.

[obmax1212]

Apparently Larry thinks that because he made a poor decision with his money that it gives him the right to make everybody else pay the difference.

[qtronman]

Listen to the tone of intimidation: "... Would you _really_ cut back ... ?!?!?"

God, I would tell that guy to stick it right to his face. This is why I have no desire to talk to these people >:-).

[rambo26]

Good job

Any funding of the arts, the BBC and such is infuriating!

[Moragauth]

It's disgusting. That guy to the left of the weird host is so stupid. Charles Dickens? What!?

[qtronman]

Michael Coren is far too self-aggrandizing.

[Rorshak1313]

How can you stand to go on these shows? The people on them are so stupid and anyone who's not a complete idiot gets pushed aside or shouted down.

By the way, I'm totally stealing that "full-contact museum" idea. I'm going to be frickin rich!

[PaulMcKeever]

Full contact museum. I want to be there on opening day. Ha!

[Moragauth]

Who's the asshole hosting this?

[PaulMcKeever]

The host is Michael Coren. He's actually quite good.  After several years of being on his show, and of watching it, I've arrived at the conclusion that he loves to play the contrarian, constantly in search of the perfect gotcha. It's one of the ways he keeps people entertained. He's also a very good sport, a nice guy (in the green room), and a very learned fellow.

Also, especially when his show was using this format, he was inclusive of the pro-freedom view in debates.

[Moragauth]

Right. Was his comment on you in the beginning a joke then? He's certainly more measured than Larry... I commend you for your bravery in facing these individuals.

[FpInternational]

Yes. Michael was just kidding. On other occasions, he's referred to me - on air - as a "rather bright" fellow, or such such remark.

[horvay]

Actually I've noticed that both the host you talk with (williams) are pretty good people. They don't have the right views, but they seem like people that are easy to deal with, and could even be entertaining

[davidngo4415]

hahha. love the quote, "then you have to question the wisdom of being in a venture where you give away things for free and then hope they'll pay" (Larry was as usual not listening and just repeated the same phrase)

[davidngo4415]

Well done Paul. Glad you have the patience and motivation to continue stating the rational standpoint in the press. Larry Solway is unbearable to watch. He's so emotional and irrational, never seeing the hypocrisy of his own opinions.