by KEITH GOTTSCHALK
I watch a lot of CNN. I watch a lot of MSNBC. I read many news sources online. I have seen nothing in the US media about the attempt by the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc to oust Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a no confidence vote and rule by a coalition of the opposition parties.
I understand that there has been a mention in the Huffington Post and one other progressive site.
Perhaps it's too much to expect the myopic and self-absorbed US media to pay any attention at all to events in Canada. In reality, I feel strongly that this is extremely short-sighted and journalistically irresponsible.
I have to wonder if such a crises occurred in Mexico, if the coverage in the US press would have been any different. Because of the border and immigration issue, I suspect it would be.
These are possibly cataclysmic political events in one of the leading democracies in the Western world AND the USA's number one trading partner.
This is serious stuff of which the incoming administration of Barack Obama, who strongly favors continuing cooperation on North American trade, travel and security issues, should, and probably are, keeping an eye on.
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But the media? No. And that is a shame. EVery day across Canada, Canadians are kept abreast of everything that happens to the neighbor to the south. Americans knowledge of Canada lands up being a punch line for Rick Mercer.
Well, I'm doing my part here on rabble and talking to MY fellow Americans about this issue. Of course, most of the time I get the MEGO (my eyes glaze over) reaction.
I don't expect much international news from the myopic American media. But for goodness sakes we shouldn't be ignoring historically significant events in Canada.
And for that, as a former journalist, I feel a sense of shame.
