Topic: Steven Staples & Company

[Nerf herder]

Lookie at what I found on YouTube.

Military anaylist my arse. He has an agenda and I don't think CTV or anyone else in the MSM actually took the time to realise it.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ow5B_r2yTPI&eurl=http://www.ceasefire.ca/site/pp.aspx?c=afLJJWOuHkE&b=1068135

I saw his mug on CTV criticizing the mission and everything in between so I figured I google him and do a bit of digging. Can't remember exactly how I came across the video but holy shite.

If this isn't proof enough that the guy has a hidden agenda and is not "neutral" in his "analysis" of the situation, he's leading the masses to the beat of his drum.

What say you?

Regards

[CDN Aviator]

Someone should remind this "analyst" that the first operational mission that the CC-177 carried out was delivering aid to Jamaica (IIRC) and was then used to help us out with OP DRIFTNET and in the north recently with LRP and the fighter guys going toe-to-toe with the Russians. So i guess they were not just bought for "fighting for George Bush" 

I wonder what these loonies will come u with as a lightning rod once GWB is out of office.....

[Nerf herder]

Even more tripe on this guy, including links:

http://www.canadians.org/integratethis/Steven_Staples.html

Steven Staples

Steven StaplesSteven Staples is the Director of the Rideau Institute in Ottawa and author of Missile Defence: Round 1.

Steven is a frequent contributor to journals, magazines, and conferences, and is often called upon to comment on defence and public policy-related issues by the national and international news media including the Globe and Mail, the National Post, Time, CTV National News and CBC Television's The National and the BBC.

He is regularly invited to appear before federal government committees and departments to speak about defence and foreign policy issues, including the Standing Committee on National Defence and Veterans Affairs, and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and the Standing Committee on Finance.

His years of work with popular organizations, including the Council of Canadians, has made him well-known amongst civil society organizations, and he speaks regularly to audiences in Canada and the United States, and around the world.

Born in the Maritimes and a long-time resident of Vancouver, Steven now lives in Ottawa with his wife and two children. He holds a Bachelors of Education (Hon. History) from the University of New Brunswick.

His "Institute":

http://www.rideauinstitute.ca/site/c.doIELOOuGnF/b.2467081/

Welcome to the Rideau Institute

The Rideau Institute on International Affairs is an independent research, advocacy and consulting group based in Ottawa. It provides research, analysis and commentary on public policy issues to decision makers, opinion leaders and the public. It is a federally registered non-profit organization, established in January 2007.

More than a thousand Canadians make donations to the Rideau Institute, mostly through Ceasefire.ca. Together we advocate for independent policy priorities that are consistent with Canadian values and enjoy broad public support.

Because of its close proximity to Parliament Hill and national newsrooms, the Rideau Institute specializes in monitoring activities in government and communicating with Members of Parliament and other decision makers.

To accomplish that, the institute publishes and distributes research, organizes special briefings by experts and specialists, holds press conferences, and other related activities.

But in addition to activities in Ottawa, the institute supports public education and public advocacy. Using the Internet, the institute designs and implements several on-line communication and advocacy programs such as Ceasefire.ca and Rightoncanada.ca. It also supports community education through speaking tours by experts and analysts.

=============================================================================================================
Right On Canada:

http://www.rightoncanada.ca/site/c.juIZLdMOJrE/b.2500197/

Ceasefire.ca (where the video is linked up):

http://www.ceasefire.ca/site/pp.aspx?c=afLJJWOuHkE&b=1068135
=============================================================================================================


I can't understand why the MSM is giving this guy so much air time. If they (CTV) wants to be considered balanced in it's reporting, why give this guy, who obviously has a clear agenda, so much air time without giving someone of opposing views the same?

Regards

[E.R. Campbell]

...
I can't understand why the MSM is giving this guy so much air time ...

The media is in the marketing business: they sell soap or cars or penile erection kits by filling the white spaces between the advertising with so-called news. In fact, in the 21st century, there is less and less news because Canadians (like Americans) are unwilling (maybe unable?) to sit still long enough to read/view/hear and digest anything like a detailed report with some expert analysis; instead we demand 10 second sound bites and equally brief "Yea!/Nay!" shouting matches. Staples provides a cheap (he 'works' for free) and readily available "Nay!" on almost any defence issue. That fact, and I believe that it is a fact, that he is a (strategic) dunderhead with an anti-military agenda doesn't matter: a "Nay!" voice is required to provide balance controversy because balance contrived, dishonest and preferably noisy controversy is that hallmark of the profession of journalism.

[Dog Walker]

The MSM is not there to inform people or to give balance or objectivity.

They are there to entertain! They are there to attract an audience who will sit through and watch the silly advertisements. Remember from the point of view the MSM the advertisements are the important content, and not the news. That is how they make their money.   

Remember a few years ago all the stories about the crop circles in England, and the stable full of so called experts who were paraded before the cameras giving their ill-informed opinions about their origins.

On Sunday mornings on CNN there is a show where the media talks about itself. Last summer one employee from CNN admitted that how they slant a story is determined by opinion polls, study groups etc. In other words they tell the masses what they want to hear. After all they don’t want to upset the viewer and tell them that they are wrong. It the viewer gets upset they might switch to another network and watch someone else’s advertisements.   

  Ooops … Mr Campbell types faster than I do…

[IN HOC SIGNO]

Note how he plays on the anti-Americanism of the left. "fighting for Bush" "these American war planes" Doesn't mention that the tanks come from Germany or the Nyalas from South Africa. Plays on the themes of keeping us out of Iraq and opting out of the US missile defence plan. His mention of the child care spaces begs the question of why the former Lib government didn't create them when they had huge surpluses and certainly didn't spend it on Defence.
This kind of rhetoric does appeal to a great number of people in the country unfortunately. It perpetuates the myth of Canada the great peacekeeper and mild mannered neutral country, created by the Liberals in order to avoid spending money on Defence.

[Nerf herder]

A little more of connecting the dots. Anti-military, far left wing is his POV.

The Polaris Institute and Ceasefire.ca are one in the same.


http://www.ceasefire.ca/site/c.afLJJWOuHkE/b.1068243/

"A ceasefire is always the first step to achieve peace."

Ceasefire.ca is a project of the Rideau Institute on International Affairs, a public policy research and advocacy group based in Ottawa. Ceasefire.ca is the institute's main public outreach and advocacy arm.

The Polaris Institute created Ceasefire.ca in 2003 to prevent Canada from joining the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defence program, although the name itself dates back to the earlier campaign to stop the invasion of Iraq. Its founders are Steven Staples and Peter Coombes. Their goal, inspired by successful web-based organizations such as Moveon.org, is to provide a web-based tool for citizen action on government policies.

Since its inception, Ceasefire.ca has played crucial roles in many campaigns, including preventing Canada from joining George W. Bush's "Star Wars" missile defence program. As well, it has pushed Canadian politicians of all stripes to oppose the war in Afghanistan, allow U.S. war resisters to stay in Canada, ban deadly cluster bombs, abolish nuclear weapons, prevent the weaponization of space, and take action on other important issues.

Many well-known supporters of Ceasefire.ca have endorsed its campaigns over the years, including David Suzuki, Maude Barlow, Matthew Good, Mel Hurtig, Helen Caldicott, Tom Hayden, Mel Watkins, and Murray Dobbin.

Since its humble beginnings, Ceasefire.ca has grown to more than 15,000 users who receive regular bulletins and participate in on-line letter-writing actions. As well, more than 1,000 people have become financial donors, providing valuable resources that are used to fund research and action campaigns.

 
The Rideau Institute is steps away from Parliament Hill
In 2007, Ceasefire.ca travelled with Steven Staples to its new home, the Rideau Institute on International Affairs, an independent organization recently spun-off from the Polaris Institute. Other web sites created by the Rideau Institute include RightOnCanada.ca, which focuses on human rights issues.

Like Polaris, the Rideau Institute blends research with action, and is a federally registered non-profit organization. But in order to act as strong political forces in Ottawa that lobby for peace, the Rideau Institute and Ceasefire.ca are not  registered charities (and therefore cannot issue tax receipts for donations until the federal government changes its charity laws).

Today, Ceasefire.ca traverses the digital divide into the real world, supporting activists working in their communities. It has launched The New Peace Lobby, a campaign to push for peace policies in Parliament through on-the-Hill lobbying, on-line activism, on-air media work, and on-the-ground organizing.

You can contact Ceasefire.ca through the Rideau Institute.

The Polaris Institute:

http://www.polarisinstitute.org/



Here's something if you want a good chuckle, apparently written by Robert Fulford from the National Post Saturday, November 11, 2006

http://canadiancoalition.com/forum/messages/19939.shtml

So far I haven't found any sort of schooling or trades related training that makes him an expert on foreign affairs or military matters at all. He holds a Bachelors of Education (Hon. History) from UNB apparently. I guess that's all one needs these days to be an expert.

Regards

[IN HOC SIGNO]

Excellent commentary...Robert Fullford is the man!

[George Wallace]

That was an interesting piece following the links to http://canadiancoalition.com/audiovideo/20060411_CTV_GordonStaplesAfghan.asx 

Steven Staples gets side tracked very easily with his anti-American views and avoids answering the tough questions. 

I wonder how long the MSN will continue to use him as entertainment?  Once he is done with the News, he could make a pittance on the Comedy Network.

[Dog Walker]

He holds a Bachelors of Education (Hon. History) from UNB apparently.

So let’s see……Steven Staples has the qualifications of a high school history teacher.

We all know how poor history education is in our school systems. 

[BYT Driver]

Definately too much reading but here is my opinion on his video and his "ceasfire .ca":
He's a definate peacenik who never served in the military yet believes himself a military analyst {won't go there about the first four letters of that word!}
It may be true that some people see the war in Afghanistan as one for oil {not!} or to continue GW's war on terrorism, {possibly!} but I firmly believe that we are doing good in that country and we don't need fools like this to deter us from our mission.  Yes, we've taken casualties, but not as many as the states in Iraq, but the soldiers I talked to were all for the mission over there and support their job there.
"If you don't stand behind our Troops
Feel free to stand in front of them"!!!
Good young and old men and women are fighting and dying for a cause they believe in, the re-establishment of a legal and peaceful government of Afghanistan. 
This guy, again, brings back my favourite saying {still need copy right laws on that one from recceman???}
Kneel, face the ditch...Sorry, I can't stand the guy. BUT our society allows him to voice his opinions and we as soldiers must defend his right to do so. Kind of ironic isn't it??
 
 

[Technoviking]

I have no problem whatsoever with Mr. Staples saying anything.  He is obviously passionate about it.  I do, however, have a bit of a problem with him presenting himself as an objective military analyst.  I have a bigger problem with the MSM who cannot see him for what he is.

[Flip]

Once he is done with the News, he could make a pittance on the Comedy Network.

 As Shrek's little brother?

During that interview he was beaten by the facts - fair and square.

He does have a pretty twisty view of the world and maybe he needs to
be educated.  That is, I'm curious about his 15,000 ??  supporters and
I wonder what they would say if he were proven wrong again&again.

The introductory video is designed to play well with people who don't
have time to stop and think ( single moms ) and his position suggests
Canada is an island and all we really need is to get out from under GWB.

He could be reminded that without America there would be no microwave
ovens Hollywood, Playstation and of course security.

I agree with the general tone on this thread. This young guy has a heir of
legitimacy he does not deserve. Looks like nice work if you can get though...

[ArmyVern]

"If you don't stand behind our Troops
Feel free to stand in front of them"!!!

I really hate that saying. 

I love people like this, each time he opens his mouth to condem us and our mission -- it just reinforces for me the fact that he is able to do so exactly because of the proud military history of this country during the wars that we have been involved in.

People like Mr Staples who slant the truth, spin the facts, and get away with it (especially in the MSM) in this democratic country, make me very proud to wear this country's uniform and only serve to re-inforce my utmost respect for my military predecessors who performed their duties to uphold democracy so well. I am proud to follow in their footsteps of upholding democratic tradition both within and outside of our borders.

And the MSM can take me to the bank on that.

[BYT Driver]

Sorry to have offended with the troops bumpersticker, but for me, it rings well.  Some people are not behind the reason for being in A-stan, but everyone should support the troops who are there and everywhere for whatever reasons.  We do something that many people either are not qualified to do or choose not to do.
My fore-fathers and ancestors did not fight and die in Europe for nothing! 74 Canadian troops did not die for nothing!
Democracy and Peace.
 
 

[ArmyVern]

Sorry to have offended with the troops bumpersticker, but for me, it rings well. 

Offend me? I don't get offended by too much (BUT trust me -- IT happens!! Depends on the circumstances).

I just don't like the idea of suggesting that they stand in front of me -- I'm a good shot.    I am pretty sure that's the implication being made with the saying in question.

[IN HOC SIGNO]

Offend me? I don't get offended by too much (BUT trust me -- IT happens!! Depends on the circumstances).

I just don't like the idea of suggesting that they stand in front of me -- I'm a good shot. 

Agreed and in a democracy such as ours we don't shoot people who disagree with the military or the government's policies. I've never liked that jingle either.

[Bruce Monkhouse]

http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=12834

He hasn't posted in over a year, but does show up once in awhile..............

[BYT Driver]

Offend me? I don't get offended by too much (BUT trust me -- IT happens!! Depends on the circumstances).

I just don't like the idea of suggesting that they stand in front of me -- I'm a good shot.    I am pretty sure that's the implication being made with the saying in question.

...meh! All's fair in love and war...well, except that was has ROE's.  And I've seen some people shoot..the safest place IS in front of them..

edited for spelling.

Agreed and in a democracy such as ours we don't shoot people who disagree with the military or the government's policies. I've never liked that jingle either.

Sometimes that is unfortunate, but we all fight for HIS right to say that...I just don't like the fact that our forfathers may be rolling in thier graves to hear such drivel??!!  Sorry, but I'm a bit emotional right now after Gnr Dions passing.  I won't let his sacrifice,or any others be tarnished by some peacenik who probably shirked away from military duty...not that I condone conscription..but I also fully believe that a person has no right to criticize another unless they've been in that person's shoes for awhile. 
I like my job...   

[Nerf herder]

I do, however, have a bit of a problem with him presenting himself as an objective military analyst.  I have a bigger problem with the MSM who cannot see him for what he is.

Hence why I started this thread. It's one thing to be passionate on a POV and speak your mind on it.

It's another to pass yourself off as something completely else.

CTV passes him off as a objective analyst when, in reality, he isn't nor is he qualified to do so.

This link demonstrates what I'm talking about....Canada wants to use freakin' lasers.       

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/HTMLTemplate?tf=/ctv/mar/video/new_player.html&cf=ctv/mar/ctv.cfg&hub=SEAfghanistan&video_link_high=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2007/11/18/ctvvideologger3_195402098_1195406514_500kbps.wmv&video_link_low=mms://ctvbroadcast.ctv.ca/video/2007/11/18/ctvvideologger3_195402097_1195405072_218kbps.wmv&clip_start=00:48:52.73&clip_end=00:03:08.58&clip_caption=CTV%20Newsnet:%20Steven%20Staples,%20military%20analyst&clip_id=ctvnews.20071118.00222000-00222760-clip1&subhub=video&no_ads=&sortdate=20071118&slug=afghan_death_071118&archive=CTVNews

He uses times of anguish in not only the families of the fallen, but of comrades as well to get in sound bites.

I, for one, am sick of his misleading the public and pushing his propaganda.

Regards

[ArmyVern]

..but I also fully believe that a person has no right to criticize another unless they've been in that person's shoes for awhile. 
I like my job...   

Ahhh, soooo

You've been heading up a left wing think tank and giving expert military analyses & opinions to the media without fessing up to us then?? 

We may not like what he says, nor his opinion of us ... but I'm quite sure that he feels the same way about how we feel about him.

Anyway, there's parties to participate in this evening -- asshats please confine yourselves to the cloakroom on the Left. I'll be with the rational thinking majority in the main room. 

[BYT Driver]

Aah Soo, a tit for tat...I stand corrected but he shouldn't criticize the military and our jobs without doing some time.  I only criticized his lack of understanding of us.  And, yes, I do tend to play devils advocate without meaning too. 


I wish you all a Happy New Year and Safe Journeys this night.
BYTD
edited to add: I wasn't critiquing him or his website, I was calling him out.   

[Baden Guy]

Mr.Staples:

"Born in the Maritimes and a long-time resident of Vancouver, Steven now lives in Ottawa with his wife and two children. He holds a Bachelors of Education (Hon. History) from the University of New Brunswick."

Oh the shame!       Speaking on behalf of all those with a history degree from UNB. 

[Nerf herder]

I stand corrected but he shouldn't criticize the military and our jobs without doing some time.  I only criticized his lack of understanding of us.

Anyone can criticize the military, no time in required IMHO.

It helps your argument if you do though. (Sunil Ram comes to mind, I'm not a fan either, but that's another topic.)

He (Staples)is a peace advocate on the far left end of the political spectrum passing himself off as an impartial analyst, which he is not.

He doesn't want to understand us nor the part we play in Canada's defense, nor our role in NATO. Certainly not the reasons why we're in Kandahar either.

Regards

[ArmyVern]

For some reason RBD -- it's not letting me quote your post ... GLITCH!!!  

From the video:

Mr Staples: "Laser type weapons that may skirt the law."

Yep -- there's an expert on Defence for you.  

What is it with your frequent need to imply that Canadian soldiers will circumvent the Law or the Geneva Conventions? One can also see evidence of this in your previous posting history (linked in an earlier thread) where you imply that the JTF2 would get away with "committing atrocities" if Canadian and CF policy on "Secrecy" is not changed.

That's just low -- and disgusting of you.

And, now I AM offended. You may have the right to speak freely, but you do not have the right to imply that I (and I AM a soldier so your statements are directly ABOUT me) or any of my comrades in arms would circumvent Canadian Law or the Geneva Conventions -- that's just slanderous. We are more professional than that.