Ezra Levant's Freedom Cruise Update: Tips For Travelers

As you know, last year Ezra Levant and the Sun News Network arranged a "Freedom Weekend" up in Muskoka for big-C Conservative zealots.  Since nobody who signed up for that trip has ever spoken ill of it, or even been seen again, Ezra and the gang have decided to try again with a 7-day excursion up the West Coast to Alaska.  A "Freedom Cruise", as they are calling it.  Ezra and co. have even provided a nice FAQ for potential cruise-goers.  I shall reproduce a few of the Q/As below, along with my comments and interpretations:

What to wear

[...]

For this cruise, you will want very casual and comfortable wear during the day. This means slacks, shorts, T-shirts and sweatshirts as well as comfortable walking/hiking shoes. In general you should dress moderately on shore and save the dressy clothes for the ship.

Translation: no fashion showboating in front of the locals.  In  Alaska its dark half the year, and they need a human sacrifice to prepare for sunrise  Also, some of the oil rig workers up there haven't seen female flesh in a yonks.  If you don't want to get yourself killed, gang-raped, and eaten, pretend you're in Saudi Arabia.  This applies to the guys too.  Maybe especially.

Correspondence

All future correspondence will go to the address on your confirmation. Address changes must be received in writing. There is a booking number on your confirmation. Please write this number on all certified checks. It is helpful to include your ship and sail date on any correspondence. A good daytime phone number and email address is important if we need to reach you about your booking. Any changes in your reservation including category, number of people in cabin, names in cabin, additions & deletions to cabin, etc, MUST be received in WRITING.

Translation:  WE will call You.  Don't YOU call US.  And when you are speaking to our guy, Raoul, you may hear street noises.  That's because our booking office is at ground level, not because our agent  moon-lights as a cab drive.

General Cruise Notes

If you consider your cruise ship a floating resort that transports you from one port to another as an added bonus, everything will be placed in proper perspective. If you feel naked without your diamonds and emeralds, or a lot of cash on hand, then bring them along. 

Translation: We've got a poker game, and you are invited!  The big boss Kory's telling us that  $17,000,000 a year in losses can be made back right quick with a ship full of suckahs.  That's plan B if the CRTC doesn't come through.

Sun News Network Bans Sun News Network Critics

Dear Sun News and fans of Quotes From Sun News Viewers,

My name is Dylan Hornby, and I am one of several other people who admin this Facebook page. For the past few months, I and many others have made it a hobby to comment, criticize and expose the Sun News Network (SNN) and it's most passionate supporters for their hateful and divisive statements online.

Last night, this network (that claims to fervently advocate free speech and expression) has decided to block me from commenting as well as many other left wing, and centrist critics. In lieu of these events, I have decided to let you all know why I personally try to challenge this "news" network. 

First off, a little distinction. This page has always been intended against the Sun News Network, not The Toronto Sun or the other Sun papers across this country.

The Speechys can't handle the heat.

The Sun News Network: Hard News, Straight Talk, Random Gunfire...

Desperately seeking content for its weekend broadcasts, Fox News North turns to SHAW TV rejects the Beasley brothers, who will travel the nation and kill stuff for no apparent reason.  Which raises the question: if you slaughter a deer on Sun TV and nobody watches, is it really Venison?

Is A Sun News Network Insider Trying To Screw The Sun News Network?

...or are they just trying to screw Michael Coren?

This is the second bit of embarrassing Michael  Coren footage to have appeared within the last couple of days.

The first can be found here (although, truth be told, the audio looks to have been fiddled with--and there's an edit at the 7 second mark--but the gestures are all real).

Perhaps not coincidentally, Sun News is making a 2nd  attempt at getting mandatory carriage.  The decision on this, I hear from company insiders from the management layer, could come down sometime in the new year.  And, I am told, the station is done like dinner if the ruling goes against them.  Presumably, video of their on-air personalities giving what look very much like fascist salutes will exert a negative influence on the CRTC when they finally rule.

But where did all this stuff originate?  It looks like program outtakes, and why would anyone at Sun  News  leak outtakes?  Who can say, really? But the parent company has laid off and is still laying off 100s of people.  Is somebody inside trying to strike back?

Akin's Got A New Show On Fox News North

The description:

This show is 100% focused on the political battles taking place across Canada, in the United States...even around the world. We're not about the corridors of power or the inside processes of government, it's about how you get there in the first place. It's about bringing you every twist and turn in the political battlegrounds that are all around us. Big and small.

So, wall to wall coverage as the Armenians choose a new Prime Minister?

Fox News North Financial Update: Still Losing

...but less.  May Ezra Levant soon face the axe.

Ezra, Hate Speech, And Sun TV: Shit That May Or May Not Be Going Down

From Dr. Roy:

I was on Sun Tv with Jerry Agar ( replacing Ezra ).

From that horrid social networking device know as Twitter:

Not sure of the provenance of this last item, as George Smiley might say, but I will note that @sunnewsmedia stills gets you results via google but seems gone from the twitterverse.

This of course is a follow-up to that.

Sun TV Deletes Ezra Levant's Anti-Roma Screed

It used to be here.  Background on the network's latest foray into hate-speech here. H/T to Dawg  And a question to Kory Teneycke, boss of bosses at Fox News North (Sun News Network):  why let these kind of broadcasts happen, and then pull them down when they cause your network shame?  Why not just tell your boys to not act like racist dickheads on the air or they'll be fired?  "Tabbing it up" hasn't done fuck all for your ratings, has it?  Why not change?

Denier Comes To T.O., Denies

Susan Crockford tells Sun News that polar bears are doing A-OK.  But Susan Crockford gets paid $750 a month from the Heartland Institute to say such things.  And she's been brought to town by, among others, Tom Harris and ICSC.  In any case, her thing is dog evolution, not bears.  So we can assume she's bullshitting.

Thank god her only MSM platform is Fox News North, who I think have outdone themselves for the sheer number of typos per 100 words in the text article that accompanies Ezra's Hour of Blither.

Nuze Flash: Fox News North Luzes Less!

From Canadian Business:

Operating income in TVA's television sector fell to $17 million due to a loss at the new TVA Sports service, partially offset by higher operating income at other French-language specialty services and a smaller loss at the Sun News channel.

From their news release, I gather they found a couple of saps willing to pay a subscription fee for the "service".

What Will They Whine Of Next?

From the CHRC page detailing with access to info requests:

Logically, the only people on the planet who would care would be the folks named in the request itself, desperately trolling about for something to be fake-outraged about.  It appears, however, that they haven't found anything useful, as Fox News North is apparently down to hassling hippies at the Occupy Toronto campsite again.

Fox News North: Hard News, Hard Numbers

 ...no audience:

CBC News Network drew 1.4 per cent of viewers, U.S. news network CNN took 0.9 per cent, CTV News Channel attracted 0.8 per cent and Sun News brought in 0.1 per cent.

Happy birthday, luzers.

Shmuley Boteach Carves B’nai Brith Canada A New One

You know I've seen the original clip (below).  Michael Coren says the Jews control Hollywood and use it as a platform to trash Christians.  Then he walks it back and suggests Jews don't control Hollywood, but are so influential there that they can use its resources to make movies that trash Christians. Its really that plain.


So it is passing strange strange that B'nai Brith's Frank Dimant should have so vigorously defended Coren. Or rather, it isn't given who Dimant typically pals around with,  but still it does him no credit that he should give Coren a pass on this stuff merely because he has defended Israel and bashed Muslims in the past.

 But Shumley says it better.  Let's turn the floor over to him:

Unfortunately, Dimant’s unbelievable defense of Coren has given him license to vilify me non-stop on his TV show while simultaneously defending the “saintly” Pope Pius. Indeed, Dimant himself sat in total silence while Coren made fun of my height, name, appearance, and then slandered my character. I have long given up hope of Sun TV reining in their shameful, immature, and unprofessional host and clearly they will give a TV show to absolutely anyone. But I did expect much more from a Jewish organization which purports to defend the Jewish community. We are a community that has been maligned for millennia and must be on our guard against defamation, and that applies also to extremist right-wing commentators like Coren who are friends with conservative Jews but who savagely attack liberal Jews. We are one people and dare not allow outsiders to divide us.

Truth be told, I gave Coren an out. Right after the interview was over, as he ordered me out of his studio, I asked him if he really wanted to be known for those comments. His reaction was to grow extremely aggressive, tell me I was threatening him, and then to have his Jewish intern attack me as well. I refused to leave the studio as he tried to evict me, enforcing my long-stated policy of ‘No tolerance for Intolerance.’ I told Coren he can call security, but I would not leave until I spoke to one of his superiors. Ever since, Coren’s attacks have lowered the bar on any semblance of journalistic professionalism or adult maturity, repeatedly attacking my name, appearance, and height. But though Coren chooses to be a disgrace to his profession and network, that does not mean that respected Jewish organizations need condone such shameful behavior.

Go get 'em Shmuley.

Their Audience Is "Indeed Miniscule"

The verdict so far on Fox News North:

So who does watch Sun News Network?

“The vast majority of the few viewers SNN does get are way over 50, outside the demo advertisers want. So SNN draws enough on a nightly basis to fill a senior’s mall,” says Brioux

He went on to say that after the top two shows, Sun News Network gets even fewer viewers.“Beyond Lilley and Levant’s shows—the two highest rated SNN offerings by far—everything else stiffs,” says Brioux. “Charles Adler has bombed from the beginning, drawing 8,000 at 8 p.m. and 2,000 at 11 p.m. on the 28th—and zero in the 25–54 demographic both hours, across Canada.”

As for David Akin’s Daily Brief, Brioux says 6,000 viewers tuned in over the supper hour. But the late-night slot tanked. “Daily Brief at midnight got zip and zip—so few viewers, BBM Canada could not measure them. The same night, CBC News Network peaked at 198,000/60,000 viewers.”

Poor David Akin.  The rest of them, on the other hand, can get bent.

Sticking Up From The Little Guys: Is Brian Lilley Sun TV's Tallest Midget?

 From the Owen Sound Sun Times:

... it's long overdue, says Lilly, whose personality, lively style and opinions -- and hairdo--resonate with viewers. He's the highest-rated TV host on the Sun News Network.

The Ez won't like hearing that, but its roughly in accord with Bureau of Broadcast Measurement numbers from late June, which were, generally speaking for the new network, crap.

In any case, Brian's previous work experience stands him in good stead, given the perilous state of the floundering station:

Born and raised in Hamilton, Lilley is actually a jack of all trades -- from bricklayer, painter, cook and waiter at a 24-hour diner, to actor, factory worker, Second Cup manager, gas station manager, and Greenpeace canvasser.

Worked in a restaurant, at a gas station...Your past may well be your future, Brian Lilley.

No Rice For Ezra: Uncle Ben's Pulls Advertising From Sun TV!

Dear Mr. Murphy,

Based on feedback from consumers such as yourself, UNCLE BEN'S will not be advertising on Sun TV in 2012.

We thank you for taking the time to contact us with your concerns and for your loyalty towards the UNCLE BEN'S brand.

If you wish to post a statement to your blog, please only post the above statement.

We thank you for your interest in our products.

Regards,

Your Friends at MARS Canada Inc.

Background here.  BOOYAH!

Me, Uncle Ben's, And Fox News North: Will Uncle Ben's Pull Its Advertising?

As a few people have noted elsewhere, Sun TV has been running gay-bashing/transphobic ads from McVety's gang at the Institute for Canadian Values, and this has spawned a campaign on to boycott Fox News North advertisers.  Having watched the ads a couple of times (sorry, though, no link--SDMatt, the source of most Sun TV youtube clips, has apparently had his account hacked), I noticed that the ad always seemed to appear in combination with an ad for Alarm Force and an ad for Uncle Ben's rice.  Glancing through our cupboard--Lo and Behold!--I found tons of Uncle Ben's.  So, a couple of weeks ago, I contacted their marketing department.  This is my latest missive to them, from last week:

I emailed you about this topic several weeks ago, but have not kept the file number you assigned me.

Specifically, one of the stations you advertise on in Canada (Sun TV) has been pairing your commercials with a gay-bashing ad from the Institute of Canadian Values (see below).

When I first emailed, I was told that it was difficult to predict where and when Uncle Ben's ads would turn up on Sun TV, but if you compare the video below to the earlier link I sent it is fairly clear they are running the gay bashing ad, plus a commercial from Alarm Force, plus your commercial, as a package.

Now, it isn't as though I would ever stop eating Uncle Ben's products over something like this. My wife and I had a package of your brown rice with braised ribs and asparagus tonight, and it was quite wonderful. I would only suggest that Sun TV is not an appropriate venue for your rice products. In addition to inapprorpriately postioning your brand, they have interviewed any number of convicted racists and Neo-Nazis, and have attracted a number of product petitions as a result (see link below). I hope you will reconsider advertising with these people.

Yesterday, I recieved a rather promising reply:

Dear Mr. Murphy,

Thank you for your follow-up email regarding our UNCLE BEN's® advertising.

We had forwarded your comments to our marketing team for review. Advertising is usually purchased in advance so our marketing team may not be able to remove ads from Sun TV at the present time. That being said, we will be evaluating our advertising strategies for the coming year, and your comments will assist in determining future activities with our brand.

We appreciate your concern and will certainly share your additional comments with our marketing team.

Regards,

Your Friends at MARS Canada Inc.

So, if anyone reading this is involved in the SunSet campaign, it might be worthwhile dropping a line to the good uncle.  After all, if you like the product (as I certainly do), why not politely informed its maker that they are putting their brand in some peril.

CRTC Has Fox News North License Pulled For Cheating

 The CRTC has officially approved TVA Group’s request to revoke the broadcasting licence for CKXT-TV and its related transmitters. The issue first surfaced in May, when some cable providers complained the channel’s parent company, Quebecor, was using the station to air Sun News programming over the “free” airwaves -- in addition to its specialty cable service, which requires a fee. In the words of its competitors, Sun News was trying to have it both ways.

Essentially, this means no more free access to Sun News. From now on, Sun News can only be viewed on cable and satellite services that have made a deal with Quebecor to carry the station.

Revenues: down 86%.

Average viewership: not enough to fill a hockey rink.

No wonder Ezra is so obsessed with the tent city in St. James Park; he knows he may need cheap accommodations in the very near future.

Banned By Fox News North!

Mark Bourrie was, after being approached as a potential hire by Kory Teneycke last year. Interesting in that it sounds like Mark's the 2nd person Sun TV approached to fill the position of dedicated Suzuki basher.

Fox News North Viewership Numbers Still Crap

 With an average minute audience of 11,400 during the Hard News day and 31,200 for Straight Talk in prime time, Sun News is off to a strong start.

Its from a news release, so they can't bullshit too hard.  The scary part (for Sun TV) is that, if you look at these numbers from June and do a bit of cheap math, you get viewership in June averaging about 23,000 per minute, and viewership today averaging about 21,300.  So its like the station was born dead and has been flat-lining ever since.