The Establishment vs. Neil Young over Oil Sands
Channel: Greg Neurolanis
Date: 2014-01-18

Rock Star Neil Young, who has been known in the past for taking political stands (such as famously speaking against Nixon in the song "Ohio",) has recently visited the Oil Sands and spoken with Native residents, including Chief Allan Adam. He has started the Honour the Treaty Tour across Canada to raise awareness about the many harmful effects of the Oil Sands, the profits of which will go to the Athabasca Chipewyan band in their fight against the Oil Sands.

But rather than praise or perhaps question Young's political stance, the mainstream media have been fighting ardently against him. Several corporate representatives have been allowed to criticize him, either attacking him personally or criticizing him for getting some of his facts wrong. Even the mainstream media often get facts wrong. How many times have you heard them apologize for this, or have noticed them get facts wrong without them either realizing or apologizing for it? Of course what matters here are the moral questions of the Oil Sands vs. big corporate interests.

You'll notice that many reporters use words and tones when referring to Young which are highly skeptical rather than neural. They seem to be parroting the message of the corporate elite that Young should just mind his place and entertain them and leave politics for the, ah *ahem* politicians who just represent big corporate interests these days. This obviously biased reporting will just further isolate the public from the mainstream media, driving more people online and away from corporate-slanted television 'reporting.'

It seems doubtful to me that Young will 'mind his place,' as he is well known for songs like "Rockin' in the Free World."


Check out these media reports (and news video clips) and how they shamelessly attack him and the Athabasca Chipewyan band's position on the Oil Sands:

Neil Young: Alberta will 'look like the moon' unless oilsands development stopped
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/neil-young-alberta-will-look-like-the-moon-unless-oilsands-development-stopped-1.1642675

Alberta oil industry responds to criticism from Neil Young
http://calgary.ctvnews.ca/alberta-oil-industry-responds-to-criticism-from-neil-young-1.1642502

Oil industry wants new date on Neil Young tour
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/oil-industry-extends-an-olive-branch-to-neil-young/article16369289/

Listen: Andrew Leach talks about fact checking Neil Young
http://www2.macleans.ca/2014/01/17/neil-young-fact-check/

Neil Young tour: 5 facts about the First Nation he's singing for
(THIS article is flat out trying to trying to fight the Athabasca Chipewyan band, criticizing them for not taking full advantage of the Oil Sands money (this of course ignores the massive ecological effects, and unimaginable future costs due to this, of the Oil Sands! It also attempts to make them look dishonest, by explaining how they benefit financially despite being against it. Lovely Canadian reporting from the CBC...)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/aboriginal/neil-young-tour-5-facts-about-the-first-nation-he-s-singing-for-1.2497824


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