Canadian Broadcast Corporation– Canada’s propaganda machine targets ‘Stars Earn Stripes’

By Kerry Patton

What happens when a nation finances a media outlet? Just ask Juan Williams who was fired from National Public Radio. It is critical that commentators stay in line with the nation’s propaganda machine and just as important is ensuring guests stay in line with the same. Well, the Canadian Broadcasting Company is no different and what they had done this week is appalling.

Most Americans are smart enough not to care about the CBC or any of their media propaganda campaigns however, when they intentionally target US veterans and our service members, we should all be outraged.

On Monday, Q with Jian Ghomeshi, one of CBC Radio’s hottest programs aired a live segment that completely proved its unfair and unbalanced commentary—commentary about America’s Stars Earn Stripes. Unfortunately, the program didn’t really attack Stars Earn Stripes rather it attacked an entire nation’s culture and historical embracement for our veterans.

Robert “Bob” Thompson was the first guest on the CBC who vehemently opposed the Stars Earn Stripes reality television show. Mind you, Mr. Thompson has absolutely zero military background and it is assumed that he was meant to serve as a guest specifically to discuss the television show’s structure, audience, ratings, etc. due to his background working as Director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University.

But Mr. Thompson did not stay in line with what would be his assumed role as television critic. He was quick to address the show as “propaganda” that glorifies war. However, his articulation was extremely poor considering he eluded to something General Wesley Clark, host of Stars Earn Stripes, had noted on day one of the show—“The show is about paying homage to our men and women who serve.”

But the reality television show does not glorify war and it’s apparent no matter how many times people explain that, the anti-military/anti-service member movement will not listen. As a combat disabled veteran, I know of no service member who would glorify war—simply put, there is nothing glorious about war and veterans know that better than anyone.

One thing Mr. Thompson fails to understand is the fact that nothing on this show resembles anything like his “upbringings playing war behind his house in the woods with his brother.” And no, the military drills performed are not fun rather they are grueling—physically and psychologically demanding– resembling many tasks our special operators must perform regularly in battle.

But if Mr. Thompson would like to partake in what he defines as a “military dude ranch,” please, I would be more than happy to put him through some battle drills. Mr. Thompson, these drills are nothing like the drills you perform behind the closed doors of Syracuse University and I highly doubt you have the intestinal fortitude or the physical capabilities to complete such tasking’s. In fact, drill number one, I will put you through a mock SERE school. I am sure you would love that!

At one point, Jian Ghomeshi identified persons who protest the show. Bishop Desmund Tutu was named as was Jodi Williams, an anti-landmine advocate and anti-war protestor. But they also threw in the name of an Iranian human rights activist as well. Along with hose persons, Sharron Osborne was named too. All persons mentioned were called out as protesting the show due to the so called glorification of war.

Let’s be clear though, Sharron Osborne did not protest the show due to a portrayed “glorification of war” as people like Bishop Tutu had. She protested the show because her son, Jack, was incapable of passing the rigorous physical requirement to be on the show due to his current health battling MS.

Click on image to go to 'Stars Earn Stripes' official site.

Even though Jack Osborne was later offered a non-physical part on Stars Earn Stripes, he selfishly declined because that wasn’t good enough proving he had no clue what this show truly was intended for–to support our veterans. Now, accolades to Mrs. Osborne as she supported her son like any good mother would however, both of their actions were wrong and to say she protested the show for any other reason is pure misinformation.

Propaganda was the theme of Jian Ghomeshi’s radio interview. In fact, the live segment also brought on David Sirota. For those who may not be familiar with Mr. Sirota, you only need to know one thing about him—he served as a press aide and then spokesperson for Bernie Sanders, the independent at-large US Representative from Vermont who describes himself as a “democratic socialist.”

Sirota claims that the Pentagon funded Stars Earn Stripes and other movies like Act of Valor. Sorry Dave, Relativity acquired the military movie, Act of Valor, which was independently financed by the Bandito brothers for $12 million who spent another $30 million promoting it — a large percentage of which paid for four Super Bowl spots.

Yet Mr. Sirota had an issue about Stars Earn Stripes and that issue was the mere fact that the show “makes our military look good.” Well, here is another educational bit for Mr. Sirota—the US military is not good, it is great—truly, the US military is the best in the world that has done more good for human kind than any other nation or international organization. I beg for a rebuttal, sir, because I will take you down with facts faster than our Navy SEAL’s took down Osama Bin Laden.

Yes, these two anti-military buffoons were live guests on Q with Jian Ghomeshi. But one person was not live and that was me. I was taped for a mere few second simply providing a “sound bite” as one who actually appreciates Stars Earn Stripes. Yet of course, the CBC could never allow someone like myself be interviewed live on their program because they know I would eat these two demented anti-military propagandists for lunch with untouchable facts. And no, I did not know my sound bite would be used for a radio show that used two live interviewees and 100% protested Stars Earn Stripes.

Now, many persons reading this may be quick to assume that by this writing I am a bit ticked off at the CBC—I am. But more importantly, I am ticked off at the fact that public funding is used to promote a very anti-military agenda.

I support our troops and will do everything and anything to ensure they continually receive the support and respect they deserve. Most importantly, I will be first to step up to the plate to take on any anti-military imbecile like David Sirota and or Robert Thompson if given the chance.

But forget my contribution on the show for a second. Even worse, when initially contacted to be interviewed, I was quick to reach out to a good friend and super-patriot Dale Comstock. Dale served in the US Army’s most elite unit—Delta Force—and was one of the operators on Stars Earn Stripes.

Dale agreed to be interviewed so I informed the CBC knowing the show would be aired in the near future. They delayed getting back with me about having Dale on the show for obvious reasons. They could never have someone live on the show like me or Dale Comstock because we would counter every position the CBC and their guests have—simply put, we would ensure their own propaganda was refuted.

To listen to the segment, click here.

An e-mail was sent to the producer of Q with Jian Ghomeshi for comment however, no comment was returned. Silence among those who work at the CBC is deafening. They, like NPR, have an agenda.

It’s about time public funding is stopped for such organizations before their own propaganda socially conditions the masses. Remember what happened in Nazi Germany before and during World War II—nationally funded media socially conditioned an entire nation into evil genocide committing monsters—and the West doesn’t need that.

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Kerry Patton, a combat disabled veteran, is the author of Sociocultural Intelligence: The New Discipline of Intelligence Studies and the children’s book American Patriotism. You can follow him on Facebook or at www.kerry-patton.com. Mr. Patton is also a ‘Kitchen Cabinet‘ member of Stand Up America and is a frequent contributor.

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