With so many things of note to comment on, today is one of those days when, if I had the time, I suspect I would spend most of the day writing blog posts. Instead, allow me to direct your attention, if you haven't already read them today, to Alison over at Creekside, and Owen at Northern Reflections.
Alison has been doing an excellent job tracking the murky details surrounding outsourcing. In today's post, she lambastes the CBC's Amanda Lang for her enthusiastic and disingenuous endorsement of outsourcing practices in The Globe and Mail.
As I noted in my comment on her post,
Thanks for following this issue so closely, Alison. The fact that Amanda Lang is staunchly defending the bleeding off of Canadian jobs does not really surprise me, nor does it surprise me that hers is a voice given prominence on the CBC, which has capitulated to the forces of the right in a misbegotten effort at appeasement - all of course, under the rubric of 'balanced reporting.'
There is a similar apologia written by The Globe's Doug Sanders, who suggests xenophobia and wage fears are at the root of the opposition to these abominable practices, and laments the fact that foreign workers have no easy route to citizenship in our country.
Over at Northern Reflections, Owen does his usual excellent job, this time exploring the dark side of outsourcing, aided and abetted by compliant politicians, through an article by Michael Harris.
These are but two of the many excellent and conscientious bloggers who help me retain some hope for a better tomorrow.
Lorne, great post my friend. There is an aspect to outsourcing which has not been explored. Underage children and women are employed in these countries for do such work and they’re mercilessly abused. What happened to Harper spreading Human Rights? Initially he condemned China for human rights violations. Now he has sold Tar Sands to China. Now China has become Harper’s BFF.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LeDaro. The Harper hypocrisy is breathtaking, isn't it? And of course the same can be said of the United States, which now advocates commercial engagement with such countries in order 'to promote human rights,' while at the same time continuing to shun and boycott Cuba.
ReplyDeleteSince you mentioned Cuba, Lorne, I must add that Cuba looks after its citizens very well. Cuba has one of the best public healthcare systems in the world. Canadians and Americans go there for treatment. Boycotting Cuba is nonsense.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, LeDaro. We have visited the island several times,and have seen how the people take great pride in it and their education system, free for everyone right through university.
DeleteCuba is heading for real trouble now though, since Chavez has passed on. They will be more economically isolated than ever before.
DeleteWhile it remains to be seen what will happen to Cuba's relationship with Venezuela with Chavez's passing, double nickel, I think most would agree it is long past time for the United States to restore normal relations with the island nation.
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