We kicked off 2009 by breaking the real story behind the actions of News Years Eve partiers rescuing a mother and her infant from a drunken carjacker on Horace Avenue, and that momentum carried on through :
- the amazing "meth caller" after a druggie suicide in a cop chase,
- our coverage of the lies by Health Minister Theresa Oswald and WRHA officials about the preventable Emergency Room death of Brian Sinclair,
- our exclusive interview with MP turned MLA Bill Blaikie,
- "breaking news story of the year" about the cover-up of the hospital negligence that contributed to the 2004 death of Gail Glesby at Health Sciences Centre,
- the whistleblower-driven expose of the 1999 NDP Election Finance scam,
- The Parking Authority and Transit's Diamond Lane policies running roughshod over Winnipeg drivers, businesses and neighbourhoods
- the very valid reasons why the Hydro Whistleblower should be protected from attacks by the likes of Bob Brennan and have a proper airing of her complaint of financial and risk mismanagement
- Did someone mention Climategate?
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The Winnipeg Free Press 2009 misadventures in journalism, such as inventing "Aurtarlia", the exploitation of Faron Hall, and the overall arrogance, bad reporting, and slanted writings as typified by the shameless cheerleading for the Pet Projects of Millionaires and elitists (the Friends of Upper Fort Garry, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the Point Douglas Provincial Park) resulted in our "News Analysis Story of the Year":
the downfall of the Free Press as the
'newspaper of record'.
It is already apparent that on Monday, January 4th, we will be following up on the same theme, as Gordon Sinclair Jr. soon will be bragging about treating his homeless hero buddy Faron Hall to some Taco Time on Tuesday. ( Has Faron ever been invited to dinner at Chez Gordo in Lindenwoods, or are 'parkers' preventing turnover at the Sinclair table?)
Today, the broadsheet on Mountain Avenue that brags about their 4 legislature reporters completely failed to report on the sudden "retirement" of Elections Manitoba chief Richard Balasko.
Is Tricky Dickie trying to duck a legislative committee in January, loaded with questions about his role in the shady 2003 deal with the NDP and former Premier Gary Doer that saw Balasko hide news of the agreed "settlement" of possible criminal charges against the NDP until 7 months after the 2003 election?
We will have LOTS to say about this on Monday.
(Only one other mainstream media outlet reported by 5 PM on Balasko's sudden departure -- with nary a hint that he is dogged by the scandal and facing an Opposition grilling in January. Shame on the MSM.
Even more shame on the NDP government which for some unknown reason, couldn't spare a typist to produce a press release on the subject today... it couldn't have had anything to do with wanting to keep the majority of newsrooms and the general public in the dark, would it?)
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Meanwhile, FP vice-editrix Julie Carl tried to entice subscribers this afternoon with the following "news":
" Looking ahead
We often look back wistfully at the year behind us the last week of December, but the Free Press looks ahead in tomorrow’s paper. We asked three of Winnipeg’s brightest commentators 10 questions about 2010. Think of it as a program for the new year. And you know what they say: you’re lost without a program. "
Even though we were not on the air, Canada's smartest radio audience sent us a flurry of predictions as to the FP's chosen troika.
Here is a sample:
" Richard Cloutier, Lloyd Axworthy and David Northcott ;-)"
(from a blogger:) " Not me. If any bloggers at all, I'm thinking either (Liberal pollster) Curtis Brown or Policy Frog will be among them. Rounding out the roster will be some old Trotskyite eggheads in academia. Not because they are currently among the brightest commentators, but because they are still on the rolodexes of a tired, unimaginative MSM."
"Guesses?
Faron Hall
Nahanni Fontaine
Dave Hill.
Because she just wants you to get happy".
:)
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Don't forget our theme for Year 4:
"YOU HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE CHANGE!"
That is what TGCTS in 2010 will be all about.
(That, and a few visits to the dentist.)
******************A special thanks to our regular visitors and contributors this year, including:
Tahl East of CDI College,
Darryl Walsh of Triallo Communication Media,
RRC J-student Jess Chapman,
Jon Waldman of Slam! Sports,
the King of Corydon Avenue Frank the Italian Barber,
NFL expert Brad Harrison,
This Week in History with Professor Levinski,
the boys from Illegal Curve,
and a true friend, Kelly Dehn of CTV.
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The sponsors of the show were enthusiastic and showed great faith in our program and the role of alternative media in Winnipeg.
To:
Unicity Taxi,
the Winnipeg Police Association,
CDI College,
The Focal Point Optician on the U of Manitoba campus, Atlantic Pizza,
TJ Bratt,
Phil's Barber Shop,
CanadaSheli.com,
Curb-Ease,
Brad Gross,
the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association,
Triallo Communication Media
and
Steven Hanks Premier Massage Group,
thank you for supporting TGCTS and 92.9 Kick-FM in 2009.
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There would be no broadcasts without the hard work of our volunteer producers.
Many thanks are in order to Shannah-Lee, Spirited Kenny, Kick-FM News Director Awesome Adam Toy, Deniz of Humber College, Brad of the peanut gallery, RRC's Danielle and Stacia, and Kiirsten May and Josh Grummett, both now of CJOB68.
And hey, Senior Producer Captain Audio, take a bow as well.
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November and December guests:
Coun. Jenny Gerbasi
Brian Smiley, Manitoba Public Insurance
Kevin Lamoureaux, Liberal MLA
Hugh McFadyen, Manitobas Conservative leader
Greg Oliver, Slam! Wrestling editor
Scott Taylor, CITI-FM sports director
Coun. Jeff Browaty
Mike Sutherland, Winnipeg Police Association
Ezra Ginzburg, Drew Mindell, and Richard Pollock, Illegalcurve.com
Tony Condello, Ultimate Cage Wars/Kerry Brown Tribute Show
Sean Crawford, MacDonald Youth Services
Coun. John Orlikow
Colin Butler and Mike Wolchuk, Pollock's Hardware Co-op
Mayor Sam Katz
Melanie Pitcher, Walk4Darfur
Alex Morrison, scientist
Coun. Harvey Smith
Bart Jose, Artists Emporium
Dr. Tim Ball, Climategate expert
The BEAT DJ's -- Indierawker and Mod Marty
Larry Stefaniuk, WiseUp Winnipeg
Coun. Scott Fielding
Dan Lett, Winnipeg Free Press
David Faurschou, Conservative MLA
Colin Craig, Canadian Taxpayers Federation
JOHN K of VJ's Drive -Inn
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR AND DON'T FORGET TO LISTEN TO ALL-STAR SUNDAY AT 7 PM.
PS: Rest in Peace, former NCAA and professional wrestling champion Steve "Dr. Death" Williams. A protege of Cowboy Bill Watts and an unbelievably physical competitor, Steve died yesterday of throat cancer at age 49.
Here is a link to a brief tribute from his friend Missy Hyatt, scroll down for links she has compiled to many of his greatest matches from the US and Japan.
Thanks for the memories, Doc.
