If you want objectivity, go read the Globe

When I started this blog back in March of last year, it was decided that, beyond my opening gambit, I would more or less restrain myself from entering into debate with the scores of contributors whose work defines and sustains the Trial of Conrad Black. I’ve only entered the discussion a couple of times, mostly to set the record straight if an otherwise intelligent thread was threatened by egregious errors of fact—mine or another’s.

Over the weekend, the otherwise engaging Peter Griffiths went a bridge too far when reacting to a comment from Barbara in B.C. I feel the need to respond. Here is the exchange:

On January 4, 2008, at 8:36 p.m., Barbara in B.C. wrote: When it came to Conrad Black: Douglas Bell saw that there was too much piling on and therefore offered a little balance. Very Canadian of him. It’s called mercy.

On January 6, 2008, at 5:39 a.m., Peter Griffiths responded: And that’s called twaddle in polite society…Having time, apparently, to wander the web at will, maybe you could dig up the answer to my earlier question re: the ownership of Toronto Get A Life and see if Canwest or any other Asper investment vehicle holds a significant position. Might explain why Bell decided to show some ‘balance’.”

First of all, I resent the implication that my contributions are “balanced.” If you want objectivity, go fish the Globe out of the trash and read the op-eds. I dare you to remain sensate. As for who owns Toronto Life and the degree said ownership might influence my maunderings—please. They hire libel lawyers to do that sort of thing for them. The owners are too busy making money, which, the last time I looked, is what allows all of us to exercise our right to free expression somewhere other than the bathroom wall. I “decide” what I want to say about Conrad Black et al. and then argue with editors and on occasion lawyers about its relative merit and legality. Suggesting that I’m subject to undue influence beyond that is—how you say?—NUTS.

Beyond that, and back to the subject at hand, the Ontario Securities Commission is holding a hearing tomorrow into the depraved doings of the Hollinger Four. While they’re at it, they might want to revisit Louis Riel and the Rosenbergs.