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Why I trust Jimmy Dore’s news commentary more than any mainstream news outlet

Published

2 years ago

5 minute read

I grew up watching news anchors who exuded a trustworthy and knowledgeable aura which filled me with confidence that what I was being told was the gospel truth.  The news anchors who were usually men, reminded me of a favorite uncle, or a trusted teacher. They seemed like people who I could count on to give me the straight goods, without spin or the ugly taint of personal bias. 

But eventually…sadly, I grew up.

Every major network that I can name has repeatedly discredited themselves. Biased opinions have often been purported to be “facts”, and actual facts have been presented as conspiracy theories. “Journalists” will deflect their obvious malfeasance with feigned contrition saying, “Sure, sometimes we get it wrong, but when we make a mistake, we correct it.”  If that were true, I’d be happy to forgive the mistakes, but it’s not.  The truth is, every major news outlet is in whole, or in part…nothing more than a propaganda machine.  

So, who are we supposed to trust?

Don’t fully trust anyone…ever.  None of us actually know what is going on for sure, but the concept of us not knowing is far too uncomfortable for most people to tolerate. A sense of knowing seems to foster a sense of control. So, instead of doing the hard work of critical thinking, most people pick a team, and allow that team to create their reality for them. If your team is CNN, you’ll hate FOX.  If your team is FOX, you’ll hate all the other teams equally. Not only will you hate the opposing team, but you’ll hate anyone who roots for that team…and not in a “friendly rivalry” kind of way..it will be actual visceral disdain. 

What’s the solution?

Find a Unicorn, and ride it down a rainbow.  The Unicorn you are looking for is someone who doesn’t pick teams. The rare beast who can compliment an enemy, and admonish a friend is the only type of political commentator that I’m willing to listen too. There will still be bias, as there will be with any human being, but when someone is a true critical thinker, the bias is mitigated as best as it can be. 

I’ve found a few Unicorns over the last few years, but none are as interesting to me as Jimmy Dore.  Jimmy self identifies as a progressive liberal. Although I’m a devout centrist with conservative leanings, I enjoy listening to Jimmy because he’s honest. I strongly disagree with him on some major points, but my disagreement doesn’t translate to disdain.  Mr. Dore’s viewpoints are not only authentic and heartfelt, but they are based on considerable research and critical thought.  As such, I find it very easy to respect his opinions regardless of my personal feelings towards the topics at hand.  

It is possible to respect someones’ opinion without agreeing with it, however rare the skill may be. 

In today’s world, disagreement equals disdain.  We seem to have lost the ability to have a thoughtful, and civil conversation with opposing viewpoints. Instead we are labeling each other according to our perceived teams, and closing our minds to any information which is provided by the “other side”.  The more we identify with our teams, the greater the divide between the teams. The greater the divide, the lower the levels of civility and mutual respect. The lower the mutual respect, the higher the likelihood for violent conflict. 

There has never been a time in my life where mutual respect and civil conversation has been more important. Without the free exchange of opposing ideas civil unrest will only increase.  We must listen to each other with open minds, and open hearts before we start fighting each other with closed fists. We must do our best to consider the other teams point of view, and learn to empathise with it instead of condemning it.  If we don’t, the fabric of our civil society will continue to unravel into chaos.

 

For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary.

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Exercise in ‘patience’ pays off for Kadri, says winning a factor in joining Flames

Published on August 19, 2022

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By David Alter

Nazem Kadri said the Calgary Flames expressed interest the moment he became an unrestricted free agent, but it was an “elaborate process” before he finally signed on the dotted line on Thursday.

“The patience definitely did me some good,” Kadri told reporters in a Zoom call Friday. “There were some decisions to be made.”

The Flames’ wild off-season took another dramatic turn Thursday when the team signed the coveted free agent to a seven-year, US$49-million deal.

Before the deal could be made official, Calgary sent forward Sean Monahan and a conditional 2025 first-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations in a move to create salary cap space for Kadri’s contract.

“That’s part of the reason why it’s been taking so long,” Kadri said from Paris, where he is on vacation.

The 32-year-old Kadri was one of the biggest names available in free agency after an all-star season with Colorado that ended with the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup.

The benefits of returning to Canada, where his NHL career started, and taking part in the ‘Battle of Alberta’ with the provincial-rival Edmonton Oilers were benefits to signing with the Flames, but what ultimately led him to sign was how close he feels the team is to winning a Stanley Cup.

“Ultimately, it’s about winning and that played a huge factor in me coming to Calgary,” Kadri said. “The time is now and it certainly can be close with the moves we’ve made and me hopping on board.”

The 31-year-old Kadri had 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games for the Avalanche in 2021-22. He added 15 points in 16 playoff games, including the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final against Tampa Bay.

That was his return to action after being injured in Game 3 of the Western Conference final after being hit from behind by Edmonton forward Evander Kane.

Kadri’s addition capped a wild off-season for the Flames that saw star forward Johnny Gaudreau walk away in free agency.

The Flames’ leading scorer last season (115 points), and a finalist for the Hart Trophy as league MVP, Gaudreau informed the Flames before the start of the free agency period that we would not be re-signing with the Flames in a desire to move closer to home.

The New Jersey native signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets when free agency opened on July 13,.

Calgary was then informed that forward Matthew Tkachuk, who had a breakout season with 42 goals and 104 points, would not sign a contract extension after the upcoming season.

What looked like a potential nightmare for Calgary started to turn around when the Flames dealt Tkachuk to Florida for a package that included forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who had 115 points last season, and defenceman Mackenzie Weegar.

The Flames then locked up Huberdeau long-term with an eight-year, $84-million contract extension.

“It’s alarming to anybody when you lose players of that magnitude,” Kadri said. “But I think Brad (Flames GM Brad Treliving) has done a great job getting some return and valuable players.”

This is not the first time the Flames have tried to add Kadri to their roster. The Flames attempted to acquire him from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019, but Kadri used the no-trade clause in his contract to veto the deal. Kadri was then traded to the Avalanche on July 1, 2019.

“I didn’t see myself leaving (Toronto),” Kadri said about the situation. “That had nothing to do with the city of Calgary or the organization, I just wanted to stay where I was.

“It’s important for me to clarify that. I think it’s important because I’ve always admired the city of Calgary and Canada in general. I’m a Canadian boy. I love playing in Canada but it’s certainly ironic, but it was always a team that was on my radar.”

Kadri was selected seventh overall by Toronto in the 2009 NHL draft and has 512 points (219 goals, 293 assists) in 739 career games with the Maple Leafs and Colorado.

The London, Ontario native has yet to have his day with the Stanley Cup, but his plans include taking it to his hometown.

He also said he’s going to bring it to Toronto, where he spent his first eight NHL seasons.

“I’ve done a lot of growing up in that city as well and there’s been lots of supports of mine there,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2022.

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Alberta

Reports: Flames closing in on signing UFA forward Nazem Kadri

Published on August 18, 2022

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The Calgary Flames are closing in on a deal to sign unrestricted free agent Nazem Kadri, according to multiple media reports.

Sportsnet reported the deal is for seven years at US$7 million per season.

The Flames, according to Sportsnet and TSN, are moving forward Sean Monahan to the Montreal Canadiens to create salary cap space for Kadri’s contract. Details of that trade have not been released.

The 32-year-old Kadri was one of the biggest names available in free agency after an All-Star season with Colorado that ended with the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup.

Kadri had 87 points (28 goals, 59 assists) in 71 games for the Avalanche in 2021-22.

He added 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 16 playoff games, including the overtime winner in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final against Tampa Bay. That was his return to action after being injured in Game 3 of the Western Conference final after being hit from behind by Edmonton forward Evander Kane.

Kadri’s signing would be the latest chapter of a chaotic off-season for the Flames.

Calgary lost leading scorer and Hart Trophy candidate Johnny Gaudreau to the Columbus Blue Jackets early in free agency, then was informed that star forward Matt Tkachuk would not sign a contract extension after the upcoming season.

The Flames dealt Tkachuk to Florida for a package that included forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who had 115 points last season, and defenceman Mackenzie Weegar.

The Flames then locked up Huberdeau long-term with an eight-year, US$84-million contract extension.

Monahan, selected sixth overall by the Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, has played nine seasons in Calgary. The three-time 30-goal scorer tallied just eight goals and 15 assists for 23 points in 65 games last season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 222.

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