Lots of thoughtful social media criticism of our question for Sunday's Checkup and we listened. The new question: what do you think of Trump's comments about Canada becoming the 51st state? The show's being simulcast on more than 100 NPR stations. It's a chance to make your voice heard.
Comments
A better approach might be to invite experts on foreign relations & NATO to inform those NPR stations of the impacts of Trump's announcements that the US is abandoning Article 5.
It’s a threat of annexation. A threat against Canada’s sovereignty.
Sound bites could very well be used maliciously and out of context against Canada. The lives of Canadian citizens could be endangered by the fallout.
Repeating the same words used by the aggressor over and over.
Replacing “annexation” with “proposal”.
Replacing “threats” with “comments”.
Eventually the initial threat becomes normalized and acceptable.
Annexation could destroy the lives of millions of Canadians.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup/contact-cross-country-checkup-1.4362725
I'll be using my own words, but this is a great response to use as a general guide:
https://www.reddit.com/r/CBC_Radio/comments/1iualws/comment/mdxxpov/
Our soverignty is not up for debate!
If you talk about this as anything other than a threat to Canada and unlawful action by Trump, you are complicit.
Stand up for our country!!
Not having the broadcast is knuckling under to Trump’s bullshit.
https://bsky.app/profile/pixiepenny.bsky.social/post/3lispkwwu422a
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5353
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-5359
..."call upon the Government of Canada to transition official government communications away from Twitter/X to more secure, community-regulated platforms that prioritise public safety, accurate information, and accessibility. We encourage the government...
Let's see if @charlieangus104.bsky.social can merge the 2 of them.
Thx @cacuqhta.bsky.social
Just a coincidence, the CBC board is Harper era apointees, who have no issue with becoming the 51st state. And have the fucking temerity to host this under threat of invasion. If they hate it here so much, bishes can leave!!!!
Like having a BBC crew interview Hess when he crashed his Plane in Scotland, "let's hear his message, for surely the truth lies in the middle". Whut? No, he's lucky he got arrested!!!
You're just going to flatter trumps ego by giving his 51st comments airtime
#CanadaForever
It’s as bad as giving equal time to scientists who don’t believe in human caused climate change.
With all due respect, which is frankly none, go fuck yourself. My family has always called your trash show "Cross Country Whackos" but this is a new low AND giving yanks the right to chime in is frankly insulting.
Garbage.
This is not a debate that should be allowed to happen.
This is equivalent to giving airtime to climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, and eugenicists.
Why are we giving airtime to legitimize what is a proposed fascist invasion?
Don’t even give the term “51st state” airtime.
“America wants to invade us.”
Thats a topic sure, but don’t start the conversation on their terms.
It’s complying in advance.
They are not.
Let's host an open conversation to see what everyone else thinks of my "proposal".
See how ridiculous that sounds?
A conversation about the illegal acts and threats to Canada and what we should do, sure. But this is not a discussion for debate.
We just took so much from the indigenous, no discussion required. How did that go?
https://www.codastory.com/polarization/shattering-the-overton-window/
How can you be this obtuse? Read the damn room man.
If you go forward with this, your career is over.
None of us can accept or normalize Trump’s comments or behaviours.
He’s a profound risk to Canada in many ways, including to our economy and politics.
https://bsky.app/profile/anneapplebaum.bsky.social/post/3litbsftl4s2r
Canadians are demanding this simulcast be cancelled. LISTEN TO US!!
Why are you giving this a platform and an opening?
Cancel the fucking episode. Do anything else.
#DEFUNDCBC
You think this will lead to forgiveness? You’ve exposed your true character and we won’t forget that you’re a collaborator.
You’ve lost a fan today. Good luck in life.
It *ISN'T* up for discussion.
Talk about something else.
Canada is in FAR better shape (health care, social services) than the US.
So...NO!
Eff Trump, Musk, and the horsesh*t fascist Republican Party they rode in on.
"Would you rather be shot or stabbed by your neighbour? We will discuss this with the neighbour."
This is not something that needs to be “discussed”. It is not A Modest Proposal. They should be met with righteous indignation and dismissed out of hand.
JFC.
SHAME on you.
And traitorous.
I've been taking that approach at the start of this but I think it's falling out of the 'adequate' category, quickly.
Can you hear us?
DO NOT GIVE ANY AIR TIME TO THIS TRUMP CRAP!
The bigger question for those south of the border: how do you feel about Trump inviting millions and millions of Canadians to (permanently) migrate south?
#DefundCBC
#TraitortoCanada
WHAT are you doing? #Canada is a sovereign nation. WHY are you entertaining our violent overthrow by our neighbour? The loss of 40% of our wages, assets, savings, pensions? The loss of healthcare? Pillaging resources?
Do not proceed with this.
😡😡😡
Comments = threats
Becoming the 51st state = annexation by force
Fixed it for you.
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/checkup
It shows you lack the confidence to use proper verbiage when describing divisive topics.
Plenty of options to choose from
Have found Ian to not only be professional, willing to take on issues & also to be empathetic.
What is your opinion based on?
Mine is based on interaction with Ian regarding a news story.
Nuff said.
Canada & its international partners will be fine.
I feel bad for US citizens dealing with that lunatic.
How do I feel? I feel we ought to discuss plans on how to handle this threat. I feel you're not taking it seriously enough. Do better.
This is embarrassing, Ian. Do better. Or, give space to someone who can handle the moment.
#ICYMI Here's why DC needs to be the 51st state! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifP5UVsf3dk
https://bsky.app/profile/charlieangus104.bsky.social/post/3lishsvtke22p
"All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force ..."
With this topic CBC has broken their mandate and are causing harm to Canadian unity.
Here’s the link if you’re as mad as me.
https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/contact/question.htm
“Contribute to a shared national consciousness and identity;”
You’ve failed here sir.
Stupid question!!!!
There can only be one answer. Next question.
I want to know why you journalists are pussy-footing around calling out fascism right in front of our eyes. And how about the alliance and friendly nature of Smith, Poilievre, Ford, and etc. towards MAGA ideology? Eh???
It's like the CBC is out to make enemies of the people who support them.
We are essentially under attack and it’s being done for the world to see. Throw out your playbook and get real or turn off your microphone.
To see OUR public broadcaster fall into that same pattern is frightening, disgusting . . . . We've seen this movie!
CBC Org Chart should undergo a review.
Healthcare is our biggest expense and we don’t have a one hour weekly televised show for it.
I support CBC, need changes tho
I’ll bet that would garner lots of great discussion from NPR callers!
Read that again and think of the consequences..to callers..
Talk about grassroots supports, buying Canadian and holding the line against fascism. Do not give oxygen to the threats!
True North. Strong. And Free
1 Seeing the threat to sovereignty & culture.
2 Complain to his employer.
3 Identify the company & all their commercial interests. Stop supporting them with your custom.
4 Convince one person to do the same.
No nasty messages, just spread the word and use money wisely.
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If Trump succeeds in consolidating power then American soldiers could be bombing and shooting us within a few years.
The “comments” are threats.
Making Canada a state implies force, which is a violation of sovereignty under Int’l law.
Check the name on the door. You’re allowed to be unabashedly Canadian in this. (And I really doubt an NPR audience will fault you.)
I have already boycotted a number of companies and products. It is unfortunate if I have to add CBC to the list.
The United States government is threatening to unexist us as a nation. What part of that does the CBC not seem to understand?
It's Trump: you can tell he's lying because his lips are moving.
"What do you think of Trump's annexation threat?" FIFY.
This is not a conversation - it’s your personal little piece of white paper.
I thought you were better than this
Don't be a tool for Trump.
Ask people what they think that Canada should do if it's invaded by Russian missiles or drones.
Ask if they think about:
Do we need our own missile and drone iron dome, besides NORAD?
Should Canadians avoid traveling to the US?