Of Horses and Newspapers

From today's front-page news:

'He still hopes to make the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project a reality before leaving office. "I'm definitely going to hang around to see if I can get it done," said the premier. But Williams said he's not going to stick around forever "to beat a dead horse" if a deal cannot be sealed, nor will he sign a bad deal for the sake of getting one done while in office.'

Look at the front page of today's Telegram (you may need to re-focus your eyes to take in all of the photo), and tell me that's it not all about him. Try and stomach the tired references to his business life and his accomplishments and, if you can, read and reflect on the last line of the article. Makes you wonder just who is beating a dead horse.

The Non-Story Story, II

It looks like the non-story Romaine story may have traction after all, with the Telegram weighing in this morning:
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=221918&sc=80

A sensible enough editorial, but what on earth possessed them to give legitimacy to Wingnut Nation by saying, "One Internet commentator has already sent a letter to Premier Danny Williams likening the non-recognition of the established boundary as "an overt act of aggression" and even "an act of war." I'm sure said internet commentator is mighty pleased with the free press.

The local media have been slow to wake up to the fact that facts matter less than politics and popular memory when it comes to nationalisms and borders.

The Quebec media certainly aren't letting go of this. In today's le Soleil, Michel Corbeil's column weighs in on the border question and, unlike the Tely, links it to the development of the Lower Churchill:

"Des sources québécoises soutiennent que Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador tente de faire obstacle à La Romaine pour préserver les minces chances de lancer son propre projet, la construction d'installations sur le Bas-Churchill, au Labrador."

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-soleil/affaires/actualite-economique/200902/12/01-826840-ultime-effort-de-terre-neuve-pour-bloquer-la-romaine.php

Update:

There is a wire report from the Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador stating that the entire Romaine project lies on Innu territory:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2009/12/c8291.html


Back to the Future Update:

This Yakabuski article in the Glib certainly shows how little has changed in three years:

http://www.sqwalk.com/blog2006/000864.html

"[T]he Hydro Idol finale might not be pretty to watch. Although it will undoubtedly spawn entertaining conspiracy theories on Newfoundland talk shows."

The end might not be here, but the conspiracy theories are already out in full force.