This man, Mgr. Raymond Hanna, the head of the Maronite Church of Ottawa, spoke to Lowell Green earlier in the week and told Lowell that he was thankful to Canada and ESPECIALLY to Stephen Harper for the efforts being made to get Lebanese Canadians out of harms way.
He is such a softspoken man, but today I saw an interview with him on CTV Newsnet and he bitchslapped the media for only interviewing one or two angry, outspoken Lebanese evacuees regarding their harrowing trip. He also says that the media should try to get some of those holding rosaries or Korans for an interview because he knows the majority of those coming to Canada are grateful for being here and thankful to be out of the warzone. He, in fact, admonished the media for it’s bias!!! (You Go Monsignor!!)
I for one am very proud to have this man running an organization in the city of Ottawa, with it’s very large Lebanese community. I do believe that they are one of the bright spots in our community and they have been nothing short of fantastic citizens and friends to me.
With the backlash starting and many speaking out about how ungrateful the evacuees are being, I think the Monsignor realizes that the media bias is going to cost the Lebanese community quite a bit of respect among other Canadians.
Thank you Monsignor. You truly are helping making a bad situation get better with your words of thanks and your well needed scolding of the media.
(note: I have been watching CTV for a repeat of his speech to record but CTV must have been embarassed by his admonishment because they have not replayed it…yet)
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“Priceless” I watched that interview and knew that it would not be repeated.The “news person” doing the interview had a visable problem dealing with him while trying not showing her bias.
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The squeakiest wheels get the camera…uh, grease.
Nice to hear the other side. I didn’t get to see the interview, but I’ll see if I can find it online.
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Great post! The Monsignor put the blame squarely where it belongs – on the shoulders of the media. It is disgraceful. It’s almost a form of hate-speech when you think about it.
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Joanne, I couldn’t find the video. Grrr. I did email the Church website asking for a copy if it was recorded but with the Lebanese festival (i know i know bad timing) going on in Ottawa, it might not have been caught.
CTV is too chickenshit to put it on their online video list.
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Oh, well. You explained what he said very well, and the point is the same whether or not you can get the video.
The Monsignor has put a little balance back in a volatile situation.