Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2003
Source: Era-Banner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 The Era-Banner
Contact:  http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/newscentre/aurora/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2678
Author: Howard A. Doughty

TEACHERS, NURSES DESERVE EQUAL COVERAGE

Between York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge's highly publicized 
"crackdown" on marijuana grow houses and the York Regional Police 
Association's public relations campaign supporting increased funding, our 
local law enforcement institutions are apparently taking advantage of all 
the media attention they can attract.

Their self-interest is understandable and their tactics are certainly 
working. I wonder, however, what prompts newspapers such as The Liberal to 
so generously cover an obvious media blitz.

That a York Region constable would urge taxpayers to ante up more cash is 
politically interesting, but it does not rise to the level of "news" and 
hardly merits a front-page headline.

No one of sound judgement has ever accused The Liberal of being "liberal", 
but I don't think it unfair to ask if a similar meeting of teachers urging 
increased education spending or nurses advocating larger public health 
budgets (to say nothing of groups dedicated to the legalization of 
marijuana) could expect similarly enthusiastic support and free publicity.

HOWARD A. DOUGHTY

RICHMOND HILL
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