Mr. Fife Goes to Washington: Watch Out Mr. President, Bob is on the Premises

As the official visit of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  was getting underway, Alexander Panetta, the Washington correspondent of the Canadian Press issued a "warning" to President Barack Obama on Twitter.

It read: "Warning, Mr. President - @RobertFife is on the premises." Gerald Butts, the principal secretary to the prime minister "liked" it.

Actually it was high praise for Bob, and a mark of respect for his reporting abilities from one of his fellow journalists. Bob, as Chapleau folks know him, was in Washington as Ottawa Bureau Chief of The Globe and Mail to report on the prime minister's visit. Bob joined the Globe in January this year but remains host of CTV's Question Period.

Mr. Panetta was likely warning Mr. Obama that he best watch out as he may be in danger of getting "Fifed" by Bob -- a term I was not aware of until now, even though I have followed Bob's journalism career since 1978 when it began.

Although others may have used the term, I discovered an article on Buzzfeed by Craig Silverman, the Founding Editor Canada, from August 2015 entitled "Why Getting Fifed by CTV Reporter Robert Fife is the Worst Thing That Can Happen to You".

Mr. Silverman also provides a definition: "Fifed. (v.) to strike terror into the hearts of Canadian politicians by Robert Fife." He goes on to provide examples mostly centred on the Senate scandal surrounding Senator Mike Duffy.

It was Bob who broke the scandal wide open, and when I saw the tweet that once again Robert Fife had proven why he is simply the best, it immediately captured my attention. Kevin Newman, was retweeting a comment by Rosa Hwang, senior broadcast producer with CTV National News. "Once again Robert Fife proves why he's simply the best." Bob has received several awards for his reporting.

Bob on Bantam team

"What had Fife done now?  I wrote in my Cranbrook Guardian column that Bob had broken the story that Nigel Wright, the chief of staff to Stephen Harper, then the prime minister, had written a personal cheque to Mike Duffy, the senator appointed by Harper,  for $90,172 to pay back expenses to which the senator was not entitled. 

The Duffy scandal was placed squarely in the office of the prime minister by Bob Fife,

In November 2008, Deborah Howell, the ombudsperson at the Washington Post wrote that "good reporters are the heart of news gathering. If it's news, they have to know it. Without them, the public wouldn't have the news and information essential to running a democracy -- or our lives. Whether the story is local, national or foreign, it has to be gathered on the ground by a reporter." 

Ms Powell added in answering the question about what makes a good reporter, "Endless curiosity and a deep need to know what is happening. Then, the ability to hear a small clue and follow it."

Bob Pres of CHS Student Council seated 2nd on right

That's Bob.

Bob is one of those reporters who certainly fits the comment by former Washington Post Post executive editor Ben Bradlee who thought that a reporter's most important quality is energy: "They've got to love what they're doing; they've got to be serious about turning over rocks, opening doors. The story drives you. It's part of your soul."

In the interests of full disclosure Bob was in Grade Nine when I arrived  to teach at Chapleau High School in 1969, and once he learned I had been a daily newspaper reporter, he never stopped asking me questions throughout his high school years. And when he was attending the University of Toronto, he challenged me on every issue when he came home on vacation or to spend the summers. Maybe I was one of  the first people to to be "Fifed". 

Happy St. Patrick's Day. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

NAMES  CHS Student Council of 1972-73 when Bob Fife was president. Front row from left Jamie Doyle, Eileen McCrea, Tom Tangie, Bob, Patty Desbois. Middle row from left Rusty Deluce, Joan Lapointe, Walter Sonego, Dan Plouffe, Michael Dillon, Mary Ann Morris, Doris Delaney. Back row Robert Doyle, Gary Legros, Leslie Doig, Maurice Blais, Pat Connelly, Keith Marsh

Martin Luther King, the Lincoln Memorial and Me

BY Michael J Morris
I first visited the Lincoln Memorial in 1961, after taking off from university with some of my buddies to enjoy the Florida sun. I wish I could tell you that we left university to join the civil rights movement, but our reason for leaving was that it was a rainy miserable fall day in Waterloo. Somebody said, as we sat drinking beer in the local pub, `Let`s go to Florida,`and without much more thought we piled into my mother`s car (a Corvair), and off we went. At the time I was attending Waterloo Lutheran University, now Wilfrid Laurier University.

I was so impressed with the Lincoln Memorial and all the sites of Washington, and as I reflect on it today, we wandered about freely everywhere we went in the United States capital city. My trip took place of course before the assassinations of President John F Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy and Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr,  and 9/11.

As we travelled into the deep south of the United States, for the first time I saw the reality of the segregated society of the times. I vividly recall the signs on everything from restaurant doors, to water fountains, to restrooms clearly stating No Coloureds Allowed or For Whites Only and words to that effect. And `coloureds`of course were to sit at the back of the bus.

Along one highway we stopped and picked up a hitchhiker who was African American and made room for him in the front seat. I was so shocked when he told us he could not sit there, only in the back. We insisted he sit in the front and we transported this very, very nervous young man to his destination. It never really struck me the danger we placed this person and ourselves in by this seemingly simple act until I saw that great movie 'Mississippi Burning' starring Gene Hackman, and to this day I say, `But for the grace of God...`

Coming from Chapleau, a small village in northern Ontario, even though I had spent many summers in the United States visiting family friends with my Mom, I was shocked that all people could not drink from the same water fountain, use the same washrooms and eat in the same restaurants.

What started out as simply a booze trip with my buddies has had the most profound effect on me ever since, and on January 18, 2009, I had a rush of memories as I watched Barack Obama, the president-elect of the United States, the first African American to be elected to that office, some 47 years plus after I first visited the Lincoln Memorial, speak to the American people. For such a time as this, in my lifetime, I never expected.

When John F Kennedy was assassinated I was editor of the university newspaper (having returned home safely to Canada), and in 1968 I was a newspaper reporter and editor when Dr King and Senator Kennedy were murdered. I was in Detroit and saw the effect of the race riots there, and the protests that were on the rampage in American society. It was a great time to be in the news business as we were almost assured a 120 point type front page headline daily, but by the end of that year I left the daily newspaper business that I loved, and never returned to it on a full time basis.

However, on January 18, the United States celebrates Dr Martin Luther King Jr Day.

At the end of his famous 'I Have A Dream' speech delivered from the Lincoln Memorial in August, 1963, Dr King said in part, `And when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and hamlet, from every state and city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God`s children --- will be able to join hands and to sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual. ``Free at last, free at last; thank God Almighty, we are free at last.``

Yes, freedom has rung among all Americans of good will to bring their nation perhaps closer to that perfect union to which they aspire. To have been a minor witness has been a great privilege. I fully realize that American society, like Canadian, has a long road yet to travel.

Please feel free to comment or send email to me at mj.morris@live.ca
me. Let me know if I may post your thoughts.

Balsillie may be NHL's Bettman worst nightmare over proposed Phoenix Coyotes move to Ontario

Jim Balsillie, the co-CEO of Research In Motion, maker of the popular Blackberry may have become National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman's worst nightmare once again by offering to pay $212.5 million for the Phoenix Coyotes as long as he can move the team to Southern Ontario.

Balsillie who has previously offered to buy the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins and move them to Canada, has also likely got the owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings on the phones to their lawyers advising them to prepare to do all they can to block such a move. Better to let the Coyotes die of thirst on the desert than have another viable NHL franchise in Canada.

Bettman, the American who runs the NHL, has never supported another franchise in Canada, as he tries to turn hockey into an American game in the most unlikely of places -- for example, Phoenix, Arizona. At one time Bettman is quoted as saying he would "fix" the Coyotes, who apparently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under U.S. law on May 5.

Here's one for you and it might give Bettman pause to consider the popularity of NHL hockey in the United States. President Barack Obama, basketball player extraordinaire, admitted that he had never watched an NHL game -- and he lived in the NHL cities of Chicago and Boston, where he attended Harvard University.


Greg Wyshynski of PuckDaddy.com provides an inside look at the situation
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Coyotes-file-for-Chapter-11-Balsillie-bids-to-m?urn=nhl,161402

I believe Southern Ontario can support another NHL team and it is likely Winnipeg can too -- maybe even the lower mainland of British Columbia.

Let's bring the NHL home to Canada to cities where it will thrive.

Email me on this one or post comments: mj.morris@live.ca

Harper 'in the loo' when G-20 photo taken, BBC reports

The BBC reported that Stephen Harper, the prime minister of Canada, was 'in the loo' and missed the group photo of G-20 leaders at their conference in London. Chapleau native, now CTV News Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife reported that the PM's office is furious about reports that he was in the washroom, claiming he was meeting with his staff.

CTV News further reports that Harper 'became famous' at the meeting because he missed the photo-op. Apparently when he showed up US President Barack Obama went over and welcomed him.

A quick check of online news outlets shows that Harper's absence is making headlines everywhere today. CNN headline: "Canadian PM denies toilet break during photo op." One way to get some attention when you are appearing way off on the side in the group photo.

Have to wonder if they would have proceeded with the photo if if had been President Obama who was absent. Don't think so! Reports are they took a second one including Harper after his return from wherever he was.

http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/abc/home/contentposting.aspx?isfa=1&feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V3&showbyline=True&date=true&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20090402%2fG20_harperphoto_090402


Comments welcome as always mj.morris@live.ca or here

Barack Obama is heading to Canada

Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Canada on February 19, making it his first official visit to another country since becoming president of the United States on January 20. Some Canadian journalists are calling it a 'fly by' as Obama will arrive in our capital city Ottawa in the morning, spend time with Stephen Harper, the prime minister and have lunch, answer a few questions at a news conference, then head back to the airport and likely be back in Washington before his children go to bed.

His trip may or may not get a mention on the major American news broadcasts, but at the news conference, Canadian journalists get two questions --- one in English, the other in French. The other two are for the U.S. traveling press corps, according to reports.

What will President Obama and Prime Minister Harper discuss. Obviously the economy.

The U.S. president is hugely popular in Canada with about an 80% approval rating but he will not be making a major address to the Canadian people. In fact the Canadian parliament is on a break this week.

It is difficult to really say how the president and the prime minister will get along but given the dire state of the global economy and the importance of Canada - U.S. trade let's hope all goes OK. I can recall the disastrous relationships between President John F Kennedy and Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and President Lyndon Johnson and Prime Minister Lester Pearson.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien and President Bill Clinton became golfing buddies.

I have my doubts if Obama and Harper will ever break out into song like President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney did with the rendition of 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling' but making a connection for a positive relationship between the two countries will be sufficient.

Harper must be looking forward to the photo-op with Obama, the world's political rock star, hoping it will give him a boost in the polls.

Perhaps President Obama will have much more in common with Official Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff who he plans to meet at the airport. Both attended Harvard University, and Ignatieff headed the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy there during the time that Lawrence Summers was Harvard president. Summers is now the head of Obama's National Economic Council based in the White House. A good friend to have in Washington and Dr Summers is apparently accompanying the president to Ottawa!

Please feel free to leave comment. Email me at mj.morris@live.ca

CINDY writes to Bruno Serato 'on high and mighty in castle in the sky'

A note from Michael: As Cindy notes, she is a former student of mine from my days at Chapleau High School more than 20 years ago. Thank you Cindy for your kind words about me. I have invited my students to contribute to the blog, and when I received a copy of her letter to Bruno Serato, I immediately asked her if we could post it here. Thanks Cindy!

By Cindy Mahon-Pilon
Dear Bruno:
Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Cindy Mahon-Pilon and I am an old friend of Michael J. Morris. MJ was my all time most favorite teacher. He taught me more of life and people than any before or after him have managed to do, as a matter of fact he is still teaching me daily as I read his blog faithfully.

I read the article which he wrote about you with great interest (the first article). I went to the web link which brought me to your wonderful web page. http://anaheimwhitehouse.com/

It is quite wonderful to learn of an individual who is as kind and generous as yourself. I presently have 5 teenagers aged 14 - 19 living with me, so I gathered them all around the computer and we surfed through your website together. We were all touched by your acts of kindness. The 6 of us spent some time after that sitting around the kitchen table discussing how your contributions make a difference within society and how important it is to give back to society when the opportunity presents itself. You Sir are an amazing man for all that you do for the children and others.

I was appalled when I read MJ's blog article regarding the negative feedback that you have received regarding the naming of a room at your restaurant The Barack Obama Room. I have to stop and wonder if even one of those people writing the negative feedback even have a clue what you do for the underprivileged. It seems as if people just always want to complain and judge others while they sit high and mighty in their castle in the sky.

I know that I am way up in Northern Ontario, Canada, but I just wanted to let you know that I applaud you for your actions. You are an amazing human being and way too many people out there are extremely narrow minded and negative thinkers. Do not let them get you down.
Well that is about all for now.
Best regards;
Cindy Mahon-Pilon

Please feel free to comment!

Bruno Serato gets backlash over Barack Obama room at Anaheim White House restaurant

Bruno Serato, the owner of the award winning Anaheim White House restaurant in southern California has received a shocking response to his decision to name one of the rooms after Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.

Bruno, who provides free meals daily to at least 100 underprivileged children and raises millions for charitable causes, has been receiving emails attacking him for creating the Barack Obama room. Bruno has named rooms after several U.S. presidents, Republican and Democrat, and former presidents Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon have eaten there.

Full disclosure: Bruno has been my very good friend for many years and I have visited him in California, and am well aware of his work with underprivileged children. In fact, I recall at one point in the afternoon, the truck was loaded and off Bruno and my friend American model Leighton Stultz went to deliver the meals.

One email attacking Bruno's decision said in part: "I am not an Obama supporter. I could never be, and as much as having an African American in the White House could be a good thing, having one with Marxist ideals is certainly not a good thing..."

And another: "You must be kidding. he didn't do anything yet other than weaken our internal security..."

One more: "Do not insult us with a Barack Obama room. You have no idea whether he will be a great leader or a hopeless socialist..."

Bruno, who is an immigrant to the United States from Italy, is the epitome of fulfilling the American Dream. In reponse to the attacks, he says, "I'm not a politician. I'm a restaurateur. But because I do a lot of things with a presidential theme, I put name on the room because of its history. If an African American can come from a history of slavery and go forward to be president, that shows we are moving forward."

For more information on Bruno's restaurant go to http://www.anaheimwhitehouse.com/

Here is link to Orange County Register story on this matter: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/room-obama-house-2294553-restaurant-one

Since receiving a message from Bruno last night about the attacks, the good news is that I am receiving emails from Bruno supporters and I will post some in comments. You are invited to comment too or send me an email at mj.morris@live.ca

Harper 'on probation' as Barack Obama plans trip to Canada

Michael Ignatieff, the Liberal leader, ensured the survival of the minority Harper government by agreeing to vote for its budget as long as it agreed to provide regular reports to the House of Commons. The government agreed and Ignatieff says, Harper and company are "on probation."

Reaction: Jack Layton, the NDP leader was not at all pleased with Ignatieff's decision, and says there is now a Liberal-Tory coalition. The one his party entered into with former Liberal leader Stephane Dion, propped up by Gilles Duceppe, and the separatist Bloc Quebecois died. Duceppe more or less shrugged at Ignatieff`s knowing that in politics you do what you gotta do!

Layton is obviously very angry that his bid to become a cabinet minister through the back door failed with the collapse of the coalition. The NDP would have had six seats in a 24 member cabinet. The NDP has launched radio ads attacking Ignatieff. Nasty, nasty Jack!

Politics makes strange bedfellows: Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, a Liberal is gushing with praise for the Harper government's budget, while Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams, a Conservative, and Quebec Premier Jean Charest, now a Liberal but former leader of the national Conservative party (then called Progressive Conservatives) are unhappy. Only in Canada!

But the REALLY BIG news is that US President Barack Obama is coming to Canada on February 19, his first official visit to another country since becoming president. He will meet with the prime minister and other important people. All want to at least have a photo op with Obama. He has an 80% approval rating among Canadians, much more popular than any Canadian politician. President Obama will not be staying overnight -- he arrives in the morning of the 19th, and will likely be back in the White House before his children go to bed.

Enjoy your day

Obama Room "Inaugurated" at Anaheim White House Restaurant

Within days of becoming president of the United States, Barack Obama has already had a room "inaugurated" in his name at Bruno Serato's famous award winning Anaheim White House Restaurant in California.

UPDATED, NOVEMBER 7, 2012 after US election results show President Barack Obama re-elected. Bruno eestablished the room after Mr. Obama was first elected in 2008.

My good friend Bruno has named an American hero and has been recognized globally for his work in feeding "motel kids" in his community.

Just visiting the Anaheim White House restaurant is an experience in itself, add your meal and it all becomes one of life's great moments. Trust me folks. I spent several days as Bruno's guest while assisting him on his best selling cookbook "Temptation at the White House." No I did not help Bruno with the recipes, I just assisted with the editing!

Bruno of course knows I am from Canada and invited me to visit for the lighting of the Christmas tree experience. There I was, a kid from northern Ontario,  in southern California for the lighting of a huge Christmas tree

Bruno is actually very bipartisan when it comes to American politics and former presidents George W Bush and Jimmy Carter have eaten at his popular restaurant.

For an insight into the Anaheim White House restaurant at http://www.anaheimwhitehouse.com/ If you are in southern California be sure to visit and tell Bruno I sent you. You will be treated like a president.

BARACK OBAMA: THE FIRST INTERNET PRESIDENT!

At almost the moment he took office on January 20, Barack Obama showed that he is a transformational president in more ways than one -- a new interactive White House web site was launched which will undoubtedly change the way the presidency works, much like his use of the internet to get there changed the dynamics of political campaigns for the future.

The site, http://whitehouse.gov/ has many interactive features but the one that appealed most to me at first glance was the invitation to send an e-mail to the president and his staff. Of course, it means the president will now collect the e-mail addresses of millions of Americans, and can send them messages. much like he does now to his over 10 million online supporters.

In a CNN article about the new site, Andrew Rasiej, founder of the Personal Democracy Forum said in part it is "the tip of the iceberg in what's coming in participatory politics and the relationship between the president and the public." Link to CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/white.house.website/index.html

Rasiej sure got that right, and politicians everywhere should get the message. I chuckle in way at the small city mayor who in his sincere desire to improve communications with his citizens has ingtroduced brown bag lunch sessions at city hall where the folks can come and break bread and chat with him. Nice 20th century idea. He may be better advised to maximize Myspace, Facebook and Twitter and start by looking at http://www.whitehouse.gov/

The future is now. Please add your comments, email me at mj.morris@live.ca or comment on my Facebook page.

Barack Obama gets high approval ratings from Canadians

As Barack Obama assumes office as the 44th president of the United States, two polls show that Canadians overwhelmingly support him.

An EKOS poll done for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation shows that Obama has an 81% percent approval rating among Canadians.

When asked the question: "When watching the excitement surrounding the inauguration of Barack Obama and comparing it to our own political leadership I feel disappointed with our options", 47% of the respondents agreed with the statement.

A Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll revealed that 57% of Canadians believe Obama will exceed expectations as president.

I will give my own views on the polls later, but let's hear from you. Post comments here or send me an email at mj.morris@live.ca

More poll info at http://ctv.ca and http://cbc.ca