Prisoners of War?
Photo Credit: Morris Lamont/The Canadian Press
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Prisoners of War? |
A message for the Tory Tories
‘Let the prop children go’
In my early days as a journalist, including three years with The Globe and Mail, I often carried a camera to support my stories. Children are the most photogenic. They are always the most enthusiastic and the least self-conscious.
One time, with the permission of a primary school principal in Aurora, just north of Toronto, and their parents, I used children to block a silly decision by York County Council that would have virtually decimated the in-school services of health nurses.
The photos and the copy made up the first page of The Globe’s second section (in journalese: the second front). A cry of outrage from parents and teachers caused the Council to rescind its motion and the day was saved.
But the photo above, using children as props in a political campaign on a Strathroy farm Saturday, is hardly short of abuse. Just look at their faces and posture — clearly, they are bored and very uncomfortable.
The speakers, Ontario PC leader John Tory with candidate Monte McNaughton, however, entirely self-absorbed, are oblivious to the discomfort of their props. Surely common sense should be exercised in future Tory propaganda stunts. Take your photos and let the kids go.
They have no interest in sitting through a series of speeches that I’m sure would be boring even to most adults.
Looking forward
Carl Dow
Editor and Publisher
True North Perspective
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