It was back in the 1970s in an advertising agency boardroom in New York, the president of the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society was being given a preview of that year’s proposed advertising campaign for the U.S. Multiple Sclerosis Society. The ads, headlined by Frank Sinatra and similar luminaries, were slick and professional. We thanked the Americans for their generosity but turned down their offer.
The show the other day by Neil Young reminded us very much of the incident. And do not get us wrong, Neil Young is a great talent as Frank Sinatra was back in his day. The problem is that Neil Young is no expert on tar sands in the same way as Frank Sinatra was no expert on Multiple Sclerosis.
The difference was that Neil Young was using his musical talent to raise money for a court challenge by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation. These people needed help and he was helping in the only way he can—using his talent. Where he might have erred was in comparing Fort McMurray to Hiroshima. That type of hyperbole might seem effective but it is taking the argument to a level that leaves little room for sensible discussion.
What the first nations people want is for the Canadian government to come to the bargaining table. They want the government to pay attention to the environmental and health problems that are arising because of the unfettered exploitation of their lands and rivers. The government, according to Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq, is claiming that the economic benefits outweigh the aboriginal concerns.
It is good that Neil Young is concerned. All Canadians should be concerned about the exploitation of the Athabasca tar sands. It is not only a continuing concern for the environment of these sensitive lands but the bitumen dug from the sands is an environmental hazard that keeps on polluting. Whether shipped by inadequate railway cars or through jury-rigged oil pipelines at high temperatures and high pressure, bitumen is a dangerous soup of toxic chemicals. When refined, it creates mountains of carbon slag that continue to pollute.
And, in case you think the Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Society was wrong to turn down Frank Sinatra, we can tell you today that it was the right decision. The realistic campaigns over the years for Multiple Sclerosis have made the society the third best known health charity in Canada. The society is a leader in the world-wide fight to end multiple sclerosis. Progress is being made.
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Copyright 2014 © Peter Lowry
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