(Bumped for updates)
SDA gets results!
A quote attributed to Don Cherry that The Canadian Press included in a list of some of the year’s most memorable quotes was in fact “made up” by a Toronto-based blogger, the news agency acknowledged Friday.
The quote — “This just proves what a nation of pussies we are” — was said to be Cherry reacting to news of Canada’s declining crime rate.
In fact, Cherry never uttered the words.
[…]
The fact the quote was itself being quoted was brought to the attention of the news agency, and to Bradley himself, by blogger Kate McMillan, who had been alerted to it by a reader on her “Small Dead Animals” blog.
“I called him and asked him and he said, ‘Yeah, I just made it up,'” said McMillan, from Delisle, Sask.
“It’s something that we have to watch for as bloggers all the time, especially those of us that are high traffic and have a point of view.”
McMillan said she appreciated the fact that The Canadian Press responded to her call by immediately taking steps to report its error.
“Sometimes we do this and we get nothing but silence or resistance,” she said.
Original post continues below:
SDA reader Chris, in the comments;
Canadian Press “reporter” Linda Shearman has filed a story on the most “infamous” Canadian quotes in 2011. #1 on the list is this:
“This just proves what a nation of p*ssies we are.” — Don Cherry on news that Canada’s murder rate is at its lowest since the 1960s.
PROBLEM: Cherry never said this.
It appears on a blog post at http://www.andrewbradley.ca/?p=1819 and from the context, it is clear that it’s satire, i.e., a fictional, made-up quote, not something that Don Cherry ever said.
This story has been picked up by Global and the Globe and Mail, among other sites online. But as yet, no one seems to have picked up on the fact their supposedly most infamous quote of 2011 is not something Don Cherry ever said.
I called the Canadian Press about this, and talked to Linda Shearman, who wrote the story. She’s promised to check that the quote is legitimate and get back to me. But I did ask her if it made any sense that Don Cherry would make such a statement in response to a falling murder rate? I read her the entire passage, including the passage about bayonets.
“Do you ever listen to him?” She asked.
“Yes?”
“He says some pretty outrageous things.” she replied.
“Sure, he has his views about hockey, but do you really think Don Cherry would be in favour of a higher murder rate? Does that even make sense?”
She stated was sure she picked it up from other news stories. I pointed out that, given the practice of reporters eating each other’s turds, wasn’t it possible that someone else had picked it up from a satire site before she recycled it as fact?
Because I couldn’t find a source on Google that predates the satire.
She said she’d check it out. I suggested she contact Don Cherry.
Because I called Andrew Bradley. He says he just made it up.
UPDATE: Linda Shearman just called – SDA gets results. Canadian Press will be issuing a correction.
UPDATE 2: Don Cherry is not amused.
For today’s top nominee in journalistic cowardice, the fake quote captured above has been quietly removed in the Globe and Mail version, without so much as noting the page has been updated. However, they forgot to fix their rankings – now their “top ten” infamous quotes begin with #2.
Smirk: “they forgot to fix their rankings – now their “top ten” infamous quotes begin with #2.”
I really think their impending demise is taking far too long. In fairness, perhaps they are overworked and no one is taking the time to fact check, but sooner or later there has to be a big crash and it should all come tumbling down. If there were fewer of them, perhaps those left standing would have a better product and would be able to garner enough income to actually hire more staff and do a better job of the fact checking bit, but, very likely because so many journalists went into the business in order to propagate leftist talking points, the idea of actually verifying the facts is very low on the list of priorities and none actually want to give up the perches where from they preach.
That’s why I refer to journalists as urnalists, liberal media seems devoid of professional standards via due dilegence.
SDA gets results.
I just went over to the globe site and put up a comment about their quotes.
I received this warning ” We will not add your comment until you remove the following words: pussies.”
Mind-boggling,you are not allowed to use the word in a reader’s comment,but they have no problem using it in a mis-quote.
It appears that the G&M are having trouble putting up another #1 quote.
In the spirit of the season,I suggest we give them a hand.Please do your utmost to verify your quotes,journalism should not be trifled with.
Kate:
Here’s something else:
Previously, they had two Cherry quotes, the fake one at #1, and then another one higer up, it was at #5 I think. When they removed the one at #1, they moved up his other quote so he remained at the front of the list.
That kind of behaviour would surely undermine any claim of remorse or embrassment, if there were one coming.
It now says ‘this story is no longer available’. They’ve removed the whole set from the web.
Kate sez to the journo: …”(journos )eat each others turds…”
Thanks Kate!
You are a classic!
scf, actually the two Cherry quotes were originally ranked #1 and #2 (see here). In the new version they took out the fake one (#1) and moved #2-#9 up by one, and inserted Justin Trudeau’s piece of s*** apology at #9. (here).
“He says some pretty outrageous things.” she said.
So what?! What kind of a journalistic standard is that? Either Cherry made the comment, or he didn’t.
OK, the new story is now being re-posted on some sites with NO correction notice, apology, or even acknowledgment that they made any changes. City TV, for example.
This is disgusting.
How appropriate the headline of the article, “I’m Rob (expletive) Ford,” is also fake.
Kate does it again. Good job.
Hopefully Don sues the Grope and Flail.
I emailed Sun News a few days ago and suggested that they give Don Cherry a spot in their lineup in some manner.
ET, I can still access it. Try this link.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadas-top-10-most-infamous-quotes-of-2011/article2268149/
Btw,quote #5 is good. I hope it isn’t fake also.
” This fellow said, ‘I was so depressed last night, thinking about the economy, wars, jobs, my savings, social security, retirement funds, etc., I called a suicide hotline and got a call centre in Pakistan. When I told them I was suicidal, they got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.“’
— Newfoundland and Labrador Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie tells a joke while swearing in provincial cabinet ministers.
Well done, Kate!
So Shearman admits to making an error. She filed a story about a completely non-existent quote. This is a good indication that she is lazy, incompetent and quite likely, stupid to boot.
In the real world, demonstrating these less than stellar qualities would result in a rapid, involuntary change in career paths. However, I strongly suspect that Shearman will continue her career as a “reporter” and continue doing as little as possible to report accurately.
some one said it is a “TIME” element that prevents proper fact checking, does this also apply when an opinion piece is being hacked out?????
John Crosbie makes me laugh. I’m p|$$ed he’s not number one.
It’s impressive that you got them to admit the error Kate but judging by the page as it currently stands, Ms. Shearman appears determined to keep Don Cherry at #1.
The satirical quote has been replaced by another Don actually made. I hope Don sues the smug buggars into the stone age…
oopps…should read all the comments first…
Nice catch Chris – Good work Kate. I hope Don Cherry makes these nasty fools pay and pay and pay ($ and moral).
Bravo Kate and SDA.
Bravo.
This is interesting.
The ‘quote’ column can be acessed if you have the direct link.
If you do not,it is not to be found. Check this out,I may be wrong,but as always,I doubt it.
Hit the link;
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/canadas-top-10-most-infamous-quotes-of-2011/article2268149/
OK,you got the story.
Now go to the top left hand side of the page and work backwards from where you the Globe and Mail’s ‘Home News National’.
It cannot be found.
They buried it. Unless you have a direct link,this story never existed.
Time to hit the paypal on those sites that treat you like an adult.
Talk the talk,and then walk the walk.
Again, fact-checking my arse.
As Kate suggests, a 3-second question of oneself: “Is it possible that Don Cherry would be disappointed by lower murder stats” would have deep-sixed this venal, atrocious bit of character assassination.
Lawyers aren’t entirely worthless! Use of one here by Cherry suing their asses off, might help assure more honest journalism in the future.
Cherry Challenge: Don, you’re a pussy if you don’t sue over this.
Sorry for the lack of asterisks: there’s something wrong with my 8/asterisk key!
This is just pathetic. They are now trying to blame Andrew Bradley for their screw-up:
“In fact, the quote attributed to Cherry in The Canadian Press story was taken from a satirical web site by a Toronto-based blogger. The Oct. 28 blog post purported to quote Cherry – reacting to news of Canada’s low crime rate – as saying, ‘This just proves what a nation of pussies we are.’ The blogger has since acknowledged that the quote was “made up.”
No, CP. It was always obvious that the quote was made up. Bradley calls his posts “complete and utter malarky”… he never made any attempt to portray his fictional Cherry quotes as real.
Quite the opposite: “Cherry boldly said the lack of violence in Canadian society ‘Makes me want to puke. Back in my day, you were expected to finish a guy with your musket, bayonet, or give him the old Chuck Wagon treatment.’
It’s obvious that Ms. Shearman (and who knows how many others at CP) read an obviously fake quote and accepted it as real because they hate Cherry and will believe any slander against him.
And now they’re trying to pretend they were somehow tricked by Bradley’s obviously satirical site.
I think the real malarky is coming from CP.
Lets just have a look at Dons funding of minor hockey, and then look at Dons other donations, and compare them to these media whores donations, need I say more. Long live a true Canadian patriot Don Cherry, and go to hell, you liars in the media and wherever else you purvey lies, we are now a nation of sleuths thanks to the internet, you cannot lie anymore, there will never be a liberal govt in Canada anymore because of this fact, suck it up LIEBERALS, it is over like the Wheat Boards monopoly.
Unphooking believable.
Well, not really.
Would Shearman be Mallicks pen name?
Another update:
Cherry’s lawyer Trevor Whiffen, a partner at Dickinson Wright LLP, said Don expects an apology from the Globe.
“Don Cherry never made this statement. Evidently, the Globe and Mail and Canadian Press attributed this quote to Mr. Cherry based on information found on a blog, without questioning the integrity of the source. They didn’t even call Mr. Cherry to confirm the comment. Notwithstanding their error The Globe (has not) sought fit to publish a retraction or an apology, even after the error was brought to their attention. Mr. Cherry has been harmed in the process and deserves better. Quite frankly, we expect more from the media, and are confident that the courts will take a serious view of this issue.”
http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/16/don-cherry-blasts-infamous-quote
The Don Cherry quote story highlights the corrupt nature of the leftist Canadian MSM.
Knowing they are the political opinion shapers in this country is mind numbing.
Is it any wonder MSM were the adscam malfeasance enablers of the corrupt Chretien / Martin administration?
He better sue these idiots. You can’t go around destroying people’s characters without consequence. I can understand an honest mistake, followed by an honest apology but as usual that is not what occurred here. Sorry lamestream losers this time you deserve to get what’s coming.
Lamestream quotes blogs and then gets outed by blogs. Why the hell do we need these people again?
Globe now shows a different Cherry quote as #1. Funny how the new quote wasn’t even top-10 before.
Its the Canadian Press! they lost any claim to credibility years ago. Did anyone honestly expect a different outcome? No journalist in this country has reported the news for ages… they spin news, they don’t report it.
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the good ol’ globe & mail… and when they’re
not actually dealing… they’re enabling.
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