National Geographic rides again

[zodiac <zodiac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi there --

Here's a gem for the National Geographic file:

The upcoming issue has an article about Toronto -- supposedly about the
multiethnic composition to The Big Smoke (I haven't seen the issue). In the
middle of this story, guess who National Geographic simply feels compelled
to quote as a representative source?

Ernst Zundel!

The main publisher of neo-Nazi and Holocaust denial material to the
planet. (He lives right around the corner in a heavily barricaded house,
which is, I assure you, a thrill.)

Nothing could more clearly underline those quotes Louis P. provided from the
book "How to read National Geographic", or whatever it was called, a few
weeks ago.

Let's spell this out:

    National Geographic frames the issue such that a
    glimpse of a city of 4 million people -- loaded with
    immigrants, Toronto gets about 33 per cent of
    Canada's immigrants every year -- has to
    quote Ernst Zundel, "racialist" extraordinaire!

That must have been some great editorial meeting:

    "Dunno, the story lacks something. It seems to suggest people of
    different cultures can co-exist without killing each other."

    "I agree. It needs a more... more..."

    "Balanced viewpoint?"

    "That's it. Balanced viewpoint!"

    "Saying what?"

    "You know... things ain't that great... some ethnic groups are
    angry... that sorta thing..."

    Silence.

    Much angst-ridden pencil tapping and forehead clutching.

    "Hey!"

    "Got something?"

    "What about a quote from Ernst Zundel, claiming blacks, being
    subhuman animals, are responsible for rapes and drive-by shootings?"

    "Right!"

    "He lives in Toronto!"

    "Terrific!"

    "Go get me a quote! That will make a fine balance!"


Ken.


P.S. Here's a local story from the city's largest daily:

    ARTICLE'S RACIST QUOTES ANGER MAYORS

    Toronto Star
    May 16 1996
    p A32

    By Gail Swainson
    Metro Hall Bureau

    Metro mayors say they are outraged that National Georgraphic magazine
    quotes Holocaust denier and white supremacist Ernst Zundel on race
    issues in an article on Toronto.

    "This man is a blight on our community, an embarrassment," East York
    Major Michael Prue fumed.

    Prue said he believes in the media's right to quote anyone they wish,
    but Zundel believea dn spreads "atrocious lies."

    Metro Chairman Alan Tonks said a distinguished journal like National
    Georgraphic should not be using intemperate comments by a known
    hatemonger to advance informed dialogue on race issues.

    "Zundel does not represent balanced commentary in this city," Tonks
    said.

    The generally flattering article in the June issue, written by
    Connecticut freelance writer Richard Conniff, talks about, among other
    things, Metro's ethnic diversity.

    Zundel is identified as "one of the leading neo-Nazi propagandists in
    the world."

    In the article, Zundel blames blacks for drive-by shootings, rapes and
    robberies.

    Robert Poole, the magazine's associate editor, said Zundel is quoted
    because "he is an extreme example of the antithesis of what makes
    Toronto work."

    "We talk about ethnic diversity making Toronto the great city it is.
    That is the over-all thrust of the story," Poole said in a telephone
    interview yesterday.

    Toronto Mayor Barbara Hall is drafting a letter to National
    Geographic's editor, protesting the decision to quote Zundel, her
    spokesperson, Rob Moore, said.

    -30-




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