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Israel Asper has passed away

Israel Asper has passed away.

Asper, 71, was the owner of CanWestGlobal, the Canadian media conglomerate that owned, among other things, Global Television and the Montreal Gazette.

“The company feels a sense of profound loss on the passing of our founder, who distinguished himself as a visionary business leader, a caring leader in his encouragement and financial support of worthy causes, and as a champion of Israel,” a news release sent to staff said.

Unfortunately, Asper became a symbol to the anti-Israel crowd of every rotton Jewish stereotype in the book: a wealthy capitalist, owner of a company fuelling media convergence, and an outspoken supporter of Israel. It is my hope that, with his passing, they will maintain a modicum of respect for the man.

I highly doubt it, though. They haven’t demonstrated their ability to be respectful.

Asper was a controversial figure to some, but all he really did was become successful and then use his success to attempt to advance causes he believed in. He will be sorely missed.

{ 5 comments… add one }
  • David H 10.08.03, 8:25 AM

    Random question.

    Why is it that when someone dies, we are supposed to start treating them with more respect? If I didn’t like what they stood for in life, their death will hardly change my viewpoint…

    Personally, I hope that everyone treats me with respect while I’m alive. After I die, I don’t care what they say… after all, I’ll be dead.

  • angua 10.08.03, 4:48 PM

    You family, friends, and others who love you will be alive. They will be mourning your passage, and it will not be made easier by people who curse or mock you.

    That’s how I see it, anyway. It’s not so much respect for the dead as respect for the living.

  • Mr. Butts 10.08.03, 11:39 PM

    It was kinda surprsing to see that the National Post said Izzy “died suddenly” in the same article in which they described him as a “71-year-old chain smoker.”

    Chain smokers don’t die suddenly. They slowly commit suicide.

    The Gazette talked about him chain smoking in their building; something that’s against the law. Why am I not surprised that he’d bully his underlings like that?

  • angua 10.09.03, 12:49 AM

    Et voila! Let’s say nasty things about someone whose corpse is still warm because he had political views we disagree with. Classy, Mr. Butts. With a capital K.

  • joe 10.13.03, 10:14 PM

    I’m sure the Gazette staff will miss him terribly!

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