Thread: Ottawa funds, then condemns ‘Manu Militari’ rap video that glorifies terrorists

Ottawa funds, then condemns ‘Manu Militari’ rap video that glorifies terrorists
By Andy Radia | Canada Politics – Fri, 29 Jun, 2012
Ottawa funds, then condemns
Apparently the Department of Canadian Heritage needs to do a better job with due diligence before doling out money to Canadian musicians and art groups.

According to the Toronto Sun, MusicAction, a non-profit organization primarily funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, contributed more than $100,000 to a francophone artist who produced a rap video glorifying the Taliban and applauding the slaughter of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan.

"The enemy approaches," rapper Manu Militari says during the video." I recognize Canada's colours."

Later he says, "In a few seconds they'll understand how much I hate them."

The slick production, according to the Sun, is set for official release on the 11th anniversary of al-Qaida's 2001 terrorist attacks.

In response to the story, late Thursday, the Prime Minister's office sent out this email:

Shocking Music Video Glorifies Taliban Terrorists

Rapper Manu Militari has released a song and music video that glorify Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan. The shocking video includes a reenactment of a roadside bomb attack on a Canadian military vehicle and the murder of Canadian soldiers.

This music video is outrageous and offensive and our government denounces it in the strongest terms.

Our men and women in uniform have fought and 158 have died in Afghanistan in defence of the values that we hold dear.

Canadian soldiers have been fighting in Afghanistan for over 10 years, longer than both World Wars.

This music video glorifies terrorism and shows an utter lack of support to those who have sacrificed everything for us.

On Friday afternoon, heritage minister James Moore tweeted that "Music Action's contribution does not meet the conditions funding. We expect measures will be taken in response."

Unfortunately, the Taliban-touting rapper isn't the only artist to have embarrassed the government.

Last May, it was learned that the government funded a punk rock group from Vancouver to produce an album called "Holy Sh#t". The album was subtitled "The Poo Testament," and had liner notes that recreated the Ascension with Christ portrayed as a turd.

In February, Radio Canada was slammed for airing "Hard," a soft-core porn drama produced in France, on their taxpayer funded web portal.

Other ridiculous examples of funding come from Telefilm -- Canada's film funding body. In recent years, they have funded movies with titles such as "Young people F#%ing," "Suck" and "Masturbators."

How do these films enhance Canadian culture?

All this would actually be funny if it wasn't our tax dollars they were spending.

Notwithstanding the Taliban video, there seems to be something seriously wrong with Canadian Heritage's funding mechanisms and adjudication processes.