Play Us A Song....

.....You're The Dobrano Man

ThisIsNotNigeria
FundTheSchoolsVille

Look, the Sarah McLachlan's Music Outreach program is a marvellous thing.

But.

Five hundred large thrown at a special program for a photo-op and a strum of the guitar does not in any way ameliorate what Mr. Gordon Campbell's neoconnnish bashing of the VSB has done to exterminate extracurricular programs in Vancouver's schools.

Especially inner city schools where parents can't raise the thousands of dollars required that those in the creme de la creme belt can generate with a snap of their fingers.

What the heckfire am I talking about?

Here's the story from Sarah Rowlands:

Inner-city kids with dreams of gracing the cover of Rolling Stone got a helping hand from the provincial government yesterday.

Premier Gordon Campbell announced B.C. will give a $500,000 grant to Sarah McLachlan Music Outreach, an Arts Umbrella Project that offers free music lessons to underprivileged students attending select East Van schools.

"Arts touch the lives of kids in ways we can't anticipate or measure," said Campbell, who thanked McLachlan profusely for her dedication to the five-year-old after-school program.

A glowing, gracious and very pregnant McLachlan was on hand at the Arts Umbrella instructional facility to accept the donation.

"It's a huge understatement to say that music made a difference in my life," said the Canadian songstress. "It's been an amazing gift to see this program come to life."

After their respective statements, the premier and McLachlan grabbed a couple of guitars and started jamming with some of the kids.

About halfway through their Radiohead cover the bespectacled politician asked, "What chord are we playing?"

A truly surreal moment.

Oh, just so you know, the Canadian Press is reporting that:

"The premier said he'd always wanted to learn the banjo and the guitar, having been inspired by the legendary folk singer Pete Seeger."

Pete the Commie-Pinko Seeger?

The guy who has spent his entire life supporting unions and trying to really help people?

Guess this just goes to show.....

If you can't beat 'em, co-opt 'em.

Sheesh.

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