LA PRESSE - MAY 8, 2018

LA PRESSE - MAY 8, 2018 
By Bernard Bujold-
The date of May 8, 2018 will go down in history as the date of La Presse's abandonment by Power Corporation. 
Indeed, the idea is great from a financial point of view but tragic in terms of the future of Quebec media. 
The formula chosen by Power Corporation to get rid of LA PRESSE and regain its losses of $400 million is copied directly from the US formula of a media like PRO PUBLICA founded in 2007 by one of the Wall Street Journal editors, Paul Steiger, who had left the WSJ when Rupert Murdoch acquired it in 2007. The operation of PRO PUBLICA is entirely funded by donations from wealthy business people. 
However, it requires a strong market and if the United States can effectively support this kind of media, the situation is not comparable here in Quebec. The closest example of a Quebec non-profit media outlet would be Le Devoir and we all know its financial difficulties. 
Clearly, Power Corporation has just emerged from a major financial problem but there is reason to believe that the long-term future of La Presse is seriously threatened not to say condemn to close or at the best to merge with one of two Montreal universities. 
To be continued.  
SEE LA PRESSE PRESS RELEASE 
SEE PRO PUBLICA 
SEE 2018 ANNUAL MEETING POWER CORPORATION 
SEE PHOTO 

SPRING 2018 IS FINALLY AT THE COTTAGE

SPRING 2018
By Bernard Bujold-
The spring of 2018 is finally here and if the mornings are fresh, the nature around the cottage has taken on a renaissance spirit that gives us back a taste for nature and life! 
Good spring 2018!
SEE PHOTOS

AMERICAN GIRL IN ITALY

AMERICAN GIRL IN ITALY (1951) -
By Bernard Bujold-
This picture of Ninalee Craig (90 years old) became a symbol of ME TOO and for the sexual harassment of women by men. But for Ninalee the photo taken in 1951 was fun and she did not feel harassed at all at the time. This is the proof that "fake news" is not a concept born today and that it exists since the beginning of time...
SEE STORY THE GLOBE AND MAIL

DENIS CODERRE AND THE CITY HALL OF MONTREAL IN 2021

DENIS CODERRE AND THE CITY HALL OF MONTREAL IN 2021 -
By Bernard Bujold- 
The former mayor of Montreal has not declared to Paul Arcand his candidacy for mayor of Montreal but he does not say no to a possible return in the next municipal election in 2021. Since his defeat, many Montrealers regularly declare that they are saddened by his departure and they regret not having voted for him... 
Several observers also believe that Denis Coderre could do as Jean Drapeau and come back to the mayor after an absence to remain mayor for several terms. The election of 2021 will coincide with the end of the renovation of the Montreal City Hall!  
To be continued. 
(We can see the interview of Denis Coderre by Paul Arcand on Illico 900 Videotron) 
SEE STORY

JUSTIFY - THE WINNER OF KENTUCKY DERBY 2018

KENTUCKY DERBY 2018
By Bernard Bujold
A new champion is born as JUSTIFY (number 7) easily won the race at KENTUCKY DERBY 2018 as predicted before by many experts.
The next two races for the Triple Crown 2018 will be on May 19 with PREAKNESS and the BELMONT STAKES on June 9.
GO JUSTIFY! GO!
See official KENTUCKY DERBY 

THE POPULARITY OF DONALD TRUMP

THE POPULARITY OF DONALD TRUMP -
By Bernard Bujold- 
 While the popularity of Donald Trump is growing day by day in this spring of 2018 and that his recent economic and political achievements at the world level have earned him the appreciation of many observers who have been opposed to him since his victory, many people ask me why I am a fan of the American President since the first days after the announcement of his candidacy in June 2015! 
The answer is simple and nothing opportunistic! 
It is since my childhood that all the men who inspire me have always been rebellious souls; say what they think without any filter; do not recoil before any adversary or battle if they judge them to be just and well founded; always remain faithful to their families and children regardless of the events of life; and all are creative artists deep within themselves in their respective fields.
The first character to have inspired me is my father, Leonard, but later all my mentors from Brian Mulroney to Pierre Péladeau had all the traits I just mentioned. The American President, Donald J. Trump have them all ! 
I discovered the existence of the American businessman and his father Fred Trump around 1980 at a time when I was close to the United States as a country and culture, having married an American woman from Hartford, Connecticut. Although I divorced from the American in 1991, I still preserved, and still today, my admiration for Donald Trump. I have a profound respect for Donald Trump, and I am very grateful for the inspiration he has given me and still gives me in my personal life. 
In conclusion, from my perspective as an observer, I predict that Donald Trump will be considered in history books as one of the greatest Presidents of the United States. Of course, I am also convinced that Donald will be easily reelected in 2020! 
To be continued... 
SEE PHOTO ALBUM

WILLIE NELSON - LAST MAN STANDING

WILLIE NELSON - LAST MAN STANDING -
The new album by Willie Nelson is out and in a way it is a gift to his fans for his 85 birthday on this Sunday April 29, 2018. 
Happy Birthday Willie!
See video

THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY ACCORDING TO BERNARD BRAULT

THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY ACCORDING TO BERNARD BRAULT- 
By Bernard Bujold-
Although photography has now become accessible to all with smartphones (iPhone), it remains that the true artists of photography are rare and that one quickly distinguishes the real photographers among the mass. One of those is Bernard Brault from La Presse. Bernard is a well-known speaker and is a sort of NIKON ambassador. 
I had the pleasure of attending one of his lectures presented at Gosselin Photo at Dix 30.
According to Bernard Brault, the next significant development in photography will occur at the level of devices without a mirror because of their quiet operation but also very powerful quality. He wants Nikon to aggressively embark on this market... 
Asked about the place of drones and cell phones in photography, Bernard does not see in his two tools a serious player in professional photography but he admits that the cell has fully democratized the photo and made the image creation accessible to the public. 
Bernard Brault has published several books on his photos and his next will be about racing in Formula 1. 
SEE PHOTO ALBUM OF THE CONFERENCE

SOUVENIRS OF THE LATINI

SOUVENIRS OF LATINI ... 
By Bernard Bujold
It was in September 2014 that Montreal learned the end of Latini. 
In April 2018, 4 years later, a gigantic hotel tower took over. The owners, a Spanish chain, want to revive the atmosphere of Latini architecture and a so-called purist style ... 
Who said that nothing is eternal? Fortunately, there remains the memory! What beautiful and good times spent at the restaurant on René Lévesque Street. 
"Lunga vita al ristorante The Latini e Moreno de Marchi"
SEE PHOTO ALBUM

SPRING 2018 AT THE COTTAGE-

SPRING 2018 AT THE COTTAGE- 
By Bernard Bujold-
Nothing better to welcome the true arrival of spring than a Sunday at the cottage. Nature is not yet fully awake even more than a month after the official date (Sunday, April 22) but the promise is there and the sun is partner... 
SEE PHOTO