Check It Out: Leaving a legacy of loved and hated commentary

By Joan Janzen

The monument at the man's grave read: “Born 1940. Gave up smoking 1985. Gave up booze 1995. Gave up red meat 2000. Died anyway 2010”.

Although he was working and practicing his craft right up until May 7, 2024, well-known Canadian journalist Rex Murphy died anyway on May 9. In addition to working for the National Post, he was a familiar voice on radio, television, and podcasts. A hint of an accent gave away his roots in Newfoundland.

Known as a free thinker, Murphy was fearless in expressing his views, but was also intelligent, articulate and exercised a keen wit. Whether people agreed or disagreed with him, he was the recipient of a Game Changers Award a few months prior to his death.

His obituary stated he died at age 77 after a battle with cancer, but even that didn't stop him from expressing his thoughts prior to leaving this earth. The health challenges he faced must have made him aware of the uncertainty of the length of his life. Sometimes, people in those circumstances tend to express what is of utmost importance to them while they have the opportunity to do so.

Two pieces Murphy penned before his passing addressed the topic of Israel and antisemitism. The headline of his article published on April 25, 2024, read, "Hatred of Israel is the great moral disorder of our time." As was his custom, he didn't hold back any punches.

"It cannot be otherwise that the hearts and souls of those who wisely love Israel are today so troubled when the enemies of Israel, those in the Middle East, those in North America and Europe - all those everywhere who root their very being in hatred of Israel - flood the streets and higher universities with their Hamas flags, and blasphemously scream that exposed, tiny, embattled, and peaceful Israel is a genocide state," Murphy wrote.

He ended that piece with this encouragement, "Support for Israel is the moral test of democratic leaders and all people with thinking and fair minds," and promised he would write more in his next missive, which he did.

His May 7 piece brought the topic closer to home as he contemplated Canada's relationship with Israel. "Political cowardice, the fear of losing some of the Muslim vote has Trudeau responding to antisemitism by dusting off tattered platitudes ("This is not who we are as Canadians") or some equally flaccid slogan crafted by speechwriters."

He continued to say he heard that a Jew at the University of Toronto must show proof of anti-Israel beliefs in order to be allowed on their own campus. He further speculated if the response would differ if it was any other group besides the Jews who were being targeted with hatred.

As was Murphy's usual custom, he boldly and unapologetically stated his views. "Trudeau is presented with a singular and essential moral choice to make. The choice to stand with democratic Israel, to rebut the insolent lies about genocide and apartheid, to name Hamas for the total sadistic villain it is," he wrote in his final missive. "Do you think he'll make that choice? Not very likely," he concluded.

Canadian campuses have resorted to name-calling, saying those who believe in the existence of a Jewish state are racist terrorists, labelling others as retards and dirty Jews. Such behaviour is generally discouraged for children, but these adults somehow feel justified in their hatred.

True North questioned whether the hateful behaviour equates with their claims as peaceful, anti-war protests. They reported an Ontario MPP calling to "globalize the intifada" at an encampment on McMaster University's campus. The term refers to an armed uprising of Palestinians.

On a positive note, True North reported the dismantling of an encampment at the University of Calgary last week. The U of A president reported fewer than 25% of the encampment were students.

Meanwhile, comments written in response to Murphy's final missive were positive. "Thanks again, Rex," one comment stated. "You always state the facts as they are. Much appreciated."

In a recent article, Robin Rowland described Murphy as "one of Canada's best-known, loved and hated TV commentators and columnists." Regardless whether the feedback Murphy received was complimentary or derogatory in nature, at present he is beyond caring, and perhaps he always was. It could be the secret to his bold and fearless commentary.

Another reader responded by saying, "Thank you for articulating what so many Canadians feel about our PM's failures regarding this war."

Unfortunately, as of May 9, 2024, there is one less voice articulating the views held by many Canadians. Hopefully, a brave, articulate, informed and witty individual from the next generation will choose to pick up the baton Rex Murphy left behind. Loved and hated commentary isn't a legacy many wish to inherit, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart.

Who will step up to the challenge? Time will tell.