Each time there's a problem Susan blames the readers for 'misconstruing' her words. Remember when the people who were offended by the Ezra Lavent money/Jew illustration were told by Susan that THEY were the ones who were anti-semites for making the connection?

You had this second chance and there is not even a real apology for your carelessness, but instead begging for people to spare YOUR own feelings.

Susan, get over yourself, the only proper way to atone is for someone else to ensure that Martin gets a REAL and THOROUGH tribute for Thursdays paper.

Sorry Susan, not good enough. I would have had more respect for your follow-up if you had (a) scrapped the first "obituary" that you churned out like the hack you are, and (b) the ovaries to rewrite it - along with an apology to Mr. Streek's family, friends, and fans.

But no, its easier to throw up some thoroughly insincere, self-pitying addendum that ultimately means too little, too late.

Quote from Part 1: "He was fired from his beloved radio station in mid-May, a victim of restructuring. He had been trying to clean up over the past years – decades on the club scene had led to some dangerous excess."

Yeah, I really blew it by thinking you suggested he died of substance abuse, eh Susan?

And don't tell me that he's looking down at us from heaven loving your shoddy research. That's stupid. Just apologize without the lame self-justification.

Nope. Doesn't cut it. You wrote: "He had been trying to clean up over the past years – decades on the club scene had led to some dangerous excess. But he didn't make it. Toronto's lost a true original." Enlighten me. How does one misinterpret that statement? Pray tell, what was the real message here that us ignorant readers could not understand? Your use of verb tense (The past progressive) clearly suggests an ongoing attempt up until his death to stop using drugs. So riddle me this again? What were you trying to say?

I won a snowboard from martin Streek for having the largest scar at a sound academy free concert. That was last year. Odd that he's dead now.

I have to agree with everyone else. You dropped the ball badly on the first article, and instead of making it right you tried to pull the wool over peoples eyes.

"He had been TRYING to clean up over the past years.... But didn't make it"

How does that read as anything other than he was in an ongoing battle with drugs and booze, and the drugs and booze won. Nope. You were wrong the first time and this attempt to make right is frankly pathetic. I hope this is the last article you ever write. I know it's the last one by you I will ever read.

If it seems that "readers have misconstrued my comments" time and time again then perhaps you should spend more time studying the art of clear written communication before taking a position like Senior Entertainment editor at a major weekly publication.

Just a thought.

Your ability to convey your thoughts clearly to an audience via the written word is weak at best.

Know your strengths and understand how you are doing your boss and the NOW publication a disservice.

What was "But he didn't make it" supposed to refer to when your previous sentence was about getting clean after years of excess?

what a bitch!

Mistakes happen. Your obit was carelessly written but a good apology might have quelled your readers' anger. This does come across as pretty insincere, hastily written and not particularly apologetic. Yes, people are grieving, emotions are high, and some of the comments on the obit were over the top, but you fucked up a guy's obituary and that's kinda shitty. From what I've seen of your previous work, this isn't the first time you've had to backpedal either. Try swallowing your ego, toning down the glibness and making an attempt at graciousness next time, and maybe you have a chance of improving as a journalist.

Precisely zero response would have been better than this. What is your fucking hurry? Maybe this is a sign you're too busy. Your work is consistently lazy and sloppy. Just chill!! Write more than one draft. Save drafts. Walk away. Come back. Write some more. It's fucking journalism for a weekly not 680 NEWS, you have time to contemplate. Have some respect for the readers if you don't have respect for your craft.

At this point, please just shut the fuck up. Don't write a third turd.

Do you think we're stupid? Really? As one of your peers in Journalism I am embarrassed of the name you are giving this profession. Readers of NOW have lost a lot of respect for this publication, and if the (very few) people ABOVE Cole at Now, do not act on this, it will be a travesty for a fairly good magazine.

Save yourself Susan, stop speaking. Don't bullshit people. You think since you've been in the business a while, that you can use your words to persuade the less intelligent? Your writing lacks depth and any intelligence that you are hoping to use to overwhelm the layman.

Too little too late, Susan. You can't fix everything in the world by saying sorry, even if your mea culpa had made any sense (it doesn't). Epic fail.

Absolutely ridiculous. You wrote your first article without researching or fact checking a word you were writing.

Then, when a group of smart people, some of who knew the deceased, call you out on your shit, you blame OUR misinterpretation of your glorious tribute.

YOU blame US for your horrible fucking writing skills. You try to peg your stupidity, shallowness, and blatant arrogance on the reader. ----(removed by editor)

Liisa Ladouceur wrote a real nice article on Eye. It even has interesting facts and quotes. Check it out...

Susan, you continue to be full of shit. He deserved more respect and to blame the "misunderstanding" on the readers is even lower.

If you had any true class you would learn from people the likes of Alan Cross..

"And yes, Martin also had his demons. They're none of your business."

Mentioning, insinuating or even hinting about Martin's possible demons has no place here, so close to his death. If you truly had any respect for the man you would have avoided the subject - it has no place here.

I am not going to waste my time insulting or slandering you, I'll leave the slandering to you.

Your cowardice is amazing.

I really think Susan should find out what it's like to be a "victim of restructuring" at NOW.

Why would someone of your calibre be allowed to write for a publication? It is still good journalism if you show compassion, empathy and respect.....or look at the amazing feedback you get from everyone.

Think before you write!

too little too late. insincere apologies do not count. Bye Bye NOW, i'll return when I hear she's gone ..

i'm sure THIS won't be misconstrued

peace!

Ya know, I stopped picking up NOW a few years ago when it stopped being funny or interesting, and started focusing exclusively on a few bands and issues that were obviously dear to the editor's heart. eye isn't much better, and it saddens me to see a day when Metro is the best free paper in Toronto. NOW used to be THE magazine, the best paper in the city, and genuinely seemed in touch with its readership. This article, and its antecedent, are the final proof to me that you guys could give a shit about what we think; as long as you have an echo chamber for your own opinions, right?

I miss the old NOW. And as I look back, it seems that the paper started sucking right around the time this authour was hired as Senior Entertainment Editor.

What a crazy coincidence. Hurm.

Actually Susan, you did make suggestions about Martin's death in your original obituary. No one "misconstrued" anything. How about a proper apology?

As a feminist, I cannot believe I'm about to say this, but...

NOW - put your bitch on a leash.

Comment removed

Your first obit really could not be misconstrued with the following quote. "He had been trying to clean up over the past years – decades on the club scene had led to some dangerous excess." But now you say "I know that Streek was clean for years." If you can't see the problem with those two quotes from your article I really would have to say you are blind. Writing a proper obit for someone who's won awards from your own newspaper should not be to hard. But apparently it is for some writers.

Martin was forced by others at the station to become a foot soldier for others' causes.

The angst that led to his suicide was as much a product of their nudge-nudge, wink-wink cause as it was anything else.

Upon his forced departure, perhap he became too big a liability. Sadly they have one fewer good person to blackmail into submission.

Remember, it isn't a conspiracy if the participants beleive they are doing the right thing at the time.

Time for the cops to investigate!

I believe there are five words that, when sincerely said and not negated by a lot of qualifiers, can right a lot of wrongs. Sadly, not enough people are able to say, "I'm sorry. I was wrong."

I wish I never came to this site. I'll always remember this messed up bio when I think of him passing on.

You passive aggressive, snivelling, whiny, self-centred, unapologetic, 'poor me' head-up-your-ass, hack of an excuse for a writer.

If I were just a wee bit peeved before, I'm TWENTY times angrier now.

What kind of a freaking retraction, correction, addendum, apology and/or mea culpa is that???

It had NOTHING to do with Martin Streek, and EVERYTHING to do with you--and your freaking ego. Still, I'm sure it killed you to write even that much. Must have choked on the words.

And I quote:

----------------

"...have been upset by my short obit and that distresses ME, in return."

"I MEANT to honour someone who made a real difference on the music scene and instead, readers have MISCONSTRUED MY COMMENTS"

"I and many others – I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO MISSED IT – got it wrong".

"Now let's get back to remembering why Martin Streek mattered so much to so many people".

--------

Yeah, sure, Susan. You go ahead and tell us what we should "get back to". Fair enough. In that case, you won't mind me telling you to "get back to" journalism school--if you ever attended one in the first place. And maybe "get back to" a time in your life where you had empathy for others--if you ever did.

This is perhaps the worst, most selfish so-called 'apology' I have ever read.

I certainly hope NOW staffers can do a lot better for tomorrow's edition.

I was among those saying perhaps we shouldn't be so hard on you, Susan. That it wasn't fair to ask for your firing.

But you know what? Now? (no pun intended), I think I'd happily go for just that.

I'm even more sickened....

It's a real shame that Susan Cole has overtaken Martin's passing as the story here. This response is so insincere, this is really sad. It's our fault that the first obituary suggested he died because of a drug addiction? How does Susan Cole sleep at night? Hopefully very badly from now on. Quit writing, you hack.

Dummy. Bimbo. Idiot. So sorry that your original article caused YOU so much distress. Choke on it, asshole.

I'm amused to read that all comments are reviewed. I'd love to see what didn't meet the high bar.

Anyway, there's a rumour that Susan tried to improve her writing and research skills - including that intangible skills of fruitful hesitation - but she didn't make it. Pass it on.

What I hope is that once we get past the anger someone writes the apology she should have given. It could be a writing contest of sorts: a "mea culpa-off".

One can't but wonder how much the need to get something in quick and to appear to have the inside track factored into the decision to run with the original excreta.

This isn't her first transgression. It's time to pack it in and renew the blood at Now. Because this really is beyond the pale - twice in as many days.

That is not a fix, ms. cole. A full apology and offering resignation would seem more appropriate for your slanderous journalism . go into politics where bullshit, lies ,and blaming others for your own stupidity are more suited.

Some of us have started a Facebook group on Susan and this obit/unapology. Please feel free to join, or just offer suggestions. Clearly we aren't getting through to Ms. Cole or NOW...

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100440287276&ref=mf

Restructure susan.

Give the woman a break people...there are some truths to every story. Perhaps her research was a bit scant, but do you think seething words are going to make the sadness over Martin Streek's death any less painful?

Point is, you are chastisizing her lack of class for an article poorly written, and in the same breath lacking class yourselves by your derogatory and scathing insults. Hypocritical if you ask me.

No Leia. There is no giving someone who is a professional journalist a break when they have very clearly failed at their job. It is their responsibility to research accurately and present facts with a fine balance of empathy. This "writer" failed on multiple levels to do so. Perhaps she was in a hurry. Perhaps she didn't care. Either way... she did not do her job. Look at Eye Weekly, The Star, Citynews.ca, cp24.com and multiple other blogs. THEY did their job. Susan failed and insulted her audience. She deserves the ire of the people that her job dictates she should connect with. Period.

She should be FIRED. She should be "restructured". There are many, many more qualified and apt writers in Toronto that could have done this situation justice. I don't know why she has the position she has. But she should stop and really take a long look at what she is producing and how harmful, worthless and low-quality it is.

Susan.. I suggest you go back to either a) Journalism School or b) Jurassic Park.. You fucking Lickalotapuss Dinosaur!

You know what? I think Susan got one thing right... He is laughing right now. Just not at, what she thinks he's laughing at. He's laughing AT her, NOT with her. (BIG difference.) Laughing at how much she screwed up, and how soooo many people are ripping her a new one. Its kinda funny acutally. Is anyone taking bets on how part 3 will read? Im actually kinda looking forward to seeing just how much deeper she can dig her little hole. correction... HUGE HOLE!!!

Leia:

Sorry, no. I don't recall asking you. Say "Hi" to Susan for me.

Ya OK, blame it on us not getting right Susan, thanks. You said he was a drug addict and that's what got him, stop this shit. Just admit your a hack, and you ripped the information off another crappy right up that was also a hack publication.

You do this constantly.

Wow, so let's TL;DR here.

"You're all stupid, I'm a great writer, I KNEW MARTIN STREEK, I'm not sorry."

This won't stop until you lose your job Susan.

I like the above suggestion that we should all write the apology Susan SHOULD have written. Everyone submit them as comments.

I'll be back with mine shortly, sarcastic, amusing, serious business, take your pic, but let's show this stunned c*nt how a sincere apology reads.

"If you googled her right after her death, you reached site after site spewing hate toward her – much of it based on untruths about her viewpoint – but once the hostility subsided, relatively respectful obits referred to her as someone whose time had passed."

Ms. Cole, you wrote that in 2005 about Andrea Dworkin, the eminent feminist and activist who died in April of that year. At the time, you had the decency and professionalism to thoroughly research the details of a controversial author's life and career, doing so in a way that shamed Dworkin's many vitriolic detractors. You honoured the woman. "She was one of the best public speakers on the planet," you wrote. Exhorting readers to immerse themselves in her words, you concluded, "You can hear the cadence and the thunder that made Dworkin such a prophet."

So why couldn't you be bothered to do the same for Martin Streek? Was his life and career a poor fit for the usual tendentious mould of your work? Were you simply uninterested? Did you harbour some unspoken, subconscious resentment for yet another man on a media pedestal?

Maybe you did, maybe you didn't--it's not my place to visit your intentions. But neither is it yours to diminish a man's life the way you did, then self-importantly retreat behind the most pompous, transparent apology your audience has ever read.

If this isn't your thing, which makes me wonder what role you think you play as Senior Entertainment Editor, then hand over the reigns to someone else. Someone who maybe gives a shit.

Wow... I just came across Susan's "postings" (can't even call the first one an obit and the second is just a half ass attempt to cover herself so she isn't restructured).

I am blown away with the shameful reporting this wannabe journalist try's to pass off as meaningful and "honourable" to a true Toronto legend. It is very disappointing to know that she was just sitting at her computer googling for what ever random facts she could find to put together 100 words and meet her deadline.

Then to justify her actions and disrespect readers by saying it's our fault that we misunderstood her words... Obits are not outlets for creative writing. There should be no wording that could ever be misconstrued included in something that is meant to pay respect to the recent passing of an individual. Maybe you need to read your own writing before submission.

So then NOW mag... since this just another in a what appears to be a string of poor journalistic attempts what say you put Susan on a place more suited to her abilities... the Mailroom perhaps?

R.I.P Martin Streek

Poor Susie, she tried to break a story here didn't she? I mean clearly she wanted to be first with information no one else had about Martins' death. Damn the facts and responsible journalism she got her story out that. Unfortunately it was worse than amateurish, it was insulting, and claimed to have information that it clearly lacked. I know it's been a while since you learned your basic journalistic principals Susie but I think you confused an obituary with one of your usual self righteous, damn the facts or reason, opinion pieces. It's time to put your hands up admit that you were wrong and that it wasn't a perception issue on the part of the readers and ask the nice folks who run your website to take your incendiary piece of 'reporting' down.

It's all been said above. So I'll just add that in general, Susan, I find you repugnant and creepy. Always have. You have a mean and twisted spirit. Good luck with that.

You're lack of ability to own up to erroneous journalistic writing proves that not only are you not meant for the job you are also a finger pointer and immature in your handling of an issue that revolves around your inability to write a proper article. If you don't know the facts behind someone whom affected the lives of so many than I suggest you keep your wide open mouth shut. A lot of people who aren't journalists know a lot more about martin than you ever will. And don't try to play it off like you were trying to pay homage to a radio icon, you didn't know him and I highly doubt you ever listened to him. You should have allowed someone who knows more about writing a good article on someone who was a big name in the community, or at least allowed someone who actually finds the facts before putting finger to keyboard to have written the article... shame on you, and you half ass journalistic skills.

That's it?

Jotting a note to cover your ass is the best you can do?

I maintain that NOW needs to hire a writer with the same kind of professionalism that Martin personified.

He deserves better.

That's what happens when you fire your sole remaining music critic with integrity and turn the shop over to a has-been who desperately wants to still be hip and cool.

Keep pretending you know "what the kids are thinking" and you'll eventually get caught out.

Blame the readers for your mistakes and and you'll quickly become little more than a birdcage liner.

For a much more satisfying obit...

http://www.exploremusic.com/news/2009-07-07/Martin-Streek-This-Charming-Man

This is why I stopped reading Now years ago.

Susan Cole is nothing more than a two-bit hack with a big title and no substance.

Instead of justifying her ignorant remarks and implying readers "misconstrued" her intentions, she needs apologize for the error, not to the readers,but to Martin's friends and family.

Just fire the stupid bitch.

CHL

here we go again with some 'media type' blaming the audience for 'misconstruing' their meaning or intent. actually, susan, no, i think your intent and lack of genuine respect shone through loud and clear.

now your inability to admit as such, then blame it on the reader's "misinterpretation" ... not only adds insult, but just proves the point further that you and your writing lack any real insight.

as for martin, i hope he is having the last laugh. but it's sad that he probably didn't know how much he was loved before he made such a tragic decision. rip martin.

p.s. to echo others above re: your non-apology: too late and NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Although I agree with everything said about Ms. Cole, if anybody out there thinks she will be anything but congratulated at NOW, they are quite confused. As we speak her editors are probably congratulating her on driving up readership, just look at all the(correct in saying) comments. I firmly believe that it was her intent to cause controversy, not an obit, otherwise she would have reported with integrity. So hat's off to Susan Cole, as she did just what was asked of her. The only way to show that what was done was an injustice is to no longer read NOW, as I will no longer be doing..

Read a proper obituary for Martin, written by A REAL WRITER, Liisa Ladouceur, by searching Martin's name on eyeweekly.com

Susan Cole, you are so fucking dumb...lame and pathetic.

I contacted NOW magazine to register my complaint, and spoke with several members of senior staff.

They couldn't have been more smug, dismissive, unsympathetic or unapologetic. They were practically gleeful in their sociopathy. It was almost as sickening as Susan Cole's nonapology.

I'm sure they're counting on this 'just going away' so they can pursue the same old, same old self-interested agenda. And meanwhile, taking our tax dollars in the form of government grants to keep the paper going--and their own asses in cushy jobs on our dime.

Well, call me crazy, but I don't think we should let them. I think we should stand up.

So, toward that end, please allow me to issue another invitation to join my FB group about Susan Cole and her so-called 'journalism':

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100440287276

Yes, I know, we all hate getting group invitations (believe me, I hear you), but this one might be worth joining.

Thanks for reading. And to anyone who wants to add to the links or the group description, please do leave your thoughts. I promise to incorporate all. Also, anyone who wants to be an admin, let me know, and I will add you immediately.

Cheers. And RIP Martin Streek.

Once again NOW proves that it employs some of the WORST "journalists" out there...

I can't believe she has a job, let alone that this actually got past the editor at NOW.

Please fire this Susan immediately -- these have been the most disrespectful Obituaries I have ever read. The fact that she can't even properly apologize should be proof enough.

R.I.P. Martin Streek

poor form all around.

BOYCOTT NOW MAGAZINE.

Yo, Philip:

"I can't believe she has a job, let alone that this actually got past the editor at NOW."

fyi, Susan Cole IS the editor. Guess ya didn't know that, eh? Couldn't be bothered to look that up but that didn't stop you from posting anyway.

THIS IS SLANDER AND LIBEL!!!! CALL THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION!!!!

"Let the stories begin".....urghhhh.

RIP Martin

Susan G cole you are just a piece of crap not knowing anything about Martin Streek. YOU SHOULD BE FIRED ITCH

I wish she was dead instead of him

Boy, do Torontonians ever need to lighten up! What a bunch of bullies! Lay off the coke and get outside will ya?!

I kinda feel sorry for Susan, mainly because this is the most attention she'll ever receive due to her belittling someone that she doesn't even really know. Martin is probably laughing out loud right now and saying "she's a bitch" but really, "stop giving her all this attention". RIP Cool Man.

I just read Susan's bio (should I say AUTObio). If this doesn't sound like she wrote it herself.. Well I dunno what else to say. Wait.. "A true piece of Holier-Than-Thou tripe" comes to mind.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/about/bios/sgcole.cfm

"And Susan stretched out her hand over the sea; and Now Magazine caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Toronto went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left" (Exodus 14:21-22).

BTW.. Susan.. Moses just called. He said you still owe him a rock.

Moses Znaimer?

If someone has a copy of the paper and could put together a list of advertisers that might be helpful.

I love that the maniacs commenting here keep bringing up libel (which means nothing if someone's dead), and then proceed to call Cole some of the most hateful things imaginable. Was the Calgary Stampede so intense this year that you rednecks all fell off your high horses?

in response to "Asshole Convention"

That is response? Ridiculous, stupid and uneducated. And yes, libel does occur when people are dead.

The Calgary Stampede? WHAT?

So, if you enjoyed the stampede, you somehow oppose Ms Cole's remarks????

while i agree that some of the comments have been over the top, i still seriously think NOW made a big fucking mistake with these two posts, to the point that NOW went to print with NO tribute to Streek, whereas Eye has a fantastic obit from Liisa Ladocoeur.

NOW didnt just drop the ball, it deflated it and set it on fire.

Eye weekly's obit is much more tasteful and should be read. I will paste the link but I am sure it will be deleted. Seek it out and read an article written by someone that took the time to interview his friends, that tried to show the real man behind the DJ BOOTH. These two Debacle obit by susan are crap and she knows it. http://www.eyeweekly.com/blog/post/65382 Seek it out and

Well Susan, you screwed this one up. I'd imagine you approve these posts. I wonder if by letting them all through you think we're impressed? "Oh she's being ever so brave and posting all these comments" You may hope I'm thinking that. I can tell you, I'm not.

You certainly did intimate that Martin may have had some demons that bothered him until the end. Did you know him? De he share these things with you? Perhaps. Most likely not.

At any rate, do I want to see you fired? No. Are you sufficiently embarrassed? Who knows but I think deep down you're telling your friends that you were in the right.

Weak Susan. You're in a privileged position and should be ashamed that you threw this together. This was a good man who worked in a tough industry and deserved better than you gave him.

Re posting by "Fire this woman":

Given what remains here, one can only be curious as to what it takes to qualify for a "(removed by editor)" notation. C'mon, NOW; share with the class.

From Now staff bio: "...a co-founder of Mama Quilla II, Toronto's first all-female band ...".

Got it. Wretched band with an attitude to match; out only to bust the balls of anything male who dared to pick up an instrument.

" ... makes frequent TV appearances, especially on TVO's Studio 2 ...".

A couple of points - Some bragging rights: appears on a program that no-one cares about, on a channel no-one watches (ergo "TV Zero"). Secondly, "Studio 2" was renamed a short three years ago, which means that the bio should catch up in what, another two?

If you want sloppy writing, look no further than this, funny enough.

This is not written by a journalist but I think captures a more personal picture of Martin. http://thegloriousnoise.blogspot.com/2009/07/martin-streek-last-night-dj-took-his.html

I agree with the writer for the Martin Streek obit. Being a journalist myself, I read what she wrote and did not take offence to this one bit. She was being factual. Sorry if the facts do not sit well with the readers but facts are facts. And since I knew Martin personally and his family members, I am not being biased. I think it's sad that people read between the lines and throw in their two cents. In the end, they are the ones spreading falsities. Shame on them for not learning how to properly read what is actually written and jumping to conclusions and getting angry at the reporter for stating the facts.

There is nothing worse than someone who screws up and then not only doesn't accept responsibility for it but blames everyone else.

You must have been one of those kids who blamed the dog for eating her homework.

You have the rare ability to dig yourself deeper and deeper into a hole of your own creation.

When everyone who comments on your article takes you to task . Then maybe you should realize that hey you screwed up. Make an apology with no I-guess-you-miscontrued what I said.

UPDATE:

I am compiling a list of Susan G. Cole's most hate-filled and offensive quotes. A sort of Top Ten, if you will.

There is this one, of course, for starters:

"If you've followed this story without reading the original blog, you'd think that Mallick called Palin white trash. She did not do that, actually. What she said was that by naming Palin to the ticket, McCains sewed up the white trash vote. And, let's admit, there exists some white trash in America."

http://music.nowtoronto.com/daily/story.cfm?content=165111

First of all, I cannot express how offensive I find the term 'white trash'. And not just because it hateful. And not just because it labels an entire group as garbage. And not just because it is offensive to white people in general.

On the contrary, it is rather the obvious implication that the user feels other ethnic groups are trash--so to make it clear he/she is specifying *caucasians*, they must include the 'white' qualifier. It never ceases to amaze me how so many like Ms. Cole throw the term around so freely, and yet somehow miss that basic fact.

Anyone who is more familiar with her 'oeuvre' than I is more than welcome to contribute to the list. Please send me a note, or just add your own on the group page. I promise to include all. Thanks to everyone who has joined. :)

Oh, and here's the group link again:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=100440287276

With all of the unemployed people in Canada and this woman still has a job? In journalism no less.. amazing! Could Now! not find at least on willing writer to take her position? or is Susan taking a certain "position" to keep her job?

@ shakingmyhead- you can say 'facts' all you want, but if you're indeed a writer you know that one can make false suggestions while never employing false information. The closing statements of Cole's piece were undeniably suggestive, and instead of apologizing for a poorly worded send-off she blames the readers for misinterpreting her piece. Come on, a real apology wouldn't have been so hard.

funny how in her whole apology the words "I'm sorry" never appear. That would have taken less time than spinning a narcissistic version of events, with readers as the bad guys, upsetting POOR Susan. But for malignant narcissists - nothing is ever their fault, they're just too brilliant and insightful for the rest of the planet.

Ya, this is not good. I don't know Susan as a person so I will bash her personally, but if your writing an article on Martin passing away and you don't know what happened, why bullshit? Do some real research, and if you get it wrong, own up properly and don't blame the readers. There are a lot of negative write ups done by Susan & quite frankly I'm tired of reading them, NOW used to be so much better than this. I hope your not all high fiving this attention either, I've talked to a lot of pissed off people will not be reading your mag anymore. Do the right thing here.

Susan, just apologize and re-write his obituary using actual facts, not high-school innuendo, which you chose to do the first time around.

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Boycotting this paper won't do anything Boycotting THESE people will If someone would like to help out with obtaining contact email addresses for the above that would be great.

Re SHAKINGMYHEAD: "Being a journalist myself ..."; you fucking ponce. Which Starbucks do you work at, anyway?

Otherwise, this is a pseudonym for who? Enzo Di Matteo, Michael Hollett or Cole, herself?

If none of the above, you, sir or madam, best seek another line of work if you can endorse Cole's bullshit. The facts are practically nil; the innuendo is more than overwhelming. Mind you, I'll bet NOW would be interested in hiring your likes if - again - you're not already employed there.

@Shakingmyhead: Cole admitted in this very post that she had no idea how Cole died. So no, she was not "stating the facts." She was spreading innuendo, as any reasonable reading of her closing line in the original post makes clear.

Given that so many people "read between the lines" the fault is - and here's a lesson for you tadpole - STILL hers. She's paid to write, write well, and write clearly. If people - a lot of people, in this case - were drawing the wrong conclusions from her words, then her words are at fault. And she should own up to that.

If you are the kind of journalist that finds the ethics of this acceptable, please do us all a favour: tell us what byline you write under, so that we may have a bucket of salt on hand with which to digest your articles.

Way to go Susan! Not only do people in Toronto now think you're an incompetent douche, but thanks to the Martin and how he reached out to so many ppl with music, everybody across the country (and it's a lot) think your a douche too! Nice try at a apology though, I almost believed you were sincere. To bad about your history of having to apologize for your CRAP RESEARCH ABILITIES. Please do the journalistic world a favor and find a new career. Wow and this came all the way from Vancouver! Fox Rocks!

Flipped through the paper edition of this week's NOW, hoping to find a properly written obit for Martin Streek. NADA. Nothing. Guess the braintrust at NOW figured they couldn't do better in print than Ms. Susan Cole's "stellar" online obit? Yikes. Scary.

Obviously Martin's fans are upset and angry right now. Bashing Susan Cole further will not only give her more attention, which I have no interest in doing, but it won't bring Martin back. I wish it could.

However, one thing I noticed about Ms. Cole's work, is that whenever she writes something in-depth, it's always from a queer point of view. Is she only able to write something if it's from a gay perspective? Is that perhaps why she dashed off Martin's obit so carelessly and thoughtlessly, because it had nothing to do with the gay community and therefore wasn't worthy of her attention? Shouldn't a real journalist be able to write about (and research!) people and communities outside their own sphere of reference?

What a shame. Martin was entrenched in Toronto's vital music community for the past 18 years, and I'm ashamed of NOW for not giving him proper due.

As for the writings of Susan Cole, given her pathetic take on the pride parade, it seems she can't even get the queer perspective right. So why does she write for your paper again? Shoddy hack.

We never stopped remembering Martin. You tried to use his death as a way to write a piece that would benefit your writing career and you failed. Your work is brutal, and will not be read by many many people from now on.

Did anyone see the first edition of the obit? It didn't say:

"He had been trying to clean up over the past years..."

It said:

"He had been trying to clean up over the past months..."

MONTHS.

The writer changed it when she realized she fucked up. Just like she removed the part about him getting fired. And crossed out the part about the year in which he was (not) born.

How do you misconstrue all that?

I was not very familiar with Martin's work when he died, and was reading various articles about him since his death just to educate myself a bit; I was certainly not in a state of grief and no state on my part caused me to misconstrue anything.

Your shoddy grasp of facts and clear (not to mention clearly mistaken) implication were bad journalism.

Your lack of apology, and the gall of claiming you wrote something other than what you did, show your character is as weak as your writing. I'm really surprised you have the job you do.

it's pretty funny that these comments are moderated before they are actually posted, but i guess it's better than having to sign in to the website to be able to comment on stories. so i commented in the previous posting from the author and i found this linked while lurking the stillepost toronto section in their thread about martin streek. i don't know who susan cole is, but i used to be a now reader, an eye reader, an cfny listener, and i consume a lot of local media from various outlets. so i've read the national post article, the canadian press article, the star's various articles, 640 article, city tv article, cbc article, eye article, various blogs, former & current coworkers of martin's, facebook pages, twitter threads, etc...all curtesy of the internet, and i just have to say that i was disappointed reading that lack of a first post/obit about martin streek which was poorely written, researched, and now i've read this. not only do i feel sad, disappointed, angry, i'm just a bit perplexed that as a reader, i am being blamed for misconstruing your words. what misconstruing if your words were not insinuating something. if your words/sentences had not left the room for that misconstruing to happen, yes it may be my fault that i may have jumped to conclusions or have been highly emotional (which i doubt, but maybe that's true for some of the others who have been commenting and insulting you), but it also means that you are partially to blame because we the readers read your words...and we did not come up with something false that was not already in what you had written. yes we should be remembering martin, and yes he wasn't a perfect person, and yes some of the others mentioned the same thing you did, the thing is that i've read a lot of things about martin, and the people who knew him were the one's who were factual in discussing what he was dealing with. out of all the things i read about martin i conclusively think your first attempt and now your second attempt is consistently the worst thing i have read. there did not need to be any insinuating of anything. if you don't know something don't write about it, or better yet since you are a writer, and it is your job to be investigating the matters that you write about, how about you do some proper research about martin streek before attempting to write an obit. as many people pointed out lisa, did a good job at writing hers. and so did some people from the star, and lots of others. i don't think it's the fact that you mentioned his past that is making so many people angry...i think it's because people expect something better from their local mag/paper like now...i mean how can you be a senior entertainment editor of a toronto newspaper and not know of what/whom you are speaking of. it makes no sense. yes it's a delicate issue because it's so fresh and a lot of people not just from toronto grew up with martin, listening to martin, have hallmark moments of martin...i think the reason people are so angry is because they can see the lack of remorse first of all for this non apology here, and for the first attempt they can see when someone who proclaims to be a writer doesn't do their job properly. like someone mentione previously, and i am sorry to repeat it, but it seems apt, this is not a fiction class. it would have been better for everyone if you had not written anything the first time or now this the second time. please don't try to write another posting about this because it would probably include you insulting us the reader again and you not owning up to your work. you don't need to do that. all you needed to do was do your job properly and write an obit. is that too hard. yes there's no pleasing everyone, but like i told you some people wrote good and bad things about martin, but they didn't write what they did not know...and they didn't make any mistakes. it's nice to see though one of our primary locals once again let the readers down. it's really a sad case. i mean seriously would you like somone to write an obit about you like the one you wrote for martin. sheesh. this was such a disappointment. i won't waste any more energy on this though. i've already stopped reading now a long time ago, so i guess i'm glad i'm out of the loop. thanks for the non apology and the bad obit susan. i appreciate your lack of reverance for the position you hold or the job you have. man. i've always wanted to be a writer...but this is really a turn off.

Susan (et al), it was just a bad piece of writing. The fact you don't realize that is pretty scary for a 'journalist'. Even if it's just blogging, there are basic english rules at play here.

While it's true that the general populace is slowly becoming less and less intelligent, you really should hold yourself to a higher standard.

You people should be ashamed of yourselves! Michael Jackson was a talented performer and loving father.

Comment removed

Anyone mention me lately?

Infowars after reading one of your other posts it doesn't surprise me you where in the kiddie section in some library.

hey mertz: nicely put, you should be a writer. i think you're right about what people are so disappointed about with this obit. A) Now Mag and their so-called Sr. Ent Editor failed to do their job in the first place; and B) they failed to own up to it in the second go-round, and insulted the reader. All of it shows a lack of respect, not only to the reader, but first and foremost to Martin's memory, especially when other media outlets managed to get it right. We expect NOW to be Toronto's entertainment paper, and this is how they chose to honour Martin? Lame.

Then Susan Cole condescends to us further by insinuating we should all "get back to remembering why Martin mattered". We all knew he mattered in the first place; you were the one who failed to recognize how much he mattered.

Nobody misconstrued that. It was there in black&white.

Her twisting of her own words, to blame the reader just gives me the creeps. What a cow. MOOOOO!!!!!!

Re SHAKINGMYHEAD:

Tut tut, you poor thing, as I puke on your nom de keyboard.

" ... since I knew Martin personally and his family members ...".

So, you coward, if such is the case, identify yourself. After all, if your argument is to wash with these same people - and us - you should have no problem laying it out for them to see.

As an aside, NOW didn't even have the yarbles to run a print RIP to Martin as an event in Toronto entertainment history - quite separate from what we've seen here. I'd say, "for shame", except throughout NOW's existence, they've never been familiar with the word.

this whole obit fiasco = two words

EPIC FAIL.

there should be some restructuring at NOW Mag and she should be 'let go' :)

"And whats the news on Martin Streek Blackie?..."

HE DEAD!

...... "And thats the news..."

I hated the NOW obituary (in any of its incarnations) like most people. It's sadly a reflection of the arrogance and laziness of this once vital paper. MS certainly deserved better and thankfully is receiving significantly better tributes in a myriad of other forums.

NOW is and always will be a complete joke... just stop reading it...period...I did and it feels good...peace

Susan Cole it's public exchanges like this one that demonstrate that you clearly have narcissistic personality disorder which is out of control--get some help to stop hurting your readers, friends, family and colleagues.

RIP Martin Streek.

I heard about Martin Streek passing while listening to 102.1 and was a regular listener to CFNY back in the day. I didn't know much about Martin or his personal life. However upon reading the obit. and the statements on 'cleaning up' usually only mean one thing. I find it very distasteful and disrespectful of the dead.