Jack Granatstein names his price

A letter in the Globe and Mail today from Mr Granatstein (this and following letter subscribers only):

Yes, I won a prize

J.L. GRANATSTEIN
March 1, 2008

Toronto -- With his usual faultless research, Amir Attaran (In The Matter Of Defence - letter, Feb. 28) has discovered that I received a $5,000 prize from the Conference of Defence Associations last week. It's true that I did receive the CDA's 75th Anniversary Book Prize after a peer-assessed competition. But Mr. Attaran appears to believe that this means my defence of the CDA's role and work was bought and paid for with this prize. Not so - the minimum to receive my unconditional, enthusiastic support is at least $10,000.

Prof. Attaran's letter:

In the matter of defence

AMIR ATTARAN
Canada Research Chair in Law, Population Health and Global Development Policy, University of Ottawa

February 28, 2008

Rebutting me, Jack Granatstein (There's Nothing Improper About Educating Canadians On Defence - Feb. 27) says it's "a proper use of public funds to create an educated, informed public" on defence matters. I agree. Thus, I recommended that, when scholars write or speak on defence matters, they disclose potential conflicts of interest. The educated, informed public Prof. Granatstein desires deserves to know whether a scholar whose opinion they trust has accepted funding from the Department of National Defence or other institutions he professes about. If the scholar won't disclose that, arguably he is misleading and propagandizing, rather than informing and educating.

It's unfortunate Prof. Granatstein didn't mention that the Conference of Defence Associations gave him an award and $5,000 just last week.

Mr Granatstein's letter mentioned by the good professor is here. Also, the good professor may be unaware that Mr Granatstein's prize was actually announced last December; it was simply presented at the CDA meeting.