Friday, March 14, 2008
B.C. Liberals get caught with their pants down, says Vaughn Palmer
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Included here, as an indication that CanWest news may be re-aligning slightly to look more closely at the unfolding scene in B.C. political and perhaps legal circles. Watch for a Robin Mathews book review of ASPER NATION - Canada's Most Dangerous Media Company, coming soon. - BC Mary.
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TOO CLEVER BY HALF, THE LIBERALS GET CAUGHT WITH THEIR PANTS DOWN
Vaughn Palmer
Vancouver Sun - Friday, March 14, 2008
VICTORIA - The B.C. Liberals had an embarrassing moment in the legislature Monday {Snip} ... Government house leader Mike de Jong shamelessly put out the call to Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, one of the scrappiest Liberals and rarely at a loss for words.
So it was that late Monday afternoon, Falcon came flying into the house and proceeded to do what the Liberals had insisted they had no time to do, namely debate spending estimates in the main chamber.
The backdown provided New Democrats with a moment of quiet satisfaction.
With a government as arrogant as this one, all the Opposition can do is note the occasions when it has been too clever by half.
Monday's stop-gap exercise also set off a scramble behind the scenes as the Liberals tried to clear the apparent jam-up in the legislative pipeline.
Before the house adjourned Thursday for a scheduled two-week break, the government side had managed to rustle up a half-dozen or so of the promised legislative measures.
The most debatable was probably the bill to establish a Crown corporation to oversee the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge.
Yes, a full-blown Crown corporation, with a board of directors, a chief executive officer, and such "officers and staff" as the CEO deems "necessary to carry on the business and operations of the corporation." {Snip} ... omg ...
Which sounded like a lot of public apparatus to manage a single (albeit very large) private partnership. {Snip} ...
Once the house resumes, there are only seven weeks and 28 sitting days left on the schedule.
Not much time for lengthy debate on health care reform, carbon taxes, or anything else. But you'd be right in thinking the Liberals prefer it that way
vpalmer@direct.ca
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=cc3fc01b-fb4a-46e8-a83c-648fbec5aa87
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BC Mary's book review of ASPER NATION will not be happening -- not after I realized that Robin was already working on it. But also, it's a tough assignment. I kept wanting to say "Read this book!" -- or to quote whole pages -- because Marc Edge's writing makes everything relevant. E.g., you'll be fascinated by the back-shop plan to shield a certain premier arrested for drunk driving. But in the end, my book review went something like this:
If you really don't want to read this book, just take this one line from ASPER NATION and keep it in your pocket with the loonies for buying CanWest newspapers:
The National Post -- launched in 1998 -- "changed journalism in Canada forever. Reporting from a decidedly partisan perspective, it eschewed traditional journalistic notions of neutrality for thinly-veiled advocacy of conservative causes." [p.3]
How hard would it be, to propagandize an entire democratic nation, if one man (first, Conrad Black, then Izzy Asper) holds 105 daily newspapers, including 14 of the 16 published in British Columbia. Not hard at all, apparently. Irresistible, apparently.
- BC Mary
""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Included here, as an indication that CanWest news may be re-aligning slightly to look more closely at the unfolding scene in B.C. political and perhaps legal circles. Watch for a Robin Mathews book review of ASPER NATION - Canada's Most Dangerous Media Company, coming soon. - BC Mary.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOO CLEVER BY HALF, THE LIBERALS GET CAUGHT WITH THEIR PANTS DOWN
Vaughn Palmer
Vancouver Sun - Friday, March 14, 2008
VICTORIA - The B.C. Liberals had an embarrassing moment in the legislature Monday {Snip} ... Government house leader Mike de Jong shamelessly put out the call to Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon, one of the scrappiest Liberals and rarely at a loss for words.
So it was that late Monday afternoon, Falcon came flying into the house and proceeded to do what the Liberals had insisted they had no time to do, namely debate spending estimates in the main chamber.
The backdown provided New Democrats with a moment of quiet satisfaction.
With a government as arrogant as this one, all the Opposition can do is note the occasions when it has been too clever by half.
Monday's stop-gap exercise also set off a scramble behind the scenes as the Liberals tried to clear the apparent jam-up in the legislative pipeline.
Before the house adjourned Thursday for a scheduled two-week break, the government side had managed to rustle up a half-dozen or so of the promised legislative measures.
The most debatable was probably the bill to establish a Crown corporation to oversee the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge.
Yes, a full-blown Crown corporation, with a board of directors, a chief executive officer, and such "officers and staff" as the CEO deems "necessary to carry on the business and operations of the corporation." {Snip} ... omg ...
Which sounded like a lot of public apparatus to manage a single (albeit very large) private partnership. {Snip} ...
Once the house resumes, there are only seven weeks and 28 sitting days left on the schedule.
Not much time for lengthy debate on health care reform, carbon taxes, or anything else. But you'd be right in thinking the Liberals prefer it that way
vpalmer@direct.ca
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/columnists/story.html?id=cc3fc01b-fb4a-46e8-a83c-648fbec5aa87
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
BC Mary's book review of ASPER NATION will not be happening -- not after I realized that Robin was already working on it. But also, it's a tough assignment. I kept wanting to say "Read this book!" -- or to quote whole pages -- because Marc Edge's writing makes everything relevant. E.g., you'll be fascinated by the back-shop plan to shield a certain premier arrested for drunk driving. But in the end, my book review went something like this:
If you really don't want to read this book, just take this one line from ASPER NATION and keep it in your pocket with the loonies for buying CanWest newspapers:
The National Post -- launched in 1998 -- "changed journalism in Canada forever. Reporting from a decidedly partisan perspective, it eschewed traditional journalistic notions of neutrality for thinly-veiled advocacy of conservative causes." [p.3]
How hard would it be, to propagandize an entire democratic nation, if one man (first, Conrad Black, then Izzy Asper) holds 105 daily newspapers, including 14 of the 16 published in British Columbia. Not hard at all, apparently. Irresistible, apparently.
- BC Mary
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Comments:
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oh my gawd Mary. This can't be right. The "conspiracy theorists" can't be right. The news in this country isn't slanted towards big business. And conwervative government. Yeah, right.
# posted by 
: March 14, 2008 at 8:25 a.m.
: March 14, 2008 at 8:25 a.m.
I just read 2 letters, one in the Van. Sun and the other in The Province. I think we have a little media manipulation going on.
1.
An honourable man
Letter
Friday, March 14, 2008
For four decades Ken Dobell has worked with honesty and integrity for British Columbians. The respect so many have for him has been developed over many years of working with him.
The opposition is spending an incredible amount of energy and time to discredit Dobell, presumably in a bid to undermine the government.
He acknowledged he made an error when he determined initially he didn't have to register as a lobbyist. He registered as soon as he realized it was necessary.
I suggest the opposition spend their energy examining the government's policies and providing insight and debate in the Legislature rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man.
Linn Teetzel, North Vancouver
© The Vancouver Province 2008
2
Dobell is a paragon among public servants
Letter
Friday, March 14, 2008
For four decades Ken Dobell has worked with honesty and integrity for British Columbians.
His reputation as a brilliant, hard- working leader in the public service has been developed one day, one month, one year, one decade, at a time. The respect that so many people have for Dobell has been developed over many years of working with him. This respect has been based on his consistent, ethical decision-making, always considering the impact of these decisions on British Columbians.
The Opposition has chosen to spend an incredible amount of energy and time to discredit Dobell, presumably in an attempt to undermine the current government. Dobell acknowledged that he made an error when he determined that he didn't have to register as a lobbyist initially, and then registered as soon as he realized it would be necessary.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with this visionary, creative and honest individual, as I have, knows that this was an honest error on Dobell's part, and are disappointed by the continuing attacks on his integrity.
I would respectfully suggest Opposition MLAs could be spending their time and energy examining the policies of this government and providing insight and debate in the legislature, rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man.
Linn Teetzel
Professor and Coordinator,
Local Government Programs,
Capilano College
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
I wonder if the professer will reduce marks for plagerism?
1.
An honourable man
Letter
Friday, March 14, 2008
For four decades Ken Dobell has worked with honesty and integrity for British Columbians. The respect so many have for him has been developed over many years of working with him.
The opposition is spending an incredible amount of energy and time to discredit Dobell, presumably in a bid to undermine the government.
He acknowledged he made an error when he determined initially he didn't have to register as a lobbyist. He registered as soon as he realized it was necessary.
I suggest the opposition spend their energy examining the government's policies and providing insight and debate in the Legislature rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man.
Linn Teetzel, North Vancouver
© The Vancouver Province 2008
2
Dobell is a paragon among public servants
Letter
Friday, March 14, 2008
For four decades Ken Dobell has worked with honesty and integrity for British Columbians.
His reputation as a brilliant, hard- working leader in the public service has been developed one day, one month, one year, one decade, at a time. The respect that so many people have for Dobell has been developed over many years of working with him. This respect has been based on his consistent, ethical decision-making, always considering the impact of these decisions on British Columbians.
The Opposition has chosen to spend an incredible amount of energy and time to discredit Dobell, presumably in an attempt to undermine the current government. Dobell acknowledged that he made an error when he determined that he didn't have to register as a lobbyist initially, and then registered as soon as he realized it would be necessary.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with this visionary, creative and honest individual, as I have, knows that this was an honest error on Dobell's part, and are disappointed by the continuing attacks on his integrity.
I would respectfully suggest Opposition MLAs could be spending their time and energy examining the policies of this government and providing insight and debate in the legislature, rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man.
Linn Teetzel
Professor and Coordinator,
Local Government Programs,
Capilano College
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
I wonder if the professer will reduce marks for plagerism?
# posted by : March 14, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
: March 14, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.
So, new board for a new megaproject that will cost us hundreds of millions.....hmmmmmm......looks like their gonna need a whole lotta 'creative consulting' (ie. not lobbying) on a project like that.
Done most honourably, of course.
Sheesh.
.
Done most honourably, of course.
Sheesh.
.
.
Linn Teetzel's Letter to the Editor in duplicate reminds me of a glorious day in my past.
I wrote three (3) passionately angry Letters to the Editors of:
* The Globe and Mail
* The Toronto Star
* The Hill Times (Parliament Hill)
and each letter was published in its respective newspaper. Sheesh, I was chuffed. I hadn't expected to see even one of them in print.
Since then, some newspapers ask people right up front, whether or not they have submitted the letter elsewhere.
The thing is: my 3 letters were each different, one from the other -- even though they were all ranting about the same topic.
Looks as if somebody goofed at The Sun and The Province. It's pathetic but it ain't plagiarism.
.
Linn Teetzel's Letter to the Editor in duplicate reminds me of a glorious day in my past.
I wrote three (3) passionately angry Letters to the Editors of:
* The Globe and Mail
* The Toronto Star
* The Hill Times (Parliament Hill)
and each letter was published in its respective newspaper. Sheesh, I was chuffed. I hadn't expected to see even one of them in print.
Since then, some newspapers ask people right up front, whether or not they have submitted the letter elsewhere.
The thing is: my 3 letters were each different, one from the other -- even though they were all ranting about the same topic.
Looks as if somebody goofed at The Sun and The Province. It's pathetic but it ain't plagiarism.
.
I think you'll find Linn Teetzel is a North Vancouver good ole boy pal of the capo di tutti capo...do these people thing anyone's impressed by the fact that rats stick together?
serenity now people - I'll be surprised of 'Commodore' Teetzel doesn't write to a few more papers before we've heard the end of this.
The man, Dobell, should have been charged criminally - the idea that a man with his experience didn't know EXACTLY what he was doing is utterly absurd.
serentiy now
serenity now people - I'll be surprised of 'Commodore' Teetzel doesn't write to a few more papers before we've heard the end of this.
The man, Dobell, should have been charged criminally - the idea that a man with his experience didn't know EXACTLY what he was doing is utterly absurd.
serentiy now
# posted by : March 14, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
: March 14, 2008 at 8:52 p.m.
.
That's a good one, Serenity Now!
As a guess, I'd say that NObody is impressed when they discover that rats stick together.
But then, here's another question: how will people know which are the rats, if all they have is a compromised media telling them to look the other way, that there "ain't nuthin' happening here, folks?"
More and more, I hear people asking "What was he / she thinking?" Like that Elliot Spitzer guy in New York. Like Ken Dobell.
You can't help but wonder if some bureaucrats get so sleek, rich, comfortable and over-confident that they feel a need to add the risk to their lives?
.
That's a good one, Serenity Now!
As a guess, I'd say that NObody is impressed when they discover that rats stick together.
But then, here's another question: how will people know which are the rats, if all they have is a compromised media telling them to look the other way, that there "ain't nuthin' happening here, folks?"
More and more, I hear people asking "What was he / she thinking?" Like that Elliot Spitzer guy in New York. Like Ken Dobell.
You can't help but wonder if some bureaucrats get so sleek, rich, comfortable and over-confident that they feel a need to add the risk to their lives?
.
Mary,
"You can't help but wonder if some bureaucrats get so sleek, rich, comfortable and over-confident that they feel a need to add the risk to their lives?"
Well, maybe some of 'em need some risk, but mostly, they just want to fill another container with currency. Oh, and by container I mean the Delta Container Port type, handier for shipping off shore for safe hoarding! Then when there's nothing left in BC to hang around for, they can meet their containers of currency in some exotic locale complete with sand, palm trees and cheap servants to roast steaks from nearly extinct animals and decant the 3000 year old mead!
"You can't help but wonder if some bureaucrats get so sleek, rich, comfortable and over-confident that they feel a need to add the risk to their lives?"
Well, maybe some of 'em need some risk, but mostly, they just want to fill another container with currency. Oh, and by container I mean the Delta Container Port type, handier for shipping off shore for safe hoarding! Then when there's nothing left in BC to hang around for, they can meet their containers of currency in some exotic locale complete with sand, palm trees and cheap servants to roast steaks from nearly extinct animals and decant the 3000 year old mead!
As to Mr. Teetzel,
"I would respectfully suggest Opposition MLAs could be spending their time and energy examining the policies of this government and providing insight and debate in the legislature, rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man."
Everyone has been finding it difficult to be "examining the policies of this government" since everything is secret, what are the terms of the BC Rail sale, the Accenture Deal, the true financial condition of BC Ferries and this lack of transparency applies to most everything they do. The only thing that seems clear is that this government has an agenda that has nothing to do with the public interest, indeed goes against the public interest, judging from what CAN be discerned.
Then Gordon himself makes it a habit to avoid being in the house to answer questions and StoneWally claims to be legally obilgated to make no statement about anything before, or not before, the courts. If Gordon's absence and StoneWally's muteness don't work, then they can send in Ding Dong DeJong or Kevin RaptorBird to insult people and as a last resort there's always Bobblehead Abbott whose technique is to hypnotize the opposition and public with his bobbing head, kinda like the way a snake charmer works on a cobra.
Any one who considers Ken Dobell the pillar of honesty and integrity, namely Mr. Teetzel, should perhaps be investigated themselves, their judgement of ethics is unquestionably shaky. I would also like to point out to Mr. Teetzel that people aren't attacking Mr. Dobell himself lately, but the Justice System that says crime is fine for people of his ilk and the others who have supported and tried to cover up for him like Gordo, Jessica and StoneWally, for starters.
"I would respectfully suggest Opposition MLAs could be spending their time and energy examining the policies of this government and providing insight and debate in the legislature, rather than continuing their attack on an honourable man."
Everyone has been finding it difficult to be "examining the policies of this government" since everything is secret, what are the terms of the BC Rail sale, the Accenture Deal, the true financial condition of BC Ferries and this lack of transparency applies to most everything they do. The only thing that seems clear is that this government has an agenda that has nothing to do with the public interest, indeed goes against the public interest, judging from what CAN be discerned.
Then Gordon himself makes it a habit to avoid being in the house to answer questions and StoneWally claims to be legally obilgated to make no statement about anything before, or not before, the courts. If Gordon's absence and StoneWally's muteness don't work, then they can send in Ding Dong DeJong or Kevin RaptorBird to insult people and as a last resort there's always Bobblehead Abbott whose technique is to hypnotize the opposition and public with his bobbing head, kinda like the way a snake charmer works on a cobra.
Any one who considers Ken Dobell the pillar of honesty and integrity, namely Mr. Teetzel, should perhaps be investigated themselves, their judgement of ethics is unquestionably shaky. I would also like to point out to Mr. Teetzel that people aren't attacking Mr. Dobell himself lately, but the Justice System that says crime is fine for people of his ilk and the others who have supported and tried to cover up for him like Gordo, Jessica and StoneWally, for starters.
Here is an interesting view of the Spitzer situation. It's at http://www.gregpalast.com/
Apparently Spitzer was investigating the sub-prime mortgage scandal and got caught in a very uncompromising situation. There are some interesting parallels to the BC - Dobell fiasco.
Apparently Spitzer was investigating the sub-prime mortgage scandal and got caught in a very uncompromising situation. There are some interesting parallels to the BC - Dobell fiasco.
# posted by : March 15, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
: March 15, 2008 at 12:27 a.m.
RE:(gregpalst.com) I guess the moral to these stories is, DON'T GET CAUGHT WITH YOUR PANTS DOWN! When one has been given authority, enemies go with the perks. It is those perks that 'they' will use against you. I see simularities with the on-going HRDC/sponsorship scandal... Google 'the men in black'. FBI have been known for these 'practices' for decades. This could(?)lead to a new breed of bountyhunters, thoses who have morals and integrity!
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# posted by : March 15, 2008 at 7:48 a.m.
: March 15, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. << Home
