Sunday, July 26, 2009
Skookum1 asks the big questions about the BC Rail Case
A valued commentor to The Legislature Raids left a comment this morning which shouldn't be overlooked, so it is posted here as well. Whatever your thoughts about these matters, I love to hear from you. Today, Skookum1 writes:
Someone once told me to keep lies, when necessary, simple, so that you don't trip up on the complications....there are so many complications in this case that it will be hard for them to manage the contradictions. Contradictions which already abound; and given that more than one liar will be on the stand (including the "Crown witnesses") it seems very likely that they will trip over each other's complexities.
Not that that will keep the court, or the media, from glossing over them, or in the court's case making rules that render them "not relevant".
And again, there remains the larger issue of the OTHER charges that need to be laid; not in relation to the OminTRAX bribe, and not in relation only to the emails. But to the proceedings which engendered them.
Is there anyone in the RCMP, or in the Crown prosecution or A-G offices, or at the higher level of the federal government, or potentially in international tribunals, who will have the balls/decency to investigate and file these charges??
The political fortunes and careers of others have been ruined by false charges - Glen Clark and Ralph Goodale come to mind - but the coating of teflon around the BC Liberals does not bode well for any of this, i.e. the pressing need for the REAL charges yet to be laid, and which should have been laid a long time ago. Why did the RCMP exempt elected officials from investigation? (well, other than Gary Collins?). And why have the private corporate parties to the illegal transactions (OmniTRAX and, fairly obviously, CN) also been exempted?
We already know the answer, but that answer just isn't good enough is it? Or rather, the answer poses a further string of questions.....
Will this country ever be a real democracy, or will it remain a shoddy post-colonial plutocracy forever?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Someone once told me to keep lies, when necessary, simple, so that you don't trip up on the complications....there are so many complications in this case that it will be hard for them to manage the contradictions. Contradictions which already abound; and given that more than one liar will be on the stand (including the "Crown witnesses") it seems very likely that they will trip over each other's complexities.
Not that that will keep the court, or the media, from glossing over them, or in the court's case making rules that render them "not relevant".
And again, there remains the larger issue of the OTHER charges that need to be laid; not in relation to the OminTRAX bribe, and not in relation only to the emails. But to the proceedings which engendered them.
Is there anyone in the RCMP, or in the Crown prosecution or A-G offices, or at the higher level of the federal government, or potentially in international tribunals, who will have the balls/decency to investigate and file these charges??
The political fortunes and careers of others have been ruined by false charges - Glen Clark and Ralph Goodale come to mind - but the coating of teflon around the BC Liberals does not bode well for any of this, i.e. the pressing need for the REAL charges yet to be laid, and which should have been laid a long time ago. Why did the RCMP exempt elected officials from investigation? (well, other than Gary Collins?). And why have the private corporate parties to the illegal transactions (OmniTRAX and, fairly obviously, CN) also been exempted?
We already know the answer, but that answer just isn't good enough is it? Or rather, the answer poses a further string of questions.....
Will this country ever be a real democracy, or will it remain a shoddy post-colonial plutocracy forever?
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
Comments:
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Hi Mary...I thought this was interesting. It appears that the surety of CN getting their grimy little fingers on BC Rail likely stemmed from this - note the date.
I thought their use of "commercialization" was amusing, guess it's easier than typing or saying "privatization."
What Does the Report of the Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of CNR Mean?
- January 28, 1995 -
The Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of the Canadian National Railway System, a committee of federal Liberal MPs chaired by Robert D. Nault (Kenora-Rainy River), released its report in the middle of January. The report, entitled: "Working Together -- Possibilities for the Commercialization of Canadian National Railways" makes a number of recommendations for the privatization of CN Rail. While the Task Force held meetings across Canada and received 160 submissions, it is clear that its conclusions were reached prior to any meetings or submissions. Far from reflecting the will of Canadians, the Task Force recommendations mirror the existing Liberal government's transportation policy and that of the previous Conservative government.
"Recommendation 1: The Task Force recommends that the Minister of Transport commit to a process leading to the full commercialization of the Canadian National Railways as a coast-to-coast main-line operation.
It appears the modus operandi for both the privatization of CN and BC Rail was handled by the same backroom dealers - my oh my how wealthy they have become!! Note the date on this one too:
N and Private Ownership
- December 28, 1997
The situation at CN says much about the question of private ownership of the means of production. In order to prepare CN for private investment the Federal Government poured millions of dollars into every aspect of its operation in order to modernize it and save the new owners the expense of doing so. It slashed thousands of jobs in order to maximize profits. It also abandoned or sold thousands of miles of track in favour of retaining only the most profitable and highest density lines. Finally, when CN was privatized it was at a fraction of its real value providing the rich with another windfall. The privatization of CN was a nightmare for the workers, a devastation to the economy but a boon for the rich who reaped enormous profits.
Perhaps to find the REAL roots of the BC Rail debacle, we need to go back and find all the players behind the CN grab. AFTER we've discovered all the truth about our railway that is...who knows how many more bodies are hidden? (So to speak.)
I thought their use of "commercialization" was amusing, guess it's easier than typing or saying "privatization."
What Does the Report of the Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of CNR Mean?
- January 28, 1995 -
The Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of the Canadian National Railway System, a committee of federal Liberal MPs chaired by Robert D. Nault (Kenora-Rainy River), released its report in the middle of January. The report, entitled: "Working Together -- Possibilities for the Commercialization of Canadian National Railways" makes a number of recommendations for the privatization of CN Rail. While the Task Force held meetings across Canada and received 160 submissions, it is clear that its conclusions were reached prior to any meetings or submissions. Far from reflecting the will of Canadians, the Task Force recommendations mirror the existing Liberal government's transportation policy and that of the previous Conservative government.
"Recommendation 1: The Task Force recommends that the Minister of Transport commit to a process leading to the full commercialization of the Canadian National Railways as a coast-to-coast main-line operation.
It appears the modus operandi for both the privatization of CN and BC Rail was handled by the same backroom dealers - my oh my how wealthy they have become!! Note the date on this one too:
N and Private Ownership
- December 28, 1997
The situation at CN says much about the question of private ownership of the means of production. In order to prepare CN for private investment the Federal Government poured millions of dollars into every aspect of its operation in order to modernize it and save the new owners the expense of doing so. It slashed thousands of jobs in order to maximize profits. It also abandoned or sold thousands of miles of track in favour of retaining only the most profitable and highest density lines. Finally, when CN was privatized it was at a fraction of its real value providing the rich with another windfall. The privatization of CN was a nightmare for the workers, a devastation to the economy but a boon for the rich who reaped enormous profits.
Perhaps to find the REAL roots of the BC Rail debacle, we need to go back and find all the players behind the CN grab. AFTER we've discovered all the truth about our railway that is...who knows how many more bodies are hidden? (So to speak.)
# posted by 
: July 26, 2009 at 12:46 p.m.
: July 26, 2009 at 12:46 p.m.
Is the introduction of the HST, without consultation, designed as a distraction to take our ire away from the BC Rail fiasco?
# posted by : July 26, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.
: July 26, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. 
Anon 2:03,
You asked if we think the HST is meant to distract our attention away from the e.mails issue.
Maybe so.
Here's another distraction coming up, too, when Vancouver Sun gets all indignant about the Solicitor-General's integrity. (Jeez, and isn't the Attorney-General ... oh, never mind.)
See:
Solicitor-General Kash Heed must step aside while the e-mail affair is investigated
The Vancouver Sun - July 24, 2009
Editorial.
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Solicitor+General+Kash+Heed+must+step+aside+while+mail+affair+investigated/1825129/story.html
You asked if we think the HST is meant to distract our attention away from the e.mails issue.
Maybe so.
Here's another distraction coming up, too, when Vancouver Sun gets all indignant about the Solicitor-General's integrity. (Jeez, and isn't the Attorney-General ... oh, never mind.)
See:
Solicitor-General Kash Heed must step aside while the e-mail affair is investigated
The Vancouver Sun - July 24, 2009
Editorial.
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/Solicitor+General+Kash+Heed+must+step+aside+while+mail+affair+investigated/1825129/story.html
# posted by : July 26, 2009 at 7:17 p.m.
: July 26, 2009 at 7:17 p.m.
Excellent points Skookum1. With apathy and frustration of voters, and morally challenged leaders - the answer to your final question is:
Yes, we will always remain a shoddy post-colonial plutocracy. Until such time as people learn to pay attention to the issues, research on their own, read and share their findings - we will remain as we are. Until the courts are willing to do THEIR job, and punish those in public life when appropriate thereby showing that the law truly is blind to status - we will remain as we are. Until politicians SEE that their jobs are a rare privilege in life, and treat them as such (with respect for the voters and the laws in place) - we will remain where we are. Change must happen as a three-fold cord.
It appears that the official opposition is now officially the party of NO OPPOSITION, it is doubtful that we'll ever find the truth on this issue...and issues into the future. Perhaps we need to dump the "party" system and vote for independents who have earned our trust. Men like Paul Nettleton are few and far between, but I'd be willing to bet there are more of them, and their female counterparts out there.
If that can't be done we need to deconstruct, then reconstruct the NDP back into a party that gives a damn about ISSUES rather than rhetoric, party lines, and holding on to the "golden ring" no matter what. I'm not a card carrying member of any political party, nor will I ever be - BUT - I will throw my energy into seeing an opposition party WORTH voting for even if that means change from the leader on down! That I can see...there are extreme few of the current chair warmers that would make the grade. James and Krog gotta go.
PS.
You're welcome Mary, I meant to include it in the first comment. My apologies! :)
Yes, we will always remain a shoddy post-colonial plutocracy. Until such time as people learn to pay attention to the issues, research on their own, read and share their findings - we will remain as we are. Until the courts are willing to do THEIR job, and punish those in public life when appropriate thereby showing that the law truly is blind to status - we will remain as we are. Until politicians SEE that their jobs are a rare privilege in life, and treat them as such (with respect for the voters and the laws in place) - we will remain where we are. Change must happen as a three-fold cord.
It appears that the official opposition is now officially the party of NO OPPOSITION, it is doubtful that we'll ever find the truth on this issue...and issues into the future. Perhaps we need to dump the "party" system and vote for independents who have earned our trust. Men like Paul Nettleton are few and far between, but I'd be willing to bet there are more of them, and their female counterparts out there.
If that can't be done we need to deconstruct, then reconstruct the NDP back into a party that gives a damn about ISSUES rather than rhetoric, party lines, and holding on to the "golden ring" no matter what. I'm not a card carrying member of any political party, nor will I ever be - BUT - I will throw my energy into seeing an opposition party WORTH voting for even if that means change from the leader on down! That I can see...there are extreme few of the current chair warmers that would make the grade. James and Krog gotta go.
PS.
You're welcome Mary, I meant to include it in the first comment. My apologies! :)
# posted by : July 26, 2009 at 7:26 p.m.
: July 26, 2009 at 7:26 p.m.
I've been playing dots 'n dots...is anyone else seeing this? Or am I in left field?
What Does the Report of the Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of CNR Mean?
http://www.cpcml.ca/Tmld2007/D37096a.htm
- January 28, 1995 -
"Recommendation 1: The Task Force recommends that the Minister of Transport commit to a process leading to the full commercialization (Privatization) of the Canadian National Railways as a coast-to-coast main-line operation."
Apparently CN was privatized in late '96, or early '97. Which is about the same time period that BC Rail started spending on upgrading their systems - Big Time...from the CIBCWM confidential memo: [BC Rail has] Modern, High Quality Assets because of substantial capital expenditures for 5 years prior to sale (actual sale in 2003, though the process was begun in 2001...and we were lied to for 2 years).
Let's not forget Gordo's campaign in '96 - he stated his intent to sell BC Rail, and he lost the election because of it. Nevertheless; BC Rail went ahead with the spending of millions of TAXPAYER dollars on upgrades, in preparation for giving it away. Almost like they knew what had to be accomplished, and how long they had to do it? My guess is that the fix was already in, in 1996, but the election was the fly in the ointment...now they had to wait another 4 years. Gordo had to promise not to sell it just to win, and then like all the rest of his promises...it took about two months to forget. (If there were emails from 2001 as there SHOULD be, would they perhaps verify my thoughts? Might the other bidders get a tad cranky if it were proven that all the energy they may have put forth, and costs incurred were for nothing from the beginning? I don't know - I'm playing dots and stating my opinion.)
CN and Private Ownership
- December 28, 1997 -
The situation at CN says much about the question of private ownership of the means of production. In order to prepare CN for private investment the Federal Government poured millions of dollars into every aspect of its operation in order to modernize it and save the new owners the expense of doing so. It slashed thousands of jobs in order to maximize profits. It also abandoned or sold thousands of miles of track in favour of retaining only the most profitable and highest density lines. Finally, when CN was privatized it was at a fraction of its real value providing the rich with another windfall. The privatization of CN was a nightmare for the workers, a devastation to the economy but a boon for the rich who reaped enormous profits.
BC Rail was given away for literally pennies on the dollar it appears. One Billion dollars for 3,000 kilometers of track?! Let's take into account the approximate 120 locomotives alone, at a cost of 1.4 to 2.3 Million each (depending on which type they had)...or the hundreds (thousands?) of boxcars in their possession at somewhere between six and twenty thousand each. Better yet, let's look at the land they inherited...that is the real key. All that loverly developable land! Billions of dollars worth! Like we needed to let this go to the two wealthiest men in the world (Gates and Buffett)...for almost nothing.
And where was the NDP, both federally and provincially while our assets were being poured down the drain? Who the hell knows? Where are they now?
'Nuff said - I'm going to go connect some more dots.
What Does the Report of the Parliamentary Task Force for the Commercialization of CNR Mean?
http://www.cpcml.ca/Tmld2007/D37096a.htm
- January 28, 1995 -
"Recommendation 1: The Task Force recommends that the Minister of Transport commit to a process leading to the full commercialization (Privatization) of the Canadian National Railways as a coast-to-coast main-line operation."
Apparently CN was privatized in late '96, or early '97. Which is about the same time period that BC Rail started spending on upgrading their systems - Big Time...from the CIBCWM confidential memo: [BC Rail has] Modern, High Quality Assets because of substantial capital expenditures for 5 years prior to sale (actual sale in 2003, though the process was begun in 2001...and we were lied to for 2 years).
Let's not forget Gordo's campaign in '96 - he stated his intent to sell BC Rail, and he lost the election because of it. Nevertheless; BC Rail went ahead with the spending of millions of TAXPAYER dollars on upgrades, in preparation for giving it away. Almost like they knew what had to be accomplished, and how long they had to do it? My guess is that the fix was already in, in 1996, but the election was the fly in the ointment...now they had to wait another 4 years. Gordo had to promise not to sell it just to win, and then like all the rest of his promises...it took about two months to forget. (If there were emails from 2001 as there SHOULD be, would they perhaps verify my thoughts? Might the other bidders get a tad cranky if it were proven that all the energy they may have put forth, and costs incurred were for nothing from the beginning? I don't know - I'm playing dots and stating my opinion.)
CN and Private Ownership
- December 28, 1997 -
The situation at CN says much about the question of private ownership of the means of production. In order to prepare CN for private investment the Federal Government poured millions of dollars into every aspect of its operation in order to modernize it and save the new owners the expense of doing so. It slashed thousands of jobs in order to maximize profits. It also abandoned or sold thousands of miles of track in favour of retaining only the most profitable and highest density lines. Finally, when CN was privatized it was at a fraction of its real value providing the rich with another windfall. The privatization of CN was a nightmare for the workers, a devastation to the economy but a boon for the rich who reaped enormous profits.
BC Rail was given away for literally pennies on the dollar it appears. One Billion dollars for 3,000 kilometers of track?! Let's take into account the approximate 120 locomotives alone, at a cost of 1.4 to 2.3 Million each (depending on which type they had)...or the hundreds (thousands?) of boxcars in their possession at somewhere between six and twenty thousand each. Better yet, let's look at the land they inherited...that is the real key. All that loverly developable land! Billions of dollars worth! Like we needed to let this go to the two wealthiest men in the world (Gates and Buffett)...for almost nothing.
And where was the NDP, both federally and provincially while our assets were being poured down the drain? Who the hell knows? Where are they now?
'Nuff said - I'm going to go connect some more dots.
# posted by : July 27, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.
: July 27, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.
Leah,that was brilliant,cnr was our national railway could you imagine all the benefits,that could have bought for the people of this country,we are a multicultural nation by force! they spend 6,000,000,000 a year to keep the nation fragmented(multicultural)and claim that anyone against this is a racist!until we all get together and become truly patriotic those thieves in government have us right where they want us!TOGETHER WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL!
# posted by : July 27, 2009 at 4:02 p.m.
: July 27, 2009 at 4:02 p.m.
Thanks Anon, you're right about us standing or falling but standing requires that everyone understand what we've lost, what's on the table to be given away next, and that it requires being willing to stand in opposition to it.
The multiculturalism issue is a separate one as I see it, and is something we can kick around in the future. I tend to agree with you on that - but right now I think it's imperative that we keep their feet to the fire on the BC Rail issue. They'd love to "divide" us on this issue and will use anything to accomplish that. Let's stay focused until the job is done - then we can kick 'em around on other issues. Lord only knows, there are enough of them!!
Mary and her fellow bloggers have fought long and hard for the truth, their love of this country, and BC in particular, is evident. They, and their followers (like us) are folks who obviously take their Canadian identity seriously...but I swear there are times when I get the feeling we're talking to the wind!
It appears to me now that ALL party politicians at every level, have taken their patriotism from Canada and given it to Global Corporatism, serving an unknown faceless entity. And for this - they deserve our respect? NO.
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The multiculturalism issue is a separate one as I see it, and is something we can kick around in the future. I tend to agree with you on that - but right now I think it's imperative that we keep their feet to the fire on the BC Rail issue. They'd love to "divide" us on this issue and will use anything to accomplish that. Let's stay focused until the job is done - then we can kick 'em around on other issues. Lord only knows, there are enough of them!!
Mary and her fellow bloggers have fought long and hard for the truth, their love of this country, and BC in particular, is evident. They, and their followers (like us) are folks who obviously take their Canadian identity seriously...but I swear there are times when I get the feeling we're talking to the wind!
It appears to me now that ALL party politicians at every level, have taken their patriotism from Canada and given it to Global Corporatism, serving an unknown faceless entity. And for this - they deserve our respect? NO.
# posted by : July 27, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
: July 27, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. << Home
