Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Television cameras switched ON in the BC Rail Courtroom, please!
.
Otherwise known as The BC Rail Case, this is one very special trial. Every previous owner of BC Rail -- you, me, all of us -- should be able to observe the accused, the judge, the witnesses, the crown and defence as the BC Rail trial unfolds. We must hear the evidence being given for the first time under oath. We must hear the cross-examinations. And by golly, we must hear the verdict.
What we should not have to do: we should not have to rely solely on our weak-kneed media to decide how much we'll be told, how it's told, or if we'll be told certain things at all.
Televising the BC Rail trial is entirely possible. Already people participate in courtroom proceedings by means of video -- as Aneal Basi, in Montreal, recently appeared by video link before Justice Anne MacKenzie to declare his wish for a trial by jury.
So British Columbians in all corners of this province should just as easily be able to follow the trial which we hope will tell us how our publicly-owned railway slipped into private pockets in 2003. I believe we were abused when this public asset was taken from public ownership. I think we were abused by the 6 anxious years of waiting to find out what happened. And I believe that British Columbia is owed every decent consideration now. If not now, when? We have waited long enough for answers.
To fulfill this TV requirement, where could the BC Rail trial be held, with cameras transmitting the historic revelations?
BC Supreme Courtroom #20, Vancouver, was purpose-built at a cost of $7.2 million for the famous Air India trial. It's outfitted with every type of modern technical requirement. This courtroom is currently being used for the trial of purported gang members accused of a "commission of an offence for a criminal organization." Ironic, isn't it.
Even more ironic: the Air India courtroom isn't big enough for the Gangs; the UN Gang case expects 23 lawyers and 8 defendants. These are high security courtrooms with a place for everybody to sit and work.
Another BC Supreme Courtroom was renovated in New Westminster for Willie Pickton's trial. It is booked for the Surrey Six murder trial of the four Red Scorpion gangsters.
Where gangs are concerned, BC has more trials than courtrooms. The total number of lawyers is a governing factor as well, because simply trundling a few more desks and swivel chairs into the courtroom won't meet with approval.
Security for gangs, witnesses and lawyers is a factor.
The anticipated number of seats in the public gallery is a factor. All of which suggests that the BC public has fallen through a crack in the pavement outside the Law Courts at 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, with regard to the BC Rail trial.
It seems that nobody has considered the hearts and minds of the 99% of BC's population which can't possibly attend any of the BC Rail court sessions, except by televised daily showings.
So it's very important that we remind Attorney-General deJong that every BC citizen (the previous owners), must see and hear the evidence given at the BC Rail Trial. The A.G. must insist on having a suitable courtroom ready for that purpose on May 3, 2010.
His e.mail address: Hon.mike.dejong@leg.bc.ca
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The trial of Basi, Virk and Basi begins on May 3, 2010.
Otherwise known as The BC Rail Case, this is one very special trial. Every previous owner of BC Rail -- you, me, all of us -- should be able to observe the accused, the judge, the witnesses, the crown and defence as the BC Rail trial unfolds. We must hear the evidence being given for the first time under oath. We must hear the cross-examinations. And by golly, we must hear the verdict.
What we should not have to do: we should not have to rely solely on our weak-kneed media to decide how much we'll be told, how it's told, or if we'll be told certain things at all.
Televising the BC Rail trial is entirely possible. Already people participate in courtroom proceedings by means of video -- as Aneal Basi, in Montreal, recently appeared by video link before Justice Anne MacKenzie to declare his wish for a trial by jury.
So British Columbians in all corners of this province should just as easily be able to follow the trial which we hope will tell us how our publicly-owned railway slipped into private pockets in 2003. I believe we were abused when this public asset was taken from public ownership. I think we were abused by the 6 anxious years of waiting to find out what happened. And I believe that British Columbia is owed every decent consideration now. If not now, when? We have waited long enough for answers.
To fulfill this TV requirement, where could the BC Rail trial be held, with cameras transmitting the historic revelations?
BC Supreme Courtroom #20, Vancouver, was purpose-built at a cost of $7.2 million for the famous Air India trial. It's outfitted with every type of modern technical requirement. This courtroom is currently being used for the trial of purported gang members accused of a "commission of an offence for a criminal organization." Ironic, isn't it.
Even more ironic: the Air India courtroom isn't big enough for the Gangs; the UN Gang case expects 23 lawyers and 8 defendants. These are high security courtrooms with a place for everybody to sit and work.
Another BC Supreme Courtroom was renovated in New Westminster for Willie Pickton's trial. It is booked for the Surrey Six murder trial of the four Red Scorpion gangsters.
Where gangs are concerned, BC has more trials than courtrooms. The total number of lawyers is a governing factor as well, because simply trundling a few more desks and swivel chairs into the courtroom won't meet with approval.
Security for gangs, witnesses and lawyers is a factor.
The anticipated number of seats in the public gallery is a factor. All of which suggests that the BC public has fallen through a crack in the pavement outside the Law Courts at 800 Smithe Street, Vancouver, with regard to the BC Rail trial.
It seems that nobody has considered the hearts and minds of the 99% of BC's population which can't possibly attend any of the BC Rail court sessions, except by televised daily showings.
So it's very important that we remind Attorney-General deJong that every BC citizen (the previous owners), must see and hear the evidence given at the BC Rail Trial. The A.G. must insist on having a suitable courtroom ready for that purpose on May 3, 2010.
His e.mail address: Hon.mike.dejong@leg.bc.ca
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Comments:
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I would LOVE to see this trial in real time, in colour, on TV! YES YES YES! I have emails mike-THEdong and requested the same
# posted by 
: March 24, 2010 at 6:45 p.m.
: March 24, 2010 at 6:45 p.m.
Thanks for sending your request to the Attorney General.
It scares me a little, though, if you make it sound like the circus is coming to town or some such thing. This is serious stuff ... more like we need to say a prayer, I think.
.
It scares me a little, though, if you make it sound like the circus is coming to town or some such thing. This is serious stuff ... more like we need to say a prayer, I think.
.
mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca
March 22, 2010
Hello Michael de Jong,
I just heard you in your roll as the BC Liberal Governments Attorney General on the CBC noon show extolling the virtues of having TV cameras in our court rooms.
I phoned in and told you that it was a great idea and that you should implement the idea immediately starting with the BC rail Corruption Trial that is scheduled to go on May the 3, 2010. I also mentioned that you could use the Air India Trial Court room it is already wired up with cameras ready to go.
I didn’t get the time to mention the trial of a former Liberal Attorney General that is coming up just after the BC Rail thing concerning a land deal. That would make for interesting viewing also.
I have been following this debacle for six years and have come to the conclusion that the BC judicial system is at best deeply flawed and at worst corrupt, the latter being the most probable. Cameras could change my mind.
So what’s to stop you from doing this? If you were to run this by the legislature in the next 20 sitting days I am positive the opposition would jump at the chance of making BC history and help vote it in.
Please make it happen.
Yours very truly,
CGHZD
March 22, 2010
Hello Michael de Jong,
I just heard you in your roll as the BC Liberal Governments Attorney General on the CBC noon show extolling the virtues of having TV cameras in our court rooms.
I phoned in and told you that it was a great idea and that you should implement the idea immediately starting with the BC rail Corruption Trial that is scheduled to go on May the 3, 2010. I also mentioned that you could use the Air India Trial Court room it is already wired up with cameras ready to go.
I didn’t get the time to mention the trial of a former Liberal Attorney General that is coming up just after the BC Rail thing concerning a land deal. That would make for interesting viewing also.
I have been following this debacle for six years and have come to the conclusion that the BC judicial system is at best deeply flawed and at worst corrupt, the latter being the most probable. Cameras could change my mind.
So what’s to stop you from doing this? If you were to run this by the legislature in the next 20 sitting days I am positive the opposition would jump at the chance of making BC history and help vote it in.
Please make it happen.
Yours very truly,
CGHZD
# posted by : March 24, 2010 at 6:58 p.m.
: March 24, 2010 at 6:58 p.m.
IMO gang crime has been deliberately allowed to run amok in BC as a way to provide a smokescreen from the much more valuable corporate/bureaucratic/political crimes of the ruling authorities and their pet party.....
The timing of these other cases isn't accidental...and note it hasn't taken six years to bring them to court.....
Gang crime provides a convenient cover for corporate crime and corrupt politicians, it gets people all worried about their safety so much they'll vote for the party with all the ex-cops in it and all the tough talk (talk but no action, as we've all seen). The real problem is the criminalization of the drug trade, which creates an atmosphere for the encouragement of crime. The killers may have been apprehended; the drugs still flow, and will until the laws are changed to end the underground economy.
In the meantime, another black market has operated where government agencies, crown corporations and public assets and resources have been given away to supporters of the government....
Right-wing politicians always yap off about how only they can protect the public....but crime rates rise under them, partly because of their social and economic policies; but also because there's money to be made in crime. And where there's money.....there's politicians.....
The timing of these other cases isn't accidental...and note it hasn't taken six years to bring them to court.....
Gang crime provides a convenient cover for corporate crime and corrupt politicians, it gets people all worried about their safety so much they'll vote for the party with all the ex-cops in it and all the tough talk (talk but no action, as we've all seen). The real problem is the criminalization of the drug trade, which creates an atmosphere for the encouragement of crime. The killers may have been apprehended; the drugs still flow, and will until the laws are changed to end the underground economy.
In the meantime, another black market has operated where government agencies, crown corporations and public assets and resources have been given away to supporters of the government....
Right-wing politicians always yap off about how only they can protect the public....but crime rates rise under them, partly because of their social and economic policies; but also because there's money to be made in crime. And where there's money.....there's politicians.....
IMO gang crime has been deliberately allowed to run amok in BC as a way to provide a smokescreen from the much more valuable corporate/bureaucratic/political crimes of the ruling authorities and their pet party.....
The timing of these other cases isn't accidental...and note it hasn't taken six years to bring them to court.....
Gang crime provides a convenient cover for corporate crime and corrupt politicians, it gets people all worried about their safety so much they'll vote for the party with all the ex-cops in it and all the tough talk (talk but no action, as we've all seen). The real problem is the criminalization of the drug trade, which creates an atmosphere for the encouragement of crime. The killers may have been apprehended; the drugs still flow, and will until the laws are changed to end the underground economy.
In the meantime, another black market has operated where government agencies, crown corporations and public assets and resources have been given away to supporters of the government....
Right-wing politicians always yap off about how only they can protect the public....but crime rates rise under them, partly because of their social and economic policies; but also because there's money to be made in crime. And where there's money.....there's politicians.....
The timing of these other cases isn't accidental...and note it hasn't taken six years to bring them to court.....
Gang crime provides a convenient cover for corporate crime and corrupt politicians, it gets people all worried about their safety so much they'll vote for the party with all the ex-cops in it and all the tough talk (talk but no action, as we've all seen). The real problem is the criminalization of the drug trade, which creates an atmosphere for the encouragement of crime. The killers may have been apprehended; the drugs still flow, and will until the laws are changed to end the underground economy.
In the meantime, another black market has operated where government agencies, crown corporations and public assets and resources have been given away to supporters of the government....
Right-wing politicians always yap off about how only they can protect the public....but crime rates rise under them, partly because of their social and economic policies; but also because there's money to be made in crime. And where there's money.....there's politicians.....
Well ... I'm thinking, Skookum1,
that if TV cameras are switched ON and the BCRail Trial proceedings are broadcast on the government TV channel (which is so seldom used for Legislature debates),
then BC Supreme Court would finally be providing a sense of justice
and that the courts are being "open and transparent" and accessible to us all,
that we're part of the picture, as if the public actually does matter.
.
that if TV cameras are switched ON and the BCRail Trial proceedings are broadcast on the government TV channel (which is so seldom used for Legislature debates),
then BC Supreme Court would finally be providing a sense of justice
and that the courts are being "open and transparent" and accessible to us all,
that we're part of the picture, as if the public actually does matter.
.
CGHZD
If you were the last caller when Ding Dong was expelling brain farts on the CBC, then you must have noticed that he never even acknowledged the actual question you were asking, much less ANSWER it. I was even disappointed in the host who offered him an out that he didn't even need (due to just ignoring the question) by adding a comment that implied there may not be enough time before May 3 (to set up a courtroom you had pointed out WAS ALL EQUIPPED already).
I know Ding Dong seems retarded for someone who allegedly passed the bar, but six weeks is plenty of time to flip a switch, do a sound check and set up the lighting. Heck, look at what George Bush managed to do overnight for his Hollywood presentation of concern in New Orleans after Katrina - once he decided it was important enough for his photo-op.
If they didn't have anything to hide, they wouldn't have to redact FOI requests, fight disclosure of evidence tooth and nail and make access to court information (CSO website) more difficult and/or expensive to access almost weekly. Heck, they could even show somebody the actual BC Rail deal!
Skookum, your point about distraction and the futility (and motivation for) the war on drugs and high profile gangster prosecutions is right on. Notice too that we this morning have the media wringing their hands over Cliffor Olsen's pension (altho how he qualifies for $1200 per month CPP challenges reason - as he went to the big house 20-25 years before retirement age and had a spotty employement history preceding his arrest for the 11 murders and had already spent some time behind bars for less serious offenses to the best of my knowledge) and Willy Pickton's appeal to the SCC.
If you were the last caller when Ding Dong was expelling brain farts on the CBC, then you must have noticed that he never even acknowledged the actual question you were asking, much less ANSWER it. I was even disappointed in the host who offered him an out that he didn't even need (due to just ignoring the question) by adding a comment that implied there may not be enough time before May 3 (to set up a courtroom you had pointed out WAS ALL EQUIPPED already).
I know Ding Dong seems retarded for someone who allegedly passed the bar, but six weeks is plenty of time to flip a switch, do a sound check and set up the lighting. Heck, look at what George Bush managed to do overnight for his Hollywood presentation of concern in New Orleans after Katrina - once he decided it was important enough for his photo-op.
If they didn't have anything to hide, they wouldn't have to redact FOI requests, fight disclosure of evidence tooth and nail and make access to court information (CSO website) more difficult and/or expensive to access almost weekly. Heck, they could even show somebody the actual BC Rail deal!
Skookum, your point about distraction and the futility (and motivation for) the war on drugs and high profile gangster prosecutions is right on. Notice too that we this morning have the media wringing their hands over Cliffor Olsen's pension (altho how he qualifies for $1200 per month CPP challenges reason - as he went to the big house 20-25 years before retirement age and had a spotty employement history preceding his arrest for the 11 murders and had already spent some time behind bars for less serious offenses to the best of my knowledge) and Willy Pickton's appeal to the SCC.
Mary, it would be nice to think we matter, and that our opinions and feelings matter to our BC government.
This proves beyond doubt - that is not the case, nor will it ever be:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/03/25/NewPowers/
This is something everyone NEEDS to be aware of. Any bets as to whether it's shown on the news or not?
This proves beyond doubt - that is not the case, nor will it ever be:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2010/03/25/NewPowers/
This is something everyone NEEDS to be aware of. Any bets as to whether it's shown on the news or not?
# posted by : March 25, 2010 at 9:51 a.m.
: March 25, 2010 at 9:51 a.m.
Hi Mary,
http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1211803&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The BC Court of Appeal marked its 100th anniversary with a ceremonial sitting of the court Friday afternoon that was open to the media to record and video.Attorney General Mike de Jong says the sitting made a little bit of history when it comes to the court's transparency."I think by virtue of what's taken place here, the fact that the proceedings were recorded. It was a ceremonial sitting but a sitting nonetheless, of the Court of Appeal of the Province of British Columbia. "I think the court sent a very subtle signal that they do want to open the doors wider. They do want people to know what goes on. We have a good justice system."But, de Jong says to convince people the system is good, they need to see it in action.He says he would like to see cameras in BC's civil and criminal courts with a pilot project as soon as this fall.
Another CN derailment
http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=cn%20derailment%20chilliwack&mkt=en-ca&setLang=en-CA
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http://www.cknw.com/Channels/Reg/NewsLocal/Story.aspx?ID=1211803&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
The BC Court of Appeal marked its 100th anniversary with a ceremonial sitting of the court Friday afternoon that was open to the media to record and video.Attorney General Mike de Jong says the sitting made a little bit of history when it comes to the court's transparency."I think by virtue of what's taken place here, the fact that the proceedings were recorded. It was a ceremonial sitting but a sitting nonetheless, of the Court of Appeal of the Province of British Columbia. "I think the court sent a very subtle signal that they do want to open the doors wider. They do want people to know what goes on. We have a good justice system."But, de Jong says to convince people the system is good, they need to see it in action.He says he would like to see cameras in BC's civil and criminal courts with a pilot project as soon as this fall.
Another CN derailment
http://bing.search.sympatico.ca/?q=cn%20derailment%20chilliwack&mkt=en-ca&setLang=en-CA
# posted by : March 27, 2010 at 10:46 a.m.
: March 27, 2010 at 10:46 a.m. << Home
