Sunday, December 19, 2010

 

Why I'm cheering for WikiLeaks

.
BC Mary comment:  An excellent news report by Keith Fraser (below) is flawed only by being just a wee bit late in coming to our attention. 

This time, it's not the media's fault. Apparently this critical news about BC Rail affairs was judged to be unfit for public consumption until last week, 8 months after the fact. That's when media went after it -- and obtained the newly-opened transcripts from BC Supreme Court.

If media hadn't gone after those transcripts, would we know about Eric Bornman's testimony? -- not just that he was involved in bribery, but that this branch of government-styled bribery  involved bundles of boodle being traded off for favours of one kind or another.


Obviously, the previous owners of BC Rail -- the citizens -- weren't eligible observers to be allowed to see how justice unfolds in BC. 

Just who the heck decided that, I'd like to know. 


And that's why I'm cheering for Julian Assange and his daring concept that  government secrecy has gone absolutely too far. 


I understand that nobody has been endangered by the WikiLeaks revelations. But I'm pretty sure that many issues -- real people issues --  have become much easier to handle as a result of people knowing about them.


Julian Assange, I'd say, is a man whose time has come ... and praise be ... for him  and a young fellow named Manning. 

Now ... before anyone begins to yell at me "Me good, WikiLeaks bad!", please have a look at the way things were, right here in BC Supreme Court, only 8 months ago ... and ask yourself: could things get any worse?

When I read this yesterday, I said to myself: "Here's why I'm cheering for WikiLeaks!"

Remember this?



No Time In Courtroom 53 

April 15, 2010

The announcement was that an application would be made at ten in the morning in courtroom 53 concerning the Basi, Virk, and Basi matter.  I went to the Law Courts.  Fortunately, I went for another reason to be in the Law Courts. Fortunately, because there was nothing in the announcement saying the event would be in camera (secret). It was. Without any prior notice.

[I think the failure to inform British Columbians that an announced hearing was, in fact, closed and secret characterizes (at the very least) the sloppy contempt the Supreme Court has for the people it serves.]

I believe I saw Mr. Webster climbing the stairs to courtroom 53.  He is the lawyer nominated by the court to read through [thousands of pages of] disclosure-sought materials in order to report upon their likely relevance to the defence of the accused in the Basi,Virk, and Basi matter.  He reports to the court, and the court looks at what he has selected to make a final decision about relevance.

That process was one that helped slowly and starkly and dramatically to pull many superiors of the three accused and many other related people into the orbit of the Basi, Virk, and Basi case – opening questions about their roles, their possible involvement, and the burning question:  should they, too, have been fully investigated by the RCMP … and why weren’t they?

I stepped briefly into courtroom 53 minutes before ten o’clock.  I believe I saw Mr. Webster there, alone, awaiting – I presume – the appearance of Madam Justice Anne MacKenzie who will preside at the trial of Basi, Virk, and Basi.  He looked from a distance rather like a character out of a 1940’s movie – a Catholic penitent waiting for the priest so he could be confessed of his sins in complete anonymity and privacy.  Whatever he said, it was in complete anonymity and privacy – if it was, in fact, Mr. Webster. 

The publication ban is draconian.  I could have been allowed into the courtroom, and so could Keith Fraser, a reporter there, unable to report what went on – BUT in a free society being present, and at some time in the distant future being a guarantee of truth if the preservation of democracy called upon us –  and THEN to be repositories of information the society might need.  Not only was the publication ban in place, but - without any preparation of the public - the doors were shut and locked against people like Keith Fraser and me.

Leading legal theorists in all democracies declare that secret proceedings must be suspected as dishonest proceedings.  I suspect….

I suspect that Madam Justice Anne MacKenzie heard information that “the Gordon Campbell interests” do not want ANYONE to hear.  I suspect that
there must have been a sudden and dramatic reason to close and lock the door in order to keep out people like Keith Fraser and me.  I suspect that (a) either the Supreme Court of British Columbia is so sloppy and inefficient that it can’t report correctly even a closed hearing, or (b) that suddenly someone decided the information to be imparted at ten a.m. was so “hot” that the doors had to be closed … and locked … on courtroom 53.

I suspect Madam Justice Anne MacKenzie violated her own publication ban, for it doesn’t say observers can’t be present.  It says they can’t report anything communicated at the proceedings.  But the doors were closed and locked!  And there was no notice on the door.  Astounding!

I suspect ….  I suspect ….  I suspect ….  And the best authorities in our system, the most experienced experts on the administration of justice in Canada and other democratic systems are on record as saying, repeatedly, that I have every right to suspect. 

A person has to ask – once again – for whom and what the officers of the Supreme Court of British Columbia are working?  For justice?  For the people of British Columbia?  If they are, they are managing to fool more and more people ….
 
By Robin Mathews
Re-posted from April 2010.

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Comments:
We appreciate all of BC Mary's hard work and time, for bringing all of this information to the people.

The sale of the BCR, is a nasty business, right from the top of the food chain, to the very bottom. The lies, deceit and corruption, regarding Campbell's fraudulent sale of the BCR, boggles the mind. The ordinary citizen of BC, I am sure would do time, for a crime such as that. However, De Jong did Campbell's dirty work for him. The costs of the trial, are the tax payers bill to pay. The stench of this cover-up, sickens the very soul.
 
Campbell always gets someone else to do his dirty work. He rids himself of, the decent honest people, such as Neufeld and Johnson. Campbell preys on those weak of character or easily threatened, that he can manipulate, such as Craig James. Then we have the RCMP who refused to do a further investigation, of Campbell's corrupt sale of the BCR. However, the RCMP willingly, terrorized an elderly lady in her eighties and other people, so they would be too afraid to sign the recall. It is said, the RCMP don't want to lose their contract, with the province of BC. So, they would be an easy threat, for Campbell and C. James. I wonder if the RCMP would investigate, Campbell's sea to sky highway scam. Doubtful. Enter Hochstein, who boasted he would spend a fortune, to keep the HST. Indeed, the ICBA has, $2.235 trillion to fight with. Problem is, Hochstein didn't get the members list off their site soon enough. Seems some of those members, knew nothing about the treachery of Hochstein. Some of those businesses have lost a lot of profits, because of the HST. If push came to shove. Campbell would deny, he knew anything about, Craig James and Hochsteins agenda. He wouldn't hesitate to call them criminals, and cut their throats, the same as he did to Basi and Virk. I would wish fight HST would do a blanket recall, to eradicate the BC Liberal Party, right out of BC. The BC ministers and mla's, supported Campbell to the hilt. The candidates running to replace Campbell, aren't worth the powder to blow them to hell. There is too much dirt and corruption on them, they would be just as bad as Campbell. There is a nasty rumor, Campbell is going to stick around, and be an adviser, for the BC Liberal Party. A blanket recall please.
 
Well said, BC Mary....and

Deserving of a standing ovation.
 
Barinder Sall has a court appearance Monday December 20, 2010 at 9:00 am in Room 307. I wonder if anyone will report on this,
 
.
To Anonymous

Being cautious about naming people as "the Accused" in criminal proceedings,

especially someone called "Anonymous" !!!

I looked up your news item. There's no listing in BCSC for today, Dec. 20, 2010, for the person you mention. Not in Vancouver, not in Victoria.

Would you double-check what you saw, and let me know? Many thanks.
.
 
These are the results of a search done on the Court Services Online for Criminal Proceedings against Barinder Sall.
Sorry for the poor formatting. The link is provided below.

https://eservice.ag.gov.bc.ca/cso/criminal/searchAccusedResult.do?serviceId=7810799


17Dec2010 News: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BC ONLINE USERS RE: CSO SERVICE INTERRUPTION - click here.






B.C. Home

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Search Traffic/Criminal By Participant Name - Individual Results



Refine Search
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Search Criteria
Last Name: Sall
First Name: Barinder
Location: Vancouver Provincial Court
Level: Provincial

Results: 1 - 3 of 3
Level
Class Document
Reference Last Name, First Name Court Location Date Time Room Rsn Last Rslt Agency File # View
P,A 213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh Vancouver Provincial Court 20Dec2010
9:00 AM 307 APP IBJ RCMC:09-7109
P,A 213489-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh Vancouver Provincial Court 20Dec2010
9:00 AM 307 APP IBJ RCMC:09-7109
P,A 155500-1 SALL, BARINDER Vancouver Provincial Court 27Oct2005
4:49 PM REG DSP END 2C:04-35539


Court Services Online Ver. 2.2.0.00



File Number 213488



File Options:
New Search
Back to Search Results
Enter your file number




Documents




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Charges




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Sentences/Disp.




Releases





1 2 Next >


Document Accused Cnt Location Date Time Room Reason Result Finding Canc.
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 29-Jun-2010
09:00 AM 307 CLC IBJ
 
These are the results of a search done on the Court Services Online for Criminal Proceedings against Barinder Sall.
Sorry for the poor formatting. The link is provided below.

https://eservice.ag.gov.bc.ca/cso/criminal/searchAccusedResult.do?serviceId=7810799


17Dec2010 News: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BC ONLINE USERS RE: CSO SERVICE INTERRUPTION - click here.






B.C. Home

Ministry of Attorney General
Court Services Online



Home
E-search
Search Civil
Search Appeal
Search Traffic/Criminal
Transaction Summary
Daily Court Lists
Register
Schedule of Fees
About CSO
Filing Assistant


RELATED LINKS



Search Judgments
Publication Ban Site
Mediation Program










Search Traffic/Criminal By Participant Name - Individual Results



Refine Search
New Search



Search Criteria
Last Name: Sall
First Name: Barinder
Location: Vancouver Provincial Court
Level: Provincial

Results: 1 - 3 of 3
Level
Class Document
Reference Last Name, First Name Court Location Date Time Room Rsn Last Rslt Agency File # View
P,A 213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh Vancouver Provincial Court 20Dec2010
9:00 AM 307 APP IBJ RCMC:09-7109
P,A 213489-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh Vancouver Provincial Court 20Dec2010
9:00 AM 307 APP IBJ RCMC:09-7109
P,A 155500-1 SALL, BARINDER Vancouver Provincial Court 27Oct2005
4:49 PM REG DSP END 2C:04-35539


Court Services Online Ver. 2.2.0.00



File Number 213488



File Options:
New Search
Back to Search Results
Enter your file number




Documents




Participants




Charges




Appearances




Sentences/Disp.




Releases





1 2 Next >


Document Accused Cnt Location Date Time Room Reason Result Finding Canc.
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Dec-2010
09:00 AM 307 APP
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 01-Nov-2010
09:30 AM 102 APP IBJ
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 05-Oct-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 14-Sep-2010
09:00 AM 307 AHR IBC
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 1 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 2 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 SALL, BARINDER Singh 3 Vancouver Provincial Court 20-Aug-2010
09:30 AM 101 APP IBJ RGS
213488-1 JOHL, SATPAL S 4 Vancouver Provincial Court 29-Jun-2010
09:00 AM 307 CLC IBJ
 
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