BREAKING NEWS/EXCLUSIVE: ‘THE BASI FILES’
Some time in early November, after the obvious deal cutting between the B.C. government and co-defendants David Basi and Bob Virk, I received a phone call from someone close to the prosecution and very familiar with the BC Liberal government, who was appalled by what had just transpired.
A long-time retired lawyer with a storied reputation when he practiced, this wasn’t a man who was going to suffer the spin zone, and for reasons which, in part, are entrusted with him and his client, they provided me with several bankers boxes of information related to the sale of BC Rail.
We met several times over the course of a week. He explained his position and that of his client as I listened.
After several more meetings, I traveled to Nanaimo, where he introduced me to the man who delivered what I refer to as ‘The Basi Files’.
Over the next week or so I will release one ‘Memo-to-File’ per day. They are authored by Dave Basi alone, in his own words, and after he wrote each installment they were witnessed by Victoria lawyer George Jones, Q.C. whose unimpeachable integrity is without question and whose signature I have verified.
The memos are dated from October 6th., 2003 and extend almost two months to November 25th., 2003 (the day after the sale of BC Rail to CN was formalized).
What you will read is the clearest record we have thus far of how to two key government operatives, Dave Basi and Bobby Virk, it could not have been more clear: The BC Liberal government were running a heavily skewed process whereby BC Rail, an asset that we were promised by Gordon Campbell would never be disposed of, was being sold (990 year lease) to a company run by a very close friend and bagman of the Premier of British Columbia, David McLean. Additionally, during the course of the disposal of this asset, as it becomes clear as day in subsequent installments that you will read over the next week to ten days, that breathtaking risks were taken by Basi and Virk, all to satisfy direct orders CLEARLY coming from the Office of the Premier through former Finance Minister Gary Collins. From Basi’s own words, it is evident that not only was the Premier of the Province of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, clearly involved in directing the sale (the unseemly pressure applied by the Premier in conversations with Bob Virk are documented by Basi), but that other Ministers, including Gary Collins and Christy Clark participated in various aspects through a process designed to favour one bidder, CN, over all others.
Of particular (shocking) note, are also the revelations in subsequent memos, that it was in fact Gary Collins that instructed his Ministerial Assistant Dave Basi to pass along the draft RFP of the Robert’s Bank deal to Christy Clark’s brother Bruce; that the Clarks good friend Patrick Kinsella (and current Christy Clark campaign chieftain) had free run of the government bench including the Premier’s Office in procuring this deal (all while he was also said to be contracted by CN as well) and that, Dave Basi knew that he, and likely Bob Virk, would be strung out to dry as a result of a brazen giveaway to a company run by a man with direct ties to the Premier of the Province of British Columbia.
Basi knew the house of cards would collapse and the letters of complaint from competing bidders (CP and OmniTRAX) were received–wherein they openly claimed that the government process was corrupt–that it was plainly obvious the government would look for scapegoats. He recognized that he and Virk were expendable.
He specifically describes the Premier and his friends as “untouchable.”
Below is the first of ‘The Basi-Files’. At this point in revealing something so explosive, I usually remark, “Enjoy” but in this case I must tell you that I am deeply saddened by this entire affair.
Stalking horse bidders didn’t lose. They were never in the game to begin with.
Basi and Virk lost, for in as much as you can blame them for their viral naivete, they did not deserve to be branded “criminals”, in that they were obviously following orders. They were pressured into those pleas, WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF A FULL DEFENCE (which could have only been had from a completed trial) and you will be able to see why, well within the next week plus.
You lost, I’m most sorry to say. We all did.
Too often in this province it’s about right vs. left, but the BC Rail scandal was about right vs. wrong.
If CN were the best fit, as CIBC Wood Gundy advised, then why the need for a sham bidding process?
In addition, to those of you who are supporters of Christy Clark’s that continue to threaten me while hiding behind anonymous proxy emails: Why not just get your candidate to address the questions that will reach a crescendo very quickly? If after reading ‘The Basi Files’ and seeing the additional evidence you do not understand why Christy Clark in unfit to hold public office, then you’re probably the same people who will find excuses for the utterly shameful behavior of a Premier that has so thoroughly disgraced his office. Did she do anything wrong? If she told the legislature one thing and did another, she sure did. And you will see in the coming days how the answers will fall into place.
Finally, to my friends in the mainstream media, that have been hounding me to release what some have guessed correctly is Basi’s inside observations, I have a challenge: Call for a public inquiry. I dare you. Just this memo alone SCREAMS for one. For once, stand up for the people of this province, for your readers, viewers and listeners and ask for some damned honesty and decency in government. Who cares what it will cost! Ms. Clark herself joyfully nodded to the Oliphant Inquiry while she was a media tourist; when we spent $30,000,000 to find out what Brian Mulroney did with a few hundred thousand. Since the BC Liberals will not and the NDP cannot, do what Marjorie Nichols and Jack Wesbter would have done–call for an inquiry. Do what Fotheringham and Bewley would have done. Don’t any of you care. Shame! All of your venues are dying on the vine. Do you not care about the people or the integrity of this province?
What would the great Bruce Hutchison have done? No one would be begging him to act. He would have quit before being intimidated by one of the suits.
And then some of you have the unmitigated gall to pretend you don’t come here for this news? I’m one man with a laptop, a phone, and a fax machine. You have multi-million dollar budgets, countless assistants and twenty Vice-Presidents a piece.
Ask Christy Clark why she is so adamantly against an inquiry. Half her campaign team make up the majority of the main cast of characters in this scandal. Ask her hard questions instead of gentle lobs. Why are you so afraid? Can you not connect the dots? Her friend in the blogosphere won’t since he’s a pal of her campaign operative Jamie Elmhirst. Her former colleague Bill Good refuses to see the bright light that’s beaming down on him. I dare you. Go on. For once defy the advertisers and the charlatans and rubes that have infested the media business and destroyed your venues to where advertisers are more important that the public’s right to know.
Go on. For once, do it for the people.
From October 6th., 2003
Now, how many of you are still wondering why Basi and Virk were offered such lavish settlements right before ‘The Minister’ Gary Collins was about to take the stand?
And you haven’t seen anything yet.
Extra! Extra! Sh*t about to hit fan!
Am I okay to assume that this was not written for Mr. Basi, that he was really just signing something someones else wrote?
[Translate]
The memos would not be signed by a lawyer with unimpeachable integrity if they were not presented by the author. These were written by Dave Basi himself. With no assistance and no editorializing.
It’s the rawest form of the BC Rail scandal that you will read anywhere.
[Translate]
Since these memos are so crucial. I hope you can clarify…
Who did Basi write these memo to?
What’s the purpose of the memo?
Was it just to protect himself?
It was written on the specified date, right?
Thanks.
[Translate]
1) Basi wrote these emails to do more than the ‘cover your ass’ effort designed by most memos-to-file. He clearly saw that he and the govt he worked for were too far down the path of corruption and had salted the process in favour of CN. Basi appears concerned about the future and how this will play out. They used him. And he did this because he was scared.
2) A memo-to-file is one written for the purpose of adding to existing narrative on that file, incase something goes wrong. This was his get out of jail card. Too bad he wasn’t able to use these memos in court. They would have proved MOST interesting.
3) No, Basi was trying to show the integrity of the process was flawed as well. I’m sure he probably doesn’t feel all too wonderfully about what he was asked to do: String along innocent corporations as stalking horses and dupe them into believing there was a chance they might win win the process or receive some consolation prize. In the end, the only winner was CN.
4) Each memo is dated and has a corresponding date he had each witnessed.
[Translate]
Well, certainly hard to ignore something so clearly documented in black and white…
The MSM should be ashamed if they ignore this documentation and the ramifications that will follow for our province.
We must have an inquiry, if there are this many questions on on the first page alone…. We need to know what else there is hidden away….
Why was that trial stopped? Besides the 6 million dollars in legal fees, how much more did it cost us… the hidden costs, and who is really responsible.
We need to know…
Thanks Alex, for your integrity, and persistence in this situation. Kudos for having the courage to ask the hard questions, and giving us a voice.
[Translate]
You’re most welcome. It makes me angry (and sad) that the media have sold themselves so badly to the suits. I’d tell an editor who told me not to report this to go fly a kite.
It is so obvious that we need a full judicial inquiry. What gets me more than the obvious ducking a weaving of the Clark camp and the leadership contestants, is that the NDP, who are supposed to be the loyal opposition are so completely useless.
They have completely dropped the ball on this whole sordid affair.
[Translate]
Excellent point, my question to the NDP would be why?
Why is everyone ignoring this, anyone brave enough to tackle this would be a Hero, so why the silence in the bowling alley?
What or who are you afraid of…. the future of the province depends on this information being exposed.
I find it funny that our City Councilors today demanded an apology from McLeans magazine for what they feel was an offensive article, yet something this big… not a whisper.
Why is there no public outrage? and in my opinion, if nobody asks Christy Clark these hard questions we might end up with more of the same or even worse…. what is wrong with us as a society, that we don’t demand an answer !!!
There are screams about oil tankers and bike lanes…. and this is met with apathy shame on all of us..
[Translate]
You said it pal.
[Translate]
Re: NDP not jumping all over this situation.
Political proffessional courtesy, my dear! They have their own skeletons—and never thought it would come to this. Now that an inquiry seems inevitable, they will be cursing—it could be them the next time. Having Gordo’s Dear Leader’s head on a platter was good enough to them. Now, it gets messy—for all.
Besides, they needn’t soil their hands with you doing all the work!
[Translate]
In reference to my previous post, I guess that makes Alex the Hero here
[Translate]
Hardly. Although it’s a sad day when we refer to people who are simply telling the truth as heroes…sad isn’t it? Getting to the truth in the media used to count for something.
But I appreciate your too kind words. Thx pal.
Right back at ya!
[Translate]
How can we trust a judicial inquiry when the Liberal government had so much control over the Basi Virk trial (judge included)?
[Translate]
Great question but the issue remains: there are lots of fair judges. The legislature could set parameters. It’s not complicated.
[Translate]
I agree with Glenn except for the part about the judges. I’ve known both Madame Justice Bennett and Madame Justice MacKenzie personally. They were both very good prosecutors and nice people. Neither would ever stand for the slightest attempt to directly influence them or behave in a manner that was anything less than honorable.
Were it otherwise, they would not have allowed the Defence the latitude they did in cross-examination. It should be remembered that their duty is restricted to hearing evidence of the charges against the Accused before them and not to conduct a public inquiry. Even if Justice MacKenzie had some suspicions she’d have been hard pressed to refuse to accept a plea that was agreed to by both Crown & Defence.
[Translate]
I agree. I think both McKenzie and Bennett had a tough job. Although Bennett clearly wanted to provide more latitude.
[Translate]
Justice Bennett should be the choice for an Inquiry. She has impeccable credentials and unquestioned honour. Besides, she already knows much of the real story.
Were it not for Judge Bennett’s actions in releasing documents., this case would have been closed, permanently. The only people left complaining would have been the proud Wingnuts and Nincompoops.
[Translate]
I quite agree. I think Madam Justice Bennett would be the choice of any fair-minded individual.
[Translate]
Boom!!!! Salvo number two…..and what a salvo it is!!!!!
Damm fine work Alex…..the contacts you maintain/acquire amaze me.
The shit will no doubt hit the fan now. This memo, notarized, is very damming evidence that finally shows just how wrong this deal was/is.
I second the challenge you have thrown out to the MSM…call for an inquiry NOW.
Look forward to future memo’s….I am sure it will only get worse for the Libs. and the henchmen they associate with.
[Translate]
Thank you Sir!
[Translate]
Bring her to her knees Alex; expose the truth since Canwest, Global and CTV won’t touch it. Christy needs to catch a wake up call. This black cloud hanging over her is about to pour. Is Patrick Kinsella her Karl Rove?
[Translate]
You’ve just insulted Mr. Rove.
[Translate]
“You’ve just insulted Mr. Rove.”
My thoughts exactly!
[Translate]
Indeed, how sad. How sad that our politicians are so stupid that they think they can get away with corruption and lies in this information age. How sad that with a corrupt government and an inept opposition there is no one to vote for in British Columbia. How sad that we in British Columbia are yet again the laughing stock of the Nation.
[Translate]
BC is the most corrupt province in Canada. Macleans got it wrong. Quebec is amateur hour compared to us.
[Translate]
Only since Chretien left office & tossed the challenge to us.
[Translate]
Love yor blog, and this work in particular!
I must disagree, however, with this statement… having witnessed many years of the Quebec brand of corruption, I would say that it is the BC corruption that is “amateur hour” – becaue it’s obvious. Pros are not so easily identified as corrupt.
It’s generally understood in Quebec that politicians are crooked… they get booted out because being caught demonstrates that they are also incompetent – the competent ones wouldn’t have been caught.
[Translate]
Fair enough, I accept your take. But BC, as a result of this deal, MUST be tied for first with La Belle Province…
And thank you for the kind words.
[Translate]
But Charles Rivers & Associates and found the competition to be “fair and impartial” in their “fairness” audit. My goodness, don’t tell me that that process was corrupted as well.
[Translate]
Anyone suggesting it was an impartial process needs psychiatric help.
[Translate]
Well done sir!
I look forward to more. ( I see that MArk Hume has a piece in the G&M. Maybe the journalistic momentum to expose the BC Rail Scandal is finally underway.
Oh and Mr Bill Good: the criticisms of the bc media includes you. You should be ashamed. √ Blogsphere x BC Media
PS: What the hell does MSM stand for.
[Translate]
MSM means mainstream media. Thx for the encouraging words.
[Translate]
Looks pretty obvious why Gordo wanted to exit stage left!!
Looking forward to the next week of reading.
Haven’t seen a “peep” on MSM
Keep up the good fight!!
[Translate]
Thx 456. Wait til we get to 789…
[Translate]
Did the federal government play a role? Or was their head in the sand, too. I want to say unbelievable, but sadly it isn’t.
[Translate]
The Feds had nothing to do with BC Rail unless you consider that Paul Martin’s top BC crew were almost all either participants or questioned by the RCMP.
[Translate]
Alex – Playing Devil’s Advocate here. Question – Is this just a routine memo to file and are these detailed memos to file routinely done by ministerial assistants?
Why was the memo “notarized” or “witnessed” on the same day of October 6, 2003? What was the purpose of that? Just trying to make some sense out of this aspect.
Don’t get me wrong but what I am reading here in the memo sounds like routine internal business strategy. Or am I missing something?
[Translate]
There is nothing routine about what you read. MAs are not sent out to do dirty work an it’s extremely rare for a Minister to e stupid enough to suggest the things Collins did to Basi.
The witness route is also extremely rare. Memos to file happen all the time when one is covering their ass. But to have it done like this and witnessed by someone with such unimpeachable integrity is unheard of.
Basi was obviously worried that he (they) had gotten in too deep. He clearly wanted someone to know about what was going on if this whole thing one day collapsed. It was the smart move.
Question for you: Is it routine internal business strategy for a Govt to be loading a process in favor of a preferred bidder and counseling aides to manufacture hope in (other) stalking horse bidders?
I think not.
[Translate]
Alex,
I assume you have the documentation as paper files…It would be interesting to know if those paper files were created on Basi’s office computer and would have existed as digital files (probably Word documents) on those hard drives.
Hard drives which were part of the ‘take’ when the offices were raided.
If that is the case then I’d say you releasing the material now would create a number of difficult questions for the prosecution and the defence – not to mention the judge(s):
Did the defence see the memos? And, if they had seen them, wouldn’t their existence likely be a large factor in the plea bargain?
Apart from these questions, the key element in this memo seems to me to be the absolutely clear refutation it provides that the sale of CN was a business deal. If nothing else, Basi’s words — and the ‘directions’ behind them finally put the lie to that notion.
This was ‘political’ from the get go – all the economic arguments, business case scenarios and the rest were simply smoke and mirrors.
I can only hope someone in the media will have the guts to publish this stuff and begin to connect the necessary dots.
Well done!
G West
[Translate]
Thx Garth.
1) I received the memos on a disk. They were scanned and presented to me. I printed them off from there. There is no way of finding out how Basi crafted them. I assume he did so on govt computer. I’m told by the source that they were discovered in a filing cabinet in Basi’s old office and the copies were quickly shuffled out the door. A call was made to the Premier’s Office, but a copy got away and I have it. I do not not know if Berardino has seen this anymore than I know if Bolton or McCullough have.
2) It’s crystal clear that this was a political deal from the beginning.
3) Don’t hold you breath on anyone covering it …yet. But they will have to. Stay tuned.
[Translate]
Very interesting Alex. One more question if you don’t mind.
Does Basi know you:
a) have the memos; and
b) that you’re releasing them?
I’m not questioning your motives – nor am I suggesting that anyone’s trying to manipulate this – because it seems to be, on the basis of what you’ve revealed, simply the result of someone who cares about the truth and who’s willing to do whatever he can to bring this to the light of day.
My question arises, in fact, from what I’ve heard about the Basi/Virk plea bargain agreement….I’m curious to know whether or not – if this stuff was never part of the discovery process – it might not be covered by any agreement Basi and Virk signed with respect to disclosure after the plea deal went down.
I’ve seen a lot of journalists (so-called) hiding their head in the sand because of the judge’s non-disclosure order…I’m sure you’ve done the due diligence to see whether or not your blog might be covered by that order and I suspect you’ve satisfied yourself that it isn’t….
If that’s the case, I can’t see why any journalist worth his (or her) salt wouldn’t be all over this issue.
Strange indeed. We should all be doing whatever we can to get your work the widest possible exposure.
I hope your internet provider has a robust server.
Watching and waiting.
[Translate]
Garth:
Good friends of Dave Basi are daily readers here. They’ve identified themselves both here and in the general media. I would be surprised, given this, if he didn’t know. Frankly, that’s irrelevant. While I do not mind answering your questions, I don’t see why I should care at all if Dave Basi knows or approves of my revealing his memos or this work.
I haven’t the first clue about if this material was disclosed to either the Crown or the defence, as I’ve heard ‘yes’ and ‘no’ with respect to that. But again, that’s also irrelevant. The judge has lifted all bans. Though, my understanding is from people close to the Crown, that Basi and Virk are under the strictest of gag orders. So, yes, I can release this information, and no neither Basi nor Virk have commented on it, because my understanding is that they cannot. So, there’s no point in speculating.
As for journalists hiding their heads in the sand: This story CLEARLY illustrates why the mainstream media are losing readers, listeners and viewers by the day. The suits are uninterested in the reporting that was fostered by people like Cameron Bell. So long as the advertisers have a soft landing and their cheques clear, that’s all the matters.
But I think for some the tide is turning…but very slowly.
[Translate]
I thought our good A-G denied the existance of any gag order. Guess they must have some other ($$$$$) hold over them.
[Translate]
Well, this is something else I’m pursuing as well. I’m told that Basi and Virk received money over and above their legal fees. I’ll have that for you shortly.
[Translate]
“the key element in this memo seems to me to be the absolutely clear refutation it provides that the sale of CN was a business deal. If nothing else, Basi’s words — and the ‘directions’ behind them finally put the lie to that notion.
“This was ‘political’ from the get go – all the economic arguments, business case scenarios and the rest were simply smoke and mirrors.”
Indeed, if AGT publishes no other disclosures (were this Britain, the gov’t would already have an injunction) the fact, even if obvious to most of us, is now admitted by an insider. This is news that can’t be ignored.
At 8am this morning, Bill Good led his newscast with Bornmann’s claim that Basi had taken bribes before BCR was a public issue. Good’s enthusiasm for the piece sounded as if he saw it as reason to ignore anything from Basi. These people in the MSM don’t want to admit they missed the story of the decade so they will remain reluctant to bring it forward or demand an inquiry.
[Translate]
A post on Charles Rivers & Associates from the blog Legislative Raids.
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html
[Translate]
Spectaculum facti summi Deo, angeli et hominibus.
We are made a spectacle unto God, unto his angels and unto man.
(or some such) St. Paul
Never were abilities so much below mediocrity so well rewarded; no, not when Caligula’s horse was made Consul.
John Randolph of Roanoke.
[Translate]
I keep wracking my brain and the only reasonable answer seems to be that big business has them all, Liberals, NDP, MSN, RCMP, our justice system.
How else could it get so far and so rediculous without one person demanding a thorough and complete review and investigation?
Good work Alex and if MSM doesn’t get it now after your challenge then I think they can be written off forever in the hopes that the public will ignore them. Better to not listen to them than to listen to the spin.
Again good work!
[Translate]
Thx Don. You make some very valid points.
[Translate]
Ultimately, it’s all about business, even the RCMP, who will soon sign a multi-billion dollar contract with the Liberal Government. Without the BC contract, RCMP reduces in size by a quarter or more. That is not what most organization want to do. The RCMP is also negotiating with Alberta. The last thing government wants is a police force aggressively pursuing commercial fraud. Public business would be disrupted quite substantially.
[Translate]
Yes, it appears so. I think there are certain members of the RCMP that should be ASHAMED of their comportment through the investigation and trial of Basi-Virk.
[Translate]
I thank you sir for bringing to light what has been so frustrating as a citizen and voter in B.C. to witness what has been so bloody and blatantly obvious regarding this sale. The pathetic display of silence by a large contingency of so called independent journalist stunned me, and where oh where? is our so called Opposition? Thank God Carole James is gone, hopefully a new leader will jump all over these papers, I as a citizen need people to honour who they say they are, please your all we have to expose and oppose those who lie and steal from our present and future. Thank you Alex for honouring who you present yourself as being, an honest concerned citizen, expose and oppose, thank you
[Translate]
You are most welcome. I appreciate you stopping by. Pls come again.
[Translate]
The Loyal Opposition is still prying out the slivers from skidding on Glen Clark’s deck.
And Alex, though I have been critical of your style on other blogs, this is excellent stuff. Kinda your own brand of WikiLeaks. Wanna bet how long it takes Garr or Bula to link to your site? Or Christi to call you personally? Please tape that one!
[Translate]
No problem…although the comparison to Assange the terrorist is a little disquieting. I prefer Rafe Mair’s take, that what I’m doing is Woodward style reporting. Too high a compliment, yes, but I’d take anything over Assange.
And you needn’t worry about your criticisms of me anywhere else. I have very think skin. you can’t survive in this business without it. Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate them very much. You’re welcome here any time.
[Translate]
Alex, as always you deserve to be commended for doing the MSM’s job for them. It baffles me how they have ignored this story to date. I’m no Glen Clark fan by any stretch of the imagination, but it seems strange to me how John Daly and a BCTV news crew staked out his house when the RCMP showed up back in 1998, and yet now they seem to have virtually no interest in this topic.
Why?
Having said that, this memo doesn’t quite seem to be a smoking gun. There’s an indication there that CN thought they had the deal sewn up, and there’s also an indication that Collins was directing Basi to help convince the other bidders that they were getting a fair shake.
What it seems to amount to is circumstantial evidence which could provide a foundation for the case you’re in the process of building. I’m looking forward to seeing the building blocks fit into place as you reveal them.
[Translate]
This particular memo goes well beyond circumstantial. It’s abundantly clear that one of two key aides in directing this deal into CN’s lap were directed to do so.
But I agree, in the absence of seeing all the memos and then giving it a good think, this first one is good but not enough. Though, it is enough to argue for a full public inquiry. No question about that.
[Translate]
Alex
What can one say after what you have exposed to all of us. It’s shocking that prime government officials would be involved in such a debacle as this. What’s worse is that our premiere does a two shoe side step out the door, Christie hides in the media for a spell and then thinks she can step back into the seat of power to do WHAT more of the same. I can’t but wonder what part our former AG SG Mike deJong had to do with this, as it was on his watch as Top Cop & Top legal watchdog that he agreed to pay the legal fees WHY!
Alex what can the rest of us do to help you get this into a public inquiry & MSM, you shouldn’t have to go this alone.
All the upstanding people of this province are in your debt and you deserve our help.
[Translate]
What can you do to help? Spread the word that both Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark have much to answer for.
And, of course, keep reading!
[Translate]
Maybe we all need to focus on Oak Bay and recall. Would Liberals dare expose themselves to a by-election where they cannot totally control the agenda?
[Translate]
Interesting angle. My guess is NO!
[Translate]
Is this why the Federal Conservatives do not want any of their people working for anyone in the BC Liberal’s leadership campaign?
[Translate]
I think that’s more to do with all their election readiness people staying away from EVERY BC Liberal campaign. Boessenkool was the only one. Don’t forget that the winner of the contest becomes Premier.
[Translate]
Alex, I have much sadness and heaviness of heart after reading this post. Let us search and try our ways; we need to examine and probe, by means of a full public inquiry, the full ramifications of this tainted sale. It is beyond depressing to read the memo. Thank you very much for taking this on, Alex.
It is now clear that not one of the candidates in the Liberal party deserves to hold the office of Premier. Each of them knew of BC Rail, or they had ways of knowing about it. From the day Paul Nettleton was shunned by caucus for speaking against the sale, MLA’s had to have known that something was amiss with the bid process and final sale. Perhaps Ms Stilwell can claim innocence, as she was not in cabinet when the deed was done; but even now that she does know, she has not seen fit to call for an inquiry.
So, the big question for the little guy with a laptop a phone, and a fax machine is: where are denizens of the Victoria press gallery on this story? Eating PABlum? It is evident your source wanted to talk to someone in the media, Alex. So why you and not some other reporter? The silence is deafening.
[Translate]
I believe that part of it is envy. Many of them have become lazy. In order to get stories from people they have to brown-nose. Instead of the media holding politicians feet to the fire, it’s the other way around. It’s sad to watch.
Although I am encouraged after last night’s calls from many in the MSM that are preparing to go with the story. It’s encouraging but I haven’t seen it yet.
[Translate]
So people are preparing to ‘go with the story’ as you say?
I’ve been all over the MSM and blogosphere this morning and I’ve seen no mention of this outside of comment threads. I understand that BC Mary has health issues, but nothing on the Tyee, nothing at Tieleman’s or Public Eye. It’s a huge elephant in the room….
I could understand if bloggers are afraid of the legal ramifications, having such limited resources, but I didn’t expect to see silence.
[Translate]
None of them want to give me any credit–its’ as simple as that. Tieleman still harbours resentment towards me as I pummeled him when I left 24 hours. Plus, Bill needs to answer for this: For someone who did yeoman’s service to this story, isn’t it strange how he’s dropped the ball AS SOONS AS the Liberals imploded? So, the accusations that he was doing the Basi-Virk story (and he did the best job of anyone) because of his want for the NDP to be poised to become govt? As soon as this materialized he started talking about anything else. BC Mary has it up, which doesn’t surprise me, but know this: The majority of the bloggers who covered this story were CLEARLY more interested in electing the NDP than getting at the truth–it was a means to an end for them. I was ALONE in my view that this was a matter of pure govt corruption and should be looked at by a judge either at trial or during a public inquiry. Meanwhile, the Laila Yuiles, Goughs, Kooks et al, were more interested in speculating and gossiping about who Campbell was dating. It’s their own fault. I warned them but they didn’t want to listen. Each of them worked very hard to play the NDP card (less Yuile, a little less, but she’s still guilty of supporting these nattering idiots).
LOL! you expected The Tyee to give me kudos??? AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Go and give The Tyee five dollars and watch where you get a receipt from: The far-left wing, social engineering ‘Tides Foundation’. You think that after the truth serum I’ve poured on Gregor Robertson and Vision Vancouver over the last year that their puppet-masters at Tides would allow The Tyee to give me credit for anything?
Deeby, pls. Just wait for today’s post and then watch what happens. If no one covers it, worry not. EVERYONE IS READING HERE. They’re commenting privately and publicly from across the province and across the country.
[Translate]
Pro-NDP sentiments are all over the blogosphere in discussions of this story, to the point that I’ve never entertained the possibility that people were holding back. Interesting….
I wasn’t exactly expecting kudos for you on the Tyee, or anywhere else. Just some reporting and links to the memos.
I look forward to more. My sincere thanks for this…..
[Translate]
They’re not holding back. They’re embarrassed because they spent umpteen posts referring to me as a “Liberal hack” and a “Conservative blogger.” And when that wasn’t enough, “fat, bald, ugly…” My favorite was that I was a “late-comer” to the Basi-Virk scandal. That nugget was from and American draft dodger hiding out in the North of the province, who thinks he’s clever. But I now know who he is…
I first wrote about the Basi-Virk affair over three years ago. But you see, when I enter the field, they run because they aren’t legitimate players. I am NOT an NDPer and have supported the Liberals, but I’ll be damned if I’ll support a corrupt politician or corrupt government.
And my sincere thanks to you for asking such great questions and providing such pithy comments.
[Translate]
“None of them want to give me any credit–its’ as simple as that.”
Not quite none of them as readers at my place have been invited to read you important material.
[Translate]
Hey you, I would NEVER lump you into the same heap as those I mentioned. You are right at the top of the best along with Oberfeld and David from NBurnaby, etc.
[Translate]
Alex, it must be a humbling thing for the nabobs of the media and the government to be outed by a guy with a laptop and a phone and a fax machine, and a will to find the truth, to prove that, even they, don’t have an indefeasible right to lie and cheat the public of both money and decency. They are, all of them, parasites on the body politic.
[Translate]
Hey people here is an idea. Print these memo and pass them out to family, friends, lunch room at work, leave some at the coffee shop. Drop some off at retirement homes etc. Can’t rely on msm anymore.
[Translate]
Uhhhhm, just read that document.
There is nothing there, way to oversell.
[Translate]
John:
No one is “selling” anything. I am simply trying to give the people of the province a glimpse of a corrupt process on their dime. If this is of no interest to you please don’t come back and have a good time licking stamps for the Clark campaign.
[Translate]
“Over the next week or so I will release one ‘Memo-to-File’ per day.”
Now this is an advent calendar of sorts that is long overdue.
Your revelations here should be considered the ultimate Christmas gift to all the people of BC, but yet, a lump of coal for Campbell, Clark, Coleman, Kinsella et al.
Their goose is cooked!
Please do take Christmas Day to spend time with your family Alex — but be back at work all the earlier next day.
All the Best to You ‘n’ Yours this Christmas and in the New Year!
[Translate]
Thx RS. Yes, I’ll be taking a few days to catch up on some sleep and give my eyes a rest.
I’ve decided to release the memos more quickly than I promised. So, you won’t have to wait as long as you thought.
And thx for the kind words and best wishes. A very Merry Christmas to you and yours.
[Translate]
Wow. Welcome to my required reading list, great job.
[Translate]
Thank you Neil. Much appreciation for your complimentary words.
[Translate]
Mr AGT asked:
“Finally, to my friends in the mainstream media, that have been hounding me to release what some have guessed correctly is Basi’s inside observations, I have a challenge: Call for a public inquiry. I dare you. Just this memo alone SCREAMS for one. For once, stand up for the people of this province, for your readers, viewers and listeners and ask for some damned honesty and decency in government.”
This one of the real tragedies of the past decade. The de-balling of Journalism. And the BC Rail Scandal is the canary in the mine. As you mentioned: where are the Nichols, Websters, Fotheringhams, Bewleys, Hutchisons of our day? None to be found. Replaced by sycophants and Lightweights: Bill Good, Galius, Tamara (help us) etc. Where are the investigative reporters of yesteryear? Palmer has not stepped his game. The Vancouver Sun has devolved to a PR rag. I can’t recall the last time I read anything in the VS that wasn’t better covered elsewhere on the web MSM and others : you need to research the Blogs and writings on the web before you embarrass yourself yet again with your inane put downs of the Blogsphere, E.g. do you think Wikileaks is not eating your type of reporter’s lunch?
But the MSM should be the first source for good reporting as they have the resources but they have abdicated their responsibilities to inform and expose.
No matter . Truth always wants to move to the Light.
[Translate]
It does indeed…
[Translate]
Wow Alex,do you get paid for this,if not you should and if you need funds to continue this needed investigations on your own set up an account and I would be happy to help,what is going on here needs to be fully investigated and other things that are being covered up,looks like we should eliminate our government by outsourcing it it would be cheaper,for that case our opposition to we are reading files from one lone journalist unpaid ,thank you so much Alex may your spotlight keep shining forever,I was totally wrong about you in the past ,and have come to read here constantly.
[Translate]
Well, that’s very kind and quite generous of you. I appreciate your change of heart and maybe I changed too and became a better scribbler.
Glad you enjoy the blog. Pls come by any time of your choosing. I enjoy your comments.
[Translate]
One of the least explored avenues on this whole file is the relationship between former Clerk of the Privy Council, Paul Tellier and his dual role as CEO of CN at times relevent to the CN deal and and his other role as a director of Rio Tinto.
Since Rio Tinto is a resource extractor and the former BC Rail is a resource transporter and Mr Tellier is “privy” to long range federal planning goals for all ministries, the possibilities are certainly a potentially “target rich” environment. Throw in the loose affiliations of all the provincial liberals, federal liberals and the overlaps and the plot seriously thickens. One wonders if the recent woes of the Prosperity Mine are not related to to some strategy or another long planned and near fruition….could an inside track for the investement am of the CPP be in play hear? I’m only speculating, but it comes in to sharp focus if you use certain lenses.
[Translate]
Hi Peter:
This is an avenue I have explored and it’s intriguing in that Mr. Tellier would indeed be privy to that kind of information. However, I think it’s clear that CN can’t be blamed for trying to better their lot in the business they’re in. It is when David McLean takes over that matters become complicated. If as CIBC Wood Gundy claimed, that CN was the “best fit” for BC Rail, then why the skewed process in favour of CN?
The connection between Gordon Campbell and David McLean, if completely innocent, MUST be explored. It’s a clear matter of public interest.
[Translate]
From the understanding I have arrived at, once the initial pieces are in place, the core foundation if you will, that the rest is just details. The habits of a species, long studied by those who understand it and play its institutional and personal foibles to personal advantage, are as predictable as calls for “there ought to be a law” for the latest outrage. But I fully agree that CN corporate just thought it was a good opportunity at the right price. The silence of the MSM is sort of a joke though…too bad it’s on the tax payers and subscribers to their outlets.
Although I disagree with his “progressive” analysis, the facts in Paul Palango’s, “Dispersing the fog” seem very relevant in this case.
[Translate]
The even bigger story is how corrupt all the political parties, the justice system and the media are.
[Translate]
I’m not sure about that statement in it’s entirety, although I certainly appreciate your sentiment and understand what you’re getting at. Thx for stopping by!
[Translate]
Alex, the Basi file does not open on my iPhone. It is in flash format which is not allowed by Steve Jobs. >insert unhappy face here<
[Translate]
What?! no laptop? PC?! It’s in scrbd form.
[Translate]
On Charles Rivers – the report was a scam. The draft was completed before the sale was finished. The proponents were never interviewed, even after CN and Burlington Northern formally complained about unfairness in the final stage. And Yvette Wells’ notebooks speak openly about the government’s bid committee editing the draft to prepare it for release.
The fairness report itself was an example of the unfairness of the deal.
[Translate]
Very good points also. I think one must view the report as being suspect since the pivotal point here is that the second draft even, was completed well-prior to the completion of the sale.
[Translate]
You go Alex!
This is a story/scandal that MUST be told!
It is not anti-Liberal political bullsh**t…it is real!
The tough part is that there are so many who would rather not believe any of it.
Why is that?
This self-serving Liberal government under King Gordon Campbell, has gotten away with so much…I refuse to believe they can get away with this too?
It is obvious that Clark does not want to go anywhere near an inquiry, and she damaged her campain badly when she said no…that the “government had already dealt with it and said no.
We all need to ask why did she say this so strongly?
If there was no stink on her,what would she be afraid of?
[Translate]
Everything…
[Translate]
Very good work, I’m very concerned however of what we are going to find out and just how far it has gone. Your challenge to the MSM is excellent as these sources of information have been an on going frustration of mine for quite some time. The MSM is as guilty as the people who signed their name on the dotted line in the greatest give away in BC history and I’ve said it before, it’s not what they said it’s what they didn’t say.
[Translate]
Another party heard from. A need to reform the judiciary. Good work Alex. Now if only—
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article/235930471-the-bc-rail-scandal-basi-virk-and-basi-at-its-fifth-anniversary
[Translate]
Where is Stevie Cameron when we need her?
By the way, this has finally hit the MSM. Kamloops News has 4 column inches on the back page, courtesy Canadian Presss that states ‘Basi and Virk…. are now serving one year terms under house arrest in Victoria.’
That would be one year times two people = 2 years as reported elsewhere? They didn’t spell Bornman(n) correctly either!
[Translate]
Now Alex’s Aghast! LOL!
[Translate]
In the Mark Hume article of the Globe and Mail it states that Bornman has changed the spelling from one n to nn.
Perhaps he thought it would fool us into believing it was someone else.
[Translate]
Wow. And nothing in the MsM today about this?
[Translate]
Nope and don’t expect it either. They should be ashamed…but that would imply that they had some shame.
[Translate]
I aM HOOKED – must continue to get on my computer each day now for sure – thank you for your investigation and for passing it along to all who would be concerned enough to follow the trail. Time for a new group of pols in Victoria and I will be looking at supporting the B.C. Conservative Party who have no baggage. Many thanks Rita J
[Translate]
Media with a conscience…what a concept! Thank you Alex! Now if only we could inject a bit of conscience into the politicians that are elected to serve us, the people. Looking forward sadly to the remaining articles.
[Translate]
You are most welcome.
[Translate]
Alex,
I just want to confirm what others say here: party volunteers, and average voters want to see a full scale review of this deal.
Further, people should be demanding that any political party in this province re-do their own constitutions to reflect that anything to be done politically be done on behalf of the members of the party, not for the political operatives, consultants and movers and shakers within their ranks.
And, in closing, at the governement level, regardless of party, we must mandate a set of policies and procedures that guarantee that results for awarding of government contracts, sales of assets (another story!), etc. can’t be skewed from the start:
There must be a clear imprimateur of a functioning, independent bureaucracy, and a regulatory watchdog that turns out legitimate RFP’s without political interference, whose proponents are selected after meeting a rigourous set of criteria, that they are not just “friends of”, but entities that add to the “good of the province” by providing value in the form of jobs, money or other proveable, measurable metrics.
This is not a pipe dream. It can be done. It must be done. Corruption and the reputational risk to our beloved province must stop. Those who flaunt the laws of the land must be punished.
[Translate]
As a proud BC resident it is encouraging to read these posts. There should be a public outrage over this situation.
Like a cancer if it isn’t stopped now … it will only grow and as a society we will suffer even more.
We the people should have a voice, it is our tax dollar that pay their salaries and pensions. They took our vote promising one thing and did what they pleased….they should be held to account… only we can force them to be accountable…
[Translate]
Agreed, George, it’s refreshing to read someone offering solutions — great post, Disgusted.
[Translate]
Alex, you’ve gone viral. Bourque Newswatch has or had you as the lead off item earlier on today. Even if he’s not MSM, he’s the most read aggregator in Canada and rest assured this will catch fire. When I see Palmer and the other toadies on TV I shudder. When I read Tom Fletcher, I vomit.
[Translate]
I always feel humbled when Pierre features my work. I’ve often had the privilege of leading his media hit parade and twice before this latest series, I’ve been privileged to be on his featured writer’s list back-to-back.
But let me assure you, the questions are all coming, and someone’s campaign is starting to show signs of cracking.
Good to hear from you.
[Translate]
CKNW reports that De Jong wants to lower voting age to 16. Ah, yes, leave the province’s fortunes to the bloom of youth. When all else fails, lower your standards, er um your voting age. Apparently 14 year olds can join a political party that they are ineligible to vote for. Desperate times calls for desperate measures.
[Translate]
If DeJong had his druthers, he’d change the laws so that there could be two votes for every Sikh. He panders to that community and fans the flames of reverse racism by doing so. It’s gutless and shameful.
[Translate]
Well this pretty well blows the lid off the whole thing.
The MSM, of which I was a part for near 50 years, needs to have it’s ass kicked big time over this.
All of the real reporters who would have joined you in exposing this stuff have either been fired or retired or are dead.
Keep up the great work.
The MSM now have no reason to ignore this story and the corrupt people involved in it.
[Translate]
Sure they do. It’s falling prey to not having stood up to the suits long ago. Do you know who runs most news venues? Advertising agents and shameless, lazy executives that are only interested in the bottom line.
Where’s Rafe Mair ONLINE when you need him! Rafe in his prime would have made sushi out of Ms. Clark. Meanwhile, his successor reads from binders, while chiding people like me who are doing the work he should.
[Translate]
Someone needs to ask the other bidders what their take is on the corrupted process into which they were falsely drawn. Laws governing fairness in bid processes and contract awards are very strict and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the other bidders take legal action against the government. If that happens it’ll shake all the rats from the rafters when the evidence becomes public record. In the short term that won’t be soon enough to tear off the cloak of avarice and deceit from Clark and the other predators determined to govern this province.
The remarkable failure of the MSM to respond to this blatant act of corruption and subsequent cover-up for all the world makes them look like they might be players in this drama themselves.
[Translate]
NOTE TO READERS: REQUIRED READING–SUPERB COMMENT.
[Translate]
Alex:
I am new unto this blog stuff and so just picked this up on facebook. I sent it to all members of all Blackpress newspapers. They seem to be the only media that will write what I send them. Let’s see what happens here. I also joined the BC Refederation Party and have sent all of the members this. Keep up the good work man. I will be a regular from this day forward. P/S I go under the handle of The Vagabond Writer.
[Translate]
Well, welcome! Delighted to have you around.
[Translate]
I too am heartened by all the replies here calling for an inquiry.
It seems you may be starting a ground swell Alex.
Not to push, but can we expect another piece of the puzzle today (ie another memo)?
[Translate]
Your wish is my command…
[Translate]
Dear Alex, I can’t even guess how many hours you must spend, processing all of this information for us. Plainly, many of the media, are bought and paid for. What other excuse is there? Who needs them, we have you.
They just said, Christy Clark, is 46%, to gain replacement for Campbell, far above all the others. Perish the thought. She calls the people objecting to Campbell’s reign of disaster, the Taliban.
Quite sometime back, I was watching the House of Commons. I saw a motion passed, to give…Banks, large corporations, mines, gas and oil company’s , millions, upon millions of our tax dollars. They get large tax reductions. Because, big businesses are bottomless pits of greed….They had no problem, to line up at the trough and squeal for the HST as well. There is no doubt, big business runs the entire country.
Is it a pre-requisite of Campbell’s that, his friends have to do his dirty work for him? Such as Craig James and Hochstein? It seems, members of the ICBA, were not even aware, of Hochstein’s litany of lies, threats and spending their money, on such an underhanded endeavor. It was said, many businesses are suffering, big losses because of the HST. Hochstein, pulled his list of clients, off the site. However, not soon enough, the list is on line, at the fight HST web site. They are asking people to boycott these businesses. Hochstein said, he is willing to spend a fortune, to keep the HST. He boasted he has over, $2 trillion to spend.
As far as the RCMP, there is no doubt of their corruption, and, an equally corrupt judicial system, swept their crimes, right under the carpet. There are, BC people who do not even want, the RCMP as an icon for Canada. It is said, they refused to do a further investigation of, Campbell’s corrupt sale of the BCR. However, they willingly terrorized an elderly lady in her eighties, and other people, so they wouldn’t sign the recall. They did Campbell and James’ dirty work for them as well. This country and especially BC, is one huge cavern of corruption and greed.
[Translate]
Where is day two? I read day one and you seemed clear that this would be a daily release… have you hit a roadblock or am I missing something here?
[Translate]
You are definitely missing something. It’s both here and on my facebook page. Have a read and feel free to comment!
[Translate]
Alex,
Am I correct that this document was seen by both the prosecution and the defense of this trial?
Do you believe that you are introducing new evidence that was not considered in the Basi-Virk trial?
[Translate]
1) I have no idea. I have not questioned either the prosecution or the defence since I already know they will not answer.
2) Possibly. If they haven’t seen it, it’s new. Otherwise, I know (and I’m not trying to be flip) that Dave Basi knows this information.
But as to whether or not the information was known to the Crown and/or defence: From my review of what’s available in the court record, it is neither in the Stinchcombe or FOI evidence.
[Translate]
Thanks Alex.
I appreciate the energy you are putting into this, and look forward to each of your releases. I may not draw the same conclusions as you, but I commend you for bringing forward the documents for all of us to judge for ourselves.
The opinion of Kevin McCullough, Basi’s defense lawyer would be interesting.
[Translate]
I agree with your whole article, except the part where you claim that every single person in BC and EVERY political party has been sitting silent about calling for a full inquiry by an independent tribunal. I’m a member of the BC Refed party and we have all been calling for an inquiry for years now, for all the notice that has been paid to our doing so.
Clark needs to be run out of BC on a rail, tarred and feathered to boot, along with the other major members of the Fiberal party, and as far as I am concerned every single one of the NDP and the Cons and the Greens and the Independents as well. Get out and stay out you bunch of losers!
I was busy so I didn’t see your blog until AFTER the late news tonight, their lead political story was Clark’s standing as the next leader of the BC Fiberal party AND most definitely the MOST insulting thing I’ve ever heard, WOMEN in the province of BC having “abandoned the poor Fiberals in droves while poor ol Gordo was leader and going to the NDP were since James resigned (was pushed from the moving train), were now flocking to support Clark in droves! And don’t get me wrong, I’ve never been big on James, but I was flabbergasted to learn that women in BC are considered so absolutely stupid by the MSM!
So excuse me, I need to go and wash my mouth out, the taste is gagging me!
A full inquiry please, headed by a respected Judge of the Court ELECTED by the people of BC and not a politician in one of the top three proven to be totally corrupt political party members please!
Thanks for having the courage to produce these memos and files!
[Translate]
You’re most welcome. It’s not been easy. I’m very tired and will likely take the weekend off.
[Translate]
Alex. BC Mary and Laila Yuile have both had technical difficulties. They have also been working tirelessly over the years, alongside Ross K., Kootcoot and Gary E. so your comments about other bloggers are unfortunate. I understand that you and Grant G. have issues, but you are being unfair to the rest.
I read a few of your posts after Laila added you to her blogroll, but was not really happy with your views and your sometimes patronizing attitude. I’m back to read your exclusive series, as advertised by Norm Farrell and Ross K. but I see you are still grinding away at everyone else’s material. Do you really feel so inadequate that you must denigrate other people’s work?
[Translate]
Kim:
Pay attention:
1) I emailed both Ms. Yuile and Ms. Mackey during their “technical difficulties.” In particular Yuile, who I considered and treated like a friend, spent no shortage of time stabbing me in the back. I even called her several times to see if she was alright after her ‘disturbances’. Nothing until I heard her on NDP radio and suggested how she might sound better. Only then did she bless me with a reply. LOL!. When I learned about her troubles I went out of my way to help and I’m still waiting for the explanation she promised of why she treated me so poorly instead of being thankful. Though, at this point, I couldn’t give a rat’s derriere, since she’s done about a half dozen really good stories the whole time she’s been blogging and then spent the rest of the time allowing crackpots like Kook, Goof and Gary (who writes like he’s constantly on ‘E’) free licence to make all sorts of grotesquely offensive intensely personal smears about me on her blog-or when they do on theirs, she applauds like a dimwit. Recently, Norman Farrell, who I consider one of B.C.’s best and thoughtful bloggers, banned Gough for the same reasons I intimated here.
2) Ross K is also good. But the rest of that ilk of a half dozen or so that surround Yuile are EXACTLY what Safer was referring to when he suggested citizen journalism is like practicing citizen surgery. The internet is indeed a platform for every crank with a keyboard. But that injures the rest of us, who, as you can see from the runaway success of this blog, are doing the public a service.
3) Welcome back, but don’t expect me to dumb down my opinions for you or other bleeding hearts. It’s why people come here: to get the REAL straight goods and not some trivial, personal invective–without one scintilla of substance, from an overmedicated, padded room jockey in Garden Bay. Or a draft dodger, whose identity I now know, who is coming very dangerously close to ending up in a courtroom on the other side of me. I have thick skin but comments about my family are not on.
Frankly, there are more people who read this blog than any other political blog in the province. Should you choose to sit in class with the NDP fluffers (whom the NDP themselves can’t stand) I can’t lie to you–I’m not sure I’ll miss you.
This is a blog about fairness and honesty. It’s about the public’s right to know. Where are the people who said I was a Liberal hack now? Keep reading the ‘Basi Files’ Kim. You might learn something. Then you can go back to your pals who have been bumping for the NDP since time immemorial and read inexorable crap.
The people you refer to as bloggers or citizen journalists are nothing but cranks with political agendas deep and wide.
[Translate]
AGT, BC Mary and Yuile, you have all been doing great work. Keep it going but please, park the ego’s and get on with it. There is much more to do so I hope you can park the distrust/dislike until this is over. You have the crooks and liars on the run. Now finish them off.
[Translate]
No egos. Just straight talk from me. I’ve got no skin in the game. I’m doing you a favour, so while I’m doing it pls don;t rattle my cage about discredited bloggers who drew first blood. go talk to them, don;t waste my time pls. Thank you.
[Translate]
I have no issue with anyone here or anywhere else, whether it’s BC Mary, Yuile, yourself or whomever. I just want to nail these carpet baggers to the wall. I’m as anxious as anyone here to see justice done, and I anxiously await the next installment.
I believe most of BC wants to nail them as well. I espically want to hang Christy (Sarah Palin) Clark out to dry. She is one foul mouthed _______ch! I have met her and was not impressed to say the least
[Translate]
If you want to see what happens when paranoia and insanity intersect, go look at Ross K’s blog about these memos.
1) Kook is begging to get sued or outed. Take your pick.
2) Laila Yuile, on both knees, suggests to her cadre of NDP wingnuts that I’m a shill for Falcon because these memos, in her pea, translate to no northern strategy (she hates Falcon, so this is her motivation–to lie)–when I have been critical of Falcon’s messaging.
3) Grant/Brian Goof suggests these memos are made up by Basi and Virk’s defence team (think of the INSANITY)
4) Ross K himself suggests Basi is with no credibility but glides over Bornmann’s blather.
Do you understand why these insignificant people are dangerous?
[Translate]
When I was sixteen all I thought about was sex. It is too young to give the responsibility of a vote. Not that it matters as the vote in the ‘Western World’ is almost always decided by the rich corporations through their control of the media. It’s how CN got control of BC Rail.
I know it’s been said before, but Campbell was a complete disaster for this province. Bill Bennett was a disaster before him. And whatever liberal zombie arises from Campbell’s ashes will have one task before all others – lie to the people about how bad the liberal sell out of BC was. Any other choice would be political suicide.
The NDP is not a perfect choice either, but they are fair, responsible and untarnished by corruption.
[Translate]
I’m 44 and all I still think about is sex. LOL!
[Translate]
Alex. I am very impressed with your work. The Liberals are fast on the road to destroying this Province. The BC Rail scandal was just another in a long list of atrocities committed against B.C. The independent power projects are tearing down BC Hydro (enter General Electric?), the government is selling sub-surface gas, oil and mineral rights like they are going out of style, they are giving away the last of our old growth forests, and tearing apart the ministries which have been stewards for the environment (forests, agriculture, ministry of environment) and creating one mass ministry of natural resources whose main existence is to fast track permits for industry. They do not listen to the people who voted for them, and capitalism is not democratic. My heart hurts for all the things this terrible government has done to this province, and there is more to come. The NDP offer us no hope either. But BC politics are always full of surprises and I truly hope that out of the ashes will rise a decent and honest party.
I am not holding my breath, but I can dream of the day when politicians actually serve the people who vote for them. Thanks for all the great work you do.
[Translate]
Thx Tom. It’s been a tough slog. And with lots more material to go through. Stay tuned.
[Translate]