BREAKING NEWS: Christy Clark Campaign Derailing Over BC Rail? The History and the Histrionics
It’s been an amusing last few weeks listening to Christy Clark.
She has been offering up half-measures and platitudes all the while, consistently ducking questions about BC Rail–her Achilles Heel and the one issue that will plague her–particularly after you read this post.
But desperate politicians adopt desperate measures.
Last week, as the pressure grew, she even refused interviews and hunkered down with her crew to sort out what to do. They have been wringing their hands in angst over the revelations on this blog as a result of ‘The Basi Files’, and have NOT been pleased with CKNW’s Mike Smyth, who has turned up the heat in Christy’s old spot in the afternoon (and in his column in ‘The Province‘ newspaper). Smyth, who doesn’t suffer fools has been waxing rhetorical with a whole slew of questions about Clark’s involvement in the sale of BC Rail that she MUST answer in order to salvage her political career.
You see, if she loses the leadership contest, she will have significantly burned through a substantial portion of the last half of her stockpiled political capital.
The first half, I watched Clark obliterate, as she provided one gaffe over another when running for the NPA mayoral nomination in 2005. Mind, significant membership fraud didn’t help either (I still don’t know what Surrey voters, some of whom had only just arrived to Canada, were doing on her lists).
Rest assured, Clark has a habit of putting her foot in her mouth when the pressure is on. Sam Sullivan took full advantage of that, as have George Abbott, Kevin Falcon and Mike Dejong.
As was evidenced this week, she can’t take the heat without resorting to the guttersniping she learned with the Martinites. Why? Because she’s never really been tested and despite favorable reviews by lazy media pals, she’s desperate. Clark has survived in politics on using a convenient network, employing smash-mouth strategy, having an attitude and being beautiful. The fact her ex-husband once had a kingdom of sycophants (that include many BC Rail major players) didn’t hurt either.
Sad that any modern woman, whatever that means anymore, would be so supportive of an empty shell.
So, it’s all or nothing. This is it for Clark. If this doesn’t work, she will be riding the political bench for a long time–or until the federal Liberals retire someone in a safe federal seat in Vancouver and she can bank on the remains of her ex-husband’s national network and her notoriety as a talkshow host (why do you think she keeps referring to NW on the campaign trail). After all, as she also constantly reminds us, she has a son to feed.
But it’s ultimately her narrative that will sink her.
What drives this woman to venture from one public lie to another? Her son needed a Mom first, so she left government–only to seek public office less than a year later. She tells us she loves being a talkshow host, but left right after being re-signed to a very lucrative, multi-year deal.
There is never any finish to this woman. In her zeal to satisfy her unbridled ambition, founded on sand, she never completes one task before starting another.
Perhaps a brief retrospective, might provide some clearer answers.
Think about it. Why did Gordon Campbell, a man whose misogynistic bravura is legend, appoint to the lofty rafters as Deputy Premier, a very young, life-inexperienced, politically novice woman from the Fraser Valley (over more qualified candidates), whose previous employment was limited to low-level political appointments? She never finished a single university degree she pursued. As I understand it, from Clark friends and foes alike, she has spent the entirety of her life chasing her father’s pipe dream–high public office. Although, much like most politicians of her father’s day, including her father, style mattered more than anything. Substance was over-rated.
Clark learned well and quickly, but it turns out the material was all wrong.
Was effervescence ever front bench material? If it were, Bill VanderZalm would still be Premier.
So what was Gordon Campbell thinking? Only he knows for sure, but the words of a woman who also once fancied herself as a chosen one, might shed light on the culture of entitlement within which Christy Clark dwells.
For as much as I loathe her elitism and detachment, former Prime Minister Kim Campbell got it right when she said, “style without substance can be a dangerous thing.”
And Campbell provided us that in elevating his pet pupil Clark–an apotheosis that is the quintessential epitome of favouring style over substance. In the smaller world of civic government, this can be an asset, as evidenced by the shadow-dancing, doctrinaire charlatan currently sitting as Vancouver’s Mayor.
Thus, it’s funny how when tested, even the politicians most people consider invincible, melt away, at a shocking dissipation rate.
To be sure, Clark is one of them. First elected in the Fraser Valley ‘Bible Belt’ wave of NDP discontent, she was a natural: young, quick, intelligent enough and utterly photogenic.
But once youth turned to middle age–while the beauty remained, everyone started looking for something more. If you consider the constant stream of on-air blunders while at CKNW and provide a brutally honest assessment, it doesn’t take much to conclude, that Clark is no brain surgeon. How many times can you get the composition and structure of the American government wrong and tell people you studied politics at SFU? How can you enter into interviews with the likes of former Gary Filmon Chief of Staff and respected pollster Greg Lyle and make yourself an ass. During the lead up to the 2008 election, Clark, whose then husband Mark Marissen had straddled the hobbled ride of Stephane Dion, shamelessly promoting the Liberals on air engaged Lyle with a stunning nugget. After Lyle told her he predicted “about 140 seats for the Conservatives,” Clark chimed in with, “so you think they’ll get a majority?” This from a woman who tells us she wants to lead British Columbia, but doesn’t bloody well know the 308 seat Canadian parliament requires a 155 seat win for a majority.
Clark, it is evident, is not a particularly bright bulb. Oh, certainly, she’s quick on her feet and has grown confidence as she committed the most brazen act of journalistic tourism in B.C. history. She was never a particularly good broadcaster, but CKNW packaged her–as is their job, and in the absence of ANY competition, she became tolerable, even enjoyable.
But Clark always sought the brass ring, knowing full well, that with people like fixer, BC Rail figure and prominent Campbell backer Patrick Kinsella around her and often her guide–who has told me and others that he landed her the job at NW, she knew the chances of any scandal should not stick. She once told a friend of mine, “I’m going to be the first woman Prime Minister,” to which he replied with considerable fear, “of Canada?” That was twenty years ago. But it shows you the breathtaking ambition of Clark–absent of credentials, all predicated on sass and perfect teeth. It never occurred to her that she might one day have to face the music.
But that day is here.
Her brother Bruce Clark has spent years on Howe Street, in no small part, inadvertently (?) laying the groundwork for the support his sister enjoys from the very same people that were Gordon Campbell’s financial backers. One of her political godfathers’ Patrick Kinsella, a very good friend of the Premier’s, is also in her corner. She is overwhelmingly backed by almost all of Gordon Campbell’s team. And yet the mainstream press haven’t ONCE pointed this out. Nor that these same people were key players in the now smoldering BC Rail sale scandal.
So let me help:
Here is a list of top Christy Clark’s CURRENT leadership backers/workers/strategists….and BC Rail central figures:
Mike McDonald: (Gordon Campbell staffer, married to Jessica McDonald, former Campbell staffer. Mr. McDonald is alleged to have engaged in dirty tricks with Dave Basi–stacking call-in shows, membership padding, etc.) is a key Clark strategist.
Patrick Kinsella: (Gordon Campbell loyalist, 2005 BC Liberal Campaign Chair, responsible for reviewing the BC Rail sales contract for both the government and CN) is a key Clark strategist.
Bruce Clark: (found by the RCMP to have been in possession of the draft RFP of Roberts Bank line, given to him, as it was revealed in ‘The Basi Files’, by Dave Basi himself on the instructions of Gary Collins) is a bagman for his sister, having raised significant dollars and is a long-time pal of Kinsella. Bruce Clark is currently serving as a strategist for his sister Christy Clark.
Ann Wicks: (a Northern priorities consultant during the BC Rail lead up) is a prominent Clark backer and currently the Managing Director of the Board Resourcing and Development office for the Government of British Columbia. The Board Resourcing and Development office was established in 2001 to bring professional processes to the area of board governance in the public sector. Board Resourcing and Development is responsible for establishing corporate governance guidelines for the recruitment, nominations, and appointments process to over 300 agencies, boards and commissions.
Jamie Elmhirst: (a PR consultant to OmniTRAX through the BC Rail sale and former Ministrial Assistant to then Environment Minister, and prominent Clark backer, Joyce Murray) is a hands-on operative for the Clark campaign.
Kim Haakstad: (a long-time assistant to Christy Clark, and spinner extraordinaire, was her MA during the BC Rail sale) is currently running messaging interference for the Clark campaign.
Every single last one of these people, were either named during the BC Rail investigation or subsequent ‘Basi-Virk’ trial as significant players. While Clark, for reasons which she has yet to explain, refuses to answer any specific or hard questions about BC Rail, only to perpetuate the problem.
But what about her participation?
She claims she has never been charged or accused of wrongdoing. This might be true but no one has ever suggested she committed a crime. This is CLASSIC political deflection, which most in the mainstream press seem content to swallow whole.
But not here.
Perhaps Ms. Clark can explain the questions of what she knew, how early and what direction she gave regarding the selling of BC Rail to CN, in what has been revealed by ‘The Basi Files’ as a corrupt process. Surely to God, this ‘family values” maven believes in YOUR right to know–after all it was your FAMILIES that really owned BC Rail and it was sold in a process that was clearly loaded.
Maybe I can help again.
For the first time, in an exclusive to this writer, please find below diary excerpts of Erik Bornmann while he was a PR consultant for OmniTRAX. Bornmann, an admitted briber of public officials was the star witness for the prosecution in the ‘Basi-Virk’ trial. The Crown’s case against Basi and Virk was substantially hinged on Bornmann’s testimony. The below excerpts were submitted into court before Madam Justice Bennett and Madam Justice MacKenzie.
Consider each date is an excerpt. And please note how EARLY Christy Clark was involved, in the process of the provincial government’s steering of BC Rail to CN. A government of which she was Deputy Premier.
May 21/2002:
Call: Kim Haakstad (MA Deputy Premier) RE: BC Rail
May 30/2002:
Lunch with MA – Deputy Premier (Kim Haakstad) RE: OmniTRAX meeting.
Discussion with MA/Deputy Premier RE: Christy Clark mtng. and prep of OmniTRAX info.
May 31/2002:
OmniTRAX mtng. @ VCR Cabinet Offices with Christy Clark
October 19/2002:
Dinner: MA Deputy Premier (Kim Haakstad)
(Also) Northern Priorities consultant Ann Wicks…
December 12/2002:
Discussion w/ MA to Deputy Premier Christy Clark RE: BC Rail status.
January 08/2003:
Mtng with advisor to Deputy Premier Christy Clark RE: BC Rail/CN
Then the following is an April 2003 ‘Activity Report’ excerpt from Erik Bonrmann to OmniTRAX. This was submitted to OmniTRAX along with a detailed billing sheet/invoice.
In the subject line, Bornmann supplies only the one priority for that month.
“BCR briefing with Deputy Premier Christy Clark”
And then the below is a September 2003 ’Activity Report’ from Jamie Elmhirst to OmniTRAX.
In the subject line, just these words.
“Briefed Christy Clark by phone and prepared and delivered (BCR) briefing package to her prior to CABINET DISCUSSION (emphasis added)“
But later in the same year Vaughn Palmer of The Vancouver Sun, reported that, Christy Clark stood in the legislature and declared:
“…that she had not taken part in either cabinet deliberations or voting in the house on the BC Rail deal.”
“Out of an abundance of caution,” she explained, adding that she had ”received advice from the conflict commissioner.”
Her husband, Mark Marissen, had done some consulting work for the company that shepherded the bidding process. His contract was for a separate matter, not connected to the BCR deal.
Did she lie to the legislature?
So Christy, the next time you stoop so low as to call any diligent writers–looking for the truth, “kooks on the internet”, perhaps you might explain your relationship, while at least Deputy Premier, with both Jamie Elmhirst–who now works for you, and Erik Bornmann, a former member of your political possee and admitted briber of public officials. After all, Erik Bornmann claimed that your brother Bruce Clark bribed Dave Basi, which prompted the RCMP to secure a number of search warrants requesting your brother Bruce Clark’s bank records in 2004. This was raised in BC Supreme Court as part of a defence disclosure request in the spring of 2007.
And why was your MA Kim Haakstad meeting Erik Bornmann about BC Rail. You were Minister of Education…not Transportation…
You are running to be leader of this province, Christy. These must-answer questions shouldn’t have you reaching into a bag of insults, but rather, standing to face the music on BC Rail, once and for all, as a participant in a full public inquiry.
No one is accusing you of anything illegal. But when you say you acted ethically, why not back that up?
No wonder reports are beginning to filter out that Clark has no strategy outside the Lower Mainland and that her campaign is failing.
Desperate politicians commit to desperate measures.
Shame on you Alex! Can’t you at least let Christy enjoy her Christmas dinner?
Boy, this is one Christmas that even Santa wouldn’t be able to help her. Speaking of Santa – the day Vaughn Palmer will finally get out of his cave and start writing about this stuff will be the day that I will start believing in Santa!
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Believe! Merry Christmas Arrow…
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So Vaughn must have read this installment today before he and Keith were on CKNW with Simi Sara this morning.
He seemed reluctant to join the discussion but Simi kept imploring him to comment and so he re-hashed the events the “are getting to be so old”. All in all he seemed to stay the wimped out and bored to tears course. The latter could also describe his on air demeanor. Maybe Vaughn is feeling the winds of change himself.
Dig out some Mike Reno reviews Vaughn you’ll cheer up.
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Jazzy:
Thought you might find the email below of some interest. I sent it this morning. No reply.
From: “Alex G. Tsakumis”
Date: 24 December, 2010 10:10:54 AM PST
To: Vaughn Palmer, Keith Baldrey
Cc: Simi Sara
Subject: Basi-Virk
Good Morning:
Far be it from me to intervene, but Vaughn you claim that none of the major players have been accused of any major crimes.
That’s not correct.
Erik Bornmann accused Bruce Clark of bribing Basi. That caused the RCMP to obtain search warrants for Clarks accounts. This was part of the Defence submission in Dec 2007.
Also, in your own column Vaughn, from Dec 3 2003, you alluded to the possibility of Christy lying to the house over her involvement in the sale. This was also raised by the Defence in pretrial in 2008.
Keith, you claim that “nothing was substantiated”. Correct! How could it be? Basi and Virk were intimidated, bought and gagged. Did this not occur to you?
I’m sorry but at this point you’ve left me wondering what’s going on here.
Getting Stephen Owen to investigate? Really? That’s impartial? His entire political circle of influence mirrors Clark’s federal crew in good portion.
To be brutally frank, I can’t believe what I was listening to.
With respect, why have you not asked for Justice Bennett to oversee a review of any kind? She was utterly impartial.
As for the prosecution not being corrupt: For January 11 Berardino has instructed Winteringham et all to DEMAND the disclosure materials back.
Only in cases of child porn, where it is illegal to be in possession if such material, has the prosecution ever asked for that.
Why now?
Merry Christmas, yes, all round but I sincerely hope you return in the new year with a renewed sense of purpose in this matter.
Cause this morning didn’t cut it.
Sent from my iPhone
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Alex,
I am pleased to see this e-mail to Vaughn Palmer, perhaps he will now come forward and start doing some real reporting… we the people of British Columbia are waiting to see integrity find its way back into the MSM.
Thanks for a wonderful year of reporting Alex. You have provided us with the truth that others would prefer, we not know about.
Merry Christmas to you and your family… Be Well and Take Care
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Yes, indeed.
Thanks to you too, and your endless pithy comments! Much appreciated.
Bless you and yours.
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Alex, keep the pressure on the ‘free press’ who are supposed to be the people’s guardians against political tyranny. The more you cut individuals out of the MSM and political herds with direct challenges, the more successful it will be.
Over the years I’ve learned a few things about the business world. At the top of the list is that people who claim themselves allies will desert each other when the time comes to ‘kick ass and take names’.
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I will, rest assured.
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Thank you for providing this Alex.
The only possible excuse for the moribund way these journalists are dealing with this is that journos need meat to chew on as well as fearless publishers. They seem to have convinced themselves that there is nothing new here, that memories are surely dulled by time and there is just residual smoke going on from a blog, that could not possibly, be doing their job better than they actually are..
Or they wish to preserve their present standing to live another life under a new regime. All the same I was always a bit unsettled that a chummy Vaughn, for one, was just too pleased and ‘satisfied’ whenever he commisserated as the ‘top political reporter in BC’ with Ms. Clark on her province wide radio program.
Vaughn has to rediscover his flagging mojo so he can fly in and show us all how feet really are held to the fire.
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I have a great deal of time for Vaughn and Keith. I like their work even if I disagree with it from time to time.
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Hi Alex,
“First elected in the Fraser Valley ‘Bible Belt’ wave of NDP discontent”
She was actually first elected, in 1996, in the then configured riding of Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain – comprising the older working-class part of Port Moody as well as SFU – taking it by a slim 2% margin over her NDP opponent. The Fraser Valley Bible Belt may be a bit of a misnomer.
“after all it was your FAMILIES that really owned BC Rail and it was sold in a process that was clearly loaded”
2002 was an era when public opinion was also somewhat pro-privatization in terms of some of the crown corp’s. In terms of BC Rail, it was 40% for/46% against based upon the results of a June, 2002 Mustel poll:
http://www.mustelgroup.com/pr/20020621.htm
Otherwise interesting stuff.
And Merry Christmas!
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Unfortunately Brad, you misread me. That’s precisely what I meant. She was elected in 1996 in Port Moody that was previously a hotbed of NDP creep. Which means she was elected in the FIRST wave of NDP discontent. Get it?
You are either misreading or manipulating what I wrote. It matters not that there was ANY pro-privatization sentiment at the time since that was tacked to NON-PERFORMING assets. BC Rail was only a loser on some beds but generally produced in the black. Therefore, that asset was removed from the public ledger. Why? Public assets belong to the people, not some polling firm that shows a split in the margin of error.
Yes, Merry Christmas to you too.
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Alex,
I get the same impression as Brad, that “First elected in the Fraser Valley ‘Bible Belt’ wave of NDP discontent” implies that her riding was in the Fraser Valley. Port Moody is not in the Fraser Valley. Also, I don’t think Port Moody was a ‘hotbed of NDP creep’. I have to base that on what I read though because prior to 1991, when the NDP won the election to take the seat, I was still able to count my age using my fingers, so politics was the furthest thing from my mind then.
Cheers.
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The FV Bible belt extends throughout to PM and beyond. There was lots of discontent at the time. We’re splitting hairs. The point here is that the movement or wave of discontent delivered her in 1996. That’s how she arrived. And then it all went to hell…
Merry Christmas.
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Well Alex, might I add, she might not have done anything illegal…. but we all know now, she blatantly lied.
Perhaps if Christy had made it to the witness stand that is when she would have had to decide which road to travel. The truth or perjury, it is now very clear why Christy would prefer not to hold an inquiry.
Little children know right from wrong, children know a lie is wrong…especially one this big..Shame on Christy Clark .
What else does she know?
Or better yet what else do we need to know Christy!
On another point would that be the same Joyce Murray that tweeted her best wishes to the gangsters from the Oak Street shooting several weeks ago….
(shaking head) oh my…
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Yes, it is, keep shaking your head and weep for us. We elect such dunces.
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I forgot to say, Alex you rock!!! These recent posts have enlightened us. Excellent work my friend!!
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My pleasure. That’s what I’m here for: I enlighten you and you enlighten me.
Thanks for the kind words.
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WOW!!!!!!
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Yes, wow indeed. She shouldn’t throw stones when her house is made of glass a centimeter thick.
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Christy Clark, a pit bull in my opinion; she obfuscates, misleads with seeming impunity, talks while saying little if anything at all of substance, equivocates — I could go on. And I love your descriptor . . . smash-mouth strategy . . . Brilliant and right on!
As I would be fairly appalled if she were to become our Premier, I am grateful in the extreme for your blog revelations and hope that they do the job in revealing the true Christy. Clark is just Campbell in drag, and we’ve had more than enough of that.
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Most welcome. Merry Christmas.
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Which sense of the word, histrionics, is intended in the title here Alex?
- overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style: a histrionic outburst.
- formal of or concening actors or acting: histrionic talents
- Psychiarty denoting a personality disorder marked by shallow, volatile emotions, and attention-seeking behaviour
All three perhaps? Although I favour the last one.
Have I already quipped “Your Christmas goose is cooked Christy!” ?
“Well done” I might add Alex.
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Thank you. Yes, the last definition would be a best fit, but all of them apply.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
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I hope she wins, although I doubt she will. We could have lots of fun with her as Lieberal leader.
Merry Christmas!
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If she wins you can kiss an inquiry goodbye. She is perfectly capable of manipulating ANY process to ensure your right to know is permanently extinguished. Wanna try that again?
Merry Christmas Cheryl.
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It is not Christy we have to worry about but the team of puppet-master string pullers behind her. The ones ripping off public assets for themselves, and their associates. Christy is just the “Barbie Doll” they hope will win the brass ring.
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Indeed. But she is a very willing cover for them. Why?
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Right on Alex! I am shaking my head as I follow this blog thread – especially the references to Christy Clark.
Does leaving politics, playing Mrs. Mom full time for a year, then dropping into a cushy job at NW absolve her of past sins? Is the time away from the political life akin to becoming “born again?”
I rarely listened to her radio program, as I thought of her as merely entertainment and not as a hard hitting, thought provoking host (are there any left?) and certainly wonder what she really brings to the party.
Alex, your hard hitting, take no prisoners style is refreshing and a great read. Thanks for doing what mainstream media seems to be shying away from.
Merry Christmas to you and yours! I look forward to the continued saga as it unfolds.
Don
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Thank you Don. Merry Christmas to you too.
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I’m sitting here with a huge grin on my face. Now lets give this pot sometime to boil and see what spills over the side. Let me re-emphasize, WOW!
Now I wonder what the MSM is going to do? Hmmmmmm!
In about 2 to 3 weeks lets see what the polls say.
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Indeed.
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Meant to say Merry Christmas to you Alex. Wonderful job, just watch your back, there’s some real weirdos out there, just ask Laile Yuile about her experience in Stanley Park last week. All the best to your family to.
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I’ve tried very hard to be VERY kind to Ms. Yuile but she’s busy constructing conspiracy theories with her NDP friends of why I’m covering the BC Rail story.
Sad…so much talent, so little…
Merry Christmas Ron.
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I’m so glad i found your site, Alex. I’m relatively new to BC so don’t have much knowledge of past events.
Christy, as a potential leader of the BC Liberals, leaves me cold so continue your good work so that she doesn’t set foot in the legislature.
The Basi-Virk settlement is an affront to BC taxpayers and the whole BC Rail episode deserves to be exposed through an inquiry. We won’t get one if Christy becomes Premier.
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Welcome aboard. Great to have you along. Merry Christmas.
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But later in the same year Vaughn Palmer of The Vancouver Sun, reported that, Christy Clark stood in the legislature and declared:
“…that she had not taken part in either cabinet deliberations or voting in the house on the BC Rail deal.”
“Out of an abundance of caution,” she explained, adding that she had ”received advice from the conflict commissioner.”
Her husband, Mark Marissen, had done some consulting work for the company that shepherded the bidding process. His contract was for a separate matter, not connected to the BCR deal.
Did she lie to the legislature?
My questions Alex…did she lie to the Legislature?..is lying to the legislature OK?
Or does she have a responsibility to be truthful? Is there a penalty?
Who was the conflict commissioner?
I realize I’m stuck on the lying part, just can’t wrap my brain around how easy it was for her/them.
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It’s a huge question, which she won’t respond to. But even if she did, there are so many other questions which she just ignores. The then Conflict Commissioner was H.A.D. Oliver, the former judge.
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Dean Morrison of the Merritt Herald quoted Christy yesterday
“I think an inquiry might have satisfied some people’s curiosity but I don’t think anything new would have come from it.”
I find that statement disrespectful.
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Of course it is. Think of her dismissiveness. She thinks the public is STUPID.
It’s disgraceful.
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Well! It certainly looks as though Alex has delivered the goods just in time for Christmas 2010.
Beware, beware, the axe that lifts,
Be cautious of their flying fists;
Be wary of laconic trysts,
And elves that dwell in Celtic mists.
Be leery of the eye that shifts,
And those who put your name on lists;
But more than these, I must insist,
Beware when Greeks come bearing gifts!
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You know, this is really incredibly clever. Merry Christmas Sir Lawrence.
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These excerpts, submitted into court before Madam Justice Bennett and Madam Justice MacKenzie, prove, without a doubt, why Clark does not want an inquiry.
SHAME!!
Keep up the good work Alex.
To you, and yours, Merry Christmas, Alex.
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And to you and yours James! Thanks for the kind words.
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In my opinion the BC Libs are done. Christy or Falcon won’t call an inquiry. Falcon was at the same cabinet table and needs the same bagmen as Campbell… Falcon’s silence on this issue is stunning. What happened to listening,learning and leading?
Very disappointed in falcon.
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True, but only in part. Falcon’s money men include only one former Campbell loyalist. And on the specific issues related to Falcon’s involvement in the Cabinet decision, as soon as the RCMP advised him of the Roberts Bank line breach (Bruce Clark was discovered with the draft RFP in his possession) Falcon marched straight into the Premier’s office and insisted that part of the deal be immediately canceled.
Otherwise, his insistence that the deal was “a good one for British Columbians” shows a shocking inability to remove himself from the Premier’s rhetorical spin. Simply put, of all the bidders, OmniTRAX was the best fit.
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And of course if one remembers the old Ford Falcon joke that is exactly what he intends to do to the citizens of BC if elected.
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That is an interesting assertion you make regarding OmniTrax as the best fit. On one factor at least, that of competitive routing options for shippers, it certainly flies in the face of the finding by Charles River Associates that, of the three finalist bidders, OmniTrax/BNSF had the greatest potential to divert traffic off the BC Rail network on to its own system.
To quote the CRA report (pages 41-42), “The proponent that has the most potential to move traffic off of other companies’ lines and onto its own is OmniTrax/BNSF . . . The proponent that has the least potential to divert traffic from another companies’ lines is CN. Indeed, by choosing CN as the successful proponent, the Province not only has increased the competitiveness of the BC Rail freight that was already interchanged to the CN network, but has also preserved competition to the very large networks served by both UP [Union Pacific, BNSF's main U.S. competitor] and BNSF.”
Another key variable affecting competitiveness and shippers’ options is the availability of final-offer arbitration on disputes between shippers and rail carriers, which is available to customers of federally-chartered railways like CN and CP under federal regulations pursuant to the Canadian Transportation Act. This recourse was not available to shippers with BC Rail since it fell under provincial regulations, which do not provide for final-offer arbitration. I don’t see how this would have been any different if OmniTrax had taken over, since it too would have operated BC Rail under a provincial charter since it is not an inter-provincial operator like CN and CP.
Of course, keeping open the maximum in competitive options is not the only criterion for assessing the bids, but it’s surely a very important one.
One of things I would hope to see from a public inquiry is a revelation of the three second-round bids from the finalists. That would help with any assessment of which was the best outcome.
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I think OmniTRAX was best suited because it would have saved entire communities from becoming technically insolvent.
As for the River and Assoc review…it was done before anything was really in play. Can’t rely on it.
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I’m interested in your comment about communities becoming technically insolvent. Perhaps, after the holiday break, you could identify some of them.
Are you thinking of communities where BC Rail had a large presence and workforce, principally Squamish and Prince George? (I exclude North Vancouver, where there was both a large railyard and the headquarters, because the employees would have lived throughout Greater Vancouver so the job loss impact would have been dispersed). Or do you mean communities where BC Rail’s shippers were located?
Compliments of the season, and enjoy your break. I look forward to your future posts.
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I mean both. Principally, the job losses were devastating to many families in places where CN not just shut down, but did so with breathtaking swiftness. The intimidation by CN was evident all throughout he process of the sale and they delivered in spades.
So, does that sound like Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals were protecting jobs to this end?
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Alex, I understand that on your blogs you’ve never actually accused any BC Liberal MLA’s of anything…but you can’t hide from the fact that your work and your revelations have been insinuating to say the least. And they have caused at least some of your readers to speculate, and some of us to reach (unproven) conclusions that are very unflattering – for others besides just Basi, Bornmann, and Virk. Whether that’s what you’ve intended or otherwise, I freely admit that I am one of them, and congratulate you for it, hoping you will keep it up, and wish you the best.
But I’ve also got to admit that my speculations have lead me to conclude that while the process was corrupted, a process hasn’t the intelligence to be so. So don’t be surprised when I tell you I’ve come to the conclusion that anybody knowingly involved in “the fix” was corrupt, and anybody else who knew about it and didn’t “out” it therefore tacitly approved and appropriated for themselves some of that corruption.
So, Falcon might have “marched straight into the Premier’s office…”, but if he didn’t immediately march straight from there to the press gallery to tell the rest of us what he knew to be the corrupted truth…well you can conclude for yourself what that leads me to speculate. My question to you, having read your response to Sam, is: Do you believe it would be just fine for the next leader of the BC Liberals and the next Premier of British Columbia (hypothetical question – no one being named specifically) to be philosophically corrupt just so long as that was “only in part”?
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As I’ve said before, NONE of them is entirely innocent. They must all come forward and demand a public inquiry and take their lumps.
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Alex,
What is his reason for not calling an inquiry? There has to be a reason. So lets say falcon wins the leadership… Then what?
We have to hold falcon’s feet to the fire. We have to get him on the record saying he will. Falcon is the front runner after the endorsement from Coleman. Leadership is the only time falcon will listen.
If Falcon doesn’t agree to an inquiry then either he has something to hide or he is campbell clone.
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Great points. I completely agree.
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What’s to prevent him changing his mind, a la Campbell? Or would that constitute lying? Does it matter?
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I suppose it might. But Campbell is a consummate liar. And while Falcon might have the reputation of being a bit of a messaging follower where BCR is concerned, I believe his people have seen these posts and ‘The Basi Files’ featured here and he’s been updated on the new revelations.
If he doesn’t call for an inquiry or leave the door open, he’ll be in big trouble. And that standard applies to all of them, without exception.
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Thanks for the realeases, so far, of Basi’s memorandums. They have been very informative to say the least.
The other day Christy was quoted as saying that whomever wins the leadership will be supported by the others running to become Premier. Maybe the reporter should have asked her how she would support the next leader considering that she doesn’t have a seat in the Legislature.
Another thing that is of interest to me is, if she were to win, how much could she participate in the governance of BC before she secures a seat in the Legislature through a by-election? Could she actively participate in cabinet meetings in which government policy is formulated, supposedly under her direction, and not have to answer to anything during question period while the house is sitting? There seem to be some definite logistical problems attached to an outsider going from civilian to Premier, should that occur.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Alex. I look forward to the next chapters of the Basi files.
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Yes, I know, I caught her saying it but she’s getting such a free ride, particularly from the Vancouver Sun and Globe and Mail that anything she says effortlessly misses scrutiny.
Will she run for a seat? When? My understanding is that she can participate in Cabinet mtngs, indeed anyone can be made a Cabinet Minister, but to speak in the legislature, you must be an MLA.
And, yes, Merry Christmas to you and yours. Thanks for your pithy comments, as always.
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Jamie Elmhirst wrote in his billing report to Omni trax “Briefed Christy Clark by phone and prepared and delivered (BCR) briefing package to her prior to CABINET DISCUSSION”. Why would Mr. Elmhirst deliver a bcr briefing package to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education?? We need answers. Mr. Elmhirst is on the Christy Clark team and a key backroom advisor.
Alex you should call Mr. Elmhirst and ask him. If he has nothing to hide he should answer this question readily.
Thank you for your work and for pursuing the truth.
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I’d really like to see Elmhirst have to answer in front of a judge at a public inquiry.
I tried the cell number I had for Elmhirst but it’s not working. Not that I believe I’d get a straight answer regardless.
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Christy may be ducking, but to get around the avalanche that is now hitting the train tracks thanks mostly to you Alex, will surely end in the biggest train wreck in BC politics. It’s amazing how she thinks that her radio show and the passing of time somehow vindicated her from this sorted affair. To make matters worse she assembles her team from a group of tainted players that are so obviously tied to the BC De-Railed deal or at best borrowed from Gordon Campbell’s shady backroom dealers. This does suggest that she is not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
I don’t think that laying Bassi & Virk on the loose tracks will delay the train wreck long enough for her and Campbell to make the safety of the station. I do believe that they both will find themselves frozen on those very tracks.
Thanks again for all your efforts Alex.
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My pleasure.
Merry Christmas to you and yours James.
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Wow. This stuff isn’t just explosive, Alex, its nuclear. Christy can’t be having a merry little Christmas with these going off around her. And she deserves every little bit of it, in my opinion.
“… this ‘family values” maven (Christy) … ”
Some ‘family values’, she pimped the “Pride” parade til hell wouldn’t have it. “Look at the naked old man, Hamish, is that Santa, isn’t this fun?”
Nice.
http://davidinnorthburnablog.blogspot.com/2010/08/vancouvers-pride.html
Merry Christmas, Alex, to you and yours.
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And a Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend.
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This a wonderful Truth Rocket aimed across the bow of her campaign. A couple more and she is as good as sunk.
You have clearly documented what seems to be a web of lies.
And lies have a way of ensnarling you when you least expect, and thereafter the more you struggle the worse it gets.
It is obvious now that her ONLY stance is to NOT come out in favour of a Public Inquiry. For her (and one or two others) it’s a matter of survival. But at the expense of her Political Currency which is facing daily devaluation.
And if none of the other candidates won’t come out in favour of an Inquiry in the face of mounting public demands for one, then they too run risks with alienating an increasing fuming public.
But the greater risks that we should all be concerned with is our loss of a transparent open government.
Again many thanks AGT for having the courage to provide the information for us to all see and to judge for ourselves how low some politicians will go in furthering their own private agendas.
You have kicked started the exposure of the scandalous BCRAILGATE imbroglio.
It is time that the likes of Vaughn Palmer join you and Mike Smyth and the others in demanding a full Public Inquiry.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and All the Best in the new year!
PS we need a “wikeleaks” on the BC RAIL File.
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More documents on the way. And big breaking news for the beginning of the year.
Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Thank you!
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Alex,
Excellent work – keep pressing and pressing and pressing on all fronts local and provincial. It will give eventually because our system is un-acceptably corrupt and not accountable.
We cannot have anyone leading the Liberal party who is not absolutely committed to a BC Rail inquiry AND to immediately canceling the HST (even if they initiate a new process to re-introduce it).
NOTHING LESS THAN THIS is acceptable.
I don’t think the Liberal Party has a sense of the level of active animosity that is out there for their policies. A lot of it was and is directed to Gordon Campbell but his departure without a CLEAR departure from ANYONE connected to him – will not satisfy justifiably disgusted former Liberal voters (like me).
Regarding our Mayor Robertson and Vision – don’t get me started.
The dark HATES the light because light exposes what is happening in the shadows.
Keep pressing Alex – press hard. If you need any kind of help, legal, financial – ASK for it here – don’t give up. Stay safe.
Have a great Christmas and New Year.
yasu,
JB
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I assure you that I will keep pressing.
MErry Christmas to you and yours Jason.
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What’s that!?? The smell of cooking goose?…;-)
Alex, is it possible that the Chief Justice of the BC Supreme Court could call an inquiry independent of the government, given what we are seeing here in your blog? Ridiculous that the gov. would think to call one—like the cops or lawyers investigating themselves!
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No, the CJoSC cannot do that.
But the people can!
Merry Christmakkah to you and yours darling!
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Alex:
Still a hard row for you to hoe. Your blog is getting out to more and more but I believe we need more. I play cards every thurs night with some other men. A few are Liberal lickers so we have an agreement to not talk politics at the game. Even so every now and then someone says something. Tonight one said, “Boy that Christy Clark will make a damn good premier, can she ever speak well.” I am way out numbered here so I say little but on his statement i replied that she is not premier yet and the BC rail scandel will come and bit her ass off.”
Ouch, hit a nearve, they were tripping over each other with words of defence for her. I told them about your blog and basi’s letters but they said, both of them almost at once, ” If anything was amiss the main stream media would be all over it and besides we cant get the railway back so why bother.
How on earth do we deal with this sort of people. They do not care it seems how much damage these people are doing to BC. And they refuse to look at both sides of any story. BLIND,BLIND, BLIND.
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This might be true, but it’s also gone viral as many workers for EVERY one of the other campaigns have spread the word throughout the province.
Merry Christmas Wayne!
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My concern too. Alex gets 100 or so comments – half by the same person, excluding ‘anonymous’. How many more read his blog but are too apathetic to comment? 100? 200? I’m afraid this is not getting out to the general public. Look at the response to the HST – 750,000 ‘comments’. Okay, 10 were duplicates. This has to go virile like that issue! Is there NO WAY we can get some other agency interested???
Okay, Chief Justice of the BC Supreme Court was a good suggestion, but apparently won’t work.
How come ‘they’ nailed Conrad Black but can’t get Gordon Campbell? I used to like Campbell but I now have a lot more respect for Black!
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Not quite my friend.
‘The Basi Files’ and the Christy Clark revelations have been viewed on this blog by over a half million people.
This month we’ve SHATTERED all previous readership numbers.
Just over 400,000 people from across Canada, though mostly from BC, have visited. Humbling as much as it is astounding.
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Hey Alex, great work as usual. I like your new look, saw you in the WE next to colleen christie. I didn’t know that it was you until i read the caption. Very smart, disguising yourself so that christie’s henchmen won’t recognize you. I doubt they read that particular paper
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Actually, you are identifying a distant relative. That wasn’t me. I’m not part of the cocktail circuit. I sit upstairs in the far corner of my club, usually by myself, happily so and blow cigar smoke out the window at 1am and swill the odd Ketel One shaken very hard, straight up, no vegetables, no groceries…it’s quite therapeutic.
I let others play the moviestars…
That was never my speed.
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Great work Alex…It is clear that you put a GREAT DEAL of time, care and careful consideration into your postings and I’ll add my thanks to the many others you have recieved to date.
Whether through her choices of association or personal action, Ms Clark has long demontrated her ability to make poor decisions. I know this may be asking a lot, but one can only hope that the BC Liberal party can see this (excuse the pun) “Train Wreck” for what she is and reject her leadership bid.
Can we look forward to you providing more examples of Ms Clarks involvement in this debacle? Keep up the great work and best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy holiday season…
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You sure can. More documents in the New Year.
Very best to you and yours also.
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The Thought of The Season
“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Alex and Family!”
Just stopped by to say it…
Take it easy my friend, you’ve earned it, by far you’re one of the hardest working journalists in the city and perhaps the province.
Good thing the ‘Nice List’ has nothing to do with the ‘Media Hit List’!
I think you are safe as far as a box of Dominican cigars is concerned.
I for one volunteered for the ‘Naughty List’ this year. Again.
So…in your face, Santa Baby!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MBvCyF7aMU
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
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Love Earth Kitt! One of my all-time favorite singers.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Glissy!
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In the spirit of the Christmas season, a little tune for our dear friend Christy!
Keep up the good work! Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
To the tune of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” (with apologies)
You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I’m telling you why,
Christy Clark is coming to town
She’s making up lies, and telling them twice,
Gonna find out who’s buying her tripe
Christy Clark is coming to town
She knows when she is lying
To you so blat-ent-ly,
She knows she’s got some mud on her
From the rail sale in BC,
Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I’m telling you why
Christy Clark is coming to town
Christy Clark is coming to town
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Very clever!!!
Merry Christmas to you too!
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Alex,
Reading these two recent posts makes me long for the likes of Ms Nichols. Not that you aren’t doing a great job. You are. It’s just that reading your material makes me pine for the days when the Story came first, with the full support of the Editor and the others in the newsroom marvelled.
So what was Gordon Campbell thinking? Possibly, he was thinking the appointment of Ms Clark to Deputy Premier maximized BC Liberal party leverage with the then ruling Federal Liberals, specifically one David Collonette, Minister of Transport. Chretien’s Ottawa team knew that Mr Campbell was a Liberal in name only. Christy,on the other hand, was a true Liberal by lineage and, more importantly, by political connections/network.
Consider Shirley Bond, Campbell loyalist, Deputy Premier appointed because she likely provided Mr Campbell with eyes and ears on the ground in Prince George to prevent an NDP surge.
Colin Hansen, a Campbell loyalist., the HST point man, and general all around Liberal handyman, was appointed Deputy Premier in 2009. It is all part of the smooth and orderly transition.
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Indeed Marjorie would have ripped the govt a new one and probably been responsible for getting a public inquiry all on her own!!!
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Excellent post , it appears anyone in the inner circles of BC Liberal party knew or were in the know so to speak because if any one was not now would be the time to pull the daggers out and not one who wants to be Leader will step up and agree a public ingiury is needed .
so as many right leaning voters who are watching this ill as ive said before hold my nose and vote NDP i want the truth and that seems my only option to get it sad is it not?
Great work Alex im enjoying amakers after long nighst work i hope you will as well , enjoy the season best wishes to you and yours and please keep up teh great work.
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Thanks! Yes, it pretty much seems to be your only option if you want an inquiry. I actually ran out of Maker’s early this week but will stock up today.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
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Christy Clark to become our own local Sarah Palin? Say it ain’t so Mr. Tsakumis……..How proud the Liberals must be today…..
This is the calibre of person the Liberals have in the lead today….Geez congrats all around for finally getting to bottom of the barrel…………
I never listened to her radio show; from what I understand, the show was not considered a “don’t miss” event….
Probably went something like this:
Between ads – take two slices of irrelevance, spread thickly with horseshit and serve.
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Very good!
But she isn’t becoming our Sarah Palin. She already is!
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Alex, a verry Marry Christmas to you and your family. And thank you for the most important web site for any and all British Columbians who really care about where they live.
God Bless and many thanks Pal.
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Thanks Herb, way too kind, but we’ll take it!
Merry Christmas to you and yours my friend.
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We got a call from Ms. Clark this week. The Mrs. took it, and listened politely through her demon dial speech. Family first, blahblahblah.
My wife slammed the phone down. Family first? From the woman who threw away the perfect job at nw for her own ambition! From the woman who will drag her son, her family and her good name thru the mud for a shot at power! Family first? From a candidate campaigning at Christmas!
The BC Rail reunion tour is headed for disaster. That ain’t light at the end of the tunnel, it’s the Tsakumis Express heading straight for them!
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Now let us all stop and take a breath, and recall when ” .. the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy”. (Job, prevenient or anticipatory of Luke) Of a time when commonplace things were touched with beauty and the whole world listened because its heart beat to His song. When Heaven and Earth came together; when angels conferred with the poorest of mankind, and it was accomplished, (that great condescension), which was to become the Incarnation of the Logos of God!
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Amen…
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I wish the 48% of voters on the current CBC poll for which Liberal should be Premier would read your blog postings. Only 17% for Falcon and the other candidates are lower still.
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Ron, NONE of those polls matter. It’s not those who intend to vote Liberal that matter. It’s the MEMBERS of the party, old and new.
Those are largely unswayed by such opinion polls. Trust me.
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Yeah polling at 66% with liberal voters.
You really derailed the campaign!
Hey, if you try harder, you might get her up to 80%!
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Bob (boy, there are a lot of Bobs in this blog!)
I’m not necessarily “trying” to do anything except report the truth, from which Ms. Clark, to date, continues to duck.
As I have said before, the polling of Liberal voters is irrelevant and will sway only a very small amount of undecided Liberal members. What counts is the membership numbers. And THAT cannot be polled except on voting day.
No one is derailing Ms. Clark’s campaign except Ms. Clark, and of course, people like you, who believe she walks on water.
She must answer the pertinent questions to her participate in the disposal of BC Rail. She owes this to the public she claims to want to serve. Your standard for public servants is much lower than anyone who dwells here.
Take care.
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Dedicated to all here. Its the old song of the train comes through the middle of the house, wait for the end as I think maybe its Christy pumping on the hand cart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQqw74zQN4M
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Now THAT was funny!
Very well done Henri!
Joyeux Noel, mon ami!
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Hi Alex: Keep digging and publishing,it looks like CKNW is Fox news north and is a propaganda arm of the B.C. Liberal Party with the likes of Vaughn Palmer, Bill Good,and to a lesser extent Mike Smyth,he is getting better,I’d love to see him become a real journalist and start asking relevant questions about the Liberals and their supporters,It was once said ‘Whoever controls the media controls the state” just as true today as it was 80 years ago in Germany.
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It’s looking like Christy will be crumpled up and thrown away as a Lib candidate. Question is, who is next? Seems to me that every Lib MLA is tainted in some way around this BC Rail giveaway. They keep running and not facing the music. Ivannacjustice
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Ivanna see her too!
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Christy:
I know that you are considering your options and that many toxic individuals like the Premier and his minions are providing you with advice but just remember what I said to you previously: “Don’t be a lemming.”
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With this, my theory of George Abbot pulling off a Dion, with the middle choice coming out on top, becomes more and more likely
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And I must be frank, I’m beginning to think this quite possible.
And! I’m not sure I don’t like it either….George has grown on me…he’s said that if more information presented itself, he would be inclined to give an inquiry or investigation another look. NO OTHER BC leadership candidate has said so. Falcon, most disappointedly said on NW last week that he thought the people of BC got a “very good deal” in the sale of BC Rail to CN. Absurd!
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Mr. Tsakumis:
Thank you very much for this excellent material about Ms. Christy Clark and her connections to Mr. Kinsella.
Our research at the Water War Crimes web site http://www.waterwarcrimes.com
clearly links Patrick Kinsella to one of the greatest scandals in Canadian history, namely, the attempted theft of the water export wealth of British Columbia by W.C.W. Western Canada Water Enterprizes Ltd., a company guided by Patrick Kinsella to obtain an effective monopoly over water exports, in 1991, through an illegal Order In Council.
The modus operandi in the Water War Crimes was astonishingly similar to the modus operandi in the BC Rail theft. That is, create the illusion of a competitive bidding process but manipulate the process to insure the prize goes to your friends.
As Sherlock Holme is reputed to have said: “The amatuer criminal puts on his disguise after he commits a crime but the professional criminal puts on his disguise before he commits the crime”.
On the Water War Crimes web site, we also tell the story of the startling deaths of 18 insiders linked to the criminal activity that took place behind the scenes
http://www.waterwarcrimes.com/grave-yard-of-the-guilty—seventeen-insider-witnesses–defendants-suddenly-die.html
17 of these people died since 2006, when we started exposing their participation in these crimes, and 12 of those, since January 2008, when we commenced a lawsuit in Canada’s Federal Court (Actrion T-95-08) that, incidentally, names Gordon Campbell as a Defendant.
We think some of these people, most likely, Jack Ebbels, Robert Edwards, James Taylor, Hugh Stansfield, Glen Shortliffe, Jack Hooper, and Ralph Hutchinson, may have been murdered; based on the sudden nature of their deaths, the timing of their deaths, their otherwise relative good health and the fact that they were in a position to blow the whistle on some major criminals operating inside government structures in Canada.
You and your followers should be on the lookout for sudden deahts of people who could blow the whistle in the BC Rail case. In my opinion, the insiders will resort to murder if they think they can get away with it.
The mainsteam media is totally ignoring the lawsuit and the Government insiders are trying to have it dismissed be manipulating the court process by apointting friendly judges but the court record will tell the tale as it moves forward – most likely to the Supreme Court of Canada where Chief Justice McLachlin will have some serious problems because of her previous cover up of fraud by the Canadian Judicial Council that was directly related to the case.
We are now at the Federal Court of Appeal and Patirick Kinsella’s lawyer, James Sullivan, represents one of the parties, Themis Program Mamagement and Consulting Ltd., a company with close links to Partick Kinsella and the beneficiary of sweetheart contracts with the provincial government.
It is all very interesting and your information definitely reveals a pattern of criminality that has been alive in this province since the mid- 1980′s.
Kindest regards and best wishes for the new year,
John Carten
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Hi John:
Again, I have no way of confirming your information. However, I do know of Patrick’s involvement in many deals, past and present.
If you could provide a copy of what you claim was an illegal Order in Council, I’d happily follow-up.
Additionally, I must tell you, the death by murder angle of your stories has always had me cringe. Many of the people you describe as dying suddenly were either terminally ill, had acute hereditary medical issues or were aged.
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Alex:
It is now December 27, 2010. We need an up-date on this Christy Clark/Dave Basi/Bobby Virk/ BC Rail Scandal.
Time’s a wastin’
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Alex, I stumbled onto your Blog on Christmas day.
Best Christmas present I’ve had in years. Yer in my “Favourites” buddy. Keep up the good work,
As for the latest utterings from Christy. Not to worry. She’s a flash in the pan, even with Kinsella “pumping” for her. Unfortunately, when she starts believing her own self promoting, press releases, she’s doomed. Enjoy the microscope Christy because it’s focussed on YOU
Alex .Your news reporting is excellent, concise,and most importantly, not adversely affected by advertising clients a la The Province and The Sun. Nice to see a breath of fresh air in the media in this “sold my soul to the highest bidder ” town.
Still , it doesnt make me want to vote for ANYONE …..
How sad. Surrender to the “thief voting block” because I just dont believe any of these weasels deserve one minute of my time.(unless im serving on a jury that will send them to a lengthy jail term)
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High praise. Much appreciated. Welcome aboard!
Happy holidays to you and yours.
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Alex, there is one reason to hope Christy wins the BCLP leadership. If she does, the Party will implode with many sitting members leaving and sitting either with one of the lesser light parties or starting a new Party without either brand name, Liberal/Conservative. She is caught in a 2001 time warp, not realizing the public has moved on from her style of politics, the Gordo Campbell style of razzle dazzle, spin spin spin, 5 great goals and 7 sins with Sister Lara or brother Bruce. What BC needs is not a renewed BCLP but a new free enterprise party with neither federal party name attached, like the Saskatchewan Party. Failing that, one can only hope George Abbott is the new leader. He might have a chance.
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I am beginning to see this as probably the best option for those who could never vote NDP. I never liked the name ‘Liberal’ anyway. Then again, I don;t know how comfy I’d be in a provincial ‘Conservative’ party either. Not one that was hijacked by social conservative nutbars!
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MSM slowly awakens:
British Columbians are owed a full, sworn exposé of the political shenanigans that led to the dealing away of a critical public asset — B.C. Rail — into the hands of CN Rail by way of a 990-year lease.
Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/Basi+memos+show+need+Rail+inquiry/4013615/story.html#ixzz19LjPfLC4
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Yes, I saw this and will have more in it and other MSM acknowledgements in the coming days. Elizabeth James write s avery good column and I’ve always liked the NSN.
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Sean Holman Quote:
““There’s some very, very powerful people who were caught up in this whole entire controversy, both inside and outside government, and it’s an important case that people deserve answers to,” he said. “But I don’t think they’re ever going to get them.””
Well if there was big crime in Politics then we MUST and Will get them!
How can Sean be so pessimistic ! No one is above the Law no matter how “powerful” (rich). Ask Conrad and ask Nixon.
source:
Questions still linger after stunning raid of B.C. legislature http://bit.ly/grtsZS
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Sean is pals with many on the Christy Clark group. It’s part of the explanation for his answer.
Why will the truth, according to Sean, never come out? Because it would put serious heat on his pals like Jamie Elmhirst, whose role in the sale and certainly his participation in discussions with his now boss, then Deputy Premier Clark, and this would NEVER be mined by Holman. Sean used to be part of the Young Liberal crew that surrounded Marissen and Clark, so he won’t touch any of the Basi-Virk/BC Rail matters, all the while hiding behind the thinly veiled guise of ‘fair reporting’. He considers any heavy lifting on the matter as being ‘over-torqued’.
It’s sad. For one of the best investigative journalists in the province, he sure knows when to spin a response. IF HE DUG EVEN A LITTLE, they’d all be finished.
It’s at the tips of his fingers.
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I wonder if one of the “powerful people who [was] caught up in this whole entire controversy” isn’t the leadership hopeful who has taken out adverts on Public Eye? A couple of questions I have are: How could the Transportation Minister of the day not have gotten a whiff of the miasma emanating from the BC Rail deal, and did he really need the RCMP to inform him that the jig was up before reneguing on the Roberts Bank line, which, when you get right down to it, was all part-in-parcel of the same sordid BCR deal?
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You know, it’s funny. It was the first thing I looked into. I can blame Falcon for many things, but BC Rail isn’t one of them. His position was solid. Basi and Virk admitted in filed statements that even Virk’s Minister Reid was considered by the Premier and Collins to need “hand holding.” Same phrase used for Falcon. The powers that be knew that he would not bend to a skewed process, that’s why they made all these overtures to various people to stay in the game and make it look somehow real.
On the issue of Roberts Bank, it was Falcon’s shining moment. There is no way he could have known that Basi provided Bruce Clark a copy of the draft RFP (ordered to do this by Collins–as revealed in ‘The Basi Files’). The RCMP, when confronting Falcon, made it clear that the process was corrupted. Falcon then marched into the Premier’s Office and told him the deal was off. His insistence, by the way, was met with dead silence from a glaring Premier.
On a different note, necessary or not, I find the accepting of political advertising by Public Eye Online, to be totally anathema with sound journalistic practices of impartiality. Even the appearance of a conflict is unacceptable. Holman should have turned Falcon down. I’ve twice before received offers from various politicians to carry their banners, and turned them down flat. It’s just not right. Falcon has also sold advertising banners to City Caucus, but that’s different. They’re really consultants doing their work for a paycheque. Klassen at least gets paid by the BC Liberals for PR bumps, etc. It’s shameless. No person like that can be called a true journalist, write, pundit etc. Holman, on the other hand, has storied skills, he should have never done that. Sad.
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Thanks for this Alex, but I’m a bit thick ‘n’ growing increasingly cynical of all the players — especially when I happen upon things like this:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_fWukxtEjSCM/TNJXBGTWzyI/AAAAAAAABHY/9acW1Jy7CAQ/s1600/SixMinusFive.jpg
The fact that Bornman was lobbying Falcon does little to allay my suspisions or the state of Falcon’s pliability, but then perhaps my dimishing objectivity is inversely proportional to my increasing cynicism.
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This apparently shows that Falcon wasn’t met with.
I don’t get your point. Being lobbied happens all the time to Cabinet Ministers. But the one chance he had to boot any part of the deal out of the govt bailiwick, he did and with great zeal (Roberts Bank). Now, that he has been a lemming in saying that BC Rail to CN was a “great deal for the province” is no less asinine than Clark repeating the same thing.
Only Abbott has shown any interest in a review.
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I believe what this shows is all these fine folks were lobbied by Bornman (considering it’s Bornman, would bribed be a more fiiting verb) & Falcon is the last one standing.
As I said, I’m a bit thick, but I just can’t bring myself to believe Falcon didn’t know something was up prior to his heroic cancellation of the Roberts Bank deal in the 11th hour.
Just isn’t passing the sniff test for me.
As for Abbotts interest in a “review”, nothing less than a FULL judicial inquirey will do. If Abbott or any Liberal sets the terms of reference, the focus will be so narrow more questions than answers will be the result and justice and the people of this province will not have been served. But thats the cart before the ass presently.
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You have to understand that relationship between Falcon and Campbell. It’s NOWHERE as close as people think. Without betraying confidences that would make the source obvious, Falcon was not in the group of the inner select with respect to the sale of BC Rail. His foolish suggestion that the deal was a good one, is proof of that. Think….
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So I’m not the only doubting Thomas? Okay Alex. I will cut Falcon some slack on your assurances that he was not a part of the inner sanctum.
So, I’m thinking…
If he’s as distant from the dirty deed as purported, wouldn’t it be a good strategy for him to come clean on the file and endorse an inquiry? If not as a stategic move to counter Clark, then at least because it’s simply the right thing to do?
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Complete agreement. I think he’s missing a major opportunity. He wasn’t part of the inner sanctum and has nothing to lose. This is not like the Gomery backfire on Martin. This is not about a few million dollars with the responsibility diffuse over many full-on party stalwarts.
This has to do with a corrupt Premier and small cadre of unethical people, all of whom are out of govt, but one in particular wanting back in to bury the box with all of Pandora’s secrets.
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Benign and AGT:
At 73 (yesterday) I must admit I still know very little of politics? Slowly learning. Anyhow, maybe you guys could enlighten me. mentioning a new party and get rid of old ones, great idea. We need one you suggest. We have three, Refederation! No not seperatist, they advocate among many other good idea’s that the province’s do a new REFEDERATION in order to get power back where it belongs, the Provinces. I like them not only because of their ideals but because the originators are older people without plans of lineing up at the tax trough. This alone in my opinion speaks volumes for them. Also more volume for them is the fact that like is happening here with your basi files Alex, the MSM refuse to acknowledge they even excist? Moving on to the BC First Party and the BC Heritage party? If you go to the three sites you will notice First and Heritage are almost carbon copy’s of Refed?
When someone asks me WHO on earth can we vote for? I suggest they come to this site and inform themselves of a few liberal tactics. Then go to the refed, first, and heritage sites to know what they are about. (Get informed) I remind them that the NDP voted all their raises and a free years pay if not re elected. Also their silence on too many things as opposition is defening. And the Conservatives are old has beens climbing on board to get back at the trough. So, vote, independant or any of the above three new parties and lets start anew. Alex-Benign, In politics does this make sense?
Thanks
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For me, the BC Party idea makes most sense. No more left or right, just right over wrong. Independent thinking people who break left on social issues and right on fiscal issues. It can be done. Refed seems alright but in the absence of real leaders and properly laid out policies, they will go nowhere.
Any legitimate REAL alternative must be helmed by a well-RESPECTED leader. A well-KNOWN will not be enough.
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December 8th was a Silent Night,
when Christy the saviour was born.
Then came the Rebel (with) Claus
whose gifts wrote frank and sense.
and now Christy is most forlorn?
Some other grist for your mill:
It strikes me that Basi’s notes to file are very carefully written and something more than just “memory-joggers” written as aids to future recall. Have you achieved any certainty in corroborating the facts as written by this man who clearly has his own ethical issues? Just playing devil’s advocate here.
If I recall correctly, Gary Collins jumped ship shortly after the leg-raids. He was hired by David Ho to run an airline. Was that a settlement-for-silence of some kind?
Best wishes for 2011. Svelt looks good on you, BTW
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I not only confirmed the events, but the source(s) of the material were actual witnesses to much of it.
Yes, now that we know what’s going on…Collins going to work for a very close friend of the Premier and huge BC liberal donor is an interesting angle to be sure. David Ho has given hundreds of thousands to the party and been a huge supporter of the Premier.
And, yes, thank you, I’m not quite svelte, but closer than I was.
We must have that beer soon. Call me.
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