Barry Penner’s Stunning Resignation and Christy Clark’s Rapidly Disintegrating Premiership
At the outset, let me state, with considerable disappointment–but no real surprise, my utter disgust with the complete lack of vigorous follow-up of the Attorney-General’s resignation by the mainstream press.
Off the top, CTV had Christy Clark windbag Jim Beatty on to softshoe the resignation. Here’s a guy who not six months ago tried to fool us into believing his magnificent BS of how he painstakingly reviewed 1/1000th of the ‘Basi-Virk’ trial information (4 binders and thousands of entries on hundreds of pages and all in a few days) and arrived at the “exoneration” of Christy Clark. But now he can’t follow-up a simple story by asking a few tough questions of his pal the Preem? Goodness, I guess you must eventually rest when you’re that much of a genius.
CKNW had Sean Leslie whistling a similar tune and then covered such pertinent topics as marijuana legalization (which Leslie is on the absolutely wrong side of, no shocker).
And!!!!!!! Global DIDN’T EVEN COVER IT!!! Nothing on the early news (but apparently a burp on the late reel with Jill Krop), and I watched in horror, as story after story passed and not a word, nothing. Where is head BC Liberal cheerleader Keith Baldrey? He’s a close pal of the Premier, couldn’t he get a comment? Nothing? ICBC hamfistedness and BC Ferries were priorities in the first segment. And then in the second some wayward bear was shot–good, shoot it again, in fact shoot them all, I couldn’t care less at this point! The province is BURNING under the corruption of this appalling government and the media ARE ASLEEP!!!
The resignation of the top legal beagle in BC wasn’t even on their radar.
By that point, I did finally tune into the CBC hoping there was a rerun of ‘King of Kensington’ as an excuse to open a fresh kettle of Mr. Walker’s amber restorative.
There would have been no point to tune in the actual CBC News, of course, who are TOTALLY tainted by continuing to shamefully allow Stephen Smart on as Victoria Bureau Chief when Christy Clark spoke at his wedding (to Clark staffer and former Bill Good producer, bubblehead Rebecca Scott).
What a complete joke that the press in this province are so afraid of this insufferable, shameless, lying woman whose organizers cheated to put her in the Premier’s chair. It’s uncontainable that the biggest six o’clock show in British Columbia didn’t cover the resignation of the chief lawyer in this province. Stunning.
Well, as usual, let me do the work for all of them.
Penner’s statement to the press, which caught most BC Liberal PR hacks, spinners and caucus completely off guard–BECAUSE HE DIDN’T TELL THEM!!! That’s a goddamned story on its own!! I spoke to several MLAs this morning, after my Kinsella story today (most called me) and none of them knew a thing about Barry Penner hitting the eject button prior to impact.
Clue numero uno.
Then I got a call from a member of Cabinet, that was also fuming over the lack of responsiveness from the Premier, “who must have known, but she didn’t even tell us, right?”
Clue number two.
And then, you guessed it, clue number three…after I read Penner’s statement.
“It’s been a great honour to serve the people in my home town, and beyond, for more than 15 years in elected office, and to receive their votes of confidence in four successive election campaigns. However, to everything there is a season, and I have decided that I will not be seeking our party’s nomination for the next election. Serving in elected office is a challenging calling and a noble profession, but I have never thought of it as a lifetime career. Every decision is influenced by a variety of factors. And, as with all jobs, there were ups and downs, but overall it’s been a remarkable experience.
Spending more time at home this summer, and going on short hikes with my young family in recent weeks, has reminded me how much this job takes me away from home. Now that I have a beautiful wife and a baby daughter, being away is a price paid not just by myself, but by those I love the most. And while I certainly have loved doing the work that comes with this job, I believe this is the right decision for me and my family The BC Liberal Party is encouraging MLAs to begin the nomination process to be a candidate in the next election.
By announcing my decision now, there will be time for an open nomination process in Chilliwack-Hope. I expect a number of strong potential candidates will emerge who want to carry the BC Liberal banner into the next election, whenever it may be.
Since I have decided not to run again in the next provincial election, I have tendered my resignation as Attorney General.
I believe the Premier and government would be better served having someone in Cabinet who will be working with them, shoulder-to-shoulder, through to and after the next election.
I want to thank both former Premier Gordon Campbell and Premier Christy Clark for being willing to lead the BC Liberal Party and our province, and for giving me an opportunity to serve as a Member of Cabinet – for five years as Minister of Environment, then as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and most recently as Attorney General.
It’s been an incredible opportunity for someone who grew up in the eastern Fraser Valley. I began this journey as a Legislative Intern in 1989, was elected as the youngest member of the Official Opposition in 1996, successfully joined with others to fight the proposed SE2 power plant and have a new courthouse built in Chilliwack, and later worked to improve BC’s relations with our neighbours as president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region and assisted in the development of policy to encourage renewable energy in our province.
It’s been simply awesome! However, the ultimate highlight was getting to know so many positive people throughout the province, especially in the great constituency I’m fortunate to call home. The most important job I’ve had in the past 15 years is being the local MLA. None of this would have been possible without the countless hours of work my family, friends and many dedicated volunteers have contributed to the democratic process, starting when I decided to seek the BC Liberal nomination in 1995 as a 29 year old, political unknown. Your faith in me is something I have never forgotten.”
Allow me to translate:
Here’s what Barry Penner really meant…
“We’ve been at this gig for ten years and I’ve been duped too many times. First Gordo with all his bullshit and string of taxpaid “entertainment” on staff and now Christy fumbling her way through a job she’s totally unqualified to have, it’s more than a nice guy from the Valley can take. Yeah, I married a REAL great gal and we’ve got a beautiful baby daughter so I wanna go home, but the real truth is, since Christy’s been the boss, nothing has gone right and she’s been a meddlesome bitch on so many issues–like reelection, for example: She wants to go in the fall even though most of us are intelligent enough to know we’ll get killed. But despite the lies being shoveled by Rich (on behalf of his close pal Patrick, who knows his puppet Christy is doomed) we’re toast. Don’t want to be a gray ghost on the opposition bench along with the handful of MLAs that will survive the tsunami that we really deserve. And! Christy, as per her federal Liberal pedigree, wants to appoint her own people including that dimwit Martin who’s been injected with so much helium or whatever that stuff the fancy girls downtown use, she floats to work. See, that’s why I shoved in that line about open nominations, so that Christy doesn’t think she was fooling anyone. But she doesn’t care about talking to any of us anyway. Shirely Bond had a very serious issue she needed to talk the Premier about and it took Christy TWO WEEKS to get back to her. TWO WEEKS to get a call back from Christy!!! Imean, she only works every other day, what the hell was she doin’? Poor Shirely was thinking of doing something really daring like get out her blow dryer again. I mean, we’ve only seen Miss Piggy-In-A-Pants-Suit, er, I mean the Preem, only a half dozen times since some of her organizers lifted those PIN numbers for her to win, anyway….oops, that was my outside voice, right? Right? Riiiight…..
Christy’s total lack of leadership on the riot file pissed me off too. She made asinine statements that only frustrated the justice system, almost as bad as when Mike was AG, and then she showed up in yet another short skirt and heels to sweep up some broken glass for three minutes (like it was the beginning of a bad porno or something, not that I’ve ever seen one) and all the photo ops and lip gloss in the world aren’t gonna overshadow that bastard Tsakumis churning out more proof on his blog that Christy, when she was Deputy Premier, was furnishing Cabinet level BC Rail material to admitted bribers like Bornmann and Kieran. She’s sure as hell surrounded herself with most of the players that covered her buckskin from that day anyway and the media concentrate on Miss Perky and not us and the hard work we’re putting in. This whole thing has turned into a bad joke and I’m outta here. And Christ Almighty, if Doyle brings out any details of the Basi-Virk bribe to get those guys and their lawyers to shut up and take a hike, all the lies I was scripted and was dumb enough to repeat will come back to bite my derriere.
Oh yeah, for posterity, I better list all the things I did real smooth like, because after the shot across her bow today, Christy’s gonna be gunning for my ass as long as I’m sitting here acting like ‘Honest Abe’ and all. Oh well, it’ll take the pressure off some of the half dozen or so MLAs that are preparing to bolt soon enough either as independents or BC Conservatives and sit to the right of the fisherman’s friend.
Sure thing, I’ll even thank that ethically vacant jerk Gordo (who I defended, oh imagine, dumb Barry, dumb!) and Christy for nothing and then let Christy’s idiot brigade spin this as me going off into the sunset with my lovely wife and cute-as-a-button daughter. I’m leaving for a holiday tomorrow so no one can get a hold of me anyway. And no matter what anyone leaks to that no-good Tsakumis, who will surely elect the NDP, I’ll just deny my ass off–well, whatever’s left of it after ole Chrusty railroads me out the dang door. Golly, on a clear day I can see Chilliwack from my office in Victoria. Sincerely, Mr. Nice Guy”
There, better?
And what was the Premier’s SHAMELESS response???
“Oh, I sure do understand his reason (for leaving) I had to make that exact same decision once and it wasn’t easy….” And not a single follow-up question about the total lack of notice from Penner, nothing. The media went back to being in bed with the government.
And she made this statement straight-faced and without a hint of shame, none whatsoever. You lying, political trollop, nine months after being so completely dishonest with the public about caring for your son, who you despicably use as a prop when your numbers dive, you were banging down the door of the NPA (I was on the Board, remember our one hour conversation when, among other matters, I grilled you about the Hamish excuse and you fumbled some crap about how he’d grown so quickly?), because so fertile is your megalomania that after living in the boonies your whole life and slinging hash at the Blue Boy Hotel, you decided you were absolutely qualified to be Mayor of the third largest city in Canada.
And your incompetence showed.
But nowhere as much as it does now.
Weep for this province.
Do not despair Alex, word will get around.
I’ve littered your link everywhere..
I encourage everyone to do the same….Alex’s army needs to help
circulate the word,
MSM I know is monitoring this site…Shame, for not standing up and demanding an Inquiry.
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Well said Alex….
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successfully joined with others to fight the proposed SE2 power plan
Possible translation: I will not take any of the garbage deals or half baked plans for the Liberal’s new incinerator located by the Lake that will jeopardize my young family’s health.
Is it possible that Mr Penner wants to pursue a legitimate family first agenda under the watchful eyes of the mayor of Chilliwack, where it seems Les is more?
See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya in an election campaign with Christy at the helm.
Ah, the continuing saga of the Libs are fibs; where no information is disinformation or disappointing. Thanks once again Alex for an outstanding post.
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You bet.
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” so much helium “… I just can’t stop laughing. Great writing Alex.
Guy in Victoria
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Great read Alex. The question of media cover-up has grown many times over since gordo did his drunk driving act over in hawaii. The real criminals here (other then the libs) are the media. They have covered, lied, and dismissed all of the proof offered over the years by many people. This is a very good approach to use on them damn liberals… the truth. More please, and to you Christy, time to go, and take your gang of thieves along with you.
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You can always tell when a ship is about to sink by the rats running down the anchor chain to dry land. Penner is the first , but most definitely won’t be the last. I sincerely hope that none of these Dorks go over to the Conservative party and take away any of our choices for an alternative in the next election ( which will be a rout ).
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It’s amazing how hard CBC and CTV will dig and investigate any and all non-scandals of the federal Tories, yet give the BC Liberals a complete pass. Don’t all the lefties say that the Tories and BC Liberals are one in the same?
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Very good point.
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The Lieberals are an uneasy coalition between Federal Tories and Grits. As they say ‘politics makes strange bedfellows’. Just like the NDP in ages past was a strange coalition of disparate interests with too much secrecy and grafting afoot. Left or right don’t matter much when politicians are content to lie, cheat and steal.
The real problem is the willing to mask oneself in deceit for political gain. The public turns off and tunes out.
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Well i for one am glad he’s gone, i could not stand his sarcasim ,when asked a question he would always drag the ndp into it even if the ndp had nothing what so ever to do with the question. Alex i understand Penner will get still get one years salary after he leaves, is that right?
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Where did you come up with that? He gets a pension every year, but not one year’s salary. For what? From whom?
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I think LOLA is referring to the transition allowance (up to 15 months salary), similar to what Campbell was eligible to receive per this CTV story: http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101104/bc_campbell_pension_101104?hub=BritishColumbia
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Assuming Gordo lives to be 80. One can only imagine he must have severe cirrhosis of the liver
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I couldn’t help but think that your recent piece on Penner (You’re all here…good) tagged him pretty hard. You drilled in on some sensitive legal ethics points, and if that drill was aimed at me, I would have felt it hurt.
That, coupled with the party hounding him for nomination paperwork ( I smell an election call coming) and his cell phone ringing throughout his time off, probably pushed him over the edge.
He probably missed his old environment ministry. He might have survived with that post.
“…..a kettle of Mr. Walker’s amber restorative” I just laughed my morning tea onto my keyboard. Thanks.
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You’re most welcome.
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Maybe he was thinking that he might be the one that would have to handle the who/why/where on the $6million deal that John Doyle is about to expose. Investigating your buddies suck. So why not just slip out the back and let some one else do that nasty chore.
Just maybe… or it could be like he said, family first
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Funny that.
No, it was a combination of things, including Christy’s growing admiration for wanting to appoint candidates (instead of having open nominations), going to the polls in the fall, the riots and certainly some of the BC Rail material. In that order.
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The Pickton serial killer trial was weighing heavily on Barry. He wanted to fund the women that need help. He is under political orders to deny help to people that are begging for help.
Barry Penner is a good man, period. This issue made him question where his life is going. Imagine people so callous, they would deny help for those people that need it so bad, because they are on the opposite political spectrum. The inquiry is trying to figure out how a serial killer murdered sooo many women, while the police ignored the situation. There are people that let politics get in the way of justice.
Barry is a good person, and that just won’t do. Denying justice for political gain hurts a good person. Christy has no problem with it.
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Sure, I’ll agree with that. Very good point.
I think Barry Penner is a very fine man–too good. Otherwise, he should tell the truth on his way out the door. It would be a refreshing change to the lies we’ve been furnished for ten years.
And Falcon spinning Penner’s resignation as “families first”, honestly, no wonder Kevin lost. Keep your mouth shut. You know what you’re saying about Penner’s departure is BS. Why say it?
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C’mon. You know Kevin would have won if the Prom Queen wasn’t in the picture. Cleavage gets you where you want to go
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Okay, geezus, let’s take it easy out there…
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A couple of ?s.
Will Penner’s self imposed exile from politics last longer than HypoChristy’s?
If Kinsella is so flippin’ smart, how could he be so flippin’ stupid to hang his hopes on HypoChristy?
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Actually, it was the only place for Pat to go. What Pat doesn’t want is for BC Rail to come back. He’s petrified of it. So, who better to support than the one candidate who would absolutely shut the door on an inquiry or investigation.
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Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
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WHAT?!?!?! NEVER!!!! A cigar is NEVER just a cigar. Ever!
Please do not use such blasphemy in my house….
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Your translation of Barry’s speech made me laugh! If only politicians could really say what they thought. That’s why Bill Bennett’s unfiltered 45 minute rant was a golden moment in politics.
Christy is just fluff. I cannot wait for her little house of cards to come tumbling down. Maybe the reason Drunken Campbell got out of dodge was because he saw the writing on the wall. Maybe someone should slip Christy a few shooters and watch her gums start flapping.
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1) Thanks for the kind words. It’s nice to start the day with a good ole laugh and I wrote that in about fifteen minutes, just before midnight last night.
2) Bill Bennett is now well regarded in the hypocrites ‘Hall of Shame’. I like good ole Bill an awful lot but his horse manure about how much he wanted a real leader is just that. He’s now so far up Christy’s derriere that he could be her seamstress.
3) Christy….ONLY a FEW shooters? You clearly don’t know Christy….
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Incredible work these past months Alex. Penner is the canary in the coal mine, an explosion can’t be far off.
Global broke the news at the beginning of the noon news but just the headline. I am shocked Baldrey did not follow this up but when a reporter is in one’s back pocket we will never see the hard questions.
The one thing I am getting so sick of is Christy’s “families, families, families” mantra. It’s now to the point of ridiculous, does she not clue in that there are many single people, couples with no kids, seniors, etc. in this province? What do they get in her macro visionary scheme ?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for young families,jobs etc., but beating this dead horse with no substance to back up her chants is reminiscent of Shirley MacLaine speaking in tongues.
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Oh geezus! MacLaine! Agh! Did you have to hit me with such an image this early in the morning???
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i remember hearing something about an mla that quits or decides not to run again they get paid for one year,plus$9.000 for new job traing , maybe someone can verify this.
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Let me disabuse you of this notion now. Whatever you were told on this point is nonsense. It’s just not true.
Go back to your source and tell them to stop hanging out with Mark Emery and Dana Larsen.
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http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bc+mla+pension
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=bc+mla+severance
Pension starts at retirement age. Severance is available for those who run and lose (you’re fired!) not those who resign (I quit!).
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Correct. Very good. BTW, you have a tidy and interesting blog. I enjoyed going through it, although too briefly.
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I believe that the gold plated 2007 pay hike for MLA’s also changed the rules for severance packages; they now get the severance even if they quit: http://www.taxpayerblog.com/2009/04/quitters-big-winners-in-severance.html
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I only heard about this satire site about Penner this morning on the news at Kool FM.
Some of it seems funny.
http://www.barrypennerisawesome.com/
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It’s been up for a awhile.
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WOW! Again.
Alex, you may be a better translator than Communications Officer Lieutenant Uhura(Nichelle Nichols) from Star Trek.
Thanks for making me spit out my juice four times this morning, while reading your post……….Ha!
Carry on…….THIS is Gold.
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I owe you a glass of juice. Noted!
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Your translation skill is awesome Alex, and very very funny.
I look forward to many more translated versions of political posturings, especially those of Ms. Clark, although she really doesn’t seem to have very much to say about anything lately. Kinda’ strange for a talk show host.
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Thanks.
No shock at all. She’s going to do whatever she can to force an election because she doesn’t know what to do and neither do the people around her. Go read Mike Smyth’s excellent column today.
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Thanks Alex. Enjoyed your take on this a lot. I can tell you that I had the opportunity to sit across the table from Barry Penner a number of times. He was well researched, thoughtful, honest, and principled. He supported things because they were the right thing to do, and while, in rhetoric he was effective at turning most issues into political shots, he didn’t do so with actual policy.
The LIberals loss here is the Conservatives gain. As the LIberals lose more quality people with real free-enterprise values and credentials (not sucking at the teat of government credentials) like Barry, more voters will look to the Conservatives for the alternative.
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Just for clarity – Barry Penner = good values. Christy Clark & team = sucking at teat of government – in case there was any confusion by the placement of the brackets above.
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Of course. Clarification appreciated.
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I always found him a decent sort although his overly supportive regurgitation of public affairs bureau speaking notes was too painful by half.
I really started to like him when he stopped combing his hair like a mortician.
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“and assisted in the development of policy to encourage renewable energy in our province”
I find it ironic his photo on the CBC site shows a pristine river in the background. There is still water in it…..must have been taken before damming and diversion through a penstock for one of the IPP’s he has been promoting.
All officials, whether they be elected Ministers or appointed as Deputy Ministers, assistants, etc do not seem to realize the lasting effects of the decisions they are making. They get to retire and collect pensions after a relatively short time “employed”….. or go to work for the companies that lobbied them. The long term costs (both monetary and environmental) get passed down to future generations of taxpayers…..not to mention the issue of opening the door for increasing private, foreign control of our resources.
In my mind Penner started out political life playing the “I like the BC outdoors just like you, and will look after it” card. It just doesn’t seem like he ended like that.
If the elected and appointed officials really do realize the effects of their decisions, yet still make them….or tell you one thing and do another….well……what can be said?….they are all the same? I don’t buy that……regardless of the party name….surely there can’t be a whole bunch of people that all have power and/or influence, all in the same place at the same time, all who don’t really place value on being respected….as long as they are taken care of in the end …….can there?
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Some, very, very, very good points.
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Well, with only one member of caucus that actually supported her leadership bid, is anyone totally surprised as to resignations?
But still, with the next election next Spring at the earliest (unless the Premier wants to be defeated), I believe that the caucus will rally behind her.
In the Dunbar/Kerrisdale area of Vancouver, she is still relatively popular. Colin Hansen is very well respected, and will easily win reelection.
Instead of the faults of the BC Liberals, and lack of credible leadership, why don’t we concentrate on the NDP under Adrian Dix, and what damage that party will do to BC? Granted, there will be a time that they come back to power, but not just yet….not with the economy on shaky ground.
With me, and many others, I am still willing to give Premier Clark the benefit of doubt when it comes to governing this province. And unless proven otherwise in a court of law, the BC Liberals are absolutely and unconditionally innocent of any and all claims of wrongdoing.
They also have a full mandate until May 2013.
Oh yes, despite the idea that Mr. Penner may have not endorsed Christy as leader, I do believe he resigned for family reasons.
All the best to you Alex, as you keep up the pressure in showing how ineffective the MSM is.
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I appreciate your supportive words but your pie-in-the-skyisms are really something.
I’ve lived or maintained a house in Kerrisdale my whole life. Christy is NOT popular anymore and Hansen is barely tolerable. If a conservative ran here Colin would lose. You don’t know the people of this area or voting patterns if you think that. Harry Rankin and later Jim Green both used to come second or third in most municipal polls in Dunbar and Kerrisdale.
And tell me: Why should we be concentrating on the BC NDP and not the govt? That’s ridiculous. You should get a job with CKNW or CTV Vancouver. The BC Liberal record is, depending on how you slice the debt, either even with the NDP economic record or slightly ahead, IN BETTER TIMES. And the record of pork to insiders is EASILY eclipsed by the BC Libs.
Shaky ground? The economy? That’s not what your girlfriend is telling everyone in Victoria! She’s selling sunshine and lollipops–or didn’t you get the memo?
What I loved the best about your absurd comments was the disclaimer that no one is guilty until proven so in a court of law. Who said otherwise, or didn’t you read my post carefully?
My point has NEVER been that they acted illegally–but the evidence is pretty clear that Christy Clark’s ethical compass is shattered, f she ever had one. You don”t see that?
Um, okay….
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Hi Alex.
Whoo what a huge deal going on here!
Thanks for your reply to Sean -
His thinking is reminiscent of an abused spouse – “it will be really bad if I leave – think of all the things that could possibly happen. So I’m going to stay with this !*!**#! because at least I know where the punches are coming from.”
We don’t have to go to court to know what the BC Liberals have done to the governance of this province – I don’t need to list it again:)
Stay strong Alex!
Thanks.
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Thank you. I’m trying.
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OMG Alex, if she were my girlfriend, I’d dump her in a heart beat!
I fully accept your opinion that nothing ILLEGAL took place; I’d rather have unethical and arrogant behaviour under the BC Liberals than socialistic incompetence under the NDP.
Federally, Kerrisdale-Dunbar-Kitsilano are solidly LIBERAL, even though many old-timers are upset that their MP is only third party status. They had a chance to vote CONSERVATIVE, but refused…..Provincially, the BC Liberals could run a blind maine coon to run and win with over 60% of the votes.
At least under the BC Liberals, the media, boards of trade, chambers of commerce, well-to-do, are happy with the PERCEPTION that we are better of now than we were in 2001.
The only comfort that the BC Liberals have, is that the next election isn’t due until May 2013. Whether that will be a blessing, or a curse, is yet to be decided.
Personally, I am fortunate enough, IMHO, to be living in Vancouver-Langara (provincially) and Vancouver South (federally). I am happy with my personal representatives, though they are backbenchers.
I do take comfort, however, with you insight and criticisms. I happen to think, if you are to the right (like me), you owe your allegiances to the right winged parties that are most likely to defeat the despicable left, such as the Vancouver Civic Non-Paritsan Association, the BC Liberals and the Conservative Party of Canada. That is my humble opinion.
As a provincial public servant, I’ve taken my ribbings from my coworkers on a constant, though “friendly” basis.
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Alex, what is it going to take for MSM to finally report on this stuff? More specifically Keith Baldry. Even though he is buddy buddy with christy, theres eventually going to be a bombshell or some smoking gun which forces him to actually do his job. Right?
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Wrong. Keith is quite nice to me but has told multiple, mutual acquaintances that he thinks I’m “an asshole”, but a “great writer.”
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Alex your take on what Barry Penner really meant was very funny. As a cabinet minister ( Environment ) who brought in the Carbon Tax as well as legislation for run of the river power projects that has cost BC Hydro ( the taxpayers ) millions and millions more to come showed what he thought of the populace … ie screw the taxpayers while independent power producers will make millions through the legislation he was partly responsible for. These run of the river projects have the potential to cost the taxpayers much much more than the fast ferries ever did.
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I agree. What the BC NDP did with the fast ferries pales in comparison to the runaway train of BC Liberal featherbedding. Their friends have made billions.
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Alex, did you actually mean, “The fast ferries pale in comparison to what the BC Liberals have done” .
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Yes! I’ve changed it thx! Was in a hurry!
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Sorry Alex,
Do you mean that the Fast Ferries where a childish failure brought on by naive and poor planning where as the Liberals is an epic corruption scandal well planned and executed?
So then the quote would be the fast ferries pales in comparison to what the BC Liberals have done.
or am I complete wrong and you do mean that the NDP is more corrupt than the Liberals.
I honestly think both have a lot to answer for.
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I was in a hurry and thus inarticulate. I’ve since made the correction. The Liberals have been far more corrupt than the NDP. BY SEVERAL MAGNITUDES.
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And that’s why I will not be voting Liberal in the next election.
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Completely understandable.
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Excellent stuff Alex. Add the Globe’s Rod Mickleburgh to the list of useless information providers with “Penner’s candlelit cat. . . “.
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I never read Rod. I find him pompous and dismissive, although he occasionally gets it. No heavy lifting there. It’s whatever Mason can get past his editor.
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Evidently it was on Global AM news today and even a comment by Baldry!
Great writing Alex!
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Great…after I pestered two of their lead hands all last night, they do it in the morning almost 24 hours after the fact.
Brilliant.
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Alex,
Today, both Keith and Vaughn showed some animation on the Christy file during their “edge of the Leg” segment with Mike Smyth on CKNW.. Keith even went so far as to say that Penner left because of the Preem.And they both said she can’t rely on photo ops to govern. What’s up with those two?
Perhaps they are sensing that the people of BC know that all is not well in the backroom of the Liberal Party of BC (besides hating some of the crap that has gone down in this province over things like Pickton, intro of HST,BC Rail, etc).
Additionally, I doubt that they would get a “thumbs up” on this government from non-party voters.
Journalists: We are not morons.DO your jobs.
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I sent Vaughn a very robust note last night with my latest releases. It included some personal comments but I made it clear: Without his participation the people of the province will have every reason to question his earned spot as the dean of BC media. And wonder…
It’s the first time ever that he didn’t reply to a note I’ve sent.
As for Keith, I didn’t bother. There is no point. At the same time I think the world of him, his comments today remain a one off. He has substantially given Christy a free ride and for me, this remains totally unacceptable.
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So while Barry Penner may be a nice guy ( incidentally some people here in Nanaimo also still think that Dave Stupich who plead guilty to fraud was still a nice guy too ) what he Barry Penner did to the environment and the taxpayers was atrocious while he was the Environmental Minister. The point is being perceived as a ‘nice’ guy certainly helps one get elected , ( don’t ALL people running for a seat in politics appear to be nice ) it has nothing to do with ethics , judging by his actions in government he was just another trained seal .. yes sir , no sir, 3 bags full. Sadly so few of those in office do the right thing and expose potential corruption they just sit , mouth closed, nodding on cue , hand extended awaiting a cabinet post with all the perks that accompany being a cabinet minister.
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Let’s take Barry Penner at his word. It is good to see that he is truly putting family first, and will take his time in finding a new post-election job that will also allow him some meaningful balance between family and work.
Now moving on, the real issue is “Who will be Attorney General?”
That appointment may indicate just what may have been going on behind the scenes, and what we may expect in the coming months insofar as the Justice system is concerned.
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He left because of Christy–period. I’ve spoken to enough people in that Govt to know.
It’s all coming apart on her.
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What is really interesting about this issue is that only SOME BC Liberal ridings are being hit up with these demands from the BCL. Other ridings have had basically no contact from Chad and the field mushrooms. Not certain why Penner’s riding was targeted but we both know of a nearby MLA who is in Christy’s radar sights. And somewhere quietly off in the distance is DeJong…..
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Oh, I have a tidy little story coming on Chad Peterson, El Presidente of the BC Fibberals and how he essentially gift wrapped the leadership for Christy…with a little help.
He’s a first class weasel.
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In calling someone a ‘trollop’ and questioning her integrity as a mother, you are crossing a line that no true journalist would cross. You also are exposing yourself as a hypocrite for slamming people on the left for their supposed viciousness.
The great thing about blogs is the freedom that people have to speak their minds without fear of retribution or censorship from an editor or corporate overseer. The bad thing about blogs is the lack of responsibility that people show for treating opponents with a modicum of respect. You frequently demonstrate the latter, and it detracts from the often very worthwhile focus of your posts.
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Dear Neil:
Thank you for your polite note.
1) I referred to thePremier as a “political trollop.” Thus, there is a distinction you have overlooked.
2) My comments about the left are clear: They get too personal, I didn’t.
3) I didn’t question Ms. Clark’s integrity as a mother. I simply pointed out that she uses her son like a pawn, in my opinion. There is yet another distinction you overlooked.
Finally, I’m a passionate man who knows his limits. If you find my material tough to read because it offends your Liberalism (since I know who you are) don’t come back.
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“Let’s take Barry Penner at his word.”
Umm ………………… well…………………. er………………… lets not.
Cheers
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I guess i was right ,mla’s do get 15 months pay EVEN if they quit,get defeated ,or decide not to run. Read sue’s post Aug. 19 11:05 pm
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As I pointed out earlier–they DON’T unless they opt to. It’s not a check that gets cut to you.
Interesting though, I wonder if Gordo collected.
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what’s going on is the results of the hst referendum,is known(the real numbers)and the writing is on the wall,do you think we”ll ever know the real numbers?We couldn’t even get answers to questions on B.C. rail that we paid for,and for that we can thank the msm.
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I doubt we’ll ever get real numbers. The process is so fraught with secrecy that it cannot be trusted. Not with this govt.
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Heavens – good stuff, then I recall the trivial reasoning how they forced Mike Harcourt to resign when he he didn’t do anything, but realized the buck stopped at him, and why that idiot Glen Clark was forced out for some guy building a deck as a “gift”. The Liberals sure know how to do things BIG, and stay in power – that is until the next election.
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I would think a lot of Clark’s actions will be determined by the outcome of the HST vote that should be out in a few days. Would you care to predict the outcome of the vote?
My feelings are that when you look at the fact that if 80-90 percent of the people who signed the petition came out and voted against the HST all the yes side needs is 28 percent of the 1.1 million votes left to win, it would be a pretty safe bet to say the HST is history. This doesn’t even account for the fact that I cant remember the last time voters voted to raise their taxes.
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Sure, I think it barely passes or fails. Either way, the govt is the loser as the province once again remains divided.
Well done, Christy.
If she really wanted families first in this province, she should have run on a campaign to scarp it. Period.
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Great piece — and now Iain Black is taking off! Rats from a sinking ship?
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here is my opinion- beef farmers raise beef–chicken farmers raise chickens and governments raise taxpayers. the end result will be the same. how about a class action suit on the h.s.t. it was never a real tax but look at the $$$$$ they got and will continue to get. how come the tabloids have not let the english public know who the rep for the queen who is canada s rep was given a job because of a deal to pass the h s t and it has come unglued.
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