The Insanity of Cameras in British Columbia’s Courtrooms: Mike deJong’s Giving Up His Ugly Baby, Christy Clark’s Pandering and Shirley Bond’s Bloviating
When BC Liberal Minister of Health, Mike deJong–the most venomous man in the history of BC politics (he’s currently going hard after multiple fellow MLAs, with lies and smears) was soiling the Attorney General’s perch with his failures (like telling three competing stories on the ‘Basi-Virk’ six million settlement), cameras in BC’s courtrooms was his pet project. It stunned bureaucrats in his Ministry and had lawyers throughout the province scratching their heads.
Never able to coherently explain the real reasons for his push to put TV feeds into our courts, Mr. deJong received much resistance from several judges, who obviously recognized the folly of such a suggestion–look what it’s done to American justice–people are often re-prosecuted in public, regardless of innocence or guilt. Apart from the issue-specific legal ramifications of a given case, I always thought, well before, that it was an intrusion on one’s right to a fair trial. Lawyers wouldn’t be influenced? What if you needed to appeal? Judges would have to all but swear off television after a long day in chambers. It presents far more problems than it solves.
Christy Clark’s pandering to the obvious and understandable outrage of the public over the Stanley Cup riots is yet another shameless act of a woman with no agenda and nothing real to offer BC. Mind, that Mr. deJong is capitalizing intra-caucus on this isn’t surprising at all, since under the word ‘snake’ you can find his picture, but that Ms. Clark is so obvious about giving this incredible dufus free run of the government on such an unlikely and pointless issue is further proof; she and her government must be replaced.
The BC Liberals are utterly rudderless and have lost all moral authority to govern this province.
They’re Neroesque fiddling while the BC justice system burns is astounding–to say the least: Special Prosecutors with clear conflicts; disclosure rules ambiguities; wiretap parameters being circumvented by the RCMP, just to name a few.
When will they start enforcing rules on good practice? OR even updating them? When will the law really matter in this damn province under the BC Liberals?
The justice system in BC has no boss. All stakeholders do their own thing. All while the government sits on its thumb.
And then….there’s Bond, Shirely Bond.
What the hell is the most unqualified Attorney General ever thinking? The woman who’s spent most of her time in government acting like Rosa Klebb is actually looking for approval from Mr. deJong on the court cameras file. A file she turned into a farce and summarily disgraced by following through on the half-witted orders of the Premier, such that any judge or prosecutor must be wondering if the position of Attorney General is being occupied by a Disney character.
The other day while waltzing through caucus, Ms. Bond, whose burgeoning ego quickly outgunned her middling pea, stopped to kibitz with Mike deJong about sticking it to the prosecutors and judges after she inappropriately demanded they follow through on placing cameras in the courts. She was SMILING, bloody hell! Mr. deJong, of course, ever the godfather of sure, successive PR disasters approvingly nodded, even though, he should know better since he’s a lawyer and QC. If his own opinion was still stuck in celebritizing our courts, fine, but he knew of the push back from the judiciary when he tried it–and clearly didn’t care to say anything to a dopey Ms. Bond.
According to multiple caucus eye witnesses, the only thing missing were the Scooby Snacks and the proverbial pat on the head after old Shirley rolled over or shook a paw.
Is it any wonder the BC Liberals are completely bereft of any cogent plan to deliver this province from the certain economic tumult that will soon grip the planet once China’s economy falls?
Oh, I forgot. Christy’s got a good handle on everything. It’s not like she or her minions are getting hammered left, right and center.
After getting royal assent from Mike deJong, she’s home-free, right? RIGHT?!?
Isn’t it amazing? After her operatives steal PIN numbers to get her elected (they only cheat when they can’t win) she stands and delivers seven months of drivel-laden announcements which offer trivialities and fluff.
Cameras in our courts being the latest nonsense.
This government isn’t anything but pathetic.
Do I really want taxpayers’ money spent on courtroom cameras? No. Aside from the fact televised court proceedings tend to turn into gong shows, we don’t need courtroom cameras for Shlemke Unknown Rioter.
Besides, ever watched trials on the teevee? Fucking boring, for the most part. I’m SO glad I have a legitimate medical excuse not to do jury duty.
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No argument from me on this one.
Any government in Canada that spends money like drunken sailors while kids under their governance go to school hungry, have their recesses taken away and/or get taught in third-world like shacks is most definitely…pathetic.
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You said it, brother….
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I think that even the word ” Pathetic ” might be too good a way to describe them Alex.
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You’re probably right.
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Bruce Allen would agree:
http://www.cknw.com/shows/reality_check.aspx
About those stolen PIN numbers — have I missed something or is there more?
“When will they start enforcing rules on good practice?” When they start going by the rules of honest and transparent accounting practices, or when Hades freezes over, which ever comes first.
Speaking of transparency, there’s no questioning wannabe premier HypoChristy Clark’s transparency — we can see right through her and her fallacious duplicity — right.
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Right.
Yes, good ole Bruce. I saw him at Dianne Watts’ recent Surrey Mayor’s Gala. He was in fine form.
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If wannabe premier HypoChristy Clark is so hell bent on making the judicial system transparent and putting alleged miscreants front and centre in the public eye, why is she so dead set against a full blown BC Rail judicial inquiry?
Still unclear on the PIN thing. It also sounds like something that should be dealt with in the courts. Lights. Camera. Action!
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Not that I’m endorsing cameras in the courtroom.
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Gotcha!
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Rosa Kleb!! Hahahaha………priceless!
In the unlikely event this comes to pass, the viewing public is going to be sadly disappointed. There are no Perry Mason climaxes or witness stand confessions and crying jags. Most trials are desperately boring (trust me, I’ve spent years sitting in courtrooms wishing I was anywhere else) and after watching just a bit of this the voters are going to be furious over the costs involved in broadcasting this yawn-fest.
The appetite for public shaming will be more than sated by images on TV news and in the newspapers of these people doing the perp-walk into court & it costs nothing.
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Alas, Peter Butler is long-gone. His performance during VanderZalm’s trial was one for the ages. Classic!
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Your fears of cameras corrupting our judicial system lack any real basis. Americanization of our courts, jeopardizing fair trials, and prejudicing appellate judges. I don’t see how that could happen, and if it did you could always remove the cameras. Fundamentally, bringing the judicial system to the people is a good thing, it’s our system and it is the information era.
The concern is the practical application. We don’t have the money for judges, sheriffs and staff, (We are so broke we have to let the bad guys go) let alone cameras and techs. Plus what about the t.v. channel for this. will this be more exciting programming for BC’s knowledge network. I don’t think so, Canadian court is notoriously boring, I don’t see a commercial success, just and endless pit for tax dollars.
Your right about Premier Clark just wanting to turn the riot trials into a public circus so as to look good for the voters.
Superbowl coverage for political points is all she wants, when we can barely afford is those anemic water colours of court proceedings that we are used too.
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the last decent attorney generals we had were alex macdonald and garde gardom . at least they knew what the job entailed . i hope if we do get trials on tv that it is the bc liberals and their corrupt policies are the first televised trials
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Yes, and don’t forget Alan Williams.
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Alex, I’m afraid that I can’t completely agree with you–at least not yet.
What we can agree on is that Christy Crunch’s demand for televised trials is just blatant political grandstanding. I’m not a lawyer, but wouldn’t acceding to her demands jeopardize any trials of rioters? If we only televise their trials, we are treating them differently than the rest of the population, right? I can see some smart defence lawyer claiming that their trial was not impartial. If the legal system caves into her on this one, there is a good chance that no rioters will be convicted.
I would like to see a careful study of the merits of televising all trials, but fear that this question will be drowned out in the uproar over Premier Dumb Dumb’s comments. You raise some very valid concerns in your post, above. I would like to see those concerns weighed against my belief that televised trials could better inform the general public about the workings of the legal system. Alas, an informative debate is unlikely to happen while Dumb Dumb is still Premier.
My final point is that I’m not sure why anyone is surprised at her performance. From the moment that she declared her candidacy, I thought that she was Bill Vander Zalm in a skirt. Nothing has made me change my mind.
I’ll sign off by suggesting that you stock up on beer and popcorn. While as someone who loves this province, I want to weep, the political junkie within me loves a train wreck and I can’t do anything to stop it anyway.
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Lovely comment. Thoroughly enjoyable–well thought out, cogent. Well done.
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Hmmmm…….Sounding like a Headmaster at a Private School……lol
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Look, I’ve had enough out of you and your bullshit against private schools–specifically St. George’s. This is not your first asinine comment relating to them. Yes, I’m a graduate, Yes, I’m the former president of the alum–the president of the two most successful terms in alum history. it says so in my bio. Yes, my son attends the school. Yes, my daughters go to Crofton House.. If you have such a stick up your ass about private schools, FUCK OFF. I’m a product of a private school and despite recent horse manure (about single-sex private schools) from social fascists at the University of Chicago, I find private schools a superior environment. The results speak for themselves. It’s my goddamned opinion and my goddamned choice and I sweat and sacrifice for my kids to be there. There are some fabulous public schools, but the BC Liberals and the NDP before them have allowed them to deteriorate.
Regardless….
I told you what would happen if you pulled this kind of crap again. ‘Private Schools’ isn’t on the agenda around here much because I think my opinion is clear and not particularly challenging (or interesting) for my readers.
I warned you about cheap shots and you obviously are off your meds. Well let me help: FUCK OFF, once and or all.
I warned you. Now you’re banned. You’re not welcome here anymore. Good riddance.
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Superb comment.
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Yes, well, I’ve just had enough out of the guy. I realize I broke my own commenting rule by using such profanity but Hoo-Hearted is actually Hoof-Headed. He’s off his rocker if he thinks I’m going to put up with it again. Ever.
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“I can see some smart defense lawyer claiming that their trial was not impartial.”
He would be well hidden in the crowd of stupid defense lawyers claiming the same thing.
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I know you didn’t mention it, but the latest round of fluff coming from Prem-Snooki is the nonsense called FAMILY DAY.
Was there any consultation at all with the business sector of this province? Did anyone run a set of numbers with yet another paid holiday in the books?
I cannot believe the arrogance, or maybe ignorance, of this woman. How many businesses can wrap another day of pay into their financial statements in these uncertain times?
Is there a Jersey for FAMILY DAY?
I am so disgusted with this excuse for a government that even Adrian Dix is starting to look good!
Keep up the great work, Alex. Thanks for keeping my blood working between high simmer and boil.
Don
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Thanks to you too! I will be covering that gaffe tomorrow.
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Every day is Family Day for Christy Clark, provided it’s her family…
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That would be correct.
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Hmmmmm, all those references to 007 … did somebody spend the past few days curled up with an ian fleming novel?
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Can’t get a fast pitch past you, Rusty baby.
One of my favorite books is ‘From Russia With Love’. ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ is a good one too. I had a good friend who is a Bond aficionado, but sadly, we don’t speak anymore. Much too my great chagrin. Oh well…
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Well it could be worse, we could be living in Manitoba, Ontario or, for that matter, Alberta, where the unions and NDP members have taken over the Conservative party lead by a woman who is a Rights lawyer, and who is described as a Joe Clark conservative (gag a maggot), who has promised to return $100 million to the education ministry, and will not call the legislature for the next 9 months! Where is Ted Morton?
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Reading a book….
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So it would seem! The people of this country are too stupid and complacent, ever to be able to grasp what is occurring, and will only realize, too late, and be totally deserving of the dire consequences they will be facing. Have only just cracked Steyn’s “After America” and all that he is predicting is (must) come to fruition. I lived my life without ever having to take up arms and go to war. I wanted for a time, when young and foolish, to go state-side and join the American army and go to Viet Nam, but my father talked me out of it. Probably a good thing, though I may yet have to take up arms and fight an enemy, not yet defined, before they ring my bell of quittance. We live in interesting (and dangerous) times.
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“This government isn’t anything but pathetic” … and dangerous.
hell bent on destroying BC
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Correct.
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Watched question Period today. Premier Fluffy. What a joke. If cheerleading were all it took, this province would be debt free and fully employed.
Shirley Bond is such a mean spirited shrill shrew.
This government is old and tired. Call an election Fluffy.
I’ve never been a Socred supporter in my life, but I would take old WAC any day over this pack of thieves. I think everybody; left, right centre would agree that he left us a valuable legacy and this group has just flushed it all away. He must be turning in his grave.
Marty
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Superb points. I watched as well.
It’s so remarkable that this shrew Clark has gotten as far as she has on pure bafflegab and ass-wiggling.
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I’d almost take back ol’ Gordo.
Almost.
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I disageee that cameras in the courtroom are insanity.
I have personal knowledge of at least three instances where a person in the audience in the courtroom was seen attempting to communicate iwth a judge by using sign language. In all three cases, the person was a senior government employee and in at least 2 cases seems to have influenced the hearing judge to do the wrong thing.
Had we been able to obtian a video tape of these communications we could have put the persons involved in jail. At the present time, we are relying on affidavits that, while undenied, are subject to interpretation and the police are reluctant to do a full investigation although we believe one has quietly taken place because some of hte persons doing the sign language have been removed from the system.
Interested readers can learn more at
(LINK REMOVED FOR LEGAL REASONS)
(LINK REMOVED FOR LEGAL REASONS)
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I’ve explained to you that your wild conspiracy theories are not welcome here. Yes, yes, a dreaded Masonic hand signal was used and the trial was derailed.
Would please go fly a kite. Foolish person. Very foolish.
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And now the Schreckster is being called out for calling out Premier PomPom fro sexing up her clothing attire in QP. Quite rightly, he is questioning her professional appearance.
Maybe her response will be to ban cameras in the Leg, so she can drop the neckline further!
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I’m doing a post on this for sure. David is 100% correct.
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Morning Alex, i also watched question period and every time i do watch it i get pissed off, i don’t know which one of the liberals are more disgusting, although Shirley Bond is right up near the top of the list,she just oozes sarcasim, and is such a loathsome vlittle creature. Alex do you know if these liberals are told to be rude and sarcastic or are they just naturally awful perople? I wonder if their mothers are proud of them?
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No clue. But it does seem to come naturally for many of them. Too naturally.
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Nothing but Chrusty staging another populist punchline. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows it will never happen. She has never got past the “beer-swilling, glib solutions” stage, left over from her booze-fueled SFU days. What a clown.
Then to make our situation even worse, what is the “loyal opposition” doing? David “Dipstick” Schreck is online, suddenly outraged at her highness’s show of cleavage.
Is there anyone out there who is mature enough to actually run this province, before it’s too late?
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Good question. I’m afraid of the answer, though….
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Isn’t it cute that our unelected premier and our unqualified AG want cameras in court for the disturbing but relatively misdemeanor laden Stanley Cup Riot affair, yet on the other hand once AnnieMac took over the BC Rail Corruption Trial there was a virtual gag order on everything except for unresponsive testimony from witnesses apparently suffering from premature senile dementia!
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Superb comment.
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There is so much bs going on with this government that it seems to me that nobody noticed that Falcon basically fingered the auditor general and his scathing report on the Liberal’s shady bookeeping ways. Seems to me that the RCMP should be investigating this. One outcome for sure would be that their contract would be signed pronto!
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Well, I did and Kevin should be ashamed of himself for doing it. Very bad.
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Complete agreement.
Thing that Bond and Christy forget is that it is up to the judges to make the final decision, not the government. The judge will ask Defence, the Accused, and Defence Counsel if they agree to cameras. Such agreement may come with restrictions. Such as camera must not show witnesses, the Accused face must not be shown, if there is attendence by Vancouver police, the constable has a right to refuse to be seen on TV etc. etc.
Also anything shown on TV can be copied. So such coverage will no doubt end up on You Tube, screen captures on Facebook, and some fool will no doubt collect all footage and set those to a website.
I don;t like it as it will also mean an avenue for the lawyers to showboat and act out like you see in the States.
It shows disrespct to our courts, which are already in bad shape compared to what they used to be.
Might as well bring a well known judge to Vancouver to be the presiding judge over these cases shown on TV.
Judge Judy Sheredin.
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Precisely.
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Gorden Campbell took a massive poop on this province and then flushed , these idiots are the turds still circling the bowl . We desperately need an election and complete the flush.
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The Cabinet is a Looney-Bin, or worse. When is the Caucus Revolt?
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Hard to say at this point.
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I once thought cameras in courtrooms was good via transparency, but given the modern TV offerings, its simply info -porn…..cheap theatre, especially since Christy wants to use it for the RIOTERS, which in itself is discriminatory and simply a shallow witch trial to buy votes..
IMHO…. we are at dangerous juncture….whereby Christy has bought time till at least the Spring 2012,(re Provincial election) but if the polls show defeat, PLAN B is to rubber stamp all sort of legislation as a swan song and return old favours.(like 1972 Barrett NDP Gov’t did )
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When deJong made his announcement that he was going to run for the leadership of the party, the stage was set-up between two baggage carousels. A comment was made to the effect that there was “a lot of baggage” going to be exposed.
Local MLAs who failed to support him have borne his wrath. Rumors are very persistent that he was even attempting to orchestrate overthrowing one MLA in particular who has not been part of his “support network”, should there have been an election call for this fall. He has been stopped “dead in his tracks” with the party initiating “incumbent protection”.
He made two very bad and confusing announcements last week: one in regards to his department having contacted the families who had lost loved ones as a result of the foul-ups in scanning reads. Not all families, as he had stated, had been contacted, as reported by the media. The second incident was his announcement, or trial balloon, about adding a premium onto the MSP premiums for those who are smokers. This idea was “shot down” by the Premieress the following day! This was just another example of his “grandstanding”, trying to curry favor with whoever would listen.
I honestly feel that it is time that Michael deJong retire before he does more harm to this province.
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Let’s help him with that soon….
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Christy Clark keeps saying “Family First” where has she been for my family after I have tried contacting her about my sisters brutal murder. Guess its not “pretty” enough for her, no babies to kiss…very disappointed in our government even our Vancouver Mayor has never once responded to my emails,not even a condolence to one of his citizens…I guess its not election time yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Don’t worry. I’m here. Still completing my research. May God continue to rest your sister’s soul.
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About Cameras in the courtroom …
One BC Supreme Courtroom is already superbly fitted with recording devices including fixed cameras.
The Air India courtroom.
So no big deal — no cost — to have switched on the BC Rail Political Corruption trial.
Most important, this is not “commercial”. The ownership and responsibility would remain with the Court.
In my view, the BC Rail Political Corruption Trial would have been handled differently — and much better — if the public had been able to watch the proceedings.
Maybe next time.
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Hi Mary. Nice to hear from you.
Yes, I agree that the ‘Basi-Virk’ trial might have been better suited for cameras (interesting how the current premier missed calling for this–hardly a surprise) but the rights of the accused may have been abridged. Additionally, with the revolving bans by Justice Mackenzie, cameras in THAT courtroom might have gotten downright perplexing!!!
Thanks for stopping by.
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