Christy Clark’s Claim that She Delivered the $8 Billion Seaspan Celebration: A Tempest In a D-Cup
It’s amazing isn’t it?
Yet another photo-op for an entirely unqualified Premier. Yet another example of Christy Clark taking credit for something she had NOTHING to do with.
Yes, she jumped aboard the Washington Marine Group’s wagon, albeit late–for a previous photo-op, heralding the kind of shipbuilding magnificence they are capable of (she has a keen grasp of the obvious). But was it her efforts that sealed the deal?
Let’s have a look.
Seaspan is a solid company with very good credentials and great employees. Think what you want of Kyle Washington and his billionaire upbringing. He could have spent the rest of his life sitting in Gstaad or Aspen in the winters and on his own island in the South Pacific the rest of the year.
But he didn’t. Instead, he’s taken his father’s immense generosity and turned it into an equally immense success story. The Premier, far from having anything to do with Seaspan’s success, was last to sign on. In fact, during previous provincial shipbuilding tenders, when Ms. Clark was still Deputy Premier, she opted to support sending our business to Germany rather than here with Mr. Washington’s crew. She even went so far as to misrepresent his contracts as “cost-plus” (which he expertly explained to the media, in response).
Now, Ms. Clark would like us to believe, at least this is what she’s telling anyone who will listen, how it was she that delivered $8 billion dollars in shipbuilding contracts and it was her intervention that sealed the deal.
Well, it most certainly was not.
In addition to the fact that she is HATED in Ottawa with a white-hot passion, the nuts and bolts, the mechanics of the deal, the process, tell the story all too well.
The port in Levis, Quebec, one of three considered, might as well be in receivership and was not suited to do this deal. Their infrastructure is dated and unworthy. They would have had issues delivering either of the $25 billion or $8 billion package. The Irving port in Nova Scotia was the obvious choice for the larger more complicated battleships so they were a lock for the bigger deal. Seaspan had never approached doing anything of the sort before and it required a greater expertise than they could provide–at this point.
It follows to reason, then, that if not by Mr. Washington’s savvy in surrounding himself with capable corporate developers (he has an uncanny ability at picking perfect executives for his companies) perhaps by process of elimination, the smaller contract would come here. There were no other options.
An interesting footnote, is that Ms. Clark’s brother Bruce and his very close friend Patrick Kinsella were somehow allegedly involved in this transaction as lobbyists.
I don’t know about Pat–as I suspect his footsie with the Liberals and close relationship with Ms. Clark preclude any real ties to the Harper government, but you can bank that Bruce Clark, a long-time, smash-mouth federal Liberal, with a perpetual hate-on for anything Conservative, had nothing to do with this contract landing at Seaspan’s door. This, notwithstanding his previous relationship as a lobbyist for Washington Marine (the parent company of Seaspan), during the sale of BC Rail. He’s despised by Conservatives, he would do nothing but hurt efforts to secure anything for anyone that would be forthcoming from Ottawa. Besides, the process was strictly non-political–a huge accomplishment for the Tories.
Remarkably, none of the Clark siblings or Pat Kinsella had anything to do with this, because as BC Conservative leader John Cummins quite astutely put it, “Seaspan won this on their own.”
And I heartily agree. My own contacts in the federal bureaucracy confirmed the contracts two days in advance, but I was sworn to secrecy. The only people I revealed anything to were two trusted friends: A senior local reporter with a major news venue that asked for my opinion and a reporter with another major station, who has been badgering me (just kidding pal!) for the information. “Everyone gets something,” I wrote. “The smaller package likely to Washington with the larger definitely to Nova Scotia–as it should be.”
Premier Clark’s straddling the Helijet straight to Seaspan’s offices to high-five workers, post-announcement–with cameras in tow, wasn’t simply another shameless photo-op of her dwindling hold on the office she has forever craved. It wasn’t another inappropriately attired opportunity to sell only herself, instead of her government. Team solidarity be damned–AGAIN.
It was Christy Clark, once more, demonstrating that she will stop at absolutely nothing to lie her way though the public consciousness; that she’s the doer of deeds rather than the sower of dissent. After a week of being pummeled by respected members of her caucus (and mercilessly hammered by a progressively awakening media), she needed a break, but for the fact that she knows, in places she’ll never reveal, that she is a monstrous failure as leader of this province and incapable of bringing home anything substantive.
Far from being an opportunity to celebrate a major accomplishment which the Premier herself initiated or delivered, it was yet another tempest in a D-Cup.
_________________________
NOTE TO READERS:
Dozens of you have emailed me in a mass panic that you cannot raise my blog on your computers and that you are receiving ‘Error’ messages.
I am intermittently receiving the same thing. It is a software issue with my new, FORTIFIED server in the United States. I did this to protect myself from the growing force against me as a result of my BC Rail/’Basi-Virk’/Christy Clark related posts. The problem is being resolved and I understand mostly fixed.
I recently received a confirmed tip from a reader and former supporter of Premier Clark that one of her well-known minions (and named, thank you) had instructed someone computer-savvy (also named, thanks again) to spike this blog, hack it if possible and generally begin a campaign to discredit me publicly–similarly to the John Cummins material that is floating in the blogosphere ether thanks to a thoroughly discredited BC Liberal website. This is also an effort by the Premier’s people to stop me from releasing the stolen PIN number story (it’s how she won the leadership contest).
So, in order to continue to bring you the truth about Christy Clark’s deep connections to the BC Rail scandal and more perspective on those players involved, at great personal expense, I am now beaming from the USA. If you encounter this ‘Error’ notice again, don’t think I’ve been “censored” as some of you have written to me this morning. Just understand that freedom has a price, and if momentarily not being able to see what I’ve written is a problem, it’s a price worth paying. Please relax. There is MUCH MORE to be said on the above and related issues, but in time. BTW, the Brian Kieran piece is almost ready.
Your great concern(s) are heart-warming and wonderfully good wishes, always welcome.
Thanks so much for your continued patience and great loyalty.
Warmest personal regards,
AGT
alexgtsakumis.com
Oh well, according to the front pages and headlines of the local dailies, including the freebies, she seems to be getting away from the photo-ops.
Whether or not her brother had anything to do with successful lobbying, it is a job well done.
I am amazed as to how much credibility that the Liberal Party of Canada still has, especially in the eastern media. I have never known a federal third party to have such support in the media before; it’s as if they were not badly defeated last May. An example of this being Liberal Party opposition to the omnibus crime bill thats going through parliament right now. Vancouver-Quadra MP, Joyce Murray, has a vast petition against the move….She claims that thousands of her Quadra residents are opposed to the harshness of the proposed law….That, and the fact that various bar associations absolutely despise anything to do with toughness on crime.
But, back to the main point…..We have to put up with Ms. Clark and all of her antics up until May 2013, only a year and a half away.
What I can’t stand is the pandering to Quebec that the NDP opposition in Ottawa is doing regarding this ships issue. Are they willing to sacrifice support in Nova Scotia (where they are the government) and British Columbia only to consolidate what fragile support that they have in Quebec? I think Adrian Dix needs to explain what the BC NDP will be willing to sacrifice from BC to the Quebec shipyards.
[Translate]
Okay, you’ve included so many competing topics here, but let’s pick the one related to my post.
The job “well-done” was one by Seaspan and not the Premier. And two, we will NOT have to put up with Christy for very much longer. If she stays after what’s coming, the government will either fall or under the phrase “sitting duck” in the dictionary you’ll find a picture of her. The longer she stays the more seats the BC Liberals will lose. By the time you claim she’ll survive to, even Quilchena would go BC Conservative.
[Translate]
Whew! Thank goodness. I thought that they’d finally got to you. Agree totally with your assessment of Christy D-cup.
[Translate]
Thanks my friend.
[Translate]
Except I don’t think she’s quite sporting a D cup
[Translate]
Her cups runneth over.
[Translate]
Geezus…here we go again…I can’t make a play on a phrase without you guys going all pervy!
I know, I know. look who’s talking….I get it…LOL!
[Translate]
Guess she is a boob in more ways than one!
Yeah, I know, lame…….
[Translate]
Ah, c’mon guys….help me out here….on topic please….
[Translate]
Sorry; the clever wordplay on the header was too good to resist!
[Translate]
I’m never doing that again…..
[Translate]
‘Twas was brilliant none-the-less.
[Translate]
Can’t argue there.
[Translate]
Well even the MSM is getting it saw similar article in the Province today , how can she even try and take credit when she played nasty politics to hurt BCs shipbuilding industry .
What can we say its beyond contempt with this bunch put a knife in your back one day and want to shake your hand for a photo op on the next day cause it might buy votes and they think we forget .
[Translate]
Precisely right. Now Clark is putting forward some play about pro rating in the larger contracts etc. It’s the same slickster BS she’s shoveled forever and a day. And it won’t work.
[Translate]
Liberal supporters hanging on to Christy’s skirt & writing praises for her handling of the Seaspan contract….are just plain stupid and desperately seeking anything that might may her look good.
It’s also interesting that the Liberals made available the loss of a 30 million dollar law suit (and another on the way)…. the same day Christy was smiling for her shameless friends in the media.
Guy in Victoria
[Translate]
Well put!!!
[Translate]
Alex,
Mike also had good post today on same topic. Christy and liberals against Vancouver Shipyards building BC ferry’s but now they have nothing but great things to say especially how if not for them Vancouver shipyards would not have succeeded. What a load from Ms Clark and the liberals.
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Hypocritical+hurrahs+from+Libs+over+shipbuilding/5583730/story.html
[Translate]
Great thanks. Hadn’t seen it yet.
[Translate]
A “D” cup? Alex, you’re far too generous. Her brains don’t need anything that large.
[Translate]
I’m a pretty good judge of cups. It’s precisely that generosity that’s gotten me there.
[Translate]
I think she’s more like a C…. with a really good La Perla push up bra.
[Translate]
I wish she’d make a clean breast of the subject…. silly me, many subjects.
[Translate]
D-Cup? More like a “C-span”
[Translate]
LOL!
[Translate]
“So, in order to continue to bring you the truth about Christy Clark’s deep connections to the BC Rail scandal…….”
Ha! I knew you had more Basi/Virk material tucked away.
[Translate]
Lots. It’s just a bitch and a half needing to travel four hours just to meet with my source, compile the info on the spot and release the story after legal has seen it. I’m trying to be respectful of Justic MacKenzie’s demand that no one be in possession of any ‘Basi-Virk’ docus. At the same time, the public has a right to know.
[Translate]
on that note 1 yr ago almost to the day was teh announcing the trial was over and 6 million in fees were paid , still awaiting answers about all that are we not.
At least from Govt , now im noy quite sure what to call her you guys havevme confused as hell i she crusty christy , christy crunch , c cup or what crusty or crunchy c cup just sound eww but almost suit.
[Translate]
Hi alex , good to see you up and running again after today’s problem of trying to read your blog. I immediatly thought ,ah ha ! Dark forces at work !! Good article by mike smythe today , talk about firing a shot across the bow ! All the best Alex , and have a great weekend !
[Translate]
You too. Many thx.
[Translate]
Lotsa photo ops too, at the Vocational School in Dawson Creek. with the P.M. promoting work training projects etc., though I will say they have a very good aeronautics maintenance training course. Christie very animated, etc..
[Translate]
Of course, she’s a space cadet.
[Translate]
another great post.
kudos to the prime minister.who chose to do the thing for bc instead of punishing us for our non elected premier
if christy clark is in the mood to take credit do it for all of the issues good and bad,
when you tell the truth and take a stand you take a risk of retaliation,
you do not walk alone myself and others will walk with you
[Translate]
Thank you my friend. Means a lot.
[Translate]
Alex, you’ve just written the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I’m unfortunately afraid, however, the you’re the voice in the wilderness, as most of this Province’s inhabitants demonstrate the brain power not much higher than of those nutters you interviewed during your “Occupy Vancouver” tour. I wish I were more optimistic.
[Translate]
Thx O. Very good of you.
[Translate]
I only saw the last half of last night’s (20 Oct) “Voice of BC”, on which Adrian Dix was guest. He appeared well-informed of every topic and gave answers of SUBSTANCE to every question without hesitation, giving clear explanations and reasons. He didn’t throw in any verbal fluff or B.S. The difference between him and the Premier is extraordinary.
The Premier has all the advantages of advice from her political advisors and the Government machinery and yet her utterances are always vacuous or worse. To borrow a bit from your blog, she seems to have failed to surround herself with capable public policy developers. And yet, the Leader of the Opposition has managed, without the advantages of being Government Leader, to get himself briefed-up to a level in which he overwhelmingly outshines the Premier. I hope that a lot of Cabinet and BC Lib Caucus members see that broadcast. They will have to feel ashamed.
[Translate]
I have to state, as much as I’m uneasy about an NDP government, he was very impressive last night as I never miss an episode of that superb show.
And then, he’ll support ‘Occupy Vancouver’….very disappointing. Those aren’t votes he needs or should ever want.
[Translate]
.As my good buddy jersey Vinny would succinctly state his view of politicians -whores- all of them. Vinny’s a wise man.
[Translate]
Hey Vinny comes over Sundays for my New Yorks style gravy!
Of course, he always brings his brothers….
[Translate]
I’ve had contact in the past with Mr. Dix after our local federal MP couldn’t get some headway on an issue. Although he was only an opposition member and ultimately didn’t get much success, he did what I would state is a very thorough job in trying to help with our local problem.
I would rue the day that double-C’s goes head to head with him in an unscripted debate. He is very articulate and is a fact hound behind the scenes, she would get utterly destroyed the moment she goes off her prepared notes. I’m saddened at his previous behavior, but I do feel that he has moved past that period of his life and become a better person as a result of that back-dating.
Everyone makes mistakes, some very large ones at that. How you handle your life after those mistakes are what define your character going forward. If double-c’s ever brings that fact up she just needs a large B.C. Rail’ slapped over her mouth instantly.
[Translate]
Adrian will kill her on policy issues. But she remains the best retail politician in BC. Campbell before her, was the best in that department. He could sell sand to Arabs.
And Adrian’s success one on one is magic. As an MLA, he’s untouchable. He’s not there for himself.
[Translate]
Sorry, but this man has ice water running in his veins, he would have to appear human or at least having some kind of emotional life to attract votes. He will get the socialist vote, but I doubt anyone is willing to switch votes for him.
[Translate]
You are entitled to your opinion but I think you are wrong about Mr. Dix; I contacted his office, in his then position as health critic (this was before he was elected leader of the NDP) as I could not get any assistance from my MLA (although I did get an invitation to the MLA’s fund raising BBQ with Campbell in attendance; it rained; I wouldn’t have gone in any event) and he personally went out of his way to assist me.
He called me at home (and I’d never met let alone talked to the guy) and helped with a solution to my health care issue.
Think about it. What was in it for him? One vote for the NDP in a staunchly Liberal riding? He did it because someone needed the help.
Good man in my book.
[Translate]
Yes, and in mine too. He is a tremendous MLA.
The question is: Does this translate to being a good Premier?
[Translate]
I don’t know; I did join the NDP to vote for the leader after he helped me but I did not vote for him. I voted for Mr. Horgan.
And I haven’t met him either. I think he gets his message across better than Mr. Dix.
Time will tell about Mr. Dix’s success as a leader.
[Translate]
A word of caution to all you Dixie Cuppers. I am sure that many of Alex’s readers will remember how Premier Glen Clark tried to screw around with property taxes so that those with properties assessed at over 1 million dollars (I think that was the figure) would pay a “super property tax.” At the time Dix was his right hand man. That was the catalyst for bringing Gordon Campbell to Victoria.
Glen Clark’s proposal seemed to be based on left-side dogma, screw-the wealthy (so called). Don’t for a moment think that a cash-starved NDP government wouldn’t try the same thing again.
[Translate]
They might. And they’d be guaranteed four years and the eventual break-up of their party.
[Translate]
Alex;
I think you need to see this: http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/10/21/Christy-Clark-Power/
My friend Sean Holman removes the curtain behind the Christy Clark Show, BC Premier Edition. Affirms everything you’ve been saying, just in a different way.
BTW, I am very disappointed the BCLibs tech people are attacking you INSTEAD of the real enemy. You may have heard of them. They are the BCNDP, now the BC Wing of the Quebecois Blackmail Party.
[Translate]
I’ve seen Sean’s piece. I’m not sure what to think.
Is this the beginning of the return of an original great investigative journalist or a one off? I adore Sean, regardless of his cheap shots behind my back or his laxity on the Christy file. He’s a very good guy. I wish him well.
[Translate]
Round II for a Monday to Remember.
Happy I am NOT being interviewed.
[Translate]
When I saw the snippet of that brainless dictator saying that the awarding of this contract was the start of her “Jobs for BC initiative” , it made me want to puke.
After selling out work in BC for the ferries that were built overseas, which is well known history. Then denying being over her pathetic and far too talked about cleavage, with her involvement in the BC Rail scandal, she has the audacity to take credit for this. Disgusting!
If this fumbling group of idiots truly want to create jobs in BC, then why did they contract over 1.5 billion dollars of work to Alberta companies for the construction of two Hydro Transmission projects? Will these companies buy anything from BC? Not with the HST still in place. Will the income taxes from these Alberta workers come to BC and help pay for our provincial deficit? I think not. No wonder Dave Cobb took the high way out of being micromanaged by a group of hypocritical tyrants.
What is the next move Christy? Perhaps give all your caucus members a bonus for the great work they are doing? No I guess that has already been done at the cost of handicapped people who probably don’t even know what a bonus is. It was a bonus for them to be able to have a job and live with peers and have happiness, only to be taken away from the “inside noise” coming from your liberal appointees.
I for one am going to have a difficult time in putting up with this pompous group of politicos which will seem to go on in perpetuity and which can only end after the next election.
It can’t come soon enough.
[Translate]
Superb comment.
[Translate]
I agree, give him a cigar!
[Translate]
“Seaspan is a solid company with very good credentials”….absolutely….and so are the guys working there. I would like to see some of the effort put into designing courses that attract foreign students be redirected to high school shops and apprenticeship programs. The guys are good, but time is running out for their knowledge, skills and pride of workmanship to be passed on. That would be my kind of P3….support from both the public education system and the private corporation for the sole purpose of investing in our own BC people.
Mr. Washington must be a polite man to not say what I would be thinking if I were him…..this from Norm Farrell… “Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards competed on a level playing field and proved itself capable of handling a contract 15 times the size of one David Hahn and BC Ferries sent to Germany in 2004 and 60 times larger than for the fourth German ship in 2009″
[Translate]
NOTICE TO READERS: SUPERB COMMENT–REQUIRED READING.
[Translate]
The true test will be if BC Ferries will be allowed to build any more of their ships overseas. I’m expecting that they will, showing what a dismal failure this government is.
[Translate]
Quite right.
[Translate]
Mr Harper also allowed gst exemptions to help Mr Campbell and should answer why as well?
[Translate]
When can we expect to see the PIN story!?! Also is this hacker a known figure?
[Translate]
In reverse order: No (but I now know him, met with him and I assure you he won’t be hacking ever again, least of all me) and the PIN story soon enough.
[Translate]
You meeting him in person was *exactly* the right thing to do. Kudos! Those guys are only formidable behind the anonymity of their keyboards. I really admire your style.
And thanks again for making me believe that “they” aren’t always going to get away with everything. It’s difficult to feel that way these days. Have a restorative weekend.
[Translate]
Let’s just say the attitude adjustment seminar didn’t need a split session.
Maggots…lie to the people, steal their money, leave their elders for dead, ignore the needs of their young.
Nice crew Christy’s camp is. But they’ve never had to battle me.
[Translate]
I just about threw up when Christy was on the six o’clock news claiming this was the start of HER jobs program. If she really was counting on something over which she had NO control, the province is on deep trouble. That tells me she actually has no concrete plan of her own. I am amazed none of the mainstream media called her on it, Jack Webster would have.
Oh, and the gall the woman had to say she knew all along that Seaspan would be win when she was deputy premier of a government that sent hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to Germany claiming that the new ferries could not be built here. If I had been a ship worker when she showed up to prance for the camera’s, I would have turned my back on her.
[Translate]
It really is extraordinary that she wants to take credit for a federal government initiative.
[Translate]
A federal initiative that was insulated from political influence, no less!
The gall of this woman knows no bounds!
[Translate]
I know. It’s remarkable.
[Translate]
Why am I not surprised that one of her minions has decided the need to hack your website. But for the person out there who thinks they’re a master hacker, there’s someone out there better than them. My first thought is, is there any way you can host your site from a ghost server? May not stop any asshole hackers but it will certainly slow them down.
And I assure you, you have plenty of supporters willing to stand up for you. Keep fighting the good fight, sir. WE all appreciate you for it. xo
[Translate]
Very kind, thanks.
I wouldn’t worry about that anymore. I wrote what I did today to explain and to send them a VERY STRONG message.
[Translate]
And that message is…
n
n
n nn
nnnn
nnn
Let’s see how that turns out.
[Translate]
That’s not a #1
[Translate]
Looks like a number one to me!
[Translate]
You’ve got that right Smoking Halo…there are many of us..walking right beside you Alex…
[Translate]
Peter Woods, the independent fairness monitor put in place to monitor all aspects of the bidding and evaluation process, said it was one of the fairest, if not the fairest he had seen in ten years of monitoring. No political influence whatever, and awarded strictly on the merits of the individual shipyards involved.
The woman currently squatting in the office we provide for the premier of our province says it’s the start of HER jobs-creation initiative, and was preening for the cameras within seconds of the award, babbling about the government enabling the creation of jobs.
Either he’s lying, or she is. And you know, he seems like an honest guy to me.
[Translate]
I don’t know if this post will see a more superb comment.
She is the single most despicable excuse for a public servant I think I’ve ever seen. Christy believes, having practiced enough in front of a mirror, that that’s it, that’s all the credentials necessary for leading the province.
Remarkable. Stunning. Astounding.
[Translate]
Even “fairness” monitors can be bought off: doesn’t anyone remember Charles Rivers Associates “fairness” review of BC Rail?
[Translate]
Please be careful how your characterize relationships between the Govt and third parties.
I have never seen any evidence that they were bought off but I have read their entire reports several times and it’s complete hogwash.
[Translate]
I don’t think so much as bought, but “wordsmithing’ and “spindoctoring” to convey a message as expected by the “purchaser” would better describe the Charles Rivers um, report. Hogwash is far too kind Sir. I’m more in line with the emissions of a male of a bovine animal, especially of the genus Bos, with sexual organs intact and capable of reproduction.
[Translate]
Mother of God, Alex!!!
What have we done do deserve any of this? I actually cringe when I read this stuff. It’s completely and utterly embarrassing.
Is it because most people don’t vote or let their opinions be known or is it the combined effect of the MSM, BCCTV, radio talking heads.. et al along with the help of the ruling party?
Is the system so crooked and perverse that this is all we have to look forward to, time and time again?
Sometimes I think the only thing missing here in BC is a banana crop.
But besides all of that, I mostly enjoy reading your stuff.
Kind Regards,
[Translate]
And kind regards to you, Blackduck. A pleasure.
[Translate]
“Remarkable. Stunning. Astounding.”
Despicable. Nauseating. Stupid. Lowest of the low class.
I wonder how much more revulsion I can feel for this poor excuse of a ‘leader’ without actually calling Ralph on the porcelain phone.
I had a jaundiced view of her even BEFORE she thought about the BC Lib leadership and she has striven hard and succeeded to lower my opinion of her even further.
[Translate]
It is, I repeat, remarkable that this woman has survived in the public eye as she has. Completely without a stitch of merit, she has managed to cobble together a career pockmarked by one shameless, overtly sexualized appearance after another. No substance, nothing. But the real whores are the ones around her.
[Translate]
People, people, she is a woman of the people……
Waiting tables in Kits, high fiving the union man, wearing every single sports jersey she can get her hands on!
Clearly a woman of the people!
You betcha! Looking out for your family first!
right! Right!! RIGHT!!!!!!!
She is as transparent as the undergarments she wears…..
[Translate]
And don’t forget the majority of her “tweets” are about her watcing hockey in a local rink (we get it, you’re a hockey mom, right?) or about what the Canucks & Lions are up to (we get it, you’re the biggest BC sports fan there ever was, right?).
Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth a little.
[Translate]
NOTE TO READERS: SUPERB COMMENT–REQUIRED READING.
[Translate]
*^-^*
Aww shucks! I’ve been waiting forever for that vote of confidence (I’m externally motivated – so sue me).
I don’t know what I expected of her in the tweet department, really. Someone who hob nobs with the rich, famous, and powerful and is in a position to change the lives of millions…..
It speaks to my naiveté, I suppose (I prefer to call it eternal hopefulness).
Shortly after I started with twitter in August, her people started following me. She, herself, started following me shortly after. I have to admit, it made me nervous. As long as I have a plan B and a plan C, I suppose. Then she can go ahead and get me fired.
[Translate]
That’d be a tall order.
Your union hangs on to everyone forever! LOL!
[Translate]
“the whores who surround her..” And here is where I am still aghast that these MLAs have not stuck fork into her already. The whores who surround her are only interested in fronting this poor excuse for party leader to milk even more graft into their personal pockets… unfortunately they have chosen the wrong ass to ride.
I am even stupefied that the MSM has not seen the light quite yet, although a faint glimmer has been seen from time to time, but not nearly in sustained effort to truly inform the people who they SHOULD be doing their job for. Thank whatever deity you wish that we have you, Harv, Norm and a very few others that dig deeper.
You, however, rise above all others in your inestimable role of exposing and providing credible evidence of facts that you write.
My thanks.
[Translate]
You’re most welcome.
[Translate]
“But the real whores are the ones around her”. SO TRUE!!! She is only doing what she can do best with her limited resources. You can’t deny her trying.
It will be less embarrassing to everyone once her reign is put to rest. In the meantime we should focus on the REAL whores!
By the way, since when were you expected to earn a ‘bonus’ for doing your job? (Or for not doing it?) The same goes for the BC Hydro employees. What was the figure? 95% of them ‘earned’ bonuses before the shakeup?
Sign me Jaded, as well as Aghast.
[Translate]
Don’t wanna go OT but major props to the feds for setting up this process and allowing it to unfold as it has. You really don’t see stuff like this in government very often.
[Translate]
No, you don’t and you’ve made a TREMENDOUS point. Very well, too. Kudos to the federal government that on such a major project they went to such great lengths to ensure impartiality. I was going to include a tribute of a few lines but thought it would have taken away from reporting Clark’s acts for the insanity they are.
[Translate]
Very good article.
[Translate]
Thanks Chuck. Always good to hear from you.
[Translate]
I was driving home last night and heard the daily “Bruce Allen Comment” at 5:10pm
He referrred to “Premier” Clark’s dreadful performance at the Seaspan announcement as “ridiculous”. It’s the second time in less than a week that Bruce has slagged Clark in his opinion piece. He referred to her previously as ‘totally out of her depth”
Note to Patrick Kinsella:
When you’ve lost the support of a entrepreneurial conservative businessman such as Bruce Allen.
Your “puppet ” is toast.
Count your losses, pack your bags and go on holidays for a year or two. This charade is over. She’s an embarrassing mill stone hanging around the neck of the Liberal party far too long.
Or ….stay the course and watch years of hard work go down the drain with the entire party.
Personally Mr Kinsella, I hope you choose the latter option.
[Translate]
Bruce is not a fan of Clark at all. He HATED her with a deep passion when she was on NW. He constantly complained privately that she was a lightweight. Of course, it showed.
I know Bruce very well. He’s a first class guy and I agree with him. Christy Clark is so very out of her depth.
[Translate]
Totally off subject …Bruce also did an “op ” piece about the proposed “greening” of the Port Mann bridge being a stupid idea. He then went on to mention how the old 1985 Cambie St. Bridge would have made a great “Green Space” but it had been towed away somewhere in the Queen Charlottes”. I know exactly where it is.
I was at the Peregrine Fishing Lodge at the north west tip of the Charlottes last June and saw the old steel center span sitting high and dry at low tide and asked ,” What the Hell is THAT”?
The resort owner Dave Husby replied, ” I bought that from the City of Van 25 years ago and had it barged up here to try and reuse it as a dock. It fell off the barge in a bad winter storm and now that its sat and grown barnacles on it the Dept of Fisheries wont let us touch it!!!!!!”
So if ya wanna see a bit of “green” Vancouver history just Google Earth the Peregrine Lodge and scan the shoreline about 400 yards south. The Cambie St bridge is sitting there……..
[Translate]
Marvelous story!
And I agree with Bruce that the greening of anything anymore is a completely stupid idea.
Know why the Olympic Village is such a failure? Because the city officials taking orders from the revolving door of elected green demigods put the Millenium Group into a good portion of their problems. Super green initiatives don’t work and are insanely expensive–period.
[Translate]
And esthetically unpleasing too!
I had the pleasure of going to the Creekside Community Centre…amazing view, beautiful venue…but man there’s nothing worse than going to the washroom and the water looking like someone had already taken a deuce in there.
If you’re not grossed out enough by the toilet water comment, read about the Naked Molerat and use it as a metaphor when it comes to CC and her disgusting minions, especially Mike deJong, Stephanie Cadieux and Pamela Martin.
[Translate]
Very good points. Superb, in fact…
[Translate]
I’m pleased that the corporate media is starting to wake from its slumber and that Smith and Palmer are being allowed to connect a few of the hypocritical dots by their editors. It is a fledgling start but I wonder how much and for how long. It is very easy and very necessary to point out the obvious with Christy Clark. It was equally necessary for the past decade under Campbell but it never happened. While Palmer was reasonably objective-seeming when writing for a national audience and on the Voice of BC, his writing for a provincial audience has always been partisan and political. The amount of research you have sitting freely available on your blog, Alex, could generate headlines and sell newspapers faster than the Cabbage Patch dolls of a couple decades ago. If only….
Thanks for all you do here, Alex!
[Translate]
You’re most welcome. Always glad to hear from you.
[Translate]
Sir;
Are we to deduce, from the above snippit, that there is yet an untold story regarding nefarious conduct behind the Liberal Election of Ms Clark to the Leadership of the BC Liberal Party? I shall wait with baited breath.
[Translate]
There is and you should.
If it comes off the way I expect: Story of the year.
[Translate]
Clark showed up in Nanaimo to do a photo op announcement on her jobs initiative with Western Forest Products about a 200 million dollar commitment to jobs on vancouver island funny part is this wasnt new news and had been previously announced prior as WFP had long ago made plans to upgrade and increase its capacity in the region , i guess they owe BC Libs for all the land they got handed to them so had to put up with her using them as extras for the shots.
[Translate]
EVERYONE is an extra when Christy’s in a shot!
[Translate]
Alex, can’t wait for what you have coming. A question, Is it true that the German ferries are sitting at bay because they weigh to much and use to much fuel to be used now? And if so, why do we not hear about this as we did on the fast ferrie fiasco? MSM again?
[Translate]
I believe you’re referring to the Pacificats.
If memory serves, Washington Marine Group bought them at auction for $20M (after offering the Campbell Govt $60M before an auction was contemplated. They then sold them, again, off the top of my head, in 2009 to the United Arab Emirates for an undisclosed profit.
[Translate]
Alex, I’ve been enjoying reading your blog for some time now. While I don’t always agree with your views, I applaud your tenacity in rooting out the cronyism, corruption, incompetence, and other shameful hallmarks of our present regime in the banana republic of BC.
The thing that prompted me to make this first post is something I noticed during Global’s coverage of the ship building contracts. When Kyle Washington is talking to the camera at 0:50 in the video, he is rudely interrupted when he is grabbed by the shoulder by Jonathan Whitworth in mid- sentence.
Whitworth: to Washington: C’mon….we gotta go….
To camera, with a shoo- off wave: Yaya
http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/shipbuilding+bonanza/video.html?v=2156783060&p=1&s=dd&searchQuery=ship#video/search/ship
Apparently, Whitworth is the big dog and doesn’t allow Washington to steal any of the limelight.. Any comments on this relationship?
[Translate]
No one runs any of the Washington companies except one man: Denny Washington. Whitworth was his recommendation. That was dad on Kyle’s shoulder. Always say little to the media and get back to work. That’s the mantra. Kyle is a bright enough guy but he’s been cautioned about too much time in jet set mode.
Sometimes, a little reminder doesn’t hurt.
[Translate]
Sorry, but it was Whitworth. . He talks to the camera alone at 1:08 and continues his speil on the podium with Clark and her entourage beside him, forced to laugh at his joke “Today is living proof that sometimes that scrappy dog really does catch the bumper of that car.”
[Translate]
No worries. I knew to whom you were referring.
[Translate]
No one does the work you do for the people Alex.
They should take Mr. Campbell’s Order of BC and give it to you! How about we all nominate Alex? Your work is first rate and your production level is second to none.
It’s a pleasure for me to come here several times a day. Your commenters alone are worth the visit.
Thank you very much Alex. Enjoy the weekend and stay away from the occupied downtown!
[Translate]
Way too kind.
[Translate]
Snide comment of the day: “And here I thought, when it comes to Christy, most of the Libs would be less interest in shipbuilding and more interested in motorboating”. (For you older folks, if you don’t get it, look it up!)
And again, as usual, some great pithy comments.
[Translate]
Just when I thought Keith Baldrey was waking up from his Christy fawning phase, he comes out defending her saying that it was Christy who went to Washington in the early going, saying Seaspan was going to pull out of the bidding and it was she that pushed them to keep the bid going. Is there any truth to this ?
I cannot see Seaspan pulling out early knowing there were would be two winning bids from 3 bidders and that the Quebec shipyard was in a massive state of disrepair. Wouldn’t make any sense. I also cannot see Washington taking any advice from Christy, period !
If this is BS then Baldrey has some explaining to do wouldn’t you think ?
Keep up the battle Alex, any form of intentional hacking by the Libs would be a criminal act. I hope your new server has good IP tracking abilities to disclose these scum.
[Translate]
Total unadulterated horse manure. Keith’s completely wrong. I have no idea where such folklore starts. Levis, in Quebec, is technically insolvent. Irving, in Nova Scotia, is thrice the combined properties of WMG and everybody knew that the larger $25B package was going there–including WMG Whitmore, who’d of NEVER bowed out.
It’s not the first time Baldrey’s gotten it wrong. Oh well.
I’ll have more on this story next week.
[Translate]
Just got back from “Occupied Central” .
The mud wasnt deep enough for my liking. I’m sacrificing a small defenceless animal to the Rain Gods to precipitate(sorry!) more rain.
I decided to steal one of their unleashed dogs to use in my semi druidic rain ritual ( there were sooooo many to choose from). I was unsuccessful in the animal capture so my second option was to walk down to Chapters and purchase an Economist Magazine to use as a defense shied on the way back ( kinda like a crucifix to a vampire) to my gas sucking car.
The anarchists have grown in number and were trying to occupy the TD bank across the street from their “campground”.
“Smash the Banks!” seems to be the general consensus. Which poses a dillemma for any budding unshaved, unwashed anarchists. With no banks, how DOES one cash their welfare cheque?
Money Mart? Now THERE’S a non monopolistic venue that cares about its customer……..
Over educated mindless lemmings shouldnt be allowed to speak in public until their student loans are paid.
[Translate]
I love you man…
[Translate]
More like:
Anyone with a Master’s degree in theory should have to gain experience before they are advanced – goes for all those with silver spoons. Oxford has been awarding Master’s degrees if you stay there 6 years and pay a fee. I tend to follow people of substance anyone else I have no time for. Why the hate for the 99%
[Translate]
Firstly, please stop promoting the biggest lie since global warming. The claim about ’99%’ being the representative number of this fizzling effort by the misguided is shameful. Mathematically impossible, it’s a self-propelling myth.
Secondly, this is a good place for reading people with substance; beginning with the readers/commenters and ten the author.
Lastly: Don’t be bitter! It’s all coming apart on your pals. It wasn’t your fault. Relax.
[Translate]
Point taken on the 99% – wish it was!
Was on a rant today – not very happy with the state of affairs in BC. If it wasn’t so sad – I’d laugh.
I come to this site for substance – anyword from the lawyers yet?
[Translate]
Yes, they’re moving things around. This week for sure. Lots of ‘Basi-Virk’ coming.
[Translate]
The cartoonist Reaside has a good one today. Christy is waving at the guys building the new icebreaker. The worker says. Well looky here if it isn’t a “BC Shipyards arn’t capable of building big ships so we are building them in Germany, Liberal . Another photo op for that woman
[Translate]
That’s funny.
[Translate]
Alex.
Reanissance Man had it right. That was most definitely Johnathan Whitworth interrupting Kyle. Kyle’s a good guy. Dennis Washington is usually pretty incognito. Many of the employees don’t even know what he looks like. He would not of been out there , even if he was in the yard at the time which may have been the case since one of his small yachts is up for some repairs. .
[Translate]
I’ve met Denny Washington many times. First class guy and a true philanthropist. Started like Jimmy, with absolutely nothing.
[Translate]
@ Alex – in an unrelated comment to this particulate story . you and I will always have some-what apposing views, after all I;m absolutely left your at minimum right of center ….big love . you’re actually turning me ( a little ) maybe totally if you’d admit to a little fault of Harper ,…come on He’s not your RONALD . …I might be a little opinionated but I am only a student to a master …..cheers much love Chris
[Translate]
He’s not my first choice, no.
Right back atcha!
[Translate]
As much as I am not a fan of her publicity stunts.
Lets be honest here Alex if she had lost this you would have made her wear it more than the dirtiest shirt she has ever owned.
[Translate]
Well, if we’re going to be honest, then you owe me a huge apology.
I wouldn’t have changed the foundation of my post at all. She did nothing to land the contract–because it’s not possible, period. I don’t know howni could have written anything different.
[Translate]
I listened to Sean Leslie today and Alise Mills said Chruisty is not taking any credit, she sure is a typical liberal, rude,arragant and insulting. Last week she kept interupting Shrek,today a caller really told her off. Even Sean was kinda fair today
[Translate]
Today was Alise Mills’ worst performance in air. Truly pathetic. Quite surprising and very disappointing.
[Translate]
You guys do realize Josef K is going to bomb your homes when he takes a break from his stalking of the above mentioned person?
[Translate]
I know. I’m ready for him.
[Translate]
Vancouver Real Estate = Drug Money
The only thing the Fiberals have done for industry in this province is sold them out for personal gain for Fiberal insiders gains.
Industry creates jobs, industry builds our communities, industry in British Colombia is traded away by Fiberals for holiday packages.
If you own a business and you support the Fiberals, might as well shoot yourself in the head, because that is what the Fiberals are doing to you, all the while sing the song that you like, not because they believe in the lyrics, just simply because you like the tune and never, never, not even once, look at the reality of the Fiberal actions.
The killer of the economy of BC is not the backward economic policies of the NDP, but the very real corruption of the British Colombian Fiberal party and all its members.
BC Fiberals belong in jail not public office.
[Translate]
And didn’t I read somewhere that the new icebreaker would be christened the HMCS DIEFENBAKER. Now that’s funny…..
[Translate]
Yes, I liked that too! LOL!
[Translate]
Actually, coast guard vessels are not called “HMCS”. Those are reserved specifically for naval vessels. The new ice breaker will be christened CCGS JOHN G DIEFENBAKER.
[Translate]
‘Christy Clark’s Government Ship’? I KNEW IT!
[Translate]
Vancouver Real Estate = Drug Money
You think the Fiberal are the party for business, think again.
http://digital.vancouversun.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
The NDP may be nuts and do put crooked thugs / disbarred lawyers as their party president but they did not steal $7 million dollars of investment through fraud and misrepresentation.
Time to put the crime and corruption industry out of business in BC before they put BC out of business.
[Translate]
Excellent post today Alex – it is insane for Christy and her fawning Baldrydash to try to take any credit for this contract. The cognitive dissonance hurts my ears, since she was in government when so much other stuff was shipped out of province to Germany, Accenture, Maximus, GE etc, etc…………..
From the Nova Scotia/BC perspective the east coast contract isn’t as much larger as it appears either. Much of the expense for the war ships will be going for weapons systems and such and I doubt much if any of that will be done in Halifax.
Harper finally does something even I agree with, mainly he stayed out of the way and let reality be the deciding factors, unlike the ideology that guides so much of his agenda. So if he scraps the long gun registry this week I’ll join his facebook page as an acquaintance (joking – I only have facebook friends I know in real life and don’t fb much at all anyway).
I would even consider voting for Harper (though the Cons never have a sane candidate in my riding) if he would commit to a redo on the F-35. For starters they could re-examine if it is even the right plane for Canada’s needs, assuming our main use isn’t regular “shock and awe” operations against countries with resources – we have resources, but the F-35 is very unsuited for patrolling the Arctic. where many of those resources happen to be located!
I don’t know about the Occupy (name the location) folks in Vancouver and you did your trademark hatchet job on them using the usual cliches. But let’s face it, you almost have to be in the one percent to be IN Vancouver at all. On a planetary level, the fraudsters and media elite who are trying to discredit the entire phenomenon are missing the point and overall the entire thing from the Art Gallery by Robson Square to the more violent scenes in Athens, London and elsewhere are a a sign that a majority of the people are finally becoming unwilling to put up with the ongoing crime spree of the corporate thieves and the neo-con war-mongers.
I would suggest you peruse Chris Hedges’ impression on OWS, after all he was present for similar events when the Soviet grip on Eastern Europe was ripped loose ( and not by Ronnie Raygun or the black equivalent of our own Premier Snookie – Condoleeza OilTanker).
Reagan’s posturing had little to do with it, other than his increased military spending which drove the USSR broke trying to keep up. This of course is the same path the failing nation to our south is now following – bankruptcy looms for a country that is trying to dominate the world militarily using non-existent money and depending on the generosity of rivals and potential enemies. like China..
[Translate]
Funny because the RCAF has said repeatedly that the F35 is the plane they want. Most of the opposition to the F35 is coming from QUEBEC and their useful idiots and the people lined up at the trough. We will always need fighters as long as we have ground troops. Unless you think that supporting ground troops with air power is not required?
[Translate]
Complete agreement.
[Translate]
Newstip: You’re going to want the 10:30 AM hour of C-FAX’s vault today/Wednesday. You’ve got a week to get the audio of BCRail reemerging as an issue of discussion – and a certain pundit on fire.
[Translate]