Mike Smyth Nails It: Christy Clark’s Day of Reckoning With Voters Looms Large, So She Could Bet It All on a Spring 2012 Election
When I wrote some weeks ago that the Premier might be “all-in” and call a Spring 2012 election, some of you scoffed.
One major member of the MSM called me and asked if I’d given up on my new healthy lifestyle and gone straight back to my days of heavy drinking.
“I thought you were determined not to end up like your hero Christopher Hitchens. Have you given up trying to grow up? Your poor wife…”
Regular readers were incredulous. My poor wife, who is as apolitical as I am impatient, happened upon my prediction and thought I’d gone mad.
Well, what do you think of me now? I don’t speak with Mike Smyth. We couldn’t be considered friends. I’ve spoken to him twice by phone in the last year, and that was some time ago at the beginning of that time frame.
So where did he get the crazy idea that Premier Snooki might pull the ripcord? It’s simple: He actually used what God naturally gave him between the ears and came to the same conclusion as I–Premier Snooki’s fixing for an angle to sneak off a win, otherwise, she knows damn well that she and her government are done if they wait till May of 2013.
Moreso, the rumblings in caucus are getting louder and her inner circle is getting nervous (think of Pamela Martin, who twiddles her thumbs between Botox appointments, for $130,000 per year). The party is sinking fast and Christy Clark’s popularity has dropped a staggering THIRTY points in internal polling.
She’s no longer their ace-in-the-hole and regardless of those still pushing such lunacy, caucus has noticed–and they’re fed up.
The problem is the continuing gong show that has become the BC Conservative Party. Missed opportunities on various issues lately and their mixed messaging on the by-elections has given rise to rumors that their ascension may have stalled. I’m not sure about this, but it may become the case if they don’t straighten up.
For now, without a viable vehicle to which disaffected BC Liberal MLAs could bolt, the Premier might have secured a reprieve.
But only FOR NOW.
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Mike’s SUPERB column, here.
So, it’s official of the ‘BIG FOUR’ as I’ve coined them, Palmer and Baldrey: 0. Mason and Smyth: 2. Both Gary and Mike wrote honest, superb columns this week about Premier Snooki. While Vaughn and Keith were sounding as if the PAB and BC Liberal Party had written their narrative on yesterday’s oft-mocked NW segment ‘Cutting the Cheese About the Ledge’ with the Vanilla Man. The Premier must have been heartened that she can count on them for some shameless defence. Mind, Vaughn wrote some good analysis on Clark too. But his unwillingness to go for the jugular as he did with Glen Clark, Bill VanderZalm, Mike Harcourt, is telling.
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The Auditor General has released some updates. I’ll give you my full analysis of those on Monday. Through the weekend, I’ll offer a little lighter fare. But stay tuned. Next week. All ‘Basi-Virk’ all the time. Finally…
I for one cant wait. My chequebook is out and available for anyone who can restore honesty and sound energy policy to the province. That means a first time vote for the NDP. And for what its worth I consider all ridings east of Surrey out as far as Hope as being more than likely to go Conservative than NDP.
Keep up the goodwork
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Thank you, Sir!
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My cheque book is out too, and I’m ready to send one to the NDP that will bounce from here to eternity!
Alex, when you said Mike Smyth was making use of the the thing God gave him between his ears, I presume you were talking about his nose and the ability to sniff out info, and stick it in all the places needed to get the story? In fact, that is the way good reportiing was always done, you must have the tenacity of a terrier if you want the story.
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Arf! Arf!
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heel boy! On second thought, sic ‘em!
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I had a bit of a chuckle with the news that just came out about the by-election for Ian Blacks Port Moody seat. Conservatives have stated that Christine Clark will be running for them, thankfully no relation to the current Ms. Clark running the Victoria clown show.
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Too funny.
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Poor Christine. How long does it take to process a name change?
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I hear the BC Conservatives are trying to get Fred Penner to run in Chilliwack.
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great colmn as usual,
i read mike smyth column with great interest, for once i completely agree with him.
if i was cummins i would run in the chilliwack hope byelection . .
i would take a seat in the house and open the doors to disgruntled liberals .
soon as 4 or 5 mla^s cross the floor the bc conservative party would have all of the benifets of a sitting political party in the house.
i also found it very intersting that dix showed class and grace saying kind words about penner and the liberals chose not to
a snap spring election ensures that if the bc conservative party i as organized as they are now , the liberals will keep some seats
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Yeah, I agree.
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Alex ,broken promises, reckless rhetoric,and telling untruths, will come back to haunt her. The thing that shocked me was that when Penner gave his finnal speech,Dix Jumped up and spoke glowingly of his achievements,and his efforts to make B.C. a better place to Live. Clark and her bunch just sat on thier hands. I have said before there a good people on both sides of the house and I think Barry Penner was one of them.
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I agree. But I’m not surprised that Penner got a silent response from colleagues.
The one’s that could’ve wouldn’t and the one’s who should’ve didn’t.
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The sooner, the better!!!
If I have to wait until 2013 to get rid of these scumbag Liberals and all their cronies who run ICBC, BC Ferries, CLBC et al, I may go absolutely bat$hit insane!!!
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Take it easy pal. Help is on the way.
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Good one Alex. The sooner Snooki and company are gone, the sooner we can start to get our province back. Now, if the BC Conservatives would just get their act together…
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If only…
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Can you imagine a spring election?
HST still in place…. it can’t be fixed that soon according to Falcon.
Most public sector labour contracts will either be in negotiations or on strike
Provincial debt still on the rise.
Bring it on Christy. (Get to the back of the line, or Get Out!)
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A succinct and articulate summation.
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Fall election,
HST should be clustered back to PST / GST by then.
All labour contracts, although un-resolved will have been legislated under government terms.
Liberals will have conscripted reluctant candidates for both by-elections.
With little else to offer, Christy might see an opportunity to try something desperate .
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That’ll be even worse than the spring. By the fall, the venom against the Govt will have reached a crescendo!
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If Christy thinks she can win an elecition in the spring of 2012, she is living in a complete fantasy world and believing her own press reports. She must know that short of an economic miracle, BC’s budget are going to inflict higher taxes and service cutbacks the likes of which we haven’t seen since Bill Bennett came out with Restraint # 1, Restraint # 2, and lastly, Restraint #3. And then he resigned and the “good news – happy days, cheap beer” salesman, the Zalm, took over.
Christie would do us all a favor by acknowledging now that she can’t govern, can’t win the next election, and then resign as Premier and Leader of the Party, and make room for a less photogenic but untarnished stronger “economic and social conservative type” to lead this province.
Oh well, I guess we all have our fantasies.
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Yeah, and you’ve just described mine.
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Someone with ethics would be nice.
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Indeed! Wouldn’t it now?!
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A social conservative? How about just a plain old fashion Canadian style conservative, you know the type. Fiscally responsible, minimal governmental interference in your daily lives, mind their own business and keep their noses out of yours? Oh right, this is BC…never mind.
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LOL! Good one!
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I told people the same thing. What I envisioned was the Liberals removing the HST by spring THEN calling an election saying look how good we are. The HST thing may not come to pass but the election is still a good possibility.
I attempted to watch her on Voice of BC the other night but switched channels after 5 minutes. I am now at the same stage with Snooki as I was with Scambell. I cannot stand to see either one any longer.
Keep at em Alex and hold the next bunches feet to the fire whoever they are..
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You can bet on it.
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I think 2012 (which I shall hence forth call the “Year of the Strike”), is shaping up to be an ugly one in BC both politically and economically.
We have teachers, nurses, civic employees, BCGEU, etc., etc., etc ALL with contracts either past due or almost due. A year after the “Owe-Limp-Icks” and the “no strike clause” bill is due.
The BC govt has no money to put on any of these union “tables”.
Christy to call a snap spring election? Alex, I totally agree because her numbers are only going to get worse as The Year of the Strike gathers momentum.
I put my money on a May election.
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Yeah, if she survives until then.
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Regardless of whether she survives or not we’ll see more mess within the Liberal ranks and way more rats running for the hills by next spring. The longer the status quo lasts the more stink the Liberal implosion will belch out.
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Usually, things happen for particular reasons. That’s why a little common sense analysis allows us to draw conclusions that have a high degree of probability. I wrote this two weeks ago at Northern Insights:
“Reading through court documents clearly reveals that the provincial government has erected specious roadblocks, consciously preventing the auditor from completing his review. Since the rights of the auditor are clear and Basi and Virk are cooperating with his review, the outcome is certain. However, the Attorney General has already delayed A-G Doyle by almost a year. That is the real objective here.
Perhaps Christy Clark’s hope is that she can keep the BC Rail story under wraps, turn the polls around and go for a quick election. It is one of the reasons they are trying to provoke school teachers into radical action, hoping a school shutdown could justify an election.”
Indeed, in the last week the Liberals elevated claims about teachers trying to bankrupt the province and the province pulled out of negotiations.Additionally, they added the municipal auditor general to the order paper, where it will sit un-passed but serve as a convenient election promise.
I’m not saying they will go to a quick election but clearly, they’re trying to gain traction on issues that might give them a chance. However, the poll by Integrity BC indicates the game is over. When an electorate loses trust in the honesty of a government, death rattles are sounding.
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Thanks for the read and link
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Alex: I offer the following in light of your brilliant missive on Ms Trigger Finger’s insatiable urge to forgo the proper use of a starter pistol and any use of common sense about when to properly drop a writ
Apropos to your astute observations of the BC Conservatives erratic messaging thus far, it also seems wise to apply some scrutiny and due consideration of BC Conservative Election Readiness Chair Hamish Marshall.
He worked for a firm that did business with Mr Falcon’s leadership bid in February but then moved on over to Mr Cummins’ camp. If he is as advertised in Vaughn Palmer’s article below, then why do the BC Conservatives appear to be anything but ready for prime time? Does blame rest with the local CAs? Are rank and file party members at fault? Are there too many cooks and not enough broth?
“Overseeing the process is campaign manager Hamish Marshall, described by Cummins as “a senior guy in the prime minister’s office over the years. “ He was director of strategic planning for Stephen Harper and a member of the federal party council, as Sean Holman reported on his Public Eye Online website earlier this year.
Marshall dabbled in B.C. Liberal politics this year when he worked for a business group that backed Kevin Falcon for the leadership. Falcon, who finished second to Christy Clark, had the stronger Conservative ties while her roots were in the Liberal side of the provincial coalition.”
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Opinion+Provincial+Conservatives+brand+worth+fighting/5473782/story.html#ixzz1fQBTOQwp
Any resemblance to the mission of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the pursuits of John Cummins and the BC Conservatives is purely coincidental. No religious zealots were harmed in the making of this film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHsbwY4EPyA
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Very good! Articulate and entertaining!
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“Next week. All ‘Basi-Virk’ all the time. Finally…”
I’ll be laying in a stock of the usual supplies and feeling like a kid on Chirstmas Eve. God’s speed to you.
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Thanks pal.
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Hmmmmmm. Who knows what she’ll pull out of…… somewhere. But, in peering into my crystal ball, I don’t see it happening. The economy(and in particular the BC economy) is going to get worse before it gets better. Nothing much will be “rockin’ & rollin’” economy-wise until late Spring, her much-yapped about “Jobs Strategies” will be flat on it’s ass. By the time things are moving in Spring, it will take several months to have some positive effects. After a long, cold winter in BC people will be pissed and I don’t think the 600-odd “advisers” in the premier’s office would be wanting to jump into a campaign. That’s my hunch.
j
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Well, the election “canary in a coal mine” will be the Lib ads about Cummins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG7lDY-s24g
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Yes, apparently they’re at it again.
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I can see why, after the last set CC’s popularity shot right u … err, never mind.
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LOL!
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Alex, did you hear that Madam Justice MacKenzie has recently been appointed to the Court of Appeal, just weeks after delivering the City of Vancouver and Premier Snooki just what they asked for in court decisions?
While we may disagree on the outcome of the Occupy Vancouver trial, it’s odd to see a jurist advance so quickly through the ranks when she handles controversial files…
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Yes, I heard. Very interesting…
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Spring election is a possibility. The surprise by-election call was a major factor for Clark’s win. By the time the NDP leased and opened their campaign office, there’re only 2 weeks left.
If Ujjal Dosanjh called the election much earlier, he would still lose, but the NDP would definitely win more than 2 seats.
Here is my latest commentary with your name on it. Hope you’re fine with it.
Cheers.
http://www.straight.com/article-555471/vancouver/gabriel-yiu-one-year-after-gordon-campbell
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Yes, I am. It’s a privilege to know there are people like you who may get elected next time around.
We might agree philosophically, but I know you’re a decent man, who cares about the people–exactly the kind of public servant we need.
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Mr. Yiu,
Your article was responded to with several questions. I’m wondering if it is worth my time to check back for your replies to them, or will you not be providing these voters with any answers?
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I’m not sure I would reply to those comments. To me, there is not enough coverage of the Liberal corruption and the media is still delivering the Liberal lies. For example, my earlier article about Gordon Campbell’s $100B (debt) legacy, it’s quite a crucial matter but I don’t think the MSM has picked up the issue.
The problem is, if I write about my idea and the NDP polices, the same people could say that I’m self-promoting and Straight might not publish my article.
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Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Keep up the good fight. Sane British Columbians appreciate your efforts.
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Forget cummins and the conservatives. bet on dix and the ndp to sweep out the liberal’s cob webs and nasties
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“A detailed list of the agreements reached and announcements will be posted on the BC Jobs along with Premier Clark’s Jobs and Trade Mission itinerary by the end of November.”
So said a press release by one Mr. Olsen of the Office of the Premier. Imagine my surprise and disappointment to find that he hasn’t delivered…
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Of course.
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How do you know he hasn’t delivered?
I was expecting a blank page … well maybe a blank page with the exception of a few hangman games on the back.
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dont forget “Olsen is on your side”……
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I hope she doesn’t call an election – I have no idea who to vote for. One thing I do know for sure – if Cummins welcomes any sitting liberal MLA into his fold, it won’t be him. Knowing what the liberals have done to this province, allowing any of them into the fold just means more of the same body-wise – only the face has changed. Using the services of Marshall is a little questionable to me as well.
If the NDP hadn’t re-welcomed their current pres, or been so quick to bring Trasolini into their party (I think of him more as a liberal “plant” than a serious member of the NDP)…it would have been them. I guess only time will tell.
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Alex, I welcome my time reading your posts, though I am definitely in the NDP camp. It is good to know that there are people like you who have a fierce opposition to our current slate of BC Liberals led by such a hollow shell of a human. We do have our similarities that bring together the camps from Con and NDP in that we all want what is best for BC. I think if we talked and wrote more about these similarities that our great divide may lessen a bit. Overblown generalities about one another needs to stop and to put our BC first and foremost.
Did you know that the Mike Smyth story is gone?
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What?! Gone from where?
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Still there 1 pm Saturdayhttp://www.theprovince.com/news/Clark+could+roll+dice+spring+election/5801078/story.html
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crh
Mike’s story is still there, here is the link..
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/Clark+could+roll+dice+spring+election/5801078/story.html
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Yes, I checked. It is indeed, still there.
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I just found out where CC learned her moves and her charlatanesque tall tales.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8rCy173y7Y&feature=related
“Liar, Liar,” by 1960s garage rock band The Castaways. Dance performance by The Honey Bees (Mary Ann, Ginger and Lovey) of Gilligan’s Island.
Soon, I hope to awaken and find, that in fact – ‘shes’ not there’… in more ways than one!
“She’s Not There” (lyrics in the description) The Zombies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMKkCBOM7_4
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hey ugly,where the fuck is the PIN number story.where are these documents you have been yaking about, you phony fucker,you are full of shit, you think people aren“t laughing at you.
cry wolf,again and again, what a joke you are
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Dear Readers, please welcome someone from Port Moody, BC, who can’t see very well, nor has a spine nor operable cranium.
Perhaps this chap hasn’t seen the documents that I’ve produced, from the Basi-Virk trial, that NO ONE has produced, however…
We’ll see who laughs last.
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Methinks somebody is getting desperate and knowing there’s little hope, are trying to goad you into making a mistake so they could then pounce and silence you.
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I immediately thought that. The guy’s an idiot. Tries to play tough from behind a fake name and thinks I’m going to be goaded into making any revelation. Won’t happen.
Lawyers take time, and if they change their mind an offer an opinion that delays a piece–in my mind, I have an obligation to not only protect the integrity of my work but also my ability to be able to continue providing you what no one in the province has managed to do.
Frankly, to be specific, I held off on the Brian Kieran piece for a personal reason that I’m waiting to pass (not related to me). As for the other Basi-Virk material; let’s see what Mr. Happy Asshole has to say to me after I’m done.
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Alex I couldn’t resist…this is for our Port Moody friend…
http://www.dumbppl.com/sounds/Jimmy%20Buffet%20-%20The%20Asshole%20Song.mp3
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Just about wet my jeans laughing! TOO FUNNY!
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ROTFLMAO, George!
I loved the song. I will use it from now on, to make a nice “musical” point, now and then!
You made yours!
Alex,
what can I say, you were right re. Christy Clark. She might just be going for an early retirement…
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I understand. But this BCLibPIN scandal is just sitting there… festering and the occasional thunderbolt & squall rains down on CC.
Then there is the CLBC slo-mo christyophe where a review is supposed to replace funding and I call Beyond Stupid.
Some of us fans of the BCLibs would like a new Premier who honest to goodness will stand up and fight for what’s right instead of ponder Her Navel. There isn’t even the access Premier Cute Canute had to her on CKNW as the Cute Canute Government ponders navels on the moral crisis of the year…
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The comment made by our dear friend from Port Moody has me ROFLMAO..it would appear that the “Stolen Pin” story is very important to this poster..hence the school yard bullying comments.
Going out on a limb here, but I’ll put good money on this post that our friend has something to lose when this story comes out…skeletons in closets always come out eventually.
I’ve noticed a pattern over the past few weeks of comments left by those very interested in this story..I wait patiently Alex as this comment lef,t means you are onto something big..
He who laughs last…lasts best
especially when you have the IP address..stupid is as stupid does..
As to the reference to your new look …HA HaHa, the writer obviously hasn’t seen you lately..you’ve lost so much weight I didn’t recognize you!!
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Clean up your mouth Moody sailor.
Once the BCLib HQ was tipped off about the PIN story (by somebody I know too damned well) this blog was hacked by anti-freedom forces and my inquiries to my BCLib friends have flown higher than a guy on pot who is higher than a kite, eh? As in the inquiries were totally ignored.
It was because of the failure to act on CLBC, AGT’s guts and finally the festering questions about stolen PINs that I walked away from CC.
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I think this person has something to hide. Watch the language Lib supporter – my 5yr old reads this blog. Someone needs to remove the stupid from you.
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Did you catch the one-liner from Tom Fletcher about the “baseless conspiracy theories” regarding the BC Rail trial?
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That Tom Fletcher won’t see the obvious should be further evidence of the group think that exists with the Victoria Press Gallery. Most of them suffer from severe myopia.
I guess Iain Hunter is a conspiracy theorist. So is Mike Smyth. Same with Paul Willcocks. And Simi Sara, Jon McComb and Jill Bennett. Bob Mackin and Neal Hall. Marisa Thomas and John Daly.
Rafe Mair, Harvey Oberfeld and Norm Farrell.
Of course Bill Tieleman and I are completely nuts. Yes, we’re all conspiracy theorists.
Let me help everyone with a firm grasp of the obvious–that perhaps Mr. Fletcher isn’t incapable but unwilling to admit: he has been a shameless fart catcher, a complete shill for the most corrupt government in British Columbia’s history. And that is precisely how he will be judged when all the truth comes out. His comments about BC Rail, in particular, are a disgrace to the integrity of journalism–the integrity that’s left; that people like Fletcher haven’t yet completely liquidated.
It won’t take long–and when the truth is out in the open, I will personally call out Mr. Fletcher, and others, for their willful failure to protect the public interest–their right to know.
I, too, am from the center-right side of the political spectrum, but I have an obligation, since I’ve chosen to do what I’m doing, to protect the public’s trust. That’s what writers used to consider paramount. It’s what I observed in people like Jack Webster and Rafe Mair; Gary Bannerman and Pat Burns. Allan Fotheringham knew it. So did Mordecai Richler.
Tom Fletcher is a fool.
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it’s not the smyth column that’s gone. it’s the Gord Clark column “Christmas Letter to Christy’s Family”
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Huh? Why?! What the hell is going on at the Province???
I’ll make a call and get back to you.
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@ Merv
I did a Google search and found it …
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/Column+Christmas+letter+Christy+Clark+great+family/5777042/story.html?cid=megadrop_story
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Vancouver Real Estate = Drug Money
Great comment Alex.
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Thank you.
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Mea Culpa. The Gord Clark column is still there, but under the blog links, not the columnist link where it was. Sorry to waste everybody’s time.
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Yeah, GeorgeMs comment came through around te same time as I located the link myself.
Gord Clark is an old schoolmate of mine and he’s a very fine writer. Gord is also one of the editors of the Province, so I doubt his opinions would be unwelcome–regardless of what they are.
Some of you, ahem, of the leftie variety
need to watch for the leaping to conspiracies where there are none. Links don’t ever get pulled like that. It just doesn’t happen.
Particularly after the story has been out for days.
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Fair enough
I get it. Truthfully, we don’t really need to jump to false conclusions when there are so many problems based on fact. I’m suitably embarrassed!
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Hey, settle down. Just ridin’ ya a little. You’ve got huge credit here.
No big deal at all.
And you’re spot on! So much corruption at the Provincial Govt level that no words can describe the outrage we should all feel.
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Hi Alex:
I think the idiot from Port Moody who spammed you is most likely just a troll who lives in his mom’s basement; someone who likes to stir up irrelivant sh*t just to get a reaction, after which he gleefully pounds his pud while he screams ‘mission accomplished’!
Have a look at his grammar, spelling, sentence structure, lack of capitalization and punctuation… it’s clear this troll pumps out dozens, if not hundreds of rushed diatribes like this a day… it’s his mission! After all, he has no job and lives rent-free.
He may well see himself as an agent provocateur… but he’s really just a provoking turd!
My suggestion – “Don’t Feed The Troll”!
Ignore him and he’ll go somewhere else to stir up sh*t… somewhere where there are more wide-eyed reactionaries willing to bite on his bullsh*t!
Thanks Alex, for your great work, holding the left & right feet to the fire.
Looking forward to your new stuff next week, Alex.
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Thanks. I allowed his comment because he was so weak and cowardly about something that he’s so wrong about–but it’s typical of those who believe that the corruption is okay.
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Correct me if I’m wrong..didn’t Christy Clark formerly reside in Port Moody.. as soon as you mentioned spelling and sentence structure I realized something..
I think its Cristy getting silly while at an old friends house in Port Moody after a few to many glasses of vino..
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I think you’re stretching here, dear heart.
Christy doesn’t operate like that. She concocts the narrative, goes to friends in the media (often through surrogates) and then jumps on the story to make it last as long as possible with carefully crafted messaging. She and her team are consummate smear-job professionals.
The only thing they fear is BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA. Explains why they don’t come….for now.
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Or…
Mr. Happy Asshole actually resides in Victoria and the Port Moody IP is a proxy. If we apply sound reasoning to his/her post, the inescapable conclusion would have to be, desperation and foolishness has failed them. With nothing left to fall back on, taunts may work. I’m waiting for the stickman ads.
Alex, seldom has one man made so many happy.
Bless you for it…
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Thank you. I’ve taken the weekend to do some research on a few maters and apologize to all of you for not posting. Back tomorrow.
I’m flattered by the loyalty of my readers.
And bless you.
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He’s 100% wrong.
He doesn’t care about the facts… he only wants others to engage with him… doesn’t matter if you correct him, tell him to f*ck off, explain why he’s wrong, tell him he’s a bullsh*t artist… it’s all the same to him, it’s attention – and he craves attention – not facts.
No matter what you say, he’ll take it as though he’s won, so it’s best to ignore him and soon he’ll go away and annoy someone else.
Cheers
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So Alex:
I saw with interest that Judge McKenzie was promoted to the BC Court of Appeal. Given that she did such an able job upon replacing Judge Bennett on the Basi / Virk trial, perhaps they now need her expertise on some very problematic appeals currently before the Court of Appeal.
Yours thoughts on the matter would be most appreciated.
PS: I look forward to hearing myself on the tapes! I wonder how many of the others can say the same?
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I think that’s one of the bigger problems: a few high profile members of the media, with egos to match their mammoth deflection for their pals in Govt, don’t want unguarded moments out there.
As for Madam Justice Mackenzie, it’s really no surprise to me that she’s been moved. I will have more on this later. But I note, with considerable interest, that she’s vacated NONE of the orders sealing transcripts of the trial.
Why? They were all done in open court–the people’s court and should therefore be available to any British Columbian. But that’s not the case at all.
Strange, is it not?
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Never argue with an idiot because they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Shell’s post is spot on!
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I think Mr Mason at the Globe probably benefits from being at a national paper chain in terms of perspective on his BC articles
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I think Mr. Mason benefits from being a very decent man, who is surrounded by those whom he has considered reasonable colleagues, but that are now clearly failing a craft which he has throughly blessed.
That can’t be easy.
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Christy might as well go for an election this Spring,it’s not going to get any better later on in the year.
In Spring there’s a general feeling of optimism in the air,real estate sales and construction pick up,and mineral exploration increases,and most of us who didn’t spend half the Winter in the tropics are just recovering from the Winter blues.
Christy MIGHT be able to tap into some of that Springtime positiveness,and with a well-run,campaign,stave off a total disaster,IF and only IF she hires someone who can run a brilliant campaign .
Talking to my conservative friends who in the past supported the Provincial Liberals, Clark is in deep trouble,and though the reasons are many, one of the major gripes is Clark’s failure to jump OFF the green bandwagon.
The Liberals continue to subsidize yesterday’s power projects,while leaving the carbon taxes in place,and with Hydro and ICBC rates about to go UP, it doesn’t take much of a guess who is going to shoulder the blame.
I believe the NDP can win easily this Spring if they will give the voters some assurance they won’t invoke radical anti- business policies,and will stay the hell away from the Green Party agenda. We need that pipeline,Adrian,and all that oil and gas exploration up North,shut any of that down at your Party’s peril.
Get the Native Bands on side,and let’s get on with revitalizing the economic engine of this Province.
Otherwise, we’ll probably have a minority situation,with lots of hot air in Victoria,while nothing essential gets done.
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I suspect, with considerable objectivity, that the NDP will easily form the next provincial government in British Columbia, however, the battle will come to them from the mainstream press–most of whom are thoroughly bought–and a good portion of those without knowing it.
It will not be the impotent (BC Conservatives) or the impudent (BC Liberals).
The next election will be reduced to a battle over our collective conscience: do we re-elect, and thus elect, a corrupt lot led by an equally imperfect harridan?
For me, the answer is simple and resoundingly so: GOD NO!
I so enjoyed your comment. Well done.
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“Whipping Post”…Allman Brothers…regardless of political persuasion it is motivation to not re-elect
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You bet!
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So long as you can vote not using a pin number In Lieu of paper and pencil.caveat emptor.
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Speaking of “days of reckoning” and of Clark’s trip to Ottawa.
I reckoned some weeks back that it was just a matter of time, but that a pipeline from the oil sands in Alberta to the B.C. coast would be built despite protestations of Native groups, environmentalists, global-warmers, occupiers or the twit from swampy bottom, because the world needs it! News of a large reserve in north west B.C. being ready to do business with the oil industry on access to their lands, is just the beginning – the line forms at the right folks!
Watch for the re-emergence of King Coal in the next few years; we have mountains of the stuff, as do most areas of North America. Really hate to tootle my own horn, but it was “moi” who said so.
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I think before you celebrate, you should be aware of two things:
1) It’s far from a done deal.
2) I believe it’s a huge mistake and shouldn’t be built until all environmental issues are satisfied–if that’s at all possible.
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The bands Elders and former Chiefs are publicly stating the deal is not supported at alll and was done with no consultations of the people at all , someones been lured with some rich rewards for support is between the lines talk . business as usual .
Great article Alex look forward to the weeks new pieces
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Of course there must be agreements on reasonable environmental guarantees. But it’s gonna happen sooner or later and I think it will be sooner than we think. Money talks, especially with those who are addicted to getting it free. Meanwhile over at Caledonia, eight persons (all white) are arrested for trespassing on provincial land. though Natives are not? Finally people, the little people are standing up to the McGuinty gang and the next time there is an occupation, it may be peopled by those who work for a living, pay taxes and obey the laws (real laws meant for every Canadian).
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Precisely!
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Monday, !!, lets hope a Tsakumis bomb is ready to drop, keep the enemy shell shocked, !!!, the operatives are getting raged and tired and have been in a state of high anxiety….cracks are getting visible…. nerves are frayed…..
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One a day, at least, for the whole week!
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Alex,
Please…BOMBS AWAY. Let’s get these pesky critters out before they raid everything in, and out of site. I volunteer to throw mushy vegetables at them as they scramble down the street.
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Surf’s up! Go ride the next post…
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I liked Jordan Bateman’s recent piece on the whole budget thing:
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jordan-bateman/bc-budget_b_1121313.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2362826,b=facebook
Despite his obvious BC Liberal allegiance (but it is to one of the few guys with integrity left in the caucus, Mr. Rich Coleman), he hits it pretty well.
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Rich Coleman is a perplexing fellow. Principled on the one hand, Pat Kinsella facilitator on the other.
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Interesting that the $40,000k that DeJong insisted on being sent from his riding asssociation to his campaign (a transfer of funds), did not show up as an entry from an organization on the Elections BC disclosure forms, unless the money was cut apart and sent to him in pieces..
and why would anyone want the NDP to run the province? They can’t even run themselves properly.
and also go figure that the NDP was adamantly against the Vancouver Convention Centre, but once again are there for a convention.
or is that CON-vention…
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deJong was blocked from getting the money. I mentioned this in another post.
But he personally appeared and demanded it. I spoke to eye witnesses, some of whom WERE staunch supporters that were appalled at him. He really blew it.
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They were against massively blowing the budget 3? times and passing it off as ‘rising costs of doing business’, when the same thing they did (Fastcats) was hailed as such an idiotic move that anyone with business acumen could see that train-wreck coming from miles ahead.
It’s more of a pot, kettle, black moment, which this government seems really good at.
I seem to recall a certain ex-premiere returning gold coins being shoveled out of a dump truck during an election stunt in Kewlona to protest unbalanced fudget budgets, something this group of clowns has produced numerous times during their term (like the last election).
Hypocrisy in this province by our leadership is pretty bad these days.
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Hypocrisy is not limited to just the BC Liberals. The NDP has that down to a science. Thy will be hypocritical if and when they become government. If anyone figures a Dix Government will be the best thing to come to BC since the CPR they are fooling themselves big time.
The NDP is a train with a rather stuffed baggage car and those aboard are hoping for 1st class service on a train that can only run bulk freight. The NDP has alot of baggage and there are many who are lined up to cash in on what they did to secure both Adrian Dix’s and Brian Topp’s leadership in B.C.
Wait for the that train to arrive..
and run like hell when the wheels squeal louder than usual.
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Alex — It seems obvious to me, based on statistical analysis and conversations with people in all political camps, that the Liberals cannot win the next election. The date is irrelevant, as long as the BC Conservatives are in the game at all. By that, I mean running candidates in all ridings. In my view, the Conservatives need no more than about five per cent of the provincial vote to ensure that the NDP win almost all the ridings which the Libs won by small margins last time. This is Adrian Dix’s strategy, and he’s very public about it. It’s why he’s made numerous visits to our community in the past year — in a riding that hasn’t gone NDP since 1960. One example he uses is Vernon, but there are many others. The only way I can see the Liberals winning is if the Conservatives completely fold before the next election is called.
Frank Bucholtz, editor, Langley Times
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It’s a privilege having you here.
Yes, I agree, but it’s not just the Conservatives that will be a factor. Kevin Falcon is thinking of leaving at the end of his term. Gordy Hogg is gone. There are some secure constituencies that the NDP will pick, but others the BC Conservatives will secure.
The biggest problem the BC Liberals will have isn’t anyone else. It’s their very own record.
Everytime a government has been tossed in this province, it’s been because of one thing and one thing only: they lost the moral authority to govern. And this Govt lost that a long time ago.
Cheers Frank. Always good to hear from you.
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I wonder if pamela Martin got the same benefit package as Laura Dauphinee .except Mr Campbell is no longer behind the desk.I think they both have same job category
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