For the Weekend: Here Comes the Sun!

128

Or so we hope! LOL!

I left up the healthcare magnum opus as it’s quickly shot up to one of the most read posts I’ve ever done, with a significant readership from the Interior and the North of British Columbia.  As well, a spike in readership from Ontario.

And believe me, I’m grateful for every reader.

Next week, you’ll get a few posts on local matters including one on Mayor Moonbeam that will knock your socks off. Plus, one on the general malaise with our police forces.

Then, we’ll talk about ‘Fifty Shades of Christy.’

And, in our ongoing series on the broken healthcare system, perhaps you’d like to know where $100,000,000 of YOUR money went the last time they negotiated with the doctors of this province. Once again, the BCMA, right in the middle of all of it, running interference for their friends the BC Liberals.

Enjoy your weekend.

Stay safe. Be responsible.

See you Monday.

———————————–

UPDATED:

I didn’t expect John vanDongen to achieve intervenor status today! This is truly a ground breaking accomplishment.

So…psst, Christy. Remember when I told you a long time ago that I wasn’t finished?

vanDongen can help the court. I’m going to help the public.

Now, Premier, you’re going to find out what I meant when I said I was only warming up.

Let’s see if you survive this time.

Comments

128 Responses to “For the Weekend: Here Comes the Sun!”
  1. Windjammer says:

    Is it me, or are Keith Baldrey and Yawn Palmer actually starting to be critical of Christy Clark and the Liberal MLA’s? Maybe Vaughn has awoken from his slumber.

  2. Mosko says:

    Rest assured, your readership is probably much more, especially on the health care piece.

    I copied and pasted it to a number of friends and relatives (credited, of course).

  3. Zoot says:

    Good news, just heard JVD has been granted intervener status on the B-V Indemnity case
    http://www.vancouversun.com/Dongen+granted+intervenor+status+Basi+Virk+indemnity+review+case/6715189/story.html

  4. Sparky says:

    Thanks Alex

    Looks like JVD obtained intervenor status this morning.

    Have a great weekend with your family.

  5. Mike says:

    Once again you’ve opened our eyes to the administrative nightmares
    that confound this province (and country) I’ve just read about Health Canada off-loading funding and services to First Nationd Health Authority in BC. Will this affect federal payments to the provincial system? I shudder to think what bureaucratic “administrative” spiderweb will be spun off of this move; (IE: federal, provincial and first nations) what’s your take on this

    Keep on digging, Alex; I’ve got a good shovel if you need a hand!
    Forwarding these articles to all friends, thanks again.

  6. ROFLOL says:

    I don’t trust Van Dongen. He’s been caught pulling the sleazy crap before. I see a rat jumping ship and not someone I’d put much trust or faith in. I think Rafe nails it here:

    http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/05/14/Van-Dongen-No-Hero/

    • AGT says:

      Rafe is dead wrong on this and so are you.

      • Larry Bennett says:

        There are 3 rules of life that I hold to: Never trust a man who considers fish to be the most important thing in creation. Never trust a man who thinks that Alan Garr has ever done “God’s work”, and – Never trust a man who, in his twilight years, feels he must write for The Tyee!

        • Bob says:

          Hahaha……I’m with you Larry, especially on the first two….sage advice.

          • ROFLOL says:

            With all due respect, Van Dongen got caught red handed. There’s no doubt he returned fines levied against fish farmers. It was also very clear they were in willful violation of statutes. Should that be done with all industries that violate laws?
            He was caught red handed passing on information to a fish farm company being investigated for violations (almost Kinsella like). A special prosecutor decided not to press charges , but it’s still a factual statement that the information he forwarded had no right being given to who received it and to suggest he was blissfully ignorant of the acts as being anything but normal government procedure, is a scary thought. Is that the way we would want our government to run? Not me.
            Now I’m an old fashioned guy that believes that if you’ve been caught doing unethical things while in office, you simply don’t have the right to warm a seat. Period.
            Where was he when all the other stunts the Liberals have pulled and as a cabinet member and insider, he knew in his heart of hearts were dead wrong and in no way in the public’s interest? While I may be wrong, it sure as shootin’ looks to me like a move towards self preservation and not a religious conversion overnight.

            HOWEVER – I’m glad he is stepping forward now, although with what’s happened while he sat silently is disturbing. Good luck to him.

            • AGT says:

              Actually…

              What you have written does not in any way represent what vanDongen really did, nor how he now feels about fish farms.

              I discussed this series of accusations with vanDongen and he had some very interesting perspectives.

              I will be publishing those here, this week.

              • ROFLOL says:

                Thanks Alex – I really do hope I’m wrong, but damn, it’s hard not to raise my skepticism level. I just feel so sold out, scammed, lied to and revolted by the Liberals, Campbell in particular, that anyone that’s been connected with this clown troupe just makes me squirm with disgust.I run a small business and try to do so with a strong sense of ethics equal to the way I live my life. I suppose to a certain amount, this has somewhat limited my degree of success, but I can’t be anything but honest and upfront with my customers.They deserve nothing less. I expect the same sense of integrity from my elected officials. I’ve learned to live with a lot of disappointment because of that, but I’ve also learned to raise my voice when I feel there’s some things that just aren’t right. I hope I’m wrong.

                • AGT says:

                  I actually interviewed vanDongen this evening, based on your earlier comment.

                  We also touched on the significance of his being granted intervenor status.

  7. Common Tater says:

    Both Baldrey and Palmer (NW) insisted this morning that they had reported on the favoratism given to CN, and indicated that they commented on the CP withdrawal letter as proof that something was wrong. They both made condescending comments on the “blogosphere” and “certain bloggers” and bolstered each other on their point that other than the $6million forgiveness issue, stories about CNK/BC Rail were just “old news”.

    What a crock!

    • AGT says:

      Bullshit.

      They gave it utterly soft treatment.

      • nonconfidencevote says:

        Baldrey, Palmer and Good.

        The Three Stooges.

        Just because they wish that BC Rail is “Old News” doesnt mean it is.

        Its gonna KILL these hypocritical pricks when every News Organization has this story front and center…..

        But, of course, they will jump on the band wagon, and declare mock indignation at all of the back door deals…….

        How predictable. How pathetic.

        Dont buy any paper that features them and change the channel if they’re on….. Vote with your money. Eventually the sponsors may get it.

    • Robbie says:

      Bill Good ‏@billgood980

      To be clear. I overstated my feelings about blogs. There are many good one’s. Some vicious, outrageous and not factual one’s.

      1:51 PM – 1 Jun 12 via Twitter

    • Bob says:

      They sound like accused criminals who plead not guilty, deny everything through the trial, then try to minimize their deeds while expressing remorse with crocodile tears just before sentencing. As an old magistrate once told me “It’s pretty tough to go from ‘I didn’t do it’ to ‘I’m sorry I did it’. Wire, Wire, pants on fire………I can’t wait.

    • Watchdog@TOL says:

      The reactions of the MSM is disgusting in it’s reaction (Lack of) to JVD gaining intervenor status in the Basi Virk / Auditor General issue. This IS a significant achievement and anyone that reads or listens to Vaughn Palmer will have read or heard him say at least three times in the last two weeks that there really wasn’t any chance of him being successful. On the heels of spouting that opinion to have no response of any significance to JVD’s success is pathetic. The news broke on Bill Good’s Friday morning Cutting Edge of the Ledge (that is an ever increasing joke, they should rename it – Ideas anyone?) and it received no play whatsoever. It is absolutely pathetic!

  8. TopHeavyWaste says:

    The administrative paper shuffle gold mine is prolific throughout government. We are doomed unless we get it under control.

    The healthcare piece is the first step in making it happen.

    The only problem is the exact people that we task with cutting costs are the exact people who need to be cut.

    Well done, Alex!

  9. Bruce says:

    Alex just listened to the cutting edge of the Ledge, When a caller named Ron,mentioned Palmer was caught on a police tape. I thought the three of them were going to \sh#t them selves right then and there. but give palmer credit he came up with a reasonable explanation, ( if you didn’t know better) But the whole show Good sounded very uncomfortable discussing that Idiot Clark. It is really very shame full. but enjoyed your Blog this week. Looking forward to your column next week. Cheers

  10. Bas says:

    This is great news that JvD has been granted intervenor status!

    Now, with any luck, the people of British Columbia will be able to get to the bottom of the BC Rail scandal.

    You deserve the weekend off Alex. Enjoy!

    • AGT says:

      He’s admitted on NW that it was precisely my material that prompted him to go to court.

      How do Palmer, Good and Baldrey square that with their whining about certain bloggers this morning.

      They all paid mere lip service to the trial and sale–often dismissing obvious problems with the govt position.

      And they’re angry with me?

      FOR SHAME!!!

      • nonconfidencevote says:

        no, they’re just pissed that you’ve rubbed their laziness ( or incompetance) in thier own faces…….

        Deep down they’re probably angry that they backed the losing Horse in the Provincial Sweepstakes…

        Sour Grapes.

        Screw ‘em.

      • blake says:

        Angry is good. Humiliated is better. These people are suppossed to be informing people and they have sold out. Give them Hell.

      • IWQ says:

        They’re idiots and they’re angry because they are being exposed as such. Just keep doing what you’re doing, Alex, and DON’T STOP. Thank you for all the hard work you do on behalf of us, the citizens of this province.

        • La Smoking Halo says:

          Well, most people up to no good get angry when they get caught….. no surprise here, right? :D

          • Ian Fromme-Nelson says:

            Thanks again, AGT! Keep on schooling the LameStream Media and informing the people of BC (and, increasingly, everywhere else!) Good on ya!
            As for the “3 Anemics”… It’s pretty easy to say “sh!t” when you’ve got a mouthful…

  11. whiterockj says:

    had to love the objection given by the lawyers opposing jvd as reported in the province.

    “A lawyer who wanted van Dongen’s application dismissed said he is politically motivated.”

    well duh….

    hes doing what politicians are supposed to do, acting in the best interest of the people. thats supposed to be their job.

  12. paul says:

    Alex Kudo’s to you and your column on health care , I’ve read it twice and I’m still reeling at the waste ,incompetence and favoritism and thievery.
    I do appreciate the fact that writing a column of that size and as in depth as it was ,would indeed be quite taxing on any one’s mind. Baldry and palmer simply don’t have the grey matter to write articles of such importance, they both seem to be incapable of asking the intelligent questions , therefor they only ever do half the job.
    However ,the way you do the job makes it possible for many of us ,to question the misinformation ,that the msm spews forth. I’ve cited your column and directed people to your site ever since I stumbled across it ,back in Feb. Thank God there is someone like you doing this, looking forward to more of the same. Paul

  13. TeacherMike says:

    Alex, thank you again for the excellent work you do on our behalf!

    Because my first degree was in Chemistry, would it be possible for you or one of your many informed readers to briefly explain how JVD’s Intervenor status will play out?

    From what I’ve read I understand some of the reasons why one could be granted this status but I’d love to get a better idea on the specifics as it hopefully relates to the Basi-Virk case. Will his involvement speed the process or will it provide greater public access to the documents?

    Thanks!!

  14. ron says:

    Jesus Alex the bloggers sure had Sludge From The Ledge all fired up today.Those guys are scared shitless about Bloggers and the take on BCRail.Baldrey and Good were blabbering on about certain bloggers when an issue was raised.Hey Bill Good no one listens to you for unbiased reporting.We go to the blogs if we want the truth you Buffoon.And I know the Pawn Vaughn reads this one.Take this back to the ledge Vaughn.You are irrelevant

  15. Richardv says:

    You are one brave, brave man Alex. Once again you’ve hit the ball out of the park on health care in this province, especially the completely unethical conduct of the BCMA. Have a great weekend.

  16. Robbie says:

    In light of the court’s decision, can we expect more op-eds that blame the BC Conservatives for the evil socialist hordes ascension to power? BC Liberals fortunes have nothing to do with Christy’s gaffes and screw ups as leader, right Bob?

    http://www.vancouversun.com/news/will+next+time/6712396/story.html

  17. islander says:

    Well it will be interesting to see if/how Global covers this breaking news this evening, about JVD been granted intervener status on the B-V coverup.

  18. luigi says:

    Absolutely GREAT news about John vam Dongen. I can hardly wait, although we’ve seen crucial testimony (Collins) get “railroaded” before. Nothing, I believe, is beyond these crooked clark criminals. I imagine there is a big huddle going on now, or planned for this weekend.

  19. Brian says:

    After reading Ian Reid’s blog this morning I have to say the liberals should be toast. They can not lie their way out of this. JVD really put it to them.

  20. Liz S says:

    Thank you Alex for this series of insightful articles into the health care system in our province.

    Enjoy the weekend with your family.

  21. Alex says:

    Alex, you gotta do something on the JVD win today, I have good intel that’s saying an icy chill has gone up the spine of a few cockroaches today.
    Things have taken a bad turn for the before mentioned, I’m sure your hearing about the “panic” as well

    • AGT says:

      I will.

      I’m gather intel over the weekend.

      And I’m finally going to let one of the ‘Big Boys’ slip gently, but with purpose, out the ammo hatch.

      Now, we begin…

  22. nonconfidencevote says:

    John Van Dongen gets “intervener status” in the growing BC Rail/ Basi Virk $6 Million payoff and the best Christy can do is bring in anti bullying legislation.

    How ironic. How pathetic.

    If she actually lasts to run as “Preem” in the election it is gonna be hilarious.

    Her limited intellect is surpassed only by her limited vocabulary.

    “Campaigning Christy ” razzed by the electorate…..

    Should make for some gut splitting 6pm News Bites….

  23. Not Mixed Up says:

    It just became more expensive to get married in B.C., the “Families First” province.
    Gouging, er, Canada Starts Here!
    http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2012HLTH0057-000777.htm
    If she won’t go bareback surfing with Richard Branson, can someone find that Skidoo and call up Stockwell Day for a ride into the sunset?

  24. LOLA says:

    Alex did you watch voice of bc last night ? Vaughn asked Coleman some tough questions about Pat Kinsella, the problem with Vaughn is he never keeps the heat on.He asks the question then moves on. Of coarse Coleman was his usual disgusting self,

    • AGT says:

      I did.

      No surprise at all. No depth. No heat. No pursuit.

      Typical.

      • Shell says:

        Did you notice Rich “Mr. Creosote” Coleman’s reoccurring winking at Palmer when responding to specific “tough” questions asked by “Yawn?”

        Go to the archives of “Voice Of B.C.”, May 31, 2012, to see for yourselves if you missed this.

        There were several Sarah Palin-style winks Coleman repeatedly tossed Palmer’s way – in an obvious congratulatory fashion – like it was some sort of pre-arranged code about certain questions, and how successfully these questions were stick-handled (as per pre-plan) by this “duo of duh.”

        “Nudge nudge, wink wink… say no more, say no more!”

        I could be wrong and reading too much into this – maybe they’re just going steady and Rich can’t keep his mind off of “Yawn’s” luscious lips!!!???

        ;-)

  25. Oatmeal Gruff says:

    Did I miss something, or did the 6:00 o’clock Global news completely ignore the JVD victory today? I thought that his obtaining intervenor status in the Basi/Virk investigation should have been a newsworthy item.

  26. Smoking Halo-A-Go-Go says:

    Have a great weekend, AGT. You earned it, I assure you.

    Note that it took me four tries to make this post because my MBP power supply is a steaming pile and keeps cutting out on me.

    If it’s not one thing it’s another. Hugs. :)

  27. I_heart_Alex says:

    Is Global TV in violation of CAB code of ethics??

    “It shall be the responsibility of broadcasters to ensure that news shall be represented with accuracy and without bias. Broadcasters shall satisfy themselves that the arrangements made for obtaining news ensure this result. They shall also ensure that news broadcasts are not editorial.

    News shall not be selected for the purpose of furthering or hindering either side of any controversial public issue, nor shall it be formulated on the basis of the beliefs, opinions or desires of management, the editor or others engaged in its preparation or delivery. The fundamental purpose of news dissemination in a democracy is to enable people to know what is happening, and to understand events so that they may form their own conclusions.”

    Can we file a complaint?

  28. harry lawson says:

    alex

    while drving to reno nevada i have seen 2 obama signs and and 11 romney signs.

    the tempeture is 90 s i hope you have a great weekend

    i am so shocked that vandogen won in court

    i guess christy was too

  29. LC says:

    “here comes the Sun”

    On energy, Clark goes where Campbell didn’t
    http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/energy+Clark+goes+where+Campbell+didn/6719934/story.html

    So Christy thinks natural gas is the answer to generating electricity.

    Barry Penner built his political career fighting Washington state’s bid to build a natural gas plant. Now she wants the same thing close to where the largest need is. (This would be the Lower Mainland).

    Then Colman comments of the need for power to convert the natural gas for export needs electrical energy. So a gas plant in Kitimat makes sense?

    Mr Colman, Ms Clark, … PAY ATTENTION ….Kitimat produces electricity…. There is a Dam…. Ootsa Lake was flooded in the 1950′s to produce energy for Alcan…. Alcan has reduced it’s production so has power to spare. STOP being so STUPID. If you can’t do that,..Quit, retire, leave. go away. get a job (min wage of course).

    “I don’t care who you say are, get to the back of the line or get out !!!”

  30. Hopeful Citizen says:

    Hi Alex,
    I have to echo all the expressions of gratitude for your work on our behalf. I also have to admit that your truth-filled posts have me reading the mainstream media more than I have in the past decade–just to cross-reference what is so blatantly and shamefully NOT covered. The true story is found in the comments section down below the pablum that servers as the “news” . . . and on your blog! Kudos to you, Norm, and Harvey for investigating, connecting dots, and writing your heartfelt truth. Your silence and complicity has not been bought and we are all better off for it.

  31. George says:

    I was unable to find the poster on the healthcare link that was wondering if it was true that our medical records are managed by an American private company…

    yes it is true and here is the not so good news..

    http://www.timescolonist.com/health/privacy+breach+Maximus+worker+fired/6719766/story.html

  32. JeffC says:

    Stumbled onto this on my google news feed.

    “B.C. Hydro will purchase 802 GWh in April 2012, 1,018 GWh in May, and 1,087 GWh in June from IPPs at an average cost of about $68/MWh. During the same three-month period, the average price to purchase power on the open market is approximately $10.”

    http://thelinkpaper.ca/?p=16990

    Just thought I’d share.

    • AGT says:

      I’ve said it from the beginning.

      Kill IPPs now. Wipe them out.

    • Watchdog@TOL says:

      RE illustrated info on BC Hydro’s purchase from IPPs – so this is what Rich Coleman means when he says the Liberals know what is in the best interests of BC Hydro from a business perspective. Given the totally discredited actions of this group in Victoria over the past 11 years – Rich Coleman, you couldn’t run a peanut stand!!! There has to be a public inquiry into m,any odf these actions ie BC Rail / Basi Virk / BC Hydro / Liquor Distribution and many more after the next election. If politicians are not called to account for their actions, we will never stamp out corruption in government.

      • Colin N says:

        The Libs and their financial backers will do everything within their power to try and get re-elected. They know they have so much to answer for and must fear investigations into BC Rail/Basi/Virk, BC Hydro (IPP’S) and so many other questionable actions. What a relief it will be to get rid of them (like opening an outhouse window)!

  33. Merv Adey says:

    Neal Hall of the Vancouver Sun – last paragraph of article about Van Dongen’s intervenor status in the Basi-Virk investigation…”Under a new goernment policy, the fee waiver can not be granted.” (paraphrased).

    Has there ever been a more purposefully misleading claim than that in a major newspaper? (well, it used to be a newspaper).

    Mr. Hall, if I was your editor you’d be fired. There was a policy. It was worked around in this specific case for reasons which the public has a right to understand. It was transparently corrupt, as it went so clearly against the public interest.

    Looking forward to analysis of what power JVD;s intervenor status gives him to help us understand the truth of this matter.

    • AGT says:

      Surprising.

      Neal is one of the better ones. He took a very keen interest in the document dumps which took place here. I generally quite like his work.

      • Lew says:

        Merv is right; under section 72(3) of the Financial Administration Act, indemnities are not to be granted unless they are in conformance with the regulations established in accordance with section 72(6). The problem is that there have never been any regulations issued to deal with these specifics. All they establish is who can grant; not what and under what conditions. Even the weak report authored by Stephen Toope recognized that and recommended it be fixed. But Clark and her thugs have been too busy stealing our silverware to bother with it.

        As for Hall’s editor, he must be busy as well. Certainly too busy to answer correspondence concerning the BC Rail trial from this commoner.

  34. Larry Bennett says:

    This just out! (unless I missed something) It has been reported that Christy Clark and her government will be introducing a smart phone for those being bullied (or imagining so) with a special “app” that will connect them, presumably, with those who will monitors such things. It will be part of a $2 million initiative to help stop “bullying”. Some of us will be wondering if it will be applicable to those students who will be called “homophobes” by their teachers, for their religious leanings which tend to associate homosexual (or indeed, any sexual activity outside of matrimony) as being sinful. Others, such as orthodox Jews or orthodox Sikhs and indeed, Anglicans who have left the flock after the recent investiture of a married lesbian bishop to their diocese. One must admit, especially if the lesbian is the mannish partner, that it would be hard to pull it off wearing rich episcopal robes, a pointy hat, and a Bo-Peepish shepherd’s crook!

  35. Shell says:

    Thought you may be interested in a couple of ‘LiquorGate” links –

    2010 Gold Rush, May 31, 2012
    News and views on Vancouver 2010 (and beyond) from Bob Mackin.

    LiquorLeaks Reveals Exel’s ContainerWorld Strategy
    http://2010goldrush.blogspot.ca/

    Here’s a Seattle Blog on rising liquor prices:

    So, Did Liquor Prices Go Up?
    Posted by Unpaid Intern on Fri, Jun 1, 2012 at 4:52 PM
    Posted by news intern Joseph Staten

    http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/06/01/so-did-liquor-prices-go-up

    • AGT says:

      Bob ‘The Hammer’ Mackin!

      The guy’s a machine!!!

      Every week, more intel, more info, more SCANDAL!

      And he’s the one to uncover it. I’m not sure if BC’s ever had a better investigative reporter than Mackin (or Sean Holman, frankly).

      I was privileged to work with both of them at 24Hours.

  36. Hopeful Citizen says:

    It may not be the writer that is responsible. One former reporter tells how stories are routinely edited to fit the paper’s editorial bias until the reporter insists their name is removed from the byline. Pro-govt, anti-union, pro-Olympics, pro-pipeline, whatever the prevailing bias of the editors, publishers, and their corporate sponsors. It’s all propaganda! CBC is no longer any better with its ‘tightknit’ community groupthink.

  37. DAB says:

    A little off topic but a good video.A politician actually representing the people!! Not Hard to Tell, He’s NOT one of Ours………….
    Gotta love that subtle, English understated approach……!!!!!……great clip!
    Should be stapled to the forehead of EVERY politician!
    http://sorisomail.com/email/238743/o-politico-que-representa-realmente-a-populacao.html

  38. Stevie Ray says:

    Shameless, is there anything she would not do for a photo op?

    http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/heart+Filipina+says+Christy+Clark+Vancouver+Philippine+Independence/6723725/story.html

    Oh, have your vomit bag ready.

  39. Ashley says:

    Ok Alex I spat out my water when I read this……. You will die. Please post your reaction.

    Even tne MPsays she was shocked. Oh my goodness. Does she have a housekeeper? She must. A nanny? She must. You must find these people!!!

    http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/heart+Filipina+says+Christy+Clark+Vancouver+Philippine+Independence+celebration/6723725/story.html

    • AGT says:

      I’ll be doing a piece on this tomorrow.

      Just when I think Christy can’t say anything more stupid than the time before, she outdoes herself.

      Beyond belief.

      • Shell says:

        Hi Alex:

        “FelixFlex” from the comments section at this link sums it up quite well:

        “FelixFlex
        9:12 PM on 6/3/2012

        The Filipino community was celebrating their independence day and were courteous to placate sk@nk Clark despite her uninvited appearance.
        Anyone with self respect and civility would have done the same thing, so I’m not surprised that Clark wasn’t booted out of the park.
        Every community in BC knows what Clark really is… not Filipina or anything else, just an opportunistic b!tch digging for votes for next May.

        Desperate act by a desperate loser so-called premier

        MAY 2013: LIBERALS ARE GONE FOREVER…”

      • Brian Kieran's Diary says:

        Holy s***, how low can the Dummy go? It’s like Howdy Doody in a limbo contest!

      • DJ says:

        How incredibly patronizing and insulting to a fine group of people.

        Can you imagine if she went onto a reserve and spouted, “In my heart, I am aboriginal,” or into an inner city and said, “In my heart, I am black?”

        This is beyond dumb.

      • Seymour Forest says:

        This is just another one of her episodes of pandering to specific groups. How is it that she can profoundly praise the hard working Chinese and Korean Communities one week, and then say “in my heart I’m Fillipino” the next? The Filipino community is hard working too, just as the Greeks and Hungarians are.

        What’s next? Is she going to an annual event of the American-Canadian Association and express her heartfelt “I am an American too”?

        Sheesh.

        and it gets nutty on the NDP side too.

        Geoff Meggs who was in the Glen Clark government now magically sees the success of Adrian so he wants to pair off and run for the NDP. Which is fine, but..

        Constance Barnes says she wants to run too. Trouble is she is indeed a convicted drunk driver who caused property damage and from her statement of being “sober” I can imagine there must have been more to her driving infraction than just hitting a house after hitting the sauce.

        So in essence if she should win that nomination, the NDP will have a convicted drunk driver who caused property damage amongst their midst. Great. They and their supporters ragged on Gordon Campbell on his drunk driving conviction for a few months and quite rightly, but it has dragged on for years. Are they going to to do the same thing for Constance? No,

        Spencer Herbert says there are others that are looking at the seat so there coul be an NDP collective fight on that one. Plus if Barnes wins the nomination she will have to step down from being Parks Commissioner. She keeps her Park Board seat until she wins the False Creek riding. Then Vancouver has the cost of a by-election to replace Barnes. Great move on her part. Shows she cares about the city.

        We’ve seen the “good part” of the NDP, with John Horgan and Mike Farnworth (add in Shane Simpson as The Enforcer and Bruce Ralston as the accountant), and now the real NDP begins to be shown. There wil be others too. They see the easy way to $100,00k a year. When there is a potential turnover in government, there’s always opportunists like Barnes. Seats in Burnaby and much of Surrey are taken (already nominated or incumbents), but it will be interesting to see who runs in Coquitlam Vancouver, the North Shore and in Richmond for the NDP.

        Will be interesting to see how the NDP handles the False Creek nomination. Is she “the party favourite”? She’s obviously using her
        connections even now.

        • Robbie says:

          The BCNDP have encouraged and promoted outright discrimination based on race, gender , and sexual orientation in their 2013 MLA candidate selection in my riding; no white males are allowed to run to replace current MLA Michael Sather.

          http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/155524425.html

          NDP policy requires that candidates who follow a MLA’s resignation must be female, a member of a visible minority or lesbian-gay-bisexual or transgendered.

          http://www.mapleridgenews.com/news/140238483.html

          • AGT says:

            It’s an utterly discriminatory policy and really quite disgraceful.

            • Shell says:

              Not to mention politically stupid; what happened to MLA candidate selection based on capability to do the job?

              You’d think the NDP would learn from the “LIEberals” selecting a circus clown as leader or the Conservatives installing a leader that’s a religious zealot – I guess to the NDP, dogma is everything and the NDP determined to be a one term party again!?

              Psychopaths – we jail the stupid ones and elect the smart ones… er, well at least the cunning ones.

              “Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it.” – Mark Twain

              • Seymour Forest says:

                The short answer is, it doesn’t exist with the NDP. They end up with
                something to show as in “meet (name of new MLA here). He (she) is the first ever MLA that is (label of distinctive miniority or other group that not represented by a large margin in the legislature here). (First name here) will do an excellent job in representing not only his(her) constituents in (name of riding here), but with his(her) dedication and hard work, the (name of the minority group here) will be greatly represented by (first name of MLA here)”

                I’m actually waiting to see if there is a candidate nomination between four people.

                Suppose in one riding you have this in front of the NDP riding association membership.

                One is transgendered the other is from a visible minority but is lesbian, the third from another visible miniority group but has two kids and a fourth is just female but from a European originating ethnic group that has one son and two daughters in high school. Then what does the NDP membership do? Three of them are going to get marginalized in voting.

                Meanwhile there’s this guy(let’s say he’s Greek or Swedish) a shop steward in the local forest products mill who coaches kids soccer, spends time with the local Lions Club and the company’s community group that helped raise money for the new swimming pool, and serves on council. His wife teaches but spends alot of time with kids after school and both of them are active in their local Protestant church helping out with summer camp fundraising. He often lets the boys in the school come to the mill on Saturdays to learn about machinery and teaches them how to fix an old truck the company let him have for that purpose. They got the thing running and will be selling it to raise money for the high school.

                But he’s not entitled to run because he is a boy. The NDP wants girls or LBGT or visible minority.,

                and yes dear boy the NDP is all dogma. They want to be anything to everyone to get votes. You wait and see.

                Be around when it happens.

  40. Alex says:

    LMAO!!!!!!, “would you like to take some photos of me”", the Arrogance and stupidity of this woman continues to astound me!!.
    If she is paying people to advise her, she better ask for a refund
    Complete and utter Moron!!!!

    • Seymour Forest says:

      She does have people getting paid to advise her. You wouldn’t believe some of quality of people who work the political end. A few are real dunces when it comes to handling political tasks for MLAs Ministers and Christy Crunch. A few have been around to know better but its obviously are more interested in themselves than they are about good government (which hasn’t existed since June 2002).

  41. Lew says:

    There may be something to what BCChristy says about being a Filipina at heart. Think Imelda Marcos (and all those shoes). She was called the Iron Butterfly. And Preston Manning sees BCChristy as the Iron Snowbird.

    Just sayin’…

  42. Jay Jones says:

    Oh great, on top of BC’s many problems is a Premier one could now easily interpret as in the midst of some sort of an an identity crisis.

    Good God, what next?

    Christy claiming to be Wonder Woman?

    Rich Coleman claiming to be Batman?

    Stay tuned, same completely batty time next week, same completely batty channel!

  43. beacon of truth says:

    I wonder how much money is spent by PAB and associates just to monitor your site. I imagine the Tsakumis file is taking up a lot of space in the Ledge.

  44. David says:

    I wonder if there will be any surprise announcements at the Vancouver Gay Pride Parade “In my head there is just space”

    What did you think I was going to say?

    LOL

    • Shell says:

      I thought you were going to say:

      “Hi everyone, my name is ‘Chris’ – and in my heart – I’m somewhat of a man because I have Klinefelter syndrome!

      Want to shoot some photos?”

      ;-)

  45. HSP says:

    She probably muttered to Branson that she was “a Bransonian at heart” as well!

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