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A Father’s Day to Remember…Isn’t it Always?

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On this day, for the last decade–that’s as long as I’ve been a father, I am asked: “What did you get from your children?”

And my reply is the simple, and always the same.

“Nothing. Today they get a break. Because for 364 days a year they provide me with the greatest gift of all.

They believe in me.”

And it’s true. There is nothing to lift my wings or encourage me to go farther; hit harder and last longer in the game of life, than knowing they believe in me. Whether it was standing in any of their cribs and calling out for me when they were little, or now, when they are much older and demanding of an instantaneous mediation because someone has taken that last scoop of ice cream–and a serious investigation is clearly in order, their belief in me, to love and care for them–to give them the best life I can possibly provide, was palpable. Always.

And it fuels me every day of my life. When I think I can’t write another word, do another rep, hit the heavy bag any harder, I think of them, whispering, “C’mon Dad…we know you can do it…”

As I’m constantly working, know that when you thank me, you should really be thanking them. I’ve missed important events, been late for birthdays and practices, all to make sure the stories you’ve come to except of me are written and released.

And not a word of complaint. Oh, the odd whine, but if I have to thank anyone, I should thank my long-suffering wife for being such a terrific mother and making the bonding experience between me and my children so much easier.

I was always a loner. Until we had the kids.

Of anything I’ve ever done in my life, being a dad is the absolute greatest. Nothing means more; nothing ever will.

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad and all dads that read this blog. And to those that have passed, may God keep their souls rested and at peace.

_________________________

I’m not posting tomorrow, Monday, as I’m away, but please go back to the ‘Basi-Virk’ post from Friday as I will be providing you with more such material some time this week. The new material perfectly dovetails with the latest release.

And you’ll love whose name appears all over the next document(s)…..

One parting thought: How can these people have gotten away with this? It’s just astounding that based on just the documents I’ve released on this blog that anyone could possibly deny what is surely obvious: The BC Liberal government, under the direction of Gordon Campbell and various henchmen (and women!) including Gary Collins and Christy Clark (despite competing interests, at times), directed the sale of BC Rail to BC Liberal bagman and long-time Campbell and Clark friend and supporter David McLean and his CN. It was a salted process. The fix was in from the beginning.

It’s as clear as day.

Until Tuesday then, be well.

Author: Date: Sunday, June 17, 2012 
Category Provincial · Tags

Comments

38 Responses to “A Father’s Day to Remember…Isn’t it Always?”
  1. nonconfidencevote says:
    June 17, 2012 at 11:32 PM

    Alex, enjoy your kids. To them, your the greatest….
    (until their late teen of course ) :)

    Reply
  2. Sparky says:
    June 17, 2012 at 11:43 PM

    Beautiful post.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Dave says:
    June 18, 2012 at 12:48 AM

    As I read this post, I realized once again why you are a credible man. No one, in my opinion, can write with such tenderness toward his children without oozing sinceriity and authenticity. I am a father to two amazing children (0ne is a counselor and the other a police constable) so I am well acquainted with a father’s care for his children, whether young or grown.

    Thank you for the immense time and effort you put into your writing….from one father to another.

    Reply
    • AGT says:
      June 18, 2012 at 1:46 AM

      You’re most welcome.

      Bless you an your family. And may God keep both of them safe and out of harm’s way.

      Particularly the cop, whose work on the front lines cannot be measured and is, I’m sure, dangerous at any time.

      Reply
      • Mike says:
        June 18, 2012 at 9:29 AM

        I’m not even sure I was really a man before my son was born. My life became crystal clear the moment I laid eyes on him. Two hours of LEGO on the living room floor yesterday afternoon made my weekend.

        Keep doing what you do AGT. It matters. A lot.

        Reply
  4. nonconfidencevote says:
    June 18, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    Has anyone seen Noah’s Ark?
    I think we’ve surpassed the Biblical Flood stage…..

    When I see ducks frolicking in the middle of massive puddles on soccer fields I know we’re overdue for a non rain day……

    geez louise

    Reply
  5. Christopher says:
    June 18, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    AGT You have to be one of the most prolific blog journalist in BC maybe Canada perhaps . although we differ on something , I do appreciate all your hard hitting work . Cheers I hope you took the day off and enjoyed your kids . Happy Fathers Day to all .

    Reply
  6. William says:
    June 18, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Just in case there is any misunderstanding … It’s not about the process … it’s about theft from British Columbians.

    Reply
  7. Luigi says:
    June 18, 2012 at 12:49 PM

    Regarding your parting thought, Alex, “How can these people have gotten away with this.” “The fix was in from the beginning.”
    Precisely. How did the RCMP investigators not follow the EVIDENCE. or more directly, WHY did they not follow it? There are extremely serious questions that require answering by no less than the Commissioner.
    If there was a deliberate effort to turn a blind eye to what was going on in the BC Rail matter, there can be no confidence that ANY future investigation of any matter will be conducted without bias, interference or collusion.
    I also question how the Minister of Justice and Attorney-general can be sitting by when these matters so blatantly point to corruption within the government.
    Justice? Shirley you jest.

    Reply
  8. Watchdog@TOL says:
    June 18, 2012 at 4:33 PM

    Alex – Please forgive me but I want to relate a personal story as I want all fathers to realize their good fortune in having children and to use Fathers Day always as a reminder of your good fortune. We have three, all married, the youngest being 37. Our daughter, 39 years old last June was 6 months pregnant with her first child, our fourth grandchild. Just prior to Fathers Day she was having trouble with her leg which had gone numb. The thinking of doctors was a pinched nerve, off to the Chiropractor. Sorry not a Chiro issue she was sent to Lions Gate Emerg. It was very quickly determined that she needed an MRI, diagnosis after the MRI – Two Malignant Melanoma brain tumours (one the size of an orange, the other the size of a lemon). Two of the top neuro-surgeons in the province said that there was little likelihood of being able to do anything for her other than to operate and relieve the pressure. We spent 3 hours in a meeting with medical staff on that Saturday talking about putting our daughter on life-support to save the baby. Thankfully we were advised to send her to the Royal Columbian. Emergency Ambulance 8:00PM Sat. night (by this time her body was numb and she could not talk). Dr. Richard Chan met the ambulance, told our daughter’s husband the same (not much that they could do) before the surgery and she could likely lose her voice. Sunday morning at noon after a 4 hour surgery she was awake, tumours removed, baby (still in it’s natural incubator) was fine and numbness was gone. One year later after numerous scans of every type there is not one microscopic sign of cancer in her brain. Our grandaughetr is 10 months old and healthy (born at 32 weeks). My message is always have hope and love your kids every day like it was the last day you will see them. I was fortunate to be in a position to retire which I have done to spend more time with our kids and grandkids!

    Reply
    • George says:
      June 18, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      Thank you for sharing that beautiful story… I wish you and your daughter all the best life has to offer…

      Wise choice on taking retirement.. grandkids are the best.. I have 3 myself :)

      Reply
  9. Dc says:
    June 18, 2012 at 5:22 PM

    The head of the RCMP should be investigating the seemingly willful negligence of his people out here in BC.

    And we need an independent prosecutor.

    Reply
  10. Jay Jones says:
    June 18, 2012 at 6:03 PM

    I sincerely apologize to you and your readers for the several offensive comments I made last night.

    It is of course no excuse, however, I do want it known that I had way too many wobbly pops last night, then thought it wise to check in here to see if anyone had replied to comments I made while not drunk.

    Um, definitely the last time I drink and comment – lol.

    I’m banning myself from here for a week and again, a sincere apology to you all.

    Reply
  11. Dc says:
    June 18, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    Not related to anything …but why does the Vancouver Sun keep posting things to its front page only to pull the article and/or have it buried where it can never be found?!

    A couple of hours ago the Sun’s Jeff Lee posted this article with this link trashing a story Charlie Smith of the Straight did on the state of journalism in Vancouver. Within a couple of hours or reading it, the link was dead and the article by Mr Lee no where to be found…

    http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/06/18/geoff-meggs-and-charlie-smiths-greatly-exaggerated-death-of-the-vancouver-sun/

    The link is dead… but it tells you what the story was about..

    Reply
  12. Dc says:
    June 18, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Well… I asked Jeff Lee what happened to it and this is what he said:

    “I removed it.
    I was becoming the story rather than it being a commentary on the future of journalism.”

    When I first read the article there was only 1 comment on the article. Did it suddenly get hundreds of comments in the intervening 2 hours or so? Comments Mr Lee didn’t like? Or were there phone calls about it?

    I don’t know… because it’s gone! Censored by the author!

    Reply
  13. Wayne Russell says:
    June 18, 2012 at 9:37 PM

    I had the greatest gift for the fathers day weekend, My first great grandchild, Brennan, his mom and dad spent two wonderful days with us. Born 4 pounds, 13 ounces, now at eight months old just over 20 pounds. A handsome, pleasant little man. He brought some sunshine into his great grandma and my life and we needed some sunshine.
    Thanks for being a man with feelings Alex.

    Reply
    • Ron R says:
      June 19, 2012 at 1:26 PM

      Wayne, are you the Wayne Russell who replied to me (after being on the tube with my email) when I was battling the red light cameras back in the late 90′s, who used to live in the Tri-City area. If so, great to see you’re still alive and kickin’ !!!!!
      Let Alex know if you want my email and we should reconnect.

      Reply
  14. Marty says:
    June 19, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    I am friggin outraged. Just watched the evening news. I’m stuck with 0,0,0…but the CLBC directors and managers who had their bonues stripped last fall now have retroactive pay raises that match those lost bonues to within hundredths of a percent. Bring on the election you friggin gutless bastards! Pardon the language…but I am ready to hit the streets and shut this province down til they call an election….and I’m pretty mild mannered.

    Marty

    Reply
    • JPF says:
      June 20, 2012 at 6:01 AM

      In response to Marty’s comment. Sorry Alex I couldn’t wait to see your comment and opening thread on this one….

      The following quote is from a Lindsay Kines item in Wednesday June 20th Victoria Times Colonist.

      “Cadieux, who called for an end to the bonus program last fall, confirmed this week that the money will simply be rolled into managers’ base pay.

      The three vice-presidents who previously earned up to 10 per cent of their base salary in bonuses will get a permanent 9.66 per cent increase in salary once pension contributions are included. The actual increase in base pay is 8.6 per cent or $11,871.”

      So… if $11,871 is 8.6 percent I would calculate the original salary to be ~$138,000. With the bonus now rolled in the new salary would be close to $150,000.

      Other costs associated with this will probably include the employer’s (i.e. taxpayers) portion and pension benefits.

      If pensions were calculated at 2% per year for each year of service (say 20) of the best 5 years (average $138,000) it would amount to $55,200 a year. With the increase to $150,000 using the same calculation they would get $60,000 a year in pension benefits.

      I suspect the bonus was not previously included in pension calculations.

      Although Christy Clark and her cohorts promote a cry of “Families First” perhaps we should head to the streets yelling “Fairness First”.

      And… to top it all off… those in most need are being chipped away at with a thousand cuts…

      Absolutely disgusting…

      Reply
      • AGT says:
        June 20, 2012 at 10:55 AM

        Totally disgusting. Stephanie should be ashamed not to be standing to Christy and deJong on this one.

        Reply
        • Ron R says:
          June 21, 2012 at 1:44 PM

          These scumbags got a raise that almost equals the disability pension benefit that I receive YEARLY. Thanks WCB + Lieberals……you sure know how to kill people while enriching yourselves, as I know 2 friends who committed suicide after 2001 WCB changes left them destitute and hopeless..after telling them (and me) that we could not go back to work in our trades because of our injuries (giving us a black mark in our industry) and then kicking us to the curb.
          I only survived because I had people who could help me pay 10′s of thousands for a lawyer to fight them, otherwise I would have been a statistic also. I owe them my life !!!!

          Reply
  15. Bruce says:
    June 20, 2012 at 10:31 AM

    Hey Alex, you are not in jail are you?, LOL just looking for the latest blog. Cheers Bruce

    Reply
  16. Brian Kieran's Diary says:
    June 20, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    Alex,

    After reading about this disgusting CLBC debacle, I’ve made the decision that we need to recall all sitting Liberal members ASAP.

    (and put the Liberal MLA’s that are thinking of switching sides to do so ASAP or risk being recalled).

    I have a feeling that the disgust at this corrupt, incompetent government is at an all time high and must be replaced ASAP. I don’t give a crap about the cost and idiocy of doing a recall campaign this close to the next set election date…we the people of BC need to tell the Fiberals loud and clear that we won’t take this bullshit for a second longer!

    Reply

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