This is about the NDP Leadership Convention 2012, and why I think that democracy has failed. I became a member of the NDP for the BCNDP Leadership race.  My partner and I both joined the Party to support our MLA, John Horgan.  A man of principle, who listened to the concerns of his . . . → Read More: Orange Blood II, the NDP Edition… …
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The former Attorney General, Geoff Plant has a blog! He has some advice today For Mr. Von DingDong(en). Dear John, (I know, Lol, that’s been done before, but bear with me!) I understand that one of the issues which caused you to  leave the BC Liberal caucus and party is your continuing unhappiness . . . → Read More: (face)Plant …
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I bet you think this is about the NDP Leadership convention. Think again. This weekend I got to attend a convention of my own. A genuine Women’s Convention of closely related Sistah’s.  Blood related, tightly knit group of women, congregating in Chemainus.  A town of history, artistry… Grace. We meet annually, before the . . . → Read More: Orange Blood …
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Interesting. When I think of Election Fraud, I think of Saanich/Gulf Islands campaign in 2008.  Gary Lunn v. Briony Penn. Briony was a charismatic candidate for the Liberal Party, she was Lady Godiva, a candidate for change.  This lady went out on a limb to represent the people.  Shortly before the election, the . . . → Read More: Election Fraud …
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Kevin Falcon, BC’s soon to be unemployed Finance Minister tabled his “Prudent and Responsible” Budget today.  Which would be fine, if it were true, but it’s not. The reason his budget is complete and utter bullshit is his plan to privatize one of BCs few remaining moneymaking corporations, the Liquor Distribution Branch.  According . . . → Read More: Christy Clark’s BS Budget …
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Our Canada is gone. Harper made that perfectly clear this morning in Davos, Switzerland.  Sweeping changes to Old Age Pensions.  Privatisation of science and innovation.  Deregulation. MacKay signed off our military sovereignty quietly yesterday, authorising Homeland Security operations on Canadian soil, in the event of an emergency, or a terrorist attack… Canada and . . . → Read More: “Let Me Be Perfectly Clear…” …
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There is much talk these days about the safety of transporting bitumen via tankers in the Douglas Channel and out into Hecate Straight.  The proponentspimps of the project insist that technology is just wonderful and there will be the utmost care taken to avoid the unthinkable, a catastrophic spill on the pristine North . . . → Read More: Tanker Safety …
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Update in comments, see links below. EthicalOil. Ezra. Shares an address in Toronto with Tony Clement. Minister of Gazebo’s in Muskoka. From a website in the archives…  02/ 19/ 04 12:21 pm Fourteen Canadian Alliance Councillors say: “CHOOSE  TONY” Fourteen members of the former Canadian Alliance National  Council released a statement today, declaring . . . → Read More: Crudities …
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     Pressure mounts in the Media, as Canadian Petroleum Producers bombard us with propaganda to forcefeed the Northern Gateway Pipeline and it’s associated Tanker traffic in the most dangerous and pristine water ways in the world.  Across Canada, you are being told by the Press that the majority of British Columbians support a . . . → Read More: Canada’s Energy Future …
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Today the news sites are jam packed with interesting tidbits about government spending and the disparity of wealth in this country. First out of the gate is the fact that CEO’s and CFO’s earned the median Canadian income by noon today. According to a report by economist Hugh Mackenzie, of the CCPA, reported . . . → Read More: Austerity for me but not for thee? …
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First of all, best wishes to all of you in your endeavours in the new year.  We need more then ever to strive towards enlightenment in the new reality that we pretend is democracy.  In this spirit, I will resolve to educate as many people as I can reach on the dangers we . . . → Read More: Top story of 2011 …
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How we embraced hate. I was watching the CBC News this morning, Suhana Meharchand was the host.  Talking about Attawapiskat, she interviewed NDP/MP Charlie Angus.  Hostilely, she asked him, “What would you do if you were Minister?  Throw money at the problem?”  His reply showed unflappable professionalism, indicating that he would first alleviate . . . → Read More: Welcome to Harperland …
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By the incomparable Merv Ritchie, editor of the Terrace Daily Frontpage, one of the last bastions of free press in BC and Canada for that matter. IS IT TRUE ELMER DERRICK IS “THE” GITXSAN HEREDITARY CHIEF? This is the claim recently made in a commentary Elmer Derrick submitted and had published in the . . . → Read More: on truth in journalism, III (terrace daily edition) …
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Today our Prime Minister is forcing Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence to pay $1300 a day for some Accountant to come into the community to take control of the local finances.  According to the CBC, The federal government is forcing the troubled Attawapiskat First Nation to  pay a private-sector consultant about $1,300 a day . . . → Read More: Attawapiskat v. the patriarichal Prime Minister. …
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After my last post, I sent a letter to Kirk LaPointe, the CBC Ombudsman. Mr. LaPointe, I am writing to lodge a complaint about a story that is incorrect.  I refer to the story published Friday, December 2, 2011, http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/12/02/bc-first-nation-signs-pipeline-deal.html This story incorrectly attributed the title of chief to a man who is . . . → Read More: update to Truth in Journalism …
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On December 2nd, the CBC posted this story, B.C. First Nation backs Northern Gateway pipeline CBC News Posted: Dec 2, 2011 5:12 PM PT Last Updated: Dec 2, 2011 7:30 PM PT A B.C. First Nation has announced it’s backing the Northern Gateway pipeline  project to ship oilsands crude to the West Coast, . . . → Read More: Truth in Journalism …
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Dear Christy Clark; The people of BC want an election to be held, as soon as is possible. Your Cabinet is operating without a mandate from the people.  The people of BC have no confidence in your ability to govern in our best interest.  You have continually fudged budget forecasts to suit the . . . → Read More: We want a Provincial Election! Now! …
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Our unelected Premier of BC, Christy Clark, can’t figure out why the Occupy Movement insists on persisting in their efforts.  From ctvbc yesterday, Government lawyers have already filed an injunction against Occupy Vancouver protesters, who moved Monday from city property onto provincial land – and Premier Christy Clark says demonstrators shouldn’t expect to . . . → Read More: Cut the Crap Christy! …
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An open letter to Shirley Bond BC Attorney General Re: RCMP Contract Ms Bond. It is my understanding that you have no plans to consider recent events in policing in British Columbia before you render your decision on renewing the RCMP contract in BC. The events I refer to, in case you don’t . . . → Read More: RCMP Contract …
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The unelected premier of BC. Christie Clark and her caucus are trying to ram through changes to the Privacy Act.  According to an article written by Rob Shaw, of Postmedia. The proposed legislation would make it easier for government to share  people’s private information across ministries, something the current law  prohibits. Government officials have said it will improve service, making it  easier for people to apply for programs, or change personal information, across  a variety of ministries at one time. It also paves the way for high-tech digital ID cards that will one day let  …
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We are mute with shame here in Canada.  Shame for our Professional Media.  Even our beloved CBC doesn’t have the decency to cover the new American Revolution.  You were there for Egypt, you covered the hell out of Libya, sickeningly slick graphics and foreboding intro music and all.  But when our biggest trading partner, our neighbour to the south, our political BFF’s have a genuine, heartfelt  American Autumn, our media sticks it’s collective head in the sand. Victoria Times Colonist, Vancouver Sun, The Province, Globe and Mail, National Post…how many journalists …
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Here’s some folks just off the top of my head who merit the Order of BC Award.  Ironically, the award was invented on Bill VanderZalm’s watch, given that Gordon Campbell and several of his political operatives have been approved for this award.  I think it’s a NeoLiberal thumb of the nose middle finger salute to the Zalm, who so recently spearheaded the campaign to defeat thier HST. Alexandra Morton, Marine Biologist.  When she decided to raise her kids on North Vancouver Island, she had no idea that she would come to spearhead the campaign to save our precious wild …
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A message from BC. Last Friday in BC, Christy Clark announced that there will be no fall election.  This amounts to a bloodless Coup of our fair province.  Clark has no mandate.  She is unelected.  She sailed into power by the grace and deep pockets of the same group of suspects that may have installed Gordon Campbell and Paul Martin, federally.  She won a by-election for Vancouver/Point Grey, barely.  After being photographed by the Media, electioneering in front of a polling place during the vote, clearly in breach of BC’s election law.  EBC’s Craig James, now rewarded …
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Part 3 in Priscilla’s series on municipal government.   The Nature of Corporate Government – Part 3 It appears that Lumby Council’s Noise By-law regulation circumvents basic rights offered to breathing people under the Canadian Constitution.  Lumby’s Noise regulation allows a Bylaw Officer to enter someone’s property to ensure compliance. First of all, in Canada – no one has the right to enter private property without due process under Federal law.  Searching private property is not a matter of Provincial jurisdiction or the Local Government.  Citizens are promised …
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from Priscilla…   Unlike the Federal and Provincial Governments – a Municipal Government is a Corporation and that may explain why some local Councils appear to have no conscience.  Living breathing people have entirely different needs than a Corporation so perhaps it’s not so strange that the voting public can be amazed and upset by the actions of people they elect. In seems odd that the nature of Municipal Corporations have been overlooked in the exchange of a vote. Municipal elections are fought on the grounds of creating community, human relationships, families, schools and …
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Bill Tieleman posted on his blog this morning about his objections to the SmartMeter Program that BC Hydro is attempting to foist upon us. BC Hydro claims the completely safe wireless-transmitting smart meters will save you money and the environment by letting you — and them — monitor electricity usage. Then you can reduce usage and shift it to off-peak hours at lower rates. That all sounds good — but it’s not accurate. Here’s the flip side: smart meters will cost you $930 million up front, not reduce energy usage, not save the environment and not stop drug …
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I emailed this letter to Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer this morning.  I would encourage other BC Voters to do the same!   The BC Government (under Gordon Campbell’s direction, but allowed to stand by Christy Clark) has unilaterally appointed an Acting Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Craig James.  Since his appointment, Mr. James has repeatedly sided with the government in decisions regarding the Citizen’s Initiative to block the implementation of the HST.  Mr. James immediately fired 2 very experienced and exemplary electoral officers.  He has made several mistakes …
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As I lay in bed listening to the chorus of birdsong this morning, a thought occurred to me.  The reason Progressives keep failing in our mission to create a more humane world is simple.  As Progressive people, we have a well developed sense of empathy, we really want a better world for everyone, regardless of gender or ethnicity or geographic location.  The reason we keep failing in this effort is that the majority of our brothers and sisters have allowed themselves to be ruled by the politics of fear.  Fear does terrible things to the mind, body and spirit.  When you live in fear, all …
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by Shan Koyczan compliments of   Brilliant, as always.  Enjoy. Then, don’t forget to vote May 2nd.  Good luck everyone… …
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Advanced polling is currently underway for the leadership of the BCNDP.  Members of the party are encouraged to vote in advance at the polling website.  http://www.bcndp.isivote.com/.  If you have a membership card, take a moment now and lets install the strongest leader we have, because we are going to need him.   I voted yesterday morning.  It was easy.  A confirm you are human code, a couple of clicks and a #1 beside John Horgan’s name,  Confirm and your done!  The satisfaction that you have participated in the lead-up to the most important Provincial election in the history …
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Yesterday I encountered a unique Canadian perspective on the catastrophe in Japan.   I met Alexandra Heidl, a 24 year old chef from Richmond, BC.  Alexandra had been in Japan since February 11, her intention was to spend a year there, learning the language and the culture while working as a chef.  Obviously a young woman of courage and conviction.    Take a moment to read her story.  I’m sure you will marvel as I did at the total lack of commitment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Canada and the cavalier attitude our current Prime Minister has for Canadians abroad.   Dear …
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