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| Big Love - the BC NDP caucus story - who's on top? |
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| House - house arrest that is, for David Basi and Bob Virk - and they can't do interviews! |
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| Mad Men - Ex-BC Liberal MLAs Bill Bennett and Blair Lekstrom plot their comebacks - or revenge! |
Hit television shows get a whole new look as the networks mine gold in British Columbia.
Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column
Tuesday January 4, 2011
By Bill Tieleman
"Television is an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home."
- David Frost, TV host
After a wild year of British Columbia politics in 2010, Hollywood has discovered our province as the source for comedy, drama and reality TV!
Tune in to these top television shows that have been totally remade with new B.C. political content:
HOUSE. Watch as B.C.'s most famous political corruption trial convicts -- David Basi and Bob Virk -- serve two years less a day house arrest plotting revenge. Who will they punk first -- Premier Gordon Campbell, ex-finance minister Gary Collins or key Crown witness Erik "Spiderman" Bornmann, who spilled the beans?
DEAL OR NO DEAL. Must-watch TV as Basi and Virk's skilled defence lawyers go all the way for an amazing $6 million in prizes. Can they take "The Banker" -- former attorney general Mike de Jong -- to the cleaners while keeping their clients out of jail?
BIG LOVE. Meet the B.C. New Democrat MLA caucus members -- one happy fundamentalist political family where you never know who will end up on top!
NUMB3RS. The numb3rs just don't add up for three B.C. Liberal leadership candidates -- Christy Clark, Mike de Jong and Moira Stillwell, who only have a single MLA supporting each one of them! And since it's Harry Bloy who backs Clark, that makes it a negative numb3r.
MAD MEN. Featuring three independent MLAs who are simply mad -- at their former parties! Bill Bennett accused Premier Gordon Campbell of expectorating in his face -- but it was the BC Liberal caucus that spit Bennett out.
Add co-stars Bob Simpson, tossed from the NDP for saying leader Carole James gave a boring speech and Blair Lekstrom, who left the Liberals when they wouldn't rescind the same Harmonized Sales Tax he'd earlier voted for!
LIE TO ME. A new reality show where politicians tell voters outrageous whoppers -- and then the audience votes them into power! Some 2009 pre-election episodes include: "BC Liberals have no plans to introduce an HST" and "The B.C. budget has a maximum $495 million deficit." Hilarious fun for the whole family!
HOARDERS. Some folks just can't throw anything out -- especially BC New Democrats! Check their Constitution: "Social, economic and political progress in Canada can only be assured by the application of democratic socialist principles to government..." It was last a big hit on radio in the 1930s.
HAWAII FIVE-0. The now-legendary breathalyser reading of Premier Gordon Campbell during his intoxicated driving episode in Maui in 2003 was the inspiration for this reality show based on drunk tank jail stories.
TWO AND A HALF MEN. After it's discovered he's been secretly paid to serve as New Democratic Party president, Moe Sihota promises to make up for it -- by doing the work of two and a half men. But hilarity ensues when he draws on his earlier work with Larry and Curly Joe and makes 2.5 times as many mistakes!
CRIMINAL MINDS. An inside look at the 2009 election campaign of BC Liberal MLA Kash Heed that led to criminal charges against campaign manager Barinder Sall as well as Election Act counts against two others.
Ironically Heed, who faces no charges, was a veteran cop and solicitor general at one point -- and again for about 12 hours in a comedy of errors before quitting again.
And then the special prosecutor himself had to resign. Because his firm gave $1,000 to Heed's campaign!
But remember, these are allegations only and unproven in a court of law -- or on TV!
WITHOUT A TRACE. Investigators attempt to locate the missing Green Party of BC and its leader Jane Sterk -- last seen during the 2009 provincial election debate.
COLD CASE. The BC Conservatives last elected an MLA in 1978 -- but the leaderless party hopes to come out of the deep freeze this year with a new leader supported behind the scenes by former Reform Party members of parliament. Brrrrrrr.
BIGGEST LOSER. Will it be the BC Liberal Party or the BC New Democrats? Find out in the Election 2011 season premiere who will be premier and who will sit in opposition!
Don't touch that dial. B.C. politics brings it this season!
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26 comments:
So where is the NDP side of this? The NDP is comical in how it manages its affairs.
Brilliantly funny! Great way to start the day!
One of the funniest things for me is how Bill and his anti James friends managed to turn a 25 point poll lead into a 5 point deficit. Pretty hilarious eh !
Kind of boring actually. Not much happening these days to write a good column.
When are the columns about the NDP going to start?
Agree with Anon. The NDP has shot itself in the foot. Consider there are only days left to sign new members, and either Sihota or the treasurer will have to step down to make room for boys to run in the leadership, and there are no girls declaring.
The NDP has one declared candidate, but I doubt Bill here will arrange a joint meeting to weed out policy.
Speaking of Basi Basi and Verk, and how the case was closed by us paying 6 millions to a couple of lawyers to end it. Today Mike Smythe had Mike DeJong on the radio. He asked Dejong why we ended up paying the lawyers bills. DeJong said the policy was set by the previous government.( any thinking person knows that is simply not true) Mike reminded him that the policy was if found not guilty the government would pay. So why did DeJong go along with the deal. DeJong got ansie, reminding us that the special Prosecutor and some staff folks cut the deal and he, Mike Dejong didn't even know) believe that and I have a bridge to sell) Dejong immediately called for a review of the way the case ended, so Smythe asked who was doing the inquiry and would the public get to read the report?They were running out of time, just as I am running out of space, so DeJong tried to run out the clock. If that radio station has a sound bank, it was really worth hearing. Time, around 1PM Tuesday. DeJong convinced no one and if anything lost a few potential voters.He blusters a lot but answers nothing
No more Bill. My son and I laughed until our stomachs hurt.
Don't worry, Anon 12:00, it's just a little past x-mas week. You won't be bored for long. The BCR corruption scandal will certainly be, more than interesting. There are fine articles to read, if you look. BC Mary, Laila Yuile, and many other bloggers, have written good posts.
I read, Paul Horgan would be an excellent candidate for the NDP. He is well respected, even among the opposition. I haven't looked up, any information on him yet.
How anyone could be bored with the BC political scene, beats the hell out of me.
I am not familiar with most of the TV shows (no cable for a couple years now) but still find this post very funny.
On the movie scene I would be tempted to liken the Liberals to "The Godfather" and the current NDP slow-motion leadership train wreck to a hybrid between "The Big Chill", "Airplane" and "Dr. Strangelove".
Gary E, How bad is the record, has a very interesting and disturbing post. Seems the BC Liberals are filing to get all of the records from, Campbell's corrupt sale of the BCR. Strangely, the comments seem to be disabled. Has anyone else tried to comment? Gary said, he did expect to be attacked, for his post. As we know, canvassers are being stalked. Bloggers have been threatened. There have even been physical attacks. The evil of Campbell, knows no bounds. Everyone must watch their backs, and go nowhere on their own. Campbell and the BC Liberals, are a very dark regime of, evil, hate, spite, malice and very vindictive. Their threat is ominous and very real. I would say, call the RCMP, however, they seem pro Campbell, I don't know how much help they would be. We are now living in a, lawless, fascist, dictatorship regime. Please read, How Bad is The Record.
Brilliantly funny? I don't think so. "How anyone could be bored with the BC political scene, beats the hell out of me." I'm totally excited about the upcoming misadventures of the major players, it's just the column that is boring.
Gordon Campbell, drunk driving. What a page turner that was dredged up. The guy is about to drop off our radar forever (thank goodness) and we need to be reminded about this piece of journalistic fluff, why?
There's the ridiculously senseless: House, Deal Or No Deal and Cold Case "analogies" to also file under the Don't Bother Reading section. None of this or the remainder is new let alone newsworthy except possibly the Green Party reference.
And what a bone-headed remark that was. "I don't know what's happening with the Green Party, oh here's a link to them, wish I knew what they were up to" - Gomer Pyle.
I have got to make a resolution to get a life and stop reading this trash expecting it to get any smarter. Don't touch that dial! If only there was any other station.
Since there isn't, please note a slight programming change. The BC Liberal Party and the BC New Democrats are not available as potential contestants and have been replaced on The Biggest Loser by all the voters who are sick and tired of the nonsense emanating from these children. Their dwindling base of fans can look for them on a remake of the classic Sesame Street.
Where's the melodrama about some bloggers who organize a wolf pack to tear down a political leader who didn't favour them with party patronage?
Bill, I'm appalled! A good socialist like you and not a single CBC show on the list. I'll try:
DRAGON'S DEN:
A panel of top BC labour leaders interview candidates for the NDP leadership. A month later, they still haven't approved any.
LANG AND O'LEARY REPORT:
Kevin talks about how NDP presidencies can bring succulent yields and how its all about the money.
LITTLE MOSQUE ON THE PRAIRIE:
The Mayor decides that it would be a good distraction for the masses if they town were to apply for a 2017 Expo. When the Harper government scuttles it, Jack Layton comes to town to declare his outrage. Commentator Bill stays silent, mostly because it didn't happen on the left coast, not because of his love of spending parties like Olympics.
OK, maybe I'm starting to stretch - you have to be an Edmontonian to get that last one.
Then there's Tommy Chong endorsing the NDP candidate who has gone to pot.
Bill is missing good material in the NDP.
Nicely done Peter - I actually thought about Dragon's Den and Little Mosque but didn't come up with the right combination. No CBC - hmm - mostly unimaginative program titles - "Heartland" - maybe could have used that if the BC Liberals still knew where it was.
Anyway - I encourage readers to come up with their own suggested shows based on real titles!
Monkey Man - don't tell me you think the Greens are in the news? Pray tell where? And please - try to keep your resolution!
Bloggers tear down a political leader who didn' offer them patronage? Hmmm - a little bit of a stretch in the concept. How about a show on people who can't move on and love to simply criticize: "Smallville"?
"Weeds" would have been the obvious Dana Larsen show with co-star Tommy Chong - a little too easy though!
I am puzzled. Why bother to read a column if you find it boring? Start your own, Sesame Street web site, make it as exciting as you wish. Fly right at it, you have found your true niche. It suits your mentality.
I visit Bill T's site every day. I have yet to find his site boring. If the true facts and honesty are bothersome and irritating to some. Well I guess, it takes all kinds. And, we all know who.
Bloggers tear down a political leader who didn' offer them patronage?
It's the old jealousy motif. He's getting paid, ... and I'm not!!! Don't get mad, get even.
http://www.straight.com/article-366628/vancouver/why-it-taking-so-long-find-out-how-much-it-costs-enter-bc-ndp-leadership-race
... There's a lot at stake in this race, including the future of the NDP advertising contract, not to mention various other jobs writing policy papers, developing social-media strategies, and working in the leader's office.
Hi Bill:
Love your hit TV shows - the on-going BC Liberal gong show!
By the way, isn't it funny how those BC Lieberal Trolls get the first post on any story. They must be paid to stay awake to be the first to post some anti-NDP non-sense.
That piece of real estate at the top of the comments page needs to be changed so the Lieberal Trolls don't get control.
The best way is to show the last comment posted displayed first. Then we don't have to see their non-sense in first place all the time...
Did anyone read Gary Mason's column, in the Globe and Mail? With all of the terrible actions, the BC citizens have had to contend with, because of Campbell and the BC Liberals. Mason's column is the worst, horrible, ignorant, biased post, I have ever read in my life. I have always read the Globe and Mail, however, never again. He has taken a page, from Campbell's book. He is every bit as low, as Campbell is. I'm still in disbelief, by what I read.
"I am puzzled. Why bother to read a column if you find it boring?"
"If the true facts and honesty are bothersome and irritating to some."
The above are attributable to Anon 11:42. And Bill T. asked:
"Monkey Man - don't tell me you think the Greens are in the news? Pray tell where?"
Well of course the Green Party is barely in the news. The problem is what we take as gospel. For instance, the news. Only a fool watches or reads the news and instantly thinks "well, that's the way the world is". Would you like a copy of their press releases so you can see how often they are relegated to inside pages or not even wasted ink on?
There's no money to be made in promoting the Green Party, that's why they're not in the news. They're not missing, they're essentially censored.
"And please - try to keep your resolution!"
I assume from your reply that you mean I should stop expecting your take on politics to get any smarter.
Which brings us back to Anon 11:42. Bill T - true facts and honesty? That'll be the day. Like I said the problem is what we take as gospel. I guess that's why I torture myself here, Anon.
We all put up with the crap the Liberals and NDP force feed us, I guess I can handle a little more BS than necessary from the Great Defender of all our beloved dictators past, present and future.
What can I say, as a freedom fighter I'll take some of the heat. And we all know who the enemy is, well all except you apparently.
One of the funniest things for me is how Bill and his anti James friends managed to turn a 25 point poll lead into a 5 point deficit. Pretty hilarious eh !
The fact that Carole James managed to botch an historic lead like that just further demonstrates why it was so necessary to encourage her to move on in the first place. Incidentally, now that James is gone the NDP's numbers have gone up, including with women, according to the latest Angus Reid.
Consider there are only days left to sign new members, and either Sihota or the treasurer will have to step down to make room for boys to run in the leadership, and there are no girls declaring.
I agree with you that it's ridiculous that the cut-off for new members who can vote is so short. Sihota claims that it's to avoid having mass-signups distort the democratic process, but I think there are more cynical reasons for it. Nevertheless, it's not true that there are only days left to sign up new members. It's just that new members after the 17th can't vote in the leadership race. The NDP will still be growing its membership base and collecting donations after Jan 17th. As for the gender equity rule, who ever heard of the NDP Treasurer before Schreck brought all this up? It's hardly a scandal, but the controversy does help the NDP with feminists and many progressive women (and men) out there.
Where's the melodrama about some bloggers who organize a wolf pack to tear down a political leader who didn't favour them with party patronage?
No good deed goes unpunished, eh? Careful now, Tieleman and the dissidents might not accept your apology after they are totally vindicated when NDP membership and finances increase and we win the next election with a better leader.
No good deed goes unpunished, eh? Careful now, Tieleman and the dissidents might not accept your apology after they are totally vindicated when NDP membership and finances increase and we win the next election with a better leader.
Tieleman and His Dozen aren't taking any prisoners no matter what. They've already made that clear in case you hadn't noticed. Their specialty is a level of aggression and destruction that far outstrips anything that Karl Rove would have done.
Any new leader who doesn't obsequiously bend over for them will be terminated, or else the party will be cut to ribbons by 13 walks into independent status.
Any increase in memberships from temporary bulk sales and a few marijuana and other fringe activists are an illusion. It's kind of like pointing to reconstruction work after a hurricane and saying the storm benefitted the building industry.
Increased donations? That's not even a bad joke. Money squandered on leadership drives is money not available for an election or basic organizational improvements.
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Leyne+race+stumbling+start/4067822/story.html
Incidentally, now that James is gone the NDP's numbers have gone up, including with women, according to the latest Angus Reid.
Incidentally, where does this come from? I cannot find it on the A-R site.
What can be found there are three polls -- early November, early December and later in December --which show NDP support among women falling from 53% to 37%, and then rising to 40%. However, that last three point change is within the margin of error.
Dec 23rd release, polling Dec 20-21
http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010.12.23_Politics_BC.pdf
Dec 9th release, polling Dec 7-8
http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010.12.09_Politics_BC.pdf
Nov 5th release, polling Nov 2-3
http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010.11.05_Politics_BC.pdf
I realize that making things up has long been a successful tradition in BC politics, but there's no law in Canada that forces anyone to consume that type of material.
I was told a couple of days ago by a friend who sits on some NDP committee,that not only Sihota is on the payroll, the treasurer is as well, but by a different union group. But I can't prove it because a few things get done that are not written down for even the caucus to see, nor the members, let alone the average peasant who happens to support the NDP,( Usually). But never fear folks Mild Mike Harcourt has now told us that the real heavy NDP hitters have yet to declare and in his view none of the bakers dozen stands a chance to heal the caucus. Mike has his opinion and one vote just like anyone with ten bucks to sign on as a member. Seems Jan 17 is the last day to join the club.
Any new leader who doesn't obsequiously bend over for them will be terminated,
They're going to try to "terminate" a new leader right after there's just been a leadership change, and even before an election? Please.
And the membership base that is going to grow after the 17th (not from the mass signups for the OMOV system) and the infusion of new donations concomitant with that are very important of course. I'm not talking about money going to candidates in the leadership race, but to the party.
Incidentally, where does this come from? I cannot find it on the A-R site...
37%, and then rising to 40%. However, that last three point change is within the margin of error.
You've just answered your own question. In the first real post-James poll from ARS the NDP is up 3 points with women (and you're right about the margin of error, they could be up 6 points). As the pollsters themselves have said, it was Campbell's departure that made women go back to the Liberals. Female voters have always despised Campbell, especially in the last year, and went back to the Liberal fold as evinced by the 20 point jump in their retention rate. Another one of James' failures, making any of that tenuous support stick.
They're going to try to "terminate" a new leader right after there's just been a leadership change, and even before an election? Please.
Who's to stop them? Not you, Adrian. And not Bill either.
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