Monday, September 05, 2011

BC voters given the ultimate insult - Order of BC given to Ex-Premier Gordon Campbell, deputy Ken Dobell & turncoat David Emerson - BC is going fundamentally wrong

New Order of BC recipient Gordon Campbell got the gold medal of honours  
How Did Gordon Campbell, Ken Dobell and David Emerson Get BC's Highest Honour?

Given their records, clearly British Columbia is out of order.

Bill Tieleman's 24 hours/The Tyee column

Tuesday September 6, 2011

By Bill Tieleman

"It is not titles that honour men, but men that honour titles."

- Niccolo Machiavelli, 1469-1527

British Columbia is completely out of Order.

By awarding the prestigious Order of B.C.  to former B.C. Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell the same year he left office, the provincial government is giving voters the ultimate insult.

But there’s much, much more fundamentally wrong in B.C. than that – this is just the icing on top of a cake of contempt baked by the province’s elites.

Those elites could care less if worthy recipients also getting the Order of B.C.  are ignored because of Campbell’s appointment or that of David Emerson – Canada’s most infamous political traitor – and Ken Dobell – Campbell’s own former deputy minister – or that it tarnishes the honour for others.

Emerson notoriously crossed from the Liberals to the Conservatives just days after the 2006 election, to keep his cabinet position, outraging Vancouver-Kingsway voters where he had promised to be Stephen Harper’s “worst nightmare” in Parliament.

Dobell – Campbell’s former deputy, who pled guilty to being an unregistered B.C. lobbyist, also gets a medal. He is now a duly registered B.C. lobbyist for eight different corporate and other interests https://eservice.pssg.gov.bc.ca/LRA/reporting/public/activeterm.do?method=get , including Rogers Communications, the B.C. Lumber Trade Council and Seaspan Ferries.

Campbell resigned as the most unpopular premier not just in recent B.C. history but across Canada, dropping to a pathetic nine per cent approval rating.

But the federal Conservative government rewarded Campbell nonetheless with the cushy job of High Commissioner to London – worth about $190,000 a year plus home, chauffeur and chef - for imposing the Harmonized Sales Tax on B.C. after an election where B.C. Liberals promised not to do so.

Only a citizens revolt reversed the HST but just days after the results of the binding referendum showed the tax was decisively rejected 55 to 45 per cent, Campbell gets an honour not yet bestowed on far more worthy British Columbians.

Why are so many British Columbians angry with this appointment? So angry that they’ve started an online petition page  to have it rescinded? And a Facebook protest page as well?

How about because Campbell is the premier who misled British Columbia voters before the last 2009 election about the size of BC's giant deficit?


Or because as premier, he presided over seven straight years of the worst child poverty rates in Canada while not once raising minimum wages.

Or because after promising to respect hospital workers legal contracts before the 2001 election he legislatively ripped them up afterwards – an action the Supreme Court of Canada ruled illegal.

Regardless of Campbell’s failings, he has made a long contribution to public service – as a Vancouver councilor, mayor, MLA and premier.

But it’s the undue haste and obvious political nature of giving him this honour that stinks. Last year Campbell was giving out the Order of B.C. – this year he’ll be receiving one.

Amazingly, Campbell is only the second premier to get the Order of B.C. – far too soon and after a controversial career that deeply angers many British Columbians.

Dave Barrett left office as B.C.’s first New Democratic Party premier in 1975 – 36 years ago – and yet still hasn’t been honoured.

Barrett’s achievements were enormous – and some of them strongly opposed at the time – but today his pioneering establishment of the Agricultural Land Reserve, creation of public auto insurance – the Insurance Corporation of B.C., introduction of Hansard into the B.C. Legislature and much more is worthy of respect. The true test of his accomplishments is that they remain intact today.

Barrett also served as an MLA from 1960 to 1983 and as an MP from 1988 to 1993.

While Campbell gets the Order in 2011, other former living B.C. premiers Bill Vander Zalm – who left office in 1991 and also served as mayor of Surrey, Mike Harcourt – who retired in 1996 and also served as mayor of Vancouver, Glen Clark - who left office in 1999, Rita Johnston, Dan Miller and Ujjal Dosanjh have not been recognized for their time in our highest office and other public service.

Nor have other notable B.C. politicians who have made significant contributions to the province through public service, such as former Social Credit environment minister and broadcaster, activist and Tyee columnist Rafe Mair or former Vancouver mayor and Liberal MP Art Phillips.

Other than Campbell, only former Social Credit Premier Bill Bennett has been given an Order of B.C.

They make an ironic pair, as Campbell is the only Canadian premier to have served time in a foreign country’s jail, after his drunk driving arrest in Hawaii in 2003.

And Bennett was found guilty in 1996 of insider trading allegations made by the B.C. Securities Commission involving the sale of Doman Industries stock before a bid to buy the company collapsed.

Bennett, brother Russell and owner Herb Doman agreed to abide by sanctions imposed banning them from trading in securities or from “being a director or officer of a public company” for 10 years.

They also paid $1 million to cover the costs of the investigation. In 1989 all three men had been acquitted of criminal charges in the case.

But the outrageous 2011 Order of B.C. honours don’t stop with Campbell.

There’s also a medal for David Emerson – the ex-federal Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Kingsway who notoriously crossed from the Liberals to the Conservatives just days after the 2006 election to keep his cabinet position.


On election night the Liberal Emerson promised to be new Prime Minister "Stephen Harper's worst nightmare" but soon he was being sworn into office as Harper’s Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.

Emerson’s furious constituents – many who switched their ballot from NDP to Liberal in strategic voting to block the Conservatives – pursued a “de-elect Emerson” campaign. But the turncoat Tory wouldn’t quit and even co-chaired the Conservatives 2008 national election campaign.

Emerson is another Campbell crony who previously served as a B.C. deputy minister to and was chair of B.C. Ferries when that publicly-owned corporation was transformed into a private company in 2003, albeit still owned by the government.

It was Emerson who appointed current B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn and began the process that ended with the company building new Super-C class ferries in Germany, shutting out Vancouver Shipyards [now Seaspan] from even making a bid.

In 2008 when Emerson bailed out of federal politics rather than fact Vancouver-Kingsway voters, Campbell appointed him executive chair of the B.C. Transmission Corporation.

While Emerson is better known, he isn’t the only other high-handed honouree.

To make it even more incestuous, the Order of B.C. is simultaneously being awarded to Campbell’s own former Deputy Minister Dobell, who also a key player in the BC Rail/BC Legislature Raid issues – where allegations were raised by the defence in pre-trial hearings of David Basi and Bob Virk but never resolved because of their surprise guilty plea that ended the trial after only two witnesses testified.

Dobell also flagrantly admitted he deleted his emails while service Campbell to avoid them being disclosed by Freedom Of Information requests – a violation of the rules that forced the government to “remind” staff that such emails must be retained.

“I don’t put stuff on paper that I would have 15 years ago…Civil servants are choosing not to write things down, or at least I am,” Dobell said in 2003. Of his emails, he stated “I delete the stuff all the time as fast as I can.”

This all raises one big question - who is giving out the Order of B.C. and why?

The Advisory Committee includes B.C. Liberal Penticton MLA and Speaker of the Legislature Bill Barisoff, ex-B.C. Liberal Surrey candidate Barbara Steele, the Union of B.C. Municipalities president and Surrey councillor, and John Furlong, picked by Campbell to run the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Other members include: Chief Justice Lance Finch, chair of the committee, the associate deputy minister of the intergovernmental relations secretariat Pierrette Maranda, Vancouver Island University president Ralph Nilson, and Barbara Ward-Burkitt, an aboriginal friendship centre advocate from Prince George. Furlong and Ward-Burkitt already have the Order of B.C., the reason they are on the committee.

If you notice a common element in this selection committee it would be that most members have political or governmental connections to the former Campbell government.

But honouring Campbell, Emerson and Dobell is merely the latest manifestation of this entire province being out of order.

For example, after six-years of legal wrangling and bombshell pre-trial allegations by defence lawyers for ex-B.C. Liberal government ministerial aides David Basi and Bob Virk, the actual B.C. Legislature Raid trial suddenly ends with only two witnesses testifying.

A surprise guilty plea means that the next expected witness, former Finance Minister Gary Collins – now senior vice president of the Belkorp Group of Companies – doesn’t testify at all about the $1 billion 2003 privatization of B.C. Rail. Neither does Premier Christy Clark, or Campbell, or a host of current and former elected officials or political staff.

The B.C. Supreme Court never hears the testimony of Erik Bornmann, the provinicial lobbyist who admitted bribing Basi and Virk with over $25,000 cash and other benefits to obtain highly confidential internal government documents on the B.C. Rail bidding.

Bornmann and Pilothouse Public Affairs business partner Brian Kieran got the inside track on the process to aide their client – losing bidder OmniTRAX.

Kieran was in possession of initial bids of the top three bidders – information given to him by Virk, according to the “statement of facts” filed in Court.

Bornmann and Kieran also paid for Basi and Virk to take a free trip worth $3,000 to a Denver Broncos football game in Colorado during the bidding process.

Bornmann and Kieran turned Crown witnesses against Basi and Virk – and were never charged with any offences.

Flash forward to today. Bornmann has now been accepted as having the “good character”  to practice law in Ontario despite his bribery confessions.

Kieran was chosen by Monday Magazine in Victoria to bump out Sean Holman, the Jack Webster award-winning investigative journalist http://www.publiceyeonline.com/ , as its political columnist.

Kieran’s application to become a member of the Legislative Press Gallery was also accepted by its existing members, giving Kieran access to areas restricted to politicians and media only.

Premier Christy Clark’s brother Bruce Clark was the subject of a police search warrant executed on his home office and other confidential documents related to the $70 million potential sale of B.C. Rail’s Roberts Bank Port Subdivision spur line were found there – given to him by Basi and Virk, again according to the court’s “statement of facts”.

Clark, a lobbyist at the time for Washington Marine Group [owner of Seaspan] was not charged with any offences and did not testify in the abbreviated trial. The Port Subdivision sale was cancelled when RCMP informed then-Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon that the process was tainted.

Bruce Clark went on to play a key fundraising role in the federal Liberal Party of Canada, chairing their high-end donor “Laurier Club” and working on the leadership campaigns of both Paul Martin and Stephane Dion.

Asked by Global TV’s Randene Neill on December 8, 2010 about Bruce Clark’s involvement in her leadership campaign, Christy answered: “Um, my brother is, does not have a formal role in my campaign, but he is a supporter you know.”

And so it goes in British Columbia.

Meanwhile, there are some truly worthy individuals who appointed to the Order of B.C. this year, including Vancouver homelessness advocate Karen O'Shannacery, North Vancouver search and rescue leader Tim Jones, Baljit Sethi, of Prince George, an advocate for immigrants and Ellen White, of Nanaimo, a native educator and activist.

The investiture ceremony will be held at Government House in Victoria on October. 4.

"It is the highest honour we can bestow on individuals in our province," Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point said in a prepared statement about the Order of B.C.

It’s just too bad for all those who deserve full recognition that with the unfortunate appointment of Campbell, Emerson and Dobell, B.C. is so obviously out of order.


.

72 comments:

Anonymous said...

Re: Sean Holman - you hear his #1 fan created a webpage to get Sean Holman his Order of BC? About bloody time!

Ken in Victoria said...

Well, Bill this problem is certainly going to be solved by the citizens of this province. One way or another, the people and the truth will triumph. Lets face facts, this announcement was made on Friday before a long weekend recognizing the working women and men. This is an insult to the proper people. They deserve the award not the so called and self appointed Royalty. Will this situation make CNN and BBC? I can see a Jon Steward asking questions. Finally, the liberals are such a disgrace the Queen and her representative should fire Mrs. Clark and order an election. Please, print Mr. Campbell's DUI mug shot. Post it on every BC Hydro pole. Add the comment "BURY THE SMART METER BEFORE IT BURY US"

Norm Farrell said...

Ill-gotten wealth may become legitimate over time but older citizens, particularly people who were lower mainland renters years ago, would add a fourth name to your list of three.

You are correct of course, it is the contempt that is worst of all. However, none of us should be surprised when contemptuous behaviour is associated with the names Campbell and Dobell.

http://northerninsights.blogspot.com/2011/09/unworthy-are-poor-company-for-worthy.htmlimi

Bill P said...

A man with honour would refuse the award. Campbell has his homour put in a closet with his social conscience (or lack thereof) The award is now and will be forever tarnished if this goes ahead. I would grudgingly gain a speck of respect, albeit ever so tiny, for Campbell if he did what most everyone knows is the right thing to do. However, given his somewhat psychopathic nature, he'll most likely hang on.
And I still want to see him lose that appointment to London. I doubt many British folk would be happy if they knew about his past.

Anonymous said...

Someone please flush the toilet so we can be rid of this tur..., um, man.

cherylb said...

Thanks for this story Bill.

If the Order of BC doesn't take this award back from Gordo, we will be in Victoria Oct. 4 to help him accept his prize.....

Anonymous said...

My admiration of our 'first nations lieutenant-governor' will be greatly lowered if he acquieses to this awarding three thugs with the Order of BC. He should have more honour than this.

North Van's Grumps said...

To quote the man himself:

"It is clear to me that those initiatives have been overshadowed and when public debate becomes focused on one person rather than what's in the best interests of British Columbia, we have lost sight of what is important."

"When that happens, it's time for a change." - Gordon Campbell

The Order of British Columbia, before it was made known to the public at large that the Former Premier was to receive the award, was an entity that required a hands on look to see who the current recipients are. They are still in the shadows, because of one man, Gordon Campbell.

Once again he has overshadowed what's best in the interests of British Columbians.

Anonymous said...

Hell, all the lieberal mla's should get an award also. They are as guilty as gordo ever was. They allowed BC Rail cover-up, they allowed HST, They allowed the tearing up of legit contracts, They allowed us to have the highest poverty rate in Canada, they are allowing our province to be raped and pilaged by big biz, they allow for very little work been done in Victoria, and they are all very guilty for allowing the huge payoff (cover-up) to Virk / Basi! Jail would be to good for these people. Seems a few of them have left the sinking lieberal ship, with more to follow. They are all a waste of skin! Cowards all.

Kam Lee

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this... But I think you mean "These elites couldn't care less"... Makes a difference.

terrence said...

Bill, I MUST disagree with your following statement, "By awarding the prestigious Order of B.C. to former B.C. Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell..."

A more correct statement is, "By awarding the FORMERLY prestigious Order of B.C. to former B.C. Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell..."

It is true making the award insults the people of BC, and all other holders of the OBC.

DPL said...

The guy has no scruples, no honor, just a belief he is always right and to hell with everyone else. He wanted something to show after his name at signing events, and sure wasn't about to use Failed Politician. Our friend got the award a number of years ago and sure won't be pleased to show the same gong as Gordo the arrogant ass will be having his staff polish for each event.

Anonymous said...

First we were in disbelief, Harper would appoint corrupt, slimy trash such as Campbell, as High Commissioner to England.

Now the OBC is awarding lowlife Campbell, with that supposed honor. The Odure of BC, has a stink, worse that all the other, corrupt institutions of BC.

The OBC should no longer be. They have abused the tradition of the OBC, by naming Campbell and the other corrupt named members for the award.

The OBC should certainly be abolished. When, they have named the worst, most corrupt, and the evil for the OBC, there is no value left. The OBC, is all crap now.

Anonymous said...

SO here we go again, another tirade against Gordon Campbell.

The guy is out of office, booted out and rightly so.

Time to move on folks.

If there was all this energy in screeching against Campbell directed towards safer roads (elimination of cell phone use and street racing) and better health care (reduced wait times and better ER) the province would be back on track.

But most people here have to waste time on an expired Premier.

But it's your pixel.

Anonymous said...

If the Order of BC doesn't take this award back from Gordo, we will be in Victoria Oct. 4 to help him accept his prize.....

Better yet, work towards better health care for BC. The NDP needs alot of help in getting a real workable policy going.

They can start with ERs and encourging new doctors to settle in and practice in rural BC.

And insist the NDP set a policy to take away cars driven at 200 km/h in a 100 zone. If the drivers want them back, pay out 40% of the cars value in penalties.

Anonymous said...

However, none of us should be surprised when contemptuous behaviour is associated with the names Campbell and Dobell.

What about contempous behaviour brought in by Glen Clark?

At least Harcourt was honest.

cherylb said...

Rumours are surfacing that the Order of BC is using a little known, obscure rule to award the Order to Gordo, and they intend to carry it out. Regular rules are made to be broken in Liberal-land. How many nominations did they receive this year? They awarded 14. There must have been other, less constroversial nominees who were just as deserving. Could it be the one-fingered salute to taxpayers?

Share this message.

Geoff said...

All this complaining is hilarious. Go cry into your pillows, everyone. This won't affect your lives in the slightest.

Anonymous said...

All this complaining is hilarious. Go cry into your pillows, everyone. This won't affect your lives in the slightest.

It already has affected their lives. They seem to be wasting time whining and complaining over something that isn't going to change much in B.C. compared to taking that energy and actually doing something useful with it, such as getting street racers off the road, and fixing our health care system.

But bloggers want to complain and Bill wants the spotlight (even though the lightbulb isn't one of those new curly ones.)

Anonymous said...

All right!!! Who invited the bashers? You can always tell them by, their boring m.o. They never have anything worthwhile to contribute.

Campbell deserves everyone of the adverse comments he gets. We will gladly continue thumping him over the head, to express our contempt for his lies, thefts, corruption and dirty tactics.

This province has hit, a new low.
The OBC is just another, dirty, corrupt institution in BC. They are now, not worth the powder to blow them to hell. The OBC should be abolished. The panel has fouled and dirtied the OBC, and everything they are supposed to stand for.

Campbell has the dirtiest, most foul political record, in Canadian history. What in the hell is next?

Anonymous said...

No longer a rumor - Laila Yulie's got it.

I got my link from the Sean Holman for Order of BC page. At least Sean Holman is a professor, an entrepenuer, a pioneer and a real leader who would not run away to London when the proverbial hits the fan but stop the... proverbial.

Of course I hear rumours - real rumours - that some BCLib fanatic at 0930 tomorrow will recommend Alise Mills for the Order of BC. So watch the skies... and play nice.

Anonymous said...

I think they gave the 3 stooges the OBC at this time because they thought it couldn't get any worse.

That's why there isn't an election - Christy Clark is hoping we'll all forget our anger by May 2013.

And if we can elect Campbell for 3 terms - horrors of horrors - she may be right.

Anonymous said...

Could some one do ahead count at the nut house I think they are missing the following.

Anonymous Tuesday, 6 September, 2011 2:51:00 PM PDT

cherylb said...

Isn’t this an interesting and unsurprising turn of events in BC Liberal la-la land?

For over 30 years people have been nominating other people for the Order of BC based on a well-publicized set of nomination criteria. Turns out this week (luckily for Gordon Campbell) that the commonly known criteria, in fact, isn’t the criteria; rather, it’s something else entirely. How fortuitious……

It would be extremely interesting to know who nominated Mr. Campbell for this award, and how they knew he did, in fact, qualify, when anyone else would have read on the Order of BC website that he was ineligible.

You might also wonder why the Order of BC people would go out of their way to say that nominees must not be currently elected people when that is apparently not true. According to today’s spin, nominees are allowed to be “currently” elected people at the close of nomination; just as long as they are not elected when the award is actually given to them.

Who knew? Freedom of information request anyone?

Anonymous said...

Could some one do ahead count at the nut house I think they are missing the following.

One nut was already accounted for:

Anon Tuesday, 6 September, 2011 7:57:00 PM PDT

and many others who figure that
Bill T. hasn't jumped the shark yet, but just might have with this
Order of BC Story.

One thing many forget. It was Bill VanderZalm's government that brought this $10 worth of metal in to the forefront.

That and his short lived fiefdoms.

cherylb said...

John Horgan, MLA on Simi Sara CKNW today at 1:05 to ask the question: Who is this anonymous "government spokesperson" confirming Gordo's eligibility and why isn't there a public response to the question?

Anonymous said...

Who knew? Freedom of information request anyone?

MOre imporantly, anyone still thinking of more important things such as turning in those they knew were a part of the Game 7 riot? No?

What about coming up with solutions in regards to better health care? Still glazed eyes?

WHo is going to win Big Brother House?

That seems to be along the same lines of importantance as the screeching over an Order of BC.

BillnPat said...

I would like to see the appointment go ahead, but only if Christy Clark is required to stand on the stage on October 4 and shake Gordo's hand, and Gordo is required to be there to accept it. It will make a great photo-op!

Ruraidh said...

Hard to believe that a committee chaired by a senior judge would indulge in a piece of judicious (sic) backdating, or so it seems.

In the financial world, such exercise of discretion is frowned on.
-30-

Anonymous said...

would like to see the appointment go ahead, but only if Christy Clark is required to stand on the stage on October 4 and shake Gordo's hand, and Gordo is required to be there to accept it. It will make a great photo-op!

A better picture would be sunset the beach at Saratoga Beach on Vancouver Island looking across to the coastal mountains after a mid fall sunny day.

Or, a good picture taken of an eagle soaring through Central Coast skies.



Or,

cherylb said...

What do you think? Is the Advisory Committee correct in determining that Gordo is eligible for appointment; even though he wasn't eligible for nomination by the deadline? Isn't that splitting hairs just a little too finely?
www.cknw.com - Start in the audio vault today (Sept. 7) from 1-2 pm at 06:20 and run until about 27:45

Anonymous said...

Well after reading the comment of Mr. Tieleman and the others, it is plane to see Mr. Campbell and his two partners in crime deserve a grand entrance to the big house on Rockland. I suggest they be dropped from a very low flying airplane. Give them to chose of parachute or no parachute. I have already packed the safety devices.Would that not be a fitting end to there careers?

Anonymous said...

Would that not be a fitting end to there careers?

Would it be a good fitting to ending your rants?

Do us a favour and physically test your scenario. Your choice. Floatplane from the Inner Harbour or ordinary plane from Victoria airport.

A boat is waiting off Trial Island.

cherylb said...

So, who was Gordo's nominator and why isn't he/she speaking up to defend their nomination? Most people would be proud to be known as the person who brought their candidate to the front......

Ruraidh said...

The committee, with a bit of parsing of words, has evidently convinced itself of the correctness of it's decision.

Like much of the Campbell legacy, it can only be considered deceptive and misleading.
-30-

Anonymous said...

The NDP's "bingogate" sure did lower the bar for behaviour by BC politicians. What used to be unacceptable and scandalous is now acceptable and worthy of the Order of BC.

cherylb said...

Funny how everything that even has a whiff of Campbell gets tainted, isn't it? And how many otherwise respectable people and organizations he takes down with him?

Anonymous said...

And how many otherwise respectable people and organizations he takes down with him?


and how many people just won't let go, and move on to more important things.

The guy is gone. Move on to more important things.

If you can't think of any, get out there and enjoy the late summer weather.

Anonymous said...

Bill - where did you get that creepy photo of King Gordo the Thug. Good Lord, he looks vile in it (not that he ever looks good).

It just occurred to me that the ANONYMOUS person or persons who nominated King Gordo the Thug is/are really an ANTI-LIEberal rabid NDP-ers. But, then maybe they are simply STUPID LIEberals. In any case, they all look like incompetent fools

If judging by comments like that, the picture bothers you that much, I'd suggest not looking at it, and try to think of something else to do.

People are getting too personal in regards to Campbell. Glen Clark was no smart politician, and one has to wonder about the comments that would have been made if these blogs and Facebook existed at that time.

Bill T. would be very busy defending his employer and party.

Henri said...

I have seen the face of evil and its name is Campbell, its image is shown at the start of this story.

Anonymous said...

The selection panel must have known that a firestorm of protest would develop with the naming of Campbell, and yet they proceeded with the award anyway—in other words, they could simply care less what the public thinks.

Then again, why should they care? Only 50% of the electorate votes and they know very well that in a couple of weeks interest will fade and the public will move on to other important issues presented in the MSM: The agony experienced by Angela Jolie when she fractured an eyelash; or, an in-depth feature on Paris Hilton's anguish when she was forced to deal with a torn cuticle for the very first time.

Anonymous said...

The PAB was originally created by the NDP to have a voice in a combative main stream media that is in the pocket of big business and the wealthiest elite.

When the BC Liberals took power the PAB ballooned to 200+ full time employees (more than Obama employs).

We commonly see now PAB comments here, at the cbc, the globe, etc. However in addition to the explosion in employees the PAB has also seen other evolutions. From its start as a public means to communicate a voice outside of a corporate agenda now we commonly see anonymous insulting bile filled comments - with consistent wording across the blogs.

The latest evolution (seen across the blogs) seems to be (in addition to the usual accusations of whining) accusing readers of negativity and making suggestions about where they ought to invest their time.

Are you tired of paying for this yet? Isn't it bad enough that the corporate media spins the BC Liberal agenda? Why do we have to employ 200+ more full time employees to insult us while teachers are being told there will be no negotiation, employment is at all time lows, and we are headed into even more difficult economic times?

Anonymous said...

Well, Henri is offering his opinion. I could not agree more. Simply put Mr Campbell is eating at the public pig trough. He is a disgrace and collects the MLA pension, maybe CPP, maybe old age pension and now a salary as the ugly face of Canada in England. Where is our Queen to put an end to this madness. All she has to do is suggest this is wrong. Her subjects will agree and Mr. Campbell will be shamed into leaving with his pig tails between his legs. Note, he has nothing between his ears. Finally, let me suggest that before the last election Mr. Harper, in private, suggested Mr Campbell could be the face of Canada at the English Olympus. Is this not the old boys club also know as the old pig and fart club. Lets club Mr Harper and Mr, Campbell as if they were baby seals.I am so mad that this situation has made BC the laughing stock. Best place on earth to be a pig.

William in Caulfield in West Van said...

BC. Best place on earth to be a freeloader. Don't have to work. Get to complain as much as you want. Never pay taxes but expect Rolls Royce services and benefits. That's the real downfall of all society. See Greece if you don't understand. Austerity is coming folks and only the rich will be laughing.

By the way, I've got my LLB, CA, CFP and CFA. I'm very happy with my life. If you don't work hard, you deserve nothing.

Anonymous said...

Who nominated Gordon Campbell for this award?
If he had any respect whatsoever for this award he would immediately withdraw his name.

cherylb said...

William in Caulfield, West Van - nice to have wealthy parents, eh? Only thing they forgot to give you was any compassion. Sure you're happy with your life. After all, it's all about you, isn't it?

Anonymous said...

Really baron of beef. Cheryl that's all you got. Come up with something original you hack. maybe if you worked hard in life, you get somewhere too. Oh sorry, your too old to go anywhere but down under.

Anonymous said...

The richest one per cent of Americans earn nearly a quarter of the country's income and control an astonishing 40 per cent of its wealth.


http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/faultlines/2011/08/201181125338194522.html



Those that are charted:

http://www.forbes.com/wealth/billionaires/list

Kreditanstalt said...

The whole business of handing out these silly medals is so completely subjective that it borders on meaninglessness.

The Liberal wing of The Party rejects anyone with an activist, lobbying, or minority bent; The Socialist wing of The Party opposes anyone NOT working for their client groups, anyone currently in government, and anyone from a position of authority...

Mary said...

hey cherylb. God help those who help themselves. Obviously you don't work hard and and envious of others. What else sins have you committed? Not everyone who has money inherited it.

By the way, I'm am obsetrician. Having wealthy parents meant nothing. My advice, hopefully you don't have children.

Bill Tieleman said...

Nasty little critters you disturbed when you turned over their rock, Cheryl! Looks like sore losers to me.

Ken in Victoria said...

Well I have returned. Lets start with my last comment to make a comment, I will suggest that no one has commented on my comment. Why is there an attack on Cherylb. Can these low IQ ed William and Mary not pick on this typist as well. I am hurt.
Now, William in North Van where do I begin to describe you as a red neck fool. Enough said, just look in the mirror and see what a horse's ass looks like. Do you have parents or were just hatched from an egg. Next, Dear Mary, I do not see a mary person. I see a sick individual that belongs in the home of the hopeless. I Can continue to comment, however, I am sure I am boring to the people of intelligent. Stupidity was invented by liberal and thank you both for it perfection.

Anonymous said...

Looks like sore losers to me

Indeed, and others don't know how to win gracefully and respectfully.

Anonymous said...

The richest one per cent of Americans earn nearly a quarter of the country's income and control an astonishing 40 per cent of its wealth.

In the United States perhaps, but learn how to use a map and know where you are. It isn't in the United States.

Anonymous said...

who's the real loser? those who have done well, worked hard and got somewhere in life. Then there are you posters who have nothing better to do. Ya, look in the mirror and you'll see yourself as the definition of loser.

Austerity said...

One word "Austerity". It's coming to BC. Can't wait to see who you blame this on. Cut services and increase taxes. Beautiful.

And if you are rich, makes no difference.

Anonymous said...

I am sure I am boring to the people of intelligent.

Indeed you are.

"to the people of intelligence" would be the phrase I would have used.

Anonymous said...

It's coming to BC. Can't wait to see who you blame this on. Cut services and increase taxes. Beautiful.

You're forgetting one thing. It's also possible to do both.

Cut services, and also increase taxes.

It may happen. Be here when it does.

Anonymous said...

Only thing they forgot to give you was any compassion.

Yeh? and since when did the NDP deliver compassion that actually worked?

Well it did..

for those working in the poverty industry focusing more on grants to keep their offices going, rather than get going to give a person who is down and now a new positive direction in his/her life.

Anonymous said...

Funny not one of you clowns have offered any solutions. Chalk that up to not being educated and a low IQ. Hard to change this now for you.

As for some simple solution, say yes to all the following:

1) Suspend the Canada Health Act so alternative health care systems can be markets. Why fool yourself? Not everyone gets equal treatment anyways and many of you are a burden to the system.

2) Remove age of retirement and force the lazy ones to work. Reducing EI and CPP. These are a disincentive to work.

3) Rollback wages to union workers and politicians. Most are overpaid

4) Unpaid holidays and vacation.

5) Reducing the national deficit and top priority.

6) Increase all user fees

So basically reducing all social services while increasing taxes.

That's why all of you complain because the freeloading is coming to an end.

Anonymous said...

LOL. How does increasing taxes affect the rich whether personal or corporate? With proper tax planning, there's no taxes paid. Knowledge is power and too bad most of you have little.

Anonymous said...

maybe kennie in victoria can donate the empty bottles he collected to give to the poor children. A loonie isn't much if you have to pay the girl in oak bay.

dmorency said...

Here is the email to send your comments to the Telegraph newspaper in London England the best way to get at Gordon Campbell is to shame him and humilate him write to the telegraph newspaper and provide the links to all of his bullshit and lies telegrapheditorial@telegraph.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Here is the email to send your comments to the Telegraph newspaper in London England the best way to get at Gordon Campbell is to shame him and humilate him write to the telegraph newspaper and provide the links to all of his bullshit and lies telegrapheditorial@telegraph.co.uk

Anonymous said...

Here is the email to send your comments to the Telegraph newspaper in London England the best way to get at Gordon Campbell is to shame him and humilate him write to the telegraph newspaper and provide the links to all of his bullshit and lies telegrapheditorial@telegraph.co.uk


Waste of time doing that. There are far more important subjects in the UK for the Telegraph to receive letters to the editor on in regards to issues within the UK itself.

Anonymous said...

Funny not one of you clowns have offered any solutions. Chalk that up to not being educated and a low IQ. Hard to change this now for you.

As for some simple solution, say yes to all the following:

"1) Suspend the Canada Health Act so alternative health care systems can be markets. Why fool yourself? Not everyone gets equal treatment anyways and many of you are a burden to the system."

Sure. Spend $850 for a 10 km amabulance ride when you're already close to maxing out your credit card.

"2) Remove age of retirement and force the lazy ones to work. Reducing EI and CPP. These are a disincentive to work."

VanderZalm tried that in concept with poor people, and NDPers at the time made noise louder than the fog horn at Race Rocks.

"3) Rollback wages to union workers and politicians. Most are overpaid"

Watch the Operation Solidarity II
go at the grassy field that was once Empire Stadium where the first rally was held.

"4) Unpaid holidays and vacation."

Sure. No benifits for working hard for you? Why would a person want to work his ass off for you? Holiday and vaction pay are required by law.

"5) Reducing the national deficit and top priority.

All parties have tried.

6) Increase all user fees

Bill's Blog - $25.00 a month introductory fee, goes to $60 a month after a year.

So basically reducing all social services while increasing taxes.

That's why all of you complain because the freeloading is coming to an end.

And rednecks end up being a joke to everyone including Conservatives.

cherylb said...

Ouch, you people are mean.....Your writing must be pushing some buttons too Bill. I've never seen so many trolls on your blog.

Well, they're still smarting about the HST loss. Heaven help anyone who also criticizes their god-sent leader, lol....

Paul said...

Mary said… (Sunday, 11 September, 2011 11:43:00 PM PDT) "By the way, I'm am obsetrician."


Hey Mary, what in the hell is "am obsetrician"? lol

"I'm am"?

Is an obsetrician someone who specializes in being obset with their lot in life?

My advice, hopefully you get over yourself.

Ken in Victoria said...

I note I have not commented on Mr. Campbell and the two other wonderful individuals for this award since Monday. I do not know what more I can add. I already have prepared the jumping equipment for this gentlemen.
Now, there is the suggestion to contact the news Barons on Fleet Street. When I obtain a replacement Jaguar, I will travel there and personally discuss matters. At this time, I will just sent a G mail. In addition, if Mr. Campbell does not retire, I will visit or write to the Queen.My question will be that as a DUI driver is Mr. Campbell a treat to law and order in England.Will she direct her fearless leader to ask our fearless leader to remove Mr Campbell in the interest of public safety. Oh, Vic Toes where is your input. This is no laughing matter as the face of Canada should be a respected face. Is Mr or Mrs Vander Zalm available. I am always available to serve ladies and our Queen is the #1 lady.

Anonymous said...

These people acted on behalf of foreign & a perhaps a few Canadian Corporations only. Corporations call the shots with all Governments across Canada and with most other countries, including the U.S. & Britain. The Canadian media falls into this category as well. This is called fascism. Wonder who calls the shots with the Corporations though? Someone does. Not hard to figure out who.

Anonymous said...

This is called fascism.

No it isn't. Check your dictionary or Introduction to Political Science book.

Anonymous said...

"A man with honour would refuse the award."

How obtuse are you?