Is the future healthy when one company’s CEO draws a larger salary between breakfast and lunch, on one day, than a loyal 20 year employee earns in a year? Well, during the four hours that a long time McDonald crew person earned $35, his boss gained $16,827. We might assume
Continue readingAuthor: Norman Farrell
Northern Insight: Nothing can go wrong, nerthkt can go rong…
One of Murphy’s Laws: “If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which something can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way, unprepared for, will promptly develop. Corollary: It will be impossible to fix the fifth fault, without breaking the fix on one or more of
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Ottawa’s habitual condescension
A study conducted by UBC Fisheries Centre, funded by World Wildlife Fund Canada, notes in the summary abstract, “If [the economic value of social, cultural and environmental damages] are accounted for, all of the projected economic gains from the Enbridge Northern Gateway project could quickly turn into losses in the event of
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Fracking fraud
In Fissures appear in scientists’ assurances about safety of fracking, Globe and Mail writer Mark Hume describes how industry used the work of Charles Groat, of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas, to discount concerns about the safety of fracking. “Now a review panel appointed by the University of Texas
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Fraying of social safety nets necessitates charity
I listened to parts of Friday’s CKNW Orphans’ Fund Pledge Day, wondering if they would be more forthright about an issue that’s added more than $1 million dollars to corporate pockets of Corus Radio since 2006. CKNW employees are now careful about saying “Every cent goes to the children.” Instead,
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Gov’t ads: Public information or disinformation?
The Plan: The Tyee, Andrew MacLeod, November 16, 2011 “The British Columbia government is preparing to spend “lots” of money to advertise Premier Christy Clark’s jobs strategy, Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell said today. “…The bulk of the campaign will be international, but also with some advertising within
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Those in the way may end up in jail
When the Cohen Commission was holding hearings in Vancouver, I attended. It was not a happy or satisfying experience. The most unsettling single observation was of government scientist — a person known for opinions that challenge Ottawa’s papal view — being closely escorted by security personnel. They made certain there
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Under threat of perjury…
Legal Saga, Mark Hume, Globe and Mail, December 3, 2012
“A legal battle by the Auditor-General to get billing records in a political-corruption case has taken a surprise turn with an admission by the British Columbia government that it has documents i…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: CFIA – Inept custodian of food safety
Food Safety Agency Should Protect Public, Not Cover up Virus for Salmon Farming Industry, Damien Gillis, The Common Sense Canadian, Dec. 1, 2012
“…Charged with ensuring your food is safe to eat, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) increasingly…
Northern Insight: A government of universal deceit
Theoretically, politicians are stewards of the nation’s resources and regulators of industries that exploit public assets. Yet those chamberlains receive contributions worth millions of dollars every year from the people they are supposed to regulate. …
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Only when they’re lips move
Trust me friends, my lips aren’t moving
Days ago, I posted the article If BC Liberals lied before, can we believe them now? The main point was that our provincial government feels no obligation to speak honestly to the electorate. Almost everything …
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Angry reader says:
From a reader of the Northern Insights article Perception supersedes reality
“If only these soulless assholes could realise what they have done just to make themselves rich.”That comment, about BC Liberal insiders, comes after reading an old piece.
Northern Insight: Perception supersedes reality
A reader drew my attention to this article from 2.5 years ago. The principles are unchanged so I believe it is worth revisiting.
First published April 23, 20101
Sean Holman at PublicEye Online reported this April 20, 2010:
Former auditor general Ge…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Pirate alert
This a shameless plug, although unpaid. Two powerful elements of Vancouver’s culture come together in the next short while and you ought to think about joining the experience.
To the uninitiated, at least in our part of the world, opera might seem a t…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Business genius talks
Warren Buffett, the world’s third richest man, appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart along with Carol Loomis, senior editor-at-large for Fortune and author of Tap Dancing to Work. A few quotes:
Warren Buffett:
“In the last ten years, I have…
Northern Insight: Gentrification disrupts residents (of the garage)
Contractors are doing demolition of our our one story garage and family room, preparing to extend the existing second floor, to add sleeping and play space for three grandchildren now living here.
Of course, you’ve got to break a few eggs to make an o…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Not meaning what was said nor saying what was meant
Box of secrets revealed to Mike de Jong
In the opening cluster of advertisements on today’s Global TV noon news, a message from the BC Liberal Government:
“BC is stable and growing. We`re balancing budget by controlling spending…”
Global News Hea…
Northern Insight: BC`s unethical investments not smoking hot
BC Investment Management Corporation may come to regret its rush to invest in big tobacco firms. After adding shares in eight of nine tobacco stocks in fiscal 2012, bcIMC had $237 million more invested in cigarette manufacturers. I can`t determine if t…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Taxpayers on hook for Liberal "campain" funding
BC Liberals and friends had better start worrying because Vaughn Palmer may be taking off gloves and blindfold. The pundit who has all the tools, and a toolbox, laid implements aside frequently during recent years but he now seems ready for action. Gov…
Continue readingNorthern Insight: Campbell’s wasted weekend with willy-wagglers – updated
One-percenters making changes. Anonymous reader provides interesting links in the comment section after a shuffling of deck chairs among Bilder-burglars. It’s also worth bringing to the top because Paul Fraser has been in the news lately since his…
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