Conflict of interest: Not us!
Does government advertising affect the way media reports on political events? Maybe no, or not much, if the proportion of government advertising, compared to the total, is minor. However, when…
Norm Farrell
The evidence mounts
In the Times Colonist today, Rob Shaw provides information that should result in every citizen, BC Liberal supporters included, demanding a formal inquiry into disposition of BC Rail. Unfortunately, that’s…
When politicians aim to manage "freedom"
The federal Conservative government is creating an Office of Religious Freedom, intending to monitor and criticize religious persecution and to promote religious freedom around the world. Perhaps especially in Winnipeg,…
BC’s slow ferry fiasco
Heading to Vancouver Island January 4, I noted something while checking BC Ferries schedules. Here are the vessels in service today on major routes to the island: Horseshoe Bay to…
As life moves on
The holidays are over, a season that pleased even the newcomer, grandchild #6, grand-daughter #2, from our youngest son and his wonderful wife. Can anyone doubt why we need steady…
A message to Christy Clark and friends
An old Turkish folk tale teaches: The candle of someone who lies almost always burns just to midnight. After his candle goes out, nobody gives him any light. He remains…
A road to inevitable unrest
Libs’ ‘Job Plan’ not enough to tackle poverty, Trish Garner, The Province, Dec 2012 “…B.C. has the largest gap between the rich and the poor, and the highest poverty rate…
"Improved" PST will look much like HST
With less than 20 weeks before the BC election, our Liberal government continues spending tax dollars to promote themselves. It’s not the first time they aimed to influence the vote…
Five myths about charitable giving
From the Washington Post, follow the link for complete article. Of course it refers to American organizations but Canadian charities are not substantially different. 1. Charities are principally dedicated to…
Prudent fiscal management, BC Liberal style
Note 16 of BC Hydro’s audited financials statements, March 31, 2012 Energy Commitments “BC Hydro (excluding Powerex) has long-term energy purchase agreements to meet a portion of its expected future…
Citizens shouldn’t face legal assault by their own governments
Elizabeth James, an independent minded columnist with the North Shore News, is regularly a far better read than many of her high profile colleagues in the Postmedia newspaper enterprise. In…
Association precludes effective regulation
When governing parties are controlled by big business, agents shuffle back and forth between the regulated and the regulators. Now, faux capitalists are so confident in their right to rule,…
"Marginalization continued"
Writing in The Tyee, Bob Mackin makes an incisive point about recent work of Liberal remittance man Wally Oppal, the loyal BC Liberal go-between when $6-million cash from taxpayers topped…
Pay no attention to the men behind the curtain
Laila Yuile has a good piece today. She demonstrates an example of obedient political loyalty within the corporate press. A Times Colonist editor, who might be competent on matters of…
Deception and financial fakery for friends
A few days ago, I wrote Cronies, henchmen and the future and noted the loss of revenue government derives from natural resources, even though prices have risen dramatically in the…
The reason Liberals hide BC Rail files
While British Columbia’s government hides BC Rail documents from the Auditor General, consider this current news story. It demonstrates one more example of why full disclosure and transparency is needed…
Who are these Greens, really?
Candidate choice splits B.C. Greens in Saanich South, Rob Shaw, Times Colonist “Sterk said her election readiness committee will unilaterally acclaim Branko Mustafovic — a local photographer and chef —…
Ice bombs inevitable
The reason for ice bombs dropping onto vehicles from the $3 Billion Port Mann bridge? Take a look. Compare the Alex Fraser bridge. On the new Port Mann, the bridge…
Poor people are real economic stimulators
Now that Mr. Oppal has delivered his report, let’s ask whether the $8 million spent on Wally and friends was worthwhile. Oppal has been charging $1,500 a day. According to…
The only real change is to Oppal’s wallet
Wally Oppal’s report on missing and murdered women runs 1,638 pages. It is filled with politically correct dialogue that spreads blame so far and wide, it has little focus. Oppal…