The smoking gun is visible
If the linked article had been written by almost any other journalist in the province, one might wonder if it involved exaggerated criticism of a disrespected government. But, since the…
Norman Farrell
Isolation in the midst of a crowd
Campbell and David McLean The bubble of power mentioned in the preceding story suffocated Gordon Campbell. Gradually, he became isolated, surrounded chiefly by people desperate to please. Track his administration…
We don’t see what we most need to notice
Take note America: the public is angry, Moisés Naím, Financial Times, October 26, 2011 "Over a century ago Alexis De Tocqueville wrote that Americans’ higher tolerance for inequality relative to…
BCFS costly but not innovative
I have been reviewing amounts paid senior officers of BC Ferry Services Inc. and also the amounts paid to directors. In 2009, the Comptroller General of British Columbia reviewed governance…
Patience saves a life
We are critical when violent situations involving police end badly so its appropriate to applaud an opposite outcome, when the public is protected and the threat is taken down without…
Another poll in need of a dog
Global BC reports a poll has Mayor Gregor Robinson ahead of NPA candidate Suzanne Anton by a margin of 2 to 1. The broadcaster's analysis is that Robinson is in…
Taxpayers enable home movies on the big screen
Drifting across Movie Channel tonight, I noticed "Grown Up Movie Star" a 2009 title offering this one sentence lure: "A 13-year-old gives in to sexual temptation after her mother abandons…
Will Hahnless BCF now build major ships here?
British Columbia's shipbuilding industry is happy today, gearing up to work on an $8-billion piece of the largest marine construction program in Canadian history. The federal government takes pride in…
David Cobb flees scene of the crimes
"Every man has his fault, and honesty is his." - Shakespeare Dear Customers, As you may know, I have confirmed that I am stepping down as President and CEO of…
Redistributing wealth to pals and insiders
Private Power by the Numbers: Hugely Overpriced IPP's Mean Soaring Hydro Bills Gwen Johansson, The Common Sense Canadian, Originally published in the Alaska Highway News "...Besides having to acquire more…
Virtue in short supply
ETHICS: A matter of daily practical concern described glowingly in universal terms by those who intend to ignore them. - John Ralston Saul From West Coast Environmental Law, 11 October,…
REPLAY: "It’s a tough spot but Premier Clark is thriving, I mean, she seems to really. ."
First published April 3, 2011 but worth another read. Be sure you listen to the audio clip at the end. CKNW's Bill Good and producer Jessica Hyatt want you critics…
Online journalists saved the bacon
Gordon Campbell and PavCo's David Podmore made an announcement in March 2010: "Downtown Vancouver is getting a new $450-million casino and hotel complex to anchor its new "entertainment epicentre," B.C.…
Street protests ignored
The one-percenters and their agents in government remain deaf. As rage at Wall Street rises, its moneymen shower cash on candidates, David Goldstein, McClatchy, October 17, 2011: "WASHINGTON — Even…
Outside noise and the jetsetter toff
No person should be surprised when Community Living British Columbia next puts its large insensitive foot into another sticky situation. Friday, after the CLBC tossed CEO Rick Mowles, Board Chair…
Willing to help with the oil resource curse
Aljazeera, US troops to help Uganda fight rebels "US President Barack Obama has announced he is deploying 100 "combat-equipped" troops to Uganda to help efforts against rebels of the Lord's…
Phony issues from self-interested fronts
Canadian Federation of Independent Business wants municipal politicians to take the CFIB Taxpayer Pledge, committing to three principles: 1. Property Tax Fairness: "A commitment to narrow the current gap between…