I guess all those people

I guess all those people that didn't buy a Prius last year when gas hit $1.50 a litre will do so now when Campbell's gas tax goes from 2.5 cents a litre to 5.

Campbell could have a 24/7 tire fire going in his back yard and the enviros would still call him a god for making them pay a couple of cents more for gas. Alleviates their guilt I guess.

But in May all the people scared of the new depression will vote for Campbell and his 7 billion dollar Olympics and his sky-high child poverty rates and his failure to protect children at risk and his sell-off of assets and his tripling of the debt because the media will remind them over and over about the scary NDP and the 300 million they spent in the province on building ferries.

Which of course means the people of BC basically have the same priorities as those that sell kids for sex or shoot elephants for ivory. Hear no evil, see no evil, just keep the money coming in baby.

ALL POLITICS ALL THE TIME

The secretariat is one of the reasons B.C. went quickly from being one of Canada's worst climate change offenders to the leading jurisdiction for fighting global warming, Bruce said.

An interesting admission on Bruce's part. Organizational chart measures were the key instrument in moving BC to the front of the climate change pack, in the opinion of the David Suzuki Foundation, and now that those same organizational charts have been changed again, he's worried.

Added Weaver: "I get deeply cynical when I see an opposition party say somehow this is indicative of a lack of interest. A lack of interest would be to start moving away from the policies that [Campbell] put in place."

Cynical? I couldn't have said it better myself. Weaver's most recent political push was to elect his Liberal UVic co-worker Briony Penn to Parliament, an effort that fell short despite the well-orchestrated destruction of Julian West's NDP candidacy by ex-Green politicos. Weaver will now have to concentrate on nuturing his political relationship with Gordon Campbell, and along with Mark Jaccard, accusing Carole James, and John Horgan, and the rest of the NDP opposition of being cynical. I agree that someone is being very cynical, alright.

Backing Off?

Wouldn't one have had to actually move forward?

Talk - Action = Zero, to quote a British Columbia politician with twice the balls.

Arrggghhh!!!!! Not again!

Not another beautiful portrait of our Glorious Leader!

Please, Tyee, enough already!! I can't stand it any longer.

Use photos of kittens, or cow pastures, or a brick wall ... anything ... but stop showing us Mr Real Estate.

Jeez, it's not as if we didn't know ... !

Hmmm?

Do you think there will be any backing off in this department:

http://www.timescolonist.com/Sports/Olympics+bill+tops+billion/1207886/story.html

Maybe the CEO will find a way to sell all the Olympic over-runs as 'green' expenses.....

Why doesn't someone in the media actually ask this guy a few questions and then cut the Premier's mike until he answers them?

not surprised

well..in the schools it was all about literacy for awhile but that kind of fizzled and fitness became the thing...trucking in fresh veggies to the schools and meting them out... though it would seemthat could be fading now...but this...the green..whatever..say it ain`t so!
Arnold was saying California would soon be bankrupt...will that mean we have to go bankrupt too? Or are we already?
I heard all the welders walked off the job at the Olympic Village today...see? If they were unionized they probably wouldn`t have wobbled. I heard the Boss contractor hadn`t been paid so he pulled his crews..different hey..a non union wobble.
I`m hoping our Premier will start to get more interested in the National scene..become kind of a unifier..strength through unity- unity through strength..that kind of thing. He was saying at the National Premiers Conference how Canadians should put aside their petty political differences and heft their shoulders to the wheel for the greater good of the country. And hey! What better example than his own province B.C.?
No polarization here...at least none that he`s aware of.

Stay real

dumbass greens!!

The last Mustel poll showed 16% support for the BC Green Party enough to elect Gordo and his gang of environmently destructive gang of neocon thugs. They must love the Greens's, thinking of them as "useful idiots" who by rolling the dice with their inconsidered vote will once more will relect the Cons.

Federal Election exit polls show that people who thought the environment was most important issue voted overwhelmingly Green thereby ensuring that the government with the worst possible environment program gets to spend a few more years destroying Canada's environment beyond repair. - tar sands, fish farms to name a few. Question comes to mind - are Greens Canada's dumbest voters?

Now moving his focus to the uncoming provincial battle, we have liberal party (oddly both provincial and federal) environmentalist Andrew Weaver, extolling the virtues of the Campbell carbon tax over Carole James' cap and trade. Somehow Campbell's destruction of numerous salmon runs with his fish farms, is OK with partisan Greens like Weaver.

These so-called environmentists, conveniently forget that while we the great unwashed pay almost 100% of the BC carbon tax, it is Campbell's big campaign donators, paying almost none of the tax, that get the enormous taxpayer funded payoffs. Perhaps Weaver might ask Boss Campbell if UNOWHO's Green tax windfall would be better spent on transit improvements instead spending 65% of it on campaign donation kickbacks to Gordo's corporate cronies.

BC Greenies need to weight their sanctimonious bleatings and puerile disagreements with other progressives in the NDP against the certain death of hundreds of Salmon runs and the guaranteed construction of mega bridges and roads. If they were true believers instead of dangerous crybabies, they'd organize themselves buying NDP party memberships, nominating the faithful as candidates and taking over the party as Harper and his religious nuts took over the Conservatives..

A faint hope - their American counterpart Ralph Nader still has no apologies for the death of millions of Iraqi's, he caused by defeating Al Gore in 2000.

Campbell is ready to CRACK!

Gordon Campbell is losing it big time,he is ready to snap.

Carole(preimer)James was on the Bill Good show today at 10.30 am

Gordon Campbell was on the Bill Good show at 11.00 am

Listen to Gordon Campbell on the audio vault

http://cknwam.corusradionetwork.com/emmis/AudioVault.cfm

Carole James was sharp as a Tack

Gordon Campbell was losing it,he mispoke on several occasions and.....

Drum roll please...... Gordon Campbell backtracked on a balanced budget,Campbell will be eating his words,so will Colin Hansen when they reveal the deficit next month/ Don`t believe me,go to the audio vault and CUE up 11.00 am january 23rd(today)for Campbell.

If you want to listen to Carole(premier)James --Cue up 10.00am and fast forward to 10.35 am

greenwashing

Campbell has been mainly greenwashing. If he was truely sincere about global warming, he would have rode an ass to see Arnold in California. With all due respect to the 4-legged variety, there might have been an identity problem.
And again, he could have demonstrated that he was sincere about climate change by not flying in a private jet to the olympics in China. He didn't demonstrating that he doesn't care about the environment, it is just a political ploy. The only thing he has done is institute the gas tax. Yes it is a gas tax, it is not a tax on all carbon products, just fuels like gasoline and natural gas. If it was a carbon tax (on carbon dioxide) it would also be on pop and beer since they both release CO2. I think the various environmental groups should be a little more diligent before they endorse someone.

Moving the secretariat to the Environment Ministry is more worri

For some of us who have sadly become more cynical after trying to deal with issues that the Mystery of the Environment should address, yes, I guess we are worried and upset about this move by the Secretariat.
Over development impacts to sensitive eco-systems, reportings of pollution, samples dropped off that disappeared, staff members suddenly without warning gone from their position, lack of continuity between these evolving staff members, anything but rigorous response and a deepening mistrust at the effectiveness for the environment that this ministry displays, some of us sneer at the suggestion that moving climate change into this Ministry is going to add vigour to solving problems.
More buck passing to come, I'd say.

The other comment is - why does the public equate economic development (the Great Salve) with the preferred agenda item to put at the top of list? Why are we not getting - really getting - the economic factors that can be jump started to retool the labour force with eco-based business, energy needs, environmental restoration education, methods, technologies to keep the cash flowing?
I can't fathom that people choose status quo over and over again.
And if BC'ers vote for a Campbell-led government in May we'll be in for more political opportunism with Gordie!

Seth

Seth, some of us believe that Gore would have done the same thing as Bush. Some of us found how the democratic party turned on the only progressive running--Ralph Nader--truly awful. If people stop supporting the right candidate, in favour of yet another compromised candidate, some of us will lose hope in the country, in one another.

As a Cynic, I naturally

As a Cynic, I naturally include skepticism in my portfolio of annoying attributes. So I enjoyed reading Pilon's comments. When listening to elite shill's like Campbell, cynicism is a far safer starting point than that braindead "don't worry, be happy" attitude that some people cultivate (bless their souls). When it comes to the government, always be very suspicious, especially when you see a bandwagon.

Gordon's attention span has shifted

to somewhere else? What a surprise. This guy has been jumping all over the place about everything the past few years. I seriously think he has attention deficit disorder.

It ain't easy being a green fashionista

The total substance behind Gordon Campbell's environmental policies: One green tie.

book on sustainable economics

I was interested to find the Tyee blog. 20 years ago I had a book published on different economic concepts to point the way to a sustainable world economy. Someone who liked the book contacted me this year to suggest that I update and re-publish it as a blog. She set up the blog, and the book is now complete on the blog in a series of postings. There are now also additional pieces on global warming and other subjects. Here is the link:

http://www.economicsforaroundearth.com

With all good wishes,
Charles Pierce

Lame Duck

I think this pretty much puts Campbell at 100% of doing nothing for this province.
Sunshine coast girl suggested that Gordos attention span had shifted. I have always maintained that he has the attention span of a dart.
There has been so much back peddling and secrecy in this government that it is a pure wonder that they might know what they are doing.

Just another Campbell vision

Just another Campbell vision fade. About a year ago he was telling us that all our residences would have smart meters so we could watch us saving energy. Any one get thier meter from King Gordo yet?

Fiddling While Rome Burns

The skepticism about Campbell's embrace of "green" policies has been universal: no-one believed him. His sudden interest in the environment appeared artificial and staged. It wasn't his policies, it was his depth and commitment that I questioned. And lo and behold, we were right. No real surprise.

Now, while the planet slowly heats up, Campbell is off on yet another tangent. The NDP correctly identified the Campbell "green shift" as purely cynical and more importantly, not comprehensive. It turns out they were dead right.

If every Provincial and State government walks away from fixing global warming, we are in serious, serious trouble.

Great coverage as usual, Tyee!

Fact Check

"Campbell and his 7 billion dollar Olympics"

The Olympic bid was initiated by the Glen Clark government. That said, the highest figure I have see for its cost is $6bn. Take out the assets that will remain that the cost is $2bn.

This article is nothing buy supposition. There is no basis in fact contained in the text. It is singing to the choir.

Besides, the present provincial government could give free milk for babies and the Tyee would put a negative spin on it.

Gordon Campbell will win the election on May 12. He is a brilliant politician. He knows how to win elections which is something the NDP really needs to learn.

But they won't learn it. They will stick the the single issue of "Gordon Campbell is Lucifer" and will work as well as the last two times.

Stop the Climate Insanity

Great to hear this climate jihad has been de-prioritized in light of our current economic problems. The Greenies are trying to push an agenda that is poorly researched and politically driven upon working BC families. Come on, even if all of mankind implements all of the greenie policies the temperature won't change much. It won't make a difference. Scaremongering is really their only tactic.

And carbon credit trading does nothing to really reduce emissions or carbon (assuming that carbon is the problem). It will become a big money making machine for banks and crooks who make up imaginary markets and fantasy solutions- all monetized into profits.

Instead of wasting tax dollars and other resources on global warming, we should spend money on other problems that threaten mankind now. Time for the environmentalists to return to protecting baby seals and killer whales.

Tyee Propaganda

Yes, Wilfred Laurier is dead on about Tyee and its pre-election, propaganda campaign against the Liberals and Gordon Campbell. While claiming to be 'progressive' Tyee and its adherents savagely attack anyone who questions their so called liberal views. And this feature is additional proof at how Tyee and the BC left are so out of touch with the average, BC working family and voters.

If Gordon Campbell announced a cure for AIDS I'm sure the left and the Tyee would claim that it's a plot by the oil companies. Every attack on this site sounds the same: Gordon Campbell is the Great Satan and the Liberals have trashed BC.

Your average voter can see that the Liberals are reasonably decent stewards of the economy. At least they are probably better than taking a risk now with the NDP. BC'ers are wary of inflicting the same fit of stupidity that Ontario citizens did with their silly NDP venture. Or the memories of a tyrannical and incompetent Glenn Clark are still fresh.

Yet, the NDP insists on bashing voters with their enviro and social justice, special interest group messages that simply insult working people. It's pointless to deliver unsustainable social programmes that drive out business and weaken the economy.

Really, no one except NDP'ers and environmentalists will be charged up by this feature. Your avg BC voter wants to know what's being done to create jobs. The environment is a secondary issue. Your avg BC worker can see that environmentalists like David Suzuki are supreme hypocrites. Suzuki lives in wealthy Point Grey due to all the money he makes appearing on TV preaching policies that if implemented would cost many jobs- but not his job. And he has enough money to send his daughter to Yale University- alongside some of the sons and daughters of the richest CEOs in America. And Yale is funded by the same big business and big oil that Suzuki demonizes.

So let's sensibly choose to drop the expensive and wholesale changes that won't make a different to global warming and use all that money and energy to solve immediate social problems- like the homeless, which is real and identifiable.

Campbell the sloganeer

Gordon Campbell said about climate change " This is the battle of our generation,this is the most important issue facing mankind,we must do it for our children and grandchildren,I couldn`t sleep at night knowing I didn`t do everything I could to save the planet"

What other slogans/shiny baubbles have occupied gordon Campbells mind?

I am thinking about all of the un-fullfilled throne speeches.

The year of the senior,hmmm, we are still waiting for 3500 of the 5000 long term care beds promised in 2001--The ombudsman office has been flooded with complaints of seniors care--The link to follow.
The year of the child(whatever that means) 6 straight years leading north america in child poverty 23%--That is more than 1 in 5

Healthy living--The ALR is disappearing to developers.
The best educated jurisdiction--177 schools closed
The most honest transparent goverment in Canada`s history/Auditors generals ignored/foi requests,ignored,

OPEN cabinet meeting?-Fixed legislative sessions?
"I won`t sell BC Rail/ I won`t tear up the HEU contract"

A premier who endangered people`s lives by racing through Maui while drunk,to drunk to even walk/Gag laws/

Wilf,you state that the NDP need to learn how to lie,cheat,steal,sell off the province,have the blood of children,seniors,injured workers,homeless,on your hands to win an election,not to mention closing down hundreds of jails in BC and downloading criminals(including politicians) on to the un-suspecting public,glad you clarified your position.
We Definatly need to work on the "educating the people of BC"

Seems we should concentrate on educating SOME of the adult populous of this province!

Wilf Laurier and Bobbt Peru, stop your whining.

One reason I and other check the Tyee is that we get news and commentary here that you can't get in the southern media. You can get the same old CanWest spin from people like you so it saves having to pick up a copy of one of the local rags as well.

Look back to earlier posts. Most of us said that it was a scam. Gordon was as serious about climate change as he was and still is about the poor. There is no surprise that he has gone on to other photo ops.

Canwest abandons Gordon Campbell?

You should all read this piece by Bill Tieleman,pay special attention to the comments from A G T

The tide has turned boys and girls

Here is the link,

http://billtieleman.blogspot.com/2009/01/canwest-publishing-internal-memo.html

don't get off message

"At least they are probably better than taking a risk now with the NDP."

No, no, no. It's "this is no time to rock the boat by changing government." Didn't you get the memo?

Did you want to go with green cotton or sustainable wool for your re-education togs Bob? I have to get the order in before the election because it takes so long for our collective to reach consensus on who will harvest, spin, and weave the thread, and who is going to indoctrinate your children. You don't even want to know the time lag for transporting goods via trains fueled by our sense of smugness (to steal from The Simpsons).

Average working class families indeed. Who do you think you're talking to? I'm an average working class schmuck and I see right through the talking points and misinformation.

wouldn't changing priorities

wouldn't changing priorities be the responsible thing to do considering the downturn in the economy. i can guarantee that the tyee would say so if the socialists were in power.

the priorities are sound

the priorities are sound (on the face of it... if we are talking about sustainability). Changing from lip service to silence is the sticking point. The downturn proves how barren the womb of global capitalism really is. I vote we seed that ole bitch Mammon with something that packs a bit more punch.

BOBBY PERU: WHOSE SIDE IS SUZUKI ON???

Bobby Peru
Yet, the NDP insists on bashing voters with their enviro and social justice, special interest group messages that simply insult working people. It's pointless to deliver unsustainable social programmes that drive out business and weaken the economy.

Really, no one except NDP'ers and environmentalists will be charged up by this feature. Your avg BC voter wants to know what's being done to create jobs. The environment is a secondary issue. Your avg BC worker can see that environmentalists like David Suzuki are supreme hypocrites. Suzuki lives in wealthy Point Grey due to all the money he makes appearing on TV preaching policies that if implemented would cost many jobs- but not his job. And he has enough money to send his daughter to Yale University- alongside some of the sons and daughters of the richest CEOs in America. And Yale is funded by the same big business and big oil that Suzuki demonizes.

Bobby, the first of these paragraphs is just standard BC Liberal-Public Affairs Bureau boilerplate. Why bother with it? I am wondering what the "unsustainable social programs" are that you mention? Would that be a reference to the NDP's desire to increase welfare rates? Or the NDP's desire to maintain public delivery of medicare?

The second paragraph may have been standard BC Liberal boilerplate two years ago, but it must have been a while since you checked in with the Public Affairs team, because as of about this time last year, it's way off-side. David Suzuki is now supporting Gordon Campbell, and explicity denouncing Carole James, right alongside Mark Jaccard. So why are you dissing him?

You make a good point about Suzuki's upper income address and about big business funding Yale where his daughter goes to school. What I would like to know is, who funds his own foundation?

The Hate-On for Success

"You make a good point about Suzuki's upper income address and about big business funding Yale where his daughter goes to school"

Let me get this straight. An environmentalist who lives by his creed as much as most and does so with some measure of financial success is a target for criticism?

I thought you guys want to reward brains and initiative? Based on these statements you're embodying the absolute worst aspects of socialism/communism. You want to drag everyone down. You can't fathom the fact there's money to be made in sustainable enterprises. In short, you're standing in the way of progress and economic development. For shame.

Not just you Rod, but un-Realisticman, Bob Peru, Wilfred Laurier... it's a long list actually.

changing priorities is fine

SirJohna. What I find incredibly funny is how quickly the capitalists come hat in hand to government as soon as they start hurting a little.

Watch the chorus get louder each day. Suddenly, socialism isn't such a dirty word. At least, as long as you don't call it that. Jeez, at least be honest.

Our glorious leader

has once again lost interest in the topic of the day. Surprise, surprise, surprise!

People Want Solutions

The revenue neutral tax was a bad idea. What people really want is solutions like improved public transit so they are not forced to drive and pay the tax. They should have instead devoted the revenue from the tax to fund public transit and other solutions.

More at:
http://everyoneforever.org/blogger/2008/12/provide-solutions-and-avoid-gas-tax.html

Delegating

I thought that when Gordon Campbell was running everything from within his own office this was judged to be because he was a control freak.

Now he's maintained the position on the environment and moved the control out of his office this should be commended, right?

The Climate Action Secretariat is leaving the premier's office and its head, Graham Whitmarsh, is going to the Finance Ministry where he will become deputy minister.

This is clearly an elevation of the importance of this file, notwithstanding the fears expressed, occasionally, here.

Oh not at all

As it was in the beginning, it is now and ever shall be.

In the immortal words of Martyn Brown - ministers are not to assume any responsibility for choosing their deputies - those selections will be made by the Premier through the Premier's office....CEO government and centralized control continue apace.

The suggestion that a former British submariner will follow orders explicitly should be obvious....perhaps he can write Hansen's recanation speech for him.

Now that the current deficit is adding to the out of control provincial debt, someone skilled in stealth and silent running may well be useful....but then of course there are those 4 British lemons in the Canadian Navy - I wonder if Mr Whitmarsh ever crewed on one of those?

Concern for the environment....NOT

Premier Gordon Campbell says it makes no sense for an environmental review to satisfy Provincial regulations only to be repeated to satisfy Federal rules. “One country, one review” says the Premier.

Federal Minister of State (Sport) Gary Lunn echoes the belief the process must be shortened “We need to get down to a single process, I am not talking about compromising the process, in fact I think that with a single review it would see increased focus. A single review is crucial especially in a province such as B.C. with so many natural resources.

Premier Gordon Campbell says there is likely to be real action on the streamlining of the review process now ...
[source] http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/11871/1/streamlining+review+process+key+to+job+creation

Combine this with anticipated Federal changes and even the dullest reader will understand what's going on:

"The new rules would exempt from environmental assessment: any Building Canada infrastructure projects under $10 million regardless of the environmental or health risk; any project on federal lands or using federal dollars; and, any project that a provincial government asks to be exempted." [source]- http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Environment/2009/01/22/Leakedmemo/

Believing ANYTHING these birds say is ridiculous....WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Bad Cop, worse cop

Rod Smeiser: Point taken, I should have checked with the govt's PR office to note Suzuki's latest political position. The reason I savage Suzuki is the obvious hypocrisy and the very establishment he represents. He supposes that we can afford to save the trees at any cost and his little regard for the loss of jobs or degradation in the standard of living as a result of his policies. Here's a guy who has made a great living off the public trough broadcasting his message. I'd like to see him try to buy a house in Pt. Grey and send his daughter to Yale with private sector job in Vancouver.

If his business is environmentalism and he represents that establishment then he is open to scrutiny and attack. Since the Tyee claims it offers alternative views, it should entertain this. Ironically, environmentalism has become as corrupt as the big business it attacks- driven by political and economic agendas. Indeed, global warming came along just in time as a new product for them to peddle to the public.

No one is pure, but I'm gonna savage Suzuki like he runs an oil company if he lives in the same neighbourhood with other rich executives. And sending his daughter to Yale? The very companies Suzuki attacks for raping the environment are Yale's biggest contributors.

No, I don't love Campbell. He comes across as cold. Of course I know he's almost an autocrat and not easy to work with. But then, most powerful people are because a powerful public position only magnifies your human faults. BC voters don't warm up to him as a person. But, making the NDP the next govt under these uncertain times is not just a change, but an outright crazy and baseless gamble with no apparent upside. Carole James is at best a school administrator and is not qualified to run a provincial economy that's part of a global one.

Or at least the NDP can't successfully convey that message to voters. Merely saying that Gordon Campbell is evil and unlikeable is not enough- after all he doesn't live in your house. Making the environment the top issue is a dead end with most voters.

If I have a bias against the NDP, I had to suffer through the 90s with that fool, Glenn Clark. Many of my friends had to leave BC just to find a decent job. The NDP suffers from a richly deserved bad rap and they haven't learned their lesson.

Bobby Peru..

Apparently Campbell and his Liberals are not qualified to run a provincial economy that's part of a global one either. At least it seems to me that the rooster is coming home to roost. Anyone can do well in a booming economy (well, Campbell didn't do so well there either, unless you count selling everything off). It's gonna be a rough ride.

Brilliant? ROFL!!!!

Gordon Campbell is a brilliant politician? Gee, Wilf, I almost fell off my chair laughing. Campbell is nowhere close to being brilliant. In fact, he is as "see through" and predictable as they come. Unfortunately, the problem is that most voters aren't particularly brilliant either. That, or they're too busy and tired trying to get from pay to pay (unless of course they're friends of the liberals [read financial donors]). It also helps that most people are not particularly discerning and only get their information from the Sun and the Province, papers that are so blatanly biased in favor of the Liberals that it makes any "bias" on the part of The Tyee in favor of the NDP look absolutely Micky Mouse. You crack me up.

Bobby Peru: PUT THE BLAME FOR THE 90s WHERE IT BELONGS

Bobby Peru
Here's a guy who has made a great living off the public trough broadcasting his message. I'd like to see him try to buy a house in Pt. Grey and send his daughter to Yale with private sector job in Vancouver.

Most of the well-to-do in Pt Grey and West Van earn their incomes from the private sector, a few, like Suzuki and people such as Prof Bill Rees, represent the very top end of the public sector income earners.

If his business is environmentalism and he represents that establishment then he is open to scrutiny and attack. Since the Tyee claims it offers alternative views, ...

True. It's time people learned that when "environmentalism" means fancy offices and $6 million dollar budgets, of which $1 million goes to more fundraising, that this is now an interest group with ambitions and needs of its own. Its criticism of the infinitely larger empires of big business may still be valid, but their linkages and motivations bear watching.

But, making the NDP the next govt under these uncertain times is not just a change, but an outright crazy and baseless gamble with no apparent upside. Carole James is at best a school administrator and is not qualified to run a provincial economy that's part of a global one.

According to Mustel, the public agrees with you. Just as we saw in last year's federal election, economic uncertainty drives frightened Canadian voters towards the most conservative party available, be it Harper or Campbell. Curiously, it's the exact opposite of what happened in the US, where Obama's win was secured by the financial meltdown. Canadians really do react differently and more conservatively to similar economic circumstances, and our standard of living remains well behind US levels as a result.

Carole James may not have a degree in economics or business, but neither did Gordon Campbell or Carole Taylor. What they do have is business connections on their speed dials, the business stamp of approval.

Or at least the NDP can't successfully convey that message to voters. ...

This is closer to the truth. It's another marketing/spin problem, not a reality.

If I have a bias against the NDP, I had to suffer through the 90s with that fool, Glenn Clark. Many of my friends had to leave BC just to find a decent job. The NDP suffers from a richly deserved bad rap and they haven't learned their lesson.

The BC economy did great under the NDP for the first few years as housing starts roared ahead to a record 43,000 that has never been equalled under Campbell. But then prices got too high (sound familiar), and the spec building market turned down. Then came the Asian meltdown. Where BC avoided the US-centred recession of the early 1990s, while Ontario took it full-on. In the later 1990s the situation was reversed, with BC taking the Asian meltdown full-blast while Ontario hardly noticed it.

Of course, as all good

Of course, as all good conservatives know, it was Glen Clark who engineered the Asian flu, or meltdown, to deprive British Columbians of good jobs. You just can't trust them there godless socialists who now engineered the present so called financial crisis.

That's why Jimmy Pattison hired Clark. He could trust him to screw up things, so he can have some tax write offs.

Ed Deak.

Good one, Ed.

.
Gotta laugh.

When the 2010 Olympics are mentioned -- and it started only recently -- in dark tones of impending financial doom, cue the Greek chorus telling us -- only recently -- that the 2010 Olympics are Glen Clark's doing. His fault. He bad. He made the BC Liberals do it.

Odd, that.

Because we heard no mention of Glen Clark during the heady days of the Golden Era, about BC the Best Place to Live, and about how the 2010 Olympics would bedazzle the world with British Columbia's greatness.

Talk about climate change!

missing point

We are missing the point and the boat on the opportunity that the down turn is presenting.

It is disappointing to see that our leaders are not getting it - look at all the money they have committed to try and kick start the old consumer base paradigm that got us in to this dilemma and which is relentlessly driving our CO2 upwards.(Climate change envoy calls for state aid to create low-carbon economy http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/25/climate-change-summit-global-international)

You can see how it happens, with the mad panic that has engulfed us all as we stare over the cliff at the gaping depression sucking us in.

This year is it!

If we don't switch our bail out packages and infrastructure spending towards obtaining the target for 100% CO2 reduction. then we are hosed for sure. There won't be a second chance. We will have wasted the money, the political effort and the time (the oh so precious time) correcting the more urgent at the expense of the most essential.(Climate change in 2009: the defining issue http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/climate-change-in-2009-the-defining-issue)

We won't make it below 3degrees then! And that means we are looking at +5degrees eventually. (I think we are probably past the tipping point at this time, but lets not go there until we have to)

It must be fate that Obama arrived at this moment. If he is able to realize that this is the most crucial point in the history of mankind and is able to engage the international effort needed, then there is hope.

God bless America.