another beauty from david tieleman. or is it bill schreck?

I posted this earlier, as "off topic" on the Emerson thread, then, minutes later, The Tyee came out with Bill T's article on the Leg raid.

I see the Vanc. Sun today , (finally) has a 4 page investigative piece into the BC Legislature raid, and related Liberal dishonesties,focusing on Liberal operative David Basi's activities, and the criminal charges against him.

Many have wondered why the media chose to ignore this story leading up to the BC election. The optics are that Canwest and others deliberately buried a story likely to
be a drag on Liberal momentum leading up to voting day. Now the Fiberals are sitting pretty, comfortable in their majority, and
receiving lots of good news stories (labour peace, healthy economy, surpluses). The Sun
views April as a safe time to now explore this story, a time when Fibs are less vulnerable to serious negative sentiment fall out.

Where would Canadian press freedom be without our beloved Asper gang leading the charge, always acting in the public interest?
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/...2882f09&k=76589
signed,
"A Proud Canadian/BCer"

I had thought the Basi/Virk story was just another minor influence-peddling, insider story.

The attempt to exert influence over the ALR changes the nature of this story and shows how weak our systems of land control really are.

More details will hopefully come to light, sadly though all the guilty parties may not see that light.

Yup, lots of unanswered questions and I agree Bobb999 the MSM press is playing its usual complicit role in the subterfuge.

In light of this case about the raid on the legislature and in terms of this quote in the article by Bill Tieleman above:

I would like to post this....I've posted it before but would like to re-post it as it is interesting in light of Bill's quote:

"In a column by Charlie Smith of The Georgia Straight he reports that on June 25, 2001, Gordon Campbell wrote a letter to all his cabinet ministers informing them that Martyn Brown, his chief of staff, would "structure and staff" their offices. He went on to add that cabinet ministers were not to act like the chief executive officers of their ministries as this role would be filled by deputies selected by who else but the premier himself. If this was the case Campbell and Brown must have exerted great control over staffing and structure of ministries and thus much more aware of events occurring in those same ministries that they are now trying to distance themselves from."

So then the old question which has yet to be answered surfaces once again:

Why was Dave Basi fired and Bob Virk only suspended? Why would the government fire someone who was not yet even charged with any crime at the time? Someone made that decision. Who was it? And on what information did they make that decision that resulted in an obvious distinction being made between the treatment of the two men?

what's the worst possible outcome for the libs? one of their employees MAY have been doing something illegal several years ago. he was fired immediately and hasn't been heard from since? much ado about nothing.

"So, what turned Spiderman around so fast?"

No one talks or testifies unless they are cornered which is what the RCMP does best. His testimony will give him a pass, should get interesting, CanWest the public guardians, I wonder how the raid on the ledge compares to a porch Reno . Our media is a joke,

Oh Elliot, we love you..Always the partisan clown. Don't you want to know why the cops raided the ledge or is it just a left wing conspiricy by Bill Tielemen, we are all just making this up. It's your money
this pack or crooks is playing with.

Sounds worse than what Gomery discovered under the federal Lib bed.

Clearly there was influence peddling going on. Bribery. Gov't informaton being released for a price.

Frank
not to worry...gord`l fix it

What else is new?
Emerson is taking the heat for accepting a bribe, while Reynolds and Harper are unaffected!
Old boys club at work!

It is not just a land deal in Sooke that stinks. Another land deal in Victoria that may have involved the Basi Boys was the rezoning of a parcel of land in Saanich, Gordon Point Estates. Another ministerial assistant, Manu Sandhu of the Ministry of Children and Family Development, purchased a house in this newly rezoned land where the Times-Colonist reported that police reported a kayak (suspected of being full of marajuana similar to one that had landed at Ten Mile point that same night) happened to land in November 2003. This was just before the raid on the legislature and the release of the story about Liberal memberships being paid for with marajuana drug money.

Of course, the Saanich-Gulf Islands riding was at the centre of massive fraudulent Liberal membership sign-ups, assumed to be paid for with drug money as the early newspaper stories reported.

And the President of the Liberal riding association at that time was Saanich municipal employee Jagtar Bains who has since been appointed to the Capital Commission of Ottawa. A fine patronage appointment for his work as a Martinite which helped put Martin into the PM’s office but also raised corruption to new heights in Saanich.

I agree with Tieleman that the case looks like the Indo-Canadians will do the time while the whities like Bornman name the names in exchange for protection.

However, these Indo-Canadians did join a party that was not hiding its racist anti-aboriginal policy based on David Duke's one law for all rhetoric. The Liberals aboriginal policy was in fact titled "One Law for All" and the Liberal Chief of Staff, Martyn Brown, was an organizer in the anti-aborginal umbrella organization, BC FIRE.

These Indo-Canadian organizers knew that they were dealing with racist anti-aboriginal organizers. And now they are receiving their just desserts. Lie with dogs, wake up with fleas.

asher
Sad part of it all (happens Saanich Gulf Islands is my riding and you've characterized it very accurately) is that the Conservative government has basically the same policy toward natives...perhaps worse. What a God-awful mess! And this case isn't likely to do much about cleaning it up.

If anyone used the race card, it was the Indo-Canadian leadership itself which offered up block votes for hire. So don't please let us get caught up in terms of racism and white guys oppressing colourful guys.

There's dirt -- real bad dirt -- Everywhichway you look at this situation.

I'm not so sure that Paul Martin (white guy) is going to be able to keep his shoes clean, nor David Anderson (white guy) either, nor perhaps Gordon Campbell (well, sorta white guy).

bang on the money...BC Mary..KEEP ON !

The ALR needs a serious, independant investigation done into it. The Basi dealings I think are only the tip of the iceberg, especially with the red-hot housing market making nice empty plots of land very inviting. Speaking for my own community, Chilliwack, a few eyebrows have been raised over ALR land becoming housing developments marketed by John Les' brother.

yeah, so big deal, where is the explosive details on how The Liberal Party of BC are crooks and scoundrels as we been reading here for years.
Has Gordon Campbell been arrested ? Have I missed something ?
How anticlimatic can you get !

Ahhh, when thieves, especially "Liberal" neoconazi thieves fall out eh. And there are as many Indo-Canadian thieves and dreamers of a place at the table of corruption, make no mistake, as there are White-asses. Just about everybody here is an escapee from somebody's revolution, where they were caught in the traitors role, (Vietnam springs immediately to mind.) or just for the sugar plum dreams of wealth and space as only capitalism on a stolen continent can provide to those of single-minded and self-indulgent purpose. Which is as true for those of my Scottish ancestry as these Indos, Basi and Virk here.

Corruption is what greases the wheels and gears of capitalist power, or words to that effect, as one of the characters in the movie Syriana says.It is part of what defines capitalism in every sense, from the top rippling down and out like a pebble thrown into the great social pond.

Though no doubt, Bornmann is only the tip of the iceberg here, of those who will slither and slide away, while Virk and Basi take the sacrificial lamb hit. Afterall, it is the Party of Privilege, Corruption and it's twin, Exploitation we are talking about here. Those who can will cover for each other, and toss what bones to "justice" they have to, to cover their escape.

Are you paying attention Vasi and Birk. You are small fishes in a big sea of it, and you doubtless know it, and must resent it at some level, eh? If you have to go down however, take as many of the big fish with you as you can. That's my simple suggestion to you. Force "Justice" to really work, on all of those fuqing slimer "you know who".

Busy, busy, but had to quickly check this out and see what direction the discussion is taking around that other slimer "democracy" corrupter, Emerson.

As a quick off topic by the by on this latter one, where is "Organized Labour" on this one? Doubtless too busy hosting wine and cheese parties for the hoity-toity, hoisted pinky political elites of parliament. Can't you just see "what's his face", head of the Canadian Labour Congress... Kenneth Georgetti fer chrissakes is his name... bantering with these latest Neocon illuminati of "bullshit democracy" , in his off the shoulder "virgin white" gown, hairy armpits, and teddy bear cleavage showing, engaged in polite banter with the parliamentary hobnob set , lobbying for the interests of the working class, the poor and women?

I can. Honest. 8-D

"Emerson? The poor dahling. I'm sure he meant well. But one does have to be careful, for he may be back again as a Liberal cabinet minister after the nexr election."

IAMC...You really have to take your head out of your butt to get the full effect of the situation...WHEN THE $H!T HITS THE FAN...

of course being a KAMPMBELL ACOLYTE(which i doubt you know the meaning)means ,your head is PERMANENTLY there...so ,i am typing this for POSTERITY...

Here's a question...

Lobbyists are supposed to be register under the Lobbyist Registration Act.
That list is here...

https://webapps.ag.gov.bc.ca/lra/public_reports.jsp

But when Liberal MLA Ida Chong oftens writes in the Victoria Chinatown Newsletter about the 金的十年 (The Golden Decade) and the mucky mucks who come from Zhongshan, Guangdong and other places in China, are these Chinese lobbyists registered with the BC government?

Take a look for the representative of the Zhongshan Overseas Chinese Affairs Bureau. There is nothing listed, although he is mentioned in BC's Hansard.

It is going to be the 垃圾的十年 (The Garbage Decade) if the Lobbyist Registration Act doesn't get some teeth.

Coyote:

It's nice to see you back, I've missed your eloquence.

I've been looking forward to the cats getting let out of this bag. Who knows where it may lead in the end, if the horsemen are still like Dudley DoRight? I was starting to fear that we would get too close to another election again and they would have to smother the cats.

elliot:

We now have documentary proof that you don't know how to read, or at least not very well. Right under the title of the article after the word "by" is the name of the person who wrote this article, known as the writer or author.

IAMC opines:

The nature of their skullduggery is only starting to surface, not unlike the mess found in a Nanaimo Bingo hall after the NDP had been 'at it' for a few years.

Gordo arrested? Only in Maui (so far)

Yes, you are missing the connection to massive amounts of money that can be found in real estate, and the fact that some nobody (in the public eye before this) was connected to the scandal of mining the ALR for profit speaks volumes. The exact nature of these men's connection to the Premier and his gang are really an important item. It will come down, I think, in the end to how much power the Queens Cowboys think they have and can exert. When something like this hits the premiers' office care must be taken to get it right the first time, else the public and corporate backlash could end the RCMP connection with the province forever. Not a bad thing, but some might not understand that.

The climax is to come, but I suspect that those whom have had the foresight to 'turn queens evidence' will get away without a scratch.

Where's the blockbuster scandal of the century ? This is pretty light stuff here.
It seems to be a case of some mid level government officials taking advantage of their position to advance there financial situation.
Have we not heard this story before millions of times.
I know people who just emigrated from Romania. Now you want to see some corruption, I could tell you stories.
It's like the air being let out of the Balloon for those hoping to feast on this story.

Contrary to the post above, here is an attempt to frame this story as being a very big deal.

This story is a big deal! HOOOLLLLYYY CRRAAAAPP!

honest to god rkewen, i really didn't think you were that daft.

When you can change legislation/the laws , it is pretty c;ear you aint gonna be arrested any time soon...

So,look at how many laws the Liberals have changed in the last little while.

And since Gordon Gecko has got hisself a driver,he kin drink hisself inta a stupor while he ruins this province , just like King Rlaphie .

oh! EXCUSE ME...I PUT AN I IN RUNS...mus be the drink , dot the i's cross da t's ,U know.
the way da ,govermin duz it...

Getting a better look (on April 3/06) at the Basi & Virk search warrants doesn't mean that the trial has started (June 5/06).

The trial, when it does get rolling, will be one great big super-sized Big Deal. For the next century, people will remember it and rehash it ... but:

Does anyone here believe that the public will be provided with a fair account, day by day, of the proceedings? In the Vancouver Sun, or Victoria Times Colonist? Anywhere?

If not, shouldn't we organize something? Much as I'd like to be in that court room, I can't see myself spending 3 or 4 months in Vancouver to watch the court proceedings each day. But maybe I could do a few days. You?

Or ... what do you think could be done?

BC Mary
I'm not sure. Widely distributed good alternative media is clearly an important avenue for education and change. You're right that it won't be found in the MSM....as much because the ad salesmen don't want to devote that many trees to something that doesn't sell things, as because traditional journalists may not be as concerned as you are about the subject.
The free papers are not going to do it either. Attending the trial - even if you find groups of volunteers to do it - would be an interesting approach but there would have to be a plan with what to do with the information then. How do you provide news, some analysis, and do it regularly and consistently enough that it will be useful for others who might like to know more about the trial and its implications?

Harald,

I thought you used the right word, and spelled it correctly.

G., I'm pretty clear on what cannot be done to circulate reports on this important trial. But jeez, we can't just lie down and die ... please put on your thinking cap.

Like, e.g., could we set up a web-site?

Now THAT'S a great idea BC Mary has!

We all of us, whichever position we take, agree there's no decent media coverage anyplace that delivers details of the important stories. This story certainly qualifies as one of the most important.

Why not take a lesson from this marvellous Tyee here and create a website that permits everyone to contribute whatever details come to hand?

If it were editable like Wikipedia, false reports and mistakes could be managed. Everyone could add any articles we come across, properly attributed of course, and whistleblowers could possibly find it a useful place to leak documents and inside knowledge safely.

Anybody here have the necessary technical knowhow?

bailey, BC Mary
It is a good idea. needs work. needs some volunteers and some band width and probably some cash. Let's see if there's any more interest out there.

BC Mary
shouldn`t be too hard doing a website..great idea...what about the Tyee running a sub-site like they did for the election?
The deelect emerson site might be helpful in providing start-up info. I`ve got $100.00 to contribute towards kick starting it.

BC Mary's idea could be the thing. It would take bandwidth, hosting etc., which would take a bit of cash, but not much unless it got insanely busy, in which case cash would be most likely forthcoming. I can't help with cash but have technical skills I could contribute, as in HTML, scripting, programming and site management and design. A group of people could work together, from where ever they are.

Great idea!

second that

It's pretty low rent, like free, but something like this could be a place to start, form a mailing list etc. and then maybe set up a genuine hosted website.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ElectionFraud2004

I'd be happy to start an appropriate "club" and post the link here and then we could see how many wanted to join and take it from there. If so, any suggestions for the name?

The De-elect David Emerson web-site looks good.

"A genuine hosted web-site" sounds ideal, rkewen. The archive could become hugely useful ... starting with the information in those Search Warrants. Then adding the daily reports on courtroom proceedings. Great ideas!

I'll pledge $100.

BC Mary:
How about renting a P.O.Box and posting address here on the Tyee for contributions, personal communications, etc.?

Mary, we're on the Leg Raid thread, but I'll admit I get confused at times too when I'm following a couple threads. They are all about the same corrupt people and practices.

BC Mary, what do you mean when you say you're pretty clear about what "cannot" be done in terms of circulating reports information about the trial etc.? We do still have free speech don't we and it isn't a star chamber is it?

Mary, it came to me that maybe you meant the Emerson website looks good, my apology, I thought you were suggesting a name. Post a link to that site if you would.

I suggest that whatever address you have for this be responsive to search engine searches. I mean it should be findable by typing in keywords.

BC Mary,

Some interesting questions asked yesterday in Question Period by the Opposition about the BC Rail deal, David Basi and the raid on the legislature. No answers forth coming from the Campbell crew but hey, what else is new:

http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/38th2nd/H60404p.htm

The web-site sounds like a great idea...I'd be willing to donate.

Also since many of us contributed to The Tyee investigative journalism fund, perhaps one of the investigative journalists for the Tyee would cover the courtroom proceedings in detail for us all to read...would be much appreciated Mr. Beers.

http://www.emersoncampaign.ca/

recalldavidemerson.com/

rkewen heres a couple to look at

Thanks feline bob. "The Canadian Unitarian Council's letter to PM" at the link you provided really says it well.

The letter from the former PC MP regarding the softwood negotiations is also a highlight.

The site is pretty much a blog format, nicely done with good content from what I saw. I going to go post that link on the Emerson thread, I'm sure some people there will find it constructive.

rkewen

http://recalldavidemerson.com/

can`t access this site tonight..hope its cause its busy..its got a lot of graphic stuff..bzazz

I`ll check tomorrow for where I can contribute..

g`night
bob

I think BC Mary's idea and the others are excellent, but must caution, what ever format is used, it still requires eyes and ears in the courtroom on a fultime basis.

It will also require some savvy editing or gatekeeping if it is to be some kind of community event.

Who knows, you might even find the odd sympathetic journalist working in the MSM who might feel a tinge of responsibility to present the goods that he or she can't report in their own media.

Even if the details are only summaries of what took place they must be accurate and consistant or they will lose appeal quickly.

My greatest fear is despite the claims by defence laywers their clients are simply innocent pawns and are willing to fight this all the way, a guilty plea following an agreement on sentencing could slam the door completely on what happened.

My read on this is there are an awful lot of people, some with substantial influence who would dearly love to see this whole chapter buried from the public forever.

And frankly I don't have any perceptions that prosecuters are at all interested in anything more than getting a guilty plea regardless of how it arrives.

In essence it isn't about justice as much as it is about process. All that is really required is for someone to jump through some type of hoop so the courts can say it's been dealt with.

If you are looking for the impassioned witness who makes the case, I'd urge you to watch Law and Order or something.

Welcome to to the real world moon bats.
Blogging Tories , Small Dead Animals, Captain's Quarters, Steve Janke Angry in the Great White North.
These website/bloggs are at least 3 years ahead of you.
There are many more. This website , The Tyee, is weak in comparison.
Spread your wings you socialists.

IAMC
You visit those websites too! Personally, I think you'd find the company there much more congenial than here.

As a matter of fact I think you have to be a certifiable ‘moonbat’ just to enter most of those sites.

.

Well said, allan...the art of hoop jumping is definitely the name of the game... unfortunately.

Bill Tieleman seems to be expressing the same concern in the article above when he says:

lynn
I still think, if it's doable, that having some independent observers in the court house is a pretty good idea. And the website, if it can be got up and running, might also prove useful for other purposes as well.

There are a lot of fairly decent writers posting here and who knows what might happen.

G West,

No, I agree. I certainly feel the website and the idea of independent court room observers is a great idea.

I was just acknowledging allan's concerns as to the direction the case may take in light of those "influential" people allan refers to and their desire "to influence" the process...in order"to have this whole chapter buried from the public forever".

Just something to watch out for, that's all.

No question. After all, it wouldn't be the first time.

Did you see the Daily show tonight? Short, great, interview between Jon Stewart and Gen Tony Zinni (ret).

I think allan is right when he says:

The best hope is that the investigation will turn up someone who doesn't want to take the fall for his higher-ups. Unfortunately we're dealing with people with unimaginable resources that would allow them to easily compensate in myriad ways someone willing to spend a little time in a spa-like institution where white-collar criminals do their time, when they're not on virtually permanent day-passes. Then again such a patsy might have to do really hard time, house arrest, imagine the agony of being forced to stay locked in a mansion with unlimited television, internet, friends and fine food.

Of course guilty pleas could certainly limit the information that ever comes out. But if it does go to trial it would be imperative to have actual monitors, the equivalent of free-lance reporters following the proceedings on a daily basis. Is it legal to use those small digital audio recorders in court? I don't really see why it shouldn't be as the transcripts should be available to the public. Getting the transcripts would be good, but that involves considerable expense for a lengthy trial.

I see IAMC was up past his bedtime last night. I knew something seemed different earlier, there were just the adults. IAMC must have had a bad dream.

rkewen; please stop. you're embarrassing yourself.

it seems very obvious that there is far more to this one.

the race card is a dud. the roles they played were those of sacrificial lambs, if the scam became public. gordo is not racist, he sees everyone as a tool for his personal use. basi and virk got the roles because they were deemed ready to move up in the organization.

now we see if they are standup guys, and if they are, how will they be rewarded for taking the hit.

sounds like a mafia novel.

a conspiracy took place here.

there was a paper trail.

why was one side exempted from responsibility?

anyone can see why bornman caved.
he was and is a weasel, which is what he wants to be.
his career as a lawyer would have ended before he graduated, had he faced charges.
he had knowledge and contacts not available to virk and basi.

so does kieran, who may even have the protection of friends in the media as well.

they were probably offered the joe valachi roles before basi and virk knew the storyline had been edited.

i like the website idea. maybe enough people will squawk loud and long enough to get to the truth.

i am betting thet will mean sifting thru tons of bs from the gordo crew.

it has to be significant that basi and virk were appointed by, or at least specifically approved by gordo.
(ergo: they owed gordo, and they were paying whatever gordo asked, and gordo asked)

it also has to be significant that basi and virk are federally connected to the martinites, along with christie clark's family.
(previous suggestions that gordo had no knowledge of federal connections of virk and basi are lies)

and let us not leave out my then mla, judith reid, whose records certainly require scrutiny, everywhichway. did she get what she came for, by doing what it took, only to run off with her ill-gottern gains?

and gary collins also should face everywhichway
to find out what he knew and when he knew it, and especially if his new job is a payoff for services rendered.

canworst and the depleted and costcutting corus will not provide unbiased news.

i look forward to the fruitation of bc mary's idea.

elliot sez:

I admit, it is somewhat embarrassing to be seen on the same web page as you, but I can't turn you off - and even if I could, maybe I woudn't because sometimes you're good for a laugh.

I like this TDH Strategies website... by far the best information on the federal liberal scene here in BC.

the raid on the leg: yawn.

Great piece above, burner...enjoyed reading it.

G West, sorry.. missed the Jon Stewart interview of Zinni. I would have liked to have seen it.

lynn
might be fun tonight too although I don't know who he's interviewing. No doubt he'll have something (funny) to say about the fact that bush has been outed as the source of the Plame leak.
Cheers

Good summing up burner.

Between the provincial and federal Libs I think corruption will be what the C in Canada will soon stand for.

Indeed, a good summing up Burner.

I too like the web site idea, and have a $100 bucks I can donate to it, to help get it off the ground. If there is more than that I can contribute to it, let me know. (I love my small town life, except when I sense that things are really starting to move. :-) The internet really is a great "inter-connector though, ain't it. Even for those of us remote from the urban mainstream.

It's clear from the details here, around this Birk and Vasi issue, that the corruption and anti-democratic developments within "the system" are moving into a whole new stage of development, which has been much encouraged by the election of the Neocons into the Federal Government, I am sure. They are doubtless feeling "emboldened".

The Emerson issue is really an inter-linked part of all this "retrogressive" corruption and anti-democratic development going on within current capitalism as well. Indeed, in my view, both these "aspects" of the New/Old Capitalism are really inextricably tied together as part of the same bundle, and the same socio-political phenomena.

But it is also true, that thereby, as this process of corruption and anti-democratic development evolves it is likely (few things being for absolute certain, in my experience) going to "tend" to encourage popular alarm and anger, and it is the opportunities that will arise out of that which we need to most watch for and encourage as well.

BC Mary keeps my email inbox jammed with all the latest developments around this issue, which I much appreciate, for one's head cannot be everywhere at once. And I will work to keep my head current on this Birk and Vasi matter, because it has the potential, in my view, to be the undoing of this Neoconlib crew in Victoria.

A good day all. The day beckons. :-)

The big difficulty with this story is that the BC Libs are masters at deflecting scrutiny. They operate like stage magicians, "hey look over here folks ain't this amazing!?" Meanwhile the real trick is disappearing down a trapdoor.

Basi and Virk are obviously fixers and middlemen. When the story broke, everybody was looking at them. Meanwhile, over by the trapdoor, several ministers were getting oh, so homesick they just had to go home and spend more time with their families, back on the farm. Well, fish farms are farms, aren't they?

So, just when the audience was starting to look up the magician's sleeve, it's empty.

Now, we're back looking at Basi and Virk, who are raising their distraction value by making noises like they're all innocent, but when the judge asks, if they say "Guilty, melard", presto! No trial, no nothing. Especially no look at those above or below.

Unless the truth comes out in public, independendently. Whatever the defendents plead, whatever the magician wants us to see.

A site like BC Mary proposes would keep everything in plain sight for the whole duration. Everything anybody finds out will stay out. And not vanish down any Canwest trapdoor.

I have a feeling this is a very big story, much bigger than it looks. Lots of big names from all over are close to this. I once watched a stage magician disappear the statue of liberty, but I'll bet he couldn't have done it if a bunch of people were shining lights around backstage and taking pictures and putting them on the net. And leaving them there.

I'll contribute too. Whatever I can.

So the website would be full of articles and such on the case and a forum where people can discuss the proceedings?

Hopefully it would hold all contributions, and be organized somehow to make them all searchable, archives and all.

If done well it could develop a synergistic multiplier effect, where the stories would link, suggesting new stories to explore and link, until the gaps begin to close and a coherent picture of the overall progress of events emerges.

A true picture based on evidence, not spin, disinformation, smoke, mirrors or any of the tricks we all feel are being used to dazzle our senses and keep us in the dark.

Where all magicians want their marks to stay.

I will pledge $100 to the new website.

Stay tuned!

I notice that the Canwest media Sun, Province papers & Canwest's TV stations aren't running anything about the Basi scandal & the involvement of the Gordo Fiberals in Victoria the people's Parliament Buildings

BC Dude, that's because there's not a deck involved. If a deck in Penticton had been worked on by a guy known to a politician then the media would be leading with that story every day for a year.

Grow-ops? Laundered money? Mass memberships? The ALR being open for business? Ministerial aides on corporate junkets? Inside information being given out?

Geez, that's just politics, wouldn't want to cover that...

Frank:
Have you read back up this thread?

I did catch up around here by reading it all before I posted, yes.

Ok! That's all that was needed - wanted to make sure you hadn't missed any small details - message goes for others too

web-site would fill that black, news-less void by providing the information which the public needs. Judging from hints dropped here and there on the Internet, many bits of info. come from street level. Any worthy journalist will know the cowpats to avoid, to escape libel problems.

rkewan: some web-sites appear clear, bright, welcoming; others are a jumble. Tyee's format is one of the best. Pacific Gazetteer and Public Eye Online are easily accessible and clear too. I thought the De-elect Emerson site was also good.

Bailey: very important, as you say, to choose a good, findable web address.

Gremlins at work: chewed off the beginning and end of my comment. I was saying to BC Dude that the news-less black hole he observes in the MSM is precisely why a Basi-and-Virk website might well fill a real need for information about this issue.

And at the end, I wanted to tell Lynn that I did see the NDP Questions about the new charges against Dave Basi and the evasive replies given by the BC Liberals, which is more evidence of why it's a good idea to try for a Basi-and-Virk website.

BTW, when I contributed to The Tyee's investigative journalism fund, where it asked for story suggestions, I suggested the need for work on the Basi and Virk story.

Now ... anybody know the next step we need to take??

BC Mary, the next step would be gathering the information. Judging from Coyote's post BC Mary, do you have this already compiled?

By the way, I see Paul Willcocks addressed the issue on his Paying Attention site

Frank
I think it's much earlier than that....no doubt Coyote will have something to say shortly.

Once the site is up, gathering information should take care of itself, Frank.

We could start with this excellent piece here in the Tyee. Frank, you could post in the Paul Willcocks piece. Others will contribute what they find. Old stories and new.

I'm no lawyer, but I think libel and slander will be smaller problems than you think, provided every published article comes with proper attribution.

For original articles, the professional standard is two confirmations. If a story comes into doubt, then others with knowledge can be asked to confirm or deny right there openly. The confirmations or denials attached to the story will remain part of it, and anyone can then judge its accuracy or otherwise.

Once the site is up.

Opinions are just opinions, I don't think anybody's opinions amount to libel. A lawyer could tell you for sure.

bailey, I was just asking about the actual construction of the website itself, not so much the content.

I like to think I'm seeing a wonderful symmetry. As I gaze to the south it appears the wheels are starting to come off the Bush Crime family wagon. Abramoff pleads guilty and starts naming names and still has another trial to face, not including the murder case that may suck him in too. Tom "the Hammer" DeLay, or the Bugman as I prefer, finally has to withdraw as he is just about the only one left in his organization that hasn't pled guilty or been convicted of something- he remains just indicted. Being a child molester is beginning to seem to be a requirement to be employed by the Department of Homeland Security, three so far. Part of DHS is "Operation Predator" and the former head of that section, since transferred to another division, just got arrested exposing himself to a 14 year old at a mall. A White House aide, previously nominated to the Justice Department has to resign for serial shoplifting and returning goods for cash and I could go on, but won't.

Maybe now the wheels are starting to come off the single A farm team, otherwise known as the Campbell Government.

Hopefully Basi and Virk are just the appetizer, an opening wedge which will expose the rot and corruption of Gordo's gang before they finish stealing and selling off everything in BC. I heard a politico on the radio (I was just waking up and didn't catch who it was) saying it was ridiculous to think that Birk or Vasi could influence the ALR board. I agree, they also probably couldn't influence the sale of BC Rail either, in other words there has to be higher ups that do have influence involved.

I'm still willing to help with the website, though I'm not too sure how we get started logistics wise. Obviously we can't just plan everything here, I certainly don't want to start getting email from the trolls. I still think a yahoo group might be a good way to start, it would be a place to get together, decide on a name and style. I personally think more of a blog like firedoglake or the Galloping Beaver might be appropriate, but I would like to hear other's ideas.

Maybe I'll start a group called House of Shame(just a maybe on the name), and then see how much interest there is and take it from there.
We could even have a poll to pick a name for a real website. If I do that I'll post a link to it here and then perhaps see some of you in the cyber sense. It would be nice to get underway, but we don't need to rush, this is obviously going to take awhile to play out.

rkewen
you've touched a nerve - getting together round a common point - I'd like to show you but I agree with your cautious approach - you're a clever fellow, circle back into the forest and follow the line of crumbs - you'll figure it out. 8-D

Don't start anything until you've done that.

Start a don't buy or watch Canwest boycot!
Conrad Black went down and he thought he was a god.

'Start a don't buy or watch Canwest boycot!'
blather blather... yawn yawn....booooooooorrrrrrrriiiinnngggggg....

Let's hear suggestions for a domain name which is easily recognized, easily findable, so that if you Google Basi & Virk, you'd get our proposed web-site.

All I can think of is Basi & Virk Web-site which admittedly lacks flair. Basi & Virk Diary? Basi & Virk updates? Are Basi & Virk innocent?

Seems like our first task is to register the domain name.

... Basi & Virk Today ... The Basi & Virk Report ... yes?

BC Mary
Basi and Virk's names don't have to be in the domain name to affect a search. If their names are repeatedly used in the text, which they would be, that affects search engines. Also they can be among the meta name keywords in the head section of the document, which is so important to search engines that they will blacklist you if you try to game them with your meta words.

I like to think that this is about more than those two individuals and more about this government and the way they feel entitled to sell off our assets to coporate interests and their friends (often the same players) with a minimum of oversight. As I said above, it's hard to believe that these two aides had the influence to do all of what they are accused of accomplishing.

G West
I'm still causing smoke to issue from my ears trying to decrypt your last message. I think I have pieces of it, if I'm correct so far, I'll send you an email once I've got it solved. Cryptography isn't my forté, though I do enjoy it.

To the tyee board master, your login protocol has some glitches. Sometimes it appears you are logged in so you type a post only to be directed to a weird blue login screen. Once you log in there you go to the home page, not even the article where you were and then have to log in yet again once you get to the article. I know how to save my post so I don't have to retype it (and remember it), but it is still a bit of an unnecessay pain.

rkewen
Wish I could help you...just remember not all animals want visitors...because it is a forest out there.

G West
I wasn't necessarily asking for help, just keeping you up to date, cause I think you're right, eventually I'll figure it out.

BC Mary; I agree with rkewen. Probably best to keep people's names out of any titles. Early days yet, and we don't really know who will turn out to be what as things progress.

Maybe something more generic, but not too general.

The raid on the BC Legislature? Investigation into the BC Legislature? Legislative Misconduct in British Columbia?

Whatever you choose should maybe use words people will type into searches if they don't know the name of your site, but are looking for information on the topic. Something that will still describe the story whatever twists it takes as it develops.

It might easily last way beyond Birk and Vasi's involvement.

for what it's worth Elliot
I don't see your ideas in here just a lil boys answer to free speech/ideas
"'Start a don't buy or watch Canwest boycot!'
blather blather... yawn yawn....booooooooorrrrrrrriiiinnngggggg...."

Some of Canwests holdings
http://www.cjr.org/tools/owners/canwest.asp

Now a nae 4 a web site How's this "Victoria,s Secrets"

name & Victoria's

Victoria's Secrets is awesome BC Dude, but there isn't a chance in hell of acquiring that domain name, because of the frillies company.

Anyway I started a blog at:

http://houseofinfamy.blogspot.com/

I welcome any links, graphics, articles, comments and people who would like to join the team. We have to start somewhere, and this is a where. There's no there there until there's a where.

thanks rkewen. I especially love the yellow Crime Scene tape. It reminds me of style of journalism that has been practiced on this story by BC msm so far.

wow...thanks, rkewen. That should make BCMary, very BCMerry.

I agree...nice touch that yellow Crime Scene tape.

'for what it's worth Elliot
I don't see your ideas in here just a lil boys answer to free speech/ideas' you call your previous post an idea bc dude. i've heard that same ridiculous tired old line around here hundreds of times. it's what you lefties say when you can't understand an issue: blame it on canwest and the rotten capitalist pigdogs. grow up and get over it.

Bravo rkewen....Bravo

Three cheers for democracy, and feeling like you can make a difference! I salute you!

BC Dude, your comment was fine, I just accidentally deleted it when I was shifting stuff around - sorry!

I visit The Blogging Tories site. And I have a problem with it.
The posts sometimes are weak and consist of a breif comment followed by a link to some external site.
This is woosey to me.

Police Raid on the BC Legislature sounds like a good web-site ID to me. Whatever it takes to enable the most people to find the web-site -- to read and contribute to it.

Yes, of course the full story goes beyond Basi, Virk, Basi, and the others who are charged as a result of Operation Everywhichway. But we gotta start somewhere. And Basi & Virk were high-ranking aides to two of the top-ranking BC Cabinet Ministers of their day.

They know what happened not just to BC Rail but other privately-arranged privatization; these two men hold memories of conversations, deals, events, which will make our blood run ice-cold, if we find out.

Dave Basi & Bob Virk may not have been the decision-makers but they were in the rooms where all the big decisions were made. They hold the keys and I beg you: no cross-hauling on this point.

Basi & Virk are the pivotal characters in this historic affair. They even have it in their power to help British Columbia figure out what to do, to clean up the B.C. Legislature.

Recommended reading: Coyote's Open Letter to BASI and VIRKpublished in Vive le Canada on-line.

Okay, rkewen, sorry I've been away for most of this thread-, embroiled in the intrigues that sometimes afflict families. I will check your site out here, posthaste however,

Now I don't know if you want or can use it, but do feel free to use my open letter to Vasi and Birk, as you please. And if you do not know how to access it at Vive le Canada, email me below and I will forward it to you.

Coyote

Also, if there is any other way I can assist you, let me know. Some folks have emailed me with offers of money to facilitate this Basi and Virk issue and/or the idea of a separate "progressive listserve", in the background and separate from Tyee, where those of us of a more "progressive" bent can discuss and scheme more privately, so let me know. (I haven't been accepting any of these "money" offers, until I am sure it can be put to good political use. And I'm just scared of the responsibility. :-)

Anyway folks and rekewen, I'm away to check out your web site on the issue.

how about rotteninvictoria or secretativevictoria.com

I am trying to change BC politics.
Check out this message board and see if you might be interested.
No politician in BC is trust worthy anymore (if they ever were).
http://groups.msn.com/CanadianPoliticsandIssues/promotehere.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=230330

Take a peek and let me know what you think and if you can help by passing the thing along.
I believe that while single issues will keep us divided, the common good of people powered governance and real short leashes on politicians can go along way to making our part of the world a better place for all.
The Basi's, Virk's, Campbell's et al need not be the one's controling anything.
The people in BC are NOT stupid and we are not as far removed from information as folks were at confederation.
Take a look.

Power to the people. An idea who's time has come.

Anyone as obviously biased as Bill Tieleman should not be allowed to post or write anything anywhere. He as no jounalistic ethics whatsoever, only sour grapes for losing his nice job with Mao Tse Glen. Remember him? You know, the guy who works for Pattison?

Working Man:
It's a good thing we have someone as un-biased as you to point that out to us.

did you say david tieleman or bill schreck?