Judge Bennett

ooopsie...

Rafe....

So, Rafe, why has the mainstream media turned away from you? Why are you now only published on the Tyee? Could it, perhaps, be anything to do with your "journalism" and where it has gone the last couple of years. You are using the media to shill for a cause and that is not what journalism is. Sure, as long as you work cheap and shill for the NDP the Tyee will keep publishing your stuff. But other outlets won't have anything to do with you.

I heard you in CBC in election night. I don't think you will get another invite.

Rafe, you are at the end of the line. The voters in BC are used to socialist shilling. We've heard it all before so when you attach yourself to their wagon, the majority of media outlets and voters don't listen to you anymore.

Time to retire gracefully, Rafe, I don't want you to become another Gorde Hunter.

"land pimp"

cboo44 called Campbell "Giveaway Gordo." I recently came across an article that called Campbell "land pimp," which I mentioned earlier on this site. This term has a resonance that for me that captures Campbell's "modus operandi."

biscotti

I like that idea.

Blame everybody but yourself.

How dare you wilfie! It was stolen. You don't know me at all. I worked for my local candidate, I phoned, I walked, I talked. Your answer is to, "Let it be", "Right is might" Righties like Hitler, G Khan, Napoleon, gordo, all criminals. The sad truth is that the papers, the radios, the TV bobble- heads were told, get him in. Don't worry about the forests, the water, the air. As that asshole from the Fraser institute said, "Everything should have a price on it". "Everything". Remember that wilfie, when you can't get a hospital bed, or the
water is soiled from exploitation. I have a list of most of the advertisers on NW, they are my target.. Get to the top by chipping away at the bottom. They hate confrontation. As well as lost income.

If Wilfie had lost because...

...the media was a left wing organ, he'd be singing a different tune. Goebels was considered a great guy if you were a Nazi. All the rest were just sore losers and playing the blame game. If you are on the winning side, the end justifies the means. There are still people who believe Pinochet was a great leader. There are still about 45 % of 53 % along with the corporate media who think Gordon is just fine. For Wilf Laurier that is all that counts.

Thank you

Thanks Raif, you work hard and it is greatly appreciated.

Carole did a spectacular job yammer

Anyone who calls for the resignation of the leader of the BCNDP is calling for yet another electoral failure in 2013.

Which leads me to suspect they are not NDP supporters and have no business dictating who those of us who support the ndp with our life our love and our blood have as our leader.

So BC politics is totally screwed up.....

What is new?

About 50% of the electorate voted. We got a Teflon premier who is as fake as a three-dollar bill. It is business-as-usual. The crime spree will continue. The environment was put on the back burner.

Is there anywhere on earth where the environment is actually a priority? If there is, I would like to go there. I emigrated to Canada in 1974 and I would like to go back there but the place doesn't exist. They trashed it.

So BC politics is totally screwed up.....

What is new?

About 50% of the electorate voted. We got a Teflon premier who is as fake as a three-dollar bill. It is business-as-usual. The crime spree will continue. The environment was put on the back burner.

Is there anywhere on earth where the environment is actually a priority? If there is, I would like to go there. I emigrated to Canada in 1974 and I would like to go back there but the place doesn't exist. They trashed it.

Is Rafe mentally well?

"Yet, to offer one example of the frustrations I faced as I travelled around the province speaking on this issue, I was consistently denied the opportunity to appear on the Fanny Kiefer Show on Shaw Cable.

I began to wonder if this was because Shaw Cable is the major shareholder of Corus Entertainment, the owners of CKNW, who fired me in 2003 and have airbrushed me from their history and to this date deny me access to the 20th and 21st floor of the TD building."

So, Rafe, this whole escapade is nothing but about you, isn't it?

I think that you've become less stable since you got let go by Corus a few years ago. It's nothing more than sweet revenge that you've got against Corus, isn't it.

I feel really sorry for you; you once had a brilliant mind. But, since you railed against the Charlottetown Accord back in 1992, you lost my support.

When you started supporting the Greens a few years back, I thought that you became unstable; but the NDP, a party that you helped defeat back in 1975! How dare you sell out.

Do you not think, in my humble opinion, that you should retire and let someone fresh and exciting take over the job? Paranoia isn't helping.

The fact that free enterprise, and not socialist hordes, won the May 2009 election would make WAC Bennett extremely proud of BC. Your treasonous acts would make him deeply ashamed of you.

Your former boss, William Richards "Bill" Bennett proudly supported Mr. Campbell's reelection.

Fess up Rafe, the free enterprise coalition won in 2009, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Stop your fear mongering. The worst that will happen, is that BC Hydro get privatized and broken up, and our electric bills would receive a slight increase.

...Oh yes, fish farms are a federal responsibility, not provincial. As s former member of the Executive Council, you should have known that.

I wish you all the best Rafe, and hope that you consider retiring, and getting help for your paranoia. It's much the same way that the average commie felt in the United States in the early 1950s.

As of me, I am damn proud of the BC Liberals, and I am very proud of our slogan, "THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH".

Greenies and commies hate that slogan, as they are not loyal to this province to begin with. They are opposed to pride in BC, the environment, and the overall well being of our economic peace and prosperity for the next decade and beyond.

BC electorate

Joe lunch box was bought off by the carbon tax, which eased his conscience and allowed him to vote for jobs, jobs, jobs (at any cost) Campbell. James fell for it and dutifully opposed, as Campbell hoped she might, the carbon tax, helping to alienate her own base. Jesus, all so obvious. But it worked!

I've had it with BC's environmental movement, BC politics, and BC voters. From this point on, I don't give a shit what happens. Imagine the worst, and its bound to come to pass.

Now out of my way! I'm going out to buy a gas guzzler and some farmed salmon.

Garry Eaton

YOU CALL THIS FARCE AN ELECTION???

Thank you, Rafe, for your valiant efforts to make a difference and you certainly have, as far as I was concerned! All the things you have said made a whole lot of sense to me, and while I was not happy with the NDP in the past, I did support you by voting for them.

I was really saddened by the NDP's actions. It is said, that there are two ways to have the tallest building in town- one is, to tear all the other taller ones down. The NDP fell into this trap for the 'umpteenth' time by stooping lower than a snakes belly and 'featuring' the illustrious Gordo in their campaign ads.

If only they had listened to you, Rafe, and run some really poignant ads like:

LOOK HERE FOLKS, WHAT IS BEING DONE TO YOUR PROVINCE WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE!!!

Now THAT would be a novel concept, nes pas?

Self-serving

Oh, Rafe, your time has come . . . and it has gone. With all due respect to a long an illustrious career, I sincerely hope this was your last kick at trying to prove yourself a political force in this province. As for your rantings (and subsequent posts) about the media, well, it just sounds like a conspiracy theory and we all know how real those tend not to be.
Good luck in your future endeavours. I hope your next venture succeeds and if it doesn't you don't blame everyone else for what went wrong.

I don’t mean to sound

I don’t mean to sound disrespectful but I agree that it may be time for Rafe Mair to move on. I attended one of Mr. Mair “Save Our River” presentations and thought it was well done. I left angry and promptly marched down to my MLA office the very next day.

Suffice to say I quickly discovered and much to my own personal embarrassment that many of the things that Mr. Mair had told us were either untrue or were grossly misrepresented by Mr Mair.

I still disagree with these projects but I also disagree with the dishonest tactics used by Mr.Mair to express his own views. Clearly a former politician can be every bit as rhetorical as a current one, maybe even worse.

I think it is time for a new person to take over the role of Mr. Mair; one who will make a presentation with greater integrity and less ranting rhetoric.

switek and gidget - Oh do tell

You mean your Liberal MLA contradicted Rafe?

And a slight increase in power bill's when BCHydro's purchase cost triples?

Please enlighten us with the truth/sources!!!!

Otherwise you are just more Neocon hacks spewing noxious gas.

Old Media

Fewer journalists are working for old media now.

Change is slowly happening.

New forums are being created.

Sadly in smaller towns smaller newspapers editorial comment is often stifled re: comment on offensive to Alcan in Prince Rupert.

BC is a special .. world special lets continue to inform the masses alpenglowpro.wordpress.com

Moderators

Could I suggest you have a look at Gidget's posts?

Seems to me they contain serial violations of the Tyee's code of conduct.

If one can't criticize an author without suggesting they're insane the maybe that poster deserves to take an extended holiday.

I've been blocked for a handful of days for suggesting that there might be something a little "off" relative to the size of the pay packet of a virtually invisible member of the Premier's staff - yet gidget is permitted to keep casting aspersions at one of your regular columnists without even a minor edit.

How come?

Run of river and carbon tax

I voted for the greens. All I wanted from the ndp was agreement to the carbon tax (until they impliment their cap and trade) and that they would bring in stv if it got a majority.
Bringing in stv if it got a majority is the correct thing to do in a democracy and the carbon tax is the only measure to slow down carbon use that we currently have.
Carole james KNEW that she would get major opposition from environmentalists when she did axe the tax. She chose to lose.
It would have shown integrity if she had said stv if it gets 50% and she would have got quite a few of the green votes. (And I suspect some of the ndp and liberals who stayed away might have voted too). Integrity counts and there is a huge deficit on both sides.
Rafe does know that environmental groups can lose their charity status if they endorse a political party? They asked James to reconcider axe the tax.
She didnt and killed her chances.
Brian

Brian

Guess you missed Paul Krugman yesterday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/opinion/18krugman.html?_r=3

co-opted media

Freedom of speech in Canada is closely related to, although is not identical to, journalistic freedom. If anyone wants to know the real state of journalistic freedom in Canada they should read Marc Edge’s book, Asper Nation. It’s also a good idea, though not essential, to read Peter Newman’s biography of Izzy Asper first. It provides a sense of perspective about the Asper family and their business dealings.

Freedom of expression is the most important freedom of all because it makes all other freedoms possible; without it, all others are in jeopardy. Given this importance, we are all responsible for ensuring that freedom of speech remains a cornerstone of our society.

When one prints a letter to the editor in any newspaper, the paper requires a name. The reason for this is to hold the person who wrote the letter responsible for its contents. This is a good thing since it negates senseless rants and holds misinformation up to the light of public ridicule. Unfortunately, internet journals/e-zines such as the Tyee don’t have this requirement. Some people, such as Rafe, use their own names, and I laud them for it, but too many do not. This results in the general public judging much of the information accessible on the internet with scepticism. Since the major media is closed to all but conservative pundits in B.C., what is needed is an internet site with journalistic integrity.

Unless we hold ourselves responsible for what we say, we can hardly expect the same of our governments (although they are supposed to be held to a higher standard). As usual, it is the public which must lead the way, not the politicians with their next-election-horizons.
Russ

media

OMIGOD
I haven't heard this much whining since James last speech. In fact now instead of focusing on what a blunder it was, that a party so vulnerable as the liberals couldn't be defeated, the NDP faithful blame the media, blame "Gordo" and his "whores" and "thugs". The lingo is brutal and low grade, like the NDP campaign.
Blame James and the NDP party for being so uncompelling that people chose to avoid the booth rather than vote. She was AWFUL.
HUGE issues that people care about were completely ignored by JAMES and the NDP, all she did was talk about Campbell who just played the trap and sat back, avoided contentious issues and won. Simple. Easy, when your competition is bankrupt of intelligence.
But when this is fact the readers choose to say 1/2 of BC voters are illiterate $%%#%$#s? Look within for fault, what a huge blunder. If this government is going to destroy the province as 1/2 the writers here claim, then look to James' for being incapable of anything but backstabbing. Be angry, but focus it.
If the readers will direct their anger toward the NDP planning commitee or whomsoever came up with this low grade attack strategy maybe they can save the world next time around. But are they any better? Actually, with the NDP swing to the Right and the Libs swing to the Left I am having trouble telling them apart. James got her butt kicked when she should have won, then the unions...who need BIG BUSINESS to survive, could have had another turn raping the environment.

where is the press? Answer; exactly where they always are!

"I began to wonder if this was because Shaw Cable is the major shareholder of Corus Entertainment, the owners of CKNW, who fired me in 2003 and have airbrushed me from their history and to this date deny me access to the 20th and 21st floor of the TD building."

DO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL RAFE....those media you mention in this article are all in bed with the status quo....your biggest mistake was playing footsy with the status quo NDP thus "shooting yourself in the foot".....if you want change, you should have supported the likes of The BC Refederation Party .....real change,real guarantees to return the Province back to the people.

Whay another Photo of the Self Absorbed Berman Rafe?

Why promote the self absorbed Berman with a photo 9again Tyee?)?

Hasn't anyone have a picture of her gassing up a Hummer or clubbing a baby seal?

Tzepzuki IPP booster hit team

The Tzepzuki drive by boosting of the BC Liberals relied on strategic funding from US interests positioned to benefit enormously from processes begun with the IPP's.

The collapsing value of US mortgage default swaps demands replacement with more credible mortgageable assets and the BC Liberals have offered BC Hydro and our remaining hydro potential to inject new value into the fake asset base underwriting current US control of the global economy.

Bailing out the US economy will require leveraged securitization of BC public assets and hydro resource infrastructure. Enroneous creative accounting can take the book value of our privatized public assets from the hundreds of billions to support new and old debt in the trillions.

These new public asset based mortgages will provide expansion headroom allowing financial crash stranded equity capital to be replaced with debt throughout the disintegrating US financial system.

The Tzepzuki spin & hit team ask no questions, they just do what their handlers tell them. They are manufactured celebrities used to manipulate messaging ostensibly from environmentalism but they have shamelessly exposed themselves as PR fakes in the employ of neocon tacticians.

Almost all of the "environmentalism" with regular access to the BC mainstream media is now fake environmentalism. There is an honest environmental movement but it was buried during the last 15 years under tons of astroturf courtesy of US foundations whose imperial neoconization and framework for globalized economic growth provides legitimacy only for environmentalism that does not hinder economic expansion and monetization of resources and the environment.

Tzepzuki as a PR driven salient has provided critical support for IPP controlled government in BC whether that government is the current BC Liberals or the future result of Hollyhock led Renewal in the NDP.

If you think the current NDP is principled but stupid, we need to discuss the factors positioning to fund a privatization friendly, pragmatic and unprincipled DNC like marketing program for the new NDP.

Michael\\

I agree Freebear

No more photos of Berman or Suzuki either. Their smugness is just too much.
They are publicity hounds and The Tyee, no matter the context, is just promoting them by continuing to feature their photos.

Also the comment heading by "Gidget" questioning Rafe's mental health is a personal slur is it not?

don't give up

We can't afford to give up because Gordo got back in. There is too high a price to pay. Most people I talk with haven't the foggiest idea what run of the rivers is all about. We have to get the word out more and make enough noise that the canwest cannot ignore us. Many people thought it was just another election issue. People tend to pay more attention when they know they are going to be hit in the pocketbook. Raif should not stop touring the province and communities can have information drives and province wide protests.

'Free Press' with a greasy palm!

"Where Was the Media?"

Too busy thinking of questions to ask the downtown prostitutes after their media training!

G West

I didn't mean to startle you with a comment regarding one of your patron saints.

I didn't know that Rafe Mair was beyond criticism.

He is on record as having a very serious mental depression problem. I remember him having a few shows regarding that subject back on Top Dog Radio years ago.

Couple that, with the rambling that he and his Rivers colleagues are doing, and you wonder why I question his health and well being?

Those of the left will continue to find someone, other than themselves, to blame.

BC Liberals brought in a carbon tax, knowing full well that it would badly divide the left and the environmental movement. They succeeded beyond belief.

Now, we just need to keep the left just as divided, and we BC Liberals can continue to govern this province in the god Given mandate that is ours for the taking.

BC never has been, and never will be, a socialist province. The NDP only won two elections outright (1972 & 1991), and one by total accident (1996). Rafe's apostasy and betrayal of his free enterprise background and Christian beliefs are what is very troubling.

Hence, my concerns for a man who once had such a forceful and brilliant mind. I wish that he would clue in to the fact that he is about 77 years of age, and it is time to let some one else take over where he has left off.

We only have to look at how poor Allan Fotheringham became towards his end. I don't want to see that happen to Rafe. As a fact, I am clearly ashamed of the NDP and the rabid Rivers movement, anti-fish farm lobby for using a tired and confused septuagenarian in its efforts. Completely shameful.

As I said it before, I shall say it again: I am very proud of this statement,

"BRITISH COLUMBIA: THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH!"

We've got no-one to thank but the Honourable Gordon Campbell for what we are today. I am proud of him and his record.

The best place to be a poor child Gidget?

Maybe in comparison to Darfur!

Builder of Mountain Ranges and coastline!

Sounds like Giget owns stock in Gordon Campbell Inc. (In-cahoots with!)

DavidN

People should focus their anger that Campbell is destroying the province on the NDP?

Sure, why blame the perpetrator. BC politics as usual I guess.

Brian White

STV didn't get anywhere near a majority so its dead and whatever James may think or not think of it is a dead issue as well.

"Carole james KNEW that she would get major opposition from environmentalists when she did axe the tax. She chose to lose."

And yet, she didn't. The Green vote feel by 36,000 votes in spite of so many claiming the Greens killed the NDP.

In other words all the claims and threats amounted to nothing more than wishful thinking.

Hot off the press

U.S. Senate Comprehensive Energy Legislation

The only problem? The proposed RES only recognizes a very limited amount of incremental "hydro" as "renewable energy" (ie - most hydro is NOT considered renewable energy under the act) and does not contemplate allowing imported hydro to qualify towards meeting the obligations of utilities under the RES.

Say what “ No US market for Gordon Campbell and his run of river buddies. Guess we'll just have to sell it to BC Hydro and raise Hydro rates .

gordo, his lil friend gidget (works for him)

Just a thought for our right wing ding friends, Would you vote again for gordo if he is found guilty of involvement in the BC Rail (scandal) sale? A simple question for those simple-minded folks. I guarantee they would blame the NDP for that one also. Give us back our province!

Help me understand the RoR posts?

In following this thread, I note some conflicting, or at least to me, confusing statements.

- One post says that Bute Inlet power will cost the BC taxpayers $16 billion but another says the project should not be built as all the power will be exported.

- A post notes that independent power sells for $0.12/kwh. In a different post, it is noted that solar power is available in the US for $0.01/kwh. This suggests there cannot be a demand for BC power in the US.

- According to one post, spot power is available in BC for $0.025/kwh. Does this price include firm power (which is what we need for our residential use)?

- One poster suggest nuclear plants at the Burrard gas-fired power plant. Does anyone else agree that the public would accept a nuke in this location?

I am just curious as to why there seems to be so much anger in regard to RoR. Do we know of any fish stocks being wiped out because of a RoR project? I thought most sites were located upstream of the productive anadramous fish habitat (usually because a waterfall blocks passage). I know the kayakers were angry about one project in southwest BC, but that seemed a bit self-serving. I have seen the rigour of the federal environmental review process when applied to other resource projects so surely any concerns will be addressed and impacts mitigated.

I have seen on other websites, the insinuation that the RoR opposition is really a fight by the BC Hydro union to block private power development. Does the BC Hydro union (I do not know which union represents their workers) really sponsor any of the opposition?

Hope you folks can shed some light on this for me.

Gigdet

He's no patron saint of mine - my remarks were directed to the moderators not to you - I've seen them ban folks for questioning the sanity or mental stability of Tyee writers.

The fact they sat on their hands while you violated the commenting code of conduct with impunity was what I was questioning.
For reasons I spelled out pretty clearly in my post.

As for your slurs toward Rafe Mair, he's a big boy, he can look after himself.

Me, I'm pretty sure he isn't too troubled by your dyspepsia. Neither am I.

But I do think the Tyee ought to have a rational and fairly adjudicated policy with regard to what's allowed and what's not.

reallife

"I have seen the rigour of the federal environmental review process when applied to other resource projects"

I'm not sure what you mean by "rigour". Are you claiming that government has prevented any negative environmental effects from ever happening in Canada?

I doubt many of us share your faith that the government will protect the environment. I just don't see a lot of evidence of that out there.

As for public versus private that is a big issue. I just don't see the long term gain for BCers from the US taking over our rivers and generating power from them. At least with Hydro all the jobs and profits stay in BC.

Dear Gidget

I'm ashamed of you. You should be ashamed of yourself for your remarks about other people's health history.

Do you really believe that anyone must be crazy to disagree with you? I must say I would think such a belief indicates a kind of break with the norms of rational thought in itself.

Another cause to question your assumption of your own infallible correctness: your choice of adjective in your closing prayer above here. "The Honourable" indeed.

I would refer you to the interesting history of Mr Campbell's relatives in government service, particularly Doug Walls. If your adjective survives that research, then I wish you good luck with your difficulty.

Bailey & Kam Lee

First, as to the so-called BC Rail Scandal.

That issue is before the courts, and it would be wrong for me or anyone to make a comment (good, bad, or indifferent) about the said issue.

No-one has been found guilty of any such incident, and it is likely that no-one will ever be found to be guilty or purported to be guilty or at least partially culpable.

Besides, BC Rail has not been sold. The rail lines are still owned by the people of BC. And, CN North America has done things that BC Rail couldn't. It's in a far better position now.

Also, you and other leftists have proven time-and-time again as to why you should never-ever gain power again. Socialism is dead.

And to Bailey. Yes, I know that our beloved Premier may have some relations in government service. So what? Is it illegal? No? That wasn't an issue last week, nor was BC Rail.

British Columbians, other than the typical commie cry babies, don't care about your bugbears! Become relevant first, than maybe British Columbians will start to pay attention.

Once again, I am forced to defend the actions of BC's most popular Premier of modern times, and defend this great and just province, because it is 'THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH'.

Granted, there may be a problem here and there, such as violent crimes and a higher than usual level of child poverty. But, the markets will correct such issues. The unshackling of poor people from minimum wages will create more employment. The restructuring of our welfare system, by the reduction of benefits and making it more difficult to obtain, will strengthen the economy. We will have to learn to become more competitive, productive, and more willing to be self sufficient. A minimum wage, cushy employment standards, and an easy welfare system just breeds laziness and poverty.

I am looking forward to the day when a $5 an hour job will force a poor person off of their duff and find a better paying job. If they have children, then they should give them up. Shame on them for trying to raise children in a life of poverty.

A competitive workforce, strictly geared for the free enterprise market is the key to prosperity. Regulations only hinder the profit motive.

to Gidget

You haven't got a clue about the welfare system. People can't even survive on what it offers and it's very difficult to get on. I am on disability through no choosing of my own. I did not ask to be ill but I have to put up with the likes of you that figure we should just go get a job. There are no jobs. Where I live the mills are all closing down. Grown men are going after McDonald jobs to try and make it. You can't live off of minimum wage. You can't rent anything under $700. It's hard to get work when you haven't eaten for days, haven't had a place to do personal hygiene, afford clothing or have transportation to get to work. You can't even afford the bus, if your community has a bus, when you can't even survive. So just because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth doesn't give you the right to slander everyone else. Go walk a mile in someone elses shoes before you shoot your mouth off.

Mair's Media ...

... is now, and always shall be in service to the Trinity of the Market ; delivering Product (readers) to the Purchasers (advertisers) for the Owners.

His heresies notwithstanding, Rafe is a neo-liberal variant on the classic 'useful idiot' unwilling/unable to distinguish the free-enterprise entrepreneur from the capitalist.

The Media was exactly where it was paid to be - ignoring the citizen in preference to the consumer.

And so we've learned to rely on hard-hitting men's fashion magazines to dig out some tidbits of truth :

http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_9217

lovely tidbit,OilbertaRedTory

First Epistle of Peter: “It is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”

Hardhitting men's fashion magazines...wow! (Admittedly, I did get sidetracked by GQ and all that manly beauty on display...what was my point?)

Oh yes, pithy as usual, you are becoming my hero.

This, Gidget, is complete bullshit

people like Gidget

make us all ashamed, Weaser. And much more focused - "don't give up", as you said upthread.
Thanks, Bailey.

Socialism dead? Get a grip.

Communism may be dead – although from a wider, more informed perspective, even that is debatable – but socialism? Hardly. Anyone who has poked their head from the warren and taken the time to peer through the looking glass knows very well that we live in a country that exists because of socialism.

Campbell’s Wonderland is one of the most “socialized” places in the world. All of the infrastructures that allow us to go about our daily business, provide connections to the world around us and enjoy tea with the Queen are there because costs were socialized.

Contrary to what some would like us to believe, the spread of humanity in this country did not happen because private enterprise and the free market – out of the goodness of their hearts and the desire to let the rest of us profit – allowed it to happen. The costs of our roads, railways, ferry systems, hospitals, schools, military, water, power and communication systems are socialized; they are spread across society.

And nobody takes advantage of this fact more than the wealthy. So when it comes right down to it socialism in this country is alive and well. Unfortunately, more often than not, it benefits the well-heeled and excludes the poor. Yes, it’s called socialism for the rich. Socialism is dead … what a joke.

K.B.O.

Rafe, I recall that Winston Churchill had a motto; KBO or "keep buggering on". He was a stubborn, determined man and we all know he was the only person warning Great Britain and the rest of the world about the nazis/Hitler prior to 1939.

His speeches were heckled in parliament and the media called him a war monger if they didn't ignore him. His own party was set to kick him out.

Churchill was right; and I believe you are getting on some powerful nerves with your own stubborn and persistent criticism of the private power issue.

You have informed me about this and I'm sure many others. So don't give up; keep buggering on!

Sold

Its all OK with this prem and the lack of our press holding his feet to the fire BC is finished . Know it is time to carceit up.

KWD

Couldn't agree more - corporate welfare is working just fine.

hmmm......

If certain eco-spokespeople and their hyperbole-ridden, tunnel-vision, micro-scale interpretation of what passes as environmentalism these days failed to ignite the rational public, then perhaps a peak in the mirror will offer some insight as to why.

Here's a quick test to determine if you are a real environmentalist...

"Are you adamantly, single-mindedly opposed to a future in which non-carbon energy replaces fossil fuels?"

Hmmmm..... and I thought I used to know what an environmentalist was.

just want to add.....

OilbertaRedTory:

Yours is a concise and excellent post on the "Trinity of the Market"...and I agree, "the media was exactly where it was paid to be"..... but I think you are being unfair to Rafe:

Quote:

"His heresies notwithstanding, Rafe is a neo-liberal variant on the classic 'useful idiot' unwilling/unable to distinguish the free-enterprise entrepreneur from the capitalist."

First, he who hath no heresies may cast the first stone....second, as to the certainty in your.......well, let's just move on.....

The thing is, Rafe consistently got off his derriere for the right thing, travelled all over this province to inform the public when he probably preferred to be at home, kept the crusade and hard work of Alexandra Morton in the public forefront, and spoke out here on The Tyee and elsewhere at at time when few people are speaking out....at least not "out loud" in public anyway.

Those information meetings changed things...I saw it happen in our own riding...both through information gained and a growing sense of solidarity for a just cause.

That's why Gidget and her coy smearing tactics have "popped" up here....her/his side is threatened by the actions of Mr. Mair...and would greatly prefer he just "retire" and leave what little is left of this province for the ever-voracious privatization forces to further devour, decimate.... or sell-off.

I am tiring of the "revolutionaries" who are sitting there waiting for the revolution to knock on their door....for all the desirable factors to warm to their touch before they dare act.

When Rafe first began to write his views on The Tyee, I thought he had come late to the party, so even I am surprised that I am defending him so. But I respect what he has done and he has made a difference.

He spoke out... and more importantly, he acted...and probably with pretty good knowledge of the consequences of doing so in this Public Affairs (Smear) Bureau-controlled province.

His was an act of citizenry, not consumerism.

Give him credit for that.

Citizen Mair

Shall we render credit unto Rafe ?

Would that be Social Credit ?

Ba-dum dum!

Ba-dum dum! OilbertaTory.... didn't mean to give you the perfect set-up. ;-)

Actually, come to think of it, it would be credit of a social "nature"....the best kind in my books.

La plus ca change, la plus ca la meme chose.

With this election Tzeporah Berman has transformed herself from a power-hungry wannabee into a dangerously deluded and utterly hypocritical globalist apparatchik.

Not only is Berman hypocritical enough to campaign against "global warming" while funded by the petroleum industry, at the same time she is delivering lectures on Norman Rothstein Theatre "in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Shevat, the 'new year of trees'" on how her "Jewish beliefs have shaped her environmental activism," her co-religionists are literally uprooting the tree of peace (the olive) in occupied Palestine to build illegal walls to protect illegal settlements.

At the same time, she is declaring that British Columbians have "a moral duty" to turn BC into tribal chieftainates where only members have rights, her co-religionists are brutally driving the indigenous people of Palestine from land their ancestors have inhabited for millennia.

At the same time she is labeling those who disagree with her delusional beliefs as "climate change denier trolls" who will be "deleted" because they are "burining our babies," her co-religionists are actually burning children alive with illegal chemical weapons in order to reinforce their illegal occupation of Palestinian land.

At the same time she is lecturing us on the need to create "the future green economy" she is endorsing massively destructive IPPs whose construction will spew volcanic amounts of CO2 emissions into what is now in comparison, pristine wilderness.

At the same time she is decrying the NDP for their opposition for the utterly useless carbon tax, she is endorsing IPP "partnerships" with Indian bands that allow huge multinationals like Kiewit to forgo paying it by locating their headquarters on reserves or after Membership Rights & Titles is passed, any land in BC now deemed public.

With hypocrites like Berman in the driver's seat, prepare for the destruction of everything we knew and loved about our home and native land.

And say goodbye freedom.

Censorship

You don't get to read it because it was censored.

No doubt due to Berman's new special powers.

Janie

It's still there - just didn't make the 'best comments' list - not yet anyway.

I've kept a copy - just in case

The left is divided, and will continue so

I find it so beautiful that the left is so divided, that it is unlikely that it will ever reunite.

That's one reason why I am so proud of the Honourable Gordon Campbell, and the introduction of the carbon tax.

Some lefties are in favour of it, while others are opposed to it.

It's the best way to win and maintain power; the division of one's enemies.

And think: the BC Liberals got a strong endorsement from Dr. David Suzuki! He condemned the NDP.

Besides, too much concern for the environment leads to more regulations, which hurt the economy.

A true free enterprise economy will have as little regulations as possible, and will let the markets dictate environmental regulations, employment standards, working conditions, wages, social services benefits, et cetera.

A truly stable free enterprise system wouldn't tax the incomes of corporations and would bend over backwards to accommodate the needs and interests of those who own the said corporations or the overall wealth base.

A truly free enterprise system would make it virtually impossible for able bodied peoples to qualify for welfare, and would force them into the workforce. Poverty is a great motivator.

I for one, continue to be proud of the Honourable Gordon Campbell, despite what the lefties say, is the most popular Premier of BC in modern times.

BC is truly, THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH.

Campbell

Is without a doubt the worst premier and the only one convicted of an indictable offence in the history of the province.

Not a coincidence I'm afraid.
Corporations are sociopaths - like some people - they need to be heavily medicated and controlled.

Gidget Goes Ayn Rand

Gidget, I think you've over-dosed on the kool-aid.

Say Say Say ...

... the Laws of Markets are being repealed after the great Profit announced that the Invisible Hand was misquoted.

Meanwhile, Our Blessed Virtuous Mammon was sighted in envelopes of cash heading for the southern border.

curious

There’s that word again … “proud”. I’m curious, what message is being conveyed with the use of terms like “proud” and “pride”?

As far as I’m aware “pride” refers to a lion family. But surely that can’t be the case when used in a political context … hmmm … but maybe I’m wrong, maybe it’s actually lyin’ family. Ah, that would make sense. When someone claims to be full of pride it must be that they’re full of lies.

And then there’s “proud”. It’s correctly used when it refers to something that sticks out, gets in the way and is a hindrance, like a knot in a piece of wood or a boulder in the road. But what does it mean when some says they’re “proud”? They’re happy to be a knot or a boulder or a hindrance? I’m truly stumped.

But getting back to the main question, "Where was the media?", it's curious to note that, although MSM had lots to say about the Oliphant inquiry … most but not all sickeningly sympathetic to lyin' Brian … they refused to allow reader commentary. Something about legal concerns. It’s amazing how much fear five high priced lawyers can instill.

come up with a position on climate Rafe

You'd make a more powerful case if you addressed the concern the Suzukis and Bermans of this world say they have, the concern that they say makes them advocate a position different than yours.

You don't seem to believe it is possible that wholesale global climate change could possibly "seriously impact", or even "ruin" our rivers. You make your case as if climate change isn't going to cause any problems anyone has to worry about.

Your passion leads me to think I should investigate the issue further, but the way you write about it leads me to conclude I'm not going to be able to get useful information from you.

Narcissism

Narcissism at it's best:

"It's still there - just didn't make the 'best comments' list - not yet anyway.
I've kept a copy - just in case"

Saving the world on the Tyee! LOL!

Wow, I have just arrived

Wow, I have just arrived back in town this am. And oh my god!

Gidget, you have defiantly drank gordo’s kool-aid, or something liquid from him. Even Hitler had groupies, and so does gordo. Maybe it in your job description (one of 223 in his office?)
To your other items you mentioned…

‘I find it so beautiful that the left is so divided, that it is unlikely that it will ever reunite.’

Yes, there are differing points of view on the left, unlike gordo’s empire, where you do as HE says.

“That's one reason why I am so proud of the Honourable Gordon Campbell, and the introduction of the carbon tax.”

Whoops, look like he is reversing his decision on that one. Outa sinc with the rest of the free world.

“And think: the BC Liberals got a strong endorsement from Dr. David Suzuki! He condemned the NDP.”

Suzuki had been bought off, simple as that. He is due to be put out to pasture soon.

“Besides, too much concern for the environment leads to more regulations, which hurt the economy.”

Yikes, that’s so true, your ilk have no real concern for the environment, that’s obvious.

“A true free enterprise economy will have as little regulations as possible, and will let the markets dictate environmental regulations, employment standards, working conditions, wages, social services benefits, et cetera.”

Oh yes, pay low,($6 –8 an hour) work harder, or get fired. Great strategy
“A truly stable free enterprise system wouldn't tax the incomes of corporations and would bend over backwards to accommodate the needs and interests of those who own the said corporations or the overall wealth base.”
No, tax all the rest (The people) especially the ones that gordo hates the most, women, kids, seniors, handicapped, mentally challenged, etc

“I for one, continue to be proud of the Honourable Gordon Campbell, despite what the lefties say, is the most popular Premier of BC in modern times.”
I’m so happy for you! In love with a dictator. One question please, and only a yes or no answer please.. If gordo is convicted of political interference with the sale of BC Rail. Would you vote for him again?

Sadly, I expect you would.

Kam Lee

"I’m so happy for you! In love with a dictator. One question please, and only a yes or no answer please.. If gordo is convicted of political interference with the sale of BC Rail. Would you vote for him again?"

The issue is before the courts, and neither you nor me should say anything about this matter. It may just prejudice the issue.

No-one has been convicted of anything, nor likely will be. The issue is far too complex for the common person to grasp.

BTW, did you hear that our beloved Premier offered an olive branch to Carole James and her band of misfits.

He has forgiven them for their hopelessly negative campaign. It backfired in their socialist faces.

Yes, the left is badly divided, which allows for us on the right to govern BC anyway we see fit; the rightist coalition is absolutely undefeatable.

Well, Kam Lee, I wish you luck on your endeavors. Too bad it can't be politics.

I'm proud to be living in THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH.

David Lewis: Do you take all political speeches at face value?

David Lewis
...the concern the Suzukis and Bermans of this world say they have, the concern that they say makes them advocate a position different than yours.

Do you take all political speeches at face value, or only those made by well-financed, well-paid, celebrity-status environmental NGO leaders, the environmental Elmer Gantrys of B.C.?

Your passion leads me to think I should investigate the issue further, but the way you write about it leads me to conclude I'm not going to be able to get useful information from you.

Funny you should say that!

Gidget drinking, sucking and in love

Gidget:

Don’t be afraid to answer that one question please. Your answer will not sway the decision of the courts. It' the usual thing you do and have done is divert or dismiss. I'm sure you will be able to service gordo when he is in prison. There are lots of other people like him there for you to love also.

Kam Lee

Any question regarding the "so-called" BC Rail Scandal is before the courts of law, and it wouldn't be right to make a comment regarding such issue.

If your talking about courts and such, why don't you talk about Glen Clark and the fast ferries?

Why don't you mention anything about the fake budget that Elizabeth Cull introduced before the 1996 election, wasn't passed, and was reintroduced by the new NDP finance minister? A small surplus ended up being a major deficit! The NDP stole the 1996 election under false pretenses.

What about Dave Zirnhelt's comments about the "government can do anything it damn well likes" comment?

What about Gordon Wilson changing parties at least 3 times, before becoming an NDP toadie a decade ago?

What about Moe Sihota and his many scandals?

What about the NDP kniving a well liked leader (Mike Harcourt) and choosing a union thug to replace him (Clark)?

What about the rising debt under the NDP?

What about the fact that the NDP made us a "have not" Province by about 1998?

The Honourable Gordon Campbell is an angel of God in comparison.

How dare anyone consider voting for the NDP, let alone do so, after the mess we were left with.

Face it, Gordon Campbell is BC's Barack Obama. He inherited a bad mess, and it took a while to clean it up.

The NDP should go down in history as bad as George W. Bush has gone down.

Anyone who supports the corrupt and inept NDP, would just as likely support George W. Bush and his government.

If you have anything to say about BC Rail, say it. Also, identify yourself, and that way you can get sued for defamation.

BC truly is THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH.

Gidget

You seem to forget that, in the 90's, the NDP were elected because the BC Liberals (nee Social Credit) were ruining the province. Added to that was the Asian meltdown which hurt the BC economy as well as many other parts of Canada. It was in this decade that Alberta was giving its welfare recipients one way bus tickets to BC. You mention fudget budgets. Look at the last one the BC Liberals brought in. Already it is way off due to miscalculations by the gov't of BC. Wait and see how far out it is when the audit comes down this fall. And watch for an even bigger fudget budget next Spring that won't be audited before the election. How convenient that is for Campbell and his cronies.
As for unions get big raises in the 90's, this is not true. Since the province was having a tough time unions did not request large increases.
I find it difficult to see how the BC Liberals could be thought of as better managers of the BC economy. They have been giving away our industry (BC Rail, BC Hydro) and our natural resources (wood, lumber, oil, gas) and they have not developed a sustainable economy that will serve the residents of BC in the future. It's time for them to go. When the BC Liberals took over they had the largest surplus in BC history and it became the largest deficit after Campbell started playing with the books.

Here is a quote for you about Campbell.
Eisenhower on foolish politicians

“Should any political party attempt to abolish social security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.” – President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1952

Sue, is that your real name?

"If you have anything to say about BC Rail, say it. Also, identify yourself, and that way you can get sued for defamation."

Look up sunshine, get off your knees. Who's gonna sue me, you? I've been preaching the same thing since the "raid on the ledge", since collins was overheard talking "deals" with one of the competitors, and extra loud because it has been stalled for five years!. Lawyers? They are all busy protecting him and many of his gang. Over 20% of his ilk are
been followed by cops and lawyers. How about using your real name? Is it Ross, or Irving? One of the gang of 223 in his office. You are fooling nobody. You are a shill for gordo. Mis-directed and lonely. Get a life.

Too many just don't get out of the city

This government is ruining all that makes this a great place to live.I have watched as the wild salmon were driven to near extinction.The inland fishery is a shadow of what it once was.The Thompson river steel-head are gone.Now they intend to P3 our hospitals in spite of the disastrous effects they had in England.These are the most disingenuous and dishonest thieves we've had since the last Liberal government.My mother used to say that no one in B.C. would ever forget the corruption of the old provincial Liberals.Sorry mom,these people don't care as long as they have gas for their SUV's and an underclass to spit on and ignore.What other government would dare give everyone a tax cut except for the very lowest tax bracket.They got an increase.That is Campbell's government in a nutshell.