VOTING LIBERAL?
- Thread starter Little Hawk
- Start date
Little Hawk
Active Member
Four more years of Gordon Campbell!
Sometimes I truly wonder if our Wild Fish stand a chance.
Sometimes I truly wonder if our Wild Fish stand a chance.
SerengetiGuide
Well-Known Member
quote:Originally posted by walleyes
Dog gone it the Liberals got in again !!!
Here I was hoping the Dippers would get in so I could take advantage of the new welfare state and get my cheap retirement property.
Oh well we'll wait till next time I geuss..
LOLOL
www.serengetifishingcharters.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/canucksfanatic44
OldBlackDog
Well-Known Member
It Hurts, and Here's Why
Fish farms won. Private river power won. STV is dead.
View full article and comments here http://thetyee.ca/Views/2009/05/13/ItHurts/
By Rafe Mair
Published: May 13, 2009
TheTyee.ca
The election was a big win for Gordon Campbell and the Liberals and, yes, it hurt and this column is a tad personal.
As spokesperson for Save Our Rivers Society, I travelled the entire province except the Peace River and I can't begin to count the speeches and other happenings. I obviously wasn't able to get out the message about private river energy and for that I must accept responsibility.
Last night was a terrible one for the environment. Alex Morton, who has laboured so hard to save our salmon from the predation of fish farms must be bitterly disappointed, as am I.
I want to examine the election itself but I must touch upon the rivers matter for the record.
Private power generators will increase dramatically. The Bute Inlet project, larger in environmental impact than Site "C," will be approved shortly. When that happens, there will be no turning back. The message I tried to get out and failed in was getting people to understand that BC Hydro is compelled to buy that power at hugely inflated prices that it cannot come close to getting on the market. At present, Hydro has given out contracts amounting to $31 BILLION dollars, rising with each new private power licence and, here's the rub, for energy we can't use because it comes with the spring run-off when BC Hydro has full reservoirs thus lots of power. The private power will go to the U.S. and the process, unless reversed, will spell the end of BC Hydro.
One of the critical points in the election was the Campbell government's steadfast refusal to debate this issue despite all the provocation I could provide. This is a sad commentary on the election process but was a very smart move by Campbell for our case is unanswerable. I suspect that Richard Neufeld's departure for the Senate was contrived as Premier Campbell knew his energy plan couldn't withstand even mild cross examination while the new minister knew nothing about the real issues and would be able to duck debate.
Victories for fish farm, river power giants
The big winners were Marine Harvest, the fish farm giant and Warren Buffet, the largest shareholder of General Electric, partners with Plutonic Power Corporation Inc, the promoters of the Bute Inlet project. The big losers were those who care about fish and rivers.
In addition to refusing to debate the fish and power issues, Campbell skillfully painted himself as the steady hand on the tiller needed in these perilous economic times. He was able to do so because NDP leader Carole James could not avoid dealing with the NDP's traditional issues -- social issues -- thus blunting her attack on the economic front.
Campbell knew that his natural constituency did not, at this time at any rate, give a fiddler's wind passing for the homeless, the sick and the lame. His playing the economy card over and over again while refusing to get into other issues, except in a perfunctory way, had the effect of making Ms. James look like a bleeding heart while Campbell appeared as the white knight leading the province out of the economic wilderness.
Will fudged budget melt?
It's hard to criticize James because she obviously had to let her natural constituency know she was carrying their issues onto the battlefield. The end result was that Campbell had absolute control over the issue people wanted to hear about most -- the economy.
What comes next?
We'll see a new budget, which will remind many of the "fudget budget" of the Clark government in 1996, and we'll see a legislature more fractious than ever, which won't matter at all to Mr. Campbell who has, under our system, a four-year dictatorship ahead -- and none play the role of dictator better that he. We will have civil unrest over the rivers issue and when, not if, BC Hydro is broken up and sold. The polarization of our community will match if not exceed those days when Bill Bennett and Dave Barrett spat endless streams of venom at one another.
STV is not to be
Finally, STV. What went wrong?
I can only relate to personal experiences. As a supporter of STV, I was asked to make a speech on its behalf, which I did -- it was before about 100 supporters in a room in the SFU downtown campus. Supporters! I was spending valuable time and energy for nothing!
The STV campaign was obviously taken over by the Bay Street crowd. The last thing British Columbians wanted were lectures from the likes of Andrew Coyne of the Toronto Globe and Mail.
I was asked to do an endorsement for the "yes" side and did so thinking it was for radio ads only to find out, to my horror, that I became part of a telemarketing exercise. I hate that stuff and so, my mail tells me, do a lot of people.
I feel desperately sorry for former MLA Nick Loenen who has put so many years on this project and can only speculate that if he had remained in control it might have turned out differently.
Bottom line? This issue is dead for a decade.
The election itself?
History tells us that in bad times people often turn to the right.
Yesterday was no exception.
Fish farms won. Private river power won. STV is dead.
View full article and comments here http://thetyee.ca/Views/2009/05/13/ItHurts/
By Rafe Mair
Published: May 13, 2009
TheTyee.ca
The election was a big win for Gordon Campbell and the Liberals and, yes, it hurt and this column is a tad personal.
As spokesperson for Save Our Rivers Society, I travelled the entire province except the Peace River and I can't begin to count the speeches and other happenings. I obviously wasn't able to get out the message about private river energy and for that I must accept responsibility.
Last night was a terrible one for the environment. Alex Morton, who has laboured so hard to save our salmon from the predation of fish farms must be bitterly disappointed, as am I.
I want to examine the election itself but I must touch upon the rivers matter for the record.
Private power generators will increase dramatically. The Bute Inlet project, larger in environmental impact than Site "C," will be approved shortly. When that happens, there will be no turning back. The message I tried to get out and failed in was getting people to understand that BC Hydro is compelled to buy that power at hugely inflated prices that it cannot come close to getting on the market. At present, Hydro has given out contracts amounting to $31 BILLION dollars, rising with each new private power licence and, here's the rub, for energy we can't use because it comes with the spring run-off when BC Hydro has full reservoirs thus lots of power. The private power will go to the U.S. and the process, unless reversed, will spell the end of BC Hydro.
One of the critical points in the election was the Campbell government's steadfast refusal to debate this issue despite all the provocation I could provide. This is a sad commentary on the election process but was a very smart move by Campbell for our case is unanswerable. I suspect that Richard Neufeld's departure for the Senate was contrived as Premier Campbell knew his energy plan couldn't withstand even mild cross examination while the new minister knew nothing about the real issues and would be able to duck debate.
Victories for fish farm, river power giants
The big winners were Marine Harvest, the fish farm giant and Warren Buffet, the largest shareholder of General Electric, partners with Plutonic Power Corporation Inc, the promoters of the Bute Inlet project. The big losers were those who care about fish and rivers.
In addition to refusing to debate the fish and power issues, Campbell skillfully painted himself as the steady hand on the tiller needed in these perilous economic times. He was able to do so because NDP leader Carole James could not avoid dealing with the NDP's traditional issues -- social issues -- thus blunting her attack on the economic front.
Campbell knew that his natural constituency did not, at this time at any rate, give a fiddler's wind passing for the homeless, the sick and the lame. His playing the economy card over and over again while refusing to get into other issues, except in a perfunctory way, had the effect of making Ms. James look like a bleeding heart while Campbell appeared as the white knight leading the province out of the economic wilderness.
Will fudged budget melt?
It's hard to criticize James because she obviously had to let her natural constituency know she was carrying their issues onto the battlefield. The end result was that Campbell had absolute control over the issue people wanted to hear about most -- the economy.
What comes next?
We'll see a new budget, which will remind many of the "fudget budget" of the Clark government in 1996, and we'll see a legislature more fractious than ever, which won't matter at all to Mr. Campbell who has, under our system, a four-year dictatorship ahead -- and none play the role of dictator better that he. We will have civil unrest over the rivers issue and when, not if, BC Hydro is broken up and sold. The polarization of our community will match if not exceed those days when Bill Bennett and Dave Barrett spat endless streams of venom at one another.
STV is not to be
Finally, STV. What went wrong?
I can only relate to personal experiences. As a supporter of STV, I was asked to make a speech on its behalf, which I did -- it was before about 100 supporters in a room in the SFU downtown campus. Supporters! I was spending valuable time and energy for nothing!
The STV campaign was obviously taken over by the Bay Street crowd. The last thing British Columbians wanted were lectures from the likes of Andrew Coyne of the Toronto Globe and Mail.
I was asked to do an endorsement for the "yes" side and did so thinking it was for radio ads only to find out, to my horror, that I became part of a telemarketing exercise. I hate that stuff and so, my mail tells me, do a lot of people.
I feel desperately sorry for former MLA Nick Loenen who has put so many years on this project and can only speculate that if he had remained in control it might have turned out differently.
Bottom line? This issue is dead for a decade.
The election itself?
History tells us that in bad times people often turn to the right.
Yesterday was no exception.
Old Black Dog -
I do agree with one of your sentiments in particular - the loss of the STV is perhaps more of a let down than the Libs getting in again. Future elections will likely now have similarily unrepresentative results....
All we can do as voters is to talk to friends family, and everyone else we know about the current political state of affairs. Getting people interested is the only way to effect change in a democratic system.
I also take offense that the Liberals defied the ban on election-day campaigning with no repurcussions. I can imagine that they planned to send out the emails, and "if we stop quickly, they won't discipline us".
I love a government that knows how to bend the rules where they see fit...
@$%#*&%%*^* - nuff said.
Catch and release -- into my frying pan.
I do agree with one of your sentiments in particular - the loss of the STV is perhaps more of a let down than the Libs getting in again. Future elections will likely now have similarily unrepresentative results....
All we can do as voters is to talk to friends family, and everyone else we know about the current political state of affairs. Getting people interested is the only way to effect change in a democratic system.
I also take offense that the Liberals defied the ban on election-day campaigning with no repurcussions. I can imagine that they planned to send out the emails, and "if we stop quickly, they won't discipline us".
I love a government that knows how to bend the rules where they see fit...
@$%#*&%%*^* - nuff said.
Catch and release -- into my frying pan.
gallows
Member
I'm very disappointed that this result probable means the end of our wild pacific salmon and the end of cheap electricity for the residents of BC. It will now be slowly sold off by the back door to the Americans and gone forever. But what I'm most disgusted about is the fact the only 50 per cent of the BC electorate could be bothered to get off their backsides and get out there and vote. Voting numbers were the lowest on record. So if you are one of those who didn't bother voting, don't ever complain about what you get in the future, especially your Hydro bill. You had your chance to make a difference!!
Little Hawk
Active Member
Amen Gallows!
scott craven
Well-Known Member
Given the 3, not so good choices for a governing party, is it any real surprise that we only had a 48% turnout??
The green party is a joke, they only draw votes away from the
Libs & the Ndp, even though i like some of their idea's.
Without them, the result might have been closer.
The green party is a joke, they only draw votes away from the
Libs & the Ndp, even though i like some of their idea's.
Without them, the result might have been closer.
Little Hawk
Active Member
We have made our bed; now we have to lay in it.
As OBD pointed out, Campbell and the fish-farmers have won this round.
They are laughing at us 'Sporties' and anyone else who gives a flyin'-fu*k about Wild Salmon.
Regardless that we rec-fisherman are among the most disjointed and un-agreeable lot on our planet, I will continue to push the WSA forward to deal with these issues on behalf of our Wild fish. Campbell's winning another term only underscores the necessity for a more concentrated and focused attack on these issues.
"We shall never surrender... whatever the cost may be."
As OBD pointed out, Campbell and the fish-farmers have won this round.
They are laughing at us 'Sporties' and anyone else who gives a flyin'-fu*k about Wild Salmon.
Regardless that we rec-fisherman are among the most disjointed and un-agreeable lot on our planet, I will continue to push the WSA forward to deal with these issues on behalf of our Wild fish. Campbell's winning another term only underscores the necessity for a more concentrated and focused attack on these issues.
"We shall never surrender... whatever the cost may be."
Other than you HOPE the NDP might help the wild Salmon.
You would have to be out of your mind to vote for the NDP.
I cant figure out why so many people on the Island still support the NDP after what they did to the forest industry over there.
NDP + Pro Union = BAD FOR THE ECONOMY = U.I. Fishing team. Thats not much of a fun team to be part of.
You would have to be out of your mind to vote for the NDP.
I cant figure out why so many people on the Island still support the NDP after what they did to the forest industry over there.
NDP + Pro Union = BAD FOR THE ECONOMY = U.I. Fishing team. Thats not much of a fun team to be part of.
Other than you HOPE the NDP might help the wild Salmon.
You would have to be out of your mind to vote for the NDP.
I cant figure out why so many people on the Island still support the NDP after what they did to the forest industry over there.
NDP + Pro Union = BAD FOR THE ECONOMY = U.I. Fishing team. Thats not much of a fun team to be part of.
You would have to be out of your mind to vote for the NDP.
I cant figure out why so many people on the Island still support the NDP after what they did to the forest industry over there.
NDP + Pro Union = BAD FOR THE ECONOMY = U.I. Fishing team. Thats not much of a fun team to be part of.
After what they did to the forest industry ?
Are you making the statement that the NDP in this Province is the sole driver of the market in the world for forest products and are you assuming that all your good old boys in the corporate world didn't want to open up forest product industries in other countries where labour is 20cents per hour and there is no environmental regulations nor safety regs etc.
Are you really believing that this was all caused by the NDP ?
In the Pulp and Paper industry the cost of fiber has escalated for the last 15 years has the NDP been in power all that time ?
Have you looked around the world at other nations forest industries specifically in the top industrialized nations and seen how they are doing , yup worse than us and they are not aware of the NDP , so I find your statement ill informed and specious.
Apparently you are a supporter of the present regime which is promoting fish farms and selling off our rivers ............. well done !
AL
AL
Are you making the statement that the NDP in this Province is the sole driver of the market in the world for forest products and are you assuming that all your good old boys in the corporate world didn't want to open up forest product industries in other countries where labour is 20cents per hour and there is no environmental regulations nor safety regs etc.
Are you really believing that this was all caused by the NDP ?
In the Pulp and Paper industry the cost of fiber has escalated for the last 15 years has the NDP been in power all that time ?
Have you looked around the world at other nations forest industries specifically in the top industrialized nations and seen how they are doing , yup worse than us and they are not aware of the NDP , so I find your statement ill informed and specious.
Apparently you are a supporter of the present regime which is promoting fish farms and selling off our rivers ............. well done !
AL
AL
Similar threads
