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| Warren Betanko rides again... |
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| British Columbia: The Best Place on Earth? |
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| Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. |
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Revelations emerging from the pre-trial disclosure motion in R. v. Basi et al bring back memories of Liberal MLA Paul Reitsma, who resigned in 1998 after it was revealed that he had penned letters to the editor using the nom de plume of Warren Betanko", and prompted a series of questions in the legislature today, including this gem:
M. Farnworth: I didn't mention the term "courthouse." I didn't mention the term "trial." I didn't even ask if these employees came from the firm of Haldeman, Ehrlichman, Dean and Mitchell. What I asked, hon. Speaker….
There's a pattern in this government of senior staff misrepresenting themselves in the public. We've seen it with Prem Vinning, we've seen it with the Deputy Premier's assistant, and now we are asking questions about staff in the Premier's office.
So my question once again to the Premier is this: can he assure this House, can he assure the taxpayers of British Columbia that senior communications staff in his office are not working on blatant, partisan media manipulation?
All questions in this vein were met with a similar response: "no comment, the matter is before the courts".
It is more than a bit troubling to this writer that the government of this province may employ people who resort to juvenile tactics to manipulate the media and the public. For more on this, check out thetyee.ca or billtielemanblogspot.com.
It is becoming ubiquitous; the slogan, "The Best Place on Earth" is starting to appear everywhere-on provincial government letterhead, on its website and soon, on special licence plates issued by Olympic sponsor ICBC. How, and more importantly, why, did this happen?
The answer to "how?" is obvious; like most every B.C. government initiative, the change to the provincial motto is undoubtedly due to one of Premier Gordon Campbell's whims. The answer to "why?" is less evident. What was wrong with "Beautiful British Columbia" as our provincial slogan? It was certainly much better than its offensive, presumptuous and embarrassing replacement. Maybe this is the government's subtle way of telling us that once Mr. Campbell finishes with the province the old slogan will simply no longer be accurate.
Vanoc head John Furlong (with Premier Campbell) points to the bank balance of the average British Columbian taxpayer once the 2010 Olympic circus leaves town. (But the "Best Place on Earth" licence plates will be a nice parting gift).
One of the most important voices of our time has been silenced with the passing of brilliant author Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. yesterday at the age of 84. So it goes.
