Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Laila Yuile

GET UPDATES FROM Laila Yuile
 

Santa's Top 5 Naughty B.C. Liberals

Posted: 12/10/2012 3:40 pm

The holiday season is here and children everywhere are writing to Santa, hoping that they haven't made the naughty list. It turns out that it's not only children who should be worried this year! I received a tip recently from a source in the North Pole and Santa is more than a little upset with the B.C. Liberals.

In fact he said — and I quote: "Why can't they seem to get it right when it comes to all the most vulnerable children?"

Shameful truth be told, my source indicates that Santa has received more letters from children living in poverty in B.C. over the last nine years than anywhere else in Canada — and he's not too happy about that.

My source indicated Santa's been taking a good hard look at who's been particularly naughty this year and has already ordered a rail car full of B.C. coal. He still needed some help to decide who are the worst offenders when it comes to politics in B.C. and I was more than happy to assist.

The Top 5 Naughty List in B.C. Politics

5) Richard Butler - the lawyer representing the province in the Basi- Virk indemnity case who just filed a new affidavit that details how the earlier affidavit he filed was false.

Despite being a lawyer for many years and knowing full well the penalty for perjury in the court, he now admits he "mis-stated" his original affidavit, claiming a faulty memory when it came to declaring if our government actually had detailed billing when it came to Basi and Virks lawyers... all very crucial information about the plea deal given to the two men which many believe was in exchange for their silence.

When a lawyer "forgets" and files false statements on behalf of the government that has been stonewalling their own auditor general who just wants the truth , that's huge. Naughty naughty naughty. Not just coal for his stocking, but some Ginkgo biloba in 1000 mg tablets to help with his memory.

4) Bill Bennett
To be brutally honest,I seriously thought Wild Bill must have fallen off of his quad and was suffering a head injury after I heard him accusing NDP MLA Jagrup Brar of being infatuated with Communist Cuba! Seriously, one of the craziest statements ever made by any politician, but even more so for a "top lieutenant" in Christy Clark's election readiness team. Bill later had a sock stuffed in his mouth and was sent back out to the mountains, where his mouth couldn't do any more harm.

3) Colin Hansen
The man instrumental in the mess behind the HST debacle — for that alone he'll be getting a truckload of coal — has jumped from the frying pan, into the fire.

After announcing he wouldn't be running for MLA again, he announced he would however, take on the role of deputy campaign manager for the BC Liberals in the 2013 election. Seriously? Seriously? You want to actually help this bunch of bungling, unethical politicians get re-elected? Oh, Colin, Santa isn't going to like that, but maybe he'll bring you a pair of hip-waders for all the crap you'll be wading through next year.

2) Rich Coleman
It's really getting predictable that when the shit hits the fan, you can usually find Rich Coleman getting his raincoat on. Where do I begin? How about with one of his biggest backers, Patrick Kinsella, whose name seems to go hand in hand with backroom deals for the B.C. Liberals?

Coleman been very naughty this year, recently in the news for some downright unethical deals and donations between a B.C. brewer and his office, that resulted in some tax policy changes that.. surprise surprise.. would benefit the brewer to the tune of millions.

Story breaks, words get tossed around like "special prosecutor" and of course it was all "just a misunderstanding." Sure. Just like bullying a potential candidate for his party into signing a letter he didn't want to sign.

1) Christy Clark
Without a doubt, Clark takes the number one spot on my naughty list, and it sure doesn't have anything to do with her dubious appearance on the National Post's Vixens in Vancouver list. Thanks to Ian Reid for that one. Stay tuned for a new pilot on Fox next year: "Premier on the Prowl." Grrrowwl!

Unfortunately, the still unelected premier has made a mockery of democracy by refusing to call an election early and get a mandate from the voters — something she promised while campaigning for the Liberal leadership.

Follow that with an endless stream of artificial photo-ops, bad press and poor decisions, and you have one big reason female voters don't like her. Whether it's claiming false job creation numbers, or claiming tough times and tightened belts, then spending $15 million on ads, everything she says is contrived gibberish.

She has government workers on an attack site on the public dime, gone on a spending spree on the public dime, and gone through staff like some people go through tissues.

I think the people of B.C. would agree: Santa, instead of that good old B.C. coal, how about sending her one nicely wrapped reality check?

Happy Holidays, and I'd love to see your political choices for Santa's naughty list!

Loading Slideshow...
  • John Cummins, B.C. Conservatives leader

    Intermittent tweets that are basically shortened news releases — which link to news releases. No engagement at all with fewer than 350 tweets since joining Twitter in March 2011. <a href="https://twitter.com/CumminsforBC">@CumminsforBC</a>

  • Mike Bernier, Dawson Creek mayor

    Hiding Twitter use behind a whole lot of RTs.   <a href="https://twitter.com/Mayor_Bernier">@Mayor_Bernier</a>

  • Jasbir Sandu, MP for Surrey North

    A steady stream of government announcements and RTs of caucus collagues. Yawn. <a href="https://twitter.com/jasbirsandhu">@jasbirsandhu</a>

  • Kerry-Lynne Findlay, MP for Delta-Richmond East

    Seems to use Twitter mainly to tell us who she's with and where. <a href="https://twitter.com/KLDF2011">@KLDF2011</a>

  • Mark Warawa, MP for Langley

    Warawa actually posts to Twitter fairly frequently —  his feed is just kind of boring. <a href="https://twitter.com/MPmarkwarawa">@MPmarkwarawa</a>

  • Maurine Karagianis, MLA for Esquimalt Royal Roads

    RT RT RT RT RT. Need we say more? <a href="https://twitter.com/mkaragianis">@mkaragianis</a>

  • Nina Grewal, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells

    Follows nine people. Way to connect. <a href="https://twitter.com/MPNinaGrewal">@MPNinaGrewal</a>

  • Ron Cannan, MP for Kelowna-Lake Country

    Joined Twitter in March 2011 ... and pretty much stopped using it in June. <a href="https://twitter.com/RonCannan">@RonCannan</a>

  • Alice Wong, MP for Richmond

    Two months after joining Twitter, she abruptly stopped using Twitter the day after she was re-elected in May 2011. However, she gets bonus points for her <em>liberal </em>use of exclamation marks. <a href="https://twitter.com/AliceWongCanada">@AliceWongCanada</a>

  • Ujjal Dosanjh, Former MP for Vancouver South

    Though not active in the political arena since his 2011 federal election defeat, spelling crimes are alive and well on Dosanjh's feed. Example: <blockquote>Nov 19: Am disappointed 2wmen charged 4 ofndng rlijus sentmnts in Mumbai bcos xprsed opposition 2 a bandh. #india #religion #politics</blockquote> What's the Twitter equivalent of doctor's handwriting? <a href="https://twitter.com/ujjaldosanjh">@ujjaldosanjh</a>


 

Follow Laila Yuile on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lailayuile

FOLLOW CANADA BRITISH COLUMBIA
The holiday season is here and children everywhere are writing to Santa, hoping that they haven't made the naughty list. It turns out that it's not only children who should be worried this year! I rec...
The holiday season is here and children everywhere are writing to Santa, hoping that they haven't made the naughty list. It turns out that it's not only children who should be worried this year! I rec...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 19
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
11:32 PM on 12/12/2012
I'd throw Pat Bell in there too. He's really gone off the deep end in his blind, unwavering support for staffing BC mines with temp workers (...for 14+ years, according to the latest news). I suspect he's probably made one too many trips over to Big Red.

Probably should have made this post a "Top Ten" :-p
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
10:40 PM on 12/13/2012
Believe me, it would have been a top ten if space allowed!
09:40 PM on 12/11/2012
Hi Laila, about #2, it bothers me that a a minister of any stripe can wave a magic tax wand and all of a sudden a certain company gets a tax break to the tune of millions,and this company is a big supporter of the minister and the liberals..WTF.....where is the RCMP..the politcal smell test my ass,this is the stench of corruption...thats enough..
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
12:36 PM on 12/12/2012
Hi Clarkey!

I hear you, I really really do... but welcome to how this government operates. There is sometimes a fine line between what is unethical, and criminal, and in many cases the two are one and the same.

I find it appalling there is so little accountability in government as a whole, for any elected official. I have been calling for the creation of a white collar corruption squad in BC, similar to the one in Quebec that has resulted in the Chabonneay Commission and non stop revelations of provincial, municipal corruption and collusion in every level of government.

Unfortunately for the people of BC, there doesn't seem to be any politician willing to take on the challenge..... and one has to ask : Why is that?
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
12:37 PM on 12/12/2012
Excuse me, that should read Charbonneau, not Charbonneay.. : ) I hit submit instead of preview!!
09:17 PM on 12/11/2012
hi
12:31 PM on 12/11/2012
Don't forget Kevin Falcon, a very bad money manager. He screwed us with the HDT until the next election. He also hates people that don't agree with him, not a very good trait if you are a public servant.
I have his ugly mug etched in my mind and it is really hard to get rid of bad nightmares.
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
07:02 PM on 12/11/2012
How could I forget? I've been writing about Falcon for years, covering every move he made as transportation minister and every deal he's ever been involved in. In fact, if you take a look at the Best of page on my site, you'll find links to many stories such as the new mandate given to BC Rail after it was supposed to divest of all its interests...The sale of BC Rail helped pay for the very first leg of the Sea to Sky highway many years ago under Campbell - this was the test portion, which was not part of the main project. It's all there under Falcon's Follies and the Sea to Sky shadow toll series. www.lailayuile.com
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
07:06 PM on 12/11/2012
How could I forget Falcon? I've written about every move and deal he was involved in as Transportation minister and followed him through finance.In fact,I supplied commentary to CBC and other publications regarding his career and public perception during the Liberal leadership race.

Falcon's follies are all documented on the Best Of page on my site, linked to above or www.lailayuile.com He will make the expanded post on my site when I share this there.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Robert C Lawson
justice & human rights for all
09:10 AM on 12/11/2012
yes,well,, lets just say politicals in bc, in TOTO! and go from that,, do we have any real people, with, you know, honesty,integrity and even a smidgen of courage,.. one even..ah weeeell NOTA, as per,..not a bad list though, and yes indeedy! Santa is one cranky fellow at times,,they best take care or handcuffs will be appearing in more than one stocking this year,..I didnt know or,I thought perhaps`or even, I was not sure,, doesnt wash with Santa,, He knows if you have been BAD! or good, so be good for goodness sake,..better watch out! BC,..LOL,.
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
02:20 PM on 12/11/2012
I think it's safe to say Santa's list is longer than mine.. and when I repost this back to my personal site, I will expand a little.

Another good friend of mine has a crafty look that details a bit more about how "naughty" these politicans really are ... http://blogborgcollective.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-good-bad-ugly-this-post-is-about.html
08:38 PM on 12/10/2012
The list of politicians needing a good dose of honesty, integrity and a slap up the side of their head is shockingly long within the BC Liberals and the Harper Conservatives. Their ineptness is as amazing as the Christmas story itself.

These sad excuses for good government are exceptionally skillful at politicking & telling people what they want to hear but seemingly incapable of deploying their promises successfully without major costly disasters being the end result. It's only inevitable that their zeal to make all things fit their preordained beliefs and sense of self-entitlement often fails and costs Canadians more money in their attempts to "fix" these disasters. If it wasn't so damn sad it'd be funny.

Merry Christmas to everyone.
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
09:49 AM on 12/11/2012
Great comment, but this line is classic: " Their ineptness is as amazing as the Christmas story itself."

It is amazing! Christy has kidnapped the province and in her short time as premier, has shown us the most reactionary government I can recall. Every decision she's made has been a reactionary move, not a planned one.

Funny enough, she did an interview with Jonathan Fowlie of the Sun yesterday,about staying the course for 2013 ( that alone was breaking news, she plans on continuing on the most disasterous path BC's ever seen). Here is a quote from that article:

"Premier Christy Clark doesn’t hesitate, even for a second, when asked how she can win the next election.

“Keep doing what I’m doing,” she said in a year-end inte
rview Monday, in a tone that stood somewhere between confidence and defiance.

Clark said she believes her government’s more than one-year-old Jobs Plan is already paying dividends, and that by staying the course she can outwit both the pundits and the pollsters, the majority of whom have scheduled her for defeat in the May 2013 election.

“If you are going to be pulled off your path by the critics, you can’t lead your team,” she said.

“People need to know that, in your heart, you believe what you’re doing is right, and that’s why you’re living with the criticism and sticking with it,” she added. "

Apparently,ignorance is bliss. She is completely out in left field.
04:34 PM on 12/10/2012
I would have to add Mike de Jong to the list. As Minister of Forests, he gave away thousands of hectares of Crown land to the Private Sector, releasing the lands from TFL.

Then, as AG, he gave $6 million of our dollars to hush money for Basi and Virk, against all law and tradition.

As a loyal soldier to Gordon Campbell's Fascist takeover, I'd say he merits a spot on the naughty list. One lump of coal!
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
09:52 AM on 12/11/2012
Great addition - if the word count allowed, Santa's naughty list would have been far longer !!

Look forward to an updated " 100 reasons the BC Liberals must go" on my site in the new year - I'm sure Christy has given the people of BC at least another 100 reasons in her short time in office.

You can find that list on my site, at the following link -http://lailayuile.com/100-reasons-the-bc-liberals-must-go/

All readers are more than welcome to comment and add their own reasons, but I do ask for a documented or supporting link behind it. Everything on that list is a factual history of the Liberals last 11 years in government.
02:27 PM on 12/11/2012
Of course, from the Alberni Valley times...
http://www.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/story.html?id=538b16c7-f523-4b6a-9a56-7cd6cfad526a

"Fraser said he's never been able to figure out the rationale by which then-forest minister Mike de Jong used to remove over 70,000 hectares of timber from TFL 44 without compensation from the owner -- despite the obvious boost in cash value which resulted."
And of course the infamous BC Rail decision, from the CBC...
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/10/19/bc-basi-virk-public-inquiry.html
04:20 PM on 12/10/2012
Great choices Laila!
Ida Chong could easily make the list too for chomping away our tax dollars on extravagant lunches. I would also add Shirley Bond for standing up in the legislature and making it evident that she did not have a clue as to how our PST system worked.
photo
HUFFPOST BLOGGER
Laila Yuile
09:56 AM on 12/11/2012
Thanks Gabi! Yes, Ida Chong and Shirley Bond are great additions, not to mention Shirley holds the dubious honour of being named minister of nearly every ministry at one point or another. There has been no consistency in this government since Clarks arrival. Staff changes are only the tip of the iceberg, but clearly if this was a corporation listed on a stock exchange, her direction would have investors dumping stock and the price would have plunged. Quite laughable that the Fraser Institute rated her 4 for money management - have they even read the Auditor Generals reports? Their accounting doesnt even make sense.