Well the time has come to announce the eagerly anticipated winner of the Golden Gyroscope for Spinning the Basi/Virk Trial the hardest in 2006. I have to admit when the amount of spin applied to this issue in the newpapers, on the TeeVee, online and even by the Attorney General of the Province is so great that we have to spend our time dealing with nausea from dizziness, it isn't easy to choose a winner. But then on December 27, once I had put bricks on the corners of the paper so it wouldn't spin, there was the headline in the Globe and Mail "THERE IS NOTHING TO THESE CHARGES." If one was wondering what charges are referred to then the online headline might be helpful - "DAVE, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? I DON'T KNOW, BOB. I HONESTLY DON'T." That's certainly not as boring as the old "It wouldn't be appropriate to comment on a matter before the courts" so why not just DELIVER A VERDICT IN THE PRESS!
For those of you who still haven't guessed, the winner is that recycled relatively poor (I'm not talking about his bank account) sports writer - GARY MASON. Oh, and by the way Gar, I've decided that you don't deserve the lovely Gold Gyro, so we are fixing you up with the plain jane model. Most likely neither one can spin as well as you, so suck it up and be happy with what you're given. Too bad you're not a journalist, but hey, we can't all be in the NHL either!
Rather than soil myself and butt my head on the paywall at the Gross & Maul(the truth) - I will share some of BC Mary's observations upon discovering this PR Fluff piece (thanks to BC Mary - They played Gary Mason like a violin):
I've often said that I wondered how Basi and Virk were doing. And yet this big, sprawling, teary-eyed story came across as creating suspicion, because it didn't seem that they or Gary Mason were being straight with the public. I don't know, but could public opinion then influence the trial verdict? I've never seen the inner thoughts of any other accused person put on public display before, almost like an endorsement of their innocence, just ahead of their trial. Have you? Is this legal?.......Gary Mason's story begins (in the on-line version) in bed with Dave and his wife Inderjit Basi. Got that? The reader is dropped right into the accused's marital bed. And I don't want to be there. Yuck to "grab-'em-by-the-balls" attention-getting. It's unworthy of an old Conservative newspaper. More about that point later.
......It's a long article, mostly personal opinion, riddled with intimate personal gratuitous information. Basi is "stunned, "in shock", "his mind whirled" and "feeling numb", things which Mason has no way of knowing himself; but which he accepts in the role of stenographer. It's mawkish emotionalism, money-talk, baby-talk, daddy-talk, thwarted ambition, every maudlin angle to create sympathy except for one glaring omission. What about the public? What did Basi and Virk think about the public interest?
......There are many glaring clues, subtleties, contradictions and points of interest in this story, well worth anyone's study. It's an article which will end up in university-level journalism and political science classes for all the wrong reasons.
Gary, I don't imagine you are interested in my advice but, why don't you go back to the sports beat . Sports really aren't all that important, so it wouldn't really matter if you don't get it right. I know, if you lie about the score some bookie and bettor might get in a fight, but hey, that's gambling for you. But issues that involve the public trust, and actually even life and death (as in CN's management of BC Rail and the "Ugly American's" handling of the BC Ferries, to name just two issues this government needs to answer for that could be partially illuminated by this trial "about nothing") are obviously too important to be handled by someone of your journalistic weaknesses and fictional talent. You want to spin? Go home with your
On the Other Hand!
Some folks weren't even nominated for Gyros because gosh darn-it they were just trying to share what was actually going on without consciously or unconsciously promoting someone's agenda. There are three I would like to point out or honor at this moment in time.
Robin Matthews for his incredible effort in being at so many of the hearings to date and telling it like it is and was.
Bill Tieleman for not ignoring the issue and being so willing to share information and argue the points if necessary.
Last, but defintely not least, BC Mary who has kept on the issue and even worn out shoe leather chasing up and down the Island in search of the vanishing and elusive courthouse and publically available (as it should be) information about what the courts are doing on our dime and time, and supposedly in our interest and the interest of justice (cough, cough).
Remember boys and girls - the day after April Fool's Day the trial is scheduled to begin. It's about time, or we're all being taken for fools!
posted by kootcoot at 8:44 AM
16 Comments:
Wow, what a big deal!! The first time basi and virk speak out after being convicted in the media by rcmp leaks and misinformation and this is the best you can do! There is a bedrock principle in our system of justice, people are "innocent until PROVEN guilty in a court of law" please refer to Premier Glen Clark, Maher Arar (I could go on an on). Maybe, just maybe its time to ratchet down the hype and start looking at the bc rail case without the hype factor. If I sound just a little jaded I guess it has something to do with the fact I have seen "high profile" investigations and how they have concluded - in failure. Again, please refer to Premier Glen Clark, Maher Arar. My choice for the Golden Gyroscope would be the now famous "Cancer of Organized Crime" press conference. Thats right the press conference by John Ward and his bunch of misfits that made it sound like the mafia itself had infiltrated the government. Campbell must be laughing his head off, with everybody fixated on two political hacks he seems to have escaped unharmed and unscathed - just like his adventure in Hawaii.
Hi Jill,
Just curious. If there's no organized crime in B.C., how do you account for the $7 Billion per year in cash sales floating around the province?
That's just for the marijuana. Heaven knows what the total cash sales are, for the real drugs.
Do you figure it's just small Mom & Pop grow-ops selling to their friends?
Good question anonymous. You should ask the rcmp about that one. Ask them why, if organized crime is such a big issue and problem they managed to drop the charges against people bringing 3600 pounds of marijuana into BC valued at $6.5 million dollars and how they managed NOT to charge anybody with importing $250 million dollars of cocaine (it was the same people) into BC in February 2001. The marijuana charges were dropped recently. Its not the mom and pop grow-ops that are the problem, its the incompetence of the rcmp that allow the big fish to get away consistently on a regular basis.
Well Jill, other than blaming the RCMP for all that's wrong with the world, you don't seem to have much to say that makes any sense, not that it makes sense either. I dissected your drivel over at Mary's place and still await any sign of an intelligent response to the facts and issues that I tried to clarify for you. Maybe you're just a drive by troll!
Frankly you may need to adjust your meds or something, because I can't detect any logic or coherence in what you have to say.
Jill,
One of the things that bothers me about people jumping all over the RCMP is this:
you want them to explain why "they managed to drop the charges" ... and holy mackeral, it's the Courts specifically the Judges, who decide whether or not to drop charges.
And it's the RCMP which is left, time after time, pulling their hair out because somebody they managed to arrest (at some risk to themselves) is being let go as if nothing had happened.
Know why I think you blame the RCMP? It's because they're not allowed to speak up and defend themselves, either. It's better that way, of course; the public debate isn't a great way to serve the interests of justice. But it's lousy sportsmanship to shoot a sitting duck.
And you, if you really did have a responsible job in government at some time, really ought to know this basic fact before you try to damage the RCMP. Or any other group.
To anonymous and Kootcoot - please refer to Premier Glen Clark, Mahar Arar, Apec 97 (we can't forget Sgt. Pepper can we) I could give you more. Thank you I think enough has been said.
Kootcoot, I did respond to your reply. I don't know what happened to it. I will be happy to respond again. You make some very good points in your reply about the legalization of marijuana and the forces in the system that do not want it to be legalized. I agree with you. I think you need to reassess the personal attacks, my meds are fine thank you very much. I also have been around long enough to know that people like campbell are more than happy to let people like you attack two political hacks forgetting again the principle that people are innocent until PROVEN guilty in a court of law. Keep your eyes on the prize, what really happened in the bc rail sale, what was happening behind the scenes, what kind of deals were made. What you call "drivel" is what I call an open mind withouth the blinders.
This was in the Province newspaper this morning. It speaks for itself! When you read this, think about Premier Clark and the 3500 deck.
OTTAWA POLICE FACE QUESTIONS OVER RCMP PROBE
Fraser and her team picked up the case on the heels of an internal audit and the 15-month Ottawa police investigation, which uncovered spending abuses, nepotism, waste, inflated bills and management overriding controls in the running of the force's pension and insurance plans.
Her report questioned the independence of the Ottawa police investigation, which was stacked with RCMP officers and led by an investigator who reported to an assistant RCMP commissioner. Charges weren't laid because Crown attorneys concluded in June 2005 there was no "reasonable prospect of conviction."
Several Mounties were targeted for internal discipline, but the force abandoned that course because the one-year time limit for action had lapsed.
Her audit found sweeping management abuses when the RCMP's human resources branch tried to modernize the $12.3-billion pension plan and turn over the administration of the $30-million insurance fund to a private contractor. She found the RCMP responded "adequately" to findings of the audit and criminal investigation, but concluded the Mounties needed a new policy for external investigation into allegations involving the force to ensure they are independent and unbiased.
"To anonymous and Kootcoot - please refer to Premier Glen Clark, Mahar Arar, Apec 97 (we can't forget Sgt. Pepper can we) I could give you more. Thank you I think enough has been said."
Glen Clark, Mehar Arar, you're lkie a skipping record. While we're at it, what about Ian Bush or the announcement of the investigation alleging possible wrongdoing by Minister Goodale during the last election of which he has been cleared (sooner than Glen Clark IIRC.) We could go on and on, the RCMP are definitely not angels, any organization that seems to bestow immunity on its members is going to have its share of sleaze.
You seem to think I want to declare Basi and Virk guilty. That shows your lack of comprehension of what I, and BC Mary, are saying. I think they deserve their day in court and I certainly don't think they are the "real" criminals. But, they are the doorway to the real criminals whose "influence" is worth cultivating. I think we have been poorly served by the courts, by the AG, and by the MSM who would like to see the whole issue disappear rather than harm their allies - the Campbell Crime Family.
The RCMP investigated, they got warrants (under less suspicious circumtstance than the warrants for Glen Clark's house that were apparently leaked to the media, or GlowBall at least so they could be there to film their execution live.)
It is unforgivable that they were not only able to delay the trial this long and counting, but even almost all information about the warrants was witheld until after Gordo the Greedy got re-elected.
I want to know why Basi and Virk were treated differently after the raids, one fired, one on paid leave, until they were charged a year later. This different treatment from a government that supposedly knew nothing about what they were doing. Well I'll tell you something, Basi and Virk personally had no influence to peddle other than their contacts with those who do make decisions.
Why were Gordo and the Ferret talking on Basi's phone - we pay for phones for both of them to do our business - or was it because they were doing THEIR business.
BC Mary and I feel that the citizens of BC deserve some answers. What happened to our railroad? What happened and is happening to BC Hydro? What happened to BC Ferries. This trial has more potential to shed light into those slime infested corners than any other game in town right now. Basi and Virk are the least of my concerns, other than they be held accountable if they have committed crimes agains the Queen and citizens of BC. It's those larger fish I want to see curling in the hot oil of the bright light of the truth.
Excellent points Kootcoot! You and I are in absolute agreement. I want to know what happened behind the scenes in the bc rail deal, what was really going on. We need to focus on the big fish. We are all seeking the same thing, the truth!! I think we need to keep the light of public accountability on the big fish and their lies "we won't sell bc rail". That was a sick joke. Oh, by the way its a 999 year lease, not a sale. Give me a break!!
BC Mary is having technical difficulties so she emailed this to me to post here.
Just curious, Jill m ... why in the world did you come at BC Mary and Kootcoot with all your guns blazing?
You're the one who was calling somebody (Koot and BC Mary) "guilty" without taking even 5 minutes to check the facts which had been carefully laid out before your very eyes.
I really need to know: what was going on in your mind, that you didn't even notice that we're all "in absolute agreement"??
Or is this what they call "snatching defeat from victory" ... which the NDP is so good at?
For you to be so wrong-headed, on behalf of the man Robin Mathews calls "the best premier B.C. ever had" is, I think, more depressing than all the block-headed idiots who simply dig in their heels and refuse to understand at all.
I know I sound cranky and I'm sorry about that. But the fact is, the satisfaction of informing the public is the only reward anyone gets from researching for, and publishing blogs like this one, and mine at The Legislature Raids. So it's hard to be yelled at for doing so, especially by somebody who is "in complete agreement." And who really should know better.
Come back later, eh? And maybe we'll talk some more. Best wishes.
BC Mary
The Legislature Raids
http://bctrialofbasi-virk.blogspot.com/
I agree with some of the points you make. What I don't agree with is the hype and innuendos before a single fact has been heard in court. In one of your postings you demanded basi and virk apologize. I asked you at that time what do you want them to apologzie for? When I read that I started to think about all the hype and insanity put forward by the corporate right wingers when they went after Glen Clark. I was against that type of attack when it happened at that time and I am still against it now. Why are we using tactics that we fought hard against when they went after Glen? When kootcoot gives this ridiculous award to Gary Mason who does that serve? At one point everybody (that includes you Mary) were singing the praises of Mason only to now turn against him because he happened to talk to two people that have remained silent probably on the advice of their lawyers. Even Tieleman came onto your site and told you to ratchet down the rhetoric when it came to the phantom court rooms and the John Doe issue. Lets keep our eyes on the prize which is OUR asset BC Rail that was stolen from us and sold to campbells corporate buddies.
I mean no offence to you in my posting and hope you won't take offence to it. But we, meaning the ndp, have to stop using the tactics that we deplored when they were used against Glen Clark.
Jill, I know you said your meds are fine, but you certainly come off as an unmanaged bi-polar here. A few points you may still not understand.
1. I cannot recall Mary or I ever "singing the praises of Gary Mason!
2. We had no problem with Mason talking to the defendants. But writing a fluff piece worthy of People magazine that implies that they are innocent victims of an RCMP run wild is a whole 'nother example of treason to any kind of journalistic responsibility. And in some jurisdictions a headline such as "There is nothing to these charges" could be considered contempt of court or jury tampering, but those things are just normal compormised media activity here.
3. The phantom court room meeting indeed occurred - I almost never watch the late news but one night that I did by chance they had a item about the meeting that happened that morning between the judge and the attorneys in the case and about the case so early in the morning that the elevator wasn't working yet and no staff like clerks, bailiffs or court reporters were there. What little footage there was of them entering the building undercover of almost darkness and walking up the stairs looked like nothing so much as a dope deal going down in the DTES, except the perps were dressed much nicer and the surroundings were of course much nicer.
4. As to "When I read that I started to think about all the hype and insanity put forward by the corporate right wingers when they went after Glen Clark" I remember that well, I remember seeing footage of the original raid, being filmed by GlowBall TeeVee with Glen's head passing to and fro in the window. How could I forget the daily clips of the Italian gentlemen entering or leaving the Card Club in North Burnaby that seemed to be a scene from the Sopranos.
Yet a few days after the Raid on the Leg, (a much bigger deal than a deck wouldn't you agree?), the story virtually disappeared and has pretty much stayed that way right up to now. It was that, to me obvious, attempt by both the government and its lapdog media more than anything else that motivated me (and likely Mary) to start this blog.
It seems to us that you are the one with the rant and the hype. You accuse us of saying things we never said and holding positions we would never hold. Perhaps you should do a bit more background reading of what we've said and don't jump into a fugue state over some certain word or sentence and try to understand what we're saying. So far most of your comments indicate that you either didn't read what we have written or if you did, it went right over your head.
BTW, I don't know about Mary but when you say "we meaning the ndp" I hope you aren't including me. I definitely find the NDP, at least theoretically, holds more values that I can relate to than the neo-con Harperites or the Campbell Crime Family. I wasn't much of a fan of Wacky, back in the day, but from the perspective of the new millenium and the CCFamily I tend to look back much more fondly than I ever would have forecast in say 1970.
I really wish I could feel more enthusiastic about the NDP. I think they provided better opposition when it was just Joy, Jenny and eventually the Sikh guy. Also, the government of Glen Clark was much better than the way he has been demonized by the Lieberal licking lapdogs at Canned West/GlowBall. Maybe the BCLiberals are putting some kind of tranks in their food to keep them docile in the House.
Kootcoot, Mary praised Mason after his first two columns. She said he was one of the few journalists who was taking a close look at the bc rail case. Its in her blog if you care to look. The leg raid story did not disappear of the front pages a few days later. It was front page news for weeks, this doesn't even include radio and television. As I have said before and I will say again, keep your eyes on the prize. Campbell is the person we need to focus on, not two political hacks.
Jill, there was a time when merely mentioning that the Raid had actually happened and a trial was coming someday was virtually enough to make you one of the few actual "journalists" in BC or Canada. I'm not familiar with his earlier pieces, though I do recall for awhile there seemed to be more acknowledgement of the Raids in the Central Canada press than in our Canned West/GlowBall monopoly, who seem to think they are a PR firm for the Campbell Crime Family.
I agree that Campbell is the ultimate villain in this piece, but to get to him we have to start somewhere. I disagree about the coverage of the Raids though. It was nothing like the constant tape loop of Glen pacing in his house and the Sopranos type guys in North Burnaby.
Also I would ask you to consider Mary's observation recently about how the whole Canned West/GlowBall herd jumped on Glen recently when he stuck his head up to make some very cogent obsevations about the sinking of the Queen of the North.
Our sorry excuse for a press is complicit with the CCF (not Tommy Douglas the crime org) and it appears that Mason, a hack sports writer, at best has joined the team. I awarded him the Gyro on the basis of the one article from December 27, 2006. I'm not awarding lifetime achievement prizes or something.
You write very well.
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