73 replies to this topic

[Sparky]

^ Good call LJ, bloggers can be biased.

Here is a take from the Indo community.

http://thelinkpaper.ca/?p=2470

[Sparky]

Wait until copies of the shredded emails start to surface.

No need to wait for emails to surface. Seems as though Basi kept "memo's to file" and they are witnessed by a local lawyer.

Alex Tsakumis is releasing one a day. There are 4 or more online now at http://alexgtsakumis...the-basi-files/

You would have a hard time dreaming up this stuff. I can't wait for the movie.

[Sparky]

It has taken a while for main stream news media to touch on the recent unveiling of the personal memos of Dave Basi. The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Times Colonist, appear to not even care about the "Basi Files".

I don't think the big media boys like bloggers, especially Alex Tsakumis.

This is however going to be the rekindling of the largest corruption story since Mullroney started stuffing cash into paper bags and driving to the airport.

Now "North Shore News" a division of "Canada.com" is carrying the story.

http://www.nsnews.co...html?id=4013615

Mainstream reporters will not be able to ignore the "Basi Files" forever.

[Sparky]

Here is the last 3 installments of "Basi Files" for a while, for you die hard political pundits who like to read about secret goings on, "backchanneling" and thoughts of the foot soldiers on the inside of our provincial government.

http://alexgtsakumis...campbells-king/

If you enjoy this intrigue, please post, if you don't, please post as well. I would have thought that there would be more discussion on this topic. Maybe others just find it boring?

[martini]

I have been following this from the beginning. Thank you for posting.

I don't know what to add except my general disgust at the level of sleaze.
And did the opposition do enough in putting feet to the fire?

[spanky123]

Here is the last 3 installments of "Basi Files" for a while, for you die hard political pundits who like to read about secret goings on, "backchanneling" and thoughts of the foot soldiers on the inside of our provincial government.

http://alexgtsakumis...campbells-king/

If you enjoy this intrigue, please post, if you don't, please post as well. I would have thought that there would be more discussion on this topic. Maybe others just find it boring?

I think people are worn out by the whole affair and have no appetite to spend another $20M on a public enquiry that isn't going to change anything.

Ok so the bidding process is crooked. I have a news flash for you - most are. Don't take my word for it, visit the BC Auditor General's website and read the various reports dating back 15 years on the issue!

Does a crooked process mean that the Government didn't get the best value for money? Does a crooked process mean that the outcome would have been any different? Other than the fact that BC Rail was sold and Gordo told us it wouldn't be, tell me how the average taxpayer has been disadvantaged in this affair?

[Sparky]

^ Thanks Spanky. I was starting to get that feeling due to lack of discussion. This topic may be just for die hard political junkies.

I think I will put this to bed for a while unless (until) it hits the front page of the TC.

[LJ]

Other than the fact that BC Rail was sold and Gordo told us it wouldn't be,

Technically it was not sold, the railbed is still owned by "us" it is just on long term lease to CN.

[Sparky]

Technically it was not sold, the railbed is still owned by "us" it is just on long term lease to CN.

Technically you are correct....but it's a 990 year lease. We will be shipping virtual stem cell upgrades via iEar or iBall by then.

[LJ]

^Are you sure about that? The operations are leased to CN for that period but the railbed/tracks are still publicly owned.

from wiki
Its operations were owned by the public as a crown corporation from 1918 until 2004, when the provincial government leased operations for 990 years to CN.[1][2] The track and other assets, including a marine division and stevedoring subsidiary as well as large tracts of real estate, remain under public ownership. Its operations were owned by the public as a crown corporation from 1918 until 2004, when the provincial government leased operations for 990 years to CN.[1][2] The track and other assets, including a marine division and stevedoring subsidiary as well as large tracts of real estate, remain under public ownership.

[Bernard]

The deal was a smart move on the part of the government. All the value in the railway is in the land the railbed sits on, CN can not sell this land or cease to use it as something other than rail.

The deal was also a good one for BC because BC Rail lost money hand over fist since day one. The government forgave all the company debt several times over the history of the company. It still lost money after it had no debts.

As a company, it was not run for the benefit of businesses along the line, they could care less about anyone wanting to use the line, I know as I tried to use it.

[phx]

Wikipedia says this:

...as of July 15, 2009, the fifth anniversary of the contract, CN has the right to decommission any part of the line it wishes, and upon doing so the government is obliged to sell them any related BC Rail-owned lands for the sum of one dollar.

That doesn't seem right, but nothing would surprise me at this point.

[Sparky]

^Are you sure about that? The operations are leased to CN for that period but the railbed/tracks are still publicly owned.

Good point, Now I am not sure. phx brings up an interesting point regarding CN throwing in the towel.

I have more reading to do.

[Bernard]

The terms in the agreement are that the any portion of line that is discontinued reverts to the Crown. The Crown has the right the agreement to sell this land to CN for $1 but is not required to do so.

The Crown is free to do whatever it wants with the land and I doubt would sell CN any of the land for $1, certainly not all the very valuable lands between North Vancouver and Mount Currie.

The moment CN officially discontinues any line, the land is no longer CN's to use any tenants become tenants of the Crown.

[Sparky]

I have kept my end of the bargain and have not posted on this topic until it hit the front page of the TC.

Aides acted without knowledge of their bosses, wiretaps show

A tale of scandal, skulduggery and secrets unfolds in just-released transcripts

Read more: http://www.timescolo...l#ixzz1EIFNx7O9

This story has just begun to unravel. The Mexican is Christy Clark's brother.

[Bingo]

I have kept my end of the bargain and have not posted on this topic until it hit the front page of the TC.

Aides acted without knowledge of their bosses, wiretaps show

A tale of scandal, skulduggery and secrets unfolds in just-released transcripts

Read more: http://www.timescolo...l#ixzz1EIFNx7O9

This story has just begun to unravel. The Mexican is Christy Clark's brother.

Yup, and the taxpayer paid their $6 million dollar legal bill.

[Sparky]

Yup, and the taxpayer paid their $6 million dollar legal bill.

Exactly, does that not smell a little fishy to you?

[Sparky]

This new TV ad will no doubt help to continue the debate.

http://www.christycrunch.ca/

[Sparky]

It's been 3 months since my last post on this topic, and it is still not going away. Our BC Government apparently has made an agreement with the payees, (read confessed criminals) that it can not divulge the details of the millions of dollars of funds that they spent on our behalf.

B.C. auditor-general goes to court to get details of Bas-Virk defense costs

Read more: http://www.vancouver...l#ixzz1QGRlU8sN

Here is an editorial thought from our lame stream media that we could have used before the horse left the barn.

http://www.timescolo...=megadrop_story

In closing here is a current story of a 6 year investigation by the RCMP that resulted in an actual penalty for bribing government officials. (In Bangladesh for gosh sakes) It's too bad they didn't spend an equal effort on the company (read Pilothouse Communications) that bribed our government officials in the BC Rail giveaway.

http://www.calgaryhe...7445/story.html

Does anybody smell anything a bit off?

[Bingo]

B.C. auditor-general goes to court to get details of Bas-Virk defense costs

Does anybody smell anything a bit off?

Is this all part of the plan to try to finalize this case, and put it to rest before a fall election?