Keeping it Real…

28 responses so far ↓

• 1 Gerald // Dec 2, 2009 at 2:37 am

  And yet he is probably more honest than any of the current bunch running the province

  (Response: Actually Moe is personally a nice guy to meet, to interview etc. The problem is he gives the Liberals a great target and with his background, the ammunition to boot! h.o.)

• 2 bewlay // Dec 2, 2009 at 2:40 am

  I don’t see anything unusual here. People do learn from their mistakes. For example Mr. Campbell hasn’t been charged with anything for years. I would imagine the NDP is under strain given they have no chance of forming Government for quite some time and that the leadership is a talking point target for many. Although surveys say the NDP leader individually and their party are ahead they have not won anything yet. I’m guessing the old party guard brought in the Mr. Sihota to “ease” the strains, and “repair” the creaks and cracks.
  There will be some ass whippin and recruiting to be done it makes sense to bring in a pro.

• 3 Gerald // Dec 2, 2009 at 3:22 am

  He may provide the Liberals a target but he is smart,quick and able enough to hit the many targets the Liberals will provide on their own record.

  (Response: Well, you’re right that Moe is sharp and quick …and i have no odoubt those who like/agree with him will continue to do so. The problem for the NDP is it has to convince others who have NOT voted NDP that they’ve changed…and once the Libs start targetting him in the public’s mind it will be hard to do that. h.o)

• 4 DMJ // Dec 2, 2009 at 3:36 am

  The NDP, will remain a “B-grade” movie with this move. The party has to reach to the people, not to the loony-left or the union elites.

  James has been a disaster, a sort of “dead woman walking” who is leading the polls, not for being a better leader or leading a superior party, rather the public (mainly those 50% of the electorate who did not vote) have a distaste for Gordo and his policies.

  That 50% who did not vote is telling, as it means both the Libs and the NDP have failed to attract votes from half of the voting population. As James and the NDP came second, this means about 73% of the population did not like her or her party.

  Throw a 80′s retread into the mix and its more backward looking than forward and a electoral fiasco at the next provincial elections.

  (Response: You hit the nail on the head. Many of the 50% who do not vote are likley included in the polls … so when election day comes, and many of them stay away, those who do vote quite clearly have lacked confidence in the NDP being “renewed” enough. Choosing Moe won’t cure that ill. h.o)

• 5 I Remember Well // Dec 2, 2009 at 7:34 am

  Moe used his bow & arrow effectively as he and Glen Clark were powerful voices of reason on behalf of the people when the disgraced former VanderZalm was up to his hips in scandal forced to resign in shame . . . . Remember, Harvey?!!

  You bet he’s “smart quick and able”, as Gerald and you agreed. Anyone with a backbone for the truth is a breath of fresh air.

  Moe’s a moderate who understands that it is the private sector, that makes the economy tick – NOT a small club of politicians, pals and their hand picked bureaucrats who raid the public’s assets for their private agendas that has been the sick syndrome BC has suffered from for decades.

  Moe is more than up to the task of setting his sights on his political targets today – many closely alligned with the Zalm era in Cabinet, backroom ‘boys’/bagmen and bureaucrats.

  Think about the fixers then and now. He’s seen this scene before; Moe knows the connections that have been glued together for years.

  Moe was a ‘target’ because he stood up and actually did something constructive on behalf of average British Columbians he knew were being abused by government bureaucrats/politicians with their own agendas who desperately wanted him off their case.

  Cast your mind back to the Leg in the late 1980s Harve – fact check in Hansard. Being the superb investigative journalist you are, I have no doubt you will find the material I refer to which is timely today.

  (Response: Read my previous responses. You raise good points and I MIGHT not be affected. BUT in BC politics the Libs WILL go after him and even if they scare away SOME who were thinkiing of giving the NDP a chance ,it will badly hurt. The really question, knowing all this, was Moe the BEST they could come up with?? h.o.)

• 6 Crankypants // Dec 2, 2009 at 9:52 am

  Sihota may be the best diversion the NDP could get. His penchant for shooting from the lip may deflect the attention from Carole James and cut down on the negative press she tends to get from the MSM whether deserved or not. She has been much more scrutinized by the MSM in comparison to our Premier.

  Also it may be tough for the Liberals to throw stones at Sihota with all the baggage a number of their MLAs are currently carrying.

• 7 CB // Dec 2, 2009 at 3:20 pm

  I don’t know, Harvey, I think in the next election voters will be more likely to scrutinize the last 3 terms of Liberal rule then they will the now ancient history of the NDP’s president.

  The position of party president of is a behind the scenes role, mostly free from the public’s eye. Sure, the Liberals will try to remind voters of Moe’s past but, I don’t believe the Liberals can win another election by talking about the 90′s all over again – new leader or not. Seems to me, the public’s attention is now focused on the Liberals rather dubious track record.

  Many a politician have remade themselves and resurrected their careers. Political parties need experienced people as much as they need new blood. Maybe Moe’s experience as a politician and business person (plus some years of reflection) will be what the NDP needs.

  Surely, you agree that we all deserve a second chance in life?

  (Response: Of course I agree people deserve second chances ..sometimes even third. But that’s not the point ..you and I might even agree that President is a behind the scenes role …BUT that’s not going to stop the Liberals about making hay from Sihota’s return. And they’ll probably even try to scare many voters by suggesting, like you say, that Sihota is pulling the strings behind the scenes. I just don’t know WHY the NDP would do this to themselves??? Maybe they don’t really want or expect to win?? h.o.)

• 8 The GREAT SATAN // Dec 2, 2009 at 3:49 pm

  TRAITORS IN WAITING & FOOLS

  Sihota will likely follow in a long line of NDP (Vidkum) Quislings and ultimately come to terms with the Grit/Socred Darkside.

  Moe being a good businessman knows where “his” bottom line is.

  Carole James on the other hand has no bottom line, political or anything else.

  If Moe represents the opportunists in politics, Carole is the Neville Chamberlain side of politics, the fools who believe you can talk to people who disrespect and abuse you.

  The BC Liberals at this point have a 4th term all but in the bag . . . with or without Campbell.

• 9 A. G. Tsakumis // Dec 2, 2009 at 5:54 pm

  Actually, I thought about this over the weekend, a fair bit…

  Despite, Moe’s ability to think quickly on his feet (a St. George’s trained debater, no less!), he is a massive impediment to the message that the NDP need not be feared. His, were some of the most spiteful and regressive words in the history of the legislature. He is an incredibly polarizing figure and will NOT be stopped from speaking too forcefully. Plus, he has no loyalty to anyone except himself. The clear struggle between the old world union/Tielemans and the James/agents of change is what will kill the NDP of having any chance of success against the Liberals or whoever emerges as the center-right coalition.

  Frankly, this is emblematic of the problem with the NDP: James does not have deep roots in the rank and file, and there is no possible excuse in the judgment required to arrive at allowing for the election of the most disgraced cabinet minister in B.C. NDP history.

  Is it any wonder Premier Grotto slides through the Leg, effortlessly and without a care?

  (Response: I personally still do NOT think James will be around for the next welection: she will leave about a year to 18 months before the vote …to allow time for a leadership convention and then let the party and the new leader (Sihota? …just kidding) take advantage of the hoopla/publicity surrounding the convention ..and not a lot of time before the election for him/her to goof up too badly or let their flaws come to the fore. h.o)

• 10 Mark // Dec 2, 2009 at 6:32 pm

  The NDP has now damaged their image in terms of the eyes of the electorate. What we have now is no longer the NDP but the ‘Carole James-Moe Sihota Party’.

  Ans that’s not a saleable commodity to the electorate. Might as well bring Glen Clark back on board as well.

• 11 John // Dec 2, 2009 at 10:46 pm

  You raise a good point, HO. Of all the people in the BC NDP movement, they had to pick Moe to head up the party’s executive. Baggage, anyone?

  Having said that, it was fun to watch Baldrey on Global the other night do a two minute pak rolling together all of Sihota’s greatest hits. It reminded me that time does indeed fly and memories can be short in BC.

  It also makes me lament the relative lack of colourful personalities on today’s provincial scene. I envy reporters who were around for the Bennett/Zalm years and even the NDP’s reign of error in the 90s. What fun it must have been!

  (Response: You know, I started in Victoria when WAC was there (a pic with him hangs on my den wall …along with one of Barrett too ..whew!). Politics was different. Cabinet ministers were ALL better known and outspoken: not the few or even the one-man show we get now. Sure we had the Dirty Tricks scandal, Gracie’s finger, Bingogate .. but I think there was also more respect for the role of the legislature .. and debate ..and most of all, the voters. h.o.)

• 12 Gary L. // Dec 2, 2009 at 11:02 pm

  Hmm, now let’s see. This could end up being quite a debacle!
  What would Ms. James do? Oh, I know.
  Call for a “Round Table Discussion”

  (Response: LOL! Maybe even a committee … of course, with all seniors, poverty, union, first nations, independent business and a slew of minority groups all represented … to report back within 6 months … on terms of reference for a permanent committee, to be considered at the next convention? h.o.)

• 13 Ruraidh // Dec 2, 2009 at 11:40 pm

  Probably the most positive thing for the provincial liberals is that Moe Sihota and his legends will occupy the headlines while the provincial liberals and their obfuscation will be relegated behind the Vancouver Canucks in voter perspectives.

  Ah, manna from heaven for the PAB.

  (Response: Exactly. But why did they do it? Was there no one else capable of doing the job, without the baggage the Libs will exploit? h.o)

• 14 Lynn // Dec 3, 2009 at 10:10 am

  St. George’s hey? Maybe El Gordo made arrangements for the hiring?? Brilliant move.

• 15 Toby // Dec 3, 2009 at 6:45 pm

  My problem with the BCNDP is that it has no vision for the future, no plan of action. If it has one it has not reached far enough down the food chain to reach me. James whines a lot but has never offered a real alternative.

• 16 Patrick Bell (Not the MLA) // Dec 3, 2009 at 11:42 pm

  I shake my head at this selection

• 17 Wilson // Dec 4, 2009 at 7:56 am

  I’ll be damned Oberfeld. You nailed it again. That Moe was a riot in his day. Politican’s these days are boring by comparison.

• 18 Masterofnothing // Dec 4, 2009 at 8:41 pm

  What’s Mike Harcourt doing these days? – Why Moe?

  Carole James is a very nice person, but I think she lacks stretegic visceral policy “window openings” to be used against the Liberal government’s own policies. There’s no informed solutions from her when she does speak on counter issues. John Horgan on the other hand, is very visceral and does expand on “idea policy” when countering the government’s actions. I think this maverick should be front and center. Mike Harcourt’s quiet and precise look at things would be less “tabloid” than what Moe will try in the coming months to gain a “pole reversal” – which might flop due to the nature of his character.

  (Response: I agree. i think Harcourt would have presented a much smaller target for the Libs than Moe. h.o.)

• 19 BC Mary // Dec 4, 2009 at 9:44 pm

  The only thing Harvey has “nailed” in this piece is Harvey Oberfeld.

  Harvey seems to expect us to believe that he’s deeply concerned about the future wellbeing of the New Democrats? [Oh, please: cue the hysterical laughter!]

  He refers to two terrible, horrible, disgraceful things Moe Sihota did while an NDP Cabinet minister.

  The punishment is laid out (very impressive! must’ve been terrible, horrible!) but those terrible, horrible deeds are not mentioned. Old MSM habits die hard. Guilt is only implied.

  I remember only one “scandal” and it concerned whether or not Moe had properly advised a client on (I think) a mortgage agreement … the protocol required that the client be advised twice, in writing: once before, once at the conclusion of the transaction.

  The client was an old friend who understood the deal. Moe gave her written advice at the beginning, oral advice at the conclusion. And it was NOT the lady-client who laid the complaint … it was the Law Society. The complaint? That Moe gave final advice orally.

  Did I remember that correctly? If so, hold it up against the 18-month “banning”, the $2,000. fine, and the nastiness … and does it really make sense to be denouncing Sihota again? IN CAPITAL LETTERS, even! Or is it time to get smart and begin to point at somebody else? BC is not well served by these events.

  Maybe Harvey can recall the other horrible, terrible thing Moe Sihota did … if so, I wish he would make a properly complete report here and tell us what it was.

  And if you ask me, I think it looks more like the Reform/Socred/Liberal government is scared of Moe Sihota.

  If you ask me, the tactics of simply implying suspicion, the way MSMs do, has had its day. Time to mature, steady up, and move on.

  Gordo, btw, is currently before the courts in Terrace allegedly having conspired with one of the Hainsla elders to help cripple BC Hydro. Strange, isn’t it, that such horrible, terrible sorts of thing never get into the msm.
  .
  (Response: BC Mary would have a lot more credibility if she didn’t just make things up to criticise! LOL! She says above that I want people to believe that I’m “deeply concerned about the future wellbeing of the New Democrats?”. Where do I say that I’m deeply concerned about their future? Anybody see it in the article? Anywhere else ..where I’m deeply concerned about their future? LOL!
  She also says I referred to “two terrible, horrible, disgraceful things Moe Sihota did”. Where does it say that …anywhere in my piece that I referred to “two terrible horrible things”??
  Geez Mary ain’t there enough TRUE things to discuss without you just making things up, putting words in people’s mouths?
  My piece did question if Moe, with his background, was the best the NDP could do as their new President? How does he fit with a new party image? Won’t the Liberals make hay out of his selection? None of that remotely approaches the words/ideas you tried to smear me with … although i’m not sure why.
  I’d bet though if the Liberals ever selected as their President someone with Moe’s political record ..you would be much more critical. Think maybe YOUR bias is showing? h.o)

• 20 BC Mary // Dec 4, 2009 at 11:14 pm

  Is this the other terrible, horrible thing Moe Sihota did:

  … telephoned Motor Carriers Commission on behalf of a friend seeking limo licence.

  (Response: That would not be a great thing to do when you’re a cabinet minister. h.o.)

• 21 A. G. Tsakumis // Dec 5, 2009 at 6:05 am

  Lynn: As a former President of the Georgians (the St. George’s Alumni Association), let me assure you…Gordon Campbell is NOT welcome to offer anything. He has no influence at our school. Not now, not ever.

  Years ago, Moe was guest speaker at our annual bun toss…in the middle of the speech, I interrupted and presented him with a jock-strap telling him, “Thanks for coming out, but this is the ONLY support you’ll ever have in this room”

  The whole room fell apart and he blithely went to bar and eventually slithered out of the room.

  It was altogether a great night. Moe, IMHO, has always been and will always be a pompous, overrated, first-class ass. His election to the Presidency of the provincial NDP was the single most stupid move by the NDP. It’s utterly unfathomable that they did this. I was in Victoria when Moe got there. Believe me…totally overrated and a destructive, toxic tactician. Scorch the earth is par for the course for Moe. Good luck to all of them. They’re going to need it. Big time.

• 22 BC Mary // Dec 9, 2009 at 4:50 am

  Harvey,

  I hadn’t noticed your courteous, conciliatory comment until this evening (you won’t find those words in your response, either).

  Really, I don’t think it’s MY credibility that’s on the line with regard to your smack-down of Moe Sihota. My entire point is the unseemliness of a respected journalist going on the attack for no visible reason, while failing to provide a basis for the assault.

  Believe me, you inferred that Moe Sihota has plenty of terrible, horrible history … you just didn’t explain what it was.

  If you’re suggesting I have a personal bias in favour of Moe Sihota, I don’t know the man; have never met him. Or did you mean a bias toward the Do-Nothing Opposition Party? No, it sure ain’t that, either. Too bad you have to make things up like that.

  BC is so badly served by its news media these days, we really can’t afford to be reckless about how we use what’s left to us. That’s what I’m talking about, Harvey, the lumpen stupidity of the assault on Sihota, accomplishing nothing.

  However, if you’re developing a new style of tabloid journalism, why not write about some of the prime BC villains of our time. Who sold BC Rail? Who crippled BC Hydro? Who did something to BC Ferries so that we don’t know any longer who owns it?

  Y’know: something important. OK?

  (Response: I do.. I write about what I think is important … not what others tell me to write about (we haven’t reached that point in our society yet.) Sorry if that offends you. h.o.

• 23 BC Mary // Dec 9, 2009 at 7:00 pm

  Harvey,

  There’s a deeper principle at work here, which temporarily surfaced in a piece of bad journalism which consisted of a drive-by smear against somebody elected to do a backroom job in a political party not of Gordo’s choosing.

  At first, it was only the pandering that offended me … because Moe as party president has virtually NO “importance” to the disaster unfolding in British Columbia right now.

  Frankly, I think partisan politics are obsolete tools for the repair and restoration of the planet, and in particular, the rescue of my home province, British Columbia. The “Me good, You bad” partisan politics as we know it, is even retrograde and destructive, and, well: obsolete.

  Have you seen the 90-minute film “Home”, by French film maker Yann Arthus-Bertrand? It’s excellent journalism. It includes footage from 54 countries.

  Synopsis

  In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it is too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth’s riches and change its patterns of consumption. And among the basic riches is WATER.

  I’ll try to find the URL for it, as it’s available to the world free of charge. It’s that important.

  For quite a while, I’ve been convinced that partisan politics are a cruel prank played upon the people to keep us busy squabbling instead of dealing with critical issues like the destruction of planet earth.

  This, Harvey, is where your Moe-Story came in, as a perfect example of a pointless, demeaning distraction at a time when journalism should rise to its most splendid service to readers. Better you should consider the riddle of the Alberta Tar Sands.

  I wonder if you would join a “We’re All In This Together Party” ? It would be pledged to doing its utmost to rescue, protect, and preserve the planet for future generations.

  To achieve that (as we must), journalists will be critically important if they can recognize the danger (including those rewarded for telling lies), analyze the facts, recognize their values, and create the survival narratives for a sustainable future lasting longer than 10 years.

  “HOME” puts new as well as known statistics together with images, from the environmental beginnings of human life on this planet. If you watch it, Harvey, I hope you will decide for yourself that it’s important to get OFF the corrosive political bandwagon.

• 24 BC Mary // Dec 9, 2009 at 7:59 pm

  The URL for the “HOME” YouTube is:

  http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
  .

• 25 kootcoot // Dec 10, 2009 at 7:55 pm

  I would suggest you have another donut Harv and re-read what Mary had to say, maybe if you read it enough you will understand what she is saying. It is obvious you haven’t so far!

  (Response: Why is it that some people, who I’m sure consider themselves quite bright, educated intellects, resort to juvenile personal insults, just because your view differs from theirs? Pathetic… but also quite interesting. h.o)

• 26 kootcoot // Dec 11, 2009 at 5:31 pm

  Didja re-read – do you understand, YET?

• 27 Stefani // Feb 28, 2012 at 6:34 am

  I went to the Bill Tielemen wbsiete and he spin it pretty good Ian. My head still spinning from Bill BS. That guy must have hard time looking in mirror.

• 28 Dany // Mar 1, 2012 at 2:54 am

  i read your atlcire and remembered that i, as a westerner, respected P.E.Trudeau for his willingness to express himself simply and therefore i thought i respected the liberal party. i was young.i worked and married throughout the time of chretien and martin after that i at least respected martin for his backbone sticking to the nessessary changes in the budget but not so much the liberal party but we can all hold our noes while we vote.after missing the opportunity with martin leaving and the election of whats his name and his failures then the annointing of iggy as the saviour i really lost all respect for the party as a representative of what i believed in.if the the liberal party of cananda is to survive it must change.it must change to reflect the values of the majority of canadians.it must change to encompass the center and the left.it must change.it must change to remain true to original founding principles if the executive can remeber them.it must recognize the majority of canadians didnt vote for the LPC the majority of canadians didnt vote for the NDP the majority of canadians didnt vote for the Conservatives.the majority of canadians did vote for a center left canda.if the liberal party of canada wants to be relevant or included in canadians vision it must change it must renew and become the liberal democratic party of canada.it must change.

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