Jul 142012
There are times when an image speaks for itself better than any long drawn out commentary. So we created a special section for them called the Speaking Images Library.
JLS ……For What It’s Worth
The "JLS" Report
Dare to think, refuse to be an echo…
I apologize for the delay in updating my opposition to the northern gateway pipeline and the attempt to launch a referendum under existing legislation.
When I first approached the idea of a referendum it seemed so simple and logical, just let the people decide. I knew how to organize this kind of legal opposition and was of course ready to do so….That was then, this is now.. As an ex-premier told me, “..it’s not how credible you are, it’s how offensive you’re prepared to be.”
The threats began almost immediately after posting my intentions and the media attention. Mostly anonymous, mostly just bs. But a few incidents stand out that made me rethink how serious these people are. We have moved to a more secure area and I have no intention of abandoning this venture, although the feasibility becomes more elusive as we go on and the idea of exposing my children to any harm does not appeal to me at all, I went though this nonsense in Comox, which included the existing mla, who was my daughter’s teacher at the time, constantly lecturing her on my evil deeds. I still have a fifteen year old at home and do not wish for a repeat.
The main obstacle remains the same. As you know, a provincial referendum can only be used to decide provincial matters, the pipeline is of course under federal jurisdiction.
The simple and sad fact is that nobody and I do mean nobody, has come up with any possible wording that could impose provincial will upon the powers in Ottawa. At least twenty people were contacted, all constitutional experts in their own way, none came up with a solution.
The various political parties replied very differently, the provincial ndp(the only ones that count), through leonard krog and his federal counterpart simply don’t know what to do, dix already admits he has not found any way to stop this pipeline, considering his past as a glen clark flunky I see very little chance of him having any more success fighting Ottawa than glen clark did… Think Nanoose Bay and their ill fated attempt to make Ottawa pay their bills… The provincial ndp are simply not up to the task and their federal cohorts will soon become irrelevant when they are forced to realize the people voted for Jack.
The Greens were instantly supportive, but it was Elizabeth May’s executive assistant that first told me that after checking with parliamentary experts, he felt I would have problems with jurisdiction and wording…That was a prophetic understatement. Yet I still feel very strongly that both green parties supporting a Legislative Initiative would guarantee its success. Their response has made me hopeful.
The environmental groups are all supportive but the presence of foreign money and directors makes many of my supporters uncomfortable and extremely reluctant to work with some of them. I agree, this is a BC issue and should be decided by us, not Robert Kennedy jr., or Bono. Online petitions are about as useful as the senate. In my experience, if you don’t legally ram it down their throats, no politician will act.
We are now forced into a waiting game, this of course leaves the door open for the more frustrated radical elements, that would normally be focusing on more legal ways to oppose this, to act out their fantasies. I still think that it’s imperative that the people of my Province be given a clear choice in this matter, not by some hired help, but by way of binding legislation. One way or another..The sooner the better.
I call again for Ms Clark to add a referendum to the May electoral process..Nobody loses, if the people decide it’s ok, radical opposition would lose public support. If they democratically oppose it, those proponents would share a similar fate. If she ignores it and allows the ndp to deal with it, she will be missing a huge opportunity to make history and to gain the support of the thousands of fence sitters. Doing it now would force the participants to show their cards and allow the best hand to win, the losers could go back to Ottawa/Alberta or tree hugging…….it would also prevent thousands of people from having to collect the hundreds of thousands of signatures required under the Act, something most won’t be too quick to forget come election time.
robert saint amour
jamast@mail.com