Category Archives: Politics

Politics

Robert Mellalieu, Optimistic Candidate for Green Party

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Robert Mellalieu, optimistic Green Party candidate.

Over the past four years I’ve become increasingly disenchanted by the vast gulf between the positive, “sunny ways” statements of our outgoing government, and the lack of follow through. My awareness of this chasm has undoubtedly been sharpened by the words of former Rutgers University professor, Ashley Montagu. He wrote, “If you want to know what people believe, don’t read what they write, don’t ask what they believe, just observe what they do.”

With these thoughts swirling somewhere in the bowels of my subconscious mind, I noted the black Smart Car in the parking lot of the Hedley Seniors’ Centre last Wednesday. It belonged to Robert Mellalieu, local candidate for the Green Party. He had arrived from West Kelowna shortly after 7 am to meet with the early morning coffee group. Although people were already leaving when I showed up at 8, Rob immediately agreed to a one on one conversation.

Wondering if his words were supported by his choices and actions, I referred to the Smart Car. He appeared relaxed, but immediately fully engaged. “My wife also drives one,” he said, then added, “in summer we use a washline to dry clothes. In winter we have laundry hanging everywhere in the house.” That seemed to suggest he is about more than just talk. I was impressed by the discipline and commitment required to be here so early.

When I asked why he is running for the Green Party a second time, he jokingly said, “No one else wanted to. They’re all scared off by my competence.” He smiled, then said, “running for Green isn’t a joke anymore. People are beginning to understand there’s something to this.”

Rob doesn’t have the financial resources for a campaign like that of the major parties. He has demonstrated commitment and belief by putting in $1,000 of his own money, Another $1,500 has come from supporters. “People have given time to my campaign,” he said. “A couple of youths were a great help to me in summer. I also have a strong presence on social media.”

He is well known, especially in the Kelowna area. His public experience includes the Ambassador Program, Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers, a men’s recovery program and Toastmasters. In his work life he operates a business assisting people with computer issues.

Although he doesn’t have big league political experience, Rob does have a pretty decent grasp of issues. He’s keenly interested in economics. “One reason for running in this election is the long term economic issues,” he emphasized. In regard to the environment, he believes we’re making progress, “but it’s painfully slow. We need to make humungous changes weekly.” Current reports of glaciers melting and threatening communities, destruction of fisheries, rising ocean levels, and other impending calamities make it clear his concerns are based on reality.

“We need strong leaders,” he added. “Trudeau didn’t do it. He bought a pipeline. Politicians aren’t telling people the reality. Talk is cheap.”

I asked about Green Party leader, Elizabeth May. “According to polls she’s the most respected party leader in the country,” he responded with enthusiasm. “She has twice been voted Parliamentarian of the Year by fellow MPs.”

Rob seems genuinely optimistic about his chances of doing well in the vote. “It’s important we get a bigger slice of the political pie.” He paused, then added, “That will enable us to be more effective in shaping policies.”

I’m not ready for a Donald Trump type of shake up in Canada, but there’s certainly room for more integrity and greater trust. On one matter particularly close to my own heart, the Liberals have performed dismally. Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland have boasted about supporting the rights of women and children everywhere. They have made no discernible effort, however, to retrieve the approximately 250 Canadian children who have been abducted to other countries by one of their parents.

Would Andrew Sheer be a better fit as Prime Minister? In spite of recent massive expressions of concern by youths regarding the environment, his response has been lackluster.

Should we be looking to the Green Party to lead us in a better direction? I don’t know, but Robert Mellalieu would like an opportunity to demonstrate they are a viable alternative. At this time the odds are not in their favour, but then, Greta Thunberg started the present worldwide protest movement as one 15 year old girl standing outside the Swedish parliament.

People, Politics

Judge Matthew Begbie, Hero, Villain, Frontiersman, Human

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Matthew Baillie Begbie (Wikipedia)

(The following is the text of a talk delivered by William L. Day at the Hedley Historical Museum celebration of Canada Day (2019). A part-time resident of Hedley, Day is a former President of Douglas College, and more recently, a Citizenship Judge. In this talk he challenges the commonly held view of Judge Matthew Begbie as the “Hanging Judge”. A.M.)

Judge Matthew Begbie

Some of this material was sourced from the Victoria Times Colonist and material written by Stephen Hume in the Vancouver Sun newspaper.  

Matthew Begbie was the colony of B.C.’s first judge from 1858-71 and the new province’s first Chief Justice from 1871-1894. He held court in almost every settlement in the province, often under trees or in tents.  He was an appointee of the then British Colonial Office and as such was the unassailable final legal authority in the future British Columbia.

Begbie proved to be the ideal man for the job. He was tough, hardy, adventurous, adaptable, fair-minded and determined. He wasn’t popular except with First Nations chiefs, with whom he was prepared to communicate and whose rights he frequently defended.

In 1865 alone, he covered about 5,600 kilometres on foot, on horseback and by canoe. In the Stikine country in 1879, the year he turned 60, his party lived mainly off the land, “eating rabbits, grouse and squirrels, most of which Begbie himself shot.” He loved the outdoors.  He is a hero to lovers of Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park for his ruling in 1884 preserving it from development.

But the so-called “Hanging Judge” was controversial almost from the moment he stepped off the boat in 1858.  The phrase apparently stemmed from references to him as the “Haranguing Judge” from his extended diatribes during and after jury trials.  It was transliterated in later years after his death, by people ignorant of the actual circumstances of his life and work.

At one of his first trials, he told the assembled miners – mostly Californians – that in the U.S. they might govern “by the Bowie knife and the Colt’s pistol,” but not in British Columbia.

Begbie was also controversial for his racial attitudes, telling a royal commission in 1884 that the “four prominent qualities” of the Chinese were “industry, economy, sobriety and law abidingness.” And that, he said, was the main reason they were unpopular. The Daily British Colonist (now the Times Colonist) criticized him for this, maintaining that the Chinese were “hereditarily on a lower plane of civilization.”

With reference to Begbie’s attitude toward native peoples, in 1860, Governor James Douglas had to deal with complaints that Begbie had allowed a white man to be convicted of assault at Yale “wholly on testimony from Indians.”

In the ensuing years, Begbie continued to condemn “racial jealousy” and set aside convictions under discriminatory bylaws dealing with such matters as licences for Chinese laundries and pawnshops whenever these issues came before him. A century before Canada adopted its Charter of Rights, he described such laws as an infringement “at once of personal liberty, and of the equality of all men before the law, and also a negation of international rights.”  On his last circuit in 1889, when he was 71, he renewed old acquaintances in the Cariboo, describing the Chinese who had been there since the gold rush 30 years earlier as “better British Columbians than nine-tenrhs of the later arrivals.”

Other decisions also raised eyebrows.  In 1889, he overturned the conviction of a man who had pleaded guilty to potlatching, holding that the law against it was too vague and unfair to support lawful convictions.  This rendered the potlatch ban a “dead letter” until, after Begbie’s death, Parliament strengthened it.

His positive opinion of B.C.’s Indigenous Peoples, formed early on, did not change throughout his lifetime.

Begbie  protected the territorial integrity of the Songhees Reserve in Victoria City, a case that illustrated his belief that, if at all possible, justice should trump legal technicalities. He was a skilled lawyer and judge, but as he put it himself, camping on the hard ground and coping with an overturned canoe were more important than legal niceties in the new colony.

Unlike most of his contemporaries, Begbie was fluent in several languages, including the Chinook Jargon – the trading language of the entire Pacific Coast – and made a concerted effort to learn some of B.C.’s Indigenous languages.

Was he a “Hanging Judge”?  Where he had discretion, he could certainly impose a harsh sentence if he thought it was justified. But he had no discretion in capital cases: When the jury convicted someone of murder — and all such trials in Begbie’s court were jury trials — the death penalty was mandatory. 

His biographer could find no evidence that he was described as a hanging judge in his lifetime.  Ironically, Begbie never considered a career in the military because he “found it abhorrent to take human life.”

Begbie is also controversial today for his role as Presiding Judge in the trial of the Tsilhqot’in chiefs who made war on the mainland colony in 1864. The evidence strongly suggests that they were tricked into surrendering and the jury convicted five of the six notwithstanding that they had meant “war, not murder.” The death penalty was automatic.  Begbie’s own notes at the time stated that the native chiefs viewed themselves as at war. These very notes were used in the Canadian Supreme Court decisions supporting the Chilcotin government’s legal case over land control in their territory.

In his report on the trial to the governor, Begbie said that it “seems horrible to hang five men at once — especially under the circumstances of the capitulation. Yet the blood of 21 whites calls for retribution.” He added that he was glad the decision was not his to make.

Both levels of government have since exonerated the executed men.  The Law Society of British Columbia has removed Begbie’s statue from the foyer of its building, citing his role in the Tsilhqot’in trials.  New Westminster Council has voted to remove the Begbie bust from the courthouse at Begbie Square.

What would Begbie have thought of this? His instructions to his executors were that “no other monument than a wooden cross be erected on my grave, that there be no flowers and no inscription but my name, dates of birth and death and ‘Lord be Merciful to Me a Sinner.’ ”

British Columbia’s first chief justice is often called “The Hanging Judge.” In fact, Matthew Begbie was progressive, lenient, championed the rights of indigenous and other minorities exposed to racism, and didn’t hesitate to speak truth to power — in his case, colonial authorities.

William L. Day

01 July, 2019

Inspiration, Politics

Politics a Central Theme in Easter Story

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The Empty Tomb

In his 30th year, Jesus of Nazareth began propounding religious and social ideas that confounded and antagonized the Jewish religious elites of his time. He arrived on the scene during the reign of Caesar Augustus, and lived into the rule of Tiberius. Without an army or political party, his message brought more significant, lasting change than all the powerful Roman emperors combined.

In the 33rd year of his life, the Jewish religious authorities succeeded in persuading Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to crucify him. According to accounts by Biblical writers like the former tax collector Matthew, he was resurrected on the third day and spoke with his disciples. It is this death on a cross and miraculous resurrection that will be celebrated by Christians around the globe this Easter.

The Roman empire had been cobbled together by 2 ambitious but uneasy partners, Caesar Augustus and Mark Antony. Throughout its existence, the empire was held together by a web of intrigue, assassinations, political marriages, betrayals, poisonings, and war. Women were valued primarily for forging alliances. In Rome there were numerous temples to various gods, and men of nobility, including emperors, wished to be identified as near gods. Conquered nations usually suffered under a huge burden of taxation. Disobedience was often dealt with by crucifixion, beheading, poisoning or drowning.

In this septic atmosphere of mistrust and scheming, the Jewish religious leaders had managed to acquire a measure of political power. Their authority was lodged in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The council consisted primarily of 2 parties, the Sadducees, which at this time held the majority of seats, and the Pharisees. The Pharisees believed there would be a resurrection of the dead but the Sadducees did not. On other points of lesser importance they did agree and had developed an all encompassing system of religious rules which the people found virtually impossible to follow. The religious rulers could bar people from the temple if they didn’t comply. Since Jewish culture centered on religious traditions and especially on the temple, there was fear of being shut out.

It was not an auspicious time for the appearance of a man who claimed to be the Son of God. The Sadducees and Pharisees quickly became suspicious because he contradicted much of their teaching. They held to the “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” philosophy. “Love your neighbour,” they said, “and hate your enemy.” Jesus urged the people to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” The chief priests and teachers of the law deemed his teaching to be heretical and sent spies to question him and report to them.

Jesus warned against the corruptness and false piety of the religious leaders. “They like to walk around in flowing robes,” he said, “and be greeted in the market places and have the most important seats in the synagogues. For a show they make lengthy prayers.”

Equally galling were the miracles. When he healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, they accused him of breaking the law and began plotting to kill him.

Evidently the people were desperate for greater substance than the rules and platitudes offered by the pious, corrupt religious leaders. Crowds gathered around Jesus, sensing his authenticity and liking his positive message of forgiveness and hope. This fervent adulation aroused fear and jealousy in the Sadducees and Pharisees. When he brought Lazarus back from the dead, a member of the Sanhedrin said, “If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will take away our place and our nation.”

Late one night, Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 disciples betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. At dawn the religious leaders brought him before Pontius Pilate, demanding he be crucified. Jesus had told his disciples this would happen.

Reluctantly, Pilate sentenced him and he was crucified between 2 criminals. One joined the scoffing. The other said, “Lord remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied, “today you will be with me in paradise.”

Several writers in the Biblical New Testament report that Jesus died on the cross, was placed in a tomb, and was resurrected 3 days later. This Easter, Christians around the globe will again greet each other with “He is risen!”

Politics

Lack of Justice in Bill C-75

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Parliament of Canada

I was impressed, and also puzzled, by our Prime Minister’s eloquent address to the Paris Peace Forum recently. He said, “When people believe the institutions can’t protect them, they turn to easy answers like nationalism and populism, closing borders and xenophobia.” He may quite legitimately have had in mind our neighbours south of the 49th Parallel, but some of his government’s policies could soon have a similar effect here.

In March of this year the Canadian government introduced Bill C-75 with the intention of “hybridizing” 131 indictable criminal offences. According to former Minister of Justice, Rob Nicholson (Cons.), “The government is essentially watering down very serious criminal charges by adding a possible summary conviction as a prosecutorial option. This could result in a penalty as low as a fine for what was an indictable offense with a penalty up to 10 years.” Inexplicably, big city media have given scant attention to this 302 page omnibus bill, but if passed, it could undermine the protections of the value system that undergirds our way of life.

In a submission to the House of Commons, Professor Christian Leuprecht of Royal Military College and Queen’s University, emphasized the far reaching nature of the Bill. “The classification of an offence,” he said, “has long been understood to signal how serious the offence is; implicitly, then, hybridization sends a message that these offences are now less serious than they used to be.”

Most of the changes may not create problems, except for further clogging the provincial courts. Others though will dilute what was guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Charter, as most Canadians know, was bequeathed to us by an earlier Trudeau, the father of our current Prime Minister.

Before we offhandedly decide this isn’t important to our cozy lives in a nation that experiences relatively little serious turmoil, we really should look at several offences targeted for hybridization. One of the most troubling is sexual exploitation. According to the U.S. State Department’s 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report, “Canada is a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to sexual trafficking.” The possibility of lenient sentences would almost certainly exacerbate an already unacceptable situation.

Equally disturbing is the plan to hybridize abduction of children under age 16. Having spoken in recent months with several mothers who have lost children to international abductions, I have a sense of the deep heartache they and their families continue to experience. One told of the pleading of her children in court, expressing their fear they would be taken to another country and never be permitted to return. The Charter guarantees everyone “the right to life, liberty and security of the person.” To reclassify abduction of children and try it as a summary offence seems contrary to this guarantee.

Another proposed change is also incomprehensible. At a time when houses of worship in both Canada and the U.S. have come under serious physical attacks, the government intends to hybridize “obstructing, or violence to, or arrest of officiating clergy.” A similar attempt was made a year ago with Bill C-51. More than 65 leaders from faith organizations including Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews and Christians signed a letter opposing it. Thousands of ordinary citizens sent letters protesting the bill. Now the government is trying again. This seems to suggest a lack of regard for religious leaders and their followers.

I spoke by phone last week with David Guretzki, Vice President of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), located in Ottawa. EFC has longterm relationships with public policy officials, and is at times invited to speak to Parliamentary standing committees regarding significant social issues. I have found their perspective to be fair minded. “It is EFC’s opinion,” he said, “that some of the proposed changes devalue human life and dignity, care for the vulnerable, and freedom of religion.”

If Bill C-75 passes in its present form, criminals of various kinds will almost certainly be heartened and emboldened by the prospect of lighter penalties. We could then all become more vulnerable, and have less faith in our institutions to protect us. Only a massive protest by Canadians will persuade the government to rethink this Bill and assure us that Charter rights still are for all citizens.

Politics

Expect A Brawl In The Coming Referendum

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The fall referendum will determine whether voters favour “first passed the post” (horse racing term) or “proportional representation”. (photo freewinningbets.com

Watch for a major political brawl to erupt shortly between the NDP/Green coalition and the Opposition Liberals. It’s all about the proposed dumping of the so-called “first past the post” system for electing MLA’s. John Horgan and Andrew Weaver believe some form of “proportional representation” will give them more seats in the Legislature. Andrew Wilkinson’s Liberals despise both the government and their electoral preference. They hope to cut them off at the pass and retain the present system. They are still disgruntled about the Greens joining with the NDP to ensure defeat of the Christy Clark government after the narrow election results last year. The autumn referendum will determine which system voters favour.

Certainly there are glaring deficiencies in our political structures and processes, both at the provincial and federal levels. Canada isn’t an isolated case though. In Return of History, Jennifer Welsh suggests that “across many liberal democracies, the level of trust in political institutions is at a historic low.”

In my opinion, the suggested radical tinkering with the electoral system is likely to do little more than confuse voters, and possibly also those we elect to represent us. The problem isn’t just with the system. Whichever one we adopt, we must expect that clever, powerful individuals will corrupt it to attain and retain power. The Roman Caesars did it, and politicians across our country are doing it today. The result is that constituency representatives have virtually no ability to impact policy decisions.

In Tragedy in the Commons, Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan state that many former MP’s they interviewed feel they were little more than political eunuchs. One of their major complaints was that they were micromanaged by the party. They were required to submit press releases for scrutiny. They were given questions to ask and statements to read. The party assigned committee positions and removed members if they didn’t reflect party views. The party gave or withheld permission to speak in Parliament. The former MP’s described committees as busy work and a waste of time.

Russ Peters, a former Liberal MP said, “we were told to say we were there to develop policies for the betterment of the country. The truth was, we were there to adopt policies that benefited the party.”

It is Pierre Elliott Trudeau who is generally credited with taking Canada a long way down this path. He introduced major changes which consolidated the Prime Minister’s power and severely limited effectiveness of MP’s. According to Walter Stewart in Shrug: Trudeau in Power, “he set up a counter bureaucracy. To all intents and purposes, Canada is no longer run by Parliament, the Cabinet, or even the party in power. It is run by the PM and his own personal power block.” Regarding Opposition MP’s, Trudeau said, “they have been elected by constituents to blow off steam. When they are 50 yards from Parliament, they are nobodies.” More recently, Stephen Harper also significantly curtailed the ability of MP’s to participate in the governance of our nation.

The issue of leader dominance exists also at the provincial level. In BC, former premier Christy Clark relegated the experienced and talented Sam Sullivan to virtual obscurity in the Legislature. He had previously defeated her in the City of Vancouver mayoralty race, and it is believed by many that she held this against him.

Can we make changes that would bring back true democracy to Canada? The Samara Centre for Democracy recently published a 30 page analysis of Canada’s Parliamentary system and how it can be made more effective. It argues forcefully that committees should be made more independent. In part, they contend that “if committees are given more centrality and Parliament changes how committee appointments work, the result would be positions of real prestige that aren’t controlled or doled out by the party.”

MP’s tend to agree that committees are where the most important work can be done. If there was less interference from party leaders, committees could make a genuine contribution to creating beneficial policies at both the provincial and federal levels.

Between now and the vote in the fall referendum, we’ll be exposed to a great deal of political huffing and puffing. Whatever the result, it will benefit primarily those at the most lofty echelons of political parties. Meaningful change will come only when those we elect are able to effectively represent the views of their constituents and participate substantively in decision making.

Community, People, Politics

Pragmatic Response To Homelessness

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Murray in front of the Hedley Museum

Meeting Murray on the street in Hedley stirred my interest in homelessness. He was making adjustments on his heavily laden bike when I approached him. Learning he was homeless, I invited him for coffee and Linda’s cookies. “I was married and we had 2 children,” he told us. “I haven’t seen them or my 94 year old mother in a long time. For about 5 years I’ve lived in a shack I built along the river in rural Cawston. I don’t want to live in a house.”

The media frequently carry accounts of incidents fueled by homelessness, drug addiction, mental health issues and related problems. Recently CBC reported that addicts were routinely throwing dirty needles out of the windows of their high rise apartments. We want to believe these problems exist primarily in large centres. Even in Hedley though, we have a drug house and individuals who frequent it on a daily basis. Drugs, mental health issues and homelessness are a growing blight on our society.

Rob Turnbull & Tracey Harvey in front of our Hedley home.

In an extended conversation with Rob Turnbull and Tracey Harvey in our home last week, Linda and I gained some understanding of how deeply entrenched the blight has become. We also learned what their organization, Streetohome is doing to combat the cocktail of issues related to homelessness and addiction. “It’s a multi-faceted issue,” Rob asserted. “We can’t just build our way out of homelessness, expecting this will solve all problems.”

Rob Turnbull & Tracey Harvey in front of our Hedley home.

Streetohome is a Vancouver based organization with connections throughout the province and beyond. It began almost 10 years ago with a mandate to provide housing for homeless people. Since that early beginning their understanding has expanded. “We’ve had considerable success in leveraging funds from the private sector, and we’ve provided a lot of homes,” Tracey said, “but we have come to understand that homeless people are often grappling with multiple bewildering issues. When they are given a home, these issues rarely go away.”

He was homeless until he participated in the Streetohome program. (photo with permission from Streetohome)

I was reminded of our friend Sophie, deeply addicted and always on the verge of homelessness. When Linda and I initially met her, she was 40, gorgeous, with gleaming white teeth, an ability to express herself succinctly, and a figure to inspire lust. After her boyfriend died of an overdose, her life spiraled downward. Her parents several times paid for stays in costly treatment centres. While there, she excelled. Out on her own though, her resolve faltered. I have often wondered why this beautiful, talented woman was so tightly bound by addiction.

Rob seemed to read my thoughts. “There are gaps in the continuum of care. Wait lists for treatment are too long. Often there is only a brief window when someone is ready. Also, 30 to 90 day treatment programs aren’t long enough to deal with feelings of isolation from society, lack of social and work skills, low self esteem and the need for meaningful activity.”

Do they have an effective response to this wily monster with its tentacles sunk deep into all levels of society? “We’ve brought a lot of people in from the cold,” Tracey said. “Now we’re working toward a promising new approach that is being used in the U.S. The Addiction Recovery Community concept will offer a safe place where individuals can participate in programs and support each other. Much of the program will be led by people who are themselves in recovery.”

“Live in treatment programs rarely address employment and vocational needs,” Rob added. “We consider these key, along with having a home to go to when they are ready.”

I was impressed by the emphasis on a continuum of supports. “We are looking for ways to stretch program engagement up to 2 1/2 years, with life long, peer supported after care,” Tracey said.

Streetohome readily shares its experience and knowledge. In Farmington, north of Dawson Creek, the North Winds Wellness Centre is aware of this model. In a telephone conversation executive director Isaac Hernandez said they have plans for an Addiction Recovery Community in Pouce Coupe, It will offer a 2.5 year program emphasizing life, training and work skills. “We will use indigenous cultural healing traditions and best, non-indigenous practises.”

Rob, Tracey and Isaac are disciplined, passionate and committed. They know it will not be a skirmish, but a prolonged all-out war. To avoid being overwhelmed by this festering scourge, our nation will need to become just as committed.

Politics

Will Trump Hurt Similkameen Valley?

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President Trump by
jurist.org

Donald Trump’s perverse new tariff on aluminum and steel is causing much wringing of hands in Ottawa. As citizens of the Similkameen Valley, it’s easy to feel somewhat sheltered from the president’s fondness for erratic policies. Anyway, we know that Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland have raised their (unfortunately puny) political fists and assure us they are vigorously defending Canada. Surely it’s ok then for us to carry on with our usual activities, whether its playing with grandchildren or drinking beer and smoking marijuana (now that it’s just about legal).

His considerable financial success seems to have persuaded the president he can unerringly shape world events with irksome tweets and boisterous outbursts. Certainly his influence is immense, but does he comprehend the potential havoc? In War and the American Presidency, Arthur M. Schlesinger suggests “history teaches us that the future is full of surprises and outwits all our certainties. Many of the pivotal events of our age were unforeseen.”

I realize Donald Trump has a reputation for not valuing advice. Even so, if I had the opportunity, I would urge him to examine the results of President Herbert Hoover’s attempt to protect America by imposing high tariffs in 1930. Stock markets had crashed in 1929 and America was already in the first stages of the Great Depression. Less than average rainfall was resulting in a serious drought.

President Herbert Hoover
(www.history.com)

Understandably, Hoover needed to do something if he hoped to serve more than one term. To him, raising tariffs by passage of the Smoot-Hawley bill seemed a viable solution, even though there was opposition. 1,028 economists sent him a petition against the bill. They understood such a tariff would produce unintended far reaching negative ramifications for the nation. Auto magnate Henry Ford spent an evening in the White House hoping to dissuade him. Some high ranking Republican leaders favoured the bill, however, and their wishes prevailed. Approximately 20,000 imports were impacted.

What was the result? According to Amity Shlaes in The Forgotten Man, “Smoot-Hawley provoked retaliatory protectionist actions all over the globe, depriving the U.S. of markets and sending it into a deeper slump. The Act, and the following retaliation were major factors in the reduction of U.S. imports and exports by half during the Depression.” Nations that retaliated included Canada, France, India and Switzerland.

Political leaders tend to make decisions with the next election in mind. Certainly implementing high tariffs during an already financially and socially difficult time is not understandable from a business perspective.

In the midst of serious adverse social and economic circumstances, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff created a shudder of anxiety around the globe. Donald Trump’s “America First” thinking has the potential to cause similar reverberations that may be felt even in the Similkameen Valley. Already Mexico is threatening to boycott U.S. apples. Will desperate Washington state growers dump their crop into our province, thereby causing huge losses for local orchardists?

Canada and other nations are getting set to apply tariffs against the U.S. This will raise our costs when we purchase those products. Arrogant and narcissistic, Donald Trump seems not to understand or care that by punishing us he may unleash a world wide trade war. He almost certainly will not be able to control the forces he is setting in motion.

I’m aware that at this point my concerns may be somewhat overblown. We are not in the midst of a drought or a “dirty thirties” depression. There are troubling issues, though. Vladimir Putin is seeking to unsettle the West by meddling in the Ukraine, the Middle East, as well as in democratic elections. ISIS indoctrinated fighters are returning. Over use of plastics is creating migraine level environmental headaches. Fentanyl addiction and deaths are a curse on our society.

I’m not looking for a cave to shelter in, but this seems a time for prudent decision making. On the national scene, are we wise to take on the Trans Mountain Pipeline when some reserves do not have access to clean drinking water? On an individual basis, avoiding unnecessary debt is probably wise. Do we really need that new SUV or the latest large screen tv?

Yes, I’ve become fiscally conservative. Unforeseen challenging surprises, sometimes referred to as “black swan” events, have persuaded Linda and me to consider the broader context before we risk. At the very least, until Donald Trump is impeached or defeated at the polls, it’s a good time to be prudent.

Politics

The Politics Of Easter

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Jesus Ascending To Heaven, painting by John Singleton Copley, 1775; Wikipedia.org

Like Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in our time, Jewish religious leaders in first century Israel were prepared to say and do whatever was necessary to retain power. When Jesus unexpectedly emerged on the scene in his 30th year, they immediately understood his teachings would undermine their hold on the people. According to the Biblical account, crowds were flocking to him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and regions beyond the Jordan. The religious leaders found it galling that he claimed to be the Son of God, and did not deny he was the Messiah whose coming had been foretold centuries earlier by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel. They deemed him to be a mere mortal and resolved to take him down.

The undisputed ruler of the far flung Roman empire at this time was Tiberius, adopted son of the deceased Caesar Augustus. Augustus had crushed virtually all opposition by forming alliances, assassinating or banishing rivals, defeating enemies in military campaigns, and at times killing erstwhile partners. It was a harsh regime in which beheadings and crucifixions were common.

Within this context, Jewish life and political power largely revolved around the temple, located in Jerusalem, and local synagogues. Two main religious parties, the Sadducees and Pharisees, wielded immense influence. In large part their power derived from the ability to ban people from the temple and synagogues. According to Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, the Sadducees were a sophisticated, aristocratic party. They controlled the office of the High Priest during Jesus time and held most of the seats in the governing Sanhedrin. The Pharisees tended to be scribes and strict teachers of the law.

Jesus had 12 disciples, but no party or position. Unlike the religious leaders who controlled the people with myriad petty rules about daily life, Jesus offered a message of hope. “In my father’s house are many mansions,” he told the crowds. “If I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” People decided he was genuine and that he spoke with authority. Although they didn’t openly approve of him because they feared the religious leaders, privately many wondered if he might be the promised Messiah.

The religious leaders could have entered into a real dialogue with Jesus to determine if he might indeed be the Messiah. Certainly his miracles could not be ignored. They dared not do this though, because if he turned out to be authentic they would have to undergo a huge paradigm shift and would lose their elevated positions.

The Pharisees partnered with the Herodians, a secular party that supported the despised Roman rulers. They were definitely not natural allies but they approached Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” If he answered “no” they would report him to Governor Pilate, who would have him executed for treason. If he said “yes” they would denounce him to the people.

Jesus asked them to show him a coin, so they produced a denarius. On one side was the depiction of Caesar Tiberius. “Whose image is on the coin?” he asked. “Caesar’s” they replied. Jesus then said, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”

When Jesus brought Lazarus back to life, the religious rulers were spooked. Fearing they would lose all authority and credibility with the people, they had Jesus arrested at night in the garden of Gethsemane. In an early morning trial of the Sanhedrin, they found him guilty of blasphemy because he claimed to be the Son of God.

Before Pilate, Governor of Judea however, they accused Jesus of treason saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar, and claims to be Christ, a King.”

Pilate asked questions, considered the matter, then said, “After examining him, I conclude he has done nothing to deserve death.” Even so, bowing to pressure from the religious leaders and their supporters, Pilate ordered Jesus be crucified.

In his account Matthew, a former tax collector and disciple of Jesus, noted that a large stone was rolled in front of the tomb. Three days later an angel removed the stone. When Jesus followers came to the tomb, the angel said, “He is not here. He is risen.” Around the globe this Easter Sunday, Christians will greet each other with the words, “He is risen!”

Inspiration, People, Politics

Michelle Stilwell, An Elite Paralympian

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MLA Michelle Stilwell (Parksville-Qualicum), Winner of 6 Paralympic Gold Medals

When the phone rang in my home last week and a congenial voice said, “Hello, this is Michelle Stilwell,” I instantly sensed her exceptional vitality. An elite athlete, she has won an impressive array of medals, including 6 gold and 1 silver in the Sydney, Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro Paralympics. At age 17, while being piggy-backed by a friend down a flight of stairs, she fell and suffered a life altering injury. In spite of requiring the use of a wheelchair, she exudes a sparkling zest for life.

I wanted to understand how she had been able to move ahead and become a highly regarded athlete, and more recently, an effective member of the B.C. Legislature.

Michelle expressed gratitude for a good early beginning. “My parents owned a hotel in Winnipeg,” she said. “Observing them, I learned the value of a dollar. I was expected to work for the money they gave me. At first it was chores at home. Then I bussed in the hotel restaurant and cleaned rooms. Eventually I became the front desk clerk. I liked people and I liked responsibility. I was class president in school and a youth leader in church. Through sport I learned about teamwork, leadership and dedication. Prior to my injury I wanted to become a flight attendant and travel the world.”

Her aspirations and dreams crashed when, three weeks before graduation, she landed in a helpless heap on the floor. For most victims of such physical and psychological trauma, it might have seemed there was little left to live for.

“In the rehab hospital there were certainly occasional days when I didn’t want to do anything,” she acknowledged. “Fortunately, they had a program that enabled me to graduate. I was introduced to wheelchair basketball and I began to see a path ahead. I committed to that path.”

She began playing on a mixed basketball team, the only female. “I don’t have hand function so my role was to get the big man into the key so he could score.” There were new challenges when she started travelling with the team. Bathroom doors weren’t wide enough for a wheelchair, or the bed was too high to get into. For over 3 years she spent a lot of time in the hospital.

Michelle didn’t deny reality. Instead, she decided to view her situation through a positive prism. “I knew I wouldn’t get a reset button to start over. I needed to do the best with what I had. Walking isn’t everything.”

She reflected a moment, then said, “I could make choices that would create my future. We are all responsible for our choices and decisions we make.”

Michelle Stilwell, (right) Rio de Janiero Paralympics, 2016

Michelle committed to training for Paralympic competition, first in wheelchair basketball, then in wheelchair racing. “Training was full on hard core. I ate the right food, spent hours in the garage where I had stationery rollers for my chair and surrounded myself with people to help me succeed. To get to Olympic competition you need God given talent, but it also takes sweat, tears and pain, pushing yourself past exhaustion. It became my world. For me it was everything. Each day I tried to go faster. Tried to get better. I loved the challenge. Those were some of my best days.”

She met Mark while playing wheelchair basketball. Although able bodied, he was allowed to compete in the integrated sport. “For me it was love at first sight,” she said, and I sensed a smile in her voice. “It took 4 months before he asked me to marry him. We have a sixteen year old son, Kai.”

Since winning a gold medal in Paralympic basketball and 5 gold plus a silver in wheelchair racing, Michelle has taken on a new challenge. “I never, never, thought of getting into politics,” she said, seemingly surprised at this new venture. As Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation in the Christy Clark government, she brought in the Single Parent Employment Initiative which provides help to single parents to get off social assistance. “It’s especially important because these parents become positive role models for their children,” she said.

MLA Michelle Stilwell at Swearing In Ceremony

“Would I undo the injury if I could go back in time?” Michelle asked at the end of our conversation. “No. I wouldn’t have had the opportunities to accomplish what I’ve been able to do, and I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

People, Politics

Dianne Watts, A Proven Leader

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Dianne Watts

Can Dianne Watts, popular and highly regarded former mayor of Surrey, win leadership of the B.C. Liberal Party? When she announced her candidacy, one front runner in the leadership race quickly labeled her an “outsider.” Outsiders are rarely welcomed by those grasping the levers of power.

In a telephone conversation with Watts last week, I asked if being perceived as an outsider is an asset or a liability. “It’s an asset,” she responded without hesitation. “I don’t have to explain the budget.” She was, of course, referring to the desperate Liberal attempt to stay in office by unabashedly adopting much of the NDP platform in their doomed final budget.

My interest in Watts’ candidacy stems from a concern that the former cabinet ministers, if elected, would almost certainly not represent a positive change from the past. They have said publicly, “we stopped listening to the people.” Steeped in this stultifying culture of political deafness, have they now been given a miraculous desire to listen? Was their initial post-election hand-wringing an indication of repentance, or of sorrow at losing power?

Examining Watts’ personal and political history, I came to understand she definitely wasn’t given a free pass to success. Talking about her early years she told me “I was a classic case of a kid at risk and a runaway.  By age 17 I was on my own. The time came when I knew I’d have to choose which path I wanted to take. Difficult experiences can make us stronger if we choose to move forward. I chose to move forward.”

When she worked on a friend’s political campaign, some well connected individuals urged her to run for Surrey Council. She won a seat in 1996 and in 2005 defeated entrenched mayor, Doug McCallum. Watts needed all her grit, stamina and leadership skills to win over a hostile council.

A former MLA who at times worked closely with Watts said, “She was very good to work with. She knew what she didn’t know and asked questions. She organized a very successful Economic and Social Development conference. Dianne was strong on the anti-gang file. She also did a lot to change Surrey’s reputation as the welfare capital of B.C. She has excellent political instincts.”

A January, 2013 editorial in The Province observed “… in Watts you have a politician who listens to and works for voters, versus a provincial government that does things to voters, while refusing to hear them. Watts name always comes up whenever people talk about who would make a good premier.”

After establishing a solid track record as mayor, she didn’t run in 2014. She subsequently won the South Surrey-White Rock seat in Parliament. “Resigning your seat and running for the leadership seems pretty risky,” I suggested. “Why take that risk?”

“Staying in Parliament would have been easier,” she agreed. “It was about my connection to the province. I saw the frustration across the province, the disappointment.”

Looking ahead she said, “when you’re elected, you’re in service to the people. I entered the leadership race to effect change, to change peoples’ lives for the better. To do that we need to rebuild and refresh the party. We need to rebuild the trust. Politics is a mechanism to do the work that needs to be done. If elected, I will work with caucus to develop a viable plan for the entire province.”

What does she believe needs to be done? “Among other things, we need to make housing more affordable. Affordability isn’t just a Lower Mainland issue. We need to give more attention to seniors issues, mental health, addiction, and Alzheimer’s. The time has come to strengthen partnerships between local communities and the province.”

As mayor of Surrey, Watts developed a pretty decent record. She was named 4th best mayor in the world by the UK based City Mayors Foundation. Surrey had the lowest residential and business tax rates in Metro Vancouver. She became known for taking good ideas off the drawing board and turning them into reality.

Watts’ track record suggests she has the leadership skills, understanding of government, and authenticity the B.C. Liberal Party needs to again become a viable option citizens can trust and vote for.

To support her leadership bid requires membership in the BC Liberal party. Deadline to join is December 29, 2017. For further information, google Dianne Watts or phone 604-265-9846.