With British Columbia doing so well under the BC Liberal Government as can be seen with 100% of the public service contracts signed before the deadline (including one with the BCTF); our thriving economy and with the unemployment rate at a 31 year low (4.6%) it's hard to believe that financially, things could be better. But according to newly crowned NDP Finance Opposition Critic Bruce "The Evil Laugher" Ralston, he can make it better.
How you may ask? Our sources tell us he is using his overseas contacts to infuse over $100 million US into the coffers in Victoria. Which overseas contacts? Specifically, Nigeria.
"Yes indeed Brucey is on the ball with this one," Ralston spokesperson Mo T. Burn declared. "I have seen his plan and it is great! Simple and great...thus making it simply great!"
It seems that Ralston has received dozens of emails, commonly known as the "Nigerian Letter Scam", and believes this is the road to making those millions.
Ummm...interesting and somewhat impressive pedigree...and Ralston's background is kinda neat-o too...until you look a wee, bit closer.
"No...no need to look closer," Burn exclaimed. "Just know that his plan is great!"
"Well come on," an exasperated Burn spat. "What's wrong with any of that? Ralston doled out the $1 million just before the election, sucked up to his BCGEU friends, gave the cash to the NDP backed Centre for Policy Alternative because he had to. You also left out that he gave over NDP membership lists to the Credit Union to use for, well, whatever they wanted. You missed that one reporter bird."
Yes, Burn is right. Ralston did all that because...
It's true. But strange that Ralston's website does not list his Dipper Presidency in his bio. Something to hide? Either way, as Finance Critic, it does not make sense for Ralston to solicit funds via emails.
Perhaps the highlight of the night, in terms of the media, would be the drama that unfolded at the mike. Ralston had told the audience that the next in line to ask a question could not, because he was not an NDP member. The man, one Roderick Lewis, a mental health advocate, was asked to leave the mike but adamantly refused. At which point a loud and disruptive discussion erupted between Lewis and Ralston, by then all the four major TV outlets had their cameras descending on Lewis, and Ralston to avoid criticism, allowed Lewis to speak his mind. While Lewis was going on and on about his mental illness binge, NDP rank and file were berating and using expletives to try and drown out Lewis. It was a moment of high drama indeed, as I noticed the police at the doors to the auditorium.
"No way! This is NOT a scam! As I said before, as the past President of the BC NDP during the 1990's, with everything he saw going on, Bruce would certainly know a scam!"
You would think so...thankfully, most BCers do.