Thankyou, Lawd, that another tinpot dictator has resigned

It's almost too much to hope for: two tinpot dictators out within two weeks of each other. The air in B.C. just got that much clearer, if only for the few days of drift and confusion that will occur before the owners and authority and corporate figures bring their plans together. Sadly, two more Tweedledums and Tweedledees will be rolled out for the electorate. Each will receive massive TV coverage. It won't seriously matter which one wins. Nothing will change. But for now, we have a few days of blissful unknowing.

"Cancelled" sail-past a winner

So a dozen lighted ships circled off the village of Cowichan Bay for the delight of shoppers visiting the waterfront strip from five PM yesterday (pic above from 2009).

The only issue was that according to the local Black rag, the News Leader, it was not happening. The Wooden Boat Society, which claimed to run the event, announced that the society would not be running it this year, and so according to them it was not happening.

Of course, the sailpast happened anyway: try holding determined skippers back! Bay Pub publican Chris Killam led the way with his grandfather's 70-ft Greybeard look-alike adorned with a magnificent swizzle stick about three storeys high.

Skipper Rowland followed in Calypso, which appeared and disappeared regularly as all its lights flashed on and off.

Other gaily lit vessels crowded with laughing and babbling passengers made for a great show.

Later, all aboard Calypso headed for the Emily Morgan studio, where the vernissage proceeded apace, and later a select group made their way up to the Morgan residence overlooking the bay. All raved until late.

These home-made events make politics irrelevant.

Horgan: clinging to James's skirt

John Horgan MLA, one of the brightest MLA's, unfortunately has spent most of his career working as a political assistant, one of the "back-room boys" who grease the wheels of politicians. Horgan has been an MLA for six years, and his record has not been notable: for example, his personal campaign to reduce the price of gasoline. What was the point of that? Did ne not realise that the oil cartel and its 40,000 North American gas stations would never take any notice? The price would go down exactly when they wanted it to, and not before. Anyway, why should gasoline prices be reduced? Why should people be encouraged to drive? They are already slaves inside a massive gasoline machine that makes driving almost unavoidable. Horgan should have been pounding the table about public transport, urban planning, transition and smallness. He seems to have no knowledge about green policies. Now he is sticking to Carole James when she is doomed. Oh, John, what a shame!