The Guardian Project

Vancouver police Chief Jim Chu announced a new "Guardian Project" Monday to help women in the Downtown Eastside who face disproportionate rates of "violence, injury and death."

Chu, who braved a wave of anger from Eastside residents Oct. 8 about Ashley Machiskinic's death and mounting violence against women by drug dealers, promised the Guardian Project will hold regular "town hall meetings."

The project also has set up a phone tip line at 604-215-4777, which will be staffed by E-Comm "female civilians" but offer anonymity to tipsters.

Sharon Strongarm, Ashley's step-grandmother said "I know that in the city people are afraid to speak up because they're scared of the gangs and drug dealers, but if I knew about a death, I would speak up.

Why are people so afraid to speak up? In the Town Hall meeting at the Carnegie Centre people claimed they didn't trust the police in East Van. Some claim they had reported incidents in the past but the police didn't act on them.

I see two problems. One is the gang that the drug dealers sell for. "The Boys" are cruel and people are afraid to speak out. The other problem is public trust in the police.

When we saw the police officer push the disabled woman to the ground on the security camera video we were shocked. We were also shocked that the other police officers did nothing and thought nothing of it. Residents were interviewed and said they were not surprised because they see that kind of thing happen in East Van all the time.

We were shocked when we heard the VPD gave the boots to a guy when answering a domestic abuse call. They made a mistake and got the wrong door which means they beat up the wrong guy. Yet even if it was the right guy, reasonable force means you stop someone from beating someone not you give someone the boots and punish them for beating someone after you have stopped the assault. Especially if you didn't see it.

The people trust Jim Chu. I remember an East Van resident cautiously and sarcastically ask why so many of the VPD are seen socializing with members of the Hells Angels? Now that could be a complete fabrication. Yet if a police officer had to walk the beat in East Van every day, and if the drugs sold in East Van were supplied and controlled by the Hells Angels, one would think that the police walking that beat would want to make the peace with the Hells Angels so they're not in daily conflict and danger.

Project Breakpoint ended without prosecution, much to the frustration of police investigators angered by the decision to terminate a wiretap intercept warrant just days into the authorization.

If some in the VPD were concerned that the security of the Attorney Generals office may be compromised with regards to a Hells Angels under cover operation, logic would question whether or not there were also security breaches within the VPD. We know there has been within the RCMP.

Getting civilians involved in the Guardian Project is important as is confidentiality of informants. Yet we already know the problem and why people are afraid.

California rejects legalization of marijuana

Well this vote was closely watched in BC. Tuesday voters in California voted on Proposition 19 which was a proposal to legalize small quantities of marijuana. 55% of voters were against it while 45% of voters were for it. Consequently it failed.

“There’s no way to reverse this. The momentum is on our side,” said Vancouver resident Jodie Emery, wife of activist and self-styled “Prince of Pot” Marc Emery, who is serving time in a U.S. prison for selling marijuana seeds online.

Yeah that's right. We're gonna keep re voting it until we get the answer WE want. That makes perfect sense in a democratic world. We want our rights, not their rights. I see. The results aren't very surprising.

Although we watched the results closely as the yes side did have a strong support base, it was hard to conceive that the State that just voted to ban gay marriage would vote to legalize marijuana.

What I see from this is that we need mandatory minimum sentences for selling crack or meth not for possession of pot. That would only make sense.

Delta police investigation a farce

Two Vancouver police officers who faced an allegation of abuse of authority have been cleared by Delta police investigating the incident. Cameron Ward, a lawyer for Wu, called the investigation a “farce.”

Ward said his client did nothing wrong and the findings are shocking. “This investigation was a farce,” he said. “It provides yet another example why police should not be investigating other police.”

I have to agree. Jim Chu is right. The complaint process into police misconduct must include public civilians. Anything less is a shameful disappointment.

Political Balance

What we need in BC, (and everywhere else) is political balance. Draw a line in the sand and call it democracy. The further you get away from that line, to the left or the right and you find dictatorship. Hitler was no better than Stalin.

Preston Manning swept the West many years ago with a vision of looking beyond the left and right. The East saw it as a right wing racist separative movement but that wasn't what it was at all. Manning's slogan of unite the bright was changed to unite the right and the Mulroney break aways joined with the Mulroney Conservatives and the party came full circle back to where it set out to reform. Pork Barrel tax and spend politics running huge deficits.

The United States are in the same predicament. The Republicans are not any more fiscally responsible than the Democrats. The polarized fighting between the red and blue States has been immortalized in the red white and blue.

The night before Halloween, a rally in Washington was hosted by comedian-satirists Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. The two-hour rally provided an outlet for Americans who have grown frustrated with a hyper-partisan political and media culture that often drowns out respectful debate in the country.

One of the things the comedians were quoted as saying struck me. Americans used to be proud of their differences and their ability to work together. Indeed. If it takes humour to be able to look at ourselves and laugh at ourselves then so be it. Looking past our differences and celebrating our diversity is crucial in joining together to defeat the enemies from within and make our world a better place to live. For everyone.

For us in BC that means rising above political extremism. Fiscal responsibility without exploiting the elderly and disabled. It really is that simple.

The Bill Vander Zalm Coalition

Well let's give credit where credit is due. Bill Vander Zalm is a hero. Champion of justice Libby Davies said Campbell's fate was sealed by the unpopular Harmonized Sales Tax.

Campbell's party said during the 2009 election that it would not impose the tax, but did so anyway two-and-a-half months after re-election. A petition led by former Premier Bill Vander Zalm has forced a Sept. 24, 2011, referendum on the tax.


"This is a core issue in British Columbia — people are not going to forget about it," Davies said. "It is about democracy, it is about the trust of the voters. It was betrayed by Gordon Campbell and it is being betrayed by the Harper government.”

There are several points I'd like to make and most of them relate to where we go from here. Over a month ago a coworker and I were discussing the momentum of the anti HST petition. He commented that he had heard Rita Johnston is coming back as leader of the Conservative party in BC. Rita Johnston? I shuddered at the thought. The vision of her and Harcourt mudslinging each other with Gordon Wilson pointing out that is why nothing gets accomplished in Victoria is sealed in my memory.

I have nothing against her being a woman. I think Carol James is a sound leader. I'm just leery of the mudslinging polarized politics that BC falls prey to. We need to stop jumping from one extreme to the other in heaping scandal upon scandal for an increasingly disillusioned public.

Bill Vander Valm's Fantasy Gardens scandal wasn't that big of a deal. Bill Vander Valm was a successful businessman. You want someone in charge of your tax dollars who is good with money. The Fast Ferries scandal wasn't a big deal. If the Fast ferries worked it would have been an awesome boost for our local economy. Both parties exploit scandals and try to blow them out of proportion for their own political gain.

My point is, Bill Vander Valm did a colossal job organizing the anti HST coalition. Think about it. Getting all those signatures on a petition for the sole purpose of holding a nonbinding referendum was pointless. We spend all that money on a nonbinding referendum, the public says no but it's nonbinding so Campbell's government proceeds unilaterally.

Vander Valm's strategy was brilliant. He wanted to put political pressure on Campbell and his entire party. He didn't want to waist money on a nonbinding referendum that wouldn't tell us anything an Angus Reid poll hasn't already told us. He said he wanted the government to put the issue to a free vote in Parliament so the voters could see who supported it and who didn't. Then he announced they were going to start recall campaigns one by one in Liberal riding's until the tax was repealed. Brilliant!

Now there is no doubt Carol James and the NDP would have ran their own anti HST campaign which they did, the same time as Vander Valm. Together they were successful. I would totally support a Bill Vander Valm Carol James coalition forming the next BC government. We need sound balanced finances along with the self respect that cares for the elderly and disabled not exploits them to get rich. This would be good for BC and the rest of Canada.

Of course I would totally support Diane Watts stepping up to the plate and joining the coalition. She is awesome.

Gordon Campbell steps down

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell is stepping down and has asked his party to hold a leadership convention. Campbell made the announcement during a surprise news conference Wednesday morning in Vancouver, accompanied by his wife and children. Praise the Lord Tony. Oh Happy Day!

How does it feel to be on the other end of the scape goat Gordo? Stephen Harper sang Gordo's swan song. He was the one that put the nails in Campbell's coffin. He was the one that convinced Campbell to unilaterally drive ahead with the HST regardless of the democratic will of the people.

"On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to thank Premier Gordon Campbell for his devoted service to British Colombians, and indeed his service to all Canadians. Through his considerable efforts, Premier Campbell has returned British Columbia to prosperity and has re-affirmed his province's rightful place in the heart of our Canadian Confederation.

"In particular, I would like to thank Premier Campbell for his steadfast support during the current global economic downturn and for his government's tremendous cooperation in implementing Canada's Economic Action Plan."

Stephen Harper didn't have an economic action plan. His response was let the market ride it out, it's not the government's job to create employment. There is nothing wrong with that response. It was the opposition parties that demanded he start spending money or they would assume government with a coalition so he caved in. We need to rise above pork barrel politics. That is why we keep raising taxes. To pay for the pork barrel promises to the lobbyists that donated to their campaign.

The HST is Harper's Economic inaction plan and Gordo was quick to jump at the opportunity to implement it. Some suggest he did so on the promise of a seat on the Senate. What an abomination that would be. Making a former premier with the lowest approval rating in Canadian history a senator. What will Harper do next? Make his idol Brian Mulroney a senator? That has about the same merit.

Gordon Campbell did not return British Columbia to prosperity. That is offensive. He robbed the elderly and mentally challenged and gave himself two huge pay raises and a gold plated pension. That will be my enduring memory of Gordon Campbell.

Construction Controversy on Parliament Hill

When Marvin Wemet in prison was arrested we were told aside from murder, he was also charged with gangsterism and money laundering concerning Quebec's construction industry which included a controversial renovation on Parliament Hill.

So what's so controversial about a renovation project on Parliament Hill? Well, to start, seemingly it involves trades not getting paid by the builder which is nothing new but surprising on Parliament Hill.

RJW Stonemasons president Bobby Watt says he isn’t being paid by the Montreal-based bonding company running the project. He claims he’s being squeezed out of the masonry job in favour of another firm and he’s asked the RCMP to look into that.

The project was interrupted for the first time last year when the construction firm that originally won the contract, LM Sauvé, filed for bankruptcy protection, leaving L’Unique Assurances Générales in charge of the project. At the time, Public Works Canada accused LM Sauvé of defaulting on the contract by falling behind on the construction schedule.

Among the more than 20 charges filed against Ouimet and Purdy at the Montreal courthouse last year are at least three related to LM Sauvé 2004 Ltd., a family owned firm whose president, Paul Sauvé, has alleged in media interviews that his company was plagued with problems generated by Ouimet.

The key question is, which companies were willing participants in the Hells Angels money laundering scheme and which were forced into it? In fact that's not a key question at all. There are more than enough construction companies that would jump at the opportunity to launder drug money in a recession.

The key point is that the Hells Angels have been accused of taking over the construction industry in Quebec through extortion and used those companies to launder drug money. Those are the root of the accusations. Ties to the Conservative government are interesting yet by all means not exclusive since the Liberals were the sponsorship kings. Chretien came right out and said Sponsorship is Good. Tell that to Alfonso scape goat Gagliano.

Sûreté du Québec Inspector Michel Forget said it was the biggest money-laundering operation ever encountered by the police, and that there was more to come. We will no doubt watch the new developments with great interest.

Normand Marvin (Casper) Ouimet

Well Normand Marvin put your shirt back on Ouimet was finally arrested. He has been in hiding for a year and a half. He is wanted in connection with 22 murders and other gangsterism-related charges. Ouimet also faces several charges related to his financial activities, including fraud, extortion, and money laundering.

Police believe he infiltrated Quebec's lucrative construction industry and was controlling several building firms used to launder money. Ouimet was one of five presumed members of the Hells Trois-Rivères chapter that have so far eluded authorities. Four remain at large.

Twenty-two murder charges have been laid against the former business partner of a construction contractor involved in the controversial renovation of Parliament Hill.



Hey wait a minute, Davie Giles was from Trois-Rivères chapter for a while. That was such a nice place before the Hells Angels took over the drug trade there.

Look at Skeletor's new throne:

Hells Angels sue Alexander McQueen

The Hells Angels are suing Alexander McQueen over a trademark violation. The suit alleges that Saks and Zappos - without the motorcycle gang's permission - have been selling Alexander McQueen items including: the "Hells Angels Jacquard Box Dress" ($1,565 US), the "Hells Four-finger Ring" ($495 US) and a handbag ($2,329 US) and silk scarf ($560 US) that incorporate what the Hells Angels Motorcycle Corporation alleges are also trademark-protected symbols.

While I can agree the ring looks very similar, I find it somewhat humorous to see the Hells Angels get upset that someone might confuse someone wearing an Alexander McQueen dress and handbag with a member of the Hells Angels. Can't you just see Sean Wolfe wearing one of these dresses and sporting one of these handbags?



The logo on the dress is very different. Lets take a minute to look at the real logo and see what is and what isn't a copyright violation. Do the Hells Angels own the copyright to the image of a skull? No. The skull has been used as a logo prior to the Hells Angels from pirates to poison warning labels.

Do the Hells Angels own copyright to everything with wings? No Harley Davidson wings predate the Hells Angels. Do the Hells Angels own copyright to the image of a skull with wings? No. Air born regiments used that logo before them.

In fact the Hells Angels admit their logo was used by a military squad before they registered the trademark and admit that although the trademark looks very similar the only connection between that military squad and the Hells Angels is that they shared the same name.

So just what do the Hells Angels own copyright to? The Hells Angels own copyright to a Devil's skull with wings. Their skull has devil horns. It's pretty hard to miss. Just look at the Lord of the Flies head they pulled out of the Toronto chapter headquarters.

We know the Hells Angels sued Disney over it's movie Wild Hogs. A Tim Allen comedy about the tool man running into a group of bikers. Even in that application counsel for the applicant admits the Hells Angels logo is that of a helmeted, horned and feathered skull. (Paragraph 6)

Interesting to note that Disney changed the name of the biker gang Tim Allen encountered in the movie but that it was originally meant to represent Hells Angels. Consequently there is a good moral to that movie.

Interesting to note that Quebec lawyer Jacques Leger had represented the Hells Angels in a trademark claim and was appointed by the Conservatives to the Supreme Court. Turns out that he was the former president of the Conservative party. Go figure.

The Harry Potter movie was accused of using a dress that looked like an Alexander McQueen. Sad to hear Alexander McQueen committed suicide February 11 2010.

Joe Calendino

Yesterday the Vancouver Province ran a huge front page article with a two page follow up about a former Hells Angel named Joe Calendino. This is the guy that got one day in jail for selling crack.

Seemingly he is no longer addicted to crack and the police have him speaking to High School students about gangs. Normally I'd say this is a great thing. Him overcoming his addiction to crack is fantastic. However, I am somewhat concerned about how he's not being completely honest with the kids. He can't be. If he was honest with the kids, he'd be dead.

The article claims Joe used to be a full patch member of the Hells Angels and that the drugs, his erratic behaviour and a nasty incident in a Kelowna casino had earned him the boot from the bikers.

Here we have a few misconceptions. True the Hells Angels don't like their dealers using too much of the product. Just ask the Lennoxville Massacre about that. True they don't like erratic behaviour that generates bad press. Just ask Juel Stanton about that.

However, the bottom line is that he was a patch member and he was arrested for selling crack cocaine to an undercover cop near a SkyTrain station. Kinda confirms what I have been saying about the Hells Angels being in charge of the crack that's sold at Surrey Central. Only I said they had puppets sell it for them not patch members. No wonder he got in trouble.

I'm concerned with the false image this guys gives kids about the group. The Hells Angels profit from the sale of crack. There is no question about that. To say he was kicked out of the Hells Angels for selling crack is absurd. James Coulter I see as trustworthy. He's not giving the false impression that the UN doesn't sell drugs.

Then there was the casino incident he claims he was famous for. Here we have a big guy who gives a smaller guy the boots for no reason with the help of his friend. This is what gang members do. Despite their size and martial arts they don't fight one on one. They are bullies.

I appreciate the fact that he went to rehab and got off the crack. I respect the fact that he was reunited with his family and took some University courses. However, many lawyers for the Hells Angels went to University and it's hard to respect that. I do respect he's working with the Odd Squad from the VPD which the VPD Ninja is also involved.

I'm just very concerned that impressionable kids are given any information that would lead them to believe that the Hells Angels are anything but another gang that sells drugs and commits murder indiscriminately. Nevertheless I wish Joe Calendino well and hope "the boys" leave him alone.