Monday, September 19, 2005

VLT'S IN NEW BRUNSWICK - NEW IDEA FROM BERNARD LORD!!!!!

L-VLTs-Pros

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pockets of the poor shall be picked under Bernard Lord. His government's hands shall remain in poorman's pockets and valets. VLTs and through other means. How else Lord and gang are going to pay for luxuries for themselves and the big business.

Anonymous said...

People tend to forget who it was that brought in VLTs. This province had the opportunity to vote them out under Bernard Lord's government and they DID NOT. Perhaps it is time to look at yourselves as the real culprits. We (the people) like to have a dream of making big money, whether it is through these machines or by purchasing a 649 ticket. It can be fun if you know when to stop - and that goes for everything in life.
Diane

Blogger Charles LeBlanc said...

Maybe IT'S BECAUSE the coin operators put millions in advertissements and the Ministers jumped in and told New Brunswickers- IF YOU DARE TO VOTE YES AND REMOVE THESE MACHINES? SERVICES WILL BE CUT!!!!!

Anonymous said...

The fact remains, every election in the twenty years I've been a voter has involved massive advertising directed at voters. Is every election result invalid according to your point of view, Charles?

I want VLTs gone, too, but the fact is, the majority of voters do not. Or at least, did not, at the time of the referendum. (If I was premier I'd ban the things without a referendum. Referendums are not cowardly politicians. But Lord had one, and the VLT bloodsuckers won...)

Anonymous said...

Ahh, VLT's...Diane makes a point about the voters keeping them in..."Phew" says the government..Yes , coin operators got extra votes with their campaign. Again "Oh God Thank You" says the government.."But now we are taking over and the coin operators are out, thanks for the help but see ya!!"...Now the government screwed these business men...(although i think most were abusing this enterprise) and raking in more money...Gamblers Anonymous should be receiving a portion of this..Hell, set it at 1/10 of a percent each week. Have qualified people to operate these gamblers annonymous meetings and pay them with all the Extra Money you make. I ve visited 1 meeting as i was curious...unfortunately i found it was a joke...unorganized, no leadership, and no real help except maybe to cry on someone elses shoulder and receive a few litterature handouts on problem gambling. Cmon, Fork out a bit of this fortune on the helpless and do it RIGHT!!!!

Anonymous said...

To: Daine,

Good leaders do not keep saying that previous guy did it so it is ok. That is cop out of the worst kind. If Lord is such a good leader, as he thinks he is, then why does he not show some foresight and get rid of these evils called VLTs. They are destroying idividauls lives and their families. But Lord is fake and cowardly man and he shall continue to blame the previous governments. He has shown no leadership because he is not capable of that.

It is not what previous governments did it is what is he doing under his watch. Now 6 years and counting. He is a failure. Refrendum was a farce. As someone pointed out only 21% of the voters voted on it. By no stretch of imagination it was a majority. Apathy may be but not a majority. So it was not a landslide favouring VLTs. Lame excuse.

It is easy for you to chastise because probably you did not lose a member of the family to this grim reaper called VLTs.

Spinks said...

Hey, at least Lord offered the choice of a referendum. I don't remember Camille Theriault campaigning on such a platform. If he did, I stand to be corrected. True, the operators spent big money on advertising but it didn't change my mind and I voted to have them turfed.

If only 21% of the people voted as was mentioned is true, then you should accost the other 79% who didn't vote. I have no time for anyone who complains and doesn't take the few minutes it takes to vote in an election. People die in this world for the right to vote. The least we can do is exrecise our right. People who don't vote is not government's fault. It's their own. Heck, if you're an invalid, you can mail it in. It doesn't get much easier than that.

Anonymous said...

So what is point, Spinks, we keep VLTs?

Anonymous said...

Bernard keeps saying that previous government did so and so therefore it is ok for him to continue. Why the hell he thinks we elected him twice? To change what was wrong in the past instead of perpetuating it. That his deadly mistake he is making and he will pay for it come next election. He can count on that. All these lame excuses will come to bite him in the butt.

Anonymous said...

So what is your point, Spinks, we keep VLTs?

Spinks said...

I think I've been quite clear that they should be scrapped. I simply haven't heard the Liberals say they would get rid of them either. I would have liked to have seen Theriault or Lord more strong on the issue in '99 but to Lord's credit, he gave the people the choice. Next time you talk to your circle of freinds about this, ask them if they voted. If they said they didn't, they really have no right to say anything at all. They gave away that right when they didn't vote. Winston Churchill said it best. Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the rest. Hopefully everyone here votes in each election. If you don't, you shouldn't complain about anything government does.

Anonymous said...

If people did not vote against VLTs then we deserve them? Is that what you are saying? What happened to the vision of the leadership?

Spinks said...

The people should have acted out their democratic right. 21% voter turnout, if that's true is appalling. There's a saying in politics that the people are always right. I disagree because I think the federal Liberals are crooks and should be gone and I know many here disagree with it because they think Lord should be tossed despite winning. Alas, it's the system we have.

I'd like the machines to be gone TODAY but as a realist what should happen is either the Liberals or Conservatives or ideally both run next election on a platform that the VLT's will be gone. I know the NDP might include it but they can promise whatever they want because they won't be in power anytime soon. That way the government has the mandate of the people and it's far easier to turf the machines. Make no mistake, there would be a backlash and there's always a political price to pay for everything. I'm naive and think right should always win over wrong. Sadly it doesn't always.

Anonymous said...

I said it before and I'll say it again!

If the large corporations in this province paid their FAIR share of taxes then VLT's would not be necessary!

If Bernie or Shawn had the *lls then maybe we could bump it up to 15% instead of 2.7% which they pay now. With all the write offs they get it's more than likely that they don't pay any corporate income tax!!

Anonymous said...

VLTs have proven to be deadly. Should a leader not show some intelligence and end this unnecessary carnage. Instead Lord becomes very vindictive because Tim Smith was so outspoken. Is this not immature approach. Lord has shown that vindictiveness time and again including threatening voters after 2003 election.

Lord got re-elected through lies. He did not tell people during 2003 election that what was he going to do with healthcare. He lied about our finances.

He lied personally to Charles Leblanc that he will study Ritalin if elected as a Premier. That is why Charles Leblanc is so upset. His ministers lied to Tim Smith to end his first hunger strike. Do such liars deserve to be our government?

Anonymous said...

TO DIANE:
Diane you leave me a little bewildered as you yourself agreed with my proposals and being a Conservative I would hate to think that this would be the only reason to go back on your view, because your party title allows you to, As this seems to be the record of your party?!

Do you not remember the chat we had at my home and you said directly to me?
Yes Tim I agree with your Idea of reduction in hours of operation and I also agree there should be at least one down day out of respect for lost lives. Thus showing this government has a real concern for the public
and that responsible regulation would definitely be an answer.

But then again maybe it was all in my head, having ADD I might have only envisioned you saying it but I don't think so.

Because if I am remembering right I seem to recall you also saying, Tim have patience you've made your case and Mr. Lord will do something in this regard soon. I have had a personal talk with him and it looks good.

Well so did I and NOTHING came from it after going on it’s tenth month now and a few more people are now convicted criminals along with a couple more suicides but I’m sure your HERO is sleeping just fine at the end of the day.

Diane in all reality Mr. Bernard Lord was approached with a reasonable suggestion, which was to PLEASE reduce the hours of operation and give the deceased family their justifiable day of rest. By putting in fair and responsible regulation to VLT’s through sharing the day for as he has said many many times these machines are entertainment in which I will NEVER FORGET those words as they are still the only statement he has given on VLT’s in the last 10 months. He has obviously not been able to see past the dollar amount over life.

Surely even you can agree in principle with that????

Also you are using a very poor way of looking at your point as we all know Bernard Lord used the coin operators to achieve he devious deed and only 21% of 40% electoral vote is a pretty weak referendum and on one of the worst day’s of weather that year. Thank-you,, Timothy Smith Saint John N.B.

Spinks said...

6:51pm - I wasn't there so I don't know if the two of them were lied to or not. But, if they were I certainly understand their anguish. I do agree with you that liars do not deserve to be in government which is why I'm baffled at the latest polls which have federal Liberals support at 40%. These guys lie time and time again and get caught. No, if it can be proven that a politician lied, I'm with you, boot them out.

Anonymous said...

"Because if I am remembering right I seem to recall you also saying, Tim have patience you've made your case and Mr. Lord will do something in this regard soon" Tim Smith

I do not know about the patience part but Bernard Lord and his operatives have told many that something will be done soon on numerous issues presented to them. Never anything ever gets done unless you are one of is cronies. Bernard Lord lies, lies and then lies some more. Such liar must never have been elected as our premier. Bernard Lord has no ethics. Only thing he ever does is promote himself and that is catching up with him. Bernard Lord is becoming a dirty word. Too bad for New Brunswick.

Idiots who defend him do not know how much harm this man has caused because of his incompetence and stupidity. I will like this man to be put on a witness stand in a court setting for all his misdeeds and then duly punished.

Anonymous said...

Spinks, you are barking up the wrong tree. First put your own house in order before you can reform the whole nation. We have disaster at our hands in New Brunswick. Orimulsion, health fiasco, abuse of prescription drugs including Ritalin, VLTs to name a few. Bernard Lord is too self-absorbed to worry about the concerns of NBers.

Sorry! You are trying very hard to change the topic to feds and other issues but it ain't going to happen so give up. I hope you get duly rewarded by Lord for your endless efforts.

Spinks said...

Nope, we can keep it on NB if you wish. I merely point out that we shoudn't accept liars at any level of government. If you like the federal Liberals, that's your business, apparently 40% of Canadians do. I simply don't understand why we accept liars as politicians. Frankly I'm surprised you would call the Lord Government liars and want them gone but not the federal Liberals but that's your business.

Anonymous said...

You are again trying to change the topic to feds. It is not matter of like and dislike. What is alternative to Liberals. Stephen Harper? Give me a break. No do tell us Lord will be better alternative as federal conservative leader because that will nauseate many here.

However, Lord government is closest to home territory. Feds do not have jurisdiction on issues discussed here. So why are you bringing in feds again and again. There can only be one reason to change the topic, at the risk of repeating myself here, and take heat off of Lord. It does not look it will happen on this site so might as well give up.

Anonymous said...

Heck, I'm perfectly willing to discuss the feds. Like the above poster mentions, it really says something about your party or your candidate when people would rather elect a liar and a crook. I don't think I can come up with a more destructive force in canadian politics than Paul Martin, but I'd vote for him sooner than I'd vote for Harper.

However, what is pertinent here is that there are organizations in every province that have been lobbying the federal government to get involved in this because clearly provincial governments are in a conflict of interest.

Ever notice how the feds easily play hardball as long as it's an issue that THEY feel is important. To me, I don't give a rat's ass about jurisdiction, if a politician-ANY politician came out speaking for the people on the issue they'd have my support.

The feds certainly don't come out smelling clean on this, however, politically speaking New Brunswick doesn't have the representation to get the House of Commons to consider anything-so there's a reason the focus is on Lord.

Spinks said...

Clearly many feel the same way as you do. Maybe Harper wouldn't be great either. I don't know and neither does anyone else. I'd certainly be willing to stick them in a minority situation to find out though. I do know the Liberals have screwed the country over pretty good for 12 years and blatantly lied to Canadians time and time again. It's a shame more people would vote for as you said a destructive force, but they do.

To the other poster who I suspect is my good friend "Spinks-hater", I don't recall any rules laid out for topics so whatever anyone's discussing I'm willing to go with the flow.

Anonymous said...

No one hates you personally, Spinks.Especially when you are as anonymous as rest of us. However your views suck and quite often are bigoted and many have pointed that out.

The issues discussed here are of provincial jurisdiction. To bring in feds again & again, it looks, your sole purpose is to change the topic and thrust of the discussion.

Anonymous said...

The topic is VLT's, and as mentioned, the federal government DOES have a role to play since provincial governments are clearly in conflict of interest.

For most of us canadians we know that WHATEVER central government there is, there will be corruption. Heck, the conservatives had corruption just in the merging of their parties. Plus, we had an election so we KNOW what his policies are, most canadians just don't agree with them (though lots do). There is not way to vote somebody in as a minority government-you vote for them or not, you have no idea how anybody else is voting.

With a conservative government we'd be forced to rely even more on gambling revenues as Harper has said emphatically on many occasions that he disagrees with regional development. This province gets 20% of its general revenue from the feds, which means near destitution.

That would mean there'd be NO WAY to get rid of VLT's, as said above, gambling is called a 'tax on the stupid', most people in our society aren't that sympathetic to stupid people (diseased or afflicted, yes).

There are organizations that are trying to get the feds involved, somebody should post them here as I can't remember what their called. Ironically, the feds have been screwing us over big time (and conservatives did it as much as liberals since...well, since the country began), so this 'Lord hating' really serves a political purpose-ignoring the feds who created the money shortage in the first place. Keep in mind that without gambling revenues other services would have to be cut.

Anonymous said...

Bernard Lord is no bright spark either. He blames everything on previous McKenna government and feds. When would he start leading? There are over $200 million for childcare and gas tax credit in a limbo. Most all other provinces have signed agreements includig Atlantic provinces with the exception of genius Lord who wants to hold out for some stupid reasons.

Yes feds have a role to play and they easily pass you over if you have lousy provicial leader. Look NF and NS got great deal on offshore because their Premiers are running respective provinces. Lord screwed up on Point Lepreau. Lord wants to run the whole country and act as if he is the Prime Minister. He is the only Premier meeting foriegn heads of state. That must have turned some heads and rub the feds the wrong way. Let us face it we have a very dense person for our Premier.

Spinks said...

Bottom line..it's all politics. It sucks but that's how it works. By the way 9:43am some great points. We need more of that type of discussion here. You're right, of course one person cannot consciously vote in a minority governmenty. I do realize that.

I don't like everything about Harper just as I don't like or dislike everything about any other party including the NDP, but I'm willing to give it a chance. If it doesn't work, send the Conservatives to political oblivion for another decade.

Anonymous said...

May be all politicians lie. But Lord gets the prize. He lies bold-facedly. It is simply too much to take. Will Shawn Graham lie too? May be not so much if he is a good learner because in the end it catches on with you as it is doing so with Lord.

Will NBers buy proportional reperesentation? Hard to say. It is a major change and people do not like change especially in a conservative province like ours.

Anonymous said...

I think these blogs are read by the helpers of politicians if not elected politicians themselves as you see constant efforts to thwart the efforts of Charles Leblanc. Many diversion tactics are being used including types of Spinks on the site.

You are trying to spread the word through your blog as well and I hope you get lot of hits.

I did not disagree with the merits of PR just the nature of public you are dealing with. The conservatism which is reflected in some of the posts is incredible and that it still exists to this day and age. Sun of change has not even dawned in certain parts of this province. That is what you are up against.

Spinks said...

If I am, somebody owes me a cheque Vive. Sheeshs why can't some of you guys simply accept someone has another point of view, doesn't work for Lord and it's not a conspiracy?

Anonymous said...

Vive I agree that Charles does something and there will be distractors as there will be for you too, like it or not. No matter what camouflage they use. Many attempts have been made on this site to change the topic to frilvious stuff or totally unrelated and person/persons have the audicity to call it views. If they are views then they are so bigoted because one feels like throwing up.

I think it was you or someone who got so upset that wrote, "I am intolerant of the intolerant" something like that.

Anonymous said...

you talkin bout spinks. i don't agree with him all that often but i don't see anything bigoted. he has a right to be here like the rest of us. i think too many people give him too much attention anyway. let him say his piece and keep going.

Anonymous said...

He is bigoted alright. I think it was you who went head to head with him on Chinese students and CBC issue. That is where I saw some harsh exchange.

Spinks said...

Well since you're talking about me, I guess I can jump in.

As I mentioned in another post, I think we all should be judged and treated as individuals, not by race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. The "racist" or "bigot" card, if you will, gets tossed around everytime someone merely questions something that may not seem fair but involves one of those things I mentioned.

Look at rapper Kanye West. The guy goes on US TV and says George Bush had ordered police to shoot black people on sight. Ridiculous to say the least and more importantly untrue. NBC wisely cut his comments from their west coast feed. The next day when people start questioning this guy's comments, liberals call them racist for even questioning Mr. West despite the fact that he was wrong and was merely trying to stir up a bad situation even more.

My point is this, we shouldn't be afraid to ask questions if something doesn't seem right or unfair just because the person involved is of a different race or whatever. When we pass judgement on a person because of their race or whatever, than we have bigotry. I have certainly never intended to do that, ever. If something I've written appears that way, please call me on it. Someone did on a previous topic about a CBC anchor and they had a good point so I removed all of my posts which made the references which could be misconstrued. We all make mistakes.

On the Chinese students issue, merely questioning CBC as I did at the time on whether they were trying to create something when they ran a second report which even Chinese students were questioning the validity of is hardly bigoted. If it is, the Chinese students who wondered the same things I did would also be bigots and I don't believe that for a second.

Anonymous said...

You are on your hyperbole again. Is it mere coincidence that everytime you pass your harsh judgement on a person he/she happens to be a minority, native , black or Chinese, for example. Read all your posts and you may learn something.

Spinks said...

Read my above post again and no I don't see any connection as I offer opinion on a host of subjects. Besides I'm hardly passing judgement. By that logic everyone here is passing a harsh judgement on Lord.

Anonymous said...

You are passing judgement on all those who visit this site. Yet you are not judgemental? Interesting??????????????????????

Spinks said...

I'm really not going to get through to you am I, my friend. I haven't seen someone try to twist someone's words so badly since Martin in the last federal election. Why don't you sign a name and we can ignore each other. Everyone will be happy.

Anonymous said...

So I twist words like Martin and you never pass judgements. Is this not a judgement?

Spinks said...

Nope, that's fact. Judgement is different. Facts are....well...facts.

Anonymous said...

So in your case judgement becomes facts. Whose facts?

Anonymous said...

So in your case judgement becomes facts. Whose facts?