Hmmmm … I think I have made my point. No wait, it’s Alex who has made my point for me

I find it interesting that when bully’s get called out for their actions, they go in to a defensive mode that results in attacking those who MAY be questioning their thoughts / opinions … or perhaps who wish to present another side to things.

Such is the case, apparently, with Alex Tsakumis, who has not appreciated that I have publicly stated his comments can often be caustic and vile.

In his latest posting today, Alex Tsakumis had these comments to make about me:

And while the far left were in full swing in attacking me–ON A THREAD WHERE THE BASE STORY WAS ABOUT A DEAD GIRL, along came the far right. Alan Foresth, the chief defender of John Cummins–BC’s biggest bully–an ACTIVE bully, decided he couldn’t keep his trap shut either. One of the biggest whiners I’ve ever encountered, the flypaper of bloggers, couldn’t wait to lay in with more useless drivel about my “caustic” nature.

Funny that. Marjorie Nichols, Allan Fotheringham, Jack Webster, Pat Burns, Jack Wasserman, Les Bewley, Gary Bannerman and the immortal Rafe Mair, to name a few, all called that REAL JOURNALISM.

Was Christopher Hitchens caustic? You bet. What about Carl Bernstein? Of course,

How ’bout some active examples? Rex Murphy? Yes! George Jonas? Yes! Christie Blatchford? Yes!

This, to Forseth, is bad. All while he defends the biggest bully in the history of BC politics, John Cummins. Alan, you remain a joke. Go away.

WOW … he has just listed off some of the GREATEST journalists, editorialist, and political commentators.  Some have indeed been pretty sharp in their words – however NONE I believe have made it a HABIT of being caustic and vile in responding to other with opinions not lining up with how he sees things.

One of the people commenting on his blog today, someone who goes by ‘eaf’ had a comment to make ... this is what they had to say:

e.a.f. says:

October 12, 2012 at 3:18 PM

The continued bullying we see in society amongst the adults & children is chilling. I don’t know how it got this bad & I don’t know how it will get better. Not only is bulling amongst children verbal, its actions …..

…. As to other “commentaters” who refer to you as a bully, they need to get with the agenda or find another type of work. The exchange of views, information, etc. is a loaded field. I don’t agree with a lot of what you write, I’m NDP but I have not found your writing to be bullying in nature. You express an opinion, people respond, if you don’t like what they say they are notified in sometimes very funny terms, but it isn’t bullying.

Do we have political bullies, you bet. Are they going to go away, not any time soon. Do we have a right to call them that, yes. Expressing one’s views, if done properly, is never bullying. Its usually called democracy.

My response (October 13, 2012 at 2:25 PM) was as follows:

Hi eaf … if Alex chooses to post this, I wish to say that I haven’t hid behind anything, and have been clear and upfront. My comments are posted under my name for all to see, and I believe them to be fair, but that is up to you and others to decide.

I recently said, and I quote: “I find it sad that this man finds it necessary to put forward vile poison, and write words that are caustic and mean-spirited. Sadly, they take away from any and all good journalistic work he has done.”

I give full marks, and full credit for some great journalism he has undertaken — what I and others take offense to, is the tone and words he uses to slice up anyone who might have a difference of opinion

That’s when Alex Tsakumis decided to weigh in with his thoughts:

Reply
AGT says:

 October 13, 2012 at 2:37 PM

And that’s complete BULLSHIT. You took offence the second I went after Cummins–your pal, who is the biggest bully in BC politics today.

BILL TIELEMAN: "say what you like about me - but try to deal with the facts"

For weeks now I have been hearing rumblings of who, and what, has been behind the turmoil.  A number of names have surfaced ... I have pretty much dismissed them all ... until recently that is.


I am NOT a conspiracy theorist, however the stench starting to rise from this is starting to get beyond what a bottle of Febreeze might be able to clear.

Now along comes Bill Tieleman with a view that obviously he has been thinking about for sometime, and which today he decided to make public.  He finished his post with the following words:

I fully expect comments and posts suggesting that I'm merely promoting the BC Conservatives to hurt the BC Liberals.

I hardly think the BC Liberals need my help - they are damaging their brand daily - from their ridiculous and changing positions on the Enbridge pipeline to bringing Chinese workers into BC to run a Chinese-owned coal mine to the HST to a host of other bad decisions.

I don't agree with John Cummins or his supporters on a whole lot of issues - but he is a straight-shooter and he has dragged the BC Conservatives out of obscurity to have a real chance of electing MLAs and re-establishing a party that was lost in the wilderness for decades.

So - say what you like about me - but try to deal with the facts here, because they are certainly pointing towards some real involvement of the BC Liberals and their supporters in sabotaging Cummins - for obvious reasons.

A few weeks back, the public face of unrest was Ben Besler and John Crocock -- now it's Allison Patton and Ariane Eckardt.  If it doesn't end soon, then I beleive there will be others who will crop up to foster more dissent.

Others who may, or may not, be getting stirred up by individuals who are behind the scenes.

The bottom line is they are causing a great deal of damage, as these news stories from just the past few days show:

Someone is pulling the strings from behind – and whoever they are – they are cowards for not showing their faces

Allison Patton (center) of the dissident group - with Christy
Clark and Kevin Falcon.  They sure look happy together

News media from TV, newspapers, and radio were filled late yesterday with the soothing calm faces of a handful of dissidents within the BC Conservative Party.

These people gratefully acknowledged the work of John Cummins, to bring the party to where it is, and then proceeded to stab him in the back by demanding he resign.

For the past few months now a group (although the members seem to flow in and out and not really have any structure) has worked to see the leadership of the party change.

There is NOTHING wrong with that -- the members voted – and they made their choice. 

The group wishing to see a leadership race undertaken was defeated in a democratic vote of the membership.  Case closed – right??  NOT!

Since the BC Conservative Party AGM in Langley concluded, a number of people have taken it upon themselves to force the party into a leadership race. 

All that aside, the Executive and Board of the BC Conservative party has endeavored to work with members of the group to try and come to a resolution.  Even yesterday Al Siebring, along with two others, sat down face to face with representatives from the dissident group – they met until mid-afternoon.

And the results of that meeting?  Here they are from the mouth of BC Conservative Party president Al Siebring:

It only confirms my thoughts – but feel free to let me know if you disagree

Today (October 10th) Alex Tsakumis says: BC Conservative Despot John Cummins Confuses “Ultimatum” with Ultimate Mayhem!

Having never met, or spoken to me, Alex Tsakumis also says that I am, and I quote:  "a charter member of the Despot’s ‘God Squad’, sprung from the silo 2attack me."

I find it sad that this man finds it necessary to put forward vile poison, and write words that are caustic and mean-spirited. Sadly, they take away from any and all good journalistic work he has done. 

His latest corrosive piece, which necessitated a total of 1,110 words to get across, is at: http://alexgtsakumis.com/2012/10/10/bc-conservative-despot-john-cummins-confuses-ultimatum-with-ultimate-mayhem

I think it only confirms my thoughts (which has only taken 145 words) – but feel free to let me know if you disagree.  I promise no insults will be hurled your way.

I’m Alan Forseth in Kamloops, with the brief thoughts of one conservative.


RESPONSE from Alex Tsakumis:
Stupid is as stupid does. Al Foresth has decided to do a follow up. Not answering any of the SIGNIFICANT failings of his party leader–or the party in general, that continues in freefall, he’s taking another run at me. LEt’s see how he survives by next salvo.

I added the BOLD font just to highlight for you what I considered to be the pertinent parts. 

I guess there is really no need to remind, and point out, the obvious.  That is, Alex T refuses to allow for anyone to question anything he says and writes -- nor allows for a dissenting opinion.

PS Alex ... the last name is Forseth

The fact they are not clear, as to the biases they have, only speaks to the level of credence they should be accorded – ZERO!

John Cummins, BC Conservative Party Leader

“I’m not going anywhere,” declares BC Conservative leader John Cummins … to which the overwhelming majority of party members have clearly said … “We support you”

Over the weekend the BC Conservative Party issued a media release saying that party dissidents had two days to either get in line or resign their membership in the BC Conservative Party.

It quoted John Cummins saying; “I am unwavering in my dedication to the BC Conservatives, and fully intend to lead my party into the next general election.  Those few but vocal party members who are critical of my leadership and do not support me have until 12:00 noon, Wednesday, to either get on-side or quit our party and join another.”

BC Conservative Party President Al Siebring

Al Siebring, newly elected President of the BC Conservatives said that … the party encouraged open discussion and a diversity of opinion … however he also indicated that … the leadership issue had been settled by party members at the annual general meeting.

Party President Al Siebring went on to take a firm stand saying, “I simply will not allow our party to be distracted by a handful of dissidents who will not abide by the majority’s decision, and personally will take all appropriate measures after noon Wednesday to ensure that we are united behind our leader.”

Rather than smacking of desperation, as suggested in a CBC NEWS story, it showed party leadership is continuing to take measured steps to the situation.   

The CBC news story included the comments of Political Scientist Hamish Telford:

"What really struck me is the authoritarian tone … this is a North Korea kind of thing right, you know Kim Jong Il and demanding personal loyalty to the leader. This is very unusual.  Subversion of the democratic process.”

I have to say that I for one am greatly puzzled by that statement, and comparison.