This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

We’re finally starting to see some progress in the overdose crisis in BC.

By some progress, I mean 109 still died in May but that’s down from its peak of 242 in December 2023.

What we don’t really know is why. There are new, more powerful drugs, more dangerous cutting agents than before, so why now? What’s changed?

We’re going to try to find some answers, but if you have ideas, I’d like to hear them. Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

When I was a kid, Dungeons & Dragons was all the rage for a while.

We couldn’t really afford the official modules, but luckily we had a supernerd down the block who made his own.

We spent hours goofing around with the paper and dice role-playing game. It was never anything serious until a bunch of adults starting sticking their noses in.

They all thought the game would make us violent, the result of a moral panic after some parents in the early 1980s refused to believe the game was an innocent side note to their kids’ deaths.

The confusion over cause and effect continues, although in Canada we tend to treat it as a feature, not a bug.

BC is hiring lawyers to go after the AI company some kid used before shooting up the town of Tumbler Ridge. They argue, and evidence suggests, it encouraged his confused intentions.

I have no doubt it did. I have no love for AI, and I hope they get sued into oblivion. But it’s not responsible for the tragedy in the northern BC town — this kid made his own choices. AI might have directed his disorder, but it could have been D&D or Catcher in the Rye or some kids show. It doesn’t matter.

But BC will try and will probably succeed if the current winds of perplexing logic continue to pervade. We convict people for manslaughter for selling guns to people who use them to kill (this one is less clear for me). We convict drug dealers for manslaughter when their clients die. We sue tobacco companies because of what people bought products legally available and used them.

I can see the argument, I can see the temptation, but it makes no sense to me. How about you? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

Voters in Penticton-Summerland chose the BC Conservatives to represent their riding but, once again, Amelia Boultbee is here to inform them they are wrong.

They actually wanted ~~an independent~~ the NDP.

Who could have seen this coming?! The Penticton city councillor didn’t finish a single term before stepping up to provincial politics, first by seeking, then losing the nomination of BC United, then donning BC Conservative colours knowing full well her politics didn’t match, then quitting and talking up the virtues of being an independent MLA before finally joining the party she once pledged to unseat.

That’s only four years in politics, folks, and that’s only the stuff we know on the record so far. Truly astounding feats.

There won’t be many more. I’ll be shocked if she’s still on the ballot for the NDP by the next election. Let me break some news for Boultbee’s new party since they apparently haven’t done any homework and they’re going to find out anyway — Boultbee’s a toxic personality who fights with everyone, can’t work with anybody.

I’ve been preparing a story on her behaviour as an elected official, collecting stories of the constituents she has openly and publicly derided, called names, threatened with false allegations and lawsuits.

It’s been delayed in part because in the course of my work, I became one them. She has made baseless allegations about me, threatened me and made a shockingly effective complaint to my employer.

But she made a couple big, foolish, possibly actionable errors on the way — she lied, blatantly and provably, presumably to get me fired.

It’s just how she does things and more and more of her constituents are finding that out. Unfortunately, most of them are demanding to remain off the record, fearing the consequences of an MLA who is now in government.

That’s OK with me. My phone lines are open. If you’ve got a story about Amelia Boultbee’s conduct, now’s your chance. Call me at 250-718-2724 or email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

iN RESPONSE

iN RESPONSE to Monday’s newsletter opinion editorial on the illegal toxic drug crisis in BC

Numbers (of deaths) are declining due to the vast availability of Narcan.

— Leslie Doro

I hate to say it, but the way to cure the illicit drug problem might be to legalize the drugs. Most business people don’t try to kill their customers. The drug dealers don’t seem to mind doing that – as long as they can’t be identified.
If we have drug dealers set up store fronts and develop relationships with their customers, maybe they will feel better about themselves and their customers. Maybe they will give customers non-lethal prescriptions, ones they can afford, and can live with, time and time again.
If the drug lords and servers are known, the police won’t have to chase them. Maybe the emergency wards in hospitals will have time for other patients.
Maybe our streets will look nicer and homeless will be able to afford homes.

I know, you think I have been smoking something. Maybe its the smoke in the air from all our forest fires.

— Brian LaPointe via email

iN RESPONSE to Monday’s newsletter opinion-editorial regarding Penticton MLA Amelia Boultbee

Speaking of toxic, your editorial certainly is too. Yes, she’s a political opportunist. She comes from a right wing family. I’ve known her for many years. She’s a very bright lady and, you’re correct, not the slightest bit shy about demonstrating it.
We’ll see how this spins out.

— Doug Stark via email

iN NUMBERS: British Columbians split on teaching creationism in school

WOW I’m speechless. Clearly more science needs to be taught in school.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

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