The problem is that events have a nasty way of exposing weaknesses and suddenly the actions, or inactions, of the political system transcends into darker terms. Words like, disturbing suddenly come to mind. Such a case is the disaster in Japan and British Columbia’s reaction to it.

First of all it should be understood that we have a right to expect things, not only from our politicians, but from our media. We have a right to expect that the health and safety of the average British Columbian is the primary concern of all political parties, no matter what their agendas. The rights of political parties do not trump the basic rights of the people, and all other issues from the legalization of marijuana to green issues instantly become secondary when our very lives are at stake.

It should then be understood that the antics of the British Columbian media have ceased to be a mere annoyance. Since Hurricane Katrina the actions of the Vancouver media have been both predictable, and shallow. We have the usual reporter on the ground to show us the devastation, complete with interviews with victims who, after losing their families are asked that most grotesque of questions “How do you feel?” I would like to take a member of the media and bury them alive for a day, and then dig them up and ask “How do you feel?”

I feel that British Columbians should expect the media to recognise that we are not immune to earthquakes, and that the media should put more effort into a review of our emergency services, and less time on stories that belong on Entertainment tonight! So far we have seen one five minute duck and cover exercise, and Global showed us a home emergency kit that comes in a card board box. In case the media Bimbo’s (male and female) at Global haven’t noticed, the Japanese are dealing with a great deal of water. What happens to a cardboard box when it is exposed to water? The Vancouver media are not dealing with emergency preparedness; they are just doing the minimum in the name of ratings.

The media are parents, with family and friends who will be affected by a major disaster, yet the attitude of the media is that disasters are something that happens to someone else in another country. If there is one place where voters and politicians can agree, it is that the Vancouver media is quickly becoming a concern. The jaded arrogance of the Vancouver media will disappear when a major earthquake shows that God will not differentiate between our media superstars and the average British Columbian. Unfortunately, the rest of us can’t wait for maturity to raise its ugly head after a disaster; our commitment to our communities dictates that we act now.

I would like to use this election as a way to get a long overdue review of our emergency preparedness, and I invite all British Columbians to join me. Before we send one more politician to Ottawa and a million dollar pension, I suggest that they be required to show some interest and understanding of emergency preparedness. Here are some issues I would like to put to the candidates.

1) I want a clarification on the Provincial responsibilities ,versus the Federal responsibilities .The Provinces and the Federal government should not be allowed to play the blame game after the fact . This has been a long standing strategy that allows both sides to duck responsibility, clarify the government responsibilities now.

2) I want all candidates to publically state whether they agree with an immediate, and thorough review of emergency preparedness. If the answer is yes, then will they personally and publically call on their party to support such a review, and make this review an election issue?

This is just a start, but at the very least it might spur some overdue changes in provincial politics. It seems that the only way to get action is to embarrass politicians, but Victoria will not deal with reality.

Disasters don’t just affect a candidate’s supporters, they will affect a candidate’s family. If the political hopeful can’t make a stand here, then maybe they should find somewhere else to get their million dollar pension.