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“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Perhaps it's time we have our laws reflect some of our more common sense and traditional practices



It's been a while since I've written a blog post. Much has transpired in BC politics since, and I am usually one to write about my thoughts on the topic. Especially now, as we have an unholy union on the left and no voice what-so-ever on the right.

Let me ask you a question. Honestly, do you think that the BC Liberals can elect a leader who can bring the common sense conservative base back to the coalition? Or will the BC Conservatives, I mean ... and I beg your new brandings pardon... the Conservatives of BC, do it instead?

Well that topic is already depressing me, so I am going to go over to the medicine cabinet, pour a drink, and read the Vancouver Sun.

Could it get worse?  Well look at that.  What did I find, you ask?

Just look at how we protest and make things happen,
beer in hand, compared to the rest of the world.
“Beer on the Beach: Vancouverites plan to protest liquor laws by drinking at English Bay”

Despite the madness at the legislature these days, I think British Columbians are starting to renew my faith in humanity. Just look at how we protest and make things happen – beer in hand - compared to the rest of the world.

Just for the fun of it, lets do a quick comparison with our neighbours to the south, shall we.

While Americans are talking about building walls, BC can't help themselves but open up new bridges. While Americans are beating the hell out of each other in political protests, British Columbians protest our own crazy laws by walking down to the beach with their six pack's and beer bellies to demonstrate the unthinkable, the cracking open a cold one in public.

Whatever your take on some of these laws, you have to admit we have a better handle on our protests and can generally tap our politicians for things in ways most other jurisdictions haven't figured out.


As for my personal opinion on the distribution and consumption of alcohol. Doesn't it seem like the laws and social practices around the consumption of alcohol and tobacco are as loopy as the design on a tie-died t-shirt? I know not everyone will agree with me on 100% of what I write next, but I know 100% of you will agree with some of what I write next.

So, with a shot of my Pemberton Valley single malt whisky, let me attempt to interject a bit of common sense to this, 'The dilemma of libations', we find ourselves a-fix in.

First of all. Do us all a favour, (whether the BC Liberals made it law or not) keep your kids out of the bars, eh? There are some places that should be “kids free” and bars are one of them. If I wanted to sit down with a beer and relax with my kids, I'd do that at the beach, right?!

Secondly, we are Canadians, whether at home or at the beach, we like our beer like we like our women, strong and uninhibited. Perhaps it's time we have our laws reflect some of our more common sense and traditional practices, like enjoying a cold one with friends and nature.

I know what some of you will say, "If we allow open alcohol on the beach, it will get out of control!"

Well, I hate to be the one to tell you, but it's a practice that has been going on since the invention of beer cozies and coffee cups ... you didn't really think they were drinking that much coffee at the beach did you? BTW I think our police resources could best be spent in other areas too, don't you?   

For those who do like to have their vices a bit more controlled and confined, with much respect then I simply ask for the ability to partake occasionally at a very private cigar and whisky lounge.  Heaven forbid we allow such a thing! Right?!

But before you get all up in arms on why we could never allow a cigar and whisky lounge, with your case by case description of all the negative effects of nicotine, and the rules and regulations of smoking in the work place ... and so on and so fourth.

Do us all a favour. Keep your weed away from my kids while they are playing at the park, OK?


BEN BESLER is active in provincial politics and a card carrying BC Liberal.  Ben is a former Vice President of the BC Conservative Party, and Regional Organizer for the successful Fight HST citizens initiative.
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  1. The Old GuySeptember 5, 2017 at 9:52 AM

    One of the first precepts of law is that is is supposed to reflect the morality of the community in which it's going to be enforced.
    That being said, many of our laws are outdated and should be repealed or modified but they should still be based on morality, not immorality such as the open consumption of alcohol and the public use of other mood altering chemicals.
    We have legalized gambling on a massive scale. We are in the process of total liberalization of drinking laws and the legalization of drugs.
    We also might soon be dispensing free opioid drugs to addicts and providing them with a safe, comfortable place to carry out their activities.
    None of these things include even the least consideration of morality but nobody has a strong enough voice to halt this march into madness.
    Before anybody accuses me of trying to stuff religion down their throats, the only time I have been inside any church for decades is to attend funerals and a couple of weddings.

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