Gangsters are still on my mind from the last post. No surprise, for
they are often on my mind, especially when I read the newspapers. My favourite
daily, The Vancouver Sun, has a
columnist who covers the gangster front—Kim Bolan. Though I do not always agree
with her and at one time in an email she called me something close to “idiot”—or so I felt
about it, but I appreciate her writings and fail to read her column only if I
have a bad day and don’t read the paper at all.
In this crazy world of litigation at the slightest instigation at all, I want to make sure no one accuses me of claiming Bolan own or controls gangs. These gangs are not Bolan's. Titles are meant to draw people's attention and I hope this one does.
Kim is not the only author to write on gangs
and not all her articles are in the Vancouver
Sun. So, some of the articles linked
here are by reporters instead of Kim the columnist, like Nick Eagland and Matt
Robinson; some are in other papers like The
Province. All that sort of information is clearly marked below.
But before I go further, I am reminded of the
introductory paragraph at the heading of this blog. There I explain that the title of this blog, “My
World—My Neighbour,” is a summary of Jesus’ teaching that everyone in this
world is my neighbour, whom I have to love, care for and about. How can I
square this with the rather rough attitude I am displaying towards gangsters
and their culture of violence and money?
Perhaps you’ve already wondered about that. Perhaps you even accuse me
of contradictions or, worse, of hypocrisy. I am bringing this up at this point
to let you know I am aware of this issue. I plan to address it before long. In
the meantime, feel free to write me about it and help me think it through.
Returning to Kim, sometimes her column is the only
one I read. My wife, Fran or Frances (she prefers the short version; I, the longer), often cuts out articles for me if she knows I’m
interested and I don’t have the time. Bolan’s
articles never escape Fran’s scissors. So, they are piling up in a box along
with others. But today is their day. I’m
going to treat you to some of Bolan’s brain waves by means of links to some of
her articles. Note well: some, not all. And note also that,
unless indicated otherwise, the dates behind the titles are of the Vancouver Sun.
As you read, check on the commonalities of these
stories. What do they have in common?
What marks their culture? And
what of their pleas in court? What are
they asking?
This is only the beginning. I won’t bore you with
too many data all at once, but I do intend to bring you more of this stuff.
This is serious and only regularly reading these items, story after story, will
it sink into your brain, heart and emotions. Allow it do that to you over time,
and I think you will find your indignation and anger growing as you go till
finally you may demand radical changes in the way these hoodlums are treated by
the justice system. At the end you may well come to ask who are the most
responsible for creating this violence and chaos—the gangsters themselves or
the nation’s justice system. So, you will be thrown a lot of ugly stories as
well as pleas for mercy and questions. You’ve got work coming up!
Kim Bolan, “Police monitor rise of more puppet clubs.” Hells Angels allegedly pulling the strings of
certain less-established bike gangs. July 23, 2018 (p. A3). https://www.google.ca/searchq=Kim+Bolan+police+monitor+rise+of+more+puppet+clubs&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=Kim+Bolan++police+monitor+rise+of+more+puppet+clubs&aqs=chrome..69i57.25721j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Here you learn a lot
about gang culture, including a hierarchy of clubs with Hells Angels at the
very top. The ones lower down take the brunt of dangerous jobs. The motor
cycling tours may seem like fun, but they are putting themselves AND their
families at risk. There are serious consequences. Police are monitoring them all carefully,
making sure everyone is safe. Why the
police should be guarding these dumb wits against themselves is a big puzzle to
me. Why should I pay taxes to protect those fools?
Kim Bolan, “Real Scoop: Police concerned about rise
of the HA puppets.”July 22, 2018. https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/real-scoop-police-concerned-about-rise-of-the-ha-puppets
An introduction to
various gangs on the BC coast.
Nick Eagland, “Deported gangster arrested in India
for alleged drug production.” June 19, 2018. https://www.google.ca/searchq=Kim+bolan+deported+gangster+arrested+in+india+for+alleged&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=Kim+bolan+deported+gangster+arrested+in+india+for+alleged&aqs=chrome..69i57.50560j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Nick Eagland, “”’Wake Up Surrey’ pleads for help in tackling
gang violence.” June 14, 2018 (p. A8).https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/surrey-residents-rise-against-violence-in-wake-of-shooting-deaths-of-two-teens?video_autoplay=true
Kim
Bolan, “Firefighters’ biker club founder poses with Hells Angels.” Public
safety minister calls the alleged association more than a bit disturbing. June
5, 2018 (p. A3). https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+firefighters%27+biker+club+founder+posese+with+hells+angels&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan+firefighters%27+biker+club+founder+posese+with+hells+angels&aqs=chrome..69i57.43481j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
The concern here is the penetration of gangsters
into government agencies.
Kim Bolan, “Feds appeal
immigration order freeing gunman.
Ministry objects to board decision to release gangster pending
deportation.” April 26, 2018. https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+feds+appear+immigration+order+freeing+gunman&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan+feds+appear+immigration+order+freeing+gunman&aqs=chrome..69i57.19521j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Kim Bolan, “Hells Angels civil forfeiture trial
begins in BC Supreme Court.” April 24, 2018 (p. A5). https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+hells+angels+civil+forfeiture+trial+begins&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan+hells+angels+civil+forfeiture+trial+begins&aqs=chrome..69i57.81737j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Kim Bolan, “Guilty
pleas expected in Bacon murder. Three men charged in 2011 gang shooting in front
of Kelowna hotel reach plea bargain on lesser charges.” The Province, April 22, 2018
(p. 4). https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+guilty+please+expected+in+Bacon+case&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan+guilty+please+expected+in+Bacon+case&aqs=chrome..69i57.24648j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Kim Bolan, “UN gang associate released
over border agency’s objections.” The
Province, April 22, 2018 (p. 4). https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+UN+gang+associate+released+over+border&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan+UN+gang+associate+released+over+border&aqs=chrome..69i57.25889j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Kim Bolan, “Guilty pleas on lesser charges expected
in Bacon murder case.” April 21, 2018 (p. A4). https://www.google.ca/searchq=Kim+Bolan%2C+%E2%80%9CGuilty+pleas+on+lesser+charges+expected+in+Bacon+murder+case&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=Kim+Bolan%2C+%E2%80%9CGuilty+pleas+on+lesser+charges+expected+in+Bacon+murder+case&aqs=chrome..69i57.83520j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Kim Bolan, “Gang
Associate to be released as he awaits deportation to Iraq.” April 21, 2018 (p. A6). https://www.google.ca/searchq=kim+bolan+gang+associate+to+be+released+as+he+awaits&rlz=1C1AVNG_enCA658CA662&oq=kim+bolan++gang+associate+to+be+released+as+he+awaits&aqs=chrome..69i57.27927j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
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