The Daily Courier

It’s not easy being Green

- JAMES MILLER

Strange how Andrew Weaver resigns as B.C. Green party leader and will now sit as an independen­t, due to health concerns in his family. I’m not sure how that saves time. Being a cynic, I believe Weaver has either had a disagreeme­nt with Premier John Horgan or members of his party.

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The provincial NDP is far more strategic than people realize. The casino money-laundering shoe has just dropped. (Nobody never noticed “players” coming in with $100,000 and cashing out after 10 minutes.) Next will be the report by Speaker of the House Darryl Plecas on the alleged spending impropriet­ies by senior staff under the previous BC Liberal government.

In politics, timing is everything.

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With the not-surprising announceme­nt by Rona Ambrose that she won’t seek the federal Conservati­ve leadership, it’s now a wide-open field. I predict it will go to either Peter Mackay or Erin O’Toole. If the Tories want to form government again — at least any time soon — they need someone semi-moderate.

I appreciate the new rules on cash deposits and number of nominating signatures required. Hopefully it will discourage fringe candidates.

I wish they could do the same in municipal elections.

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Now to fun stuff: Penticton, you need to get over the title. “Urinetown” is not a two-hour ode to having a leak. Some find the title offensive. (I could understand if it was called “Flatulence­town” or “Fecesville.” Urinating is a natural function. I do it about nine times a day. Male golfers do it behind trees. Milo does it four times a day, once on the carpet at 7 a.m. if I don’t get him walked in the morning. Soundstage Production­s presents the musical, Wednesday through Jan. 25 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.

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If you haven’t seen it yet, “1917” is indeed one of the year’s best films. It’s a cross between “Russian Ark” (2001) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998.) Warning: there are several scenes of violence, which makes sense because the First World War was violent.

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This year’s Oscar snubs: Jennifer Lopez (“Hustlers:), Beyonce for best original song (“Spirit” from the remake of “The Lion King”) and the film editor from “1917.”

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Just for fun, let’s get a rumour started. Harry and Meghan will take up residence in Okanagan Falls.

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How’s this for an opening act? Bryan Adams is touring stadiums this summer with Bon Jovi. In 1984 at the time of “Reckless” and pre-“Slippery When Wet,” it would have been the other way around.

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If the U.S. Democrats want to win in 2020, they need a winnable candidate. That individual, in my opinion, is Elizabeth Warren.

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Just what everyone wanted — a reboot of “Punky Brewster,” coming this spring to streaming services.

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In this terrible weather, I’d like to publicly thank our unsung heroes — our newspaper carriers. Thank you team for bringing the news to everyone’s door! For those of you who still have home delivery, thanks also to our loyal Canada Post letter carriers.

James Miller is valley editor of Okanagan Newspaper Group.

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