I watched an interview today with our new terrorism czar, and he actually made a lot of sense. It seems silly to even begin to compare a pie in the face to the much more violent acts of international paramilitary organizations. If so, Vernon Wells had better lawyer up! Nobody has more pie on their hands than Vernon. But when the act is commited by a political activist trying to inflict harm, either physical or emotional on a government official, that should qualify as a criminal offense.
The point that Gerry was trying to make is that because PETA claimed responsibility, that it was a confession that they sent an individual into a foreign country to commit a criminal offense. If the assailant is successfully charged with assault and PETA claims responsibility, then PETA is liable. My Little Oxford Dictionary defines terrorism as "practice of using violent and intimidating methods to secure political ends."
By the definition of the word, it could be construed that what the PETA activist did was in fact terrorism, even if it qualifies by the narrowest of margins. What if the Minister had been knocked down and injured? That was a very real possibility and was disregarded by a loon who has convinced herself of something that she will go to any length to force upon others. It isn't just this pie in the face incident; there are several instances where PETA or affiliated organizations send political activists to places to commit crimes. What other word do we have to define it?
So at the end of the day, I have to complement Gerry Byrne for taking a stand on this one. I will not go so far as to declare PETA a terrorist organization myself, but I think they are really getting close. Is Mr. Byrne interested in floor crossing?
Criminal Harrassment:
ReplyDeleteProhibited Conduct
(2) The conduct mentioned in subsection (1) consists of
(a) repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them;
(b) repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them;
(c) besetting or watching the dwelling-house, or place where the other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be; or
(d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family.
Punishment
(3) Every person who contravenes this section is guilty of
(a) an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding ten years; or
(b) an offence punishable on summary conviction.
I rather surprised at the comments around that categorize it as a mere misdemeanor. I agree with the definition that you have used in your conclusion.
ReplyDeleteThis person entered the premises under false pretenses, obviously with a single intent, to assault the Minister and subsequently continue the assault, verbally.
Minister Shea, was left with ruined clothing, possibly injured or uncomfortable eyes and the extreme likelihood of FEAR.
I hope an example is made of this freak and that it be harsh. These idiots are indeed terrorists, imo.
I think he's on to something there, not just with PETA, but with Greenpeace as well. They are by definition terrorists. Just because they are fighting for supposedly "just" causes does not mean they should be exempt from our laws.
ReplyDeleteI agree she should serve time in jail and peta should be fined mega bucks for instigating this. But, how did she get that pie into the room.
ReplyDeleteHow long before some idiot tries this and has crushed glass or other serious object in it.
The Japanese did not fool around when Greenpeace rammed a whaling ship, they sunk a supposedly unsinkable bat ship. Idiots climbed roofs and expected to be saved. Labs have been blown up. The list is endless of the damage these groups have inflicted on canadians.
I don't recommend a repeat of Kent U, but what happened there sure shut down protests.
While at clown school, in the Ststes, the workshop of pie-throwing was great. There are rules though:
ReplyDelete1. never throw a pie int the face with out permission. (Which it is usually one clown pie-throwing into another clown face.) And never the public.
2. Always refer to rule #1 when in doubt.
One should never use shaving cream - it has chemicals and will hurt the eyes. there is a small chance that the cheminals enter the body through the mouth and if somebody gets ill because of it - then you are in real trouble. Not ony can it cause damage to eyes, you will be responsable for any drycleaning costs [which can be expensive].
Always use real whipped cream - not out of a can.
Clown Party (official opposition of the Rhino Party)
Why put an amature in Ottawa when you can get a professional.
Greenpeace took responsibility for those idiots who broke into the complex in Ft. McMurray and those idiots were or as I understand charged criminally, so by definition Greenpeace is a criminal organization. PETA has taken responsibility for this idiotic prank so they also should be labelled a criminal organization. I also hope that the Minister sues PETA after the criminal charges are dealt with. It is about time thaat they are held responsible for these insane acts.
ReplyDeletecould have been a gun. i dislike jean the cretin but the guy that got too close to him could have been a killer.
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