4 - Sunday, July 24, 1994 - North Shore News The scales of justice in disrepair Doug Collins ON THE OTHER HAND ACCORDING TO the public prints, Justice Wally Oppal is having “difficulties” with the Svend Robinson case. Does that mean he is having dif- ficulties because Robinson is such a good fellow, or because he is a law maker who likes breaking the law? We will learn more on Tuesday when sentence is passed. But if Judge Collins were sitting on the bench, there would be no difficulties at all. A few words would be delivered about “justice for all, and favor toward none,” and Robinson would spend the next year behind bars. Even at that, the court would be showing lenience, for the Criminal Code allows for two years. But a reasonable period without this Burnaby boil on the bum of democ- racy prancing around making a nui- sance of himself would be worth a prayer of thanks. Judge Collins would take Robinson’s record into considera- von, of course. So there would be ho question of any tap on the wrist stuff, This is the second time Robinson has been found guilty of contempt of court, the first occasion having been in 1985 when. as “White Swan.” he jogeled and jiguled around with the Indians up at the Lyell [stand in definee of a court order. He was fined $750, which was nothing but a kiss seeing that he was the NDP"s justice critic and that he did not apologize. On the contrary, he held himself up as a soul most noble. The late Judge Les Bewley reck- oned that the cost of the Lyell Island antic to the public and the forest companies was at least a million dollars. But it cost Robinson peanuts and he got his smirking phiz all over the papers and TV. In Bewley’s view, however, the law and the courts did gain something from that fiasco, “They gained the reputation of tootnless tigers that can safely be treated with con- tempt by anyone going to the trouble of putting on a blanket, shaking a clamshell, and daubing his face with dirt or paint." In the Clayoquot Sound affair, other offenders found that Justice J.C. Bouck was tougher. But Robinson didn't come before him because it took the NDP attomey general’s department 10 months to decide that this NDP MP was worth charging. Bn id at 66 Judge Collins would take Robinson’s record into considera- tion, of course. So there would be no question of any tap on the wrist stuff. 99 Robinson pleaded guilty. and alse pleaded that civil disobedience is justified. Hut civil disobedience is simply a cuphemism for criminal activity. Asa student of his tomfooleries | can tell you that defying the law is a way of life with him. It started with the Galindo Madrid case. Madrid was a Chilean who jumped ship in 1979, got drunk and was told by longshoremen he should try the refugee route. That took two years, at the end of which he was to be deported. Enter Svend. smelling publicity. Ignoring the rules, he hid Madrid from immigration officials, pleading the cause of humanity. The affair was custom-made for our daft media, who swallowed the refugee nonsense whole. “MP defies Jaw to keep Chilean safe in Canada,” read a typical head- line. This went on for weeks. As per usual, Madrid was allowed to stay. The voters of Burnaby who send this man to Parliament are said to be sane. Can’t think why. Consider: Robinson sided with the com- mies in Nicaragua and with the their brother commties in Ef Salvador. He rudely heckled Ronald Reagan when that president addressed Parliament. He hid his homosexuali- ty for years and then made a big deal of coming out of the closet when it could be concealed no longer. He wants 14 to be the age for legalizing sodomy and seeks THE FOLLOWING is a brief summary of agendas for North Shore municipalities and school districts: MEETING AGENDA North Vancouver City Council: July 25, 7:30 p.m.: Reports: Election Signage Policy; Sir Edraund Hillary, Conqueror of Mount Everest, wearing the T3, Natural, $48. public question period. North Vancouver District Council: July 25, 7 p.m.: Bylaws: Bylaw 6671 - District of North Vancouver Dog Tax and Regulation Bylaw, 1988. West Vancouver District Council: July 25, 7:45 p.m.: Presentations: Hollyburn Relief Sewer Project; Bylaws: Zoning Bylaw No. 2200, 1968, Amendment Bylaw No. 3896, 1994 (BC Rail Lands and Seaview “Walk within the Gleneagles /Eagleridge areas; public question period. West Vancouver School Board: Sept. 13. ‘ North Vancouver Schoo! Board: September. “sume sex” spousal rights for MPs, He is a parliamentary public relations man for queerdom, Not content with all dhat. he was there when Sue Rodigruez committed sui- cide with the help of a doctor and he still refuses to name the doctor. Which is also against the law. Pierre Trudeau called him a cry- baby. Ed Broadbent removed him from the justice position. Jack Munro has called him a coward. Being a media hero, however, he marches on regardless. His thin fea- (ures made the cover of Maclean's inagazine with the caption “Gay and proud.” Sanday Night magazine did a fawning piece on him. To the local dailies he is “Svend.” But about that contempt busi- ness, In Toronto, a man called Wolfgang Droege was instructed to stop sending out “hate messages” on his phone. His offence was just words, not action. And nobody had to listen to what he was saying. He ignored the order and was recently sent to the clink for three months. Are the scales of justice equally balanced? 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