SOMETIMES one gis the impression that rascality rules supreme and that lunatics are in _ uncontested control of our affairs. But then you come across people who are prepared to swim against the tide. Imagine taking on the whole justice system, or what passes today for a justice sys- tem. It would be enough to -daunt the angels. But for the past 15 years a little group in North Vancouver headed by Mrs. Noreen Provost and her hus- band, Hector, has been doing just chat. They are part of Citizens United for Safety and Justice (CUSJ), which has had some effect nationally and provin- cially. Without them, bad would have been worse. They have campaigned against idiotically light sen- tences and have often per- suaded the powers to appeal in cases where there would Dear Editor: Doug Collins and I have had several run-ins over the ‘years regarding his critical comments about Jewish peo- ple and [sracl. Once he devot- ed an entire column to a rebuttal of the “dear innocent reverend,” ironically suggest- ing that if the Jews are “God's Chosen People,” he must take God before the Human Rights Council. More recently, 38 North __ Shore pastors and priests co- “signed a letter to the editor, asking Doug ifit is not time to “bury the hatchet” in his rela- tionship with the Jewish peo- ple. Our prayer then and now is that God may fill Doug with "love for Jesus’ brothers and sis- have been no appeals. They do not have their hands out for government nts, either. They have tunded themselves and donat- ed their time, and are inter- ested only in injecting some common sense into the sys- tem. But now, in North Van at least, they are retiring from the field, exhausted. However, CUS] will con- tnuce its work our of Duncan and Bella Coola, which is not as strange as it might seem, this being the age of the com- puter and e-mail, Their mission started when Inge Clausen's daugh- ter on Vancouver Island was assaulted and murdered by a repeat sex offender who had been released from prison on mandatory parole, meaning he was released after serving, two-thirds of his sentence. It was known that he was likely to offend again, but out he came anyway, whereupon Mrs. Clausen began to cam- paign against such releases. Mandatory parole still exists (it is now called statuto- ry release) but parole boards have the power to keep pris- oners behind bars until the completion of their sentences if it is believed they are likely to reoffend. Which is not to say that no mistakes are made. CUS] reports that in 1993 Dennis Fichtenberg was stabbed to death by Paul Butler, who was out on statu- tory release. Supposedly under the supervision of a halfway house in Whitehorse, he was allowed to work as a bouncer in a local bar, believe it or not. He also began work as a burglar. On conviction, his statuto- ry release was revoked but he was then granted day parole, spent a lor of his time in bars rather than behind them, and stabbed 25-year-old Fichtenberg. He get 13 years without parole but subsequently killed another prisoner and was sen- tenced to 23 years. Such a creep should never have been treated with kid gloves, But this is the New Canada and in all likelihood he had a set of shrinks claim- ing he was reafly a nice guy. In an attempt to revive a bit of the Old Canada Fichtenberg’s mother joined CUS} and asked the authori- es for explanations. Bur who can explain madness? All has not been Jost, though. CUSJ has lobbied for victims’ services, which now exist, and Mrs. Provost says the system has become a lot more accountable than it was. Also because of its work, victims’ “impact statements” can be accepted at parole board hearings and there are more “dangerous offender” applications in B.C. than in other provinces. Many fine people have MAIL Box Open discussion and truth will set us free ters, the Jews. Yes, Doug, your comments (Dec. 6, 1995) are true “that Jesus loves (you) in spite of everything.” My greatest discomfort with Doug Collins’ writing is the bitter tone of much of it. I also feel equally uncomfort- able with the nasty tone of many letters to the editor . which attack Doug Collins. What seems to be lacking in this discussion of the Holocaust is a reasoned, “level-playing field” context, in which the case for arid against the reality of the Holocaust can be fairly discussed, The North Shore News could only benefit by providing such a public forum. I believe that the Holocaust of six mil- lion Jews actually occurred. We a K PREFERRED SHARES | © Quarter Income © Preferred Tax Treatment Mininwm investment of $25,000. © Safety of Capital © Liquid Laurentian Bank Class A Preferred Shares as of April 28/1997. Prices and rates sabject te change and availabte vithest actice. ‘For investors with total inconce eves $30,008/. latorest oquivalent yisld is 4.52%, Based on correct yield. MIDLAND | WALWYN OLUe Che THeweim Os Chris Carter Financial Advisor Widirad Ven Capital tne, 925-5565. have nothing to fear from using the tools of rigorous historical research and debate. 1 question the merits of dragging Doug Collins before an NDP-inspired Human Rights Commission. Free speech, even that of Doug Collins, is a precious and Fragile gift. that can easily be destroyed. It is far too easy for some to write off this case because of personal dislike of Doug Collins. What I most regret about Doug’s comments about DRAPERIES ighters saluted helped. The late Judge Les Bewley was one. Among, other things he wrote a book- let, The Breakdown of the Criminal Justice System in Canada. Fred Bodnaruk, a retired RCMP officer, was 2 menvber. Bruce Northrop, the RCMP superintendenf who worked on the Clifford Olson case did his best for them. “We have a legal system, but we don’t have justice,” Mrs. Provost told me once. That’s why a guy with a criminal background who went on a $250,000 arson sprce in North Van will not sce the inside of a jail, thanks to the progressively minded Madam Justice Nancy Morrison. But what else can we expect when the Liberals announced in the 1970s that “rehabilitation,” not the safe- ty of the public, would be the golden rule? If common sense ever pre- vails again, which J doubt, we shall have the Provosts and others like them to thank for it. T take my hat off to them. — The North Shore News believes strongly in freedom of speech and the right of all sides ina debate ta be beard. The columnists published in the News present differing points of view, but thase views are not necessarily those of the newspa- per itself: Jewish people is the pain and _ grief that he, perhaps unknow- ingly, causes to many solid Jewish citizens who live on the North Shore. To hear Doug deny the holocaust must feel to them like a knife through their hearts. As Jesus said, it is the truth that sets us free. May the historical, factual truth about the Holocaust set us all free from repeating our tragic past. Reverend Ed Hird North Vancouver ed_hird@bc.sympatico & BLINDS BY S.LAURSEN & SON Another one of our designs. Ask about our Seniors’ discounts. f For Free Estimates Phone 987-2966 Serying the North Shore for 25 years Sunday, May 4, 1997 — North Shore News - 7 DEREK A. CAVE Trial Lawyer Get the settlement a you deserve. #508, Kapilano 100 Building 925-7880 100 Park Royal, West Van. pntiusi njoyment is one of the single most important ingredients of a successful exercise program. 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