LAST week’s decision by Mr. Justice Duncan Shaw in B.C. Supreme Court striking down the section of the Criminal Code dealing with child pornography is more than a little troubling. The case involved accused pedophile John Robin Sharpe, who has been the subject of previous discus- sions in this space. Now, I say accused pedophile Lecause he is cur- rently before the courts on charges relaiing to a scizure of child pornography at the Douglas border crossing in April 1995 and a subsequent * search warrant execution on his Kitsilano apartment a year later Bur Sharpe is an admitted pedophile, a true believer who describes his predilection s “inter-generational love.” Last Feb, | interviewed Sharpe following his prelimi- nary hearing in Surrey. The 65-year-old divorced father of two is quite open about his activities, He described to me the “only two real loves” he has had in his life. Both involved voung males barely into their teens. Just so we understand what exactly Sharpe’s mindset is, here’s a quote: “God dees nct make boys horny so they can build up their will power by abstaining, but so they can learn about sex by experi- ence.” So, back to the decision by Shaw. “The invasion of fre sont of expres sion and pers: i privacy is profound,” Mr. Justice Dunean Shaw wrote in his 33-page judgment. “The intrusion into freedom of expression and the right of privacy is so profound that it is not outweighed by the lim: ited bencticial effects of the prohibition.” In other'words, the pro- tection of children trom pedophiles is nat as impor: tant as the law inftinging on the rights of pedophiles to have personal rivacy with what they read, look at and fantasize over. Shaw wrote in his decision on Sharpe's argument, “Books, diaries, pictures, clorhes and other belongings are personal and private expressions of their owner's belief, opinions, theughts and conscience.” “The simple possession CHRIS CARTER investment Executive Catch the day’s first loek at the markets with Chris on 8CTV's morning news. Live Reporis 5:30 am to 79 am weekdays. BerTy - CAL9BI 7618 Toil Froe 1-877220-1199 amail chils_corergscotio-mcised.com crime and punisiment prohibition deals with a very intimate and private aspect of 2 person's lite and, in my view, that fact should be given considerable weight. | find that the limited effective- ness of the prohibition is insufficient to warrant its highly invasive effects,” said the B.C. Supreme Court Justice, Tn sv doing, Shaw has now made it legal for pedophiles to possess any type of vile material their sor- did little hearts desire. The difficulty with the way the decision is worded was demonstrated in the Sunday Province. Its lead edi- torial on the subject was strong in its condeminauon ot kiddie porn, but supportive of the judicial decision because of the ramifications in the “free speech” debate. Not so sty about the deci- sion was the police offices in charge of the child pornogra- phy unit of the Ottawa Police. Set. Keith Danicts was disgusted when he heard of the decision “I this judgment is upheld in higher courts, J will simply retire,” he said. In an interview with the Ottawa Citizen, Daniels said, “This absurd decision came trom way out in felt field” He characterized the judg: ment as belonuing in the Lands don’t belong Dear Editor: Not only do we have an unorganized West Vancouver council and adniinistration, but we alo have an out of control school board: getting into the real estate business. All property on public lands within the municipality must be under the control of the elected council. Ir is absurd that any sub- sidiarv authority can) wheel and deal with the taxpayers’ property. The school board must be put in its place and told to Is your portfolio ideally posi- tioned for today’s markets und Canada’s slowing economy? In 1998, the Canadian market under performed every other developed stock market in the world with the exception of Mexico and Brazil. Forecasts for 1999 call for Canada's “Dark Ages.” “He (the judge) can't have considered that every image, by its very eximence, implies the sexual exploita tion of children who are totally scarred tor dite by such eXxpertence: And there's the rub. Shaw was trying to be true to his belief in the pro- tection of privacy and to the constitutional provisions for the freedom of speech. But he seems to have jost whatev- er perspective he may have had on the issae of protecting children. He said the Jaw was intru- sive and unfair to “collectors who are simply interested in pornography, bur who don't harm anyone.” Shaw appears to support a theory chat pedophiles use pornography to masturbate and “relieve the pent-up sex- ual tension” and are therefore not a threat to children. “Whether or not this cathartic effe.t ounecighs the harm caused by the poyses- sion of pornography ts not known, but it is nonetheless a significant factor to take into account,” wrote Shaw, But clearly he did not consider the abvious tact that by its nature child pornogra- phy objectities kids. Photographs and videos of sex with kids is certainty abu- sive simply because some kid, somewhere, was abused to take that photo or make that video. How then can we allow the possession of that materi- al? To render the possession “tegal” creates a market tor those who will inevitably sup- ply that market. In order to stick to operating the educa: tion system on behalf of the clected West Vancouver caun- cil. Phey have no right to pull down schools stich as Hillside and Inglewood. They created great hard- ship on the many small groups using these premises and vet offered nothing in return. They put an astronomical rental fee on any school hall usc, effectively discouraging any sinall group from using school premises for an evening meeting, All this without the con- economic growth to slew further. This may have a profound effect on the value of your retiremeni savings. To find out more, call 981-7618 for your compli- mentary copy of Chris Carter's special report “RRSP Investing Beyond Canada’, ScotiaMcLeod Building Relationships for Life ScotiaMcLeod is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. supply the market kids must be victimized in the process. This tollaws logically as sure as day follows night. Yet, for some reason Judge Shaw cither filed to see itor filed Co consider it as a significant reason to the prohibition of the material. Equally, the judge scems to have ignored a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in the case of HMTQ vs Bauder in which the late Justice John Sopinka called the law a “rea- sonable restriction on trec- dom of expression.” Sopinka’s decision said, “(child pornography) ... appeals only to the most base aspect Gf individual fulfil: ment” and didn’t merit con- stitutional protection. Liberal MLA Barry Penner called for the attorney ecnerai to immediately appeal the Shaw ruling. Ivy difficult tarsee how such an appeal could not succeed given the Butler decision in the highest court in the land. But as of this writing, the AG, Ujjal Dosanjh has vet to announce an appeal, West Vancouver MP John Reynolds was outraged atthe decision, He called it “erazy” and “nuts.” “Anyone involved with child pornography has some- thing wrong with them,” said Revnolds, the Reform Justice critic, “Any system that allows it has something wrong with it,” he concluded. Sharpe based his case on the traditional arguments of ihe North American Man-Boy Love Association (NAAT BLA). This is the same orga- nization trying to get the age of consent lowered in all jaris- to board sent of the taxpayers and elected council. At the same time seniors are having to pay increasing membersiip tees for their activities. We necd a Cul Report on the operation of our school board and administration. Stan Ward West Vancouver SAVE UP TO Wednesday, January 20, 1999 — North Shore News - pedophiles in dictions in order to legitimize their loathsome activities In my view, the only pea: ple who can possibly agree with those arguments are themselves true believers. The William Rennest case demonstrated that B.C. isa pedophile's paradise. est case underlines it, But Phis lat- C. there are many, many more stich cases. [tis time for the AG to ignore the “true believers,” including those who may advise goverament, and rake a stand, The easy ride for pedophiies has gone far enough, — lknight@dircet.ca I AN seraces pe 2 Oil, ‘Lube & Fitter fulty ay parranty 21 pt. Safety check, 15 roinutes ~ FAST! ] includes up to 5S itres of 1Qw30 Quaxerstate 1362 Marine Drive 980-9715 I Mon-Sat 800am-6:00pm, Sun 900amn-5.00pm Exqares Fed. 2/99 S.Laursen & Son Draperies and Blinds Lid. fief 40% Oy Serving the Anather one of ow r designs. 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