Robert Pickton Should Have Gotten the Death Penalty
Alas, we live in Canada…
I will not comment on the specifics of what is now seeping out from court released documents. It’s just far too sickening to think that such a butcher is being kept alive by my tax buck or yours.
Sometimes I wonder why God gives us so much free will. Pickton’s savagery was unearthly. I’ve never read of such ironclad insanity.
You can read a tamer version of some details, here.
May God rest the souls of the native aboriginal women he murdered and may He provide some kind of comfort to the families (as much as they can feel at this point) in their, I’m sure, unconsolable grief.
What a monster…I’d happily pull the electric switch on him twice. The bastard…
The death penalty in general is proven to fail – but for extreme cases such as this – I agree. There should be an exception for complete psychopathic murderers that will never serve society in any positive way.
That said I don’t believe for a second that Pickton acted alone or that his atrocities were unknown for a decade. There are more people that need to be investigated and held accountable.
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Complete agreement. Well put.
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I just want to say that I met the one who got away or should I say the one he “got sloppy” with #50 …I’ve never met such a warm hearted kind beautiful soul such as herself ..the things these women went through are horrific …they may be drug addicted ,strippers whatever . These women were/are human beings just like ourselves it doesn’t give “pigton” or any other freak show the right to do the things he did. In my opinion instead of the the death penalty I hope he rots in an ice cold shit hole of a cell hog tied suffering thinking about what he did to these beautiful women, sitting in his own shit !until its time to face an even darker side HELL. This “thing” is PURE EVIL may he rot in hell!R.I.P my heart goes out to the victims and there families, god bless you
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Thx, yes, I quite agree.
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I tend to agree with JustSayNo on the likely-hood of others knowing about what was happening at the pig farm. Just to clarify, I don’t think all the women were aboriginal were they? If so, he is guilty of some kind of racial hate fetish, I should think. After reading that both the victim and the perp ended up in the same hospital and that they found the keys to the handcuffs the woman was wearing in Picton’s pockets, and the police didn’t pick up on this, gives me to wonder just how much the sexual perversions of people are seen as just everyday fun nowadays. Like Jeffery Dahlmer’s victim, running around naked and bleeding anally, and then returned to his custody after explaining to the police that they were consensual sex partners, amazes and sickens me. Who are they hiring as police officers, moral castrates?
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The majority of them were aboriginal. And I certainly think he is guilty of a variety of other horrors. Unfortunately, that they were mostly aboriginal only serves to illustrate what I have been saying for years: That instead of treaties and casinos the aboriginal leadership should be ashamed of the lost generations of their young women on the streets and young men in crack dens.
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Treaties are non-extinguishable under the Constitution and casinos belong to the BC Governments lobbyist friends. All of the Canadian lives lost to preventable circumstances deserve our empathy at least. The fact that an abnormal number of first nations lives are lost every year is embarrassing for all of us. It deserves our understanding not only of the attempted cultural genocide the first nation experienced but the long term deadly effects of that attempted cultural genocide that persist in myriad ways today.
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No one was looking to extinguish treaties or completely kill off casinos. But BEFORE either of those kicks into high gear we have to look after the horrible conditions within which most of their children live. My question has always been, why don’t they care? And it’s still a valid question. The cultural genocide MUST stop. Want results of the problem? Look at the Ministry of Children and Families. You don;t need to run down the list of Pickton’s victims only.
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“My question has always been, why don’t they care?”
Who specifically are you referring too? Everyone, or someone?. You can do better c’mon Alex we may not agree on everything but the statement you made above is beneath you.
People who care:
ALL CHIEFS’ TASK FORCE
The All-Chiefs’ Task Force is a volunteer group of First Nation leaders from across the province that was established at the August 2009 All-Chiefs’ Assembly. They were created to build upon the outcomes and energy of the gathering by: raising awareness and recognition of Aboriginal title and rights at the provincial, national and international levels, as well as with the general public; and, undertaking work to better organize ourselves internally as First Nations in British Columbia.
At the All Chiefs’ Assembly held on May 18-20, 2010, the Task Force reported on its efforts to date and received an extension of their mandate to November 2010 in order to work with the First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) on documents to clarify the mandate of the FNLC.
The FNLC and ACTF are developing mandate documents for the FNLC as directed at the All-Chiefs’ Assembly, and will circulate these to First Nations for review and advice/feedback in the coming weeks.
An All-Chiefs’ Assembly will be held in November 2010 to provide a final report on the work of the Task Force.
FIRST NATIONS HEALTH COUNCIL
Regions make appointments to Health Council
BC First Nations have initiated a transformation of the First Nations Health Council over the past three months. The Union of BC Indian Chiefs (2010-01 & 2010-06) and First Nations Summit (#0310.03) passed resolutions directing that the First Nations Health Council be reconstituted. The 7-member Health Council was dissolved, effective May 30th 2010, and has been replaced by a 15-member First Nations Health Council. The 15-member FNHC have a two year mandate to coordinate with and receive direction from the Regional Caucuses, oversee negotiations with government on the creation of the First Nations Health Authority, and oversee work on Health Action items.
Regional Caucuses met to consider the transition, select representatives and provide advice and guidance. The Regional Caucuses select their representatives through their own regionally determined processes. BC First Nations have selected the following people to represent them on the First Nations Health Council:
Cliff Atleo (Vancouver Island), Warner Adam (North Central), Gwen Phillips (Interior), Chief Ko’waintco Michel (Interior), Chief Bernie Elkins (Interior), Grand Chief Doug Kelly – Fraser), Chief Maureen Chapman (Fraser), Chief Willie Charlie (Fraser), Charles Nelson (Vancouver Coastal), Leonard Bob (Vancouver Coastal), Ernest Armann (Vancouver Coastal), Shanna Manson Vancouver Island (Coast Salish).
Several representatives are in the process of being chosen and the process is ongoing. The inaugural meeting of the FNHC was held on June 23, 2010 at which Grand Chief Doug Kelly was named interim chair.
Tripartite Partners Initial Basis Agreement
On July 26th, 2010 the Tripartite Partners representing the Government of Canada, the BC First Nations Health Council, and the Government of BC initialed the British Columbia Tripartite First Nations Health Plan: Basis for a Framework Agreement on Health Governance (the Basis Agreement) that will set the stage and process for negotiations to transform how BC First Nations health is managed in British Columbia.
The Basis Agreement is a non-binding political agreement that sets out broad outlines for negotiations to develop a Legal Agreement on First Nations Health Governance. The negotiations process seeks to create a BC First Nations Health Authority that will administer federal health services to First Nations in British Columbia and may lead to the development of a mandate to engage and negotiate with the Government of British Columbia and the Provincial and Regional Health Authorities.
This important initialing ceremony occurred in Vancouver following a lunch, traditional prayers and songs. Senior Tripartite Partners from Health Canada, including the Minister of Health the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, British Columbia Assistant Deputy Minister Andrew Hazelwood (Population and Public Health – Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport), and representatives from the First Nations Health Council spoke to the agreement, as did prominent First Nations political leaders who were present to witness the historic occasion.
FIRST NATIONS ENERGY AND MINING COUNCIL AND FIRST NATIONS FORESTRY COUNCIL
Clean Energy Act
On June 8, First Nations held a strategy session in at the Chief Mathias Centre in North Vancouver to discuss concerns surrounding the BC Clean Energy Act. The Minister or Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources and senior staff were invited to participate but no one attended from the provincial government. Prior to the meeting, the BC government stated it would not delay passage of the Clean Energy bill to allow for First Nations consultation and accommodation, nor were they going to accept any amendments to the legislation as it currently stands. Their position was a great disappointment to the many First Nations and 50 Chiefs in attendance and as a result they signed a joint statement opposing the Clean Energy Act.
The greatest concern was the significant gaps between the Green Energy Task Force final report recommendations (regarding community and First Nations engagement) and the actual legislation. The vast majority of those recommendations are not contained in the legislation. An important recommendation that was accepted, the new business fund, was disappointing as it will essentially support at most a couple of viable opportunities and the revenue sharing commitment is undefined and diluted by its inclusion in the business fund.
The Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation both committed to meet at a future date with the Chiefs on the concerns raised at the June 8th meeting.
Bio-energy
The FNEMC is working in partnership with the BC Bioenergy Network to identify technologies that will assist First Nations to enter into the green energy development using bioenergy technology. There are numerous technologies that range from conventional steam generation that produces heat to combined heat and power projects that can create power and heat for a community. The first step is to undertake a pilot project to assist a community that is currently using diesel to generate power and that has sufficient woody biomass in the area to feed a system to power the local community. A handbook will be created to share with other First Nations communities that are interested in converting their diesel systems to renewable biomass generators or other communities that are on grid but have frequent power outages.
Protocol with FNEMC and BC Hydro
On June 17th the FNEMC and BC Hydro signed a protocol that will focus on clean energy development opportunities. The purpose of this protocol is to work together in areas of mutual interest; in particular for action items outlined in the 2008 First Nations Energy Action Plan. The protocol also recognizes that individual and collective First Nations have a role to work directly with BC Hydro on projects that impact their traditional territories.
China Tribute Totem Pole
In 2008, representatives of the First Nations Summit (FNS) and the First Nations Energy & Mining Council (FNEMC) visited China on a trade mission. While in China, they were informed of a group of Indigenous people that lost their entire city during the May 12, 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China – these people are called the Qiang (pronounced Chiang). The city of Beichuan had been completely destroyed at 30 000 of the 300 000 Qiang people died.
The FNS and FNEMC delegates have since worked with other BC First Nations Chiefs, leaders and artisans to produce a tribute totem pole. The tribute pole was carved by First Nations artists at the Frieda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, a division of Northwest Community College in Terrace, BC. The totem pole is designed with an eagle and grizzly bear to symbolize our holistic connection to Mother Earth, and intended to honour the Qiang peoples – the loved ones lost in the earthquake, and those who survived. The tribute pole was produced with assistance from the Government of BC, and its transport to China was supported by the Governor General Michaelle Jean and the Government of Canada.
First Nations representatives from British Columbia, including Grand Chief Edward John, Dan Smith, Stan Bevan and Wilfred Bennett, travelled to China along with Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean and Federal Minister Jim Prentice. A traditional ceremony was held to deliver the pole, and the Beichuan government Party Secretary and the Qiang youth and elders exchanged cultural performances as the totem pole was unveiled.
The totem pole was also discussed directly with Chinese President Hu Jintao when Grand Chief Edward John met him in Ottawa on June 24th. The President showed a keen interest in this gift of friendship and healing for those that were impacted by the 2008 earthquake. On July 5th, another meeting was held between the Governor General of Canada and the Chinese President in Beijing and the Chinese President directly acknowledged Grand Chief Edward John and all First Nations from Canada for this generous gesture that helps to bring understanding between China and Canada. First Nations are considering creating a national “First Nations – China Desk” that can receive delegations from China and partner them with First Nations that are interested to do business in the natural resource sector. The “First Nations – China Desk” could also be a planning body and create strategies for the development of regular First Nations cultural and trade missions to China to build stronger relationships and to attract investment into First Nations communities.
BC FIRST NATIONS FISHERIES COUNCIL
Cohen Commission
The Cohen Commission of Inquiry into the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser River will hold a series of public forums to provide an opportunity for community members to share information that they believe to be relevant to the mandate of the commission.
Lillooet: August 18 – Lillooet District Rec Centre (Gym) – 2:00pm
Campbell River: August 25 – Coast Discovery Inn & Marina – 6:30pm
Richmond: September 13 – Steveston-London Secondary School – 6:30pm
Victoria: September 16 – Hotel Grand Pacific – 6:30pm
New Westminster: September 20 – Inn at the Quay – 6:30pm
Prince George: September 23 – Ramada Inn – 6:30pm
Chilliwack: September 29 – Coast Chilliwack Hotel – 6:30pm
Kamloops: October 21 – Coast Canadian Hotel – 6:30pm
Further details on location and time are available on the Commission’s website. All forums are open to the public; however, participants must apply through the Commission website in order to make a presentation at these sessions.
The Commission has also released its schedule and topics for 2010 evidentiary hearings, which will take place October 25 through mid-December (continuing in the new year). Hearings will run Mondays through Fridays 9:30am – 12:30pm and 2:00 – 4:00pm each day. Hearings are open to the public and will be held at the Federal Court at 701 West Georgia Street, 8th floor.
Fraser sockeye life cycle: October 25
Conservation, sustainability and stewardship: October 26-27
Perspectives on Aboriginal law: October 28-29
DFO organizational structure: November 1-5
Pacifi c Salmon Commission: November 8-9
Wild Salmon Policy: Nov 10, November 15-18
DFO habitat management and conservation: November 19; November 22-24
Harvesting: November 25-December 16
While a number of First Nations have been granted standing before the Commission, those communities that do not have standing can still participate by entering a written submission. They can also take part in the Fisheries Council’s Cohen Commission discussions by participating in our bi-weekly Wednesday morning conference calls.
The Fisheries Council has posted a number of documents to the Cohen Commission page of our website. Some of these documents are available to First Nations only, and require a username and password. A confidential login is available to anyone who is a member of a B.C. First Nation, or who works on behalf of a First Nation in the area of Fisheries. Please contact Aimee Arsenault at aimee@fnfisheriescouncil.ca to get your login.
More information on the Cohen Commission can be found at http://www.cohencommission.ca.
Aquaculture
The draft Pacific Aquaculture Regulations were released in Part 1 of the Canada Gazette on July 10, 2010. We are currently in the 60-day comment window, which closes on September 8, 2010. The regulations can be viewed at http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2010/2010-07-10/html/reg2-eng.html
Comments on the regulations should be directed to Ed Porter, Team Leader, Regulatory Operations. He can be reached via email at PAR-RPA@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
The Fisheries Council would appreciate being copied on any correspondence First Nations send to DFO regarding the draft regulations in order to help us monitor the comments and coordinate follow-up. Correspondence can be emailed to Alex Gagne at alex@fnfisheriescouncil.ca. The Fisheries Council will also post correspondence related to aquaculture on our website.
Please mark your calendars for the annual First Nations Fisheries Council Assembly. The Assembly will take place in Prince Rupert on November 2-4, 2010. Registration forms and accommodations information will be distributed in the coming weeks. The theme of the Assembly will be “Co-management: Developing a shared vision for the future”.
Please see the Fisheries Council’s Fish in the News page for recent media coverage relating to B.C. fisheries issues of interest to B.C. First Nations. A Bulletin Board is also regularly updated on the website with information about upcoming meetings, job opportunities, and other fisheries related news.
The next bi-weekly conference calls for B.C. First Nations Fisheries Organizations and technical staff (Tier 1 – internal to First Nations only) will be held:
Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 9:00am – 10:30am
Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 9:00am – 10:30am
Wednesday, September 8, 2010, 9:00am – 10:30am
Please contact the Council for dial-in information and agendas. Meeting summaries are available to First Nations only, so you will need to login and password to view the meeting notes. A confidential login is available to anyone who is a member of a B.C. First Nation or who works on behalf of a First Nation in the area of Fisheries.
FIRST NATIONS TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL
CollaborACTION
FNTC is seeking 3-5 First Nations to work on a collaborative proposal to implement technology and technical skills development. The project that we’re calling CollaborACTION will be a partnership between the chosen Nations, First Nations organizations (such as FNESC, FNHC and IAHLA) technology companies and government. An Expression of Interest has been distributed to First Nations and Tribal Councils. The deadline to be part of this exciting project is September 10,2010.
Digitization Project
FNTC is working with the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre at UBC, Heiltsuk, Namgis and Ktunaxa on a digitization project that will result in a Digitization Toolkit that can be shared. Each of the First Nations will be digitizing approximately 400 items and during the project will be consulting with Elders and other community members Items to be developed for the Toolkit may include a generic Policy, Protocol, Item Description (metadata)Standard, etc.
Capacity Plan – Doig River Project
As part of the Capacity Plan, FNTC is working with Doig River on a project to rebuild some of their historical trails. Youth are being taught GPS and GIS technology to map the trails, traditional medicines and any contaminated sites they come across and to relocate traditional camp sites. Doig River’s goal is to rebuild the traditional camps to be used as a place where their citizens can go to reconnect to the land and where tourists could go for a traditional experience. During the bushwhacking phase the youth reached a hill where reception allowed them to check their Facebook accounts – they’ve renamed that hill Facebook Hill!
NEW RELATIONSHIP TRUST
NRT Certificate, Diploma and Trades Bursaries
Interested and eligible BC First Nation students may apply to the NRT Certificate, Diploma and Trades Bursary Awards. Bursaries are awarded on a first come, first served basis each year. Bursaries for 2010 were made available on July 14, 2010 and will remain open until 60 bursaries of $2,000 each are awarded. Students must be enrolled fulltime at a recognized post-secondary institution to be eligible.
Complete requirements and bursary applications can be found at http://www.newrelationshiptrust.ca.
Youth Entrepreneur Symposium
The Young Entrepreneurs Symposium (YES) kicks off on November 22nd with an evening of entertainment featuring Aboriginal musicians. The next three days will be highlighted by a spirited competition among teams of participants ages 19 – 30 with prizes
This Symposium will feature a diverse and inspiring mix of panelists and speakers, including a special guest Master of Ceremonies from the Aboriginal entertainment community. The week’s activities will be capped by a formal gala dinner where awards from the competition will be presented.
This exciting event gives young aspiring Aboriginal entrepreneurs from across the country the opportunity to build critical business skills and make valuable connections.
As hosts, NRT, DCF and CCAB will provide accommodation and meal costs for more than 200 young people to participate in the event. If you are an Aboriginal person between the ages of 19 and 30, and are an entrepreneur or would like to be one, we encourage you to join us for this exciting and unique experience! Additional information about YES is also available online at http://yes.nrtf.ca.
MATRIMONIAL REAL PROPERTY
On March 31, 2010, the government introduced into the Senate Bill S-4 to regulate the division of
property on reserves upon marital breakdown. The Bill is entitled An Act respecting family homes situated on First Nations reserves and matrimonial interests or rights in or to structure and lands situated on those reserves.
BC Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould presented to the Senate Standing Committee on Human
Rights on May 31, 2010, to deliver the AFN’s submissions on the proposed legislation. Consistent with the mandate set out in AFN Resolution No. 26/2008, the AFN called upon the federal government to recognize and implement First Nations’ jurisdiction over matrimonial real property on First Nations’ lands and to do so in the context of the wider governance issues associated with matrimonial property (e.g., lands, wills and estates, family relations, divorce, etc.) and establish an alternative process and approach to addressing these complex issues.
The AFN also expressed concern over the provisional rules that will apply to the division of property until, and if, a First Nation enacts a law over matrimonial property pursuant to the delegated law making powers in the Bill.
The Bill has since completed committee review with minor amendments and we can expect it to be on the agenda in the House of Commons when it reconvenes in September.
MCIVOR
In April 2009, in McIvor v. Canada (Registrar, Indian and Northern Affairs), the BC Court of Appeal ruled that Indian Act registration provisions – and the ability to pass on eligibility for registration – discriminate based on whether an individual traced their status through male or female ancestors.
As a result, the BCCA struck two sections of the Indian Act – 6(1)(a) and 6(1)(c)– and gave Parliament one year to fix the discrimination. Throughout the late summer and fall of 2009, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) held limited engagement sessions on its proposed approach to addressing the decision of the BCCA.
On March 11, 2010, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development tabled Bill C-3: Gender Equity in Indian Registration Act to respond to the McIvor decision.
BCAFN Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould, and UBCIC President Grand Chief Stewart Phillip presented on the Bill to the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and Northern Development during its hearings in May. Along with other witnesses, including Sharon McIvor, the submissions provided evidence supporting an end to gender discrimination in the Indian Act through Bill C-3 and encouraged Canada to go further and remove remaining areas of discrimination not addressed in Bill C-3. It was also made clear that the Government of Canada will
need to ensure that no further financial hardship or strain be imposed on First Nations’ governments or their citizens as a result of any amendments to the Indian Act registration provisions.
Most recently, on July 2, 2010, the BCCA gave Parliament an extension until January 31, 2011 to respond to the McIvor decision and amend the Indian Act. It is expected that the Bill will follow parliamentary process and proceed to 3rd Reading when the House sits in the Fall, followed by Senate review and finally to receive royal assent.
Bill S-11
Bill S-11: Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act was introduced in the Senate on May 26, 2010. First Nations agree that the crisis in drinking water must be addressed; however, the bill does not currently stand to effectively address this crisis, and stands to infringe on First Nations’ water rights. Debate on whether Bill S-11 should be read a second time occurred on June 1, June 8, and was adjourned on June 15. The Bill creates regulations regarding First Nations drinking water, but has no provisions for capacity to comply with these. Advocacy will continue on this matter when Parliament reconvenes in the fall.
C-21, REPEAL OF S.67 OF THE CANADIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT
Section 67 restricts the ability of people living or working in communities operating under the Indian Act to file complaints of discrimination if the discrimination they are complaining about is related to the Indian Act. The fiscal hardships associated with ensuring that communities are ready for the repeal of section 67 have not been adequately addressed, especially in the critical areas of communications, infrastructure needs, education, policy review and internal human rights mechanisms.
Legislation passed by Parliament opens the doors for discrimination complaints to be made in regard to decisions made under the Indian Act. An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act S.C. 2008,
c. 30, came into effect on June 18, 2008. For INAC, this took effect upon the passing of the legislation in 2008, but for First Nation governments it will take effect in June 2011.
The AFN will continue to push Canada to discharge its obligations as outlined in the legislation and ensure that First Nation communities are prepared and adequately resourced upon this provision coming into effect in June 2011.
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Brilliant!
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Characters such as Pickton, Olson and Bernardo should have been executed asap once their appeal period had expired. They are all degenerates and can never be rehabilitated. There is no logical reason to let these types live considering their lack of respect for the lives of their victims and the impact they have imposed on the families of their victims.
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Absolutely correct. They are degenerates that are FEEDING OFF YOU AND ME!
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The elephant in the room on this one is not being discussed nearly enough. With all the recent revelations about what the jury was not “allowed to hear”, once again we witness the machinations of a system bent towards the legal circus as performed by the high priced lawyers. The jury is treated like a bunch of twittering school girls who are not allowed to hear the mention of the unmentionables, lest they be “prejudicial”. Could not be given access to the entire cell block audio/video? Its kept out that he masturbated on the bed, but if his undercover cellmate had cussed at him or slapped him to get the bunk, you can bet that would be held up as grounds for dismissal of all charges.
We, the great unwashed, have no real understanding of the law, so the likes of Leask ‘et al’ (yet another tragedy) will tell us what we can hear and what we cannot, what is right and what is not, and explain the subtle nuances of law and order to us the uneducated. We allow ourselves to be spoon fed this pap on a daily basis.
Six violations of Pickton’s rights? Piffle. Did you read what these ghastly abridgments were? Please. And of course the now standard a delivered, apology, gee, we should have done better, because all manner of finger pointing at the authorities who did not have the old crystal ball fired up.
Which brings me to another bugbear, and that is the whining and sniveling of the relatives who nary lifted a finger in years of disconnect with relatives suffering from mind numbing addiction and related issues. Can the drum beats be heard for compensation or is that my imagination? After all we failed them as a society have we not?
An inquiry you say? I am all for it if it includes the examination of the legal poppycock , failures of the law in getting evidence into court, actions/inaction’s of relatives, role of the one sided media, etc. How about an explanation of how this case has gone from legal well-meaning ineptitude to empyreal absurdity?
As far as your invocation of the death penalty, you will have to fight me for the switch.
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NOTE TO READERS: THIS COMMENT IS REQUIRED READING. SUPERB!!!
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As much as most prisoners will suffer more in jail for their lifetime as compared to the death penalty my only fear is that a decade down the road the laws regarding parole change and this guy is out on the streets again.
Look at Olsen who has the right to request parole every few years and puts all the families back into their suffering. The only thing worse is if one of these times he actually succeeds and gets out on parole.
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Great point. I thought about this yesterday when I had to reread: “Pickton is sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 25 years”. Huh?! We should have two laws above that. One, that is life with no parole period and two, a second one that is the death penalty for people like him and Olson, Bernardo etc. Pickton might still be alive 25 years from now. Why would we even think of a parole hearing? The Tories need to change these laws NOW.
Meanwhile the families are imprisoned in their grief–for life.
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I’m of the opinion there’s much more to all this than has or will likely come out. One heard things about Piggie’s over the years. It could be too easy to shut people up forever if a) you’re of the powerful elite b) they’re out past even the fringes of society and c) there’s the likes of Pickton at hand to do the grisly business.
Something smells.
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I don’t disagree. I lived in North Burnaby for a brief time after I came back from NYC and I can tell you that I heard the same things but unless you’re a cop you will never know all. The cops I talk to, have steadfastly refused even a hint.
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I do know this: early 90s I was with an ensemble which performed at the odd (some very odd indeed
) venues down Skid R- uh, the lovely Downtown Eastside Neighborhood and it was “common knowledge” among the underclass that there was a serial killer preying on hookers “and the cops don’t wanna know.”
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Even before that, people knew. When I landed on the DTES in 2000, people were talking to me about 15 year of stories. Pity…
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Killing people to punish them for killing people is the height of hypocrisy.
Lock them away forever in solitary forever with no chance of parole, but killing them is hypocritical and frankly the easy way out.
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Setting aside the completely unfair reality that the families will “live” through for the rest of THEIR life sentences, you believe that keeping the ilk of Olson, Bernardo and Pickton alive at about a $1M per year is right? With no chance of rehabilitation?
No wonder this country has financial problems.
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I never said anything about the cost of keeping them in prison. That’s not my argument at all… Where did you get the 1million a year number?
The families of the victims will live with the result of the crime regardless. Ensuring they never see the light of day should be the goal, not killing them to prove how wrong they were to kill.
And a quick look at costs reveals this:
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/costs-death-penalty
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I’m well aware you didn’t. I did. My point is that they have earned their death. The families live with a death sentence–they never see their innocent loved one again. And then you want us to pay for these murderers to get cable and internet; comfy running shoes and free diabetic needles? Not on my dime, thx.
And your link is meaningless. Why would I want to look at costs in California or Maryland? Olson, Bernardo and Pickton are here.
I don’t care if they cost us a penny per year, it’s a penny too much. You’re against the death penalty. Congratulations.
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If your argment is a cost one, then what do you say to the evidence showing the death penatly is more expensive than lifetime in prison?
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That it’s horse shit. That’s a pile of stats compiled by accountants that don;t want the death penalty. Think before you write. It’s not possible for the process to be more expensive. IT’s only more expensive NOW, because of the years these scumbags get to sit on death row. If, IN CLEAR CUT CASES LIKE BERNARDO, OLSON AND PICKTON, you got rid of them off the bat then they’re would be little cost since thousands of us would happily volunteer to pull the lever.
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I would provide a link to evidence here but there is none because we don’t have the death penalty. I just don’t understand the logic behind supporting the death penalty, especially if it’s true that it costs more to the taxpayers.
I never said I want them to get cable tv and all that. I said solitary confinement. Why are you exaggerating my argument?
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Because you have no idea what they get. Olson “solitary” includes amenities that you would find in any full-furnished one bedroom, sans the shower. You need to read up on how good these bastards have it. Now juxtaposition the parent of sibling or friend sitting there staring at a picture of their loved one gone–forever. If those tears you feel jerking aren’t enough to tell you need to rethink this then nothing will.
No offense, but the aforementioned have EARNED their exit in spades.
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Fair enough, but what about all the other cases. Sure, we can prove guilty and kill guys like Olson relatively quickly, but then what about all the others that would waste time/resources appealing and appealing and appealing again?
And what if we end up killing them and find out later we were wrong? It’s happened numerous times in the US…
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Right, and that’s why I think in cases like Olson, now problem, hit the switch. But with others, and with DNA evidence the way it is now, the chances of killing an innocent man are almost zilch.
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