tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591877594839783131.post7999383376859133278..comments2008-03-25T19:58:35.352-03:00T.J. Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15240195460226890843noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591877594839783131.post-28641187856538699362008-03-22T19:29:00.000-03:002008-03-22T19:29:00.000-03:00My arrest in Saint John is far from over Mike!!!<BR/><BR/>Nobody deletes my pictures and gets away with it!!!<BR/><BR/>I do know we have a problem of the poor being jailed for no good reason.<BR/><BR/>Are you going to confront this issue General Blogger???Charles LeBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904161889628998531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591877594839783131.post-63180643690177414112008-03-21T10:43:00.000-03:002008-03-21T10:43:00.000-03:00An odd quote to start-wouldn't ordering the kids to stop fighting also protect that kids rights? (isn't that what the justice system is for?) It's always up to parents to defend kid's rights since they can't access the court system to do so. To compare it to the bullying example, if you hit me I can sue you and/or have you charged with assault (in fact you'd be charged anyway), but for kids, well, here's a quote actually endorsing that kid getting the snot beat out of him (but at least he was 'defending his rights'). When adults are fighting outside the pubs do we tell cops to leave them alone because 'one of them is defending his rights' (probably the smaller and bloodier one). But maybe the quote was meant sarcastically.<BR/><BR/> I doubt too many question the validity of HAVING a court system, although many question its form and function. <BR/><BR/> There is plenty of evidence that the idea of 'jail' serves only to make hardened criminals. Judges have begun to accept that, for example with increased use of 'house arrest'-but even that is often said to be contridictory. Look at the Melanson case, its highly doubtful that forcing somebody to sit in their house all the time and watch TV is going to accomplish much. I would be surprised if a ban on internet use would even stand up to a supreme court challenge on basic rights, you need it in many cases just to find a job.<BR/><BR/> As for the form, there is considerable evidence that the structure of the court serves as a barrier. Those who don't understand it are at a clear disadvantage. You can look at Bonnie O'dea's case for example. As Charles frequently asks about the poor-how many are in jail simply because they can't present an adequate defense? <BR/><BR/> I don't know if its intentional, but you almost seem to be saying that critics of the justice system want anarchy in the streets. I don't know about New Brunswick, but lately here in Ontario courts have adopted many of the features of 'native justice'. They call it something different but that's where it comes from. In 'our' court system its a common complaint that victims or victim families never even get the opportunity to address those who have wronged them, leading to feelings of anger that must be expressed at society in general (and usually other criminials).<BR/><BR/> Then there are the cases like Charles, who is wrongfully arrested and has his rights trampled on yet has no resources to make the state 'own up' to what its done. In other jurisdictions people have successfully sued their governments for such rights abuses for millions, but if you have no money you are at a huge disadvantage.<BR/><BR/> That doesn't even mention the fact that the officer who arrested him was quite clearly (but lightly) chastised by the judge for lying under oath. That officer was then promoted. <BR/><BR/> That doesn't even get into the complex issues of lawmaking as canadians clearly don't think those with marijuana should have anything more than a fine for publicly smoking. <BR/><BR/> Those are just a couple quick examples off the top of my head, I don't think people have such black and white views. SOMETIMES they may think that, like where the guy got jail time for having bear meat in his freezer but the guy who killed people while drinking and driving got off relatively lightly.<BR/><BR/> A court makes hundreds of judgements a month, the fact of its existence is never an issue, just like problems in health care are never thought to be resolved by simply getting rid of doctors and medicine.Mikelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04028507494202589938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1591877594839783131.post-19122739609423926452008-03-20T23:52:00.000-03:002008-03-20T23:52:00.000-03:00Exactly!!! This is the reason I'm going to get to the bottom of my issue of what happen to me at Sweetwaters?<BR/><BR/>I might have to put a complaint to the Police next week.<BR/><BR/>Pretty bad....Charles LeBlanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13904161889628998531noreply@blogger.com