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| Mike Farrell: An American Hero |
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| Activist jailed for ten months |
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Mike Farrell dropped into town last night to promote his new autobiography, "Just Call Me Mike". He may be better known to most as B.J. Hunnicutt from M.A.S.H., but Mike Farrell also deserves recognition as a tireless campaigner against the death penalty, against the Iraq war and against the destruction of the environment, to list but a few of his causes. These are some of the things he is against, but as those who turned out to hear him speak learned, he is for the human race.
Of this I am sure; if there were more Mike Farrells the world would be a much better place.
Buy his book.
Betty Krawczyk, 78, an environmental activist, author, political candidate and great-grandmother, was today sentenced to ten months in jail for her part in a peaceful political demonstration against Olympic-related road construction activities at Eagleridge Bluffs in West Vancouver last year.
The judge said this: "In mitigation, Mrs. Krawczyk’s protests were not violent. She has no criminal record other than for contempt. She is 78 years old. She has contributed to society by raising children and grandchildren. "
Although the province of British Columbia is considered a democracy governed by the rule of law, it is also a jurisdiction that has come up with a creative way of punishing political dissidents. Rather than have people charged with breaking laws enacted by their duly elected representatives, the conventional way of dealing with public disorder, the government enlists the courts to have objectionable conduct characterized as contempt of court. It does so by encouraging the use of injunctions issued in sham civil proceedings. There is no statutory punishment for contempt of court resulting from the violation of a civil injunction; it is entirely up to a judge's discretion as to how to punish such a "contempt of court".
In a way, it's a relief that Ms. Krawczyk was sentenced to merely spend some 300 days in jail; the judge could have imposed any punishment available under the English common law. Theoretically, the judge could have ordered that Betty be hanged at dawn.
All glibness aside, we may really be on to something here. As the 2010 Winter Olympic Games approach, the government should prevail on the BC Supreme Court to issue injunctions restraining anyone from panhandling, being homeless, standing too long in one place, dressing inappropriately, and the like. Those who violate such court orders can then be locked up in jail for months so as not to embarrass the government when the five ring circus comes to town.
And in an ironic note...
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