It seems some comments I made about a recent overwide expansion of criminal law powers were noticed by the PMO and met with the reply, more or less, "he's a Liberal so what do you expect"?
I guess it's good to be perceived as a threat... . (It's like that old New Yorker cartoon of two fluffy bunnies where one says to the other "I know I'm not a threat but it would be nice to be seen to be a threat").
That said, I am a blue(ish) Liberal and sometimes agree with the Conservatives.
And, maybe I am the only person online saying it, but if the reporting of crime really is down because people think there's no point, then Stockwell Day may be right to say the reported crime rate is not reliable.
Now, there are lots of issues here -- why build prisons for criminals who commit unreported crime since they, obviously, won't go to jail -- but a decline in reporting crime is worrisome and Day is right to raise the issue.
And I think he has a point about unreported crime:
http://tinyurl.com/36axndj
5 comments:
How about this? If crime stats are down, because 'unreported crime' is up as ol' Stock says; then it would stand to reason crime rates were much lower prior to 1962 for the same reason; they weren't reported as much, due to cultural taboos during those times.
I only bring that up because, right wing columnists like Lorrie Goldstein and Tom Flanagan brought up 1962 or the 1950 in previous columns when comparing crime rates of 2009.
Either way, we don't need those prisons; and they're not what's going to bring crime down.
All one has to do is look to the US to see that these prisons and even the death penalty in some states don't deter crime and in fact, have higher crime rates than in Canada.
CK, That's a very good point - I hadn't thought of it!
Maybe people would start reporting crimes if they thought the courts would apply appropriate sentences?
But that's not the point, is it? Aren't we inundated with reports of overcrowded prisons, triple and quadruple bunking, and how that violates prisoner rights so much they get reduced sentences, early release, or no jail time at all? When was the last time we built a new federal prison?
ck...
Crime is down in the States. There are more people in prisons because there are longer sentences.
The rates may be higher than in Canada but they are down. Canada has a higher crime rate than many other places around the world.
"he's a Liberal so what do you expect"
Sadly James, they are right.
You have shown a bias on certain subjects and your reactions are easily predictable be it on Jewish matters or bears (only partially kidding here).
I do think that when it comes to matter of law and criminality that you have common sense, neutrality and facts... but when it comes to other matters, it would seem that emotions trump all....
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