Svend Robinson...

[bevvyd]

BC politics, I think we got the best comedy show going.

Banging pots and pans, that's hilarious. They could call the cops but the Oak Bay PD has always been fun to play with. I went to school at Oak Bay Sr. & Jr. and I remember many nights out running the police (overweight slows you down), climbing a tree and watching them huff and puff when they would run underneath you. We had so many hiding places between Oak Bay Marina and Cadboro Bay they could never find us. They knew we were around, but where???? Used to wave and smile nicely as I rounded a corner from our latest retreat on my way home (Fairfield). Oh don't worry gang, we never did anything that caused any damage to personal property, we didn't steal, just young with a six pack and a bag (remember nickel and dime bags, Ha!)of Mexican (no BC bud wasn't the thing back then) looking for a place to enjoy.


Now back to Svend,

If he had not used stress as a reason for stealing a very expensive ring and had the judge not considered it in his finding and sentencing, then by all means he should have been treated like everyone else in that position. But they seem to have given him great leniency because he was 'stressed'. I mean we are all stressed between work, kids, commuting, etc. But I sure as heck don't use it as an excuse for doing anything illegal or hurtful. When I'm stressed I like to read, walk, ride and most of all spend a wonderful weekend at Harrison Hotsprings sitting in the hot springs, swimming up to the bar for a refill, and having someone wait on me hand and foot. Svend might want to give it a try.

 

[maggienow]

I think his punishment was too lenient as well. If I were the judge I would have made him listen to all of Stockwell Day’s speeches twice! I can assure you he would never steal again!

 

[peapod]

Maybe Svend needs a remake by the queer eye gang! but he is not straight! oh well maybe they can do something for him

Bevvy you really really crack me up! I must have ran into somewhere on this island! Maybe we attended a few of the same lofty sories! You definately were my kind of rebel without a cause. Up the tree uh? We had lots of forests to hide out in. You were one uppty teenager tho, live in shawigan lake, go to school in oak bay! living in fairfield, snotty little bitch! All I had was Alberni Secondary School, the bowling alley, the J&L drive in and hamburger heights. We had RCMP to play with tho, not beer gut city police. I think BC bud back than was more like parsley. Good in spaghetti sauce.

 

[bevvyd]

Peapod,

Grew up in Fairfield, went to Oak Bay and moved to Shawnigan in about grade 10 and commuted with my mom who dropped me off at the bus stop. But a snob I am not. I didn't fit in too well cause I didn't get a TR6 for my 16th birthday like everyone else. Everyone's mommy & daddy was a somebody, except mine who were just a hard working somebody but held no political office. It's funny now to run into those snots as they work in some divey place because mommy & daddy don't hold office anymore, or they lost all their investments. It was just genuinely nice to see all those kids who thought they had it all, realize they had nothing without mom & dad. But man was it tough being a teenager there. Being ignored and dismissed because they didn't like the sweater you were wearing or because you weren't THE most popular girl in school was hard sometimes. Glad I'm not a teenager anymore.

I bet we have run into each other or probably know people in common. Port Alberni looks like it could be a fun place to grow up in, not too many police so you can keep an eye on them, lots of woods and wildlife.

Queer eye gang :lol: , mind you his boyfriend isn't bad looking, a little young maybe but hey, to each their own.

 

[peapod]

Bevvy you poor little girl, picked on were ya. If I had known I would have come down with my little gang of red necks from Port Alberni, we use to love putting the snooty ones and the bullies in their place! on the ground!!! actually I would not have been able to fight my way out of a paper bag, but one thing you learn in Port is to puff up like a priaire chicken, and have tough friends. People leave you alone when they think your nuts! Yes it was a great place to grow up in, most people I know never left, born and still live there. The people are great there, and for some reason its reasurring to go there and still run into people you use to play hopscotch with, and later progressed with them from chalk to the beer and hoots and training rcmp officers :lol:

BC politics you gotta love, B.C. voters here like the theory of political governance more than the reality. We elect the left only to long for the right. We vote for the hard-nosed businessmen only to dream of the soft-hearted socialists. We yearn for things to get better, and then ensure they never do by tossing out one government after another." I cannot wait until this one is tossed out!
Well island girl, I am done submitting the payroll in this hot hot hole in the wall office. As braveheart said, Freedom!. I am outta here, Elk lake for a swim! catch you tomarrow.

 

[Solo712]

Dvd I guess that what we have judges for. They are better able to make decsions based on the laws of the land instead of emotions. In a way we should be grateful for that, otherwise svend would have been lynched by now.

:roll: Laws of the land ? We don't have judges interpreting the laws of the land any more, my friend. They make laws now ! I suspect that judge Fratkin could not weigh the element of moral turpitude in sentencing Svend because he does not know what it is. He said Svend stole 'a bauble, a trinket'.

Well, it was a diamond ring, valued at over 60k by the house, and it was the object with which Mr Robinson intended to solemnize his conjugal vows to Max Riveron. That is THE TRUTH, isn't it ? That is the ugly truth that must not be seen. Svend Robinson, the most prominent gay rights activist in Canada was caught on camera stealing an engagement ring for his same-sex marriage ceremony.

Judge Fratkin acted like the good memeber of the judiciary, who collectively has been playing the thieving magpie with the issue of marriage re-definition. Surely he could be relied upon to close his eyes to the moral bankrupcy of Mr Robinson, which had him perform a clever sleight of hand, remove the jacket with the concealed jewelry into his car, and return to the auction hall for amiable chit chat.

A day later, the apparently stress free Svend lectured to an East Indian community in the LM. The procecution failed to obtain the tape and play it for the judge. Another deal with the devil ? You bet. Imagine, the media announcing this: Mr Robinson who introduced the bill for same-sex marriage in the Parliament has been found criminally culpable in making the honest man out of his sweetheart. Must not be ! Must not be seen for what it is !

No, I don't think most of us who dislike Svend Robinson want him in jail. I would have been satisfied with a fine and a suspended sentence. We just don't like the oozing dishonesty and lobotomizing by those who tolerate thiefs among us.

 

[peapod]

Does it really matter what he stole? theft is theft no matter what the item is. The fact that he stole a diamond bothers me alot, if he was going to steal a ring why a diamond! I thought svend would know better than that. After all, anyone who knows where diamonds come from and how they are obtained should be ashamed to even wear one. Unless of course its the canadian diamond artic ice, obtained without turning childern into bonafide killing machines.

Why not go and and read judgements in the provincial courthouse database online. His sentence is no more out of line than other cases of similar circumstances.

I am not defending svend robinson or his actions. I can read why the judge came to his conclusions, and sorry but they made sense to me. Call me a duffus.

One crime, one mistake, one error in judgement does not define a person. What he did was wrong and it was a crime and he should pay his debt to society. Its judges that decide what the debt will be, even if we think it is wrong.

I don't see what the same sex marriage issue has to do with any of it. Maybe that is your real issue.

 

[Reverend Blair]

I don't see what the same sex marriage issue has to do with any of it. Maybe that is your real issue.

That'd be my guess.

He said Svend stole 'a bauble, a trinket'.

Unless Svend stole a practical diamond...say for an industrial drill...it is a bauble and/or a trinket.

 

[peapod]

Unless Svend stole a practical diamond...say for an industrial drill...it is a bauble and/or a trinket.[/quote]

LOL now that was very funny reverend :lol:

 

[Reverend Blair]

I've never had much luck with/respect for jewellry, Peapod. Mrs. Rev never even bothered trying to get me a wedding ring...she'd seen me destroy or lose too many baubles and trinkets already. ;-)

 

[bevvyd]

ahhemm,

Being a Tooling Buyer, that would be a PCD (polycrystalline Diamonds) industrial drill. Sorry but I had to say that, it's my life.

My best friends daughter got caught shoplifting just the other year. It was a $7.50 item from a drug store. She was given 30 hours community service work and 5 counselling sessions. And Svend got what for his $50K error in judgement. Counselling and 100 hours community service. Not enough, not near enough.

 

[peapod]

Tool buyer are you bevvy, man you really are an island girl. Guess that means you have your lee valley catalogue handy. Favorite tool the dremel! I have every attachment it makes. The router is another favorite. Just got their book of knots, very interesting stuff.

Do you think Svend will go back into politics? Do you think BC'ers will allow it, or is he finished? The crown council can always appeal his sentence.

 

[bevvyd]

I do shop at Lee Valley but that is mainly woodworking tools, I buy CNC machine tooling, coolets, chucks, endmills, drills, coolants, etc. Not very glamorous but challenging all the same.

Will Svend come back into politics, yes I think so but more invigorated than before. He'll have his past experience to use as a soap box or take up being the Minister of the RCMP or something like that, or maybe CSIS. Scary!

 

[Solo712]

I am not defending svend robinson or his actions. I can read why the judge came to his conclusions, and sorry but they made sense to me. Call me a duffus.

Well, it sounds to me like you are very much in favour of a non-sentence. Call me whatever you want.

One crime, one mistake, one error in judgement does not define a person. What he did was wrong and it was a crime and he should pay his debt to society. Its judges that decide what the debt will be, even if we think it is wrong.

Again, sounds like double-talk. 'He should pay his debt to society', sure but you are ok with the judge finding his shenanigans not worth more than a discharge.

He should have a record. It was his first theft but he had one conviction previously (I am not sure if he 'collected' anything for Sue Rodriguez). But of course, he won't receive a record because that would inconvenience his international travel. Layton sent him to Sweden last month as a part of parliamentary delegation (on taxpayers' expense). Not anything wrong with that either, I suppose.

I don't see what the same sex marriage issue has to do with any of it. Maybe that is your real issue

Sure, it's my real issue. You and your friends not 'seeing it' is also my real issue. That is what I said, did I not ?

 

[Solo712]

Unless Svend stole a practical diamond...say for an industrial drill...it is a bauble and/or a trinket.

I take it, reverend, that in the ceremonies you perform it is 'with this bauble I betroth thee' :roll:

 

[bevvyd]

If he was so stressed out why did he go on this official junket? Not only is he under medical care, possibly medication but he's also off the job, completely 100%. But I guess Jack sees it differently. Idiot.

 

[peapod]

owner and operator of a difficult sense of humor, what the heck does the gay marriage issue have to do with the diamond heist? You seem a little homo phobic. Sounds to me like you want Svend punished for his sexuality more than his crime.

It does not matter if I think svend got the punishment he deserves, I am not in a position to dispense that punishment, judges are. Would you prefer his hand was cut off, black and white, yes or no, no grey area. In this country judges consider all factors in sentencing. You should start a grass roots movement to remove the judge that offends you, I am sure you will have many followers. Being a homosexual is not a crime. Being a thief is.
Now I am going on a holiday.

 

[Reverend Blair]

I take it, reverend, that in the ceremonies you perform it is 'with this bauble I betroth thee'

Actually in the few marriages I've done I let the couples write their own vows. If they want me to say, "With this PCD (polycrystalline Diamonds) industrial drill, I betroth thee," then that's what I say. It's their wedding, after all.

He should have a record.

Why? What would that accomplish? I think any potential future employers are likely to be aware of his transgression.

It was his first theft but he had one conviction previously

Completely unrelated. There is no specific pattern of criminality here.

But of course, he won't receive a record because that would inconvenience his international travel.

Like Bush and Campbell are inconvenienced by their criminal records.

Layton sent him to Sweden last month as a part of parliamentary delegation (on taxpayers' expense). Not anything wrong with that either, I suppose.

Are you jealous because he got a trip and you didn't? It is not uncommon for people who have been working in high level positions, in government or the private sector, to travel to final meetings to wrap up loose ends or just say good-bye. It is usually paid for by their employers or former employers.

Sure, it's my real issue. You and your friends not 'seeing it' is also my real issue. That is what I said, did I not ?

I get the very real feeling that if Svend was a straight guy who belonged to the conservative party and had been caught embezzling $50 K for his female fiance, that you'd be defending him not getting a criminal record.

 

[Solo712]

I take it, reverend, that in the ceremonies you perform it is 'with this bauble I betroth thee'

Actually in the few marriages I've done I let the couples write their own vows. If they want me to say, "With this PCD (polycrystalline Diamonds) industrial drill, I betroth thee," then that's what I say. It's their wedding, after all.

In other words, in your church just about anything passes for matrimonial ceremony. Does it surprise me ?

He should have a record.

Why? What would that accomplish? I think any potential future employers are likely to be aware of his transgression.

It would accomplish two things, reverend: one, it would properly sanction the moral turpitude the act involved. Two, it would serve notice that no one is above the law.

Svend would have had the opportunity to ask for pardon and have the conviction struck off his record, if this was truly an act which is out of character.

It was his first theft but he had one conviction previously

Completely unrelated. There is no specific pattern of criminality here.

I am not at all concerned with a pattern of criminality here. My concern is with Svend's demonstrated belief that he is above the law, and that he can get away with a lot.

Obviously, you did not give much thought to the proposition that if professional legislators lead in showing contempt for the laws they enact most people will follow. Or do you care ?

Layton sent him to Sweden last month as a part of parliamentary delegation (on taxpayers' expense). Not anything wrong with that either, I suppose.

Are you jealous because he got a trip and you didn't? It is not uncommon for people who have been working in high level positions, in government or the private sector, to travel to final meetings to wrap up loose ends or just say good-bye. It is usually paid for by their employers or former employers.

How do you know that I did not get a trip ? Would 'jealousy' be the only plausible explanation of my position ?

Sure, it's my real issue. You and your friends not 'seeing it' is also my real issue. That is what I said, did I not ?

I get the very real feeling that if Svend was a straight guy who belonged to the conservative party and had been caught embezzling $50 K for his female fiance, that you'd be defending him not getting a criminal record.

Well, that's where you are wrong ! You don't understand principles and sense of values. You will wed whoever and on whatever terms in your cozy church - with a pneumatic drill up their verily sex organs...if that is what they want.

But I have kids and I care about the society they are growing up in. I have a sense of right and a sense of wrong. It's not up for sale to anyone. Hear ? Anyone ! My eight-year old boy already knows sir Walter Scott's maxim for manhood: 'Honour is man's gift to himself!' By golly, my boy will be a man ! A gentle, bright man ! Straight as an arrow ! You have my word on it !

 

[Solo712]

owner and operator of a difficult sense of humor, what the heck does the gay marriage issue have to do with the diamond heist? You seem a little homo phobic. Sounds to me like you want Svend punished for his sexuality more than his crime.

Yes, I have been called 'homophobic' before :roll: , especially by people who don't have a clue. Have you read any Jean Genet BTW ?

He was a brilliantly simple man, nearly illiterate who wrote in the 1940s-1960'2 incredibly complex autobiographical novels. He bared his soul, the tortured soul of a derelict, a robber, a sexual marginal. He morphs from a macho man to a submissive femme. He lives hand to mouth, dreaming of being a saint - not knowing he is a saint; he is a liar, a thief, a fairy who has no 'ulterior motives'. Follow ? So, listen, this guy once goes to a bar dressed as a woman because his lover forced him. There he meets an aged prostitute in the company of some officers who - upon seeing he's more degraded than she - condescends to him. Genet flies into a rage. To avenge himself, he steals the wallet of one of her escorts.

Now, the reason I don't approve of same-sex marriage is because it is the officer's stolen wallet ! It's not that I don't have a heart or that I want to condescend to gays (although I sometimes do, especially when I feel they are condescending to my culture - Svend certainly is a master in that). No, I am simply saying - we have to live with what we are. We can - and should - have civil unions to take care of the real and legitimate needs of gay people who live in committed relationships. But we cannot call them by the same name as opposite sex relationships. To bring into the world a human being takes two, not three people ! The union of a man and a woman should have a special designation !