Chris Budgell has left a new comment on your post "Lori Douglas persecuted?"There is a widespread presumption that Ms. Douglas will resign before the inquiry is completed. A National Post editorial has said unequivocally that she should resign. On the basis of what the public has been told so far I would encourage her to stand her ground. The more consequential questions that all journalists, professional and otherwise, are not asking relate to the conduct of the CJC itself.
For example, why would it take nearly a year from the filing of the complaint to decide to proceed with what they are calling a "public inquiry"? What was Alberta Chief Justice Wittmann doing with the complaint until January examining the photos under an electron microscope perhaps? This is an opportunity to subject the Canadian Judicial Council to some public scrutiny.
Unfortunately, the Canadian press corp, as usual, is reluctant to undertake any real investigative journalism, as that might encourage the public to question the legitimacy of one of our governing institutions.
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Dear Chris Budgell:
Thank you for contacting CyberSmokeBlog.
You've raised a couple very interesting points. While we agree like any institution the policies and procedures of the CJC should come under periodic, independent third-party scrutiny, lest it lose sight of why it's there and become a power unto itself, we don't think Ms Douglas is the shining example to do this. Members are appointed by the government who, in turn, is elected by the people. Untimately, we the taxpayers bear that responsibility.
Completely agree with your last point. Two examples come to mind the first being http://www.fulldisclosure.net/ a site hosted by layperson Leslie Dutton - we've previously featured some of their stories. As an aside, in some cases the judiciary of Southern California has been unbelievably incompetent, corrupt - whatever the descriptives. It has become so bad even private citizens are filing lawsuits against judges plus there's one former US prosecutor (Richard I. Fine) who's now involved. Highly recommend the site.
Another example. In a story we'll be working on shortly several American states (e.g. Texas, Virginia, California, etc.) have Citizens Against Abusive Lawsuit movements. We could find no such organization in Canada.
Perhaps American documentary film maker Michael Moore said it best recently while commenting on the case of the young Senate Page (Brigette DePape) who held up the "Stop Harper" sign durning the last throne speech:
I think that Canada and Canadians probably need to put aside the full respect thing and bring out their inner hockey stick and get to work on preventing their government from turning into a version of ours.
Look at the picture (above) of the 35-Canadian Judicial Council members. See anything unusual? Not one layperson. Do judges and lawyers have an exclusive monopoly on brains? Same old, same old. Judges judging judges, lawyers regulating lawyers, police investigating police, .....
Last word to Abraham Lincoln. In the end people get the kind of government they deserve. Alternatively stated, go ahead disengage but don't complain when jerks get elected or appointed.
Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
Footnote: Had a fascinating conversation with a lawyer recently who raised an interesting question. Was Justice Douglas the victim of an unlawful invasion of privacy?