PM and Family Held Hostage On 24 Sussex Drive

[betsy]

That's what CTV newscaster laughingly said as she got this scoop from a journalist reporter. Apparently some environmental activists had chained themselves on the gate of Harper's residence, and as of this writing, the RCMP have not been able to break the chains. Harper and family are inside their residence and couldn't go out.

Although the newscaster may find this incident so amusing, I however, do not see it as a laughing matter.

I hope those activists will be criminally charged.

[NowDefeatPoverty]

That's what CTV newscaster laughingly said as she got this scoop from a journalist reporter. Apparently some environmental activists had chained themselves on the gate of Harper's residence, and as of this writing, the RCMP have not been able to break the chains. Harper and family are inside their residence and couldn't go out.

Although the newscaster may find this incident so amusing, I however, do not see it as a laughing matter.

I hope those activists will be criminally charged.

I see the Harper's new environment policy is being implemented quickly. CTV providing good spin as per usual...

[Martin Chriton]

Should of shot them off.

[jbg]

Only one means of egress?

[Argus]

Should of shot them off.

Personally, I'd truck them off to the airport and send them to Afghanistan.

[Charles Anthony]

I actually admire that protest strategy although I do not defend their motives in this particular case.

Only one means of egress?

Personally, I would hope not. I would hope that there was a secret passage-way in case of an emergency -- maybe even unknown to the Prime Minister himself. However, using a secret passage-way in a case other than an emergency would not be prudent.

[jbg]

Should of shot them off.

I would have just hacksawed through the protesters.

[White Doors]

The PM wasn't there.

[betsy]

I'm not sure if this is true but yesterday watching Budget 2007 on CTV, Conservatist Strategist Tim Powers said that prior to the incident, the protesters were seen in the office (?) of the Liberal Party leader.

[betsy]

I actually admire that protest strategy although I do not defend their motives in this particular case.

The RCMP had to get a special cutter to use. If any of the protesters got injured in the process of cutting the chain...like let's say, an arm or a finger just suddenly falls off....will tax-payers be saddled with the following lawsuit and of course in this type of mental climate pervading the world, almost certainly the compensation package? Heaven forbid the RCMP draws any blood!

[Charles Anthony]

The RCMP had to get a special cutter to use.

The protesters probably knew that would be the case.

I admire this form of protest because it is a display of courage and risk of severe sacrifice on the part of the protester. Ultimately, whatever misfortune that might occur will be the worst for the protester.

I do not know what the weather was like over there but my guess was that it was cold. I challenge you Betsy to imagine (let alone try) chaining yourself to a fence outside in the cold knowing full-well that you could not free yourself and that it would be difficult for others to do so on your behalf. Some people would have a hard enough time holding their bladder for more than an hour out in the cold.

I also challenge you Betsy to figure out a more effective way of getting the attention of your Prime Minister. At the very least, the Prime Minister's children will probably grow up with a slightly more inquisitive mind and a sense of responsibility to their fellow tax-payers than did previous children that lived in 24 Sussex Drive -- that alone is a laudable goal whether it be successful or not.

[White Doors]

This was a grandstanding publicity stunt. I do not admore their thirst for media coverage.

What a dumb thing to admire.

[Martin Chriton]

I admire this form of protest because it is a display of courage and risk of severe sacrifice on the part of the protester. Ultimately, whatever misfortune that might occur will be the worst for the protester.

They blocked the only exit out of that place. What if there was a medical emergency?

[hiti]

I'm not sure if this is true but yesterday watching Budget 2007 on CTV, Conservatist Strategist Tim Powers said that prior to the incident, the protesters were seen in the office (?) of the Liberal Party leader.

Well if you are not sure that this is true, why are you repeating the lie?

[Wilber]

Well if you are not sure that this is true, why are you repeating the lie?

Not necessarily a lie but unless it could be substantiated, it shouldn't have been brought up.

[Charles Anthony]

They blocked the only exit out of that place. What if there was a medical emergency?

Lame.

If that was truly the only exit out of that place, I would suggest they send a helicopter to the rescue.

Part of me wants to think that the Prime Minister has marginally better security at his disposal than do either you or I.

[Black Dog]

The interwebs are a bountiful place.

Five Greenpeace activists were arrested Monday in Ottawa after chaining themselves to the front gates of the prime minister's official residence.

More than a dozen activists gathered in front of 24 Sussex Drive to protest against what they say is Stephen Harper's failure to implement the Kyoto protocol.

The four attached themselves to the gates at about 7 a.m. ET while holding signs labelling the prime minister a "climate criminal."

The RCMP failed in initial attempts to cut the chains linking the members of the environmental group to both iron gates. They called in a special unit and used a grinder to cut them away.

It was not known whether Harper was inside his official residence at the time of the protest.

Also, those who think these people should be physically harmed or deported for peacefully expressing their views should be ashamed of themselves (assuming of course, that they are capable of such an emotion). I guess it goes to show that there's a little jackbooted thug in everyone, just waiting to get out.

[White Doors]

I guess it goes to show that there's a little jackbooted thug in everyone, just waiting to get out.

Yes, they chained thelselves to the PM's fence only yesterday. Apparently he is a climate criminal.

LOL

Off to the gulag with him!

[jbg]

Also, those who think these people should be physically harmed or deported for peacefully expressing their views should be ashamed of themselves (assuming of course, that they are capable of such an emotion). I guess it goes to show that there's a little jackbooted thug in everyone, just waiting to get out.

Are you saying that chainsawing through the protesters would harm them?

[Keepitsimple]

If anyone makes donations to Greenpeace, keep in mind that some of your money is going to fund these "activists" (bozos). In the documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle" that can be viewed on Youtube, the co-founder of Greenpeace explains why he left the organization. He said over time, most of the major issues that Greenpeace was formed to address, were more or less accepted by governments of the day. He left because they pretty well ran out of issues to generate revenue and were getting more and more extreme in their causes and the manner that they pursued them.

[White Doors]

If anyone makes donations to Greenpeace, keep in mind that some of your money is going to fund these "activists" (bozos). In the documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle" that can be viewed on Youtube, the co-founder of Greenpeace explains why he left the organization. He said over time, most of the major issues that Greenpeace was formed to address, were more or less accepted by governments of the day. He left because they pretty well ran out of issues to generate revenue and were getting more and more extreme in their causes and the manner that they pursued them.

Greenpeace is no longer a credible environmental organization.

They are a ripe watermelon for sure.

Their cause, initially just, has been hijacked.

[Wilber]

If anyone makes donations to Greenpeace, keep in mind that some of your money is going to fund these "activists" (bozos). In the documentary "The Great Global Warming Swindle" that can be viewed on Youtube, the co-founder of Greenpeace explains why he left the organization. He said over time, most of the major issues that Greenpeace was formed to address, were more or less accepted by governments of the day. He left because they pretty well ran out of issues to generate revenue and were getting more and more extreme in their causes and the manner that they pursued them.

Greenpeace is no longer a credible environmental organization.

They are a ripe watermelon for sure.

Their cause, initially just, has been hijacked.

According to their financial report, Greenpeace's income for 2005 was over 173 million Euros or 268 M CAD or 231M USD. Just over 44 million Euros of that went for fund raising for a net income of over 129 million Euros. It is a very big business.

[betsy]

I admire this form of protest because it is a display of courage and risk of severe sacrifice on the part of the protester. Ultimately, whatever misfortune that might occur will be the worst for the protester.

It's easy to be "courageous" when you know the kind of society/people/mentality we're dealing with.

I challenge you Betsy to imagine (let alone try) chaining yourself to a fence outside in the cold knowing full-well that you could not free yourself and that it would be difficult for others to do so on your behalf. Some people would have a hard enough time holding their bladder for more than an hour out in the cold.

But I'm not protesting! I kinda agree with the Conservative outlook on environmental issues!

I also challenge you Betsy to figure out a more effective way of getting the attention of your Prime Minister. At the very least, the Prime Minister's children will probably grow up with a slightly more inquisitive mind and a sense of responsibility to their fellow tax-payers than did previous children that lived in 24 Sussex Drive -- that alone is a laudable goal whether it be successful or not.

Never mind challenging me, Charles. Instead I challenge Greenpeace protesters to do their "protests" where there's really a need to protest. I challenge them to chain themselves to the gates of the presidential palace in Beijing....or to the gates of the compound of Mugabe...and hug-a-tree on some mountains in Asia and other countries notoriously wrecking the environment!

I will gladly give donations for their trip to these places if they show "courage" where it's truly deserved!

[betsy]

I'm not sure if this is true but yesterday watching Budget 2007 on CTV, Conservatist Strategist Tim Powers said that prior to the incident, the protesters were seen in the office (?) of the Liberal Party leader.

Well if you are not sure that this is true, why are you repeating the lie?

No one refuted Tim Powers when he said that. Liberal Strategist Scott Reid was right there. It would've been just so easy for me to say that is it...and leave it at that.

I'm just saying "I'm not sure"...because you never know in politics. At least I'm trying to be fair....

[Black Dog]

It's easy to be "courageous" when you know the kind of society/people/mentality we're dealing with.

Well, shit, I'd say that going to jail and gettinmg a criminal record are significant consequenses in our society. I doubt many poo-pooers here would have the same courage of thier convictions.

But I'm not protesting! I kinda agree with the Conservative outlook on environmental issues!

Then pick another issue and apply the comparison there.

Never mind challenging me, Charles. Instead I challenge Greenpeace protesters to do their "protests" where there's really a need to protest. I challenge them to chain themselves to the gates of the presidential palace in Beijing....or to the gates of the compound of Mugabe...and hug-a-tree on some mountains in Asia and other countries notoriously wrecking the environment!

I will gladly give donations for their trip to these places if they show "courage" where it's truly deserved!

I don't get it. What would good would it do to go overseas to protest Canadian environmental policies?