May 09
6
He’s gone mad.
Mayor Mandel, you’re off your nut.
Latest in his series of looney ideas is this – as reported by the Edmonton Journal:
“Even if we don’t want to take them into the criminal justice system, we can create a bylaw which might be just as effective. Give them a $200 fine for carrying a knife in public.”
I say:
This mayor has got a little case of “God Complex” going on. Pocket knives are neither prohibited or illegal in this country – and it’s pretty unlikely that anyone would be stupid enough to try – the gun registry is a joke – how well do you think they’d do ‘classifying’ pocket knives?
Who honestly believes that Mandel is skilled enough in criminology and ethics to determine what is acceptable and isn’t?
He actually wants to make the 2″ folding buck that I regularly carry (for opening boxes, bottles, strapping, battery compartments, licorice or shortening straws for my 2 year olds juice) criminal (or ‘bylaw violating’) in Edmonton?
What if it’s a steak knife I’m using on a patio outside a restaurant on the sidewalk? A swiss army knife? Leatherman? Is Mandel going to personally approve certain tools and disapprove of others?
Public safety is a reasonable concern, but put these measures where they belong. At the entrance to bars and nightclubs, on charter travel (bus / air) and major venues (concert / sport events).
Tourists and out of towners beware. While we’re at this ludicrous plan – better make note of this new ‘dictatorial decree’ on the big glass welcome to “Waste-monton” ‘fortress of solitude’ signs he wanted to erect too!
This radical and ridiculous effort to allow the public to be searched at-will by the Edmonton city police is a waste of resources, and a violation (I suspect) of the rights of citizens.
I see no end of Mandel’s ‘pet’ projects, but no real long term strategy for managing infrastructure, finance, or fiscal accountability in our cash bleeding city government. (Ask how much the city pays to lease a truck sometime).
Let it go Mandel. Your support at voting time is waning. Bury your head in the sand and hush before you’ve completely alienated the voters who thought you were a change for the better.
