22 Sep Justice for Dave Wilson – lots of feedback

My postings here and on Facebook, voicing mixed feelings about Dave Wilson’s situation, provoked a ton of feedback. Publishing most of it will make for unusually long post, but it also shows public sentiment to be less lopsided than media coverage indicates.

In cases like this, I believe reporters seek out and highlight the most dramatic responses, usually the vengeance-seekers, and this distorts our impression of the public mood. Plenty of people agree with me that Wilson has already suffered mightily.

But not this neighbor:

As soon as he was caught, he went into hiding, now he’s fessing up. A thief is a thief. I’m not kicking him when he’s down. I just want him to pay for his crimes. I had a brother who went to the county for bootlegging when he had no work. He knew the job was dangerous when he took it. He got what he deserved and mama taught him better.

Dave will get his pension and this will blow over. Just don’t trust him with your signature. He is one of many who are the reason people don’t have any faith in governments and other large institutions, like the catholic church!

A Dartmouth resident:

Revoking [his pension] makes no morse sense than any other random, vindictive retribution the mob might conjure. I don’t care what [the neighbor quoted above] says, I think you’re you’re right to feel some pity for an addict. Gambling ruins lives. And the more we destroy the guy, the more we show other gambling addicts to keep their mouth shut and hope you win enough to hide your problem.

A reader:

Beautifully said.

Another reader:

I agree with your sentiments and arguments on this. Two successful and high profile MLAs publicly crumbling, with a gambling addiction the most likely poison, should have us questioning the social costs of that government-promoted world.

A Sydney businessman:

Well said, well done.

A former journalist who has moved on:

I don’t think you’re alone in that view on Dave Wilson. I always liked Dave, right back to the time I worked in the CJCB news room.

From a woman who has occupied high-profile federal and provincial posts in NS:

Thanks, Parker. You have expressed my view in far better, more complete terms than I could.

From a trade union official:

You softy, you.

From a reader

I have to agree with the sentiments expressed here. I also believe the Speaker of the House, Gordie Gosse, should appear in court and make a submission on sentencing. I firmly believe that Gordie should stress the damage caused to the reputations of all politicians and of all stripes. The idea of “tarring them all with the same brush” is not fair to the honest and conscientious politicians, whatever party they belong to. That is why I believe it is important to make a submission on behalf of all MLSs.

From Rick Howe:

Would you be available for a chat on my radio show re your thoughts on David? [And in response to my asking how he felt about it] I’m waffling. I, too, feel bad about David, he’s a friend, but I think a short jail sentence might be necessary to appease public outrage and send a message to other politicians.

A journalist who has moved on:

On the pension issue, point taken. There’s no provision in the Criminal Code for appropriating offenders’ pensions. But the rest — the “fine man who’s suffered enough” argument. Really? Ordinary scam-artists don’t suffer when the law catches up with them?

[And on further reflection] I agree about the disgusting bloodlust. Where does it come from? Is it from 3+ almost unbroken decades of short-sighted governance? Maybe Contrarian readers would like to catalogue the poor decisions for which we’re still paying the consequences: Buchanan’s decision to spend the offshore wealth before it made landfall; the neglect that’s causing Halifax rot from the centre outwards; the indifference behind the decision outsource the immigration file; Sysco; the decision to kneecap John Savage before he could stand for re-election, etc.

Or maybe people just sense that there is a ruling class in NS and it doesn’t care about the suckers who pay the bills. Maybe it’s the Bluenose equivalent of finally coming over the walls, lovingly sharpened sickles in hand and a gleam in the eye.

A reader:

Well said. Damn gambling got him and Zinck and goodness knows how many others have been victims of those damn machines. Just disgusting that all three parties refuse to say they will shut down the machines in bars and and anywhere else.

A Sydney woman:

His misdeeds – petty and poorly-executed, moves me to pity for it’s ineptitude and pathos rather than righteous indignation.

He “reads” to me, though, and again- unfortunately- as an older white man in a suit, seemingly above a little graft, or worse, entitled. Probably he believed in it a bit too much as well. Entitlement.

The real question might be – *ahem* – are you identifying with it a bit too much yourself? We hate to see the white male do such a shabby job of a little sad cheat.

After the jump, some responses from Facebook:

A neighbor:

Uncle Parker can still surprise me… In a good way.

Another neighbor:

My thoughts exactly, [First neighbor’s name]!

An Acadian friend:

Would you feel the same way if it was someone you didn’t particularly like? Just wondering? [Answer: For reasons I have explained to (Acadian friend) privately, I can confidently say yes.]

A cranky Rosstaferrian neighbor:

Something went seriously wrong with him.He seemed like a stand-up guy. Unfortunately, you do the crime, you do the time. There are others who have committed similar crimes and gotten a slap on the wrist. He probably will too. I feel sorry for his family!

Acadian friend again:

When all is said and done, we should always show compassion

Sydney resident:

Well, Parker, he will keep his MLA pension and when this is over, will be better off than many of his former constituents.

An FB Friend:

It does seem disingenuous that he’s the fall guy when the perception was that this is how politics worked here for years. Imagine how many would go down if they actually went back farther.

A Sydney friend:

His brother in law gave a good statement, to the effect of, “This is not the Dave Wilson I knew”

A staunch New Democrat:

At the risk of imposing an overwrought Shakespearean narrative, it’s interesting how his political career has come full circle. I wasn’t old enough to vote at the time, but I remember the scandal and disgrace with which his predecessor ay deserved better? For someone who has indeed done some good in his position, it’s a rather sad way to end things.

Cranky Rosstaferrian neighbor again:

He has nobody to blame but himself! If your mother, sibling, friends, community trust you to do better than the last guy, and you accept that challenge, if you screw up, knowing what you know, then you deserve what you get. Though some who have done the same things get a $5. fine and a very stern warning!

A Baddecker:

I dunno. I’m full of compassion, but it seems he had a higher standard to live up to. He was the guy who would take no prisoners on Talk Back, offer no excuses for politicians who overstepped their bounds. We all make choices in our lives, and we all encounter incredibly difficult obstacles and events. But most of us don’t chose to break the law in those instances. If you do, shouldn’t you have to face the consequences?

An FB friend:

He gets to keep his pension, if that is not compassion I don’t know what is.

Contrarian responds:

What can I say? One of my character flaws is that my sympathies always go to the sinner. There is no excuse for what he did. But, he has pled guilty, and so far as I can tell he has co-operated with the authorities, which probably saved the system far more money than he stole. And without question, his losses are staggering: his job, his future employment, his family, his home, the respect of his community. He will probably go to jail. So, shoot me: I feel bad for the guy.

As for his pension, I cannot for the life of me see how that has any relevance. He will be sentenced by a judge who will have to weigh all the factors — his violation of a position of trust, the amount he stole, his guilty plea, his remorse, restitution, his losses — and decide a fair sentence. That is what our system of laws provides, that a judge will look at all the factors and decide what’s fair. You seem to want that process to take place and then come back again to take away a pension he earned over 10 years as what most people say was a pretty good MLA. You mayor may not like our system of MLAs’ pensions, but he earned that fair and square under the rules. I think demands that he lose his pension are mean-spirited and vindictive, and if it did happen, it would mainly hurt his family. Punish the guy fairly according to the rule of law, but don’t add an additional extra-legal punishment because he once held elected office.

That FB friend again:

Unsympathetic and not the least bit spiteful or vindictive, just know right from wrong, ’tis all.

Sydney resident again:

Restitution comes up on this one and you wonder about the sudden parting of the ways (reported in the media) and division of assets, including the pension, under family law. The other point is: what about the others: Russell MacKinnon, Richard Hurlburt and my personal favourite, Trevor Zinck?

Contrarian again:

Read the comments on the CB Post story http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2011-09-13/article-2747565/Former-MLA-Wilson-pleads-guilty/1 and tell me the response is not vindictive. What he did was terribly wrong and deserves punishment, perhaps jail time. But to imagine he has not been punished is to be blinded by vindictiveness and self-righteousness.

I do not read the local media much, and know nothing of his marital status or any division of assets, but if he has acted to protect the wellbeing of his wife and family, I cannot fault him. My point is that it’s up to a judge to assess all the facts, and the law, and come up with a punishment that fits both. I hope the judge will not assume that all Cape Bretoners are screaming for blood, because at least one is not.

A Victoria County mother:

Yup I feel bad for him because he screwed up royally!

Sydney resident again:

Speaking of the TV media, noticed Bruno pacing about two feet behind Wilson as he entered/exited the courtroom…some people never let it go, do they?

Contrarian:

Oy vey! I rest my case.

A former Caper exiled to Halifax:

How about his pension is adjusted so that the years he was double dipping are not included as contributions. Now thats fair.

A sitting member of the NS Legislature:

oh to be so human in this world…so what has Dave Wilson taught us??? what will be his legacy??? what has his personal journey through this world, this earthly existence taught him??? who has his energy – positive or in the current light negative – touched? in what way and why??? and he will leave shoes… shoes that in some ways are too big to fill and in others ways shoes that many have and many will walk in – in some way.

A former journalist who worked with Dave Wilson:

I don’t feel sorry for Dave, but I do regret that it has come to this. I reserve my sympathies for his family, who will suffer for something they had no hand in. Had this been a one of, a dalliance, or DUI or the like, I could find it in my heart to pity Dave. Who among us hasn’t done something stupid, that we immediately regret? According to court documents, this abuse of the public purse and public trust had gone on for four years. It was systematic, and devious. This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment. I don’t feel particularly vindictive though, I just think he should pay the appropriate penalty under law for his admitted crimes. I do agree with Parker that his pension was earned and should not be interfered with.

Sydney resident again:

I doubt very much that he will end up sharing a cell with Jimmie Melvin at the CNSCC or with anyone else for that matter.

With that, we’ll close the discussion and wait for the judge to decide.