Monday, May 05, 2003

No Self-Defense Please, We're British. Reader Nathan Centofanti sends a link to this story in England's Independent: Government lawyers say burglars 'need protection' By Robert Verkaik, Legal Affairs Correspondent 05 May 2003 Government lawyers trying to keep the Norfolk farmer Tony Martin behind bars will tell a High Court judge tomorrow that burglars are members of the public who must be protected from violent householders. The case could help hundreds of criminals bring claims for damages for injury suffered while committing offences.... Martin had shot two burglars (killing one) in his house. Historian Joyce Malcolm analyzed how England has been undermining the right to self defense in the November issue of Reason. Read her take here. [Hit & Run] I find myself wondering why the English even bother with courts and police. When the official policy of the government is to promote violent anarchy, they seem sort of counterproductive. But then, they do still serve to intimidate law-abiding citizens who might be inclined to resist the collapse of their civilization. I suppose that for the people who run things over there, that's all courts are needed for. 4:59:05 PM    comment () U.S. says Canada cares too much about liberties. The State Department report on global terrorism for 2002 suggests that while Canada has been helpful in the fight against terrorism, it doesn't spend enough on policing and places too much emphasis on civil liberties. It says "some U.S. law enforcement officers have expressed concern" about Canadian privacy laws. The U.S. officers feel those laws, as well as funding levels for law enforcement, "inhibit a fuller and more timely exchange of information and response to requests for assistance," the report says. "Also, Canadian laws and regulations intended to protect Canadian citizens and landed immigrants from government intrusion sometimes limit the depth of investigations." [Canada.com] 9:13:26 AM    comment ()

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