JAFFER'S CASE NOTHING NEW

Why is a public inquiry necessary to know why former Conservative MP
Rahim Jaffer of Edmonton had cocaine and drunk driving charges in
Ontario reduced to careless driving and a $500 fine?

The reason is obvious: Because he is a former MP with
connections.

Those demanding an inquiry to ensure everyone is treated the same by
our justice system are kidding no one. They want to embarrass the Tory
party and Jaffer. Period. More political gamesmanship.

Working itself into a lather about Rahim Jaffer, the Opposition knows
full well favouritism is probably at work. That can't be proven, of
course. It's just the way it is.

Those who insist the law should be blind and equal are right. But it's
not.

Every MP knows he or she is treated differently than ordinary citizens
when they confront the law. Some, like former Ontario attorney general
Michael Bryant, are treated more roughly by the legal system than an
anonymous citizen in the same situation would be. That, too, is
because all eyes are on the case.

The cyclist who confronted Bryant's car in August and died, is
relatively simple. Charges being laid are themselves
questionable.

Going through the motions of a public inquiry into why Jaffer was
treated so leniently for cocaine possession and drunk driving ("two
beers," he told the OPP) is a waste of time and money.

If MPs who seek Jaffer's blood were serious about establishing equal
treatment for all citizens, they'd raise questions about our health
care system, in which MPs are treated more equally than others.

Average citizens can die while awaiting heart surgery. An MP with a
hangnail jumps to the head of the queue.

That's an oversimplification, but you know what I mean. No matter the
medical complaint, MPs get preferential treatment. As do others with
pull or connections. Celebrity status is a ticket to preferred treatment.

Opposition MPs squawking about Jaffer's lenient treatment have no
qualms about accepting pay raises beyond the percentage real workers
can get. And pensions. Wow!

Severance pay for MPs exceeds anything approaching
equality.

One wonders if anyone reading this has ever heard of a politician - or
publisher, or CEO, or celebrity - getting nailed for, say, drunk
driving or soliciting a prostitute, and then having charges dropped,
dismissed or downgraded?

It happens all the time.

Most of us have limited sympathy for Rahim Jaffer - a guy whose future
as a politician seemed unlimited, and who had every advantage. And who
blew it.

The break he's getting from the system is similar to the break most of
those demanding retribution would have gotten had they been caught as
Jaffer was caught.

Anyway, the double-standard and rampant hypocrisy on display is enough
to make one cringe. So spare us the meaningless expense of a public
inquiry, where the leniency to Jaffer will be explained, rationalized
and depicted as necessary, because evidence might have been tainted,
or that authorities erred on the side of caution, or guilt might not
be provable beyond reasonable doubt. That sort of stuff.

Remember, if there's a next time for Jaffer, things will be
tougher.

Second chances are not usually so generous.