CAMPAIGNERS SHOULD HEED CONTROVERSY

The issue with the stepping aside of Solicitor General Kash Heed is
more than just what did he know about the offending pamphlet. Let's
hope the nature of the pamphlet itself is not forgotten in the debate.

Heed claims that he did not know of the questionable document that was
circulated in his riding during the last days of the campaign until
after he was elected. Heed says he then dismissed it as nothing his
campaign would endorse.

That's good to hear because there's no place in a civilized campaign
for the type of tasteless fearmongering used in the pamphlet.
Regardless of whether you like the NDP or not, it is a legitimate
political organization that garners the support of a significant
number of British Columbians. The anonymous Chinese-language brochures
in question were delivered to voters in the final days of the
election. The brochures claimed the NDP supported legalizing drugs and
prostitution, and also supported an inheritance tax, ideas known to be
widely opposed in B.C.'s Chinese community.

An English portion of the brochure claimed "NDP promises could
legalize drugs," increase the price of beer and impose a "death tax."
The brochure is crudely illustrated with pictures of coffins and
injection drug users, using the letters NDP to stand for "negative,
destructive, painful."

In this province, we should expect a higher level of political
campaigning. Heed would do well to distance himself from such amateur
trash. And hopefully, it will send a message to political campaigners
throughout the province. Make no mistake, there are people who would
like to use such manipulative and vindictive campaigning. Such
questionable judgement should have no place in our political culture.