CHECK CASE LAW

Re: "Snitch society," Editorial, June 13.

You refer to reporters of crime under the Crime Stoppers program as "willing
Judases." One dictionary definition of "Judas" is someone who betrays a
friend, so you seem to view criminals as friends.

You say, "Police should use every appropriate means at their disposal to
attack this growing problem." There are lots of charter decisions dealing
with what the police may and may not do when gathering evidence. Why don't
you try reading a few of those? That would take effort and thought, and
force you into a serious discussion about balancing the competing rights
involved.

Joseph Stalin didn't bother peeking in windows. If he had a suspicion about
you, he would have you killed, as he was not restrained by a charter of
rights. You don't like the possibility that a postman or a meter reader may
see your criminal activity?

Close your drapes or don't have home mail delivery. Don't use public
utilities. If you took the trouble to read a few charter cases, you would
become aware of the concept of "expectation of privacy." Then, your
editorials might look a little less like verbal diarrhea.

Your suggestion that our soldiers died so criminals can use their homes for
commercial criminal operations is boneheaded. The rights of criminals on
parole for homicide have resulted in them killing at least 134 Canadians.
And you whine about letter carriers and meter readers, all of whom you have
the power to keep off your property.

Rick Poole

Calgary