THE LAW IS THE LAW

Since the earliest days of civilization there have been laws of some sort.
The object of laws are to regulate a community to function in an orderly
manner and to protect the people in that community. With the law goes
punishment for breaking the law.

Although many laws such as thou shall not kill thy neighbour, are
universal, many laws are culture bound. Some of these laws can be harsh. In
some countries the law determines an unwed mother is to be stoned to death.
We are not told what happens to the man who impregnated the woman.

There may be some out-of-date laws on the statute books of Canada but in
this democratic country each law is motivated so we all can live in a safe
and well organized community. Those who break the law and are caught,
normally pay the penalty attached to that law.

Unfortunately there are some people who do not want to accept punishment
for breaking the law and try to buck the system, totally uncaring of the
consequences of their actions. As the media cast the spotlight of publicity
on these people, they become braver and more challenging.

An octogenarian refuses to see to it that her portion of the sidewalk is
cleared of snow and ice and challenges the law. She ensures us the sidewalk
is user friendly. What a lot of rubbish! Emboldened by all the publicity
she receives, she insists on going to jail to prove her point. But what
point does she want to prove? Surely the motivation behind the bylaw is to
ensure the public can use that sidewalk without the danger of slipping and
sustaining serious or even permanent injury.

On Page A5 of the Dec. 13 News we read about a man in Ontario "who sells
marijuana seed and seedlings in a deliberate challenge to the law." Now
ain't that great.

However, on page A7 of the same edition we read a report about a study
carried out by the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police which concludes
that "indoor marijuana-growing operations pose an increasing threat to
public safety and cost consumers millions of dollars in stolen electricity
and insurance costs."

The study goes on to say these indoor marijuana-growing operations are
located in residential areas where it is largely controlled by organized
crime, endangering children and their families.

These people who challenge the law may be heroes to some and may even amuse
others, but always remember you are paying for the actions of these law
breakers.