The Waihopai Spy Base is at the other end of the island and the actions of the farmer, teacher and friar who deflated the balloon that masked one of the spy dishes a distant event, however, the opinions held by people throughout the country about the situation created by their actions is to me, very revealing.
I/S at NoRightTurn has best described the Government's move to sue the three men, despite a jury having found them not guilty at their earlier trial.
His comments are here, with some 'sample' comments below.
The vengeful crown
"Earlier in the year, the government was humiliated when three men who had entered the Waihopai spy base and deflated one of its protective domes were acquitted by a jury. So now, in a clear attempt to bypass the BORA rule on double jeopardy, they're suing them for damages."
"This is a pointless act of revenge."
"The government has already tried to punish these men. It failed. It should accept that and move on. This suit is simply an exercise in persecution. And that is not the act of a just government, but of a vengeful crown."
8 comments:
Do you think it was wise for them to slash the dome?
Wise?
Tough question, given all of the ramifications. I suppose I'd have to say that it's for them to decide the wisdom of their actions.
Aside from the vandalism, I was taken by their peacefullness, the poise they exhibited and their willingness to assist the authorities, rather than be obstructive. The fact that they were farmer, teacher and religious man is such a 'mythical' combination and one that serves them very well in the public eye I believe. Many groups are represented in those three men.
they may have been peaceful, but if they had come onto my land and slashed some of my property in the name of peace, I'd sue their butt off.
Peace is great, but it's not an excuse.
Whether they were found guilty or not, they still admit they did it, therefore they should be obliged to pay. And being poor or on the pension doesnt mean a thing. If a rich National voting, cow milking carbon burning V8 driving redneck did it, he or she would still be just as guilty.
But they were found not guilty, SouthernRight, by a jury of 12 of your countrymen and women. Surely you respect the law?
The proceedings against them now will, by all accounts, not return the costs of the damage, as they don't have enough money. It will cost you and I, the taxpayer, tens of thousands of dollars extra to go through the motions of suing them. I expected you to be critical of that sort of waste SR!
" If a rich National voting, cow milking carbon burning V8 driving redneck did it, he or she would ...probably have been drunk!"
"" If a rich National voting, cow milking carbon burning V8 driving redneck did it, he or she would ...probably have been drunk!" "
Ha ha! that actually made me laugh out loud.
Too true Robert! Did I ever tell you about the young federated farmers president from Southland?
He got rotten drunk at a party, stumbled around in the dark and came across a ute which he duly smashed up.
However the owner wouldn't prosecute, because....umm...well...he was also the guy that smashed it up!!
True story.
Yound Feds - drinking!
I'm willing to believe all sorts of things Shunda but that's a bridge too far!
The Prez!!
Got a name :-)
(Start with 'Don', end with 'Nicolson'?
Rose?)
I'll ask the dude that went to Uni with him tomorrow.
Do they have a separate "young" part of federated farmers?
This guy was (is?) up there at the top somewhere.
There are Young Farmers clubs all over the country Shunda and I've always assumed they were the nurseries for the Feds but now that you ask...
I can't imagine there being a Feddy Prez who didn't do his time in the YF's, learning how to do whatever it is they do at their meetings.
(Forge plans to marry the local school teacher? Talk efluent?)
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