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OPINION Tribunal ruling much too soft We're puzzled by what message the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal was trying to send with its ruling Tuesday concerning Halton Hills resident Craig Harrison and his Internet posting of hate propaganda? Harrison, 40, was found responsible by the Tribunal for authoring messages on the Internet that can best be described as hateful garbage. Appalled and disgusted by Harrison's virulence, Ottawa lawyer Richard Warman decided to take the case to the Tribunal. He wanted this man stopped. Obviously, the Tribunal shared the same concerns as the complainant. "The call for violence toward aboriginals, francophones, blacks and other non-whites, as well as attacks on other groups and individuals based on their religion, colour, national or ethnic origin using racial slurs and degrading stereotypes does not constitute legitimate political debate. It promotes hatred and contempt," wrote Michel Doucet, chair of the Tribunal hearing. In his decision, Doucet said the posted messages show Harrison is "being led by his ill-conceived views of society and his incapacity to accept others." But despite the seriousness of his findings, Doucet levied a mere $1,000 fine (one-tenth of the maximum fine Harrison could have received), noting that there had been no new postings since 2004 and that most of the messages were written in a relatively short period of time. "Also, I note that the respondent is not responsible for the websites, he is but a participant to these various websites," said Doucet. But really, a $1,000 fine? That is no deterrent. Harrison is no stranger to controversy. He spent two years in jail when he was convicted in 1996 of assault causing bodily harm after attacking a black man-- a Georgetown shopkeeper-- while shouting racial slurs. This man and his beliefs are frightening, especially when Doucet notes that Harrison "repeatedly communicated messages regarding persons who are non-Christian, non-Caucasian and non-English in origin that were nasty, vicious and extreme." We need to do far more as a country than hand out $1,000 fines to those who insist on spreading such venomous material. Homegrown intolerance is something that should not be dealt with so lightly. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR PM trying to keep Canada off terrorists' list Dear editor, Re: "`Cowboy' Harper part of Bush's gang" Aug. 2 letter to the editor. Let's put partisan issues and borders aside for a moment. There is a war under way where one side has irrefutably clear objectives: eliminate Israel, eliminate Western democracies. If Iran had a nuclear bomb, that first objective would be ticked off their to-do list. The enemy has fanatical maniacs as leaders who do not recognize our values, laws, rights or freedoms for whom so many have died to achieve. I would submit that "Stevie boy" is trying his best to NOT be included in Bush's gang that includes Blair, Howard and Zapatero among others. Membership dues were paid in New York, London, Bali and Madrid. My guess is that without a Vancouver, Toronto or Ottawa added to that list, Canadians will continue to lament our support of these democracies. It is your right to promote lamentable cowboy metaphors for our duly-elected prime minister who has had the audacity to take a side. When we become, and it is a matter of time, a fully-paid member of the "gang", I am certain that the petty rants will fade into the red sunset of the past. Gary Cannon, Georgetown Reader unconvinced proposed rail plan will become a reality Dear editor, (Re: Proposed rail plan `is on the right track', July 21) This is a great idea, unfortunately, it probably won't happen, again. Sorry for the pessimism, but I have traveled from Montreal to Kitchener since 1968 (yearly until 1984), and I am holding my breath. I now live in Brampton, with my wife in Ottawa, and have relatives in Kitchener. Sounds like the same "high-speed" train from Windsor to Quebec City quagmire. You need a two-track dedicated rail line for passenger trains, and with priority. I was heading west from Toronto to Kitchener on one trip, and not even five minutes east of the Kitchener station, where the two tracks for some reason become one-- just like east of Bramalea station-- we waited 45 minutes for a freight train to pass. How pathetic! This study is "All talk, no walk", again. So surprise me by having this actually done. I will be waiting. David Logan, Brampton Stephen Harper `one of the best' Dear editor, Re: Ken Rumley's letter Aug 2. "`Cowboy' Harper part of Bush's gang". Our war heroes, Mr. Rumley, were peacemakers and then peacekeepers. Canadians killed and were killed. They made the kind of sacrifice that only terrorists and "Uncle Adolf" understood. We would all be marching to the beat of a Nazi drum if they had your attitude. They didn't leave the dirty work for others, and then came in with cleanup crews. You can't negotiate with people who decapitate innocents with pocket knives, pull out women's fingernails for wearing polish, rape five-year-old girls and instigate the extermination of a democratic people. Need I go on? Or are you still skipping through that field of daisies? You're right, there are other ways of desecrating the memories of our war heroes by not having the stomach to do the right thing. They led by example and stepped up to the plate. How does that saying go? "Evil triumphs when good men do nothing". Mr. Harper is one of the best. Peace has to be made, before it can be kept, so saddle up Mr. Rumley or do you prefer that rocking horse. Dawn Schertzl, Norval