Senator should resign or be removed
LETTERS
I was going to apologize to Senator Don Meredith on behalf of all Canadians but I guess I won’t have to now. His new lawyer has been wise enough to take the race card off the table. And the issue of Canadians being bigots is no longer on the minds of the illustrious members of the upper chamber who have the responsibility of determining Meredith’s fate.
Meredith has had an illicit affair with a teenaged girl. His original thinking was he is being taken to task for this heinous behaviour simply because he is black. Is it not morally wrong for a man of his age and position to have such a tawdry affair with a young woman less than half his age? What is amiss in the man’s mind to even consider racism as the only cause for censure? Is this an indication of the intelligence of those serving in Canada’s higher echelon of government?
Sen. Meredith would have us feel sorry for him now that his deviant actions have come to light. He is under so much pressure and his family is suffering from the unwanted publicity. I do feel compassion for his family. But maybe he should have thought of the consequences before he took advantage of a young woman. He has asked for forgiveness from the nation for his irresponsible behaviour. But he doesn’t feel it necessary to show any more remorse than stating his regrets for having gotten caught.
An apology just doesn’t cut it as adequate penance. A speedy resignation would be more appropriate. Even if the affair was consensual, no one in a position of authority should be allowed to escape without severe punishment for such an act. Ask a school teacher, coach, scout leader or caregiver what the ramifications are for taking advantage of youth in their charge.
I wish I could say I have confidence the ethics committee of said chamber will do the right thing and give Meredith the old heave-ho, but past experience has dulled my sense of certainty to a point of nonexistence. An attitude of entitlement seems to emanate from the Senate as abundantly as does the smell of marijuana from a rally to support the legalization of cannabis. Maybe Meredith can get a prescription for medicinal use to ease his pain of embarrassment.
Garth Jensen
Stirling