Several Conservatives are objecting to David Suzuki's suggestion that politicians who ignore the science behind climate change should be jailed."It's environmental fascism," said Ontario MPP Randy Hillier, who has previously cast doubt on the theory of global warming, saying he did not see greenhouse gases as a "terrible evil."
"It used to be unacceptable to have thoughts that were not politically correct, but pretty soon it will be a crime."
Outgoing MP Bob Mills, who called the Kyoto Protocol "a great socialist plot," was taken aback by the exhortation.
"What he says accomplished absolutely nothing," he said.
"Besides, I don't know a Conservative, a Bloc member, a Liberal member who denies that there is climate change."
The member from Red Deer, Alta., suggested that Mr. Suzuki talk about grassroots ways of improving the environment, rather than making accusations.
"Let's talk about clean-coal technology or solar," he said, adding that he himself is trying to install 28 solar panels but has encountered 1½ years of provincial bureaucratic bungling.
"We need to get moving on these kinds of practical issues."
While a spokesman for the noted environmentalist and broadcaster insisted that the comments made last Thursday at a McGill University event should not be taken literally, Mr. Suzuki previously made similar remarks, and attendees said that his tone was serious.
In a similar vein, I hereby call for the assassination of David Suzuki.
Ha! Ha! Just kidding! Ask my friends, I'm always joking around like that.
More seriously, I have neither the time nor the inclination to do anything about Suzuki; and I have no doubt that my readership, such as it is, is probably engaged in more constructive pursuits, like earning a living.
I can't say the same for Suzuki's crew of acolytes, several of whom are probably even nuttier than he. Because politicians are -- to put it mildly -- unlikely to enact legislation making Suzuki effectively the dictator of this country and because ordinary citizens have no ability to imprison people they don't like, that leaves only one option, which I've alluded to above.
It would not at all surprise me if one of Suzuki's befuddled admirers, inspired by his incendiary rhetoric, reaches the same conclusion and takes a serious run at a politician. What he is doing is no less than counselling murder.