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I have read the National Post Editorial on Judge John Reilly(1), and I am surprised to the eloquent writing of the author. It is my understanding that to be eloquent doesn't mean necessarily that you give an honest message, and in fact this editorial reflects the brainwashing power of the media it represents: pure garbage. This editorial opens with the paragraph: "Being a judge is not the right job for a crusading hero who wants to save the world. Heroes should be campaigning politicians, philanthropists, medical researchers or even investigative reporters. Canadian judges are bound by the common law rule that they must be neutral and unbiased, and must appear so -- anything less would undermine public confidence in the judicial system."

Yesterday, I had written a little story congratulating the victory of Judge John Reilly over the disciplinary decision for his transfer to another court(2). This victory was hailed as a victory for the individual right to have the judges away from the political and administrative influence. Our National Post editor shows his reductionist limitations of his mental capacity to grasp our social issues when he states that heroes are found in the field of politics, philanthropy, medical research and even in investigative journalism. We must tell our editor that heroes are found in each walk of life, and in this ever convoluted society, we can describe as heroes the people who can tell their stories.

Yes, a hero is a person who can tell his/her own story! You think it is simple to tell your own story? No, it is not simple, just ask Ms. Sharon Anderson, an aboriginal lady who lost her child Zachary "Last year on Mother's Day " and who wanted her heart felt letter be edited and published by her city's newspapers: nobody helped her out(3). Eventually, Ms. Anderson was able to tell her story, and she is the hero, and the editors of the newspapers she approached were no heroes!

So, what is important to know is that heroes come from all walks of life, even from aboriginal people! Have you ever imagined what would happen to this world if only 'campaigning politicians, or philanthropists, or medical researchers or even investigative reporters' would be the only heroes? Just use your imagination and you will find the answer, because I tell you, that the National Post editor doesn't have an answer to give you, what he gives you is just an eloquent answer.

Our National Post editor states that 'Canadian judges are bound by the common law rule that they must be neutral and unbiased.' Maybe our editor should understand that common law cannot be disassociated from our own societal living, and there is no way a judge can ignore the present societal conditions in order to be neutral and unbiased(4).

I don't want to digress more on what this National Post editor has been saying on Judge John Reilly, however I warn our readers that the answers to our societal problems are not found in the heroes of the National Post, at least at this time.

Endnotes

1. Judge not, National Post Editorial, September 7, 2000 http://www.nationalpost.com/commentary/editorials/story.html?f=/stories/20000907/391836.html

2. Judge John Reilly is a hero: a reaffirmation of individual rights, by Mario deSantis, September 6, 2000

3. No-Faultland, by Timothy Shire, July 4, 2000 http://www.ftlcomm.com/ensign/SGI/no-faultPAhearing/no-faultland.html http://www.ftlcomm.com/ensign/SGI/no-faultPAhearing/hearing3.html

4. A trend in Tort Reform laws: No-fault, no individual freedom and no responsibility, by Mario deSantis and reviewed by James deSantis, August 14, 2000