The contradictory views in Murray Dobbin’s column [“Counterpoint: Human progress and civil disobedience,” June 1] are troublesome.
The group from Powell River sets out on an oil-fueled BC ferry to protest a court injunction of blocking gates at the Burnaby Kinder Morgan oil tank farm. This is ridiculous. Blocking any private gate or access at any residential, commercial or industrial area to any type of public street or highway is illegal, with or without a court injunction.
Blocking is a polite word for obstruction.
The hypocrisy of using an oil-powered ferry is amazing. A 19th century birchbark canoe built with 19th century tools would have been a more appropriate means of transport.
It is the 21st century and oil protesters have no concept of the timeline to convert to carbon-free economies.
There is no concept of the laws of crime and punishment. Escalation of fines and punishments is a well-established principle of law and order.
Do the crime pay the fine. Do the crime again and pay more.
That potentially expensive $5,000 BC Ferries ride could have been avoided by staying home and building that 19th century birchbark canoe.
Wayne Martineau
Fraser Lake, BC
