VICTORIA — Enough ought to be enough. The single-mindedness with which “the system” appears determined to strip former premier Bill Vander Zalm of whatever self-respect he’s got left. is nothing short of alarming. And the blood-thirsty attitude with which a large segment of the public, including those who once hailed the man their political savior, is awaiting his ultimate humiliation is downright disgusting. Vander Zalm himself appears almost resigned to the fact that the worst may yet be to come. Ina recent interview, he said there’s no way he could get a fair trial anywhere in Canada if he faced charges for his role in the sale of Fantasy Gardens. Considering the wide media coverage of his part in the $16 million sale of his Richmond theme park last year to Taiwanese businessman Yan Yu, an impartial jury, Vander Zalm said, would be impossible to find. “Some people far more knowledgeable at law than me have suggested the only way you could ever get a fair hearing is to have it out of the country somewhere,” he said. That, of course, is out of the question. Vander Zalm, like anyone else suspected of having run afoul of our justice system, will have to take his chances right here in British Columbia. Vander Zalm has no choice but to wait until special prosecutor, Peter Freeman, completes his report on whether or not the former premier should face criminal charges. And that could still take some time. Peter Dueck had the judicial axe hanging over his head for more than a year. That’s how long it took for the RCMP to complete an investigation into alleged wrong-doings in connection with the government purchase of medical equipment from Siemens, a German firm. The innocent-until-proven guilty concept didn’t help Dueck very much. While he was waiting to be cleared of the charges, the allegations were repeated ad nauseam in the media. Why the hell is Freeman or anyone else allowed to drag his heels when a man’s future is at stake? It certainly didn’t take that long for Freeman to be placed on diversion after he was charged with having joked about a bomb in his luggage. And let’s consider the charges Vander Zalm may face. We’re not talking about some dastardly deed. We're talking about the possible contraven Is it justice or revenge? tion’ of the Real Estate Act, which forbids the splitting of commissions from the sale of property or the collection of commissions by anyone not licensed as a real estate agent. Vander Zalm’s problem was that he was unable or unwilling to separate his private business interests from his public duties. He was, is, and always will be a salesman. It was his indisputable skill as a salesman that made him premier and it was the same skill that ultimately caused his downfall. His removal from the office of premier was nhecessary, make no mistake about it. He did abuse the office, albeit not in a sinister way. He had absolutely no idea of the propriety such high office demands, but that doesn’t mean he should now be hounded to death. And what of the people who might have been able to keep him out of harm’s way? What of his former cabinet members who couldn’t distance themselves fast enough from Vander Zalm after he took his tumble? What of Premier Rita Johnston who sacrificed a 20-year friendship with Vander Zalm? For what? To save the party? More like to cement her own place in history. Ah, yes, they all tried desperately too keep their leader on the straight and narrow or so they claim. But they did so behind closed doors. Cabinet confidentiality, you know. Family business. Dirty linen shouldn’t be washed in public. Well, I didn’t buy it then and I don’t buy it now. Why doesn’t anyone of the latter-day converts to honesty and integrity have the guts to say that Vander Zalm has suffered enough? That would be an honest and decent thing to say. Instead, they all hide behind the blind lady whose scales may, after all, tip against the man they once revered. They don’t want to be seen associating with someone who could face charges. Meanwhile, Vander Zalm is waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nobody will tell him how long it might be before there’s-a-bomb-in-my-luggage Freeman completes his report. There’s a thin dividing line between justice and revenge. Perhaps those who clamor for justice to be done, in this case, are really salivating for tevenge. For the sake of our concept of fairness, I sincerely hope that no charges will be laid against the former premier. Enough ought to be enough. TheReview Wednesday, August 14,1991 — A7 EXCLIING! /CEAN AIVER Sports | PORT SIDNEY MARINA © TELEPHONE (604) 655-3711 | ® Dutch Baltic Tjalk e Fascinating History NY. / Hin GLK ° Creature Comforts Cruise Options from Sidney Thursdays & Saturdays 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Treat yourself and/or your out of town guests with a day cruising the beautiful Gulf Islands. Explore the quaint shops of Ganges; take in the Arts & Crafts Show at Mahon Hall (renowned for its excellent quality and broad spectrum. of unique, handcrafted articles produced by over 200 Gulf Island artisans). And, on Saturday, the Farmer’s Market! Cost: $39.95 (single) includes G.S.T., am & pm light refreshments Departures from end of ‘E' dock, Van Isle Marina, Harbour Rd. unless otherwise arranged. 656-1 768 Custom charters & reservations Adult oriented Gift Certificates » Low heels only* Licensed Coast Guard approved IDEAL FOR ACTIVE SENIORS BACK TO THE PAST is possible for a Saanichton man, now. Ken Curry, a retired electrician from Hamilton, Ont., had thought of going to Dieppe, France this month to commem- orate the 50th anniversary of the Dieppe raid. He spent three years there during the Second World War as a prisoner of war: July 25, Curry claimed a $10,000 prize after scratching a Gold Rush lottery ticket, purchased at Royal Oak Pharma- save. “I had considered going to France for this anniversary, but now this win clinches my dream,” he said. Anniversary bound offer win kK x THE PITCH-IN CAMPAIGN teally got things going according to Pitch-In chairman Stella Jo Dean. In B.C., thanks to the efforts of 613 volunteer coordinators and 300,000 volunteers, more than 1,600 projects were undertaken in 178 communities. Donated labor reached the $10.5 million mark, amounting to $85 contributed for every $1 spent on organizing the week-long campaign. They realize picking up garbage is not the only answer to solving our environmental crisis, but it’s certainly forcing us to look at out throw-away habits. * Kk DANCE, DANCE, DANCE. The Victoria Arts Collaborative presents a the 1991 International Summer School of Dance performance at 8 p.m., Aug. 23 in the Oak Bay High School theatre. $6 opens the door to students from junior to professional levels performing original choreogra- phies set by internationally-recognized faculty in ballet, modem and jazz genres. Four students on exchange from Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet School are special guests. Call 384-6393. The following night, Aug. 24 Dance With a Difference will be 4 Ta = featured at University Centre as part of the International Festival of Modern Dance. * * %& A SIMPLE SOLUTION to a problem a letter writer brought forward. Reader John Uhtoff says that diabetics such as the driver who was stopped by police and thought to be impaired because of his condition caused by a diabetic reaction should have carried glucose tablets with him. “It sure helps me,” Uhtoff said. Tablets with various names are available at your pharmacy. xe * < JUST BACK FROM a year-long visit to Japan and Europe, Peninsula teenager Sheri Allen got back in touch with B.C. life by going fishing. And did she catch a whopper. Using a Luhr Jensen white dart and a light Daiwa mooching rod and spinning reel, Allen hooked a 45-pound spring salmon in waters off Saanichton spit. It took her an hour to land the big guy and was netted by her fishing partner Charles Fawkes. What a home- coming for the local girl, her dad Urban said. *#*e & MUSGRAVE ON BOOKS zz: What to Expect When You're Expecting by Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway Workman. 455 pages. $8.95 What to Expect the First Year by Eisenberg, Murkoff and Hathaway. Workman. 671 pages. $17.50 Is it'safe to have a baby after 35? Will the drinks | had before Iknew.| was pregnant hurt my baby? My baby doesn't seem to be kicking as much. Is she okay? How will | recognize labour when it starts? Expectant parents will find reassuring answers to these and hundreds of other questions in What to Expect When You’re Expecting. This pregnancy guide, which has outsold all others, is touted as being “the first thing you should buy after the pregnancy test comes back positive,” and for good reasons. What to Expect When You're Expecting contains information, presented in clear, comprehensive month-by-month format, on everything from prenatal diagnosis to making love during pregnancy and childbirth options. As well there are step-by-step guides through labour and delivery, postpartum care, and breastfeeding, with on section specifically for fathers-to-be. What to Expect the First Year, by the same authors, is the only book on infant care | know that addressed both the physical and the emotional needs of the entire family. Here parents will find more comforting answers to questions that will arise caring for a newborn infant through the first year of life. Why am | still having contractions now that I've delivered? How do | cope with my colicky baby? How can | get my baby to sleep through the night? When am | going to start feeling like a parent? The book devotes chapters to the older sibling, travelling with baby, dealing with illness, and babies with special problems, such as birth Bs defects. It also features a practical, illustrated Baby Care Primer, a First |: Aid Guide and recipes that will go a long way in nourishing your little | food critic. : Three’s A Crew Pinkerton NON FICTION BEST SELLERS FICTION 1 (1) Lighthearted Everyday Cook- 1 (1) Possession Byatt ing Lindsay 2 (2) The Kitchen God’s Wife Tan , 3(5) AsThe Crow Flies .;Arcier =) OU ust Dut ndersiand 4 (3) Seeress of Kell Eddings 5 (4) Elephant Song Sie 2 eu soh ebook aeny : a ies Saint: Peg 4 (5) Fire In The Belly Keen {5) SEES 9 eevaivs 5 (6) BadTrips Fraser (editor) 2 (10)Disappearing Meo 22) £25 6 (4) The Rituals of Dinner Visser. 9 (9) “H’IsforHomicide Grafton 7 (-) The Beauty Myth Wolf 10 (8) Immortality Kundera B (7) 9 (-) bours 10 (-) The Border Book A BOOKSTORE & Rs) Murray Ingram OPEN 8 Ahi - 10 PM EVERY DAY « BEACON & FOURTH, SIDNEY © 656-2345