The Flea weighs in

Nicholas Packwood, aka the Flea, has some thoughts on the ongoing Gomery publications ban:

Over the last few days the Canadian blogosphere and mainstream media have been in knots over another publication ban this time related to massive fraud and political corruption. Once again the ban has proved controversial and once again it is in place to ensure a fair trial. For everyone who has argued for the lifting of the ban I ask this question: how many people seriously believe those men offering testimony to the Gomery Commission are innocent of the crimes for which they are charged? Frankly, had that thought even crossed your mind?

Because that is how our system of justice works. Those men are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Unless and until you would prefer another standard of guilt I suggest you give that thought some consideration before pointing fingers about the imminent collapse of democracy in this country. Justice Gomery is no fan of the Liberal government or its last incarnation under Jean Chretien. He is doing his job and in so doing he is defending our democracy.

Agree or disagree with him, Nick always has well-thought-out, well-written opinions when he can pry his attention away from "an ongoing paeon to Kylie Minogue's assets" or his notorious search-engine-baiting by seeding his posts with things like this:

I would not dream of publishing anything to do with the magic words Gomery, AdScam, Brault or "Belinda Stronach nude". But the point is not just what I publish or don't publish. It is the fact this blog is connected to the biggest, baddest, fastest fact-checking network humanity has yet to devise.

I'd accuse him of link-wh*ring, except he's one of the least link-needy folks in the 'sphere.