I truly doubt that Svend's constituents would let this obvious cry for help, be his downfall. If this is the end for Svend, it will be because of his own choosing, not because of the dignified way he immediately stepped aside to let the chips fall freely. This provincial band of miscreants could well learn a lesson from Svend's misfortune. You may not agree with his politics, what he says, or what he does, but even when he has done something perceived wrong, he still stands up to meet it head on. Good Luck Svend.

I will never as long as I live forget gordon campbell's blubbering for mercy, forgiveness and compassion after his 23 page new-impossible-or nearly so-to pass disability review, his two year welfare time limit that some unemployable people knew was a death sentence (It's STILL on the books.) And then there was gordo's compassionate care of sick and dying seniors, too bad for the budget he coildn't have sold all the times he's moved them around to cn. Compassion begets and understands compassion; the ability to sell out people for ideology and betray every moderate that voted him in requires a different kind of character, one beyond forgiveness. Sven will rise again; Gordon Campbell's going to need good friends in the private sector after May 2005, if he can find any one even there, that would trust him.

Svend Robinson has done a lot of good, for a lot of Canadians, in his life as a politician, activist, and humanitarian. He has been a shining example of what good can come from the political spectrum. He has pushed many issues to the front of the table, not out of self-interest, but rather to help people, here and abroad. SVEND ROBINSON IS A WORLD CITIZEN. One small error in judgement, should not end a career that has helped so many in this country and in many other countries. I want to say thank you Svend. Now is the time for us to help you. Courage and strength. You have a lot of people hoping you come through this and continue your good work for all of us. Svend you have my support. Petro.

Svend Robinson proved what I knew all along - he doesn't have what it takes to be a politician. Unfortunately, the man was born with a conscience that makes it impossible to lie, cheat, and pardon oneself all in one breath. He didn't learn by watching the millions squandered from the public - over meals and vacation deals - from taking land and resources belonging to the people and selling it to the highest bidder - that is what it takes to be a respected politician. Forget the fact that our own little Liberals have had their cupboards emptied by the RCMP. But they know you plead innocent - not go to the police and hand yourself in while calling the media waiting to crucify someone that fights for a righteous cause! Dear Svend must be suffering from irrational thoughts. I'm not surprised by the scorn and glee that has been expressed by the less than couth members of our society - but the bigots who pretend to be sorry for his "mental disorder" and subtly link it to the fact he is homosexual takes our society back a couple of centuries. I'd be acting out self-destructively as well if I had to face that kind of intolerance and scorn for over 25 years of an uphill battle - especially when the top doesn't get any closer.

Maybe the "world citizen" has a bag of trinkets stashed under his bed.

comment : 4/17/2004 4:40:35 am ,has the moniker "cranium" assigned to it , but it was not I, rcranium. Probably some disgruntled liberal, as they are accustomed to freely using and dispensing of particular articles to which they have no claim.

Geeezus. My ex- (a mental health professional, if you will) shoplifts like a streetkid allergic to dumpsters. He's never been caught, can't claim PTSD as a causative factor, and is likely now sitting back on his leather couch passing all kinds of judgements on Svend--the tears, he would say, are manipulative. And to make this whole paragraph more laughable, no one would believe that my ex- has this little proclivity...

I don't know why I'm even mentioning it other than to say that the Svend case has made me re-think something. Like, when there is some kind of compulsed behaviour at work, as there was in Svend's case, and, as there was in you-know-who's case, compassion IS the better part of valour. Strange. Svend created something good in the wake of his own personal / progessional nightmare. FOr me, yes. And ironically, for one of his bigger detractors (in the form of the fellow shoplifter above-mentioned) who MUST see the parallel between Svend and himself.

That said, I don't understand the mentality of those CKNW listeners. I heard about 10 minutes of it before it made me ill--moreso than usual. Why sexuality becomes a subtext here is beyond me--other than to dismiss those who would resort to that kind of reason as, what is the word? morons? hypocrits? narrow thinkers? And don't the tub-thumpers have a fave biblical quote that they forget--something about letting he who is without sin cast the first stone?

And what would make a good analysis in terms of Robinson's privately self-destructive behaviour and Campbell's drunken tour at 70 mph through the public streets would be something that distills the difference not just in the nature of the actions themselves, the something that makes obvious the difference in the SPIN--the strategy and the smugness (call it the SS)in one case, and the remorse and dread so embarrassingly evident in the other.

And as for Bertuzzi--ZZ Tops--well, if Svend Robinson had taken that ring and clobbered somebody over the head with it--maybe even breaking a jaw in the process--then had his handlers run interference for him for a few days, you might have a valid comparison. That is, if Bertuzzi were a REAL MAN.

Kudos to the above post- I'm not following the Svend drama all that closely, only lived in Vancouver 3 yrs and don't know much about his politics, but I do know one thing- he has the guts and decency to step down because he has personal problems to deal with, while that smug moron Campbell who as far as I am concerned has a FAR more serious problem- drunk driving and the obvious lack of judgment that entails- did not. Bertuzzi? Give me a break; atleast the Canucks are proving they don't need him! Go Canucks Go! (Mon night)

Anon this time....."Well said" I just can't believe that a professional in the mental health field could have such proclivity...for shame.... then again I think I knew one of those myself.....perchance it is the same person

I wonder how on earth a good socialist can afford a ten thousand dollar wedding ring.

I do not feel sorry for Svend. I seldom agreed with him on anything (I agreed on conspiracy of farmaceutical companies and Canadian federal government). I disagreed on providing false information about wrongly sentenced member of his consituency, I disagreed about lowering age of consent for boys to 14 and removal any references to God from Canadian law. I am not surprised why he is afraid of God. Once I wrote for the community newspaper where a headline was END WITH SVEND. He took us to civil court, but wisely did not proceed. His ostentatious homosexuality was unnecessary. He never worked at any Parliamentary Committee, but often traveled for taxpayers money to countries like Cuba. My comment was that he was probably looking whether there are any homeless boys there. I believe that one of his "partners" was from Cuba. He never missed an invitation to the event by Burnaby Air Cadets, boys 12 to 18. With a theft of $50,000 gold ring with 2 carat diamonds he displayed real fece of socialist, greed and envy. According to the Canadian law it is up to 10 years in the slammer. Opportunity to meet some other unstable characters in a male only community.

Wow, emeliot, those are some comments. do you always mistake assumptions for fact? opponents of svend robinson can't seem to get past his sexual orientation but you've taken it to a new level. it's like me saying that because you can't overlook the fact that robinson is gay maybe indicates that you have something to hide. do you see the absurdity in that kind of reasoning? i doubt it. Another point: wanting the removal of god from canadian law has nothing to do with fearing god; it is about inclusion and the fact that most people don't adhere to that brand of religion. And finally, "greed and envy" the "real fece (sic) of socialist". do you not understand socialism? the current capitalits system that we live under endorses and encourages those traits which are actualized by the materialism that is rampant in our communities. but i'll spare you the lecture in ideology - i'll probably get labelled a communist...

The unnatural acts performed by gordon campbell and the fraser pimpstitute upon each other, and, on the citizens of bc, make svend look like Mary Poppins.

cranium, try another handle, as I believe your opinions and rcranium's are diametrically opposed.

Wow. emeliot what does the theft of a ring have to do with sexuality. Methinks your ring-shaped sphincter, constricted as it is, gives you away.

We still love you Svend.

James and Rcranium...proper placement of commas, please. Cranium and Emeliot...the two of you have, apparently, too much time and too little grey matter, a bad combination. The irony becomes obvious when we consider that some stem cells would be of assistance to the both of you, but each of you are likely opposed to such science. God and all...

Too bad. I liked and voted for Sven. He had more guts than what typically passes for politicians in the NDP, or any other of, certainly, the established parties in this country. An expensive diamond for a wedding ring for his beau, I find more amusing actually, than many of the really serious crimes that politicians and busninessmen commit everyday-, of which we've gotten only a glimpse in the raids on the legislature and government members here in B.C., and in the scandal in Ottawa unleashed by the auditor general's recent report on fed. government misuse of slush funds. Indeed on the scale of crime, Sven's is more "tragic comedy" than high crime, an example of a human frailty more than serious malice. At least he didn't rip off a poor moms on welfare, like the friggin'Liberal's do every bloody day, nigh. Nor did he get drunk and drive, threatening the life and limb of innocents sharing the roadway with him. What Sven did is just too bad, I think. Let Sven go with a scolding. Campbell to the wall.

emeliot writes that Svend "never worked at any Parliamentary Committee". What nonsense! To name just one example, Svend convinced the committee studying the implementation of the Charter (with a majority of Conservatives) to make a unanimous report ("Equality for All") recommending the addition of sexual orientation to the Human Rights Act. This inspired the famous pledged, never kept, to take "whatever measures are necessary". It has been the same with virtually every committee that Svend has ever sat on. He is a master of Parliamentary procedure as well as a person of strong character. Way to kick him while he's down.

It's stunning how many people here seem to actually believe that Robinson spontaneously decided to return the ring after some kind of attack of conscience or stress. Isn't it much much much more likely that he somehow found out that the police had him on video stealing the ring? Some of the posters here are severely in need of a reality check.

No, hun... we believe Svend. Likely because many of us know him, and know him well. This was simply an 'out' for the First Man of out-ing himself publicly. Stress manifests itself in many, many ways... and this is one of them.

emeliot : A spanish proverb : "don't speak unless you can improve upon the silence."

tsk, tsk, Poor baby..next Svend will be telling us that he had a bad childhood, and just couldn't help himself..poor baby.Had that been you or I or a street kid or a ordinary teen ager.. the kid would be in shackles awaiting trial. AND thats wher Svend should be..theft is theft no matter WHO does it. and no bloody excuses and blubbering He went in there knowing what he wanted for his "buddy" after all had he not allready been shopping for one just the day before..Justice is to be served by all and not a chosen few to be let off the hook cause they shed a tear..(and Campbel for all his weeping did get fined and charged, as HE should have Throw the book at him ..he is supposed tp set good examples, ( thats why he was voted in for).

Well put Anna. Stress does manifest itself in many ways. And even if it was a full-on premeditated bank job, it doesn't make sexuality an issue, nor should it mitigate the good things that Svend stands for.

Actually, I think Jerry has a point about the deed surrounding the overwhelming judgements laid out by those in no position to judge - "To err is human, to forgive divine" - so all those throwing the bible at Svend - you're lacking divine inspiration. Coming back to Jerry's point on Svend's choice of self-destruction - it was for a ring symbolic of a committment to his life partner. If it happened to be a woman who was his life partner of choice - I wouldn't be surprised if some sappy columnist noted the romantic notion of the ultimate sacrifice of his love with the theme song of Bryan Adam's "Anything I do, I do it for you."

I gotta wonder if the story about Ol' Self Promoting Svend the Weasel, only outing his theft several days after the auction house gave the RCMP the tapes capturing the theft, is true. So tell me Svend are those crocodile tears the tears of remorse or are they tears of "damn, I'm gonna be busted so my spin doctors suggest I cry out in angst".

Svend's choice of "Life Partner" has nothing to do with what he did.whether it be male or female,really is NO ones business..He is a "THIEF" against the law..cut and dried.He has the right to sleep with whom ever he wants..he does NOT have the right to break the law ! ! !

Nothing like the whiff of a "scandal" on the left, to bring the right wingnuts out of the woodwork, eh? Again, Svend's "cafuffle" with propiety has all the earmarks of humanity about it, a tragic kind of one. Chastise him and slap his wrists to be sure-, and then help him, however he came about to "'fess up". The crimes of you right wingnuts on the other hand, bear all the markings of a malicious, self-serving "anti-humanity". We are going to have to deal with you folks in quite another way-, in the fullness of time. And most folks, certainly here, won't have any trouble deducing who is the greater threat to the wellbeing of us all here. Ask any student struggling to pay for an education, any of the hospital workers now losing one of the few good paying union jobs for women out there in this desert of a right wing economy, or unemployed woodworkers watching the thousands of potential union paying jobs going south in the form of raw logs to the real masters of you Neocon Liberals, or the single mom's hooking on the side to raise families that this government's welfare rates and lack of assistance are being ever more cut back and pocketed to provide tax breaks for the wealthy investor and businees class who vote and finance the misnamed "Liberals". Some will rob you by lifting a diamond bauble from a jeweller to the monied, and some will rob you with a legislative ball point pen. But you'll never see a shop lifter or a hooker drive a family from its home, or leave them hooking and starving on the downtown eastside. You right wingnuts keep your humanity in the wrong pocket, alongside your wallet.

First off, I may not agree with all of Svend's politics, but I see him as one of the great Canadian politicians. but....... If you read his statement, he does not use the stress in his life as an excuse but as an explaination for why it happened. He states outright that he is at fault and will suffer the consequences (whether people like or hate Gordon Campbell, he did the same with respect to accepting full blame and responsibility and consequences) What bothers me is that people are seemingly excusing Svend's actions as being ok. They are not OK and they set a horrible example. Svend holds a lot of power vis a vis the media and is a rich middle aged university educated man (not that any of these things are meant in a negative manner, but simply stating his situation) Worse will be if he is not charged - can you image aboriginal high school drop out with no money not getting charged? Our society needs to have the law applied at least as strenously with the national elite as with the poor. I also do not think it is appropriate for people to say Svend should be running for election this time around. Or for anyone saying what he did is not a crime or connecting his stealing to politics is utterly inapproriate Time to step down and retire from the federal scene - though May 2005 is coming up and the provincial NDP seems to be having trouble finding any qualified candidates. But that is probably too soon.

Amazing the ignorance and hatred that comes out of the woodwork at the first sniff of blood. I was shocked and sad about what happened. Svend always fought for what he believed in, and for that he has my respect. Making comparisons to other politicians is just silly. Comparing Svend with Campbell is foolish. Svend is responsible for his actions, and stands up for what he believes in.

"... can you image aboriginal high school drop out with no money not getting charged?" writes Bernard. First, if you really read myself, and others here of a more or less like mind, none of us is saying that what Svend did is okay. And attempting to put those words in our mouths is simple sophistry and obfuscation. What Svend did is wrong. Period. But some misdemeanours bear the marks of different degrees of malfeance, are truly more tragic than malicious and "evil", and hence more appropriately open to understanding and forgiveness. (Thanks, Shirin :~) Which, because it suits you here, is the point "you" choose to slide over; that there is crime and there is crime, and not all such ARE the same. Again, dishonest, "pocketbook" right wingnut morality that soft shoe shuffle apologizes for the real "high crimes" of everyday working capitalism, while focussing on the failings of individuals, especially those with a history of critical opposition or no pocketbooks to speak of. And that piece about the aboriginal, with whom you have suddenly discovered a measure of sympathy, I agree actually, is also a measure of the unfairness and inappropriateness of capitalism's sense and practice of "justice". (Did you seriously expect me to defend it?) It is another example of that pocketbook morality of apologists for "the system". Which have not been assisted by Neocon Liberal cutbacks to legal-aid either. Of which you are no doubt aware and opposed to, right?

As someone who last November was publicly pilloried in the media for my own act of polticial suicide, some asinine comments I made about MLA Jenny Kwan, I can not take much delight out of Svend Robinson's sudden political implosion; as I can relate all too well to what he is going through. Is this the end of Svend's political career as an MP? Almost certainly. The reason being is that as information has come to light showing that Svend was shopping for a ring prior to his decision to steal a $50,000 ring, we are left with the fact that Svend Robinson has by his own admission committed a major criminal act. Was this a crime of opportunity or a cry for help? In truth it was probably both. But I do not think it would be in the public interest for Svend to serve a lengthy jail sentence. Should Svend be tried and prosecuted for his crime? Of course he should, otherwise it suggests that our elected officials are above the law which would be a further betrayal of Svend's legacy as a politician. Once he is tried and presumably convicted, I think it would be best if he served his time doing community service work and getting counselling for the issues that he himself has stated he is deeply troubled by. I think that for Svend this will all turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It will allow him to step away from the glare of the media and public life and spend some time working on his personal problems and issues. It will also allow him to set aside the impossibly high standards he set both for himself and others as a politician. He now gets to put down the white feather and be a fallible human being just like the rest of us.

In regards to emeliot, wingnut is an appropriate term. I'm not hearing a lot of "love thy neighbour" going on? I often find it interesting how these people can stand in the shadows, cast stones and preach about integrity and honesty while at the same time not having the courage, the very courage diplayed by Svend throughout his political career, to step up and defend their possition. If you're going to lambaste someone with your own moral judgements at least have the balls to stand behind your words. It's ignorant people like yourself that provide the motivation to others in their fignt against things like oppresion and racism. Leave your bubble and explore the world outside, it's not that bad...

Ah, Svend. She’s been a bumpy ride the past 20+ years and for what it’s worth, you seem to have done very well. Admittedly, I don’t like politicians and consequently, I don’t like you. But don’t take it personally – it’s occupational. But it hardly matters what I think. Few are the greedheads in public office (your esteemed colleagues) with any kind of public agenda that they have committed to for longer than it takes to do the proverbial baby kissing and glad handing. By contrast, you’re a man who has stuck to his guns through overwhelming adversity and, I dare say, been a factor in the social and legal changes that have taken place over your career – for better or for worse. That’s impressive, Svend. You stand out in your field for all the right reasons. These headlines are different, though. No one’s come up with any concrete details, but it’s details that we crave and that which goes unsaid causes the most speculation. The coffee shops this morning are a buzz with conjecture about dollar values, intentions, and solemn head shakings. I hope that you get well soon, Mr. Robinson. When you do: retire. You’ve had access to the dollars that are bled from our earnings for some time now. We the people tend to get a bit touchy about how those get handled and this latest incident… well… let’s just say that credibility has been a load bearing staple in your success up until now. Yours in Solidarity,

Let us not forget that here in bc, WE HAVE A CONVICTED FELON FOR A PREMIER, who has not taken responsibility, who for all we know, still downs a half bottle of wine and a pitcher of martinis every night. After all, we have only his word that he doesn't and we all know what his word is worth don't we? AND, being a convicted felon, in another country or not, and then cowardly refusing to step down irregardless is not integrity in any way -it simply shows a massive disrespect and contempt for public office and the public, as, of course, does campaigning as a moderate and then crawling up the fraser pimpstitute's ass, all the while using the lies and ommisions you made as your pathetic, blood-stained excuse to attack the most vulnerable. We should be demanding weekly blood tests for this filthy little drunk in victoria. And, if you think attending one taxpayer financed public apology surrounded by canwest and fraser pimpstitute spindoctors some how constitutes an adequate public apology, then your brain must be as dead as your heart... Svend put his balls to the wall time after time, helping low profile individuals, and has and will face his just deserts, to see all these ghouls dancing on his premature grave turns my stomach, and it should anyone with a heart as well...

Svend STOLE a ring ok. If a "common person" were to steal a $ 50 000 ring it would be called "grand theft". And they'd be charged BIGTIME. Look the ring didn't just "slip" into his pocket. He didn't just accidently "steal It". He STOLE it. WILLFULLY AND INTENTIONALLY. He didn't just "snap". He knew what he was doing. He calculated his actions. And he ONLY CONFESSED once he realized there was SURVEILLANCE VIDEO! And now he thinks that his "polical, liberal hero status" is going to get him off the hook. And unfortunately it has. If this moron was truly remorseful, at least he'd admit his true intentions for stealing this lovely piece of Jewelry: he liked it and wanted to impress his lover with it and didn't have the money to BUY IT... Case Closed PS your premier is a MORON TOO.

That's right. I hope this ISN'T the end of Svend's political career. And with all due respect to the wingnuts here, there are times (many if then) when the situation cannot be adequately represented in the necessarily limited terms of right and wrong.

Furthermore, to those above who insist that they alone see the TRUTH of the Robinson situation because they now know that Svend had been on the shop for a ring for his partner--meaning, I suppose, that the act was premeditated and the fess-up a damage control manoever--I say this. SO what? Your logic is flawed. The confession by Svend Robinson, whenever and however it occurred, does not in any way negate the EXPLANATION for the act.

Speaking of morons--what I don't get about your take on this SusePie is this: if it was someone's intention to impress a long-term partner, why would they try and do it with something that THE PARTNER would easily recognize as something beyond their means? I think a moron could walk a tank through your theory.

I feel compelled to add my own two cents worth here. I would say let the person who has never sinned cast the first stone except that it has been said before; plus, the first stone was cast long ago. Mr. Robinson has served his country, his constituents and his party in too many exemplary ways to note here. I believe that someone who has been a Member of Parliament for a quarter of a century has to have something going for him. He also has survived a tremendous amount of pressure as an MP. Add to that the pressure of being Canada's best known gay man and the trauma of having survived a nearly fatal accident. A mental breakdown is not a pleasant thing. Even after flaming out as he did, he submitted himself to huge public humiliation with his very heartfelt confession. Let's cut him a little slack. He came to his senses, realized what he did was crazy, tried to give it back and then went to the police. He is also taking medical leave and seeking professional help. Does that sound like a common criminal? I'm confident he will recover and carry on his fight for justice and human rights. Would that the rest of us had the courage and integrity this man has shown over the years.

To SusiePie..You are SSOO right.Why should he get away with "Theft Over 50,000:00" when neither you nor I would. These"Bleeding Hearts "out there ,are the whole problem with todays society, they make me sick.Always making excuses for the wrong doer.(under dog?) O.K."Carol "Heartfelt Confession"? ? Geeze people.. get your heads out of the sand...The guy has commited a CRIME, no excuse, a Theft over $5,000:00 is a crime.and $50,000:00??is a "REAL" crime If the only "Way To Fame" and "Front Line Exposure" is breaking laws ( and Svend has done a lot of this in his twenty five years in the political scene) then God help us all. (AS you can tell, I have NO use ,and NEVER have had any use for Svend Robinson )NOT ONLY FOR the polution "THEY" all left in the "Clayocout" It was more than you can even imagine! ! ...garbage and human feces everywhere (not even a latrine put together by the protesters) Svend was there.! ! disgusting..I saw it with my own eyes .. Svend openly takes credit for the actions there? and now a grand theft?.. "well, Svend ..cry me a river. as I said before...poor baby..

Ah, that damn svend, always stealing from you, and never taking responsibility for anything, and always treated specially because of the media, and giving away hundreds of millions that belong to you and leaving a mess everywhere!!!! OH, WAIT!!! THAT'S NOT SVEND, IT'S GORDON CAMPBELL...Any one dull enough to vent their spleen on svend, after what campbell's done to them deserves to stew in the hellish, bile filled broth of their own resentment...there is some justice after all.

Lewis, you appear to have something wrong with your name. If it is swift, then you and your name are poles apart. You are totally brainwashed into the NDP mindset, and totally out of touch with any form of reality. Svend is a criminal, and if the press is correct in reporting that he was shopping around for a ring, then he needs maximum jail time to show the people on the outside of public life that there is some obscure bit of justice in our legal system. Of course that won't happen because he will be using the 'gay minority' defence. Heaven forbid that there should be some justice with regard to the act rather than the stress he is under. On his salary, there is no stress problem. Life's a bitch. Get over it. He's a wimp and a manipulator. And he has all of his commie cronies buffaloed.

As opposed to the I ran for office pretending to be a moderate and then dived up the fraser institute's ass defense? Isn't it funny how all our laws are designed to protect us from so-called criminals focus on protecting material things? But you can be as immoral as you like, hell you can even kill people to pay for a taxcut for the rich, especially if they're disabled. A damn good thing we have laws to protect us from svend and to allow gordon campbell to loot the public good. If these crimes were illegal, as they should be, how much time should gordon campbell do? And anyone with the name "mikey" as in the cereal ad, stands on as shakey ground as the rest of your cliched, predigested logic. Why don't you start worrying about your REAL enemies?

well effle lovers try to "impres" their partners with expensive things all the time with stuff beyond their means..I've had personal experience with that bullshit

Hey effle are you saying that its ok to steal? Just as long as you're a politician?

effle is saying its ok to steal!

Nope. I DID NOT say that it is okay to steal. I am not defending what Svend did, but I am pointing out the moronic narrow-mindedness and callous disregard for everything GOOD that the guy has done shouldn't now be ignored. You freaks should NEVER put words in my mouth, nor should you ever try to interpret them because you are clearly not capable.

As I said, it isn't okay to STEAL, or, say, to drive drunk, or to assault people. But there are degrees of criminality and, frankly, stealing a ring then FOR WHATEVER REASON (doesn't matter, DOH!) doing what you can to minimize the damage to OTHERS, to me this seems way less a crime than what you ghouls are making out. I think you are morons.

What I say saying to SusiePie is that her/his attribution of The Crime is all screwed up. It's not logical to arrive at a conclusion (especially as it is based on media reports of Svend's shopping habits) that Svend's CRIME was motivated by pure greed inasmuch as he wanted to "impress his partner". SusiePie, you say yourself that you've had experience with that bullshit--uhhhhh--clearly you weren't that impressed. Get it? See, if my partner shows up at the door with a ring that I know we can't afford, I'm less impressed than I am anxious about his MENTAL FUCKING HEALTH. Now, THAT I know about. SO all in all, what I am saying is that a) yup, it's wrong to steal, and b) wow, this is NOT YOUR usual case of shoplifting/theft. And people that insist on the kind of reasoning that puts everything, everyone, every action into terms of RIGHT and WRONG are....usually I have found that they are people who tend to not recognize their own ideological assumptions. They are usually people that I don't waste alot of time with because they are rigid and incapable to THOUGHT.

effle, you do have a point. Though I do agree that stealing is wrong and yes there are degrees of criminality......I think you are guilty of that which you are assessing others for. That is, you are negating the negative opnions of Svend voiced due to his sexuality while you extoll his virtues based on his past deeds. Good deeds/bad deeds(read sexuality) should not have basis on the severity of the crime.

Some of these postings are flat-out hilarious. So, it seems all it takes is for Svend to go on tv and weep like a little girl, with the Cuban boyfriend and the annoying Libby Davies patting him on the back and offering him tissues. Oh, puhleeeez!! Thanks for the Jerry Springer moment there Svend, but while some of your die-hard supporters sat there all misty eyed and pledged their endless support, I would hope that anyone with a lick of common sense would have seen right through your dying swan performance, which was over the top, even for you!! All the weeping and wailing in the world doesn't change the simple fact that you stole a very expensive ring and knew you were about to be busted. We've had quite enough of your self-serving bullshit. Just shut up, for once in your life, and take your punishment. And, if you manage to weasel out of being charged with theft, well then there's another nail in the coffin of Canada's so-called justice system.

Uhhhhh. Another Viewpoint, uhhhhhh.....lemme see if I get this.....I am "assessing others" (Svend Robinson in this case) based on his PAST DEEDS, which is the SAME thing as assessing others based on their sexuality? uhhhhhh, please. What am I missing here?

Sam in Van...quite correct.

Was that sensible shopping or a svending spree?

Susie Pie, please get your eyes away from the TV, in fact throw the damned thing out. It makes you sound like an American. We don't have grand theft in our books . . yet. My apologies to any American who feels slighted to be compared to logical Sue. BTW; its so refreshing to see so many Ayn Rand types are now plugged into The Tyee. Like Rand, Sue seems to think evidence is whatever she thinks someone else thinks, case closed, don't confuse me with fact or make me wait until there has been a trial. Come to think of it, maybe you are an American, one of those GWB voting ones who just know those old weapons of mass destruction will show up eventually in Iraq.

Sorry, my name fell off.

effle, I sense some anger as you spewed forth with language. You are right, there is no right or wrong anymore, always an excuse BUT then what would we know if we are not as smart as you. You do appear to have some writing skills, perhaps some English background? You do however appear to be unwilling or incapable of seeing the other side. This is probably genetics and you come from a long family history of being right and never being told that you MAY BE WRONG. This has nothing to do with Svend's orientation, it is more important to note that due to his mental illness he is incapable of acting as a member of parliament anymore. While he has done much in the way of bettering our country by grandstanding, it is also important to realize that it is easy to criticize when you know you will never ever ever be in a position to govern.

Hello! all of you should just stop and do a reality check or have you been watching too much "reality" TV. Think about it---do we really care that a person of prominence has stolen a ring, regardless of the value, or the nature of this person's sexual preference, or are we, as a society, so influenced by the voyeuristic activities that we engage in that all we see is a juicy scandal (another) involving a politician/movie star or what have you. Do we put these people on pedestals just to cheer and revel in their demise? Well, apparently, it would seem so. Who in their right mind would want to have a career in politics or the public life these days when it's not the decisions or values you fight for, but more the scandals you are involved in that get you the media coverage you need to bring change forward. How sad.

S Robinson is a thief, period! As such he must be charged and convicted as a common criminal.

sslew, I will what you say into consideration (seriously). Maybe you are right about Svend, but you are wrong about some things. LIke, it's not genetic, and I am wrong lots of times. It's just that if you read the commentary about Svend (above) and if you listen to the ghouls salivating over his political demise, there's lots of reason for vicarious and even personal indignation. ANd how do you know I will never be in a position to govern? Or other's with my same affliction?

Politicians are thieves. There are very few that aren't. So we would have to have a huge country to send them all to jail. Lawyers are thieves, with few exceptions. Send them to jail too. Construction companies are murderers and criminals (179 workers killed last year in BC. large percentage in the building industry. You find no owner of construction companies in jail. The whole of Canda has been stolen from Native people. Agreements were forced upon them and to facilitate stealing more, the governments with our collective acquiescence (including sdgreen), continue to steal, bribe and fraudulently take from native communities. So jail all the above! yeepieee!

I would like to let everyone know that: Svend Robinson, has my heartfelt support. He is not in my constituency. He doesn't know me. Two year ago (more or less), I received a letter from a friend in the USA, about a Canadian that had been in solitary confinement for four month. I wrote to Svend. The Canadian person was from Montreal. Svend went to work and within a month I received a letter from his office that the person was back in Montreal with his family.I also read in the papers that the person had been freed and that the usa fbi had made a mistake. I wrote letters to many federal and provincial politicians and they seldom answered. The Liberal female that has leukemia, I wrote her a letter when she was a minister a year and a half ago and I got no answer. Collins nothing. For the current crop of MLAs from the liberals, BC residents are toys in their hands. So for me: 1 - Svend is concerned about the citizenry regardless what constituency they come from, 2 - He is not perfect, neither am I, 3 - He stole a ring, I have stolen food! Can't wait to have Svend back in the house of commons. He is not in my constituency, but boy I will cavanss for him big time!

About the rabid earlier posts; the people whom I most worry about, and never trust, are the ones that reach for the first stones - especially when they want to fire them at those they do not know, nor have experienced anthing directly negative of the persons actions. It is always a telltale sign that they themselves have skeletons in their closet that thy will not confess to others, and find an external object to gaze away from their own inadequacies instead. Happy, contented, self-esteemed people are never vindictive - ever. Take note Robinson attackers, regardless of what he "admitted to". You yourselves have marked yourselves.

First of all - about that point about Effle being born genetically right - I beg to differ, for Effle sounds an awful lot like a sensible lefty to me. If Svend actually is completely okay in the "mental stability" area and was moved to steal a ring (for God's sake, he could have at least aimed higher like the rest of the poticians and simply sold public lands or perhaps good quality Canadian pot - with a party membership as a limited-time bonus) - and that whole TV breakdown thing was "crocodile tears" for that much sought after publicity - well, there is one of Canada's finest home-grown actors. He doesn't need politics - the guy should go the Hollywood way and make a real living; and, his sexual "orientation" will be more accepted in the arts than with the god-fearing preston manning types poor Svend has to deal with on a regular basis in Canadian politics. Actually, I think that Svend did not only steal - but he lied. I believe it was his way of knocking himself off the pedestal he no longer wanted to be mounted on - and he did not want to seem like he was turning his back or walking away from all those who look up to him to be the advocate - he rather go down by being knocked down involuntarily. Seriously, any premise that has cameras monitoring the site have signs posted left, right, and centre stating the fact - so it was not a hidden fact from Svend when that streak of self-destructive behaviour took hold. I think he had anticipated the alarms to go off almost immediately after the deed - which could at least be explained by a motive of wanting to give the ring to his partner and make sense when scrutinized by the public. But when a couple of days went by without hearing anything - the man called the press conference on himself so that he be forcibly knocked out of the position he had held for 25 years and may just needed a break from finally. The over-achiever does not think linearly by nature, and sometimes it seems that extreme measures are taken to knock one off the hamster running track. I fear that perhaps Svend's supporters may want him to run for re-election than he does. Yes, he did steal a ring, but the sad thing is, that he is the most straight politician out there (no pun intended).

oh,puleeze give us a break shirin---love the guy or not (pun may have been intended...) I am pretty sure he didn't steal the ring thinking "well, this will make me seem more human, as I am soooo tired of being such a wonderful politician", blah, blah, blah---he made an error in judgment---normally one would say that's not a crime-- oops, in this case it was---but he's not the first (nor will he be the last) public person to do so---he can still run for public office, and probably still win (seeing as how we have many politicians with criminal records in office)---what most people seem to be saying is simply that the act cannot just be ignored as this would seem to be an injustice to the average citizens who don't have the privilege of public office to protect them from the law--perhaps there will be no charges, perhaps the whole thing will be thrown out of court should it ever go that far, but it's the perception of having a legal system that does not predetermine who shall comply with laws. As a member of Parliament (and such a fine example according to most of the participants in this forum), Svend probably wants to have the law applied to him as if he were no different from any other person.

Oz, I'm off to see the wizard myself - no, I didn't say he stole the ring to give the perception of humanity applying to him - I am saying he stole the ring precisely because he wants to be "scandalized" out of politics -ie: he is tired of playing the people's advocate but finds it easier to be chucked out rather than saying, "adios folks, I want to go into seclusion with my cuban mate - and don't bug me anymore with your causes". That is probably more difficult - for him, at least, then waving his arms in the air showing he is not worthy.

I can't believe this good man (I know he's gay..that has NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING) did this self defeating thing. I think maybe like some have said, it was some sort of cry for help. Or maybe he's just tired of being in the public fishbowl of life, perhaps his subconscious made the decision for him..to end his career..who knows. We each have our own foibles and crosses to bear, we each mess up in our own way. I think of Svend as a decent caring person, I will always remember the Sue Rodriguez story and how he stood by her and her decision. I can't think of him any other way. Maybe he's tired and wants out..allow him to be human..for he is human, just like you and me.

I have to agree with Shirin..just read that last posting of yours re Svend wanting to be knocked off his pedestal/post. I was thinking the same thing. Maybe he's tired of carrying the torch..time to step back perhaps..write his memoirs or some such thing. I won't castigate the man, I believe he has done his very best in his years as a politician. Give the guy a break and the benefit of the doubt.

Oh, so he's human, just like you and me!!! He's also a Member of Parliament, people, and handsomely paid by you and me...the taxpayer. We have every right to demand accountability from this career politician who has spent an awful lot of his time lording his principles over the rest of us. Stop acting as apologists for Svend Robinson and let him stand up for himself, if he's capable.

Speaking of lording his principles over us, being paid three times as much as sven, refusing all accountability even when his policies kill people, breaking almost every promise he ever made,we have every right to demand both accountability and even jail time from this convicted felon, from this career politician , this GORDON CAMPBELL, who can't stand up for himself without canwest media,without mlas like a grade three drama class coached and terrorized by martyn brown and constant taxpayer funded propaganda, and the fraser institute directly behind him and who's capable of any act of betrayal....oh that's right we should be more worried about that damn sven....

Sam in Van - I guess you like your green eggs and ham. I don't seen any apology from niether myself (or Mr. Shuch) for what Svend did - nor do you personally should be expecting one since no harm has befallen you (to my knowledge) due to his self-proclaimed regretted dead. I wouldn't expect any other bieng but a human to be a member of parliament. Perhaps if there were something other than human - there would be a lot less bundling and more cooperation so that things can at least get done with the priorities being such that welfare comes before warfare.

Re: Svend, a few comments generally... I felt that his tearful confession on TV was likely based in self-promotion. He could have gone low-key by issuing a written statement for a lot less money than the live press conference. Likewise, his trip to the Middle East, regardless of his particular post at the time (with which I'm not familiar) struck me as a big waste of money too. I liked his protest, social acticist approach to certain issues, such as homelessness and gay rights. I think that regarding the "one ring" ;) he must have been under some kinda spell to do something so damaging and wrong as theft. The lateness and manner of his televised apology makes the whole affair seem somewhat contrived to me, sadly. On the other hand, Mr. Robinson was the only politician to visit my late father in his care home, which made a noticeably positive impression on my homophobic and somewhat suspicious father. For that alone, Svend scores big with me personally. (See http://ejohnlove.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_ejohnlove_archive.html)

mark - i think men rymes with sven and I think you could work something up on that. lol

Having followed (and appreciated) the career of Svend over the years, I can only think that we are witnessing some manifestation of an ancient tragic drama where the hero must self destruct in some form of ritual sacrifice. Of course modern psychological analysis (an update on the old sorcery) will provide some clues as to what possessed Svend at that strange auction - but in the end one can only find sympathy for a man who has been out front and right about so many causes - be it the environment, minority rights, human rights in the Third World, and even in the complex issues of life and death. Svend needs time off and the support of his friends as he comes to grips with whatever impulses led him into such self-destructive behaviour. In time I hope he comes back - much wiser and even more sensitive to the frailty of humankind.

In all of this rhetoric I trust it will not be forgotten that Mr. Robinson has committed a serious crime. It concerns me that seemingly we are not being allowed to be party to the legal process. Will we add to the "two tier" health system a two tier legal system?

Okay, I admit it, Svend was a pretty godly figure to me for a long time. However, I knew something was wrong a couple of months before the "ring" when I watched him calmly accepting the most disgusting abuse from Senator Ann Cools and company, at the hearings re. the new bill which includes homosexuals in hate legislation. Svend calmly smiled through Cool's suggestion that allowing homosexuals protection under the provisions of hate legislation would be giving protection to pedophiles. Several other senators echoed this nonsense, and Svend said things like, "with all due respect" etc. I knew at the time that Svend had had enough. I emailed him at his parliament email address but it didn't get through. I figured he probably had come to the end of the line, after taking all that crap. All that I'm saying is that Svend has being doing a bit of faking. There's another Svend under there. Duh.

I just reread all the postings and the article. I now know why Benny Hinn and George Bush are so widely believed. The gullibility is mind-boggling. I loved Svend, too, but he stole a 50,000 dollar ring, eh. He should have gotten a jail sentence as a first time offender for theft over $5,000, and a criminal record. What's the matter with you people? There should have been a trial. I wanted to find out if he confessed as a self-serving ploy, or as a genuine act of contrition. Now, that will remain Svend's secret. I probably agreed with everything he ever did, as a member of parliament, but I know a crime when I see one. What does falling over a cliff, and being a workaholic have in common with stealing a ring? He was paid for his work, wasn't he--in cash, respect, adoration, awe, appreciation. Is there some kind of causal relationship that I'm just not getting? The fact that he stole the ring, gave it back--possibly when he knew he was caught--went on tv, cried a bit, and got off with a slap on the wrist proves what an awesome manipulator he is. Svend Robinson understands the concept of "morality", probably as much as, say, John Lennon, or Tommy Douglas did. He understands the pain he caused in so many people by stealing that ring. He stole the ring BECAUSE he understood these things. He also understands that he didn't deserve any more leniency than the Hastings Steeet crack addict who commits a crime to buy drugs. He should have accepted nothing less than a few months in jail, or at least, electronic surveillance. After all, he is a crook, eh. I know this sounds self-righteous, but I was once hungry on the east side; it didn't occur to me that I had a right to take even an apple from a side-walk fruit stand. If I had stolen an apple I wouldn't have been the person my friends thought I was. Stealing the ring wasn't only a crime; it was a huge betrayal. Incidentally, here's how you get out of a job that's ruining your life: You call a press conference and announce that you're resigning to spend more time with your family--like everybody else does. Incidentally, he stole the ring because he wanted an expensive ring. Duh!

Hi Effle. Okay, you're very very smart, I admit, but I think you lost sight of the ball on this one. Otherwise, congratulations for being you.

Hi Effle. Okay, you're very very smart, I admit, but I think you lost sight of the ball on this one. Otherwise, congratulations for being you.