PM vows to name youth criminals

[CHIMO]

OTTAWA-Conservative leader Stephen Harper says if re-elected he would alter young offenders legislation to give judges the discretion to sentence persons aged 14 and older to life in prison if convicted of first-degree or second-degree murder.

He also said he would legislate tougher sentences for other violent youth crime, such as attempted murder, manslaughter and aggravated assault.

And Harper would change the law to ensure that names of those convicted will be made public.

It would also be easier under the legislation for prosecutors to apply for pre-trail detention of youth charged with violent crimes.

http://www.thestar.com/FederalElection/article/503570


Is Harper trying to change the topic?
Or is he concerned that someone else may move to the right?

Layton, Dion and the Bloc have derided Harper's announcement. What about the other party?

[Caradoc]

1. More of the same...

...easy answers to complex questions and a one-size-fits-all solution that solves nothing. Neo-con Harper just can't 'go deep' because it's way easier to pander in the shallow end.

[Lucy Goosey]

2. I really don't understand why he's doing this now...

Why is this an election issue? I don't think that this kind of thing is going to win him any seats in Ontario and Quebec.

Also, I don't believe for a second that Harper actually thinks that naming offenders is any way to prevent crime. It's like he's pandering to people who were already going to vote for him no matter what.

[Caradoc]

3. On the ground in Ontario...

I'm in a rural riding and I'd say the tory vote is 'soft'. Yesterday, an older farmer came into our riding office and said 'I'm pro-gun, anti-abortion and I've never voted liberal, but I want a sign because I know a dictator when I see one.'

[offog]

4. I know one good reason for Harper's announcement.

I saw one news commentary that said Harper is trying to pull some big city vote from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

[CHIMO]

5. Maybe

But I don't understand what that means.

Seemed to me that the opposition leaders were starting to gain some traction on the economy and the state of things with the shock therapy occurring now in the US.

He also may be laying out a topic for the debates. Something that will allow him to drag a red herring through things. The opposition leaders seem to be ignoring the issue now and he may end up talking to himself.

Also we have to remember that the Reform group may be itching to bring these topics out and he had to defuse it.
All in all I think that he should keep on harping on about it if it keeps him happy and off topic.