Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Credit Where Due

In a departure from most of the reaction seen to date, I would like to offer congratulations to Stephen Fernandes, the 23 year old charged with mischief for urinating on the National War Memorial. Not for the incident, of course, but for the mature and contrite way in which he has dealt with the very public aftermath. In his interviews with the press he comes across as a smart and responsible man who understands fully the enormity of what he did. He's accepting of the consequences without complaint and is obviously very remorseful.

None of us would want to be in his place, or have to live the rest of our lives with the label that will forever be attached to him. So credit where it's due and kudos to Mr. Fernandes.

There but for the grace of accessible washrooms go many young men. Let he (or she) who has never been completely, mind crushingly, reason removingly drunk and done stupid things cast the first stone.