Or pissed on the embers. Yeah, maybe not, it’s still the uniform. I can’t think of any way more dismissive to shame a solider-is this a traditional way to demonstrate scorn in the military?
No, I can’t think of any precedent. Apparently it was motivated by the modern e-bay culture and they didn’t want his kit getting out to the “collectors”. That said, it does seem to be a proper military thing to do.
It could relate to ripping off insignia and snapping the sword blade. But I do agree that it seems to be an anti-auction measure =) And I agree that it is a smart move. Though nothing prevents people from writing him letters and getting his autograph that way.
I have to admit, I have no idea why people seem to revere killers and want to own little pieces of them. And as for the women that want to marry them :eek:
Per the article I read, his kit should have gone back into rotation after being cleaned. It was burned because he had written his name into them which could not be taken off.
It also had to be extremely satisfying.
I think that this has set a precedent.
Let’s hope that it doesn’t need to be done terribly often.
That was my first thought, too - “Ebay THIS, melonfarmers!”
Today’s paper also said his military awards / medals were being melted down.
There has been absolutely NO mention of his wife in the media - how she’s doing, where she is, nothing.
At least, nothing I’ve seen.
Last info I saw on his wife was in Maclean’s and basically said she was named in the suit of one if the victims and she was trying to stay out of the media spot light. That was awhile ago.
If I were his wife, I’d be waaay out of the spotlight - I’d probably still be in the shower trying to scrub myself clean until any memory of him having touched my skin was gone. Gah, I cannot imagine being in her position.
Was he wearing the uniform when they burned it?
Some of his victims might like to own little pieces of him, particularly if they can remove those little pieces from him themselves, slowly, maybe with a rusty razor blade.
Latest story:
The kit-burning thing seems unprofessional to me. Too emotional, not rational. It makes the owner of the uniform special. They should have recycled the uniform like any other.
Two thoughts - I wouldn’t want any of his kit. I also don’t want to see any of his kit fir sale on eBay.
OK, but by “recycle” I meant disposing of the fabric in the same way as they treat other unusable uniforms. Presumably they go off to landfill or a shredding plant or something. What they have done instead is treat this uniform in a special way.
We unknowingly breath in the molecules of past evil-doers all the time, so there’s no rationale for not reusing the threads of this guy’s uniform.
I do see what you’re saying, BDoors, but I would say that the uniform burning was symbolic, and as a Canadian citizen, I agree with it. He wasn’t just any other soldier; he was a bit of a star, from what I understand, and I would say this was done by the military to negate any ideas that the military condones him or his behaviour in any way.
Not sure how I feel about his uniform, but you do seem to have some supporters when ti comes to burning evidence for emotional reasons (as with the Bernardo tapes).
Victims should not rule our courtrooms(from Canada’s Globe & Mail)
Latest update: Russell Williams officially released from military (CTV News, off the CP wire). From the link:
Just putting it out there, but does anyone feel that Col. (now Mr.) Williams should be under psychiatric care instead of in prison? The guy obviously has some serious mental issues. Would it even be worth it?
It’s a damn shame. Such a brilliant military career. Too bad he was effing whacko.
P.S. - Don’t construe this post to mean that have sympathy for Williams and not his victims. The man’s a monster and his victims in no way deserved what they got. I’m just questioning the punishment of psychologically impaired criminals.