I am shocked and disgusted by the 18 month conditional sentence given to Chris Barber "Big Red" official and Tamara Lich. Make no mistake, given the near certainty of a crown appeal, they WILL use this as a stepping stone to a much harsher punishment for Chris and Tamara and to go after more political dissidents with a renewed vigor and ruthlessness. This is a dark day for Canada. As someone fully informed about the facts of the case, arguably the most informed journalist in Canada about this matter, and the evidence presented as well as the punishments given to others in similar circumstances, I find the sentencing to be excessive and punitive. I disagree wholeheartedly with anyone who says otherwise. While it is good they can be at home and leave to work, this sentence is far more severe than my wildest expectations. Based on the findings at trial and the dismissal of Carter, the fact that both Tamara AND Chris were given the same 18 month sentence for the mischief conviction seems on its face egregious and illogical. They had vastly different evidence against them AND the Carter application WAS dismissed. Justice is only so when it is blind and equal. And in our country it is simply neither.