It's a Joke, Right?

"The consequences of detonating the bombs would have been catastrophic. It is simply beyond question that, had the plan succeeded, many people, probably hundreds, would have perished. ...This country would have been dealt a massive blow, both physically and psychologically, and in all likelihood would never have been the same." Justice Fletcher Dawson, Toronto

Having said which, one can only wonder, despite mouthing those condemnatory and concerning words, does the sentence fit the crime? It is a crime of suspended but horrifying proportions. To deliberately work toward the goal of extinguishing the lives of people, to determinedly plan to destroy public institutions, to destabilize a country, to exact revenge on a nation that has given succour to oneself and one's parents. Incomprehensible.

Convicted former software engineer Shareef Abdelhaleem, one of the lead planners of the "Toronto 18" jihadis, was given an opportunity to plead pre-sentencing, for leniency. "I was mistaken in my conduct. I am unconditionally sorry." However, it would appear that his unconditional regret for his "mistaken conduct" was conditional on clemency. Odd that; one might consider the sentence meted out as brimming with kind consideration and a modicum of clemency.

A life sentence, after all, but one that is interpreted to offer the potential of seeking parole in just over five years. A ten-year life sentence. Why term this a 'life sentence'? That is quite the penalty, ten years, for planning to discharge jihadist rage by Canadians against Canadians. Who mightily resent and planned to 'resist' with all the opportunities at their disposal, the "Islamophobia" being displayed against their religious cohorts, and by extension, themselves.

"I am a brown Muslim, so I become a terrorist", Abdelhaleem seethingly, self-pityingly explained. Anticipate that, because I am a Muslim that I cannot be trusted, that I will do everything in my power to covertly plan a bloody disaster that will make you sit up and take notice. And because you consider me so likely to become a violent Islamist I shall become one. Well, he did, and he did his best, along with his co-conspirators, to exact revenge. We sat up and took notice.

Having done so, the plot was apprehended and the associates-in-murder arrested, and now the trials of those eleven members who were held by security authorities to be those who were most fully involved and held responsible for the planned carnage have been completed. Mr. Abdelhaleem not only shared a hateful ideological belief and dedication to political Islam's devotion to violent jihad, but he also shares his colleagues' belief in the "blatant injustice" that was meted out to them by Canada's legal system.

This time around, the Toronto stock exchange was spared destruction by disaffected Canadian Muslim plotters. This time around, the CSIS downtown Toronto premises were spared. This time, the Highway 401 military base near Toronto survived a threat. As did the Houses of Parliament in Ottawa, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's tender neck. In addition, this time around, quite a few Canadians were spared an early and gruesome death.

Perhaps those who might be bold enough to make another concerted attempt will exercise more caution, having closely witnessed the manner in which security agents scrutinized and kept watch over the clandestine activities of the Toronto 18. Surely they will weigh the chances of success and notoriety and Islamist celebrity and blessings as martyrs-for-the-cause against the paltry sentence that will be handed down in response to their dedication.

However, Crown attorney Iona Jaffe in praise of Judge Dawson's decision seems content. "This is exactly the kind of sentence or message that should be sent out to those people contemplating this type of terrorist activity in Canada", said she. Is it truly? There are many who would disagree, little doubt about that. The man's lawyer claims his client will likely appeal. He can do that, through the justice system of this country.

In the final analysis, it is likely the devastated father of the convicted man, Tariq Abdelhaleem, who represents the image of one who has been unfairly sentenced. His sentence is one of profound parental grief.