Canadian Government Grinds To A Halt As It Mulls The Sean Penn Smoking Affair
Continuing with our running coverage this week of the Toronto International Film Festival, and, by extension, the adorable, if somewhat cockeyed, customs of its Canadian hosts, we now turn our attentions to this story about Sean Penn, who has raised the ire of local politicians after allowing his anti-Bush sentiments to get the better of him, and lighting up during a press conference:
"No one is above the law, whether it's Sean Penn or someone at the local tavern," [Ontario Health Promotion Minister Jim] Watson said.
"Sean Penn's a great actor, but quite frankly . . .if he was smoking and in breach of the law, he could be charged, and he should be charged." [...]
"Before we go out talking about enforcement officers and whose uniform is going to be on the scene, we need to first ensure that the managers of these events and facilities comply with their obligations under the law," [Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario's chief medical officer of health] said. [...]
"(Penn's smoking) has certainly been an item of significant attention . . . and I expect Toronto Public Health to follow provincial protocols in investigating...Super-stardom does not mean that you can side-step any laws or bylaws, and I think that's an important message to get out," [Toronto city Coun. Joe] Mihevc said.
We're relieved to know an effort is under way to put the arrogant, bylaw-disregarding actor in his place, by making him well aware that nothing at all separates him from the average Canadian Joe, save perhaps for the fact that virtually every starstruck Ontario public official on the payroll is willing to go on record with a disproportionately outraged quote voicing something to that effect.
