The Relativism of Devastating Acts

The ringleader of a jihadi terror cell that never got to, you know, blow up the House of Commons and decapitate Prime Minister Stephen Harper (said the poet: "A man's reach should exceed his grasp or what's a heaven full of panting virgins for?"--or something like that) has been sentenced to 16 years in the slammer. And didn't the judge who handed down the punishment have a few choice words for the lad (as quoted in the National Post)?

[Fahim] Ahmad -- who admitted to organizing two terrorist training camps -- created propaganda s and helped the group acquire firearms. Although his plans never materialized, Judge Dawson said Ahmad was responsible for "recruiting, indoctrinating and arming" young Muslim men in his group.

"Ahmad's activities created a grave risk and substantially heightened the likelihood that devastating acts of terrorism would be carried out in Canada," wrote Judge Dawson in a 36-page ruling.

He also said Ahmad's actions have unfairly contributed to negative perceptions of the Muslim-Canadian community following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Yes, devastating acts of terrorism are one thing. Devasting P.R.--that's well-nigh unforgivable! Oh, well. At least the judge didn't advise him, a la Times Square bomber judge Miriam Goldman Cederbaum, to use his time in prison figuring out whether the Koran called for such violent acts. Not that we need worry about that, since the "yout" seems well on his way to being rehabilitated:

Ahmad, who was 21 at the time of his arrest, also blamed a host of external sources for his actions, from his parents, who he said were never home, to religious leaders he turned to for guidance and anonymous people he met online.

Maybe not.