 |
| Marcel Strigberger |
When you think about Belgium what might come to mind is chocolates, Stella or sprouts, as in Brussels. But I’ll bet most of us never thought of the town of Geraardsbergen. There’s trouble brewing there. It’s the town’s annual Krakelingen festival, started in the year 1413, when local Druids celebrated the transition from winter to spring by, inter alia, drinking wine in goblets which contained live tiny fish. It seems this traditional practice did not sit well with some animal rights groups who lobbied and succeeded in getting the live fish part of the practice banned. The residents of Geraardsbergen are livid, noting that they plan to fight the ban tooth and nail. Or should I say tooth and gill?
The locals have been dressing up in the traditional attire and demonstrating, carrying signs reading, “Ik wil vis.” I asked Siri what that meant and she replied, “A Will is a document signed by Ik directing upon his death who gets his vis.”
If I recall my Flemish correctly, this means “I want fish.”
The town officials, including the mayor, one Fernand Van Trimpont, are complaining that the ban regulation was approved without their ever being heard. This surely violates the universal legal principle audi alteram partem. (I did not ask Siri what that meant). But not being given an opportunity to state your case does violate any standard of fairness. Van Trimpont has a good point.
Meanwhile, animal rights groups have threatened to report anyone drinking fish at the festival. I don’t know yet what might happen to any person violating the ban. Can they get arrested? I can see a 911 call coming in and the police getting alerted:
“Attention units 28 and 29. Head straight to Van Dyke and Brugge — group of Druids drinking fish. Approach with caution.”
And if these violators get into their cars and take off, can they be charged with driving under the influence of fish? Who knows? Given the strong animal rights lobbies, the prosecution might just throw the hook at them.
At least the townsfolk are acting civilly so far. It’s not like they’ve gone wild and are rioting, attacking aquarium dealers.
And speaking of fish, did you know in Kansas it is forbidden to keep pet raccoons? Segue obvious.
One Stephen Kaspar is lobbying lawmakers in Kansas to legalize these furry creatures as pets, arguing that they are “extremely intelligent.” He notes that they even solve problems. I don’t know about that part. I have never seen a raccoon standing in front of my garbage bags holding a pencil and note pad and scratching his head.
Opponents of allowing them as pets say there are risks of rabies and distemper. Interestingly, raccoons are permitted as pets in over a dozen states, including Florida. Given the uncertainties of our relationship with our neighbours to the south, I had second thoughts about snow birding again in Florida next winter. However, being given this information about pet raccoons being permitted may just be a gamechanger. I’m calling Air Canada tomorrow.
I don’t know how those Druids will do nor if Stephen Kaspar will get to legally have a pet raccoon. All I can say is these are a couple of situations for which you can’t really blame Donald Trump.
Marcel Strigberger retired from his Greater Toronto Area litigation practice and continues the more serious business of humorous author and speaker. His book, Boomers, Zoomers, and Other Oomers: A Boomer-biased Irreverent Perspective on Aging, is available on Amazon (e-book) and in paper version. His new(!) book First, Let’s Kill the Lawyer Jokes: An Attorney’s Irreverent Serious Look at the Legal Universe, is available on Amazon, Apple and other book places. Visit www.marcelshumour.com. Follow him on X: @MarcelsHumour.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
Interested in writing for us? To learn more about how you can add your voice to Law360 Canada, contact Analysis Editor Peter Carter at peter.carter@lexisnexis.ca or call 647-776-6740.