His [Kevin Potvin’s] views are repugnant to anyone with a sense of decency. Ian King, columnist, 24 Hours
I totally understand what you were and are trying to say, and congratulate you for being so open about feelings that a lot of us had. To this day I don't feel the horror that so many profess to feel. A reader
On Friday, Potvin appeared insulted that anyone would suggest his column meant he was jubilant about the violence and killing. Toronto Star
Amid this controversy surrounding your article, I wanted you to know that you are not alone in your thoughts and opinions and that you have my support. A reader
Whether Mr [Stéphane] Dion likes it or not, every lunatic statement ever made by some Green candidate is going to reflect on him . . . . Even as he was holding a joint press conference, word was reaching newsstands of the editorial written after 9/11 by the Green’s man in Vancouver Kingsway, Kevin Potvin. Colby Cosh, National Post columnist
I know from reading The Republic for years that human suffering is something we both want to limit and this sounds like opportunism by the right in Canada. A reader
Kevin Potvin . . . spoke warmly about Osama bin Laden and his own sickening pleasure at watching the towers fall down. Michael Smyth, Province newspaper columnist
I was impressed to read the candour of your reaction on that fateful day; mine was somewhat similar, though tending more toward the metonymic "they earned it" than anything—largely based on environmental damage and regime- and trade-manipulation. A reader
He [Kevin Potvin] characterized as “beautiful” the destruction of the second World Trade Center tower. Peter O’Neil, Vancouver Sun reporter I enjoyed your article, must say I had the same feelings when I first saw the footage—found myself smiling and thinking "awesome."
A reader
The Liberals are now linked to the Green Party’s goofy band of candidates. Take Kevin Potvin, the Green’s towering intellectual. Bill Tieleman, columnist in 24 Hours
I have read the column three times. I haven't seen anything abhorrent written in it. Either the people that are making a big deal about it need the publicity badly, or they cannot understand the English language.
A reader
Kevin Potvin . . . has admitted his spirits soared while watching the 9/11 terrorist events unfold on television. Brian Hutchinson, National Post reporter
That's a good and brave article. It was just a little part of you that said "Yeah" and you certainly explain why. Part of me said "Yeah" too. A reader
He also wrote that he is not alone in his belief.
The Chronicle Herald, Halifax Purely and simply, [the Vancouver Sun’s] story was written to defame an individual, because a perspective that he offered was not in agreement with what government, the media, and the controlling elite would have us believe. A reader
I came to the conclusion you are a sociopathic prick near the end of the interview . . . Your 15 minutes is over. Peter O’Neil, Vancouver Sun reporter, in private correspondence with Kevin Potvin I'd be curious to know how many reporters and citizens in the US and Canada cheered when bombs were dropped on Iraq, during a particularly "big" attack? If you were one of them, this makes you equally as involved as the individual you seek to defame. It is not fair to judge him for saying what he did, because I also believe that many around the world were secretly happy that this dominating administration got a taste of its own medicine. A reader
The guy doesn’t deserve any benefit [of the doubt] at all. Michael Smyth, Province newspaper columnist
Reading about this and thinking it over, it has reminded me of what I found in The Republic the first time I saw it—it is brave and it is honest. A reader
On Friday, after parts of his column were reproduced in the media, Potvin offered two different apologies. CBC Nova Scotia
Read your confession piece after reading an item on CBC online. I see no problem with your views. A reader
I was just shattered by 9/11. I could barely function for two weeks. The idea that somebody felt celebratory about it makes my stomach turn. Elizabeth May, leader, Green Party of Canada, quoted in the National Post
This is horrible. I read your original article and your intent and message are clear. I am dismayed that it is not clear to others. Silly me to have thought that such ignorant misinterpretations of dissenting voices on the topic were restricted only to the USA. A reader
A Green party candidate hopeful has been booted . . . because of columns he wrote years ago cheering the “beautiful” events of Sept. 11, 2001. Gwen Preston, Vancouver Sun reporter
As you are acutely aware, free speech and truth are just buzzwords in our society. I read a few of the articles and there is next to no analysis of your article. The National Post just make me angry. A reader I was put in mind of [disgraced former Reform candidate and racist bigot John] Beck this past week while reading the malevolent rantings of Kevin Potvin. Lorne Gunter, National Post columnist
I felt the same way on the morning of September 11th. I admire you for being brave enough to speak the unspoken and stand by it when the shit hit the fan. A reader
His [Kevin Potvin’s] ramblings about terrorism, described in Friday’s National Post, show that he’s an unsavoury ignoramus. Brian Hutchinson, National Post reporter
He had powerful and inconsistent reactions to the news of the September 11 bombing of the World Trade Center, as millions, perhaps billions, of people did. His desire to cheer was because of the setback for American and corporate ambitions, not because of the fatalities. I see no reason to doubt his explanation, especially after reading his original article. A reader
Greens must dump pro-al-Qaida candidate Headline in Vancouver Province
Many Canadians did not realize on Sept. 11 2001 that the US was capable of mass slaughter, torture, and mendacity, but now the evidence is before the world. I would be glad to vote for a politician as prescient as Mr Potvin, if I lived in his riding. A reader
Go ahead Stéphane, lie down with losers; and just watch how long it takes you to wash the stink off. National Post unsigned lead editorial
Thank you for having the courage to speak what’s on your mind, it is very refreshing to hear the truth from someone. A reader
The two [Holocaust denier and racist Doug Collins and Kevin Potvin] have a little in common: both are inflammatory commentators. Ian King, columnist in 24 Hours
Thank you Kevin for saying what you felt. We're richer for it. A reader
After parts of his column were reproduced in newspaper articles yesterday, Potvin issued a clarification but he never disavowed his sentiments in the statement or a following interview. The Hamilton Spectator newspaper
I want to tell you, there are any number of people who had—or have—similar feelings to what you expressed in this regard. A reader
Cheering on 9/11 'symbolic' Edmonton Sun headline
What have I learned? That politics dictates that its candidates must not play in the language, that language and thinking must be seen as equivocal, unambiguous, in order for them to be manipulated, used as lying machines by those already ensconced. A reader
Green candidate who called 9/11 'beautiful' not running in Vancouver AM 940 News, Montreal, headline
I'm writing again to say that, as far as I can tell, you've done nothing wrong. A reader
Would you vote for this man? National Post headline
I was appalled at your coverage of the Kevin Potvin "scandal". His remarks were taken deliberately out of context, as anyone who has taken the trouble to read the original article will see. Your descending to the level of name-calling and personal attack, in a blatant attempt to discredit the Green Party by association, is unworthy of any professional journalism, even in a comment piece. I admire Mr Potvin for his courage and honesty in writing about his true feelings, however politically incorrect or even objectionable to the mainstream. To answer your question, "Would you vote for this man?" Yes, I would. A reader
Potvin freely admitted to cheering on the attacks. Since that time, he’s written tens of thousands of words attacking the United States. Ian King, columnist in 24 Hours
I want to thank—and congratulate—you for your astonishing if pyrrhic honesty regarding your reactions to the events of 9/11. I would not put a lot of money on your political future, but perhaps your honesty will save you from the fate of so many freethinkers who hedged their values, got chewed up by the machine, and joined the Great Majority. A reader
You disclosed in your own publication that you said to yourself “Go, Osama, Go!” As Osama bin Laden is generally understood by readers to be the leader of al Qaida, there is no material difference between “pro Osama” and “pro al Qaida.” Ros Guggi, deputy managing editor of The Province, in private correspondence
No one is in favour of innocent Americans being murdered, certainly not Potvin, but unlike you, neither do I think most of the 10 million people murdered through US foreign policy in our lifetimes should have died. A reader
The only thing that really completely precludes running for the Green Party of Canada is celebrating the deaths of innocents. Elizabeth May, leader, Green Party of Canada, quoted in the Vancouver Sun
Deeply disturbed to see that Kevin Potvin was hastily abandoned as a candidate for Vancouver-Kingsway based on statements he made in 2002. You [Elizabeth may] apparently bowed to the wishes of the National Post and their ilk and did not defend Mr Potvin and what he really said, rather than right-wing distortions. A reader
Your column described the destruction of one World Trade Centre tower as "beautiful", a little voice inside you said "yeah" when the other tower came down, and you felt an urge to "pump my fist" at the sight of a smoking Pentagon. In light of such opinions, the "Pro-9/11" headline is accurate. We will not apologize. Harold Munroe, deputy managing editor of The Vancouver Sun
You merely said what was on the minds of many Canadians on that September day in 2001. The chickens had come home to roost after decades of American depredations. A reader
Peter's story on Saturday was a fair account of the day's events. You had your say, along with others connected to the issue. We published in large type your quotes from then and now. My advice is that you move on with your life. The rest of us have. Harold Munroe, deputy managing editor of The Vancouver Sun
When one is speaking Truth, one need not justify it. Truth is Truth. It always has been unsettling and provocative. Just be quiet; let your words speak for themselves. A reader
Pro-9/11 column may oust Green candidate Vancouver Sun headline
Your decision not to accept Kevin Potvin's candidacy over sensationalist news regarding some quotes taken out of context is the impetus for me to quit the party. Kevin Potvin is a perfect Green candidate. A reader
Kevin Potvin does have one redeeming feature. Most radicals, when challenged, deny that they support some very evil causes, or at least pussyfoot around the issue with some fake intellectualizing. Potvin had the guts to share his views without sugarcoating. Ian King, columnist in 24 Hours
I think you have demonstrated integrity in the face of some rather revolting journalism. A reader
I would obviously not want to be known as someone who "fabricates" quotes. Peter O’Neil, Vancouver Sun reporter, in private correspondence with Kevin Potvin For what it's worth, Kevin, I agree with your views from the 9-11 article and your recent comment in the Republic. A reader
Kevin Potvin, meet Doug Collins. Ian King, columnist in 24 Hours
Once again, you've found the global media to be the lying dogs they are, willing to misrepresent you. A reader
There were no misquotes [the Vancouver Sun corrected a crucial misquote the same day], just fanaticism being exposed to the light of day. Potvin [is] like the flakiest of conspiracy flakes. Lorne Gunter National Post columnist
I was dismayed to read about the trap that was set for you, regarding your admirable editorial honesty. How, exactly, would a truthful person handle the sorts of questions which were hurled at you? I myself had the same sorts of reactions to the infamous events of the early morning, September 11, 2001 as you described. A reader
I can understand being sympathetic to fundamental injustices around the world but that does not allow one to be sympathetic to murderers. Elizabeth May, quoted in The Vancouver Sun
The article was not, as you quote Ms May, as "celebrating the deaths of innocents." It was however an open and honest confession of sorts, and one with which many Canadians might identify. After reading the article I put the paper down and thought to myself: yes. Yes, I too felt in brutal honesty that some sort of justice was being done with the terrible attacks on New York and the Pentagon. I didn't find joy in the deaths of those innocent souls on September 11th, anymore than I find some twisted happiness in the deaths of ordinary people by suicide bombers in the Middle East, nor the senseless murder of young people on our own streets by gang bangers. A reader
Like Potvin, Doug Collins scribbled inflammatory columns that played to the prejudices of a small group. Ian King, columnist in 24 Hours
I wish I knew you. I know your writing, and your intent is always clear in your political activities. A reader
[You are] so devoid of a conscience—and someone who cheered on the slaughter of close to 3,000 civilians is certainly without a conscience — is fundamentally a prick. . . . The actual column you wrote, as opposed to the news stories of last week—was far worse and far more damning about your character than anything the media could or did publish. Peter O’Neil, Vancouver Sun reporter, in private correspondence with Kevin Potvin Somewhere along the way to 47 years old, my conviction didn't change but the courage of speaking it consistently waned. Yours has not. I applaud you for this. A reader
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