I had trouble writing this week because I was feeling dispirited about the kind of subjects I usually enjoy writing about. I explored that and found out why. I shared with readers almost everything about the short strange trip my Green Party candidacy for federal election had been in April, but I held back one thing: the worst of the death threats and hate mail.

I may be accused of dragging this issue out, but the truth is, the issue is dragging me out.

I hadn’t seen the point of publishing this mail before because it seemed it would only subject readers to gratuitous violence. But over the last six weeks I began to realize that I really was affected by them, both in their quality and in their quantity. It was their existence in my in box, I realized, that had been draining me of my enthusiasm for writing.

Violent death threats and hate mail really do have an effect on writers, no matter how thick-skinned they pretend to be, and those who encourage such threats and hate should be held partly responsible.

Michael Smyth, The Province; Peter O’Neil, The Vancouver Sun; Colby Cosh, The National Post; Brian Hutchinson, The National Post; Lorne Gunter, The National Post; Bill Tieleman, 24 Hours; Ian King, 24 Hours; Dean Broughton, editor, 24 Hours; Harold Munroe, editor, The Vancouver Sun; Roz Guggi, editor, The Province; and Patricia Graham, editor, The Vancouver Sun—these are the corporate media’s reporters, journalists, and editors who wrote and published the libellous, defaming, vitriolic, and hate-filled headlines and articles about me that encouraged the death threats and hate mail. All were invited to apologize, but none chose to. I dedicate this article to them: may they read for themselves a sampling of the product of their labours.

“One four meter-on-a-side 2,000 kilogram plate plummeting down from a height of five meters to land squarely on your wretched carcass would indeed be a thing of beauty. The thin gruel ejecta that was you squishing out from all sides would leave a splatter that would be breathtaking in its beauty. I'd settle for a gas truck though. That way you'd get to taste your own bile before your essence drains away, forever making the world a better place by your absence. Disgusting filth.”

“You share a common fate with the terrorist slime you liberal gutter swill. Heading for a late term abortion, are you?”

“You said it bro, and someone will kill you for it, you stupid inconsiderate prick. How can you be so dumb? Oh well, you will get what you deserve asshole.”

“It would be terribly sad if a fringe nut like you was in any way associated with the Green Party. I hope an airplane slams into you and your family ;)”

“You are a despicable human being . . . I wish you were in the towers.”

“What comes around goes around and you my friend will end up in Hell.”

“You are a revolting slime-ball for publishing this trash Kevin. Hopefully you and your ilk will never make it anywhere near Parliament.”

“I hope Mr Potvin dies the same way the Great Americans did in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. What a slap in the face, but what can you expect from idiot liberals.

“God Bless America and we’ll defeat the Muslim bastards in the name of Jesus Christ. If I were you I would not come to the USA, a big building might fall on you. Eat shit and Die.”

“I will not say ‘you should be ashamed’ because clearly you were brought up by hyenas in the desert and you don't know this.”

“I'm an American. I'm way older than you are. If I ever come face to face with you, I will administer the whupping your Mama would have given you if she'd had opposable thumbs.”

“A special place in hell awaits you. You claim to want peace, yet your heart is so callous you cheer the death of thousands whose only crime was they went to work on time that day.”

“I could wish some terrible event on you, but I think continuing to live as the twisted soul you are is probably punishment enough.”

“I was born and raised in Canada. You are a sub-human and I only wish I would have had the opportunity to have you in my military unit. We would have taught you in no uncertain terms to be a MAN, a CANADIAN!!! No doubt about it. You would have cowered in a corner and pissed your pants like the freak you are.”

“You're a selfish freeloader who leaves it to others to pay the freight. You are an irresponsible sub-human scum.”

“I hope to see the day you are tried for treason and convicted. Yes, you are a pathetic Canadian and not subject to US treason laws. But you could just as easily be tried and convicted up there in your little skanky county. It is in you to be a traitor as your words and deeds have encouraged the likes of Bin Laden and others to fight on and kill more Americans and infidels (infidels like you, by the way), and I am sure those same terrorists are up there in your hell hole just waiting to kill a few Canadians too. I would love to see you held accountable for your treasonous actions and held to the full extent of the law. It would be very nice if that included hanging. It was good enough for Saddam, it would be good enough for you.” —Retired, USAF

“I suggest that you stay out of the US, particularly to not ever come to NYC. There are a few million people here who would be happy to kick your ass before running your face through the dirt at the WTC site. PS - Thanks for confirming the link between enviro-fascists and the jihadi sand-nazis.”

“You are a sociopath as well as a sick, vile individual. You are not controversial, sir. You are damaged, as are any individuals who agree with you. In the body politic, you are a cancer that any competent doctor would recommend be excised immediately in order to preserve the greater health.”

“You are a very sick and disturbed individual. You are obviously an Islamic Terrorist Sympathizer. Stay in Canada and enjoy your hate.”

“What you do not seem to understand is that the same Terrorist that you applaud will just as happily cut off your head unless you are prepared to convert to Islam (maybe you have ). Enjoy your sick and demented life.”

“Keep your opinions about 9-11 to yourself, and may you rot in hell for them.”

“You sir, are a sick, evil man, filled with psychopathic rationalizations that would have made you a useful tool for the Nazis at Auchwitz while feeding Jews into the gas chambers. You have a date with destiny; for that which one wishes upon others, is that which one has condemned oneself to experience.”

“I'd have to say you're in the same category as the animals that blow up other human beings on a daily basis. No conscience, morals, or decency. You have a mouth that regurgitates crap. I'd have to sum up by calling you despicable. Enjoy your sick life.”

“It's too bad you weren't trapped on one of the twin towers. Pieces of shit like you wouldn't be around if evolution were true.”

“Sadly, you seem to have avoided being prosecuted under the Hate Laws of Canada. Perhaps someone in authority will realize the effect of your words and change that. I sincerely hope so. I presume both your parents are deceased. If not, I'm sure they wish they were.”

“Fuck you. The only reason you can spout your commi poison and remain warm and cozy is my country protects yours. So kiss my yanky ass you walking talking piece of shit.”

“You must be a sick fucking pig, to rejoice in any horrific global event. It's one thing to be desensitized, but it's another to rejoice about deliberate global terror, asshole. Looks like from your picture you're a cocksucker.”

“Your words will haunt you and be remembered by many people, to the end of your days. Wait and see! I'll be watching your career with interest to see how it unfolds.”

“I just want you to know, you disgusting piece of shit, that if I ever see you face to face it will be my distinct pleasure to punch you right in the mouth.”

“Here's one more death threat. Yeah! It would be beautiful if your head were smashed with a sledge-hammer. You're a professional cockroach.”

“You’re human garbage! Hopefully the next attack by your buddies will be on your home and family, preferably your family one by one before your very eyes! You make me vomit.”

“Boy Kevin, it would be a terrible shame if a high caliber rifle were to put a gaping hole through the head of your lovely wife, or maybe your kids, or perhaps even you. Please do whatever you can to keep such a travesty from happening.” —1Lt.

That’s merely a sample, but you get the idea. Good work Michael Smyth, Peter O’Neil, Colby Cosh, Brian Hutchinson, Lorne Gunter, Bill Tieleman, Ian King, Dean Broughton, Harold Munroe, Roz Guggi, and Patricia Graham: This is your world, these are your people.