We all get stressed out, and we all deal with it in different ways. But in a civilized society we do not use it as an excuse to abuse animals.

We are supposed to protect them, not hurt them. So I don't buy it when Normand Girard says stress is to blame for the heinous act he committed. It almost defies belief.

He told a court this week that he cracked, that the pressure of his life was too much to bear so he fired nails into the heads of his dogs.

He shot a Labrador retriever and two of her puppies. Girard has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges. And he is begging for the mercy of the court not to see the inside of a jail cell.

There are no excuses.

He simply shot the dogs he didn't want and dumped them on the side of a road in the Townships. Why couldn't he just have dropped them off at a shelter? His lawyers say he should be sentenced to community service.

But right thinking people say much more is needed. Too often, Quebec is seen as being too lax in the defence of animals.

Advocates says a clear message must be sent out. I agree.

He should be hit with the maximum $10,000 fine and 18 months in jail. Girard says he wants to turn the page. I'm sure he does. And there is no reason he cannot start his page turning behind bars.


Squeezed out

I wonder sometimes how much more they can squeeze out of us.

As of the January 1st, everything costs more in Quebec. One percent doesn't seem like much. But it's the second QST increase in two years.

Fees are increasing for just about everything, There's a higher health tax and payroll taxes. If you own a car your registration costs more. Gas is more expensive and another 1 percent tax is coming this year.

Much of this is to support our nanny state which just keeps piling up debt. Something's gotta give.

Like everybody, I'm just about squeezed out.


Oil companies take us for fools

On top of all this, we have the oil companies taking us for complete fools.

A ten cent jump this week alone. Those increases are always just before weekends. Coincidence?

The oil companies are making huge profits and feel justified everytime there is a storm in the gulf or a gunboat patrols the straight of Hormuz. I'm not too concerned at this point about Iran blowing up the world.

Oil companies take our money because they can and they like money -- and more money.

Did you know that pump prices in Montreal rose by 21 per cent in 2011? On CTV's Talkback Montreal this week, 98 per cent of respondents said yes the oil companies are gouging consumers.

I would love to have chat with the 2 per cent who don't.


A little Kitty CAQ

Finally, it's true that new political parties have growing pains. You have to cut them a little slack.

But this week it was revealed that Francois Legault's new CAQ party actually signed up a cat as a new member. Yep a cat. Must be a kitty CAQ.


I'm Barry Wilson and that's CTV Postscript for this week. See you later this month.