Churchill, Manitoba is an interesting place. People often leave their cars unlocked in case someone needs to shelter from polar bears. The only land access to Churchill is via train.

  • WHARRGARBL@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    Wikipedia mentions the poem without showing it. Anyway, here it is.

    Churchill Bear Jail

    One of your first major stops in Churchill is jail, bear jail

    which makes you feel sad and odd

    at the same time. Then this feeling turns to knowing

    that bear jail is silly yet incredibly bizarre.

    Bizarre seems the right word to describe Quonset

    hut outside of town but there is more. Bears, you’re told,

    are given jail time depending on their offense and how

    many times they commit that offense or any other faux pas.

    First offenders are hauled back to Churchill Cape with other

    free bears but if they come back to raid

    or to be caught again, they are given thirty days.

    They are not fed while they are serving their time.

    Thirty days in jail without a lawyer, without

    a judge, without a jury, without bail, without

    good time served, you realize. Then you think

    of bizarre ways of breaking them out. No justice.

    Yet you think what would happen if there were

    a judge? “Thirty days,” he says. Bear, representing

    himself, asks about his bear rights. Judge says

    he should waive any rights because bear has none

    anyway. The bear waves goodbye with perfect law/decorum

    to be put in his cell till hell freezes over.

    • Victor Charlo