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Shooting At Canadian Parliament

CBC reports that a man pulled up to the War Memorial in downtown Ottawa, got out of his car, and shot a soldier with a rifle. The Memorial is right next to the Canadian Parliament buildings. A shooter (reportedly the same one, but unconfirmed) also approached Parliament and got inside before he was shot and killed. "Scott Walsh, who was working on Parliament Hill, said ... the man hopped over the stone fence that surrounds Parliament Hill, with his gun forcing someone out of their car. He then drove to the front doors of Parliament and fired at least two shots, Walsh said." Canadian government officials were quickly evacuated from the building, while the search continues for further suspects. This comes a day after Canada raised its domestic terrorism threat level. Most details of the situation are still unconfirmed -- CBC has live video coverage here. They have confirmed that there was a second shooting at the Rideau Center, a shopping mall nearby.

529 comments

  1. Dear Canada.... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Dont let your idiots in parliment go all panic mode like the Raving Morons we have running this place in Washington DC.

    This was a rare incident by a insane person, nothing more. Put more money into public mental health.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:Dear Canada.... by Galaga88 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I agree with not going into "panic mode", but we don't know who did this yet. It might be a person who could have been dealt with by improved public mental health, or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state.

      We can't call what it is until we have facts. And we have precious few right now. Which is all the more reason not to panic.

    2. Re:Dear Canada.... by DavidCBillen · · Score: 2

      It was more than one guy,

    3. Re:Dear Canada.... by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Days after another Islamic radical mowed down two Canadian soldiers.

      It's not time to panic, to be sure. It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    4. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      Putting money into mental health won't help if this was another moron who converted to islam and think committing acts of terror is "good".

    5. Re:Dear Canada.... by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 3, Informative

      Canada knows how to deal with terrorists and move on with life.

      Canada doesn't take shit.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    6. Re:Dear Canada.... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 1, Informative

      Sorry Lumpy, but this is the second soldier killed on Canadian soil this week by, presumably, an extremist. We only put up with so much, then we go all http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardenne_Abbey_massacreArdenne Abbey on them. As the German SS if that massacre was worth what our soldiers did to them afterward. "No Prisoners" was the chant.

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    7. Re:Dear Canada.... by Nimey · · Score: 0

      Harper's running things. They're fucked.

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    8. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      If it was a foreign actor engaging in a concerted act of terrorism, then so much the better.

      Why?

      Because this kind of thing is so utterly useless as to demonstrate their manifest incompetence.

      Please give us more like these guys, they are almost as good as Cobra or the Guild of Calamitous Intent for making hilarious moments.

    9. Re:Dear Canada.... by Sir_Eptishous · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Actually, they should invade Iraq.
      That will fix things!

      --
      We play the game with the bravery of being out of range
    10. Re:Dear Canada.... by CaptainLard · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Speaking of facts, what I find most shocking so far is "This comes a day after Canada raised its domestic terrorism threat level". I'd like to know more about a terrorism warning system that might be based in reality and not propaganda/lazyness (ours was "orange" for most of its existence IIRC).

    11. Re:Dear Canada.... by maliqua · · Score: 1

      3 insane people it appears but your point is still valid

    12. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But when this happens in the US. It means we have a Gun problem that must be solve and we need to follow the Canadian model to stop it once and for all.

    13. Re:Dear Canada.... by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      I think today's the day Harper is about to ram his CSIS spying power bill through Parliament, as well. You know, the one that's increasing the ability of CSIS to spy domestically.

      Even though the two soldiers who were run over were already well known. They already have the power being enacted (the ability to keep sources secret - a power they've actually never invoked, either),

      Heck, one could argue it's to justify it all...

    14. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It was a planned attack by two to three people, and was terrorist in nature. That said, I agree completely that if we give up our freedom, the terrorists have won.

    15. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The same discussion happens in Canada after every shooting as well. only our gun laws are already stricter than yours and they have less to take away from us now.

    16. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Man, I miss old Jean. Best PM we ever had.

    17. Re:Dear Canada.... by sinij · · Score: 1

      >>> It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists.

      How? Declare Islam a thought-crime?

    18. Re:Dear Canada.... by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      If rob ford were the PM there would be swift response.

    19. Re:Dear Canada.... by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

      No one has been able to confirm that yet.

    20. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your an idiot. Time to break out the plans for the interment camps and make the word Muslim be like Nazi and banned from the Eartth, disagree nuclear weapon time and german showers.

    21. Re:Dear Canada.... by digitrev · · Score: 2

      No word on whether or not the soldier on guard at the Tomb is dead. Latest news is that there is a man being treated for gunshot wounds at one of Ottawa's hospitals.

      --
      Cynical Idealist
    22. Re:Dear Canada.... by cjjjer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      No by getting the Muslim community involved and start turning in these idiots, the war on extremists is never going to be won unless the community that they belong to steps up.

    23. Re:Dear Canada.... by Nimey · · Score: 1, Funny

      MOAR CRACK!

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    24. Re:Dear Canada.... by dskoll · · Score: 2

      I don't think this was a rare incident by an insane person. There have been shootings at at least three different locations in Ottawa and there apparently are multiple shooters. This is a planned terrorist attack.

      I live in Ottawa and I'm aware of the security of Parliament Hill. The security there was completely inadequate to deal with this kind of threat; it really needs to be increased.

    25. Re:Dear Canada.... by dskoll · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Recognize that the tenets of Islam are incompatible with Western Democracy. Then make it treasonous to promote those tenets.

    26. Re:Dear Canada.... by dskoll · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I bet the reaction of the "Muslim Community" will be to wring their hands about how they're now going to be subject to discrimination. I have very little time for that sort of bullshit woe-is-us attitude.

    27. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Yes! Let's call the War Measures Act, put thousands of soldiers in the streets, suspend civil liberties and and put hundreds of people solely on their political/religious opinions... because that's the only way to deal with a handful of terrorists, right?

    28. Re:Dear Canada.... by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      At least Trudeau is not running things. Canada would be sending humanitarian aid with no protection so ISIS can take over the area and have food to eat. Trudeau does not understand that humanitarian aid without security is useless at best and aid to the enemy at worst.

    29. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just deport them to the USA. Dearborn, MI is the largest concentration of Muslims in the world outside of the middle east.

    30. Re:Dear Canada.... by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      So it's time to go all ape-shit like we have in the USA and have military in the streets? Our cops are driving assault vehicles, carrying M16 machine guns and waterboarding people for jay-walking.

      I though canadians were level headed people.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    31. Re:Dear Canada.... by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 1, Informative

      The tenets of Islam are not more incompatible than the tenets or radical christs.

      If you believe the Islam is your enemy then I might give you a hint: know your enemy, so you can fight him! And you will realize that Islam is a very moderate religion.

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
    32. Re:Dear Canada.... by gmarsh · · Score: 4, Funny

      If rob ford were the PM there would be swift response.

      Like what, a crack-down?

    33. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (ours was "orange" for most of its existence IIRC).

      fortuneately, we can rest easy knowing its been reduced to cerulean.

    34. Re:Dear Canada.... by buchner.johannes · · Score: 1

      Two events do not make a pattern. Look at the overall frequency and you will realize that obesity, cardiac diseases and consequences of climate change are more important topics, and should proportionally be addressed and discussed more.

      --
      NB: The message above might reflect my opinion right now, but not necessarily tomorrow or next year.
    35. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It might be a person who could have been dealt with by improved public mental health, or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state.

      Well, the effect would have been the same, wouldn't it?

    36. Re:Dear Canada.... by itzly · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Uh, no, there are as many different forms of Islam as there are muslims. Some muslims may be moderate, a few may even be very moderate, but plenty are not.

    37. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Days after another Islamic radical mowed down two Canadian soldiers.

      It's not time to panic, to be sure. It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists.

      The radical in question was a white french caucasian male converted to Islam, also known by the police since their parent had reported him prior to his attack so that's why the parliament is taking no chances right now

    38. Re:Dear Canada.... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 1

      Word is in, the Reservist who was standing watch at the War Memorial has passed away.

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    39. Re:Dear Canada.... by Nimey · · Score: 1

      How long has Trudeau been out of office, again?

      --
      Hail Eris, full of mischief...

      E pluribus sanguinem
    40. Re:Dear Canada.... by HatofPig · · Score: 2

      There was a terrorist attack in Quebec yesterday.

      --
      Silicon & Charybdis McLuhan Kildall Papert Kay
    41. Re:Dear Canada.... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 2

      I didn't say any of that. I said, we know how to mete our own form of justice to those that deserve it.

      We will not go apeshit. We will not allow our government unrestricted control over every aspect of our lives or violate our laws.

      What we will do is find those responsible, and hold them accountable, and very little will stop us until we think this has been accomplished. That is the way we have always done things. (And perhaps burn down the Whitehouse just for shits and giggles on the way home. ;) )

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    42. Re:Dear Canada.... by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 1, Insightful

      About 6 billion of the world population are muslims, that's around 23% of the world population. Outlawing the world's second largest religion in a few select countries ("western democracies") would not work in practice, would violate basic principles of democracy, for example such a law would be incompatible with all constitutions of all western democracies, and would also be immoral according to the high moral standards of western democracies, in which laws against thought crimes are generally frowned upon.

    43. Re:Dear Canada.... by misexistentialist · · Score: 1

      Days after Canada announced it was going to deploy special forces and bombers to kill Islamists in their homelands without provocation...

    44. Re:Dear Canada.... by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 1

      Actually, we are sending several fighter jets to bomb ISIS, right now. Odds are that's what is precipitating these attacks.

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
    45. Re:Dear Canada.... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      , or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state.

      Or it could have been a domestic RWNJ.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    46. Re:Dear Canada.... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      I though canadians were level headed people.

      Where did you get that idea?

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    47. Re:Dear Canada.... by JasonGoatcher · · Score: 1

      The tenets of Islam are not more incompatible than the tenets or radical christs.

      This is very true. If one were to practice government the way Christ intended, we'd be sharing our goods with each other while also working hard to improve society with our own skills.

      Think communism, but only practiced by people who want to practice it.

    48. Re:Dear Canada.... by lgw · · Score: 5, Insightful

      >>> It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists.

      How? Declare Islam a thought-crime?

      The problem has never been "Islam", and wanting to eliminate terrorists has nothing to do with being anti-religion. The problem is, as has happen so often throughout history, a bunch of people who self-identify with a particular religion are being steered by leaders who claim that religion as a tool to get followers.

      The problem must be solved within the leadership of Islam. The honest leaders of the religion need to become more vigorous about this - expel those inciting violence, denounce them as heretics, cause a schism, all the same shit that the Catholic church had to go through in centuries past.

      National leaders who are not religious leaders need to do what they can to support that. When someone with religious authority denounces a terrorist religious leader as such, of course that terrorist group will try to kill that authority. The state can offer protection.

      Completely separate form religion, we should be bombing the fuck out of assholes who start conquering, looting and raping their neighbors like it was the middle ages! America still has some strength, and there's a growing territory where women have become property, and are being raped daily. Where men re being executed out of hand for having the wrong religion. Where they're partying like it's 999. We can't let that cancer grow - humanity mustn't slide back into barbarism.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    49. Re:Dear Canada.... by Yaztromo · · Score: 4, Informative

      No by getting the Muslim community involved and start turning in these idiots, the war on extremists is never going to be won unless the community that they belong to steps up.

      Thus far, in every case that has occurred within Canada, the first alerts received by police about radicalized Muslims has been from Imams at various mosques.

      The Muslim community has stepped up, and has been doing exactly what you extol. However, holding radical ideals isn't against the law in Canada; unless you can prove that a) an illegal act is being planned, or b) support is being given to an illegal organization, there isn't much the police can do except monitor the people involved.

      The attacker from Monday's attack in St. Jean-sur-Richaleau was being monitored by police, and had even recently been questions by them. They had confiscated his passport, as he had booked a flight to Turkey (purportedly to cross into Syria to join ISIS/ISIL), but as he hadn't broken any Canadian laws, were unable to detain him. I have little doubt the way police were alerted to this person in the first place was via people at his local mosque.

      Unfortunately, the police don't announce how they find out about the radicals they are tracking (news today has it that the RCMP is tracking 90 people for radicalist activities), in part to protect their sources. This is why you don't hear about it much in the media, but people on the inside know that it's been the leaders of Canadian mosques who have been at the forefront of reporting radical Islamic activity in this country.

      Yaz

    50. Re:Dear Canada.... by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      Here is one way to start ...

      Tell the Silent Majority to SPEAK UP

    51. Re:Dear Canada.... by gtall · · Score: 1

      "Our cops are driving assault vehicles, carrying M16 machine guns and waterboarding people for jay-walking."

      Really, in what city does this routinely happen? When there is an incident, yes they use M16 machine guns and drive assault vehicles. Please refer us to where U.S. police are waterboarding anyone.

    52. Re:Dear Canada.... by Dan667 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      not scared of islamic radicals who are thousands of miles away. I am worried about the number of crazies like this guy and the complete lack of adequate mental health services due to decades of budget cuts.

    53. Re:Dear Canada.... by rhazz · · Score: 1

      The person who ran over the two in Montreal was already known to RCMP as a suspected radicalized individual. Fortunately we cannot arrest people based on their beliefs alone, he had to act or plan to act before he could be taken in. Unfortunately he apparently skipped the "planning" stage and went straight to running people down - he probably did it spur of the moment. I'm not sure how you could prevent that unless you jailed him just for reading jihadist material, or had an armed detail follow him around 24/7.

    54. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right, Indonesia has a population of 250 million, 87% of whom are Muslim, but Dearborn MI (total population about 100 thousand) is the largest concentration of Muslims outside the middle east. I totally believe that.

    55. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      CBC is now reporting that the soldier is dead.

    56. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Jesus christ, it's like you WANT to be illegally spied on.

    57. Re:Dear Canada.... by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      and waterboarding people for jay-walking.

      Cut the hyperbole and people might listen to you. By the way, cops with M-16's are to counter people like this.

    58. Re:Dear Canada.... by T.E.D. · · Score: 4, Funny

      ... or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state.

      What kind of loser terrorist attacks Canada?

      Seriously, was the puppy room at the Petsmart too heavily guarded or something?

    59. Re:Dear Canada.... by kevin_j_morse · · Score: 1

      Not that Trudeau... The new one http://justin.ca/ :P

    60. Re:Dear Canada.... by rhazz · · Score: 1

      The security at most federal buildings in Ottawa is inadequate to handle this kind of threat. Do you think it's reasonable to post guards at every federal building? How many? With assault rifles? Parliament is also a public building (though the web site does indicate there are security scans - I admit I live here and have never been in it). And don't forget that the guy was taken out within sight of the main entrance by a swarm of both uniformed and non-uniformed guards.

    61. Re:Dear Canada.... by pubwvj · · Score: 4, Insightful

      It doesn't really matter who did it. We still don't want to over react. Whether it is the actions of a terrorist, a serial killer or an insane person do not change the fact that we should not over react. The response should differ, somewhat, but all of those responses should already be in place. Nothing new.

    62. Re:Dear Canada.... by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      Justin Trudeau, the son, not Pierre Eliot Trudeau, the father. Justin Trudeau is the current leader of the opposition.

    63. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I think he's talking about Justin Trudeau.

    64. Re:Dear Canada.... by grumpyman · · Score: 1

      No info but by him going to the memorial to shoot first, sounds domestic to me.

    65. Re:Dear Canada.... by pubwvj · · Score: 5, Insightful

      "It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists."

      That sentence could be simplified to:

      "It's time to deal with extremists."

      Simplicity is beauty. And tends to get at the core of the problem.

    66. Re:Dear Canada.... by rhazz · · Score: 1

      And also regarding security, as soon as the news broke they locked down EVERY federal building in the city, not just the core. I am half way across the city from Parliament and I still cannot even leave the building to get food (lockdown at 10am, it's now 2pm), nor can anyone enter. They didn't even let those who were outside having a smoke back in. While this is certainly a reality check for us, sadly I foresee many billions of dollars being wasted on over-the-top security reactions in the near future - and it won't matter if it was politically motivated or not.

    67. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whatever non panic the general public does in response to this, the politicians and talking heads will pick up the slack. THAT, is a certainty. I'd almost bet this is actually drummed up a little by D.C. as well, being 'close to home' and all...

    68. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      By being a muslim you declare, with an oath (!), to kill every infidel. Source: read the quran.

      You also agree on being quiet and "peaceful" when you are outnumbered, and attacking when you are already strong in number ("taqiyya"). Guess why "progressive" muslims from Europe now start rebels? That's the answer.

      Muslims do not accept separating religion ans state, they do not accept freedoms of others. Just ask them. This is against the law and they should be arrested and deported for spreading such (real!) "hate speech". They are demanding state to break the law for them, and they promise to break the law themselves and hurt innocent, native people, just because they do not support islam. This is sick and illegal. They are sick.

      Islam should be illegal, and in Asian countries it is.

    69. Re:Dear Canada.... by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      > The tenets of Islam are not more incompatible than the tenets or radical christs.

      True. However evangelical Xians aren't nearly powerful enough or radicalized enough in the West to be of serious concern.

      People like to claim that Islam is modern and peaceful but the entire Mediterranean basin seems to indicate otherwise.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    70. Re:Dear Canada.... by Nemyst · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Panic mode? Nah. Harper must be filled with glee right now, this is exactly the sort of excuse he needed to start cracking down on personal liberties in the name of fighting terrorism or being "tough on crime" so we jail those horrible monsters, alongside drug users, copyright infringers and other such nefarious criminals.

    71. Re:Dear Canada.... by Colonel+Fahlt · · Score: 1

      Yes, let's make light of the fact that people just died. Classy. Also: fuck you.

    72. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not only that, we know how to make beer!

    73. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I do believe you shall find that Thomas Mulcair is, in fact, the head of the Shadow Government (also known as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition).

      It is true that the Liberals (lead by Justin Trudeau) will likely receive the majority of the vote in the election of next year. However, such is yet to occur.

    74. Re:Dear Canada.... by itzly · · Score: 1

      But unfortunately, it doesn't get to the solution any better. Often, these people were not extremists until the morning they woke up to kill somebody. However, there's a good chance they were already radical islamists the day before.

    75. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your numbers don't make any sense.

      "As of March 26, 2014, it is estimated to number 7.158 billion by the United States Census Bureau (USCB). The USCB estimates that the world population exceeded 7 billion on March 12, 2012."

      How is 6 billion 23% of 7.2 billion?

    76. Re:Dear Canada.... by JasonGoatcher · · Score: 1

      inb4 liberals decide that trying to kill someone automatically equates to mental illness, and then making the claim you should help mentally ill people rather than jailing them or giving them the death penalty.

      Reread that whole sentence and make sure you understand the ENTIRE SENTENCE in context before flaming me.

    77. Re:Dear Canada.... by tomhath · · Score: 1

      They'll attack where ever and when ever they can.

    78. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "About 6 billion of the world population are muslims"

      Come again?

    79. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Police seize passport despite no crime having been committed -> Guy goes nuts and runs down two soldiers, gets shot to death.

      So glad this extra-judicial program of curtailing freedom is preventing violence...

    80. Re:Dear Canada.... by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      Yes, lets. And then, lets send them back to base, and go back on with our lives once the direct threat is averted.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    81. Re:Dear Canada.... by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      I do believe you shall find that Thomas Mulcair is, in fact, the head of the Shadow Government (also known as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition).

      My mistake. I am just so used to ignoring anything the NDP says.

      It is true that the Liberals (lead by Justin Trudeau) will likely receive the majority of the vote in the election of next year.

      Considering how poorly Trudeau is handling this issue that may not happen.

    82. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In that instance at least it was a successful way of dealing with a handful of terrorists. And given that the police and military were withdrawn after the terrorists had been dealt with I don't have a problem with it.

      If the crisis had been used an excuse to permanently curtail liberties you would have a point but that isn't what happened.

    83. Re: Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They were Muslims following Islam. This idea that it could just as easily been women's institute members is balls

    84. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Get lost, concern troll. You lower the quality of conversation in your failed attempt to appear superior to T.E.D..

    85. Re:Dear Canada.... by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 1

      Compare and contrast the First Commandment with the First Amendment.

      --
      Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
    86. Re:Dear Canada.... by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

      However evangelical Xians aren't nearly powerful enough or radicalized enough in the West to be of serious concern.

      LOL -- yeah, right.

      Powerful? Look at the religious right in the USA. In many jurisdictions, politicians have to sing from their hymn-book in order to get elected.

      Radicalized? Westboro Baptist Church. Anti-abortionists who gun down medical doctors. And so on.

      --
      If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
    87. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What the hell does that link have to do with anything? Are you saying if you Canadians get pushed too hard you'll get massacred? There's nothing in there about retribution afterwards. The SS weren't exactly treated well by any of the allied forces that caught them considering that they were kind of big douches anyway.

    88. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No word on whether or not the soldier on guard at the Tomb is dead.

      He is.

    89. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have little doubt the way police were alerted to this person in the first place was via people at his local mosque.

      He also ranted & raved on his facebook page and other websites.

    90. Re: Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Check my math here but if 6 billion people follow Islam and 6 billion is 23%, where are the other 13 (or so) billion people hiding. Last time I heard a count we were between 6 and 7 billion total.

    91. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Outlawing the world's second largest religion in a few select countries ("western democracies") would not work in practice, would violate basic principles of democracy

      Perpetrators of Islam religion have already declared jihad against the west. It would not violate democratic principles to declare war against ALL jihadists, no matter what religion they claim to practice God's vengeance by. Place bounties on their heads and dole out high rewards for captures. Public hangings would become the norm. That does not violate any morals the west lives by.

    92. Re:Dear Canada.... by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 1

      I took these directly from the Wikipedia page on world religions. Perhaps Wikipedia is wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

    93. Re:Dear Canada.... by aaaaaaargh! · · Score: 1

      Sorry, my fault. Don't copy and paste numbers ... in fact, forget the numbers, they are not important at all. The percentage is about right, though.

    94. Re:Dear Canada.... by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

      Exactly.

      Canada is a multi-cultural society and darned proud of it.

      --
      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    95. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It might be a person who could have been dealt with by improved public mental health, or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state.

      ... I don't understand the difference.

    96. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      #SJW

    97. Re:Dear Canada.... by rikkards · · Score: 1

      It's 4PM, I am still in lockdown and they still haven't confirmed anything other than the one guy is dead. They can't even confirm if he was the one that shot the CF Member

    98. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Exactly.

      Canada is a multi-cultural society and gosh darned proud of it.

      Fixed that for you, ok?

    99. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Please explain how it is "radical" and "extreme".

      When I read their holy text and what Muhammad did, what he advocated, and what he and Allah command, to be violent is closer to pure Islam.

      And the "peaceful" Muslims are indeed just dispassionate in name only Muslims, just like there are millions of other religion proclaiming but not really following people.

    100. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What is this "extremists" you talking about?

      Based on what?

      Have you not read about what Muhammad and Allah command of all believers? and what they should do to non-believers?

    101. Re:Dear Canada.... by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2

      let's not get all excited there. Gosh is a bit strong of a term to use.

      --
      -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    102. Re:Dear Canada.... by mc6809e · · Score: 1, Flamebait

      The tenets of Islam are not more incompatible than the tenets or radical christs.

      If you believe the Islam is your enemy then I might give you a hint: know your enemy, so you can fight him! And you will realize that Islam is a very moderate religion.

      You're either a fool or a liar.

    103. Re:Dear Canada.... by stdarg · · Score: 1, Interesting

      Outlawing the world's second largest religion in a few select countries ("western democracies") would not work in practice

      Why wouldn't it work in practice? It would be easy enough to shut down all mosques, ban the Koran, ban Muslim symbols, etc. It would be easy enough to hamper travel to Muslim countries, and in particular ban the Hajj.

      would violate basic principles of democracy

      Not true. It's okay to ban organizations in a democracy, which is why the Nazis have been banned in Germany for some time. The US made membership of the KKK illegal (note: membership, not engaging in crimes).

      and would also be immoral according to the high moral standards of western democracies, in which laws against thought crimes are generally frowned upon.

      What? I don't get it. Practicing a religion is not thought, it's practice. If people want to think about something illegal, they can currently do that, and they can continue to do that.

      France (a Western democracy) has gone down that path long ago, where they started placing restrictions on *display* of religion. You can think what you want, but you can't necessarily share it or act on it.

    104. Re:Dear Canada.... by meta-monkey · · Score: 2

      First, how can something be "very moderate?" How do you be more moderate than normal moderate?

      And while there are some moderate flavors of Islam, there are also violent, fanatical versions that have a not insignificant number of followers.

      Just saying, of all the religions in the world, and there are many, it seems like 99.9% of religious violence comes from Muslims. But no, no, they're "very moderate."

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    105. Re:Dear Canada.... by meta-monkey · · Score: 1

      I though canadians were level headed people.

      No, Canadians have floppy heads.

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    106. Re:Dear Canada.... by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 1

      " or it may have been a foreign actor engaging in terrorism against the Canadian state"

      In which case, it better not be Charlie Sheen. We thought we had him under control.

    107. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your ignorance is showing.

      Who was Muhammad? (he was a warlord and pedophile)

      What did he do? (lead a vicious life full of war subjugation of others)

      What did he advocate? (extermination and enslavement of non-Muslims)

      Did you know that he is considered most perfect human example by Islam?

      And that every Muslim should strive to be like him?

      It is written in their holy book!

      But don't take my word for it, go read the holy Islamic text yourself.

    108. Re:Dear Canada.... by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

      They're checking cars headed to Quebec but have stopped searching for anyone else otherwise. Lockdowns for schools have been lifted, I'm sure yours are right behind.

    109. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We can all simplify it further:

      "It's time to deal with Islam"

      They are dealing with the rest of us "Kafirs".

    110. Re:Dear Canada.... by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      Same in Australia. We raised our domestic terrorism threat level and the day after an IS video was released threatening Australia.

      Then our Prime Minister went full retard and with a serious face quoted .... George W Bush. I nearly died of shame.

    111. Re:Dear Canada.... by Rudisaurus · · Score: 0

      LOL. Wish I had mod points to give you. Cheers!

      --
      licet differant, aequabitur
    112. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      When did the world population jump to 24 billion?

    113. Re: Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Last time I counted, ~7.1 billion people live in this world of ours. I believe that your numbers are wrong.

    114. Re:Dear Canada.... by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      Gee, it might have something to do with all those islamists engaging in genocide, rape, slavery, and mass murder. Maybe...but who knows, after all, when you can go to Iraq and buy a women from them for $10...I mean there might be no problems right?

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    115. Re:Dear Canada.... by TubeSteak · · Score: 1

      The problem must be solved within the leadership of Islam.

      The problem cannot be solved within the leadership of Islam, because there is no monolithic Islam.

      This is the equivalent of saying that the Roman Catholic Church should involve itself in the affairs of the Southern Baptist Convention, because they're both Christian. Actually, one of them is Protestant. And not only Protestant, but a separatist group from a separatist group. That's three schisms for anyone trying to keep track.

      The Islamic sects which attract/breed extremists have leadership who support extremism.

      The honest leaders of the religion need to become more vigorous about this - expel those inciting violence, denounce them as heretics, cause a schism, all the same shit that the Catholic church had to go through in centuries past.

      Islam suffered a defining schism shortly after the death of Mohammed.
      The Sunnis supported the choosing of Mohammed's father-in-law, Abu Bakr, as the first Caliph.
      The Shia believed Mohammed chose his cousin and son-in-law, Ali, as successor and have been pissed off ever since that he wasn't elected as the first Caliph.

      Then these two groups spent the better part of a millennium fighting each other over who should be in charge, creating splinter factions the entire way.

      National leaders who are not religious leaders need to do what they can to support that.

      There are more than a few Persian Gulf states who are widely known to tacitly or actively support the funding of extremists. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Kuwait, Iran, and Syria are the first ones that come to mind. Some of them publicly condemn terrorism, but everyone knows that they do almost nothing to stop their very rich citizens from funneling money into the hands of extremist groups.

      There's much more to be said on the topic, but I'll close by pointing out that your comments belie either ignorance or a deep misunderstanding about Islam and the Middle East.

      --
      [Fuck Beta]
      o0t!
    116. Re:Dear Canada.... by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      Can you name the "other extremists" that have been busy either successfully or unsuccessfully launching terrorist attacks in the last 10 years? Here in Canada this will be the 5th one by muslims. Though we've had two attacks in two days, one in Quebec and likely the one in Ottawa as well.

      We jump back a bit, we've got the muslim nut who wanted to derail a via train, and was planning to do a chemical attack. A couple of others, the 18 muslims who wanted to attack parliament hill as well. Previous to that, we've had environmentalists who tried to blow up sour gas lines, sikhs blowing up an airliner and home-grown separatists who did some shit in quebec.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    117. Re:Dear Canada.... by Glarimore · · Score: 2

      ...we should be bombing the fuck out of assholes who start conquering, looting and raping their neighbors like it was the middle ages! ...... We can't let that cancer grow - humanity mustn't slide back into barbarism.

      Hahaha... Do you read what you write? These statement are about 3 sentences apart!

    118. Re:Dear Canada.... by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 2

      Compare and contrast the First Commandment with the First Amendment.

      Not to incompatible really the first commandment is aimed at the believer him/herself for their personal exercise not to be inflected on others. The first amendment is aimed at government and society so that we will tolerate each others existence. In fact all of the ten commandment are aimed at the believer and limit their actions. The only one of the ten commandments that says anything about what others may or may no do is the one about the Sabbath which read;

      "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
      — Exodus 20:8-11

      Which while relating to others just says they shouldn't work for you the believer on the believers holy day or sabbath.

      --
      ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
    119. Re:Dear Canada.... by ahodgson · · Score: 1

      Criminals do the same things all over African and even Eastern Europe. I don't see us invading them. Screw Iraq, we have no business fighting in the middle east unless they attack us.

    120. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No word on whether or not the soldier on guard at the Tomb is dead. Latest news is that there is a man being treated for gunshot wounds at one of Ottawa's hospitals.

      It was confirmed at approximately 17:49 UTC that Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a reservist with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada Regiment, after succumbing to at least one gunshot wound to the chest.

    121. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Leaders of religious organizations can't always lead if their followers don't listen. The problem with your other statement about separation from religion is, "who chose you to be god?". It's obviously only you who can decide what is barbarism... isn''t it?

    122. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Justin Trudeau, the son, not Pierre Eliot Trudeau, the father. Justin Trudeau is the current leader of the opposition.

      No he isn't, Mulcair is.

    123. Re:Dear Canada.... by lister+king+of+smeg · · Score: 2

      Just deport them to the USA. Dearborn, MI is the largest concentration of Muslims in the world outside of the middle east.

      Actually Indonesia is the largest.

      Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia, which also has a larger Muslim population than any other country in the world, with approximately 202.9 million identified as Muslim (88.2% of Indonesia's total population of 237 million)
      ---wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      Where Dearborn is only 40% of Arabic decent many of whom are Lebanese Christians called Maronites, and Armenian Christian immigrants also a large part of Dearborn Arabic population.

      The city's population includes 40,000 Arab Americans... In the 2010 census, Arab Americans comprised 40% of Dearborn's population; many have been in the city for several generations...
      The first Arab immigrants came in the early-to-mid-20th century to work in the automotive industry and were chiefly Lebanese Christians (Maronites). Other immigrants from the Mideast in the early twentieth century included a large Armenian-American community, who are Christian. Assyrians/Chaldeans/Syriacs have also immigrated to the area. Since then, Arab immigrants from Yemen, Iraq and the Palestinian territories, most of whom are Muslim, have joined them. Lebanese Americans are still the most numerous group. (they are the Christian ones just saying)
      ---wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

      I think you have been watching to much Fox News and thats coming from an admitted conservative.

      --
      ---Saying gnome 3 is better than windows 8 not so much a compliment as it is damning with light praise.
    124. Re:Dear Canada.... by misexistentialist · · Score: 1

      Canada should buy all the women then, would cost less than a couple of missiles, and evacuate the rest, but of course Canadian taxpayers don't really have an interest in foreigners, but Canadian oil companies want to keep their foothold in the Middle East

    125. Re:Dear Canada.... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      In other words, declare Islam a thoughtcrime, and its public propaganda to be hate speech.

      Or, shorter still, "fuck freedom of speech".

      Thanks, but no thanks.

    126. Re:Dear Canada.... by ScentCone · · Score: 4, Funny

      About 6 billion of the world population are muslims, that's around 23% of the world population.

      I'm going to bet that even some of the most jihad-obsessed radicals, fresh from what passes for school Taliban-land, are better at math than you are.

      If there are 6 billion Muslims, and they make up 23% of the world population, that means the world as a population of over 26 billion people.

      Do you know some secret place on the planet where we're hiding almost 20 billion extra, previously unknown people?

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    127. Re:Dear Canada.... by styrotech · · Score: 2

      Why wouldn't it work in practice? It would be easy enough to shut down all mosques, ban the Koran, ban Muslim symbols, etc. It would be easy enough to hamper travel to Muslim countries, and in particular ban the Hajj.

      Then what? How does that fix anything? Are people going to change their beliefs because "it's the law"?

      It sounds like you're playing right into hands of the dickheads wanting to radicalise and recruit impressionable kids who feel they are being persecuted and alienated - because now it's actually reality. They no longer need to select for the impressionable ones.

    128. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF? It's not people we are talking about, it's Canadians.

    129. Re:Dear Canada.... by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      wait, what?

      The population of the world is nowhere near 24 billion.

      Yet.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    130. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > "It's time to deal with extremists."

      That sounds like dictator clap trap.

      Why take care of just one problem, when you can use the opportunity to "clean house" and crack down on political opponents.

      Beauty... LOL.

    131. Re:Dear Canada.... by cold+fjord · · Score: 1

      "It's time to deal with radical Islamist extremists."

      That sentence could be simplified to:

      "It's time to deal with extremists."

      Simplicity is beauty. And tends to get at the core of the problem.

      Simplicity can be beauty when you haven't gone too far in simplifying the object of considertaion, removing so much that essential information is lost. That is what you did. You obscured the actual problem rather than clarifying it.

      --
      much of left-wing thought is a kind of playing with fire by people who don't even know that fire is hot - George Orwell
    132. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah all those filthy Christians running around chopping people's heads off... Oh wait...

    133. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ... They had confiscated his passport, as he had booked a flight to Turkey (purportedly to cross into Syria to join ISIS/ISIL)...

      I for one would prefer if they had let him go as long as they had tracked him and made sure that he got killed there so that he would never come back here.

    134. Re:Dear Canada.... by fche · · Score: 1

      "I nearly died of shame."

      Did W say nothing reasonable & quotable?

    135. Re:Dear Canada.... by fche · · Score: 2

      That naivete is darned charming.

    136. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would change that to "extremists with a tendency for violence". I imagine Canda's equivalent of the ACLU is quite extremist, but they're not going to resort to violence to achieve their goals. Only the ones likely to use or encourage violence need to have the legal system brought to bear on them.

    137. Re:Dear Canada.... by camperdave · · Score: 1

      Dont let your idiots in parliment go all panic mode like the Raving Morons we have running this place in Washington DC.

      This was a rare incident by a insane person, nothing more. Put more money into public mental health.

      That's funny! We were saying the pretty much the same thing to you back in 2001. Well, apart from the Washington DC part.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    138. Re:Dear Canada.... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Something like that:

      http://www.jsonline.com/news/c...

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    139. Re:Dear Canada.... by Pathoth · · Score: 1

      Why only raise to orange when you can keep the color wheel spinning for years to come?

    140. Re:Dear Canada.... by msobkow · · Score: 1

      Would you consider the Westboro Baptist parishioners "typical" Christians?

      How about the savage butchers of the Crusades?

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    141. Re:Dear Canada.... by tbannist · · Score: 1

      Why wouldn't it work in practice? It would be easy enough to shut down all mosques, ban the Koran, ban Muslim symbols, etc. It would be easy enough to hamper travel to Muslim countries, and in particular ban the Hajj.

      Because laws like that so very successful in wiping out Judaism and Christianity, that only know of them through ancient historical texts, right?

      Not true. It's okay to ban organizations in a democracy, which is why the Nazis have been banned in Germany for some time. The US made membership of the KKK illegal (note: membership, not engaging in crimes).

      First, the Nazis are banned in Germany because it was a political movement that usurped the Nazis murdered 11 million people (and killed another 6 million through warfare), they assassinated their political opponents and allies they didn't trust. You could say that Germany considers it a criminal organization, but that would be an understatement.

      Secondly, it was not illegal to be a member of the Klu Klux Klan in July. Although several Florida police officers were fired for being members.

      Although the KKK is considered a hate group by the U.S. government, it is not illegal to be a member of the group, and most police departments do not screen for such membership

      If something has changed since then, I have not hear anything about it.

      France (a Western democracy) has gone down that path long ago, where they started placing restrictions on *display* of religion.

      As far as I understand that restriction was on "display" of religious symbols and icons in public schools by teachers (and other staff) as part of their separation of church and state laws. If there is a broader law that you wish to cite, you may need to provide a link to the law.

      --
      Fanatically anti-fanatical
    142. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As someone from Europe and not from the US of A, I can tell you that many of the christian sects in the US wouldn't be seen as "moderate" by us here but quite radical in their beliefs. It's all a question of perspective.

    143. Re:Dear Canada.... by rockout · · Score: 1

      There was that time he said "I have a different vision of leadership. A leadership is someone who brings people together."

      --
      I've learned that they're worthless, so I don't read AC comments anymore.
    144. Re:Dear Canada.... by unitron · · Score: 1

      I though canadians were level headed people.

      Where did you get that idea?

      By comparing them to those to the south of them?

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

    145. Re:Dear Canada.... by rockout · · Score: 1

      That's an oft-repeated theme that sounds great in its simplicity, but the sad reality is, we're so addicted to oil as a fuel for our economy that from the standpoint of the US, at least, it WOULD affect us to a great degree if we simply ignored an army of extremists taking over one Arab country after another.

      You can debate whether it was a good idea to become so dependent on a region with a culture so different from (and occasionally extremely hostile to) our own, but remember it took most of a century to get to where we are today - and now that we're here, like it or not, it most certainly IS in our interest to fight in the middle east. It's not a great option, and it's a big lie when politicians say we're not over there fighting because of the oil, but from a national security/economic standpoint, it beats the alternative of looking the other way and eventually getting fucked.

      --
      I've learned that they're worthless, so I don't read AC comments anymore.
    146. Re:Dear Canada.... by walterbyrd · · Score: 1

      Maybe radical, but not violent.

      US Christians are cutting of people's heads with a short knife.

      BTW: there have been over 23,000 Muslim terrorist attacks since 9/11. Can you name another religion that compares?

    147. Re:Dear Canada.... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      By comparing them to those to the south of them?

      I cannot argue with that. So, let's say, "relatively level-headed" compared to the world's most violent people with indoor plumbing.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    148. Re:Dear Canada.... by Mashiki · · Score: 1

      Criminals do the same things all over African and even Eastern Europe. I don't see us invading them. Screw Iraq, we have no business fighting in the middle east unless they attack us.

      Except we go after their financial networks, launch targeted attacks against them and so on. So yes, we do indeed go after them. It's much harder when their networks are using liquid assets traded through the black market now isn't it.

      --
      Om, nomnomnom...
    149. Re:Dear Canada.... by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      there was the time when he went full Reagan with his "Dead or alive" schtick. I nearly died at that one.

      And: “When I take action, I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It’s going to be decisive.” — Tell that to the camel you just sodomised with a two million Dollar missile.
       
      ..before he had even fired the first retaiatory strike off, he'd already Godwinned himself out of any further debate with this: “These terrorists we have seen their kind before. They’re the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions, by abandoning every value except the will to power, they follow in the path of fascism, Nazism and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way to where it ends in history’s unmarked grave of discarded lies.” This just over a week after the WTC incident, IIRC.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    150. Re:Dear Canada.... by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      you're being invaded by the Baldwins. >:]

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    151. Re:Dear Canada.... by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      Catholicism.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    152. Re:Dear Canada.... by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      anybody who claims righteous vengeance with God on side.

      Example: George W. Bush. “The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.”

      He spent the months after the WTC incident extolling the virtues of turning the Middle East into his own Frontier town and interspersing it with similarly disturbing references to "God" and how "God" is on the side of "right" and how murdering civilians from six miles up is "right".

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    153. Re:Dear Canada.... by Skidborg · · Score: 1

      That and revoking passports from people consider at "high risk" of traveling to join ISIS.

      --
      Supporter of the +1 Over Dramatic mod option. In memory of apk.
    154. Re:Dear Canada.... by thegarbz · · Score: 2

      Yes he did. Most of what he said is very quotable in the Anals of stupidly funny crap said by leaders.

      Specifically in this case the timeline is as follows:

      - Australia joins the US lead attack on IS.
      - ASIO steps up the local terror alert.
      - IS publishes a video saying Australia will pay for what they are doing.
      - Tony Abbott said straight from the G.W.B book of stupid crap: The IS threat has nothing to do with Australia's announcement, "They hate our freedom, our tolerance, our democracy."
      - The government runs out and arrests some 63 muslims claiming to have foiled a massive terror plot.
      - The courts free 63 muslims the day after saying there's no evidence of wrongdoings.
      - Tony Abbott's government announces a reduction on our freedom by means of Patriot Act style laws, presumably he does this to foil the terrorist plots since they can't hate us if we no longer have freedoms right?

    155. Re:Dear Canada.... by dave420 · · Score: 1

      Ask yourself whether they attacked because they are Muslim, or because of some other reason? The fact you ignore that entirely means you really don't give a damn about the answer, you just hate Muslims. Brilliant.

    156. Re:Dear Canada.... by dave420 · · Score: 1

      Correlation does not imply causation. Or does that not apply when one wishes to hate? You're "just saying" abject, childish nonsense. You, and the society which bred you, should be ashamed of you and your ilk.

    157. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nobody cares, they were only Canadians.

    158. Re:Dear Canada.... by meta-monkey · · Score: 2

      When leaders of their religion say "go kill infidels" and then the followers of that religion go and kill infidels, that does imply causation.

      We can also test a control group. Say, Methodists. Methodist leaders do not say "go kill infidels," and there have been no reported incidents of Methodists beheading anyone.

      Correlation does not imply causation, but that doesn't mean causation doesn't exist. When the cause and effect are easy to define and testable, we can indeed say the Islamic religion is a cause of violence.

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    159. Re:Dear Canada.... by dave420 · · Score: 1

      Terrorism is a motive, not an action. It's impossible to know what this is without far, far more information.

    160. Re:Dear Canada.... by ahodgson · · Score: 1

      Hey, I'm talking about Canada. We export oil. We have no interests in the middle east to protect.

    161. Re:Dear Canada.... by Reason58 · · Score: 1

      Nope. It was one person. It is EXTREMELY common to the point of almost 100% that people report multiple shooters when there is just one.

    162. Re:Dear Canada.... by JackKapica · · Score: 1

      Thank you for pointing this out. It's a great balance to the attitude up here: We want to play with the Big Boys and be hated too.

    163. Re:Dear Canada.... by gzuckier · · Score: 1

      well, to play devil's advocate, it's possible that these jihadi geniuses are as ignorant of what mainstream islam thinks, says, and does as you are. or they just don't care. Meanwhile "Twenty Imams affiliated with the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada have issued a Fatwa today declaring the attacks on Canada and the United States by any extremist will be the attack on 10 million Muslims living in North America. This is the first Fatwa by the Muslim clergy declaring attacks on Canada and the United States as attack on Muslims. Following is the text of the Fatwa. ... Therefore, any attack on Canada and the United States is an attack on the freedom of Canadian and American Muslims. Any attack on Canada and the United States is an attack on thousands of mosques across North America. It is a duty of every Canadian and American Muslim to safeguard Canada and the USA. They must expose any person, Muslim OR non-Muslim, who would cause harm to fellow Canadians OR Americans. We, Canadian and American Muslims, must condemn and stand up against these attacks on Canada and the United States." http://www.m-a-t.org/

      --
      Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
    164. Re:Dear Canada.... by gzuckier · · Score: 1

      Funny, i don't see any of the guys so torqued up about the muslim community posting equally irate diatribes about the devout Christians who actually provide material aid to people who have murdered abortionists and are on the lam; food, clothing, etc. Public condemnation? "There is not this collective soul-searching on the part of our movement because we have been responsible and we have been nonviolent," said the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition. There are "extremists in every movement... . I think that extremists opposed to abortion got frustrated, felt they were losing the battle and felt it was incumbent upon themselves to resort to violence." The Rev. Flip Benham, director of Operation Rescue, went further and accused "those in the abortion-providing industry" of committing most of the violence in an attempt to discredit the antiabortion movement. He said he would soon bring evidence to Washington that would undermine the government's statistics." http://www.washingtonpost.com/... Are you a Christian? Don't you feel the need to do something about these people?

      --
      Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
    165. Re:Dear Canada.... by gzuckier · · Score: 1

      So we can have more courthouses post the Ten Commandments outside, as God intended?

      --
      Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
    166. Re:Dear Canada.... by gzuckier · · Score: 1

      That's like saying since the majority of violence in America involves black people, it seems like black people are prone to violence. Come to think of it people say that too. Or, since the majority of huge corporate white collar crime in America which robs thousands, sometimes millions of their life savings involve Christian white men, it seems like Christian white men are prone to robbing huge numbers of people of their life savings. Come to think of it, nobody says that.

      --
      Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
    167. Re:Dear Canada.... by gzuckier · · Score: 1

      What "leader of their religion"says go kill infidels? sounds like those antisemitic rants that list half a dozen talmudic doctrines they hold to be anti-gentile as evidence that jews are the spawn of Satan.

      --
      Star Trek transporters are just 3d printers.
    168. Re:Dear Canada.... by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 1

      Rofl, the radical muslims are a very very smal minority of all muslims, your claim is completely wrong.

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
    169. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since 1947, the Canadian Armed Forces have completed 72 international missions. More than 3,600 soldiers, sailors and Air Force personnel are deployed overseas on operational missions. On any given day, about 8,000 Canadian Armed Forces members Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy, and Canadian Army (one-third of the Canadian deployable force) are preparing for, engaged in or are returning from an overseas mission.

    170. Re:Dear Canada.... by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 1

      Extremely stupid example, Methodists.
      In case you never noticed: Methodists are pacifists. (* facepalm *)
      There are plenty of christian and judaic groups that always chant: go kill infidels.

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
    171. Re:Dear Canada.... by angel'o'sphere · · Score: 1

      You are bad in geoography.
      Perhaps open a map, and look around what countries there actually are.
      And then check which violence is for religious and which for simlle political reasons. E.g. Lybias revolution was a political one ...

      --
      Cost free eBook I read (by iBook/Kobo/Amazon/ObookO/Gutenberg etc.): "The Green Odyssey" by Philip Jose Farmer.
    172. Re:Dear Canada.... by ScentCone · · Score: 1

      Actually, we are sending several fighter jets to bomb ISIS, right now. Odds are that's what is precipitating these attacks.

      No, nutballs who decide to kill soldiers on the street because they are part of an organization that is taking some modest steps to help stop other nutballs from killing more innocents as those nutballs attempt to institute a medieval Islamic thugocracy in as many places as possible ... that's what precipitated these attacks.

      If the crazies weren't mad at the concept of having their Islamist wet dream torn down, then their followers in places like Canada wouldn't be getting the message to go out and kill soldiers in the street. None of that would happen without theocratic wackadoos deciding to kill those who are trying to stop their tactics. The attacks in Canada were precipitated by religion, not by Canada's involvement in trying to stop any army of tens of thousands of religious murders.

      --
      Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
    173. Re:Dear Canada.... by NewYork · · Score: 1

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominant_minority

    174. Re:Dear Canada.... by NewYork · · Score: 1

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_the_West

    175. Re:Dear Canada.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, that's worked super well so far.

      The ONLY solution : mass deportation.

      The question is how many people will die before we figure it out collectively.

    176. Re:Dear Canada.... by stdarg · · Score: 1

      Late reply, sorry.

      Because laws like that so very successful in wiping out Judaism and Christianity, that only know of them through ancient historical texts, right?

      Yes. Not wiping them out around the world, but wiping them out in countries where they are no longer welcome. There used to be many Christians in the Middle East. Laws and state-sanctioned violence against Christians is largely responsible for their exodus.

      Another example would be, what do you suppose the Hindu population in the land area of Pakistan looks like today compared to 100 years ago? Are you aware that many Hindus were forced out after partition and did not leave voluntarily?

      Secondly, it was not illegal [aljazeera.com] to be a member of the Klu Klux Klan in July. Although several Florida police officers were fired for being members.

      I'm not talking about July. I'm talking about things like the KKK Act:

      After the act's passage, the president had the power for the first time to both suppress state disorders on his own initiative and to suspend the right of habeas corpus. Grant did not hesitate to use this authority on numerous occasions during his presidency, and as a result the first era KKK was completely dismantled and did not resurface in any meaningful way until the first part of the 20th century.

      As far as I understand that restriction was on "display" of religious symbols and icons in public schools by teachers (and other staff) as part of their separation of church and state laws. If there is a broader law that you wish to cite, you may need to provide a link to the law.

      Yes, there are many broader laws I could cite. The easiest is probably the recent law against public use of the burqa since it's a religious symbol. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/...

      You are incorrect that it has to do with separation of church and state. This is talking about regular citizens in public. Ever since the French Revolution, France has had a more hostile attitude towards religion than most Western countries, and imposes much greater restrictions on religious practice than others.

      Proselytizing -- by private citizens, not officials of the state -- is also restricted.

    177. Re:Dear Canada.... by midknightfalcon · · Score: 1

      Islam is just currently going through the phase of its growth that is very similar to the phase the aggressive growth period Christianity went through during the Dark ages. The big difference is that the weapons are mostly more modern and deadly, though even that is moderated somewhat by the free flow of information. One of the biggest problems is that governments and different agencies are trying to control and distort that information, which pits people against each other, and grants them more power to pursue their own radicalized ideals.

  2. Bad man by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Inb4 all the politics. This man did a bad thing. Not your favorite political enemy, but the shooter himself.

  3. Parliment Hill != The White House by brunes69 · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's important for non-Canadians to realize that Parliment Hill is not the White House or US Senate. Parliment in Canada is a public commons. There is no security at all on the ground of Parliment and the space is routinely used for large scale public protests and demonstrations, less than a couple of dozen yards of Parliment itself. It's a different ball game.

    1. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Informative

      It is inaccurate to say there is no security at all. There's plenty of cameras, and both uniformed and non-uniformed security.

      However, it is still a public place, and we do have the right to go there. In no small part because we refuse to treat our politicians like royalty

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I'm reminded of an evening, oh, many years ago now, when the annual Queen's University engineers pub crawl decided to descend on Ottawa. We had hired a bus, and during the 2-hour trip from Kingston to Ottawa had already consumed a few beers. To kick off the crawl, the bus pulled up on Parliament Hill and we all piled out for a group photo on the front steps. It was evening, and a gentle snow was falling, so about the only other person in the vicinity was a (female) RCMP officer.

      We all lined up for the group photo, then for the second photo we all turned around and dropped trou, mooning the city of Ottawa, the US Embassy across the street, and the poor Mountie, who turned around and pretended nothing was happening. Then we all got back in the bus and headed for the first pub.

      I shudder to think what the reaction would be if a group of students tried that in DC.

    3. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by nedlohs · · Score: 0

      Of course, since you have actually royalty - that by birth are your superiors in every way - you know that politicians aren't it.

    4. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Well, she is our titular head of state ... but she has no actual power and gets no money from us, and the old bat can go eat her dogs if she thinks she'll get any acknowledgement from most of us that she's either relevant of wanted.

      See, I'm legally allowed to say "fuck the queen" just as much as you can say "fuck the president", and I'm under no obligation to think she's superior to a pile of shit. Which is good, because I don't.

      She's on my money, that's about it.

      She's a Queen. She's not my Queen. There is nothing in Canadian law which says I have to pretend to give a shit about her or her brood.

      And the government would have no legal authority to compel me to ever swear loyalty to the old broad.

      So, fuck the queen of England ... she's not the queen of Canada.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    5. Re: Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why is this relevant, let alone important? Have the fumes of Canadian tar sands finally damaged the tender sensibilities of the 51st state, or are you lobbying for the importation of surplus armored vehicles from the US Dept of Homeland Security?

    6. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Noah+Haders · · Score: 1

      Lard ashrams?
      Note: iPhone autocorrects "kardashians" to "lard ashrams", which is just as funny.

    7. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Damn, you really were drunk. The US Embassy is the massive bunker across the canal and over by Byward Market. You mooned the Ottawa visitor center instead. Welcome to Canada!

    8. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I do believe you shall find that she is, indeed, the Queen of Canada. It is more important to consider the position as a final resort of safety upon the Constitution, rather than one to genuflect. The Crown also allows for both a symbol and authority to exist above the scrum of partisan politics.

      While you possess the legal ability to ability to denigrate Her Majesty, such legal ability exists as the only positive attribute of the statement.

    9. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Walking+The+Walk · · Score: 1

      It's important for non-Canadians to realize that Parliment Hill is not the White House or US Senate. Parliment in Canada is a public commons. There is no security at all on the ground of Parliment and the space is routinely used for large scale public protests and demonstrations, less than a couple of dozen yards of Parliment itself. It's a different ball game.

      That's not true. You used to be able to drive onto parliament hill, which was great at Christmas to see all the lights. But in the past few years they've stopped all car traffic except cleared vehicles, they've got Ottawa police providing security along with accusations of kickbacks for the service (I can't find the link as Google is flooded with today's stories on the shooting), they have always had security within the buildings themselves (eg: security guards preventing MPs from entering the House for a vote), etc. Sure we let people in to do tours and such, but you can get a tour of the White House too. Besides, what good would it do to assassinate Harper (our Prime Minister)? He's only PM because his party formed government and he's the current head of his party. Kill him and someone else from his party just takes his place - it would be horrible, but it wouldn't stop our country the way it might if another country's head of state were killed.

      --
      A recursive sig
      Can impart wisdom and truth
      Call proc signature()
    10. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by erapert · · Score: 1

      we refuse to treat our politicians like royalty

      Except for the Queen?

    11. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Except for the Queen?

      Our relationship with the Queen is complicated.

      Many of us think the old cow should be removed from our money and institutions for good. Our current government seems to want to escalate the ties to the monarchy.

      But she has no legal authority, and we don't pay taxes to her -- her role is purely historical and symbolic. But for many people, they really still adore the royals.

      So, in many ways she's completely irrelevant, and in other ways you can't be unaware of her.

      Would I bow to her? Unless I was pointing my ass at her, not on your life. And nobody could legally compel me to acknowledge her as anything but an anachronism and a symbol of colonialism.

      I suspect the Aussies and Kiwis have a similar relationship, but I've never asked.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    12. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Colonel+Fahlt · · Score: 1

      You're quite mistaken. She has the power to dissolve parliament, she gives formal assent to all legislation, etc. And, yes, in some circumstances the government can compel you to swear loyalty to her. (For instance, if a draft was instituted, you'd be required to do so to serve in the military. If you declined to do so, you could be jailed instead. And all new citizens are required to swear loyalty to her.) But don't let details get in the way of your rant.

    13. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by ahankinson · · Score: 1

      On the contrary, the Queen has *all* the legal authority. Literally. Every law in Canada is only a law when it receives Royal assent. In practice, this is the Governor General, but the Monarch can override that should he or she wish.

      When you pay taxes, you pay them to the Canadian State. The Monarch is the head of the state. So you are paying taxes to the Monarch.

      The Monarch is also the Commander-in-Chief of the military. When you join the military you must swear allegiance to the Monarch of Canada.

      "I, [name], do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her heirs and successors according to law, in the Canadian Forces until lawfully released, that I will resist Her Majesty's enemies and cause Her Majesty's peace to be kept and maintained and that I will, in all matters pertaining to my service, faithfully discharge my duty."

    14. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Colonel+Fahlt · · Score: 1

      Again, you have no idea what you're talking about. She most definitely does have legal authority. Check your facts.

    15. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      but the Monarch can override that should he or she wish

      As far as I'm aware, she hasn't had the legal authority to override anything in 20+ years. It's a pro-forma step, but if she ever actually tried to overrule anything she'd get told to PFO. It's the formality, but there is no legal basis for them to withhold anything.

      When you pay taxes, you pay them to the Canadian State. The Monarch is the head of the state. So you are paying taxes to the Monarch.

      Except, she doesn't get a dime of it ... she's the ceremonial entity, but she doesn't receive any of it. None of my taxes goes to anything controlled by the Queen.

      I, [name], do swear (or solemnly affirm) that I will well and truly serve Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her heirs and successors according to law

      Pathetic. Really and truly pathetic. We also make people doing the citizenship oath swear to her ... which you couldn't compel me as someone born here to do -- not legally or without the threat of violence anyway.

      I wouldn't swear allegiance to her, and I don't give a fuck what she or any of the rest of the British monarchy think. They can lick donkey balls off silver spoons for all I care.

      The reality is, she's a ceremonial entity, and has been for some time. And if her Queen-ness ever felt the need to command me as one of her subjects ... she'd get told in no uncertain terms to fuck off. Because, I'm not one of her subjects.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    16. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You used to be able to (legally) carry a concealed (maybe open too?) firearm at and in the Washington state capitol building; you may still be able to. I'm sure many other states are that way too.

      Most US politicians don't have the security the US president does; certainly not at the state and city levels. The main reason why most of them haven't been shot, as odious as they may be, is that nobody wants to kill them all that badly, not because it would be difficult. Yes, even with all the crazed NRA members killing people over parking spaces.and being cut off in traffic and blood running hip-deep in the streets just because people are carrying weapons, Yes, even with all the yelling and screaming between two parties and their fans (which by and large by their acts (not their propaganda) are the same warfare/welfare authoritarians). The big secret is that we're a pretty peaceful bunch here (except our politicians; and I know it's scant comfort to the people murdered, but war for them is just a jobs program and a re-election strategy; it's not personal).

    17. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by brunes69 · · Score: 1

      Maybe my comment was misunderstood. I am referring to Parliment Hill itself and the grounds of parliment, which are pretty much a public commons. Anyone can just waltz onto parliment hill and have lunch.

      Not quite the same ramifications as waltzing onto the south lawn.

      The reason I pointed this out is because the summary above talks about the shooter "jumping the stone fence", I would hardly call it a fence.

    18. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except, of course, that anyone in any branch of government (especially law enforcement/military, even at the provincial level) is specifically required to swear a loyalty oath to the Queen. As is any new citizen. Also, if your parents had a marriage license, it explicitly states your fealty (as their offspring) to the Queen. Also, all those parts of Canada that are know as "crown land" (beaches, public parks, wilderness) belong to her, and she gets paid by the corporations that exploit them. Also, Canada the country is bankrupt and in receivership (which is why we pay our taxes not to the minister of finance, but to the "receiver general") and she is the primary recipient of the payments we make to offset that bankruptcy.

    19. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Again, you have no idea what you're talking about. She most definitely does have legal authority. Check your facts.

      OK, I think you're full of shit, but if you have anything to add, go ahead.

      Let's start with Wikipedia:

      Per the Canadian constitution, the responsibilities of the sovereign and/or governor general include summoning and dismissing parliament, calling elections, and appointing governments. Further, Royal Assent and the royal sign-manual are required to enact laws, letters patent, and orders in council. But the authority for these acts stems from the Canadian populace and,[8][9][10] within the conventional stipulations of constitutional monarchy, the sovereign's direct participation in any of these areas of governance is limited , with most related powers entrusted for exercise by the elected and appointed parliamentarians, the ministers of the Crown generally drawn from amongst them, and the judges and justices of the peace.

      Or, how about this?

      Why The Royal Prerogative of Veto (Withholding Royal Assent) No Longer Exists

      Modern Justification

      The website of the British monarchy explains on the page âoeQueen-in-Parliamentâ:

              The role of the Sovereign in the enactment of legislation is today purely formal, although The Queen has the right to be consulted, to encourage and to warn through regular audiences with her ministers. As a constitutional monarch, the Sovereign is required to assent to all Bills passed by Parliament, on the advice of Government ministers. The Royal Assent (consenting to a measure becoming law) has not been refused since 1707. [...][4]

      That phrase that the Queen gives Royal Assent âoeon the advice of her Ministersâ means that the government organizes the scheduling of the ceremony of Royal Assent (just as the Canadian sources show) and advises the Queen when to grant Royal Assent â" not whether to grant Royal Assent.

      In other words, if our government passes it, she doesn't have the legal authority to withhold assent. She doesn't retain veto power over our elected parliament.

      It would be an exceedingly unprecedented scenario in which the actual monarch refused or vetoed our laws. If if she did, she would probably find herself overruled, because she really has no basis to override parliament.

      The monarchy does not retain the legal ability to actually interfere in these things.

      Name me one instance in the last 100 years in which the monarch actually refused assent on anything. I'm pretty sure you can't. Because her role is pro-forma and ceremonial, the things are done "in her name", but she really has no legal authority, and hasn't in a long time. And in no way can she do anything which violates our constitution -- her job here is to act as guarantor for it.

      Even the governor general would need a pretty exceptional scenario to refuse assent ... because the GG isn't an elected entity, and doesn't have a lot of leeway to overrule parliament.

      So, unless you can cite specific legal stuff which assigns her this authority, or can cite specific examples of her actually using this alleged authority ... I'm afraid you're talking out of your ass. Because when she is "the Queen of Canada", her role is such that she doesn't have the authority to overrule parliament.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    20. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Prune · · Score: 1

      Your post is wrong on several levels. The Queen is both relevant and wanted. Polls continue to show the majority of Canadians are pro-monarchy. Recent legal challenges objecting to having to swear allegiance to the Queen when an immigrant goes through a citizenship ceremony were rejected by the courts with prejudice. Beyond being a personification of the state, the Queen's direct representative, the governor general, does in fact carry power in practical terms, even if it is rarely used. When Harper advised the governor general to prorogue parliament, or when Trudeau advised him to invoke the War Measures Act during the October Crisis, the governor generals had the constitutional power to refuse, even though in any given instance it's unlikely due to custom.

      --
      "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
    21. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Prune · · Score: 1

      Actually, he's only PM because he got the most votes. I promise you most of us who voted Conservative in the lsat three federal elections voted for Harper and not just his party. It's the same phenomenon that resulted in Liberal seats in Parliament getting decimated last time--it's not because of Liberal party policy, but the perceived arrogance of their past actions that Ignatieff conveniently came to personify so well by his demeanor. It's also the same in the case of the NDP's surge--it was all Layton, something that Mulcair can't hope to duplicate.

      --
      "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
    22. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by OzoneLad · · Score: 1

      It actually used to be across the street from Parliement, on Wellington street. It got moved about 20 years or so ago.

    23. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Colonel+Fahlt · · Score: 1

      Since you like Wikipedia, let's go with this:The_Canadian_Crown_and_the_Canadian_Forces.

      "Formally, there is a direct chain of command from the Queen of Canada to the governor general, through the Chief of the Defence Staff to all of the officers who hold the Queen's Commission, and through them, to all members of the Canadian Forces.[7] No other person, including the prime minister, cabinet ministers, nor public servants is part of the chain of command; nor does any other person have any command authority in the Canadian Forces,[8] an arrangement maintained to ensure that "the military is an agent for and not a master of the state."[9] As such, all new recruits into the Canadian Forces are required to recite the Oath of Allegiance to the monarch and his or her heirs and successors. According to the National Defence Act, the use of traitorous or disloyal words towards the reigning king or queen is a service offence and may be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment.[10]"

      "Declarations of war, the mobilisation of troops,[11] and the organisation of the forces all fall within the Royal Prerogative; direct parliamentary approval is not necessary for such, though the Cabinet may seek it nonetheless and the Crown-in-Parliament is responsible for allocating moneys necessary to fund the military.[12] The monarch issues letters patent, known as the Queen's Commission, to commissioned officers in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, and the Royal Canadian Air Force.[13] Further, all regulations for the Canadian Forces are set out by the sovereign in the Queen's Regulations and Orders. Neither the monarch nor the viceroy, however, involve themselves in direct military command; per constitutional convention, both must almost always exercise the Royal Prerogative on the advice of the Cabinet, although the right to unilaterally use those powers in crisis situations is maintained.[n 1][14][15][16][17][18][19]"

      Note particularly "the right to unilaterally use those powers in crisis situations is maintained." I can tell you, as someone who's served in the Canadian military, they make it clear to us that this is the case. If you think that's merely ceremonial in nature, well, it's never been tested (much like withholding Royal Assent has never been tested), but you should know there are definitely some military personnel who would follow orders from the Queen. If you don't think that's a form of actual legal authority, I don't know what is.

    24. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by grumpyman · · Score: 1

      I'm sure there are some security there but my US friends gotta realize the serg at arms who shoot the gunman is the dude who carries a decorative mace, leading politicians walking into the parliment with a funny hat. No disrespect but all kudos to him for the response but my point is that, this stuff ALMOST NEVER happen here and hence there's little need for people carrying machines guns walking around the parliment ground.

    25. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      She is the queen of Canada. You don't have to like her, but you can't refute the law of your own land. Of course it can be changed by referendum.

      Here's a snippit:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AmqNfVXlBM

      The separation of head of government from head of state is quite significant and in my opinion a superior system.

    26. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      So, fuck the queen of England ... she's not the queen of Canada.

      Hmm... so badly uninformed.

      Regina, Queen Elizabeth II of Canada is, and has never been, the Queen of England. I believe the last queen to hold that title was Queen Anne.

      Instead, Queen Elizabeth II is (separately) the Queen of the United Kingdom, Australia, Jamaica and Canada. Possibly a few others as well. She's also head of state but not queen in a few jurisdictions.

      And the Canadian constitution is hung off of one head of state: the Monarch of Canada, who just now happens to be a queen living in the UK. Her representative the Governor General has the ability to close up parliament if they start getting out of hand, and force a re-election. This privilege has only been used once, and it requires the Queen's approval.

    27. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      I think you've cited all that needs to be cited. "Doesn't have a lot of leeway" isn't the same as "has no leeway".

      The GG and Queen are the country's safety valve. If we elect idiots who are so incompetent as to cause a danger to the world at large, they can shut things down.

      Think of the Queen as being Canada's equivalent to the safety valve on a hot water heater. Unlikely you'll ever need either, but you can't miss seeing them, and you're always glad they're around when the pressure rises.

    28. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      I think you refer to the Royal Veto, which was last invoked by Queen Anne in 1707 when she vetoed the Scottish Militia Act, thus preventing the vassal State of Scotland from ever raising its own army.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    29. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by ihtoit · · Score: 2

      when was the Royal Veto effectively abolished in Canada? I can tell you when and by what Act it was abolished in England: the Parliament Act 1911.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    30. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      the Queen cannot veto anything because she has not had the authority to do so since 1911 (ie before she was born; in fact, the Parliament Act was the last Act signed into Law after receiving Royal Assent before the Veto was abolished by virtue of that Act, as part of a deal to allow King Edward to retain the Throne (hence keep the Royal Privilege, otherwise we would have had our own Bolshevik Revolution and we would not be having this conversation)).

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
    31. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by riverat1 · · Score: 1

      Well, she is our titular head of state ...

      So when she dies and Charles becomes king does that mean he is the ballular head of state?

      (Sorry, I couldn't help myself.)

    32. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      I agree that there is pretty much no modern precedent for either withholding assent, or declaring war and ordering us to follow. I think it's far from cut and dry if it was ever tried, and might involve a tremendous amount of legal wrangling.

      I find it sad that there is still any ambiguity about if Canadian soldiers would take orders from the Queen. We've been essentially sovereign for almost 30 years.

      If we're not, then it's bloody well time we were.

      To hell with the old broad, we're not still some fucking colony. The monarchy can go piss up a rope.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    33. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by camperdave · · Score: 1

      Actually, she is the Queen of Canada, and like it or not (and clearly, you do not), she is indeed your queen.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    34. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You say that because you were born Canadian, correct? Ever taken a citizenship exam, where you actually have to acknowledge her as your Queen?

      Captcha: hostages

    35. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by unitron · · Score: 1

      Lard ashrams?
      Note: iPhone autocorrects "kardashians" to "lard ashrams", which is just as funny.

      So, the Kardashians are shooting up downtown Canada now?

      They really *are* desperate for attention.

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

    36. Re:Parliment Hill != The White House by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      yes she is, you just seem to be ignorant

  4. Canada, get your own thing. by wiredog · · Score: 5, Funny

    Crazed shooters are totally our thing.

    --America.

    1. Re:Canada, get your own thing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *Cough* Anders Breivik *cough*

    2. Re:Canada, get your own thing. by gman003 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sorry.

      -- Canada

    3. Re:Canada, get your own thing. by davegravy · · Score: 1, Funny

      Mod parent Funny!

    4. Re:Canada, get your own thing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We don't need them. Do you want them back?

      --Canada

    5. Re:Canada, get your own thing. by ihtoit · · Score: 1

      it's not Canada's fault, the idiot turned left at Fort Erie.

      --
      Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
  5. Blurb is all over the place by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    The blurb is all over the place. The shooting is in Ottawa, Canada, Canada's capital. A man with a shotgun walked up to one of two soldiers posted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and shot one of the soldiers. He then ran off, got into a car, and drove to the gates of Canada's Parliament Buildings center block (you can't drive to the front door, not since 9/11). He ran in and shots were fired. The Seargent At Arms shot and killed the shooter, but there are more shooters in the building (RCMP and Ottawa police are all over it). The parliament buildings are about 2 blocks from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There is a large hotel about a block from Parliament, the Chateau Laurier. There was a shooter in there also, and there is also a large shopping mall about 3 blocks away "Rideau Center". There are shooters in there too. This all follows a 'lone wolf' Jihadist running over (with a car) two soldiers at an army recruiting center yesterday. He was later shot (and killed by police). Also yesterday 6 CF-18's left Canada to join the war on the ISIS (or ISAL or ass-hole, however you want to call them). Also, today Malala Yousafzai was to receive honorary Canadian Citizenship (she is in Ottawa).

    1. Re: Blurb is all over the place by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      This is pretty inaccurate even for an hour ago. There was one shooter at the tomb who then entered parliament, now shot dead. There are no others shooters at parliament, but police are tracking a second suspect in the area of Rideau mall which is a block away. A person was removed from chateau Laurier hotel by ambulance but it was stated this is unrelated to the shootings.

    2. Re:Blurb is all over the place by 31415926535897 · · Score: 1

      Thank you. I was wondering what the heck "Downtown Canada" meant.

    3. Re:Blurb is all over the place by slew · · Score: 1

      Also, today Malala Yousafzai was to receive honorary Canadian Citizenship (she is in Ottawa).

      Sadly, they cancelled the event...

      For those that aren't up on non-tech events, Malala gained fame by being shot for being an female education activist/blogger by the Taliban (allegedly, Atta Ullah Khan, a graduate student studying chemistry/physics). She later received a Nobel prize...

    4. Re:Blurb is all over the place by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Update: There was no shooting at Rideau Centre. Still no word on if there actually were multiple shooters- but downtown is still asked to be on lockdown.

    5. Re:Blurb is all over the place by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      ISIS (or ISAL or ass-hole, however you want to call them)

      If you specifically want to be insulting, call them "Daish". It's basically the same as ISIS but in original Arabic, and those guys hate it because that's what the locals on occupied territories are calling them behind their back (officially they're just the "Islamic State", with no specific mention of territories; the name denies them the assertion to be a global worldwide Muslim state that they claim with the declaration of Caliphate).

    6. Re:Blurb is all over the place by unitron · · Score: 1

      Thank you. I was wondering what the heck "Downtown Canada" meant.

      Well, obviously it's all the parts that aren't in uptown Canada.

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

  6. Video has 9 shots, 3 before, 2 perps by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 2

    A lot of the video is echos, only heard 9 actual. At least 3 at memorial.

    Have only heard of 2 possible perpatrators, one is down.

    Be safe, remember Canadians will never live in Fear, be strong.

    (and to you in America, Canadians do know what to do)

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
    1. Re:Video has 9 shots, 3 before, 2 perps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You've got two shooters and one is down with (zero? one?) non-shooter casualty. Have you seen the shit that goes on in America? I don't think Americans have any latitude to criticize Canada for anything involving nutjob shooters.

    2. Re:Video has 9 shots, 3 before, 2 perps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In my completely un-expert opinion, the first shot sounds much like a shotgun, which would match the description of the suspect with a shotgun.

    3. Re:Video has 9 shots, 3 before, 2 perps by pubwvj · · Score: 1

      "(and to you in America, Canadians do know what to do)"

      Your nationalism is unnecessary. Just like sexism, racism, etc. Grow up. Become civilized.

    4. Re:Video has 9 shots, 3 before, 2 perps by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no need for that, he is Canadian -he knows what to do.

  7. Possiblities by penguinoid · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Canada raised their terrorism threat level, just before this happened. Clearly they were right. It's time to panic!

    Unless they meant something else by "raising the domestic terrorism threat level" -- maybe they meant increasing the number of domestic terrorists, in which case the program appears to have been successful. Here in the US such a thing would energize the Republican base, so it's not unlikely that some politicians benefited greatly from this. Any Republicans in Canada?

    Or, maybe in this case correlation does suggest causation. If they raise the threat level again, will another crazy guy shoot at Parliament?

    --
    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    1. Re:Possiblities by dskoll · · Score: 1

      It is not time to panic. It is time to get serious about taking on and defeating the terrorists. That doesn't mean curtailing our civil liberties, but it does mean taking sensible precautions and not spouting Trudeau-esque bullshit about finding the "root causes" of terrorism.

      There's a war on against Western democracies. We have to win it.

    2. Re:Possiblities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There's a war on against Western democracies. We have to win it.

      Out of curiosity, which side are you on?

    3. Re:Possiblities by penguinoid · · Score: 1

      The side that wants to fight evil by any means necessary. You know, the good guys.

      I'm 100% absolutely sure that answers your question.

      --
      Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
    4. Re:Possiblities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      not spouting Trudeau-esque bullshit about finding the "root causes" of terrorism

      Why not? I'll take any weapon which degrades a terrorist groups ability to operate, including their ability to attract new recruits.

  8. Too slow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There has been no confirmation yet if a gunman has been shot, only that shots were fired.

    And you nerds need to calm the hell down. Someone got a photo of the gunman as he stepped out of the car.

  9. Domestic Terrorism Threat Level by canadiannomad · · Score: 2

    So is "Domestic Terrorism Threat Level" a ranking of how disenfranchised the population feels beyond the level of "Peaceful Protest"?

    --
    Hmm, the humour and sarcasm seem to have been be lost on you.
    1. Re:Domestic Terrorism Threat Level by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, pretty much exactly that.

  10. Re:Bullshit moderation by halivar · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    It is hilarious that almost every post in this thread is (-1, Offtopic). The majority of posters are in agreement; this doesn't belong here. Offtopic? The entire damned post is (-1, Offtopic).

  11. I work at a fed site in Ottawa 7km away from downt by Stavr0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    We are in a total lockdown. No one gets in or out.

  12. Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zone by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Yep, that worked so well.

    Why do people who support gun control laws think the "War on Drugs" is futile?

  13. Don't care by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Not news for nerds. We have cnn for stuff like this.

    1. Re:Don't care by buckfeta2014 · · Score: 1

      Hear hear... My google news feed is packed with this stuff. I don't need slashdot to tell me what happened.

      --
      Buck Feta. You know what to do.
  14. Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by l0n3s0m3phr34k · · Score: 0

    oh those Canuks! He's probably wacked out on Maple Syrup and high on medicinal pot. There's no poisonous snakes native to Nova Scotia dontchano, so what ya be needing a gun for?

  15. Re:Bullshit moderation by SecurityGuy · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Agreed. I'm interested in this story, but I already read about it on sites that cover this kind of thing. I'd rather this not be here. Post something interesting that CNN/MSN/Everybodyelse isn't already covering better than you will.

  16. Inappropriate by Blaskowicz · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is a War memorial! You can't shoot people here!

  17. Re:Why by StrangeBrew · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Let me say this again, since it deserves repeating. Time and time again, posters on Slashdot talk about the 'fictitious' threat of terrorism that government uses as the excuse for encroachments on perceived liberties. You, the posters are the reason why an actual coordinated attack within a 'safe' democratic country is news on Slashdot.

  18. What is important is.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ....to not overact.

    Could be some IS wannabe loser(s), maybe domestic terrorist or a person with mental health issues. We do not know yet.

    What I do know is the country is NOT in mortal danger (not even close), no they are not coming for you women and children.

    We do not need to give up more civil liberties, no lock-down is required.

    Wait for the facts to surface, then deal with it accordingly.

    If we give in to fear and hysteria....well they win...

    1. Re:What is important is.... by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      I think one of the differences is that Canadians don't get so panicked if someone threatens to attack their politicians -- and Canadian politicians have a reputation for being able to defend themselves.

      The lock down may or may not have been useful, depending on why it was called.

  19. As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is what we get for blindly following the states. Why do we keep committing troops to help clean up the messes american wars leave behind? What thanks do we get? none the american's treat us like a joke, the people we're going to help treat us like the enemy.

    1. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are overeating....we know exactly 0 at this point in time.

      For all we know it could me some crazed gunman with mental health issues.

      But even if it was IS attack, it is likely they would have done it regardless of what we did/did not do. The thing about nutters and extremists is they are out to hurt and scare people regardless if we blindly follow the States or not.

      The important thing is to NOT give in....otherwise they win, and not only do they win, they make us look like MASSIVE cowards on top of that...scared of a handful of nutters with small arms....

    2. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For all we know it could me some crazed gunman with mental health issues.

      This is the case be it tied to a terrorist organization or not..

      But even if it was IS attack, it is likely they would have done it regardless of what we did/did not do.

      Do you really believe that? I'm not supporting IS but its ignorant to think that their actions are 100% un prompted by outside influence and even more ignorant to assume they that they wouldnt find us guilty by affiliation.

    3. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by SecurityGuy · · Score: 1

      Well, yeah, blindly following anyone is stupid. That's true whether you're Canada, or the American electorate. We should both think more.

    4. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by dskoll · · Score: 1

      This is what we get for blindly following the states^W^W^W^W being a Western democracy and refusing to be dhimmis to Islamist nutters.

      FTFY.

    5. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The important thing is to NOT give in....otherwise they win, and not only do they win, they make us look like MASSIVE cowards on top of that...scared of a handful of nutters with small arms....

      It has nothing to do with cowardice it has everything to do with not involving our selves in american colonialism i mean 'democratization'

    6. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just look at the rest of the damn comments on this article about 50% of them are jokes about canada maple syrop and other bullshit..

      this is how america sees us and we still help them WTF is wrong with us, why do we let them treat is this way and still support them politically.

      this is disgusting, we've got people being shot at, in our home, and all the americans can do is A) complain that this isn't geek news, and B) lol canada

    7. Re:As a Canadian this makes me sad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Like it or not, for better or for worse, we are a part of this world. And bad shit happens in this world. Even if Americans did not exist, bad shit would still happen in this world.

      What do you want us to do, bury our heads in the sand and pretend like nothing is going on?

      I am not fan of American colonialism, however what are we supposed to do about things such as IS? Nothing?

      And yes, any western nation that restricts their freedoms and liberties over a couple of crazed shooters is the DEFINITION of a coward.

      Previous generations faced threats like Nazis and USSR didn't surrender anything all in the name of "feeling safe".

  20. Pie Assassins of Canada by wisnoskij · · Score: 1
    --
    Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
  21. Not a big fan of politicians in general by codeButcher · · Score: 0

    ... so whenever I read things like this, it always strikes me how badly (not at all) planned these "excursions" are, with how little actual attrition in the politician camp. Don't whoever do these sort of things have access to some DVDs? Just watch Olympus Has Fallen or some other such tripe for some basic inspiration next time, won't you?

    --
    Free, as in your money being freed from the confines of your account.
  22. Re: Why by frikken+lazerz · · Score: 0

    And yet this story will get more comments than the previous three tech-related articles combined. That's why it's here. It's a moneymaker, and Dice knows it.

  23. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    What makes you think this has anything to do with terrorism? If anything it seems personal. Why would they target a soldier from out of town, "guarding" a memorial first? If it was a terrorist attack you'd think they'd target something more significant than that, like the Prime Minister, MPs, etc.

  24. Only a few days after one killed south of Montreal by Walking+The+Walk · · Score: 2
    Just a few days ago in a town south of Montreal, Quebec, a man hit two soldiers with his car, killing one of them. They're saying he was "radicalized" and waited in the parking lot for 2 hours before the attack. I haven't seen anyone provide info to tie the two attacks together, but I'm sure the question will come up.

    I suppose Facebooks new Safe Check would be useful today - my family have already text me to let me know they're safe, but it would be great to know none of my friends have been hurt.

    --
    A recursive sig
    Can impart wisdom and truth
    Call proc signature()
  25. Re:Really, Soulskill? by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    "nerds" are often the ones who care about such things because they are intelligent enough to see the larger issues, like social justice. Mainstream media is all about the fear and the drama, rarely about the larger issues. That's less true of some Canadian media, but more and more it's going the way of the US fear machine.

  26. But the big question is... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Was the shooter more pissed off with the recent proposed changes to ChromeOS support of FS types or the fact that he still can't order a Beaglebone Black and is stuck having to write vision systems with a box full of arduinos?

  27. Good thing Canada's pretty much a by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Canada still is mostly a handgun free zone. This was a long gun (a double barreled shotgun), which are mostly unregulated, easy to come by, and pretty common in rural areas - especially Northern Ontario.

  28. Re:Why by Walking+The+Walk · · Score: 2

    Well, this comes just a few days after one soldier was killed and another injured in what's being called an intentional attack by a "radicalized" Canadian. That attack was south of Montreal (about 2 hrs drive from Ottawa), so there may be no connection, but it does make one wonder. I'm sure people are worried that these two incidents are related, and might be harbinger of more to come.

    --
    A recursive sig
    Can impart wisdom and truth
    Call proc signature()
  29. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Teddy+Beartuzzi · · Score: 4, Informative

    Gun free? LOL. We have one of the highest guns per capita rates in the world. We control guns, we don't ban them. And it works very well.

  30. Re:Why by StrangeBrew · · Score: 2

    My guess is you haven't spent any time digging into this story or you'd retract your question. As the story currently stands, the shooter started at the memorial and then ran into parliament to target the sorts of individuals you referenced. You'd also know that there was another attack at a local mall at approximately the same time. You'd also know that a 'radicalized' individual mowed down two uniformed members of our military in Quebec just the other day. These could all be viewed as individual incidence, but reasonable people would come to the conclusion that someone is urging these individuals to carry out attacks, regardless whether or not they were highly coordinated.

  31. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

    There's no poisonous snakes native to Nova Scotia dontchano, so what ya be needing a gun for?

    I hear hunting is quite popular in Canada so may be moose, ducks, or the most awful thing from Canada ever that need to be gunned down in mass.

    If this is terrorism and Canada decides to wrongly go after something I suggest the Canadian Geese as that would at least be useful.

    --
    Time to offend someone
  32. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ok i c....

    So basically we should give up all our civil liberties, and live in a police state with harsher restrictions than sharia law WITH high tech tools to enforce it.

    All in the name to "feel" safer? That is your solution?

    I lived in Canada all my life. Do you know how many terrorists that wanted to kill me I have come face to face with? 0.
    You know how many statistically speaking I am expected to come face to face with? 0
    The probability of me being killed by terrorists in Canada is so close to 0, it might as well be 0.

    If ever it happens, you know what, it's a tragedy, it sucks, I have the worst luck in the world, but at least I would die knowing he failed to scare us, he failed to take away the rights and freedoms so many others before me fought and died for.

    For us to simply give them all up because we are scared due to a few crazed individuals is a disgrace to those who fought in WW1, WW2 and countless other conflicts, fighting against much more scarier threats....

  33. ... uh huh. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So a couple of random goons got shot down by some random person the day after people were significantly questioning the use or purpose of the terrorism alerts, and now it's fuel for "SECURITY".

    Or maybe someone slept with his wife in there.

  34. Re:Why by frank_adrian314159 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Uh, no. You assume that making the country an even larger police state would help. But I'm sure the Canadians already had about as big a police state as it needed.

    And the fuss over incidents involving two persons? Out of millions that live in and travel through Canada each year? Seems like their police apparatus is working pretty well from my point of view.

    You talk as if we could bring an end to the threat of someone doing something nefarious, if only we just did something (think of the chil... soldiers). But you know what? We're doing enough. The actual count of terrorism deaths compared with just about any other cause should convince just about anyone of that. But when your argument is emotional, I guess facts don't matter (but still we try...).

    So, no, neither Canada, nor the US, nor does just about any developed country need a bigger police, monitoring, border-controlling, etc. apparatus. They should probably try a bit harder to make sure that wealth and opportunity are distributed a bit more equitably and that people have a bit more say in what's being done for/to them and that might be a bit more cost-effective, but it's also a tangent along which I will not proceed further.

    What is clear is that freedom is built on acceptable losses. You can debate acceptable loss levels, but the fact of those losses never go away. Talking about acceptable levels and what is needed to achieve those levels might generate a fruitful discussion but, somehow, I don't think you want to talk about things that way.

    --
    That is all.
  35. Re:Only a few days after one killed south of Montr by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I suppose Facebooks new Safe Check would be useful today - my family have already text me to let me know they're safe, but it would be great to know none of my friends have been hurt.

    Yeah, it's a real fucking warzone with thousands dead. (sarcasm) Get a grip! Do you also have to "check in" after every car crash?

    Whatever happened to Keep Calm and Carry On?

  36. OMG, if only... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "The incident has been called an act of violence against Canada that was âoeclearly linkedâ to terrorist ideology."

    It's amazing how quickly, after the fact, this link was made. I hope the perpetrators weren't radicalized Brits returning from summer Jihad in Syria.

    1. Re:OMG, if only... by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 1

      The radicalized Brits returning home would be free radicals, right? Aren't free radicals good for your health or something?

      --
      sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
    2. Re:OMG, if only... by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      Actually, free radicals cause cancer. That is an interesting analogy considering that terrorists cause a similar thing to society.

    3. Re:OMG, if only... by pitchpipe · · Score: 1

      The radicalized Brits returning home would be free radicals, right? Aren't free radicals good for your health or something?

      Actually, your description is apropos. Free Radicals cause cancer, and I can't think of a more fitting metaphor for radical Islam than it is a cancer with its adherents causing it to spread.

      --
      Look where all this talking got us, baby.
  37. Is it time? by fuzznutz · · Score: 0

    Have they issued the alert for all people of Canadian descent to open their box of faith yet?

  38. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by kwiqsilver · · Score: 0

    Except for the bans on carrying a gun, using a gun, owning certain guns, owning normal sized magazines, etc.

    And apparently that gun control doesn't work out so well.

    In the US, we have the highest gun:citizen ratio (over 1.0), and if we don't count gangland violence (which our history with alcohol prohibition shows is caused by the illegal drug trade, and independent of gun ownership), we have one of the lowest violent crime rates and murder rates in the world. And both of those rates have plummeted in the past 20 years as we've repealed gun control, while Canada's has gone up over the past 20 years as they've piled on the gun control.

  39. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's 1, possibly 2 guys with long guns. Even if it is a "terrorist" attack, it's a rather pathetic and poorly organized/planned one. The "radicalized" Canadian was not a terrorist, he was a disturbed individual who latched onto the ideology on his own accord. There were no links to any terrorist organization, no indoctrination, etc - had he latched onto any other ideology (like aliens are real or the boogeyman is going to eat your children) and done the same the conversation would be very different.

  40. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    Canadians have an estimated 7-8 million legal guns in circulation. Hardly a "gun free" zone.

  41. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by kwiqsilver · · Score: 2

    ...so what ya be needing a gun for?

    How about self defense against against a nut job on a killing spree? The least successful spree killers in the US have all been stopped by an armed civilian, not a government employee.

  42. Re:aaaand by NetNed · · Score: 0

    I thought "WTF who modded a serious question as a troll"? Then saw yours modded -1 troll and realize what this site was and what made it great has faded in to the blur of the internet. Now mod this "troll" hacks!

  43. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    But I'm sure the Canadians already had about as big a police state as it needed.

    Far more than we want, as a matter of fact.

    Because it gets ramped up every year to comply with the demands of the fucking Americans -- the current leading champs in terms of fighting against freedom and democracy for anybody but them.

    Stupid fucking Americans.

  44. downtown lockdown by max99ted · · Score: 2

    I work at 55 Metcalfe st which is the corner of Queen and Metcalfe. I can see the parliament buildings from one of the corner offices. We are still locked down and cannot leave the premises. I think every police officer in the city is down here they are currently doing a grid search of buildings between Queen and Wellington streets.

    --

    Please stop APK.. you're only hurting yourself.

  45. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    How the hell can any attack against soldiers (of all people!) ever possibly be an act of terrorism? Having your soldiers get killed is certainly something to be justifiably pissed off about, but it's impossible for it to be terrorism. Even if a self-proclaimed "terrorist" does it, the act isn't terrorism. In conventional war (ask anyone, whether they grew up in 1200 BC or 1200 AD or 1812 or 1944 or 1971), soldiers are legitimate targets. The definitions didn't suddenly magically change in 2003 (or whenever it was) that US soldiers started getting picked off in Iraq.

  46. Good thing this didn't happen in USA by tekrat · · Score: 2

    A gunman in a government building? In the USA there's be 100,000 cops, the national guard, a dozen tanks, 50 helicopters, CNN and Fox News screaming into the camera "OHMYGOD OHMYGOWD!!!!" and the area would be in lockdown for 72 hours at least and a hazmat crew sent in afterwards ---- all for one shooter with a .22 rifle.

    --
    If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
    1. Re:Good thing this didn't happen in USA by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      Exaggeration just make you sound stupid.

    2. Re:Good thing this didn't happen in USA by Guru80 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Actually...a guy just ran into the White House a couple weeks ago, other than the talking heads on CNN and friends that's not how it went down.

    3. Re:Good thing this didn't happen in USA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's because he didn't have a gun.

  47. Color me strange, but... by MagickalMyst · · Score: 1, Interesting

    ...This smells like false-flag propaganda designed to incite more hatred of the Muslim and Arabic peoples and draw Canada into another BS war in the middle east. This whole thing reeks. Peace.

    --
    Political correctness is really just herd psychology pushed by insecure people who desperately seek social conformity.
    1. Re:Color me strange, but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But since such killing is completely consistant with Islamic doctrine as interpreted by jihadists (as they virtually scream daily at the top of their lungs themselves) it seems more likely it's just another premeditated killing by murderous lunatics (and hardly a fringe group either considering the number of supporters worldwide).

      If it were up to me I'd start by ditching the political correctness that paralyzes Western democracies, and immediately block further immigration from high-risk countries where there is even a hint the potential immigrants take thier religion (Islam) seriously. Political correctness is as dangerous as religion, since it stops us from speaking accurately, and even acknowledging much less addressing our problems.

    2. Re:Color me strange, but... by Jabrwock · · Score: 1

      Because radical lunatics never carry out copycat impulsive attacks? Really? A loon tries to go out in a blaze of glory, and you assume that it's all an elaborate plot to justify military action?

      --
      Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
    3. Re:Color me strange, but... by MagickalMyst · · Score: 1

      One should always question whether or not major events are false-flag operations in the 21st century. They are at the heart of the so-called "war on terror". Look at the 7/7 bombings in the UK and Peter Powers, for example.

      --
      Political correctness is really just herd psychology pushed by insecure people who desperately seek social conformity.
  48. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by SydShamino · · Score: 1

    >> And apparently that gun control doesn't work out so well.

    I know as much about what happened today as the summary says, but... if the "best" guns the shooters had today were shotguns, then gun control likely did its job.

    --
    It doesn't hurt to be nice.
  49. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    I've just paid attention to the warnings they issue that the "story is still unfolding ... there are conflicting reports ... very little can be confirmed at this point" etc. If it was a targeted attack as you suggest, shooting someone over half a kilometer away from any targets of importance is not logical. It's a 5-8 minute walk to Parliament Buildings from where the shootings began.

    They haven't even been able to confirm that a second shooter exists. The only other person shot was a random staff person who was shot in the leg. The other person taken to hospital wasn't shot, just injured (probably tripping over their own feet).

  50. That's what happens by Skarjak · · Score: 0

    That's what happens when you get involved in wars that don't concern you. By joining the fight against ISIS, we've painted ourselves as a target. This war doesn't concern us, and we don't need to have our peace disturbed because of our contribution to it.

    1. Re:That's what happens by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      I am a Canadian and I disagree completely with your isolationist position. The protection of innocent lives from aggression is the concern of every free person on earth. By ignoring the suffering of people in other countries all you are doing is reinforcing the idea that might is right.

      All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

      Burke(maybe)

    2. Re:That's what happens by PPH · · Score: 1

      Plus, they cancelled a hockey game. Canadians are lining up at recruitment centers for the chance to take ISIS down.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    3. Re:That's what happens by Skarjak · · Score: 0

      Snappy citations are not enough to support us going halfway across the globe to kill people. Had we all been maintaining a policy of non-intervention, ISIS would not exist. Our actions in the Middle East are causing more harm than good. At any rate, we have to think first about our own interests. It's unfortunate that people elsewhere are suffering, but we have proven time and time again that our interventions are both ineffective and costly. There's nothing we can do. Unless you are naive enough to think that "this time, we can end the terrorist threat!".

    4. Re:That's what happens by jklovanc · · Score: 0

      Snappy citations are enough to support us going halfway across the globe to protect people.

      FTFY

      Had we all been maintaining a policy of non-intervention, ISIS would not exist.

      We didn't intervene in Syria and ISIS was born. Note that the last "S" is ISIS stand for "Syria".

      At any rate, we have to think first about our own interests.

      We are thinking about ourselves. If ISIS is allowed to control large parts of the Middle East it controls the world economy. That would be very bad for everyone.

      It's unfortunate that people elsewhere are suffering, but we have proven time and time again that our interventions are both ineffective and costly.

      People are not only suffering they are being murdered by the hundreds. By the way, some of our interventions have worked; WW1, WW2, Korea, and Bosnia.

      There's nothing we can do.

      We can remove ISIS's control of a large part of the Middle East.

      Unless you are naive enough to think that "this time, we can end the terrorist threat!".

      It will not "end the terrorist threat" but it will remove massive resources from the terrorists.

      Sorry but I am not of the "stick your head in the sand till they kick your ass" group.

    5. Re:That's what happens by Xest · · Score: 2

      You're an embarrassment to your country.

      It was in large part Canada's willingness to stand by Britain and allow it's airmen to support it against Hitler's attempted advances in World War II. Canada was a major factor in helping prevent Britain losing the Battle of Britain, a defining moment which crushed Hitler's ability to spread West outside of Europe (and guess who would've been next if Britain fell?) by decimating his airforce and navy.

      If you think isolation is a solution in an increasingly globalised world you're deluded. It wasn't 70 years ago when America learnt that the hard way at Pearl Harbour, and is most certainly isn't now.

      That doesn't mean every intervention is sensible, effective or just, but absolution isolationism is just complete stupidity - it merely delays the inevitable and makes the inevitable worse because the delay allowed the enemy to gain more strength than they would have if they were just dealt with sooner before they reached your shores. This is reality, and it's been proven time and time again by every nation that's attempted the isolationism that you propose.

    6. Re:That's what happens by Skarjak · · Score: 1

      The West certainly got involved in Syria. The rebels received funds, aid and weapons from the West. Had we not been involved, the rebels would have been defeated and none of this would have happened. Our actions have repercutions beyond what we can predict.

      We have just spent more than a decade in conflict, and for what? We've all heard the definition of insanity. It would be insane to think this will be any different than our previous failed attempts to bring peace to the MIddle East. This isn't about sticking our heads in the sand. This is about refraining from repeteadly bashing our heads against a brick wall.

      And we have been told time and time again that they just want us out of there. Why don't we... get out of there? They will not come to our shores if we stop meddling in their affairs, that's just ridiculous. It's hard to motivate people to blow themselves up when there's no imminent threat.

      In short, our actions are both futile and dangerous to ourselves.

    7. Re:That's what happens by Skarjak · · Score: 1

      My passport may say "Canada", but the flag in my room is bearing the fleur-de-lys. I don't really care if my opinions "embarrass" you, especially if the offending attitude is my desire for peace.

      There was strong opposition to the conscription in my province for both World Wars, and I am proud of that. We are not warmongers. By the way, it was the Russians who did most of the work. When Canadian and American forces landed in Europe, they were battling a heavily weakened enemy. They would have had a much harder time making their landings if the Nazis had had enough troops to protect them. Their foolish attack on Russia is what defeated them. And the Russians were right to counter-attack since, at that point, they were directly concerned.

      You're deluded if you think the fight against ISIS will accomplish anything. Have you been living in a cave for the past ten years? Why don't you tell me about the resounding successes that were Western interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lybia?

    8. Re:That's what happens by Xest · · Score: 1

      But you don't get peace by giving violent people free reign to be violent. You say you're proud, but there's no pride in being willing to be subservient to whoever is willing to come and violently take your liberties from you, and being happy to leave others to suffer when you could act.

      "There was strong opposition to the conscription in my province for both World Wars, and I am proud of that."

      Ah so you were a fan of the spread of Nazism and do not believe it should have been stopped - it's becoming clear why you have such a crackpot view of the world.

      "By the way, it was the Russians who did most of the work."

      On the Eastern front yes, with the support of the Western World War II arctic convoys.

      "When Canadian and American forces landed in Europe, they were battling a heavily weakened enemy."

      Canadian and American forces landed at very different times, the Americans didn't enter the war until about 4 years after Canada, and Germany's Western front had been weakened by that alliance of the likes of Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Free France and so on. It was success in the Battle of Britain that crippled Hitler's ability to advance beyond Western Europe. You're right that the Nazis were weakened by the time America entered the war, because it was that anglo-alliance that weakened it.

      What's really astounding is the incredible lack of a grasp on history you have, but similarly your complete ignorance of history probably explains your astoundingly ignorant and monumentally stupid viewpoint - as the say goes, those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, and it would appear you don't even know your history let alone have any ability therefore to learn from it.

      "You're deluded if you think the fight against ISIS will accomplish anything."

      Your deluded if you think that not fighting ISIS will magically make it go away. Guess what we've been trying for the last 2 years? They only got stronger and managed to spread into even more countries.

      "Have you been living in a cave for the past ten years? Why don't you tell me about the resounding successes that were Western interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lybia?"

      What does it matter? They're a mixed bag. Iraq was stupid, a massive monumental mistake. Afghanistan was far from a resounding victory but has left the country in a better place than it was - contrary to popular belief life was still far worse and more brutal under the Taliban than it is now and what about Libya? you can't even fucking spell it right, is it suffering from militancy too? absolutely. Is that better than the other option of widespread Gaddafi led massacres that were and would've continued to claim far more lives than fighting now is causing? sure, no question about it. Sometimes when you're faced with two bad options it's better to take the least bad than allow the most bad to come to fruition.

      You have an incredibly naive world view, you don't see the million shades of grey in the middle, you believe that if 3 military interventions weren't resounding successes then no intervention can ever work. It's wrong, it's false, and it only takes counter-examples such as World War II, or on a smaller scale, Sierra Leone to show that military intervention can in fact sometimes make things better. You can only have peace if both sides are willing, when one side is not you either give up and get raped, or you fight back for those hard won freedoms. What's particularly sad is that you can only even say the things you are because people far braver than you, far smarter than you, and far more sensible than you actually did put their lives on the line to do what's right, and rather than thank and support that you sit here pretending they're somehow wrong? They're not- you are.

      Like it or not, here's the thing with bombing ISIS- tens of thousands of Yazidis, Christians, and Kurds alone have already been saved by those actions. Even if we stopped right now we've done more good in our actions than you would seem

    9. Re:That's what happens by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      There was strong opposition to the conscription in my province for both World Wars, and I am proud of that.

      I have never understood that. How could you be proud of the fact that Quebecois wanted to turn their back on their mother country, their history and the basis for their entire society?

      We are not warmongers.

      There is a difference between being a war monger and coming to the aid of countries who ask for help.

      When Canadian and American forces landed in Europe, they were battling a heavily weakened enemy.

      Weakened by the constant bombing by British and American forces. Weakened by constant sinking of merchant ships. Had the US not interviene, first with arms/supplies and then with men, England would have fallen. Had England fallen Germany could have concentrated all is forces going East and could have won. Even Stalin agitated for a Western front as he knew he could not win unless Germany was forced to split their forces. In the end, had the now Commonwealth countries and the US followed Quebec's lead and not helped Great Britain Europe would probably be German.

      Their foolish attack on Russia is what defeated them.

      You really need to learn your history before you make statements. The Russians were planning to attack Germany and Hitler just attacked first. Hitler attacked when thr Russian forces were organized to attack not defend. Hitler made many mistakes in WWII but attacking Russia was not one of them.

      Why don't you tell me about the resounding successes that were Western interventions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lybia?

      The interesting thing about that statement is that it never goes into what might have happened if the West had not intervened. What do you think would have happened if Saddam had taken Saudi Arabia and controlled the Straits of Hormuz? What do you think would have happened if the Taliban had been left alone in Afghanistan and allowed to train terrorists and send them to the West? The intervention in Lybia was to stop Qaddafi killing civilians during the civil war. Even if the outcomes of intervention were not all positive the results of not intervening could have been much worse.

  51. Re: Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" z by Kielistic · · Score: 1

    I'm fairly certain the parent post was directed at Americans that are pro gun control (or anyone really).

  52. Couldn't have happened in the US by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... because our government officials are all too busy campaigning and collecting bribes^Wcontributions from the rich to actually be present at our equivalent of Parliament.

  53. Avoid foreign entanglements by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 0

    It's beyond time for Harper and his coven to stop acting like the GOP farm team and disengage both domestically and internationally from Canada being nothing but 'loyal', unquestioning Storm Troopers for American Empire (TM).

  54. Re:Dear Canada.... Arm Your Citizens by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Suddenly, armed citizens who love their country and fellow countrymen and women became law enforcement's best friends.

    Do not take away our guns. Requisition them out to law abiding citizens who wish to be able to protect themselves and loved ones.

    We are at war. Do not be fooled by false flag operations and the UN pushing its anti-gun agenda upon the good people of this world via any means they choose.

    If I had to choose friends (just for the sake of argument) between a pencil pushing wangle who cries fowl and is avidly predisposed against the ability for citizens to be able to protect their lives and lives of others AND a citizen who is actually able to protect their life and the lives of others because he or she legally carries a sidearm, guess who I'd pick.

    It is an inalienable right for humans to be able to protect themselves.

    Do not tread on us.

  55. Parliament Buildings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't know why but I can't get this Tom Green clip out of my head.

  56. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by debrain · · Score: 0

    The US has a 90:1 gun:citizen ratio.

    The US has one of the highest murder rates in the world (3.6/yr/100000 people), being over 6x higher than Canadas (0.5/yr/100000 people).

    I trust we can all do ourselves a favour and conclude that the balance of your post, and likely anything else you bother to write, is also laughably misinformed.

    Do us all a favour and stop posting nonsense.

  57. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by RobbieCrash · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you're discounting what you claim the major cause of American gun deaths (illegally owned guns used by criminals) to be, you've got to do the same in Canada. In nearly every category Canada is better off, per capita, than the US in terms of crime.

    Also, citation needed for the not counting gangland violence showing low murder rate. The closest thing I can find is a mis-cited report about Chicago that a US conservative site trotted out, sourcing a CDC report that shows nothing of the sort, via Reddit. Here's a well cited refutation of the idea that 80% of gun deaths are caused by gangs, not even after ruling out suicide is it close to true..

    --
    Keep on knockin'
    https://robbiecrash.me
  58. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why is this on slashdot?

    There is no evidence that it is connected to gamersgate. Then when have that stopped the media from screaming "terrorists!"?

  59. Re:Another win for the NRA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    According to some reports, the NRA bought the rifle, ammunition, and smuggled the rifle into Canada. They're repeating their old tricks where they flooded the streets of Mexico with guns in order to help drug lords there.

    No matter what, the NRA cares only about gun makers. They are making sure to scare people into buying more of those things. That is their way.

  60. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    and if we don't count gangland violence

    And if you don't count death, we all live forever.

    Why the hell wouldn't you count "gangland" violence? We've got more people in prison than any other country in the world, so when I hear people talk about how there is really little violent crime (except for the violent crime) in the US, it's kind of a joke.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  61. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Given a choice between real liberty and perceived safety, I'll take liberty, thanks.

    The people trying to keep us "safe" by stripping away our freedoms are the ones I really worry about, no matter what political party they're from.

  62. Am I reading this wrong? by Bengie · · Score: 1

    "and shot a soldier with a rifle."
    Is it ambiguous for others of whether the soldier was shot with a rifle or the soldier with a rifle was shot?

    When I read it in my head, I naturally want to place a pause after "soldier", so I assume it should be more like "and shot a soldier, with a rifle".

    1. Re:Am I reading this wrong? by Jabrwock · · Score: 1

      Well, you could say "both". The soldier, with a rifle (because he was on guard duty at the War Memorial), was shot, with a rifle.

      --
      Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
  63. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    and if we don't count gangland violence

    Yes, feel free to discount any factors which disprove your hypothesis.

    And then feel free to reclassify every gun death as being due to those factors. Black on black crime? Gangs. White on white crime? Gangs. Toddler accidentally shooting himself? POTENTIAL GANG MEMBER, PEOPLE.

  64. Re:Why by prelelat · · Score: 1

    Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters.

    Slashdot used to be the news aggregator and they would have info faster than anyone(I know right). It was the first of it's kind and as such slashdot did cover major events in great detail. Look back at Sept 11 http://slashdot.org/index2.pl?... the news on the site was amazing for the time. Ask CmdrTaco what he thought were some of the highlights of slashdot and I'm sure he would say that in his time here that this was one of the sites shining moments. Not news for nerds, but stuff that mattered.

    So when you see a headline story pop up and you shoot it down, think this what slashdot was all about many years ago when it started. News for nerds, stuff that matters. A site made by nerds for nerds but not just about nerds, about the things that affect them. This news story affects people nerds non nerds.

  65. It did happen in USA by bussdriver · · Score: 1

    Short memory? A crazy man stormed the white house.

    They were complaining we didn't shoot the man 6 times as soon as he hopped the fence but after the dog had chewed on him a while so then Fox couldn't talk about conspiracies involving the "victim."

    The difference here is we have a black democrat president. If it was Bush it would be another situation. If it was the amazingly unpopular congress that does not represent the public, the government would freak out while most the public would be disappointed no congressmen died.

    1. Re:It did happen in USA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wait, the Fox talking heads were up in arms because they felt the President should have been better protected, and you are trying to accuse them of looking for conspiracies about the intruder?

    2. Re:It did happen in USA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There was a black woman the capitol police shot. Apparently she wanted answers for NSA spying or something. Someone should hold Obama responsible for the racist environment he's created in our nation's capital.

    3. Re:It did happen in USA by bussdriver · · Score: 1

      Dear fox news dolt, I was saying that they couldn't do the conspiracy thing because the man was not shot. Had he been shot quickly and especially if he was killed, they would have had conspiracies about it. Fox loves conspiracies. I admit they are not as bad since firing Glenn Beck.

  66. Except it's not by phorm · · Score: 1

    It's pretty easy to get a gun in Canada if you don't have a criminal record or mental illness, and can find people to vouch for you.

    Not all types of guns - handguns are harder - mind you, but hunting is a pretty common sport and rifles or shotguns aren't a huge deal to get if you're patient.

    What we *DON'T* have is stuff like carry permits etc allowing people to walk around in public with guns (which I still personally think is a bit crazy).
    Bag 'em and/or lock 'em up until you're at the range or the hunting trails.

    1. Re:Except it's not by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      What we *DON'T* have is stuff like carry permits etc allowing people to walk around in public with guns (which I still personally think is a bit crazy).

      I fail to see the big difference here. If someone wants to carry a firearm for some malicious purpose, they can do so regardless of the law, so long as they have the gun itself.

      I understand why some people want to ban guns outright, or reduce the amount in circulation, or otherwise limit possession - on the basis that fewer guns in general means fewer guns in the hands of criminals. But this middle ground position of "it's okay to own guns but not to carry them" never made sense to me, since it's a limit that is basically largely self policed in all practical cases, so anyone who wants to break it for the sake of committing crime is free to do so.

    2. Re:Except it's not by phorm · · Score: 1

      OK, except in Canada it actually works this way. A guy with a gun is noticed. Since there's no legit reason to be carrying around a firearm in public, the police were notified and the guy was picked up.

      Now in the U.S., dude may have had a carry permit, and been legit. Around here there's no such thing, so there's a much better chance of noticing when some guy has a rifle in his jacket or a pistol bunging out under his shirt or pants pocket. The only people other than uniformed authorities with guns in public WILL be criminals, or idiots who don't pay attention to the proper storage/transport rules.

    3. Re:Except it's not by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      With rifles, sure. I don't see any particularly good reason to openly carry one anywhere but range or hunting grounds. And I cringe every time I see one of those videos where some idiot straps an AR to himself and goes walking around the block just so that he can be stopped by a police officer (after they get half a dozen calls) and then argue with him on camera, and upload it to YouTube to bitch about his 2A rights being infringed.

      With handguns, though, concealing them is ridiculously easy. Even a full size service pistol can be carried IWB with a baggy t-shirt with no-one around being aware of it at all. Not to mention pocket carry etc. So I don't think that prohibiting carrying those is going to be easily enforceable in a manner that you describe.

  67. Re:Another win for the NRA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The reports now are that it is a native American that was tricked into doing this by the NRA.

  68. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The US has one of the highest murder rates in the world (3.6/yr/100000 people)

    Don't let facts get in the way of your hysteria.

    We're not even in the top 10 of that. Places like Somalia, Venezuela (almost 100/100k), and other holes are far, far worse.

  69. Godless Canada by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


    This is what happens when a country turns its back on Jesus.

    Canada gave the vote to women. It lets gays marry. It allows Muslims in to spread their poisonous venom.

    Turn to Jesus, he forgives!

  70. 9/11 changed everything by Phil+Urich · · Score: 2

    You're right, the definition didn't change in 2003...it changed in 2001, because 9/11 changed everything, haven't you heard?

    --
    I remember sigs. Oh, a simpler time!
  71. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Your ratio is wrong. 90 guns per citizen X 300 million citizens = 27 billion guns.

    I believe the correct number is 90 million guns, or 1 gun per 3 citizens.

  72. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    It's true.

    I do want to point out one thing though!

    You can, for many things, own a normal sized magazine. The government themselves provides and publishes a loophole for you. ;-)

    Here's how it works! And it's government approved, they practically encourage you to do it! It's like how although our ATF is weird and hardass about a lot of things, but they give you a wink wink nudge nudge thing about other things (like the arm brace stock that really gives you a short barreled rifle without the tax stamp, ATF dun care~).

    You:
    1. Purchased a perfectly legal .50 beowulf magazine.
    2. Load .223 into it
    3. Enjoy your legal almost normal cap magazine.

    Note: It's not the same as being able to get a 30 rounder or 50 rounder here in the states, but 'tis much better than loading 5! However! You might have completely diff restrictions for hunting! Like here in the states you can have a 100 round mag but in most places you can only have 5 rounds loaded for semi-auto for hunting (hogs might be the exception!)

    There's also work-arounds for some handguns :) Just depends!

    What is annoying for them is you can't own silencers (or call it a suppressor if you want, whatever). And afaik they have a restriction in pistol barrel length (I could be wrong about this).

    What seems to annoy Canadians the most is not what you can own or not own, but transport paperwork and restrictions.

    And no criminal out there is going to care enough to go buy .50 beowulf mags, or an expensive stock for their AR to make a tax-stamp free "SBR" in the states, etc (they'd just illegally modify a legal mag, or chop the barrel off the cheapest AR possible, whatever--same reason you don't see an expensive custom 1911 used in a crime, but there's lots of sigmas in evidence lockers).

  73. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The radicalized guy went all muzzy. Changed his named to Ahmed or Muhammad or something equally Muslim sounding.

  74. Re:Why by ArmoredDragon · · Score: 0, Troll

    Maybe this guy was distraught because he couldn't find any maple syrup? You KNOW how Canadians can become if they don't have their maple syrup...

  75. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    One hot summer day in 2011 I took a walk through Carp west of Ottawa. To my delight, across the road on my way there I saw nothing less than a gun expo, complete with pickup trucks and overweight people. I'm not an expert in Canadian gun-ownership laws, but to me Canada didn't seem to be altogether "Gun Free".

  76. Re: Why by Phil+Urich · · Score: 1

    You deserve all the positive moderation (and maybe a seat as an MP, since I have a sad feeling we'll desperately need rational and moderate voices very soon).

    --
    I remember sigs. Oh, a simpler time!
  77. Re:Why by Jawnn · · Score: 1

    Full mod points for parent, please. This citizen gets it.

  78. Re:Why by grub · · Score: 1


    " Do you know how many terrorists that wanted to kill me I have come face to face with? 0.

    Remove the "I have come face to face with" and that answer will certainly not be zero.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  79. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by rhazz · · Score: 1

    Yep, because a single shooting proves every effort to reduce gun crime anywhere in Canada, ever, has failed completely.

  80. Re: Why by Phil+Urich · · Score: 0

    The best part is, one of the few things we *could* do better is keeping track of guns like that which was used in this incident, but the present administration not only discontinued the long gun registry, but ordered all the records destroyed. Last I had heard, that was being fought in court; it'd be interesting to see if those records still exist and have bearing on this case.

    --
    I remember sigs. Oh, a simpler time!
  81. Re:Only a few days after one killed south of Montr by Nemyst · · Score: 1

    It could be happenstance that the two events happened so close together (another poster in the comments here mentioned many other events which could be justifications for today's shooting), but assuming we are talking about Islamic radicals again, I could see them taking advantage of the scare caused by the first event, thinking that they might induce more panic by chaining the two. If that's the case, we might have to deal with more attacks, depending on how organized they actually are.

    This comes a few months after we've heard that a fair few Canadian citizens were suspected of having participated in jihads with ISIS before coming back into the country.

  82. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by jratcliffe · · Score: 1

    1. I think you mean 0.9:1, not 90:1.

    2. Canada's murder rate is 1.6/100k people, not 0.5. The US is 4.7/100k. So, the US is 3x Canada, not 6x.

    While I agree with your underlying point, your numbers are all wrong.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

  83. Ignore people's suffering by jklovanc · · Score: 1

    Any good country would be appalled by the atrocities committed by ISIS and want to help stop them. Canada's reaction has nothing to do with the US. All you are advocating is ignoring other people's suffering.

    1. Re:Ignore people's suffering by walterbyrd · · Score: 1

      Look at the facts: every time the US gets involved, what happens?

      1) Money, and weapons, always end up in the wrong hands.
      Hamas is getting their money from Qatar. The US just gave Qatar $11 billion. We might as well have given the money directly to Hamas. Now the US is bombing Iraq, again. We are bombing our own guns. ISIS is using US military equipment. There are many more examples.

      2) The US will be blamed, and hated, even more than it already is, by everybody in the world, especially Muslims.
      Any military intervention will be called an invasion. The US will be accused of killing civilians to steal the oil of whatever mid-east nation we are "helping" this week. If we help tribe A, tribe B will hate us even more. Then tribe A will hate us as soon as we stop helping them. All casualties will be blamed on the US, even if most casualties are the result of Muslims killing other Muslims. And there is always that one-in-a-million soldier that does something completely out of line, and that is all the media will focus on.

      3) The US can no longer afford the outrageous expense.
      The US is drowning in debt. Our credit has been downgrading. Our economy is in the toilet. Yet we borrow more billions from China, to give to mid-eastern Muslims who hate us.

      4) There are no "good guys"
      Does it really matter if Syria, or Iraq, or whatever, is ran by insane Sunis, or equally insane Shites? Our friends today, are our enemies tomorrow. I believe both Saddam Hussan, and Osama bin Ladan where our buddies at one time.

      5) Even if you win, you lose.
      Over ten years, and I don't even know how many billions of dollars, or thousands of lives, or how much suffering, in Iraq. And now Iraq is being overrun by ISIS. Even before ISIS, it was non-stop terrorist attacks. If we stop ISIS than what? Peace for two weeks?

      6) Other than buying oil, the US has no business there.

    2. Re:Ignore people's suffering by jklovanc · · Score: 1

      Hamas is getting their money from Qatar. The US just gave Qatar $11 billion.

      The US is selling Qatar $11B in arms. The US will get the $11B and Qatar with get the arms.

      Any military intervention will be called an invasion.

      Not if it is done in conjunction with surrounding Muslim nations.

      Our economy is in the toilet.

      And will be further in the toilet if ISIS control the Straits of Hormuz and the price of oil skyrockets.

      Does it really matter if Syria, or Iraq, or whatever, is ran by insane Sunis, or equally insane Shites?

      Even insane Sunnis and Shiites do not massacre everyone who will not convert to Islam.

      If we stop ISIS than what? Peace for two weeks?

      We also save countless Kurdish lives.

      By the way, we are talking about Canadian intervention not American intervention.

  84. Re:Why by ultranova · · Score: 2

    Time and time again, posters on Slashdot talk about the 'fictitious' threat of terrorism that government uses as the excuse for encroachments on perceived liberties.

    How many people died in terrorist attacks last year? How many died in the hands of various authoritarian regimes?

    I think even the most cursory review of history shows which threat deserves more attention.

    You, the posters are the reason why an actual coordinated attack within a 'safe' democratic country is news on Slashdot.

    We're the reason why coordinated attacks are rare enough to be newsworthy and why rushing in with a gun now counts as a coordinated attack? I think you give us too much credit.

    --

    Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.

  85. Re:Why by Your.Master · · Score: 4, Insightful

    He was a soldier but he was not a combatant. Typically, terrorism is about targeting noncombatants, not non-soldiers (though non-soldiers are almost always noncombatants). Ottawa is not a warzone.

  86. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    People have thrown that subtitle around as a reason not to cover non-tech stuff. It's got a comma, not a semicolon/colon.

    "News for nerds, (and other) stuff that matters" vs "News for nerds: (the only) stuff that matters"

    Captcha: muddles

  87. Royal Pudding! by s.petry · · Score: 1

    Was the bowl tipped over?

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

  88. ISIL are the modern Nazis by msobkow · · Score: 0

    ISIL are the modern Nazis. Will the world rise up against them and storm them on the ground as our forefathers did, or will it sit back and play remote control bomb games with ineffective drones that take out civilians as well as enemy troops?

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
    1. Re:ISIL are the modern Nazis by msobkow · · Score: 1

      You have got to be shitting me. Comparing ISIL to the Nazis and demanding troop deployments gets voted down by some ISIL-loving nancy boys?

      The world has truly gone to fucking hell. Cowards and sympathizers for the most atrocious acts in the modern world everywhere.

      Sickening.

      --
      I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  89. Hopefully it won't be taken advantage of by spiritplumber · · Score: 1

    by the securistas to add more burden to the use of our civil liberties. Hey, one can dream.

    --
    Liberty - Security - Laziness - Pick any two.
  90. Re:Why by Colonel+Fahlt · · Score: 1

    They did attack Parliament, and they attacked something symbolic (the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) on the way there. You know? Symbolism? Equally important to terrorists as it is to governments.

  91. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    a "radicalized" Canadian

    What? A Canadian that hates back bacon, Rush and ice hockey?

  92. Re:aaaand by s.petry · · Score: 1

    Looking at the moderation that's appearing in this thread, all dissenting opinions and questions are being censored.

    Not new of course, but interesting to see this much censorship this early in a thread.

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

  93. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fucking. Bull. Shit.

    This is a goddamn NRA wet dream. Nothing more.

    There are NO credible reports of any killing sprees ever being stopped by an armed civilian. Not even one. Not ever.

    In every case where an armed civilian has tried to stop a mass killing they have been unsuccessful and most have died trying.

    The ordinary American idiot with a gun is not mentally prepared to face off with a well-armed psychopathic killer who has nothing to lose.

  94. Re:Why by ClickOnThis · · Score: 1

    He did attack Parliament, and he attacked something symbolic (the Canada War Memorial) on the way there. You know? Symbolism? Equally important to terrorists as it is to governments.

    FTFY.

    --
    If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.
  95. Who saved the day with another gun? by damn_registrars · · Score: 1

    ... a professional security agent who works for the government. If the shooter was letting as much lead fly as some have been saying, you would be delirious to think that an average Joe with a pistol would have been effective in this situation. We're not sure who the dead gunman is yet, but it seems quite likely he had a goal in mind.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
    1. Re:Who saved the day with another gun? by rhazz · · Score: 1

      Also if a bunch of average Joe's were up on parliament with guns out trying to kill the bad guy, they'd likely have been shot by the police responders...

    2. Re:Who saved the day with another gun? by Jabrwock · · Score: 2

      Not only a professional security agent. A professional security agent who on ceremonial occasions rocks a bicorne, lacy shirt, and robes, while carrying a novelty-sized ceremonial mace. This man is a badass.

      --
      Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
  96. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    >There could be a shooting every day in every city on the planet and I would still give zero fucks.

    So you're a sociopath? Please keep to yourself.

  97. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Two shootings on the same day in a major US city would not even make the news, much less evoke terrorism cries. The shooting at parliament (or a US state house) would be newsworthy because of the venue, but would more likely be ascribed to partisanship than terrorism. Two shootings and a traffic accident 100 miles away? That's a Grassy Knoll scale conspiracy theory.

    I know you Canadians are a lot nicer, in general, than your southern neighbors, and I gather that shootings are somewhat less common up there, but you've got to make some allowances for American violence-fatigue.

  98. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    > The US has a 90:1 gun:citizen ratio.

    <looking for my 90 guns>

    If you're using this table from Wikipedia, you're reading it wrong. That's 90 guns per 100 residents (that'd be a 0.9:1 gun:citizen ratio, sparky).

    Kind of entertaining to see such a basic error on a "corrective" post. (I hope this post isn't a combo breaker; but this is Slashdot; I'm sure someone can find something wrong in it!)

  99. You're full of shit! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So you're saying the world is 25 Billion People? Nice job fucktard!

  100. Re:Breaking - one of the victims was Stephen King by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    lol thank you

  101. Considering by DarthVain · · Score: 1

    The gunman was using a double barreled long shotgun says otherwise. If that was the best weapon they could find to go on rampage with, I would say it is working.

    1. Re:Considering by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      Given Canadian gun laws, I find it doubtful. He could just as well legally possess a pump or even a semi-auto shotgun. Or heck, even a rifle (say, Vz 58 or Tavor). There are a bunch of restrictions around transportation, but they're exactly the same as for a double barreled shotgun.

      In fact, he could even get a short-barreled rifle - Canada doesn't regulate those specially, unlike US.

    2. Re:Considering by DarthVain · · Score: 1

      And yet apparently they only thing he could get his hands on for his shooting spree was a two shot shotgun. Hardly ideal (if there is such a thing really). The fact that he probably couldn't even get a hand gun, or a rifle such as you mention says a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if even the shotgun was stolen from another family member or something.

    3. Re:Considering by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 1

      It would seem to indicate only that he was not specifically preparing for the spree, and little else - just went nuts, grabbed what he had, and went for it. As noted, if desired, he could have easily gotten any of those other things on fairly short notice, and there's nothing in Canadian gun laws that would stop or even delay him (if he has a shotgun legally, it means that he already has a PAL). Unless he has a criminal record, in which case American laws would have done the same.

  102. Gangs ARE the #1 murder motive according to CPD by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 1

    See page #27: https://portal.chicagopolice.o...

    It's also important to remember that not all inner city gun violence is officially "gang-related" (as in, involved someone who was ACTUALLY a member of MS-13 or some other Gang (capital "G") that's being followed by the researchers). Here in the Baltimore Metro area, the rate of handgun violence is orders of magnitude higher in the city compared to the surrounding suburbs, and the motives are almost always drug-related (even if those involved weren't actually part of an official "gang"). Of course, both Chicago and Baltimore have some of the strictest gun laws in the country . . . clearly the answer is to tighten those even further and ignore the root causes of the violence.

    1. Re:Gangs ARE the #1 murder motive according to CPD by RobbieCrash · · Score: 1

      I'm not saying that the majority of non-suicide gun deaths aren't related to criminal activity, I believe that's likely the case. I am saying that it's not 80%, and that discounting gang-related gun violence is not going to make America suddenly a murder-free zone, statistically speaking. Even if we assume Chicago in 2011 is a representative sampling of the country as a whole, gang-related death still makes up less than 35% of the total, removing that from the statistics makes a dent, but it doesn't drop America into the "lowest violent crime rates and murder rates in the world."

      America has a gun problem, there's no doubt about that. But the problem isn't necessarily the fact that there are guns available, the problem (as I see it) is that there is a culture which celebrates violence, punishes poverty, abdicates any wide-spread social responsibility to those most vulnerable, and then gives that same populace access to highly efficient killing machines. I'll be the first to get shit from all the rest of my commie-hippy-liberal friends for defending the purpose behind the second amendment: securing the state and the population from tyrants. But I don't think that by and large, that's why Americans have guns. Americans have guns, for the most part, because they feel unsafe and wish to carve out a 9mm sliver of safety in a world they're told is out to get them.

      That wish is all fine and dandy, but it doesn't do anything to address the causes of violence. The best thing that's happened to gun violence is social programs designed to remove and reduce the impacts of poverty, if the NRA et-al really wanted to stick it to the man and keep their guns in their cold dead hands, they'd be advocating poverty reduction strategies to eliminate gang-related gun violence; they'd be pouring money into substance abuse programs; mental health programs to prevent violent outbreaks from people with mental illness; legalization and decriminalization of drug USE and pushing sales into regulated schedules like they do with alcohol, tobacco and prescription drugs; they'd be doing what they can to end the over-incarceration of people which destroys community continuity and reduce the actual threats to gun ownership: the highly visible, easily scapegotable gang-related gun crimes.

      --
      Keep on knockin'
      https://robbiecrash.me
    2. Re:Gangs ARE the #1 murder motive according to CPD by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      Also, remember that the only real differences between a gang and a political party are that gangs don't have the backing of the government and their members are "elected" by different groups.

      You know what gang members spend over 30% of their time doing? Sleeping. Another large chunk of their day is taken up with eating.

      If you label all government organizations as gangs, just for a thought experiment, how does that affect the statistics on gang-related violence and crimes?

  103. It's Complicated... by DarthVain · · Score: 1

    Only thing I could think of was Canada's relationship status on Facebook...

    Anyway I have no problem with the Queen as a symbol etc... However there are a ton of wasteful APPOINTMENTS (not democratic even), that cost the taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

    I do not see the need for A) A lieutenant governor of Canada, or B) another one for each Province.

    Not only is it political pork, but they each have an office, staff, and budgets to spend... because why?

    1. Re:It's Complicated... by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

      Canada has a Governor General, the provinces have Lieutenant Governors.

      And besides being a sanity check on the elected officials (they're the emergency breaks), they are also quite heavily involved in public relations, as the Queen herself is. Annoyingly, there is always a need for grease in the political engine, and I'd prefer it be done by a designated position than by elected officials who then get "contributions" which are no more than bribes.

      When the only real power is the ability to press the big red button, bribes/kickbacks/etc. don't tend to work very well, so this is an excellent separation of gladhanding and politics. Personally, I wish Canadian politicians would leave more of the PR work to the GG and LGs. It's what they're paid to do, and it's pretty much a full-time job.

  104. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because that's probably why these guys had access to ordinary shotguns rather than automatic weapons and goodness knows what else.

    Nobody expects or wants an absence of guns in Canada. They're too useful as tools. But reasonable limits on the types of weapons and who can possess them probably saved a lot of lives today.

  105. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by erapert · · Score: 1

    Discounting gangland violence seems appropriate to me because why should we care about those who die while disobeying the law and actively undermining our society? The point of law and order is to safeguard members of society while they obey and contribute.

  106. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Self defense is better served by getting out of the way and letting the trained professionals handle it. Like the Sarjeant-at-Arms who shot one of the armed men dead in Parliament.

  107. Re:Why by Type44Q · · Score: 1

    So basically we should give up all our civil liberties, and live in a police state with harsher restrictions than sharia law WITH high tech tools to enforce it.

    Yes, yes; now you're catching on!

  108. Re:Why by fullmetal55 · · Score: 1

    This also comes the very day we send fighters to Kuwait to fight ISIS... which has been known publicly for several weeks that this was coming today...

    I'm not saying it's ISIS, but it could easily be some nutjob who supports them.

  109. Re:Why by tburkhol · · Score: 5, Insightful

    " Do you know how many terrorists that wanted to kill me I have come face to face with? 0.
    Remove the "I have come face to face with" and that answer will certainly not be zero.

    No, that answer will almost certainly still be zero. The answer to "Do you know how many terrorists want to kill a generic Westerner?" would not be zero, but who fucking cares? There's a few white people who would be happy to see a generic black person dead (and vice versa); there's a few Irish who would be happy to see a generic Englishman dead.

    The relevant question is not whether there exist some people willing to kill your countrymen, because that will never be an empty set. The relevant question is whether those people are likely to actually kill more of your countrymen than moose, sharks, or bed sheets. The answer is that you should be much more frightened of bed sheets than either terrorists or sharks.

  110. Re:Why by fullmetal55 · · Score: 1

    He was on ceremonial guard duty over a memorial. By far not in a combat situation, the fact that he was carrying a weapon, it was a glorified club since he had no ammunition.

  111. Re:South Park? by ArcadeMan · · Score: 1

    COMBO BREAKER!

    I'm sorry but "man" is not a proper word for this sequence.

  112. Re:Why by ChrisMaple · · Score: 1

    The "radicalized" Canadian was not a terrorist, he was a disturbed individual who latched onto the ideology on his own accord.

    No difference. If you embrace Islam and try to kill in the name of Islam, you're an Islamic terrorist. Trying to make a distinction between a crazy person and a Muslim is doomed to failure.

    --
    Contribute to civilization: ari.aynrand.org/donate
  113. ALL IS FINE! FORGOT TO TAKE MY MEDICINE! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ignore what I said above.

    I start imagining conspiracies when I don't have my pills.
    http://www.theguardian.com/wor...

    Initial reports suggested there were more gunmen at large, with a third shooting outside a shopping centre, fuelling the air of panic.
    But that report was later retracted and the Ottawa police chief, Charles Bourdeleau, said it was unclear whether the dead gunman had acted alone or with accomplices.

    Oh and sorry about piling all kinds on nonsense from "lone wolves" to little girls as if any of it is related.
    I'm such a dick when I don't get my pills.

  114. Re: Why by ahodgson · · Score: 1

    The long gun registry was solely a tool for future disarmament attempts. It had no use in criminal investigations.

  115. Possiblities by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Anyone with reasonable intelligence knows that terrorist threat levels are nothing but security theatre.

  116. The only interesting question at this point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where was the slain reservists' weapon recovered...

    He was guarding the National War Memorial. He probably had an unloaded but serviceable C7 assault rifle on his person (M16A3 analog) at the time. If my objective was to kill MPs on Parliament Hill the only sensible reason to divert to the War Memorial would be to trade up from an easy to obtain long gun rifle to a totally illegal (in Canada) automatic weapon.

  117. Re:Why by chihowa · · Score: 1

    " Do you know how many terrorists that wanted to kill me I have come face to face with? 0.

    Remove the "I have come face to face with" and that answer will certainly not be zero.

    So?

    Replace "terrorists" with anything from "transvestite midgets that want to fondle my feet" to "billionaires that want to patronize my painting career" and the statement still has no bearing on your life if you don't ever come into contact with them.

    He's not claiming that terrorists don't exist. Only that he has never, and is not likely to ever, interact with one in any meaningful way. Structuring your life around incredibly improbable events is a waste of time. Ordinary citizens who make any changes to their routine in anticipation of a terrorist attack in Canada (or the US or most of the world) are very likely in need of therapy.

    --
    If you want a vision of the future, imagine a youtube comments section scrolling - forever.
  118. Re:Why by digitrev · · Score: 1

    The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is at the Canadian War Memorial.

    --
    Cynical Idealist
  119. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    Aside from the apt corrections from ClickOnThis, the memorial was not attacked; a single soldier near it was attacked. There's no symbolism in attacking a Canadian soldier.

  120. Re:Why by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Because Canada invented the Telephone, the Communications Satellite, Justin Bieber, and Astronauts Singing In Space.

    OK, one of those was bad, but the others totally rocked.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  121. Re:Why by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Let me say this again, since it deserves repeating. Time and time again, posters on Slashdot talk about the 'fictitious' threat of terrorism that government uses as the excuse for encroachments on perceived liberties. You, the posters are the reason why an actual coordinated attack within a 'safe' democratic country is news on Slashdot.

    I should point out this attack disastrously failed, due to Canada's strong gun laws and steadfast courage under fire.

    Notice the lack of actual panic, and how bystanders did what they could quickly?

    And a really cool Sergeant-at-Arms. Kudos.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  122. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    The "radicalized" Canadian was not a terrorist, he was a disturbed individual who latched onto the ideology on his own accord.

    Every difference. If you embrace Islam and try to kill in the name of Islam, you're an Islamic killer. Trying to make a distinction between a crazy person and ChrisMaple is doomed to failure.

    FIFY

  123. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by kwiqsilver · · Score: 1

    Here's one. And there are plenty more out there. The Clackamas mall shooting was one. The US media doesn't cover them as much, because the body counts tend to be low, and they don't fit the narrative of "guns are evil".

    It's not a good idea to lie in such absolute terms, when the internet can so easily prove you wrong.

  124. Re:Why by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Maybe this guy was distraught because he couldn't find any maple syrup? You KNOW how Canadians can become if they don't have their maple syrup...

    Hmm. Good point. Syrup d'erable is a national treasure.

    But more likely a shortage of Tim Bits.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  125. Thanks a lot... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ...Obama.

  126. Re:Why by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 1

    Canadians will never live in Fear.

    Ever.

    People who think they will have no idea who Canadians are.

    Stay strong.

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  127. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by debrain · · Score: 1

    Well... damnit! Maybe it's that George Carlin adage about arguing with idiots. :o)

  128. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    so what ya be needing a gun for?

    Shooting cans
    Africans
    Mexicans
    Puerto Ricans
    etc...

  129. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by kwiqsilver · · Score: 1

    We have about 350M guns. We have about 330M people. Apparently wherever you're from, they don't teach math skills.

    3.6 murders / 100k is pretty damn low. But most of those are drug crime related. Our rate drops by over 50% when not including drug crime, as I said. Apparently wherever you're from, they don't teach reading skills.

    The FBI crime statistics from 1993 to 2013 show a clear drop in US violent crime and murder rates, while we've dramatically pushed back gun control. Apparently that's nonsense to you, because it doesn't support your preconceived notions. Just go back to sticking your fingers in your ears and yelling "La la la la la...".

  130. Sounds familiar by rs79 · · Score: 1

    Saudi's blow up WTC - bomb Iraq.

    Quebec guy snipes Ottara - bomb Iraq.

    Hysterical.

    --
    Need Mercedes parts ?
    1. Re:Sounds familiar by jklovanc · · Score: 2

      Saudi's blow up WTC - bomb Afghanistan.

      FTFY

      Quebec guy snipes Ottara - bomb Iraq.

      The decision to bomb ISIS was made before the attack so your connection is false.
      (PS learn to spell Ontario)

  131. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by kwiqsilver · · Score: 1

    Because the cause of most gang violence is the war on drugs. End that and the violence will plummet, just like it did after they ended alcohol prohibition 80 years ago.

  132. Re:Why by dmatos · · Score: 1

    Terrorism: n

    the use of violence and intimidation, intended to cause fear, in the pursuit of political aims. Note the lack of any definition of targets.

    Not terrorism: n

    Just about every fucking thing that's reported as such by the US media.

    The word is misused as much as "literally" these days. So much so that I can't even.

    --

    It may look like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actively waiting for my problems to go away.
    --Scott Adams
  133. Re:Why by Prune · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Mod parent down for lying. Soldiers are only legitimate targets for other soldiers or organized, uniformed (or at least "having a fixed distinctive sign recognizable at a distance") militia members controlled by a responsible commanding officer. I suggest you check Article 4 of the Third Geneva Convention for the requirements of being a lawful combatant (there are many others beyond the couple I referenced). And let's not even go into the fact that the person in question is a citizen of the same country the soldier is of and there is not a state of civil war.

    --
    "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
  134. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Between the United States and Canada, there is significantly more people in the United States, (nearly 10:1!) yet a higher rate per capita of violent crime in Canada.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_Canada
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States

    Our lowest violent bracket in Canada is 800. Up north (where there ARE only ~50-80K people) here in Canada violent crime rates are horrendously under-reported at ~8-10K per year. The numbers are a little fudged though, we don't include people that are never reported missing (but their possessions are found later) but do include people known to be missing that are found dead and assumed to be from wildlife or starvation. (there's no law saying a bear can't eat you!)

    in terms of OVERALL crime, the USA win's there. With rates as high as 86K incidents per 100K people per year, there's almost no contest.

  135. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Yes. We should worry about things that actually dangerous. A 9/11-level event would have to happen about once a month before terrorism would kill as many people as people driving cars.

    CATPCHA: dulled

  136. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Prune · · Score: 1

    Gun deaths are still not about guns; they're about culture. Switzerland is proof. Few countries have more guns per capita, yet gun violence is rare there. Why? Proper training of a citizen militia is a factor, but not a sufficient one. Its cultural differences with the US has everything to do with it, not gun ownership levels, which are comparable.

    --
    "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
  137. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Prune · · Score: 1

    It's a gun free zone for all legal practical purposes because you're not allowed to carry in most circumstances. Outside of hunting (with hunting rifles only), your guns can be either in your home, at the shooting range, or on your person, bagged, and only if you're on or reasonably near a direct path between your home and the shooting range. Many types of guns are restricted to only your home, and many cannot be possessed at all.

    --
    "Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason."
  138. Re:Why by stdarg · · Score: 1

    If it happened more, certainly. The Klan was dealt with a long time ago, we even outlawed membership in the Klan. Not that it makes sense to include the Klan since their ideology is based on race first and foremost.

    Anyway, I think you might not be familiar with the numbers with respect to Islamic terrorism. You have to look at worldwide numbers, not just acts in America. Thousands and thousands of people are killed every year in suicide bombings because they're Shia (and the Sunnis in Pakistan don't like them) or they're Christian (and all the Muslims in Egypt don't like them) etc.

    Now compare that to how many abortion clinic bombings there are in the world.

    Now consider that Christianity is still a larger religion than Islam.

  139. Re:Why by stdarg · · Score: 1

    and the statement still has no bearing on your life if you don't ever come into contact with them.

    No, indirect contact still has a bearing on your life. Most (probably all) of the family members of 9/11 victims did not ever come face to face with a terrorist who wanted to kill them. The terrorists still had a big impact on their lives.

    Ordinary citizens who make any changes to their routine in anticipation of a terrorist attack in Canada (or the US or most of the world) are very likely in need of therapy.

    This is true and it's why counterterrorism has to be focused in places where it makes sense. No need to monitor everyone's emails or frisk everyone in airport security. Target the groups that are most likely to be terrorists (Muslim guys). Narrow it down as much as you can (Muslim guys who go to mosque a lot, or whatever, and are in a database). Let everyone else get on with their lives.

  140. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by foxalopex · · Score: 1

    Umm you sure about that?

    Here's one situation where trying to fight the bad guys with a gun turned out bad for the private gun owner. The cops ended up killing the couple so the sad fact is if this guy didn't try to handle the situation himself, he would still be alive. This isn't like the movies, in reality you don't want to be in these kind of conflicts.

    http://www.bigwowo.com/2014/06...

  141. police confirmed the second shooting didn't occur by Jabrwock · · Score: 2

    Police have corrected that unconfirmed report. There was no shooting at the mall. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

    --
    Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
  142. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The armedwithreason.com link does a good job of refuting the gang statistic, but it's a red herring. Many people that are murdered with a gun have a criminal background. Does it matter whether or not the criminal was a member of an organized gang? The implication is the same, the murder was committed within the context of other illegal activity. That site has another article implying that the amount of guns in the US is a leading factor behind suicide rates in the US, which is insulting to anybody who has lost someone to depression.

    It's also just factually insulting because Japan exists.

    Grains of salt all around.

    Our murder rate and crime rate in general has more to do with our lack of education and lack of integration than it has to do with guns.

    Take away the 11k or so gun murders committed every year, and you're still left with 5k murders committed with knives, hammers, and fists. And that's assuming that none of those 11k gun murders would have been executed via other means.

  143. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There was indoctrination though. He had just days before been blocked from leaving the country for Turkey, and had been in contact with people who would ferry him from Turkey to Syria.

  144. Re:Why by Livius · · Score: 1

    Fictitious and actual terrorism are not mutually exclusive.

  145. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    Because the cause of most gang violence is the war on drugs. End that and the violence will plummet

    I'm all for ending the war on drugs. Along with stricter gun laws, it will put a serious dent in the number of innocent people who get shot every year.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  146. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Between the United States and Canada, there is significantly more people in the United States, (nearly 10:1!) yet a higher rate per capita of violent crime in Canada.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...

    You are comparing apples and orangutan's. The definition of "violent crime" is very different between the FBI and Statistics Canada. StatsCan includes items like "uttering threats" and "harassment". The FBI does not.

    Heck, from your own link (the first one):

    Historically, the violent crime rate in Canada is far lower than that of the U.S. and this continues to be the case.

    Please try and understand the data you are reading before spouting off incorrect statements.

  147. Muzzies again by Chrisq · · Score: 3, Insightful

    When will people realise that Islam isn't the religion of peace? I suppose one good thing to come out of this is that next time people suggest that we appease the Muslims, that maybe if we just let them take more sex slaves and kill more non-muslims they'd leave us alone we can point out that even a moderate country like Canada is targeted by Muslims

  148. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So, no, neither Canada, nor the US, nor does just about any developed country need a bigger police, monitoring, border-controlling, etc. apparatus. They should probably try a bit harder to make sure that wealth and opportunity are distributed a bit more equitably and that people have a bit more say in what's being done for/to them and that might be a bit more cost-effective, but it's also a tangent along which I will not proceed further.

    Because billionaire Osama bin Laden was upset about the unequal distribution of wealth, he attacked the United States?

  149. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I'm glad to see you doing the usual gun control support shtick and ignoring "violent crime" except for murder.

    The Canadian violent crime rate was roughly 1,190 incidents per 100,000 population (in 2011).
    The US violent crime rate was roughly 390 incidents per 100,000 population (in 2011).

    So, yes, while you are twice as likely to be killed in the US, you are three times as like to be beaten or robbed in Canada.

    Sources:
    http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2013001/article/11854-eng.htm
    http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/violent-crime/violent-crime

  150. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by RobbieCrash · · Score: 1

    We, in Canada, also count simple assault (slapping, spitting, pushing, etc, which result in no serious bodily harm) where the US does not. From the US wiki article:

    "The reported US violent crime rate includes murder, rape and sexual assault, robbery, and assault,[54] whereas the Canadian violent crime rate includes all categories of assault, including Assault level 1 (i.e., assault not using a weapon and not resulting in serious bodily harm).[43][44] A Canadian government study concluded that direct comparison of the 2 countries' violent crime totals or rates was "inappropriate".[55]"

    From the articles you linked to, it looks as though Ontario has the lowest rate of violent crime (900/100K residents) with Nunavut as the highest (10K/100K) with an overall rate of 1100/100K. Again, these rates include all forms of assault, not just ones that cause injury like the US does. The US has an overall rate of 386/100K, but does not include simple assault nor sexual assault in that total. Looking at the overall numbers paints Canada as a lot less safe than the US, but digging in a bit suggests that we're actually over-reporting in relation to the US. After having lived in the most violent city in Canada (Winnipeg) for 20+ years, and in some of the most violent places in the US (Baltimore, DC, Richmond) I can say, anecdotally, while I may've been more worried about getting a punch in the mouth in Winnipeg for telling someone to go fuck themselves, I was a lot more worried about getting shot so kept my mouth shut in Baltimore.

    --
    Keep on knockin'
    https://robbiecrash.me
  151. Blurb is all over the place by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Despite earlier reports of shots fired near the Rideau Centre shopping mall east of Parliament Hill, police later said "no incident occurred near the Rideau Centre."

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ottawa-shooting-cpl-nathan-cirillo-dies-of-wounds-gunman-also-shot-dead-1.2808710

  152. I thought this only happend in america by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I thought the North Americans with their progressive gun laws would have prevented this thing from happening. On the other hand most Americans don't realize just how many Muslims there are in North America. There are almost but not quite equal to the percentage of South Americans living in America. The only difference is that the Muslims seem to be integrating more into the society of the evil Oppressive North American overlords. There is no move on the part of the South Americans living in America illegally to integrate. As a matter of fact the seem to live above the law, don't pay taxes, and if a South American does shoot an American it is hushed up in order not to spread racial disharmony. There is an active movement to take back the western part of America and put it back in hands of the South Americans. (la raza). This is justified because the Americans took over the land from the South Americans after they took it over from the Native Americans, who took it over from another people. Native Americans are not native, and they in fact crossed over on the land bridge. This make them Russians in my mind. America always did hate Russians, so I think the Indian wars though perhaps not justified were at least consistent with the conservative anti-communist stance of the 1950's. What was not consistent was the South Americans hatred and hostility towards the Russians living in South America. I guess they just wanted to take over their land and steal their gold. The Americans just wanted to cleanse America of the scourge of communism before it got started. Just my 2 pennies.

    1. Re:I thought this only happend in america by walterbyrd · · Score: 1

      This sort of thing happens in Europe all the time. And Europeans want more of it. They love Muslim immigration. Anybody who is critical of Islam, or immigration, is called a hater by the overload of PC mush-heads in Europe.

    2. Re:I thought this only happend in america by Chrisq · · Score: 1

      This sort of thing happens in Europe all the time. And Europeans want more of it. They love Muslim immigration. Anybody who is critical of Islam, or immigration, is called a hater by the overload of PC mush-heads in Europe.

      To true - to the extent they tell rape victims to go away because to prosecute one of the many Muslim rape gangs would be islamaphobic.

  153. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because 90% or more of gangbangers are killing other gangbangers.

    While it is desirable to reduce that number as much as possible, it's one of those "We don't really care" situations. Since we're not gangbangers, you see.

  154. Ha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The US Capitol used to be that open and unguarded too; Americans could walk right into the buildings and seek-out their representatives - just show-up at their offices. Americans used to be able to freely visit the White House - they could walk right up to the front door and knock on it.

    Then came an act of domestic terrorism that took-out Abe Lincoln. Then came the assassination of President McKinley, the attempted assassination of Teddy Rossevelt, WWI, WWII, the Cold War, the Assassination of JFK, the Attempted assassination of President Reagan, the rise of modern radical Muslim extremism, 9-11, etc.

    When your political leaders are men of consequence, their actions can be significant enough to enrage opponents to the point of violence. When your nation is a nation of consequence, it can face opponents whose only possible successful attack is a terrorist one. With such leaders and such a country, security is needed. Countries that have little or no impact in world affairs and who pride themselves on being inoffensive and having no real impact need no such security. Thinking that you need no security because you are so "good" is based on several a false premises:

    1. Not everybody agrees on the definition of "good"; You may believe you need no security because you are "good", but your opponents may actually see you as "weak and submissive" so your not being attacked may not be the good sign you think it is.

    2. Not being attacked is not a sign of being loved; Historically, weak and ineffective nations face three fates: being conquered immediately because they have resources somebody else needs and are easy-pickings, being conquered last because they are no threat while other more-powerful countries are eliminated first, or being protected by allying with somebody who IS powerful and ceding some independence in the process of becoming a "junior partner" (and thereafter having a fate tied to that of the "senior partner").

    3. Multiculturalism is NO solution; You might think that trashing your own culture and prosecuting your own people for "offending" your would-be conquerers will win you peace and goodwill and a future of coexistence, but your enemies see this as a sign of weakness, stupidity and cowardice. Your passivity and "tolerance" of them is proof that you will be easily defeated and that they are indeed superior

    Not needing security for your leaders and institutions is NOT something to be proud of in the modern world.

  155. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    That completely false. Unrestricted firearms can be transported anywhere so long as they are unloaded and in a lockable device or trunk. Unrestricted firearms includes any firearm that is not automatic, has a barrel of 470mm or more, and is 660mm in length or more (or specifically prohibited).

    That includes:
    M-14
    Ruger 10/22
    Mossberg 500
    SKS
    M305
    Ruger Mini 14 & 30
    Most sniper rifles except the Gepard oddly.

    The rest, you can still own/transport/display/etc but there are more restrictions like making the device inoperable, obtaining special permits, etc

  156. Re:Only a few days after one killed south of Montr by Jabrwock · · Score: 1

    Or, it could be a copycat. Wingnut sees news about killing soldiers, thinks his time for glorious martyrdom has come, and jumps in his car. I mean he killed one guy, drove to the Parliament, hopped a security fence, and ran in. Doesn't seem like much of a plan.

    --
    Magic doesn't work in my presence. My power of disbelief is too strong.
  157. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The US has a 90:1 gun:citizen ratio.

    Wow, that's like 27 billion guns, isn't it? Where are the rest of mine?

  158. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    To be fair, Japan has an extremely high suicide rate and restrictive gun laws, so ignoring suicide makes sense.

  159. Re:Why by Kernel+Kurtz · · Score: 1

    Sums it up well.

    Government is a bigger threat to your rights and liberties than terrorists will ever be.

  160. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    oh and I should point out, the lockable device or trunk is only when it's in an "unattended" vehicle. If it's on your person it's perfectly fine. What is illegal in Canada, without a permit, is the concealment of the firearm. ie: if you want to walk down the street with an unrestricted shotgun you're free to do so, just keep it in plain view and unloaded. Minor restrictions apply like not in public meetings, you can't point it at someone even when unloaded, and you can't be "careless" with it - but other than that, you can do as you want.

  161. I work at a fed site in Ottawa 7km away from downt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    We are in a total lockdown. No one gets in or out.

    Tunney's Pasture eh?

  162. Re:Why by Scrameustache · · Score: 1

    an actual coordinated attack within a 'safe' democratic

    It's a single fool with a gun, not a group.

    --

    You can't take the sky from me...

  163. happy Harper by orcablue · · Score: 1

    Harper has been trying for a while to get people pissed off enough to hit Canada. It improves his chances of staying in power because people do not like to switch horses in the middle of a fight. He must be inwardly smiling.

  164. That sentence should be expanded to... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "It's time to deal with extremists."

    That sentence should be expanded to:

    "It's time to deal with extremists who defend oppression."

    Because "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, and moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

  165. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Soldiers shoot other soldiers. Gutless cowards walk up to someone and open fire. If he had walked up to the soldier (like a man) with uniform and weapon in hand and then had opened fire, then sure, he wouldn't be a terrorist. But because his ideology is shameful, because his ideas are not fit for civilized society, because he *is* a gutless shameful coward, he shoots a soldier without warning, just like a tourist. His actions are that of a shameful, gutless, yellow coward. His ideals are that of a coward. His actions are shameful, just like his ideals. This is what makes him a terrorist. There is a saying: "A guy who comes up to you and, out of the blue, gives you a cheap shot, then says 'oh, sorry, sorry, I thought you were someone else' is still an ass hole who will give a guy a cheap shot. ISAL and their ideologies, and the nutters they inspire are cowards with their faces covered. They can't hold their faces to the sunlight because their actions are cowardly. They have to hide. Their actions are shameful. Their cowardice is universal. They are not fit to be the manure of a dog.

  166. Other ideologies? Please get real by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    had he latched onto any other ideology (like aliens are real or the boogeyman is going to eat your children)

    Check out the hundreds of attacks listed at TheReligionOfPeace.com (the domain name is sarcastic, but the list is meticulously researched).

    The fact is, there are no comparable websites for any other ideology -- nor would it be possible to create a comparable website for any other ideology, because there are no other ideologies that come anywhere close to inspiring that many acts of violence.

    So why do you build up this strawman about "had he latched onto any other ideology"?

  167. So this was an act of "conventional war"? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So you're saying this was an act of "conventional war" against Canada? That's rather bigger news than a terrorist attack.

  168. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    There could be a shooting every day in every city on the planet and I would still give zero fucks.

    Probably not if it was someone you cared about who was one of the people shot, then you would be screaming about the lack of protection and suing everyone you could.

  169. Re:Why by Bahamut_Omega · · Score: 0

    I can say that given the crap going on in Ottawa nowadays, something like this is expected. Given that the Coward's Party of Canada is lead by a fascist.

    Also felt like history got put on replay. The style reminds me more of the FLQ crisis that happened before I was born. Only an idiot would think that history doesn't repeat itself. But there are probably enough people in the country that could see the similarities between the two incidents. Last one was with Quebec separation, and this one feels more like the powers of corruption residing at 24 Sussex Drive.

    I'm sure a few formerly living PMs would probably want to see the current one hung or shot for treason.

  170. Re:Why by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

    Indeed... it would make much more sense to make changes in your routine in anticipation of getting cancer, being hit by a car, or slipping in your bathtub. These are all serious issues that COULD have their risks significantly curtailed through known behavioural, technical and environmental methods, but for the most part aren't. Terrorists, on the other hand, by definition are in it to spread mass-FUD. If you don't fear them, then they have pretty much no means of accomplishing their goal, even if they kill a few thousand people. The only real way to defeat terrorism is to make sure terror doesn't gain a foothold.

    Now it may be that some "terrorists" actually have other goals, such as invading and conquering a country.

    Good luck with that in Canada, unless you've got a really really big army. It's like Hitler invading Russia: not going to end well for the invaders. Population density's just not high enough in Canada to depend on the herd mentality to do your dirty work.

  171. Islam = Religion of Terrorism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I am from a country where the majority of the people are Muslims. I know what Islam is

    On the other hand, you guys in Europe, in Canada, in America, in Japan, Korea, or the Argentine, the knowledge you guys have on Islam is what they are telling you - and when I say THEY, I mean the authority, the power that be

    No matter if it is the government of the United States of America, or the British government, or that of France, Germany, Italy, will insist that Islam is a "Religion of Peace"

    Day in, and day out, you are being indoctrinated with the notion that "Islam = Peace" by your own government, and that is not enough

    Even those Muslims will tell you that their religion, Islam, is the Religion of Peace

    That is why I can fault you for thinking that "Islam = Peace", because that is what you have been told

    But for us, we know better

    We have been living under the Islamic cruelty all the time. We have witnessed how cruel Islam is, to what extend those Muslims will go to further their conquest (their ultimate aim is to take over the entier world) and they will kill whoever dare to oppose them

    I have thousands and thousands of examples to show you, but to make this message short, I will show you one - Warning: Please refrain from clicking the link if you can't stand the gory

    In Thailand, they killed children ---

    https://shariaunveiled.files.w...

    As I said, there are thousands and thousands of proofs of the cruelty of Islam. All you need to do is to google for it

    1. Re:Islam = Religion of Terrorism by lonecrow · · Score: 1

      He is right. It is the same as Christianity was before we put their ideological zealots in their place.

  172. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

    ???

    I think you'd do better to say that Canadian cities have very few guns, as you're allowed to carry all over the place in the country, which is a significant portion of Canada. Even as far as the city goes, people carry guns all over the place. You can even get a concealed carry permit, and some do.

    The difference between the US and Canada is that a) fully automatic weapons and other weapons that serve no useful purpose are banned for common carry (but can still be carried with a special permit) and b) you need to be able to show a level of competency, a level of responsibility, or a reasonable cause to carry any specific firearm. That, and there's no "right" to bear arms. You have the same issue with carrying around pretty much any weapon, be it a sword, a compound hunting bow, or a blow gun. In general, people don't have a problem with that.

  173. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 1

    I'm more than happy to leave that job to security professionals. They tend to do a good job of it too.

    What about to enable armed revolt against a runaway government? Isn't that why the US has the right to bear arms?

  174. Lies, damn lies! by s.petry · · Score: 0

    Well, she is our titular head of state ... but she has no actual power and gets no money from us,

    This, and countless other sources say you are wrong.

    Even the Canadian Government says you are wrong, but of course they attempt to justify it and package it so that it looks like it's not only "free" but money well spent. Think really really hard about that last statement.

    I remember a debate with an Auzzie not too long ago regarding the same thing. "Oh, the Queen does not make money", but then again she does and the other monarchs do as well. "It generates tourism" is probably the most common reason for giving cash to these people, who really do believe you are beneath them.

    --

    -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

    1. Re:Lies, damn lies! by dave420 · · Score: 1

      In Britain, for example, her family has given their land to the public for an annual stipend of £40m. The land generates £200m a year, so that's a pretty decent deal right there.

      And while she might have power on paper, the last monarch who tried to screw people over got killed for it. She knows her place, and is a consummate statesperson.

      How it is in Canada I do not know.

    2. Re:Lies, damn lies! by s.petry · · Score: 1

      Surely Britain gets more from the Monarchy than Canada or Australia, but it's no bargain. Usually there is a comparison of _some_ expenses versus all of the revenue they can possibly attribute to the Monarchy. For example, The Monarchy makes a salary of what.. 50million pounds a year in the UK (I'm pretty sure that is the Queen alone with salary + estate charges)? She buys up land and releases it to the public and claims it's charity. But without the funding from the public there would be no funding to buy land and give it away, so in reality she is a middle agent making profit and claiming "for the greater good". People fall for it.

      If you consider all of the expenses for sustaining a monarchy, it's enormous! The secret service, travel costs, estate costs all over the world (separate from UK embassies and not including the enormous land holdings in the UK), salaries, clothing, the "Royal Guard", media, various positions to manage all of the royal bank accounts, etc.. etc.. etc...

      What does the average citizen in the UK get in return? A parade a couple times a year? Grounds that you can look into, but you sure as hell don't get to live there like they do? A long standing tradition of someone looking down on you because of their family tree?

      In other words, the Brits are getting screwed over just like other people. It is easier to justify when the person flogging you for your money actually lives within your borders.

      --

      -The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

  175. Re:Why by sumdumass · · Score: 1

    There has been what- 8 people associated with abprtion clinics who have been killed for that asdociation? I have found no indication that any church or church leadership was behind it or endorsed it or encouraged it either.

    The Klan never was a church either. Of course christians made up the KKK and they attempted to use the bible yo justify their hatred but i do not exactly think it is the same.

    Westboro is interesting though. As vile and insane as they were, they never advocated violence.

    I think you missed an operative statement the parent made. "And try to kill in the name of". While the KKK might fit in there, or maybe at one time they would have, its only the idiots who try to kill in the name of that could be comparable.

    So this excludes westboro. Would include a number of but not all klansmen, and about five anti abortionist in the US. I think you missed the limiter he put there "kill in the name off".

  176. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by ihtoit · · Score: 1

    canada geese are actually pretty bloody delicious roasted with root vegetables and spinach.

    --
    Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
  177. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by fche · · Score: 1

    ... yeah, or not.

    At least one indubitable fact today was that the only thing that stopped the bad guy with a gun was a good guy with a gun.

  178. Re:Why by msobkow · · Score: 1

    Oh? And the gunman running around shooting up Parliament doesn't qualify as a terrorist attack? Or the gunman at the nearby mall?

    Sure, only a soldier ended up dying, but that's only because the attackers were poor shots.

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  179. Re:Why by msobkow · · Score: 1

    Of course he was "disturbed". That's the very definition of a "radical" -- someone who takes an ideology to an insane degree. All of the terrorists from ISIL to Boko Harum and around the world are insane. Every single one of them.

    But the problem is not Islam. The problem is the crazies. I've read the Koran -- and it, like the Bible, is mostly a document of peace and tolerance. The problem is that the radicals are claiming to be following a "religious ideology" and the legitimate Imams around the world are not doing enough to quote the passages and phrases that condemn the actions of the radicals, leaving people to accept that what the radicals claim as "religious justification" is, indeed, valid when it is anything but.

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  180. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    By most accounts the guy was a lone nutter. PM Harper has been angling for a crisis for quite a while to distract attention away from his corrupt government and towards any suitable threat that would justify the total surveillance of innocent Canadians. A year or two ago it was the threat of child pornographers, now it's terrorists.

  181. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    He was blocked from traveling to Turkey because they "suspected" he was radicalized and they theorized he might want to join ISIS. There was never any confirmation/evidence that was his intent or that he ever made contact with anyone. "ferrying from Turkey to Syria" could be as innocent as someone "ferrying" someone from Mexico to the US - doesn't mean they have links to terrorist groups.

  182. Re: Why by tbannist · · Score: 1

    That's not what the police said when it was being debated. I suspect they might have some authority on the subject of what is useful in criminal investigations.

    Do you have any evidence to support your assertions?

    --
    Fanatically anti-fanatical
  183. Re:Why by msobkow · · Score: 1

    And just how, precisely, do you think a new terrorist cell springs up if not from someone going crazy over the ideology and following it regardless of whether there is already a local cell or not?

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  184. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    The facts seem to disagree, see the Global Terrorism Database. While Sunni are the main perpetrators of terrorist attacks globally, Muslims are the primary target. What's interesting about this fact is that we (US/Canada/Europe) count those as terrorist attacks but do not count mass-shootings/bombings/etc unless they are carried out by a Muslim. They are "murders" if carried out by a non-Muslim.

    Looking at the US data:
    http://www.washingtonsblog.com...

    7% of attacks by anti-abortionists vs 4.6% of attacks by Jewish terrorists vs 2.5% by Muslim terrorists. Who's the real threat?

  185. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    I know of many disturbed individuals who are not radical and of many radicals that would not be considered disturbed (just misinformed or working an angle).

    ...are insane. Every single one of them.

    Is this your medical opinion? Somehow I suspect a good number of ISIL joined out of fear or simply due to the fact that ISIL would pay them a wage. Sure we see the craziest/worst of them in the media, but that'd be like saying all US troops are insane because of things like the Panjwai massacre, the so called "Kill Team", Guantanamo torture, etc.

  186. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    By that definition we're all terrorists waiting to happen. While it's true that we all can be painted with that brush, that fact does not make us terrorists until we actually join/form a terrorist organization. As the RCMP so wisely said, it's not a crime to think something. Whether you want to call running over a soldier an act of terrorism, a mental disorder/fixation that was not diagnosed/treated, a political statement, or simply a hit & run - it's really immaterial to the larger issues. There was no instruction given, there was no organization, there was one guy who did a bad thing. Trying to link him to another guy who did a similar bad thing, without a shred of evidence, for the sole purpose of pushing a point of view is no better. In fact they are both crimes in Canada.

  187. Again? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Arabs again?

  188. In other news, Blackwater verdict is in by ihtoit · · Score: 1

    I wonder if this is a staged event to drown out the fact that four BW members were found guilty of the Nusoor Square shootings?

    --
    Political debates have me rolling my eyes so much I think I got optical whiplash. I should sue. - Foamy The Squirrel
  189. Re:Why by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Even if a self-proclaimed "terrorist" does it, the act isn't terrorism. In conventional war (ask anyone, whether they grew up in 1200 BC or 1200 AD or 1812 or 1944 or 1971), soldiers are legitimate targets. The definitions didn't suddenly magically change in 2003 (or whenever it was) that US soldiers started getting picked off in Iraq.

    Yes, they are. However, that does not in any way negate the fact that there are rules for armed conflict. And violating them can, in certain circumstances, mean execution for the offender. You can't just go and kill any soldier you want because you just got a hankering to go to war. That's not how it works. In particular, if the perp had survived this incident, he could have found out the hard way that "it is unlawful for belligerents to engage in combat without meeting certain requirements, such as wearing distinctive uniform or other distinctive signs visible at a distance, carrying weapons openly, and conducting operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war." BTW, if I'm not mistaken, that is a hanging offense. And that is just the first in a long line of offenses that this guy committed on his rampage.

  190. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Look up the per-capita crime by race, and you'll find a white person is just as likely to commit murder/violent crime in the US as any English Country. Same goes for blacks(which is a multiple more)... Then look at the # demographic numbers in each country...

    It's nature, not nurture.

    More bluntly, America has more crime because they have significantly higher # of people who commit violent crime, and it's proportional in the UK, Canada, and USA. But oh no, thats wrong, racism is bad, we are all equally tempered and intelligent despite what the statistics say.

  191. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the reason they discount "gangland" violence is because those people have already broken the laws, and further restricting the Rights of honest citizens will not make a single dent in the levels of "gangland" violence.

  192. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by Bob+the+Super+Hamste · · Score: 1

    You can have them I don't much care for duck or goose but will hunt goose and give it people in the party if they eat it. I understand it is better when smoked for a long time as that helps with the greasiness of it which is what I don't like.

    --
    Time to offend someone
  193. It is terrorism regardless of target. by WebCowboy · · Score: 1

    Are you inferring that it is only terrorism if the target is important enough or the number if victims is high enough? You are sadly mistaken then.

    This was textbook terrorism, a loud public statement and nothing at all personal. The terrorist shot and killed a ceremonial military guard at the cenotaph, a monument honouring our fallen soldiers. If that doesnt make a statement of hatred and distain for a nation then what does?

    The terrorists very next act was to proceed directly to the centre block of parliament, where the prime minister and his cabinet were meeting. He was fatally shot by the seargant at arms, who found the criminal roaming the halls looking for more victims.

    There is no doubt here at all.

    1. Re:It is terrorism regardless of target. by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

      I'm not intimating that the number of victims had anything to do with it. Rather the form of the attack was not consistent with a terrorist. Dash cam video showed him outside his vehicle, not acting in a directed/purposeful manner. He actually walked AWAY from Parliament Hill, back towards the war memorial to kill the soldier - he was even parked on the opposite side of the memorial from where the ceremonial guards stand so he would have had to walk around it to get at them.

      What's the statement? Was there a grievance with the government or a manifesto or any sort of reasoned logic? A statement of claim from a terrorist organization? Anything to indicate that it was anything other than an individual lashing out, either at a person, due to a personal issue, etc? The only source for such a link at this point is a claim by an unidentified US intelligence official which has not been verified/corroborated by anyone (including any official statements by US agencies).

      It may have been a terrorist attack it may not - we don't know, all we do know is that a guy went out of his way to shoot a specific ceremonial guard and fled towards Parliament Hill where he got in a gun fight with guards/police and was killed. For all we know it could have been a way to commit suicide or the PCP finally got to him (he was convicted previously of possession of large amounts of PCP in Quebec) or maybe he was going to try to kill government officials. We just don't know.

      For me, the lack of knowing is what makes a "terrorist" attack so dubious. It's easy to paint it with that brush but terrorists by their nature have an agenda and a message. If you commit the act but no one knows the reason then no message is delivered or agenda advanced so really it just becomes a random act of violence that can only be speculated about.

    2. Re:It is terrorism regardless of target. by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

      lol - and the truth starts to come out... he was staying at a homeless shelter for the past couple weeks raving about the end of the world and generally being incoherent/fixating. A real terrorist mastermind

  194. Bribes, Kickbacks, Etc... by DarthVain · · Score: 1

    You are aware that these positions are appointed by their political masters right? The Gov. Gen, is appointed by the PM, and the LG by their Provincial Premier... I am not sure what kind of sanity check or emergency break they are seeing as they owe their very position to the one they are supposed to be limiting.

    Case and point PM Harper proroguing government multiple times to avoid having to face scandal or answering uncomfortable questions, to which each time requires the GG approval, and she did it every single time, even with public protest to the contrary.

    As to the public relations, the last one was involved in a scandal that basically had her spending close to 50 million dollars for what amounted to a bunch of parties with political leaders, private jet trips, etc...

    So no, they are totally useless positions that spend money, that are undemocratic, that are pork handed out by political leaders to flunkies. There is absolutely no need for them. They were in the past, the Queen's hand within government, however now that that hand is totally symbolic, it is just a left over anarchism that has position, power, money, to be doled out for political favors. Git rid of them all already.

  195. Re: Why by ahodgson · · Score: 1

    The police lie. News at 11. When pressed in hearings, as I recall, they couldn't come up with even a couple of examples where the registry actually helped them solve a crime.

  196. Re:Really, Soulskill? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    You're in a great hall where hundreds of conversations are going on. You walk into the middle of a small group of people to tell them you don't approve of what they're discussing?

  197. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by rhazz · · Score: 1

    Why does the US, with so many gun-toting civilians present to stop people from getting shot by other gun-toting civilians, have such a high gun-related murder rate?

  198. Re:Good thing Canada's pretty much a "Gun Free" zo by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

    No. You cannot say "we're a country of low violent crime except for all the violent criminals".

    I'll bet you see the fallacy in that argument.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  199. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    Nope it doesn't. There is no clear political aim. Being a political location does not give the attacker a political aim. That's what an organization, manifesto, or statement of claim is for - to give a political reason for the act, making it a terrorist act, rather than just a crazy person shooting up a location for no particular aim/goal.

  200. Re:Oh noes! Strategic Syrup Alert! by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    ...so what ya be needing a gun for?

    How about self defense against against a nut job on a killing spree? The least successful spree killers in the US have all been stopped by an armed civilian, not a government employee.

    You do know there's only been seven such "nut jobs on a killing spree" in all of recorded history in Canada. Only 1 in the past 25 years.

  201. Moderators on drugs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is the type of unsubstantiated comments that get moderated upwards now? This site really is dead.

  202. Canadian Badass by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Catchphrase: I engaged the suspect. He is now deceased.

  203. what we now know by Ottawakismet · · Score: 1

    It is clear that the Rideau Centre shooting never happened... also there was only one shooter, not two. But the RCMP kept the city on lockdown for a day, a school system kept in shelter-in-place, and everyone told to keep indoors, away from windows. It was a lot of excessive panic, and the RCMP failed to recognize the number of shooters. The PM was quiet all day, then gave a speech in the evening with a red/white tie, in front of two flags. The very next day the gov't tried to introduce new security legislation. Total waste of money, and clearly hosing down the security services with money for 6 years has not made them any more competent. It isn't a case of terrorism or Islamic radicalism - this guy was not part of the "Muslim Community". It seems clear he was schizophrenic and unconnected to anybody.Why are we considering a response at all? There are shootings everyday. Its terrible a soldier was shot, but wives, children and innocent men get murdered every day. This is hardly a serious event, even in Canadian history. Canada lost more to terrorism at the Air India incident and at 9/11. I don't know if Canadians will swallow the need for greater powers for the RCMP, who are totally incompetent.

  204. Re:Why by stdarg · · Score: 1

    While Sunni are the main perpetrators of terrorist attacks globally, Muslims are the primary target.

    Does that somehow excuse the terrorism and make it not count? I don't get it.

    A lot of the intra-Muslim terrorist attacks are actually inter-sect terrorist attacks. They are attacking people they see as blasphemous or not "true" Muslims. A great example if you want to read more is the plight of the Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan. There is a lot of violence against them, and actually it's part of their Constitution that Ahmadis cannot be considered Muslim.

    Or check out Sunni/Shia violence.

    What's interesting about this fact is that we (US/Canada/Europe) count those as terrorist attacks but do not count mass-shootings/bombings/etc unless they are carried out by a Muslim. They are "murders" if carried out by a non-Muslim.

    Things like the Oklahoma City bombing are counted as terrorism. Murders are different.

    7% of attacks by anti-abortionists vs 4.6% of attacks by Jewish terrorists vs 2.5% by Muslim terrorists. Who's the real threat?

    To who? It depends. If you're in Puerto Rico, definitely the separatists are the biggest threat. If you work in an abortion clinic, the anti-abortionists. If you work in an animal testing lab, the "extreme left wing" groups are your biggest threat.

    Muslims are the biggest threat to the biggest part of the population.

  205. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    The point is that a lot of the stuff we classify as murder is classified as terrorism because it's perpetrated by Muslims. Guns are the weapon of choice in America, explosives in the Middle East. A gang vs gang shooting isn't much different from an intra-Muslim terrorist attack when you abstract it a little.

    Muslims are the biggest threat to the biggest part of the population.

    You ask "To who?" (To whom) when it's broken down within the US but then lump them in globally? Within the US the greatest religious based terrorist threat is anti-abortionist Christians. The greatest non-single issue religious based terrorist threat is Jewish terrorist groups. The greatest terrorist threat overall is actually left wing single issue extremists. Within the Western Hemisphere the greatest terrorist threat is drug cartels. Globally, the greatest terrorist threat is not religious based - it's political. Different factions fighting it out for control over territory.

    Africa - Nigeria north/south conflict, Somalia recently split into north/south, Mali Tuareg separatists
    Asia - Israel+Palestine, Yemen civil war, Georgia/Russia, the political mess that is East India through to West of Myanmar, etc.

    Yes there's still religious terrorism and you can characterize some as both religious and political... the point is the largest terrorism threat for the west has never been Muslims - they've just had the highest profile attacks.

  206. Re:Why by stdarg · · Score: 1

    The point is that a lot of the stuff we classify as murder is classified as terrorism because it's perpetrated by Muslims.

    I know that's your point, but it's not supported.

    A gang vs gang shooting isn't much different from an intra-Muslim terrorist attack when you abstract it a little.

    Yes, it's very different, because at an abstract level gang vs gang violence is violence between equals. Both gangs have the power of guns and violence at their disposal, both gangs have their own territory and power base, both gangs have relatively equal revenue generators like intimidation, prostitution, drugs, gun running, etc.

    How on EARTH is that not much different than when the majority Muslim group in Pakistan (Sunnis) targets religious processions of minority religious groups (e.g. Shias, Ahmadis) and suffers little or no consequences for it?

    Honestly I think your statement shows that maybe you just don't know much about the extent and type of terrorism going on in the Muslim world. Sunnis vs Shias in Iraq (perhaps this is where you got your gang vs gang analogy) is very different from Sunnis vs Shias in Pakistan, or Sunnis vs Alawites in Syria, or any other conflict. It's a mistake to think of even sects within Islam as monolithic.

    You ask "To who?" (To whom) when it's broken down within the US but then lump them in globally?

    That's because Muslim terrorism is global in nature. Even among domestic Muslim terrorist incidents in the US there is generally a link to foreign groups. The US is the target of many Muslim groups around the world. Compare that to something else... how many times did IRA separatists attack domestic targets in the US? (I don't know, but I suspect never.) How many times did Mexican drug cartels attack NYC? (Never.)

    MOST threats are local in nature and can be dismissed by people who aren't right there in the target area. For instance there are zero local terrorist threats that I'm aware of where I live. Puerto Rican separatists are absolutely not going to attack the city I live in, I would wager a lot of money on that. The only real threats are global, and Muslim terrorists are the biggest global threat.

    Globally, the greatest terrorist threat is not religious based - it's political. Different factions fighting it out for control over territory.

    Africa - Nigeria north/south conflict,

    I don't understand this.. are you not aware that the conflict in Nigeria is based on the south being predominantly Christian and the north being predominantly Muslim? That's the basis for all of the terrorist attacks by groups like Boko Haram.

    Somalia recently split into north/south

    I thought you were going to give non-religious examples of terrorism? Somalia's tensions are between a relatively secular central government and the very radical Islamic Courts Union. (Among others.) But what does this have to do with terrorism?

    Mali Tuareg separatists

    I didn't know terrorism was a big factor in Mali.

    Asia - Israel+Palestine

    You're joking, right?

    Georgia/Russia

    Yes, finally a good example of non-religious terro... hold on. Terrorism? What happened in the Georgia/Russia conflict that was related to terrorism?

    Ukraine would be a better example since they had some terrorist incidents (though people speculated a lot that the downing of that airliner was unintentional, so it wouldn't really count).

    I think you've forgotten that you said "Globally, the greatest terrorist threat is not religious based - it's political." and then you were going to list examples to demonstrate that.

    You aren't listing non-religious terrorist threats, you're just listing threats. I never said terrorism was a bigger threat than war, or disease, or poverty, etc.

  207. Re:Why by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

    The point is that a lot of the stuff we classify as murder is classified as terrorism because it's perpetrated by Muslims.

    I know that's your point, but it's not supported.

    It is supported. Take Pakistan, 9,374 recorded incidents (1970-2013). Of those only 4,684 of them would meet the US definition of terrorism. Yes, it's still a LOT, I don't mean to undermine the volume/gravity of attacks - simply that the data is skewed. By example, a racially motivated shooting in the US is just a racially motivated shooting - where as it's a terrorist attack in the Pakistani data.

    A gang vs gang shooting isn't much different from an intra-Muslim terrorist attack when you abstract it a little.

    Yes, it's very different, because at an abstract level gang vs gang violence is violence between equals. Both gangs have the power of guns and violence at their disposal, both gangs have their own territory and power base, both gangs have relatively equal revenue generators like intimidation, prostitution, drugs, gun running, etc.

    How on EARTH is that not much different than when the majority Muslim group in Pakistan (Sunnis) targets religious processions of minority religious groups (e.g. Shias, Ahmadis) and suffers little or no consequences for it?

    Honestly I think your statement shows that maybe you just don't know much about the extent and type of terrorism going on in the Muslim world. Sunnis vs Shias in Iraq (perhaps this is where you got your gang vs gang analogy) is very different from Sunnis vs Shias in Pakistan, or Sunnis vs Alawites in Syria, or any other conflict. It's a mistake to think of even sects within Islam as monolithic.

    Since when are all gangs equal? Stronger gangs wipe out weaker gangs all the time. 498 attacks of the data set mentioned above were intra-Terrorist/Violent Political Party attacks. 1,093 of them were against the police (aka gang vs police shootings in the US), in all 4,793 of the attacks were directed at governments/government institutions/government infrastructure. Far more than the 2,653 targeted at religious/personal targets.

    You ask "To who?" (To whom) when it's broken down within the US but then lump them in globally?

    That's because Muslim terrorism is global in nature. Even among domestic Muslim terrorist incidents in the US there is generally a link to foreign groups. The US is the target of many Muslim groups around the world. Compare that to something else... how many times did IRA separatists attack domestic targets in the US? (I don't know, but I suspect never.) How many times did Mexican drug cartels attack NYC? (Never.)

    MOST threats are local in nature and can be dismissed by people who aren't right there in the target area. For instance there are zero local terrorist threats that I'm aware of where I live. Puerto Rican separatists are absolutely not going to attack the city I live in, I would wager a lot of money on that. The only real threats are global, and Muslim terrorists are the biggest global threat.

    The data does not support that. Attacks against the US, 1970-2012: 60 attacks were by Muslim groups. 118 were by Jewish groups. 120 Puerto Rican groups (which hit Chicago, NYC, Camden, etc). Mexican drug cartels - you are in fact making my point here. They are known to operate in over 270 cities in the US but any deaths/attacks by these groups are not considered terrorism in US statistics. A group in say, Afghanistan, attacking another group/government/etc over the opiate drug trade would be considered terrorism. In fact there are only 2 incidents in the database from Mexican cartels in any country

    Globally, the greatest terrorist threat is not religious based - it's political. Different factions fighting it out for control over territory.

    Africa - Nigeria north/south conflict,