Thread: Shooting in Ottawa, Canada's Capital

ISIS has asked that members assassinate publicly members of the armed forces of countries which are engaged in action against them. US troops (including my son) have been told to be cautious in the display of signals (bumper stickers, etc) that show they are military as should members of their families. I've added a few to my truck and packed extra ammo.

Considering how bad this could have been everyone can be grateful that it was as limited a tragedy as it was. From what I heard, this guy was one doorway away from entering the main floor of parliament. It sounds as though this is ongoing and there may be more arrests to be made. Condolences to our brothers next door. Wishing you all a fast return to a peaceful existence.

Seems an excellent response by the authorities. Sorry some have been killed. Good on Ya, Canada! Most times, response is after the fact. Be Prepared!

Originally Posted by OCDshaver

Considering how bad this could have been everyone can be grateful that it was as limited a tragedy as it was. From what I heard, this guy was one doorway away from entering the main floor of parliament. It sounds as though this is ongoing and there may be more arrests to be made. Condolences to our brothers next door. Wishing you all a fast return to a peaceful existence.

Thank you for the condolences but I don't think we will ever be the same after this. It may not be as nice a place as before.

The shooter was inside the center block of the Parliament buildings in the main hallway when he was killed. In rooms off either side of that main hallway caucus meetings were being held by governing Conservative Party and opposite the opposition NDP Party were having theirs. Had it happened a hour later the hallway would have been filled with MPs leaving the 2 caucuses to face a media scum in that hallway. Would likely have been a crowded and messy scene had that occurred. Yes it could have been worse.

Bob

My condolences to the families of the fine young men that were murdered. It's a sad day.

As far as no uniforms ashore, we had the same orders in S'Pore and Hong Kong in '72. We stood out like sore thumbs anyway with our "western" attire, but we weren't in our cracker jack suits.

I can't help but wonder about the shootings. I'm paying attention to see where the next attack will be done. I'm pretty sure that if somebody tried that in my part of the world, return fire would be a lot quicker.

Condolances for sure,a sad day.
Funny story about uniforms,after two tours in Nam. 66/67 we were told to wear full unform dress and stand tall.
We landed at SFO airport,debarked and were set upon bye war protestors.
Walking thru the terminal I was covered with spit,got home and burned my uniform in the fireplace,water under the bridge

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Condolances for sure,a sad day.
Funny story about uniforms,after two tours in Nam. 66/67 we were told to wear full unform dress and stand tall.
We landed at SFO airport,debarked and were set upon bye war protestors.
Walking thru the terminal I was covered with spit,got home and burned my uniform in the fireplace,water under the bridge

Got the same treatment. Didn't burn my uniform.

I'm glad things have changed and people have respect for what those young men and women are doing for us now.

It has been a strange day up here for sure. Normally I would have been at my office in Gatineau, just across the river and down a bit from where all the craziness happened. Luckily I was teleworking from home today and so was spared having to deal with the lockdown that affected my friends and colleagues - some of whom work literally a block down Sparks St from the War Memorial where it all started. There will be much wringing of hands, slinging of accusations, etc., in the days to come. But the fact remains that we must not lock down our society and let fear of extremism fundamentally change who we are or what kind of society we have built. Parliament Hill must remain open to the public. Ours cannot become a city, province, or country ruled by fear. Fear of the 'other', fear of the actions of the very few, or fear for fear's sake. As for no uniforms, I see that as mostly a symbolic gesture. I have been to St Jean sur Richelieu where two members of the Forces were targeted (and one killed) a couple of days ago, and I assure everyone that in a town like that, you don't need to be wearing a uniform to stand out as a military person. So that's probably papering over some cracks and possibly making some people feel a little better about things. And I guess maybe that's a good thing.

As someone who takes a long-term view of things (a probably side-effect of being someone who studies society of 6-700 years ago!) I believe that what is needed is to study, understand, and counteract whatever it is that is making so many (mostly) young people embrace radical ideologies. This is already underway, but clearly needs to be stepped up. Charging off in all directions and becoming a hateful, fearful society will fix nothing.

Incidentally, this is not at all a shot at the response made by authorities here today. They were handed an insane situation, and did what they had to do. My hat's off to the Sergeant at Arms in the house of commons who saved countless lives by killing the shooter and to the many, many others who politely (we are Canadian after all!) ushered thousands of people to safety. I'm just concerned about what our current leader's response will be as I have little confidence in him at the best of times.

On a much happier note, Arsenal came from behind to win, I bought a new table saw, and an old friend that I grew up with has just been elected mayor of my home town. So it isn't all bad news today.

Originally Posted by Phrank

While I understand what you're trying to say, it pretty much is an all bad news day for Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, his family and his friends, who was murdered by being shot in the back four or five times with a high powered rifle while he stood honour guard at a sacred monument of our country. A young man with his entire life in front of him, I pretty much think you don't get much more of an all bad news day than that.

Very, very true.

EDIT: thanks for pointing out that my post could definitely be read the wrong way. My intention was not in any way to diminish what is an absolute tragedy for Cpl. Cirillo, his family, and friends.

From us down under, our condolences to the family and country of the fine young man killed.
We had a small incident a little while ago, an 18yr old Moslem youth stabbed a federal policeman, only wounding him, the young malefactor was shot dead by another policeman.
Guess we all have to keep our eyes open.

Cheers

heelerau