# CanadaDope 2017: Celebrating the Sesquicentennial - "... and loving it!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 1, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045 "2017-01-01T14:35:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/81 "2017-01-26T01:57:00Z")
Made it through another ice storm. Tons of freezing rain overnight and 130000 customers without power in New Brunswick. Luckily our house was not one of them so it was only the minor inconvenience of school cancellation that we had to deal with. Half the town is supposed to have power by tonight with the rest by tomorrow. The rest of the province may be 3 days or so. The wait at the fast food places was out of this world. Nobody had power to cook so they all headed out to the few places with power. One of my colleagues waited for over an hour in the Mcds drive-thru. A friendly reminder to motorists everywhere, when the traffic lights are out treat it as a four way stop. This message is brought to you by the Stuff You Should Know By a the Time You’re 16 Foundation. To be fair, I’m sure some of the jackasses would have blown through a regular four way stop too. What the hell is it about four ways that turn people into idiots? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/82 "2017-01-26T02:01:19Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > … four ways that turn people into idiots? I like your optimism that assumes they weren’t always idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/83 "2017-01-26T02:22:48Z")
:D:p:) ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/84 "2017-01-26T10:41:51Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > I like your optimism that assumes they weren’t always idiots. To be fair, I have seen many people correctly use four way stops. We also have 3 traffic circles in town and people seem to be able to use 2 of them correctly. As Meatloaf said, “Two out of three ain’t bad.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/85 "2017-01-26T13:19:04Z")
To be fair, large intersections operating as 4-way stops are a nightmare. If you have 12-14 lanes entering an intersection it’s next to impossible to keep track of whose turn it is, especially when some people (reasonably) proceed when it’s not their turn per se but because their way is clear due to the movement of the vehicles whose turn it is, like if you turn right before it’s your turn while conflicting traffic is blocked by the guy making a left in the other direction. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/86 "2017-01-26T13:54:20Z")
The biggest problem with four way stops where I live, are freaking old people! They always want to be friendly and let everyone else go first, screwing up the order and throwing everyone off. “No, after you!”, “No, no, you go!” Like freaking Alphons and Gaston! ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/87 "2017-01-26T14:55:41Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > To be fair, large intersections operating as 4-way stops are a nightmare. If you have 12-14 lanes entering an intersection it’s next to impossible to keep track of whose turn it is, especially when some people (reasonably) proceed when it’s not their turn per se but because their way is clear due to the movement of the vehicles whose turn it is, like if you turn right before it’s your turn while conflicting traffic is blocked by the guy making a left in the other direction. I might agree with you except for the fact that I’m not talking about people confused as to whose turn it is and I’m in Moncton where I think the most lanes being affected would be 6. I’m talking about people not slowing down at all or 3-4 cars speeding through without waiting their turn. This was purely either not understanding that a broken light is treated as a 4 way stop or people being in such a hurry that they refuse to yield when appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/88 "2017-01-26T16:17:41Z")
[Learn how to drive through a roundabout in the [Ontario] Driver’s Handbook](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.6.7.shtml). Yield to traffic already in the circle. [Waterloo’s handy dandy video, including fart noises, on how to navigate a roundabout.](https://youtu.be/r7Svgp6xgto) Yield to traffic already in the circle. [Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation’s instructions.](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/roundabouts.shtml) “ **Don’t stop inside the roundabout** , except to avoid a collision.” So just for shits and giggles, what did the Town of Manitouwadge do for the busiest intersection in town? [Put yield signs in the middle of the roundabout rather than at the entrances](https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.1255484,-85.8297608,3a,75y,326.47h,92.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXIdr0Tev2VTqK0lqxvYTpQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/89 "2017-01-26T16:29:58Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > The biggest problem with four way stops where I live, are freaking old people! ! Old people are the biggest problem with pretty much anything to do with driving. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/90 "2017-01-26T16:41:51Z")
My neighbour’s kid is the biggest problem with pretty much anything to do with driving. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/91 "2017-01-26T17:18:51Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [Learn how to drive through a roundabout in the [Ontario] Driver’s Handbook](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.6.7.shtml). Yield to traffic already in the circle. > > [Waterloo’s handy dandy video, including fart noises, on how to navigate a roundabout.](https://youtu.be/r7Svgp6xgto) Yield to traffic already in the circle. > > [Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation’s instructions.](http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/ontario-511/roundabouts.shtml) “ **Don’t stop inside the roundabout** , except to avoid a collision.” > > So just for shits and giggles, what did the Town of Manitouwadge do for the busiest intersection in town? [Put yield signs in the middle of the roundabout rather than at the entrances](https://www.google.ca/maps/@49.1255484,-85.8297608,3a,75y,326.47h,92.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sXIdr0Tev2VTqK0lqxvYTpQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656). HAHAHAHAHA! Made my day! Thanks! > [@Muffin](#): > > My neighbour’s kid is the biggest problem with pretty much anything to do with driving. He built the traffic circle in Manitouwadge? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2017, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/92 "2017-01-27T10:04:42Z")
Let me show you what I think is going on. [True Stories (1986) - Dinner with the Culvers - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA15oCKCYHM) ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/93 "2017-01-28T02:12:43Z")
**Northern Piper** - all of the bases were in lockdown, not just NCR. Would love a coffee date, nice to put some faces to some names! ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/94 "2017-01-28T20:51:42Z")
I didn’t realise it was so widespread. Good luck in Ottawa! ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/95 "2017-01-30T01:35:47Z")
Thanks! The plan right now is to have us there by Canada Day, so I would love a celebratory Dopefest ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/96 "2017-01-30T06:16:25Z")
[Here we have the best of Canada as reflected in the great empathy and strength of character of our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau](https://youtu.be/NvTKtqODneQ), but today in Quebec five Muslims were murdered as their mosque was shot-up. What does it take to stop bigotry, hatred and violence? What is so attractive to populists and racists about denigrating and destroying good people living good lives? Why can peaceful people not live without fear of being harmed or killed? ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/97 "2017-01-30T06:32:05Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > … but today in Quebec five Muslims were murdered as their mosque was shot-up. > > What does it take to stop bigotry, hatred and violence? What is so attractive to populists and racists about denigrating and destroying good people living good lives? Why can peaceful people not live without fear of being harmed or killed? I wish I had an answer. I’ve been watching the news, and like you, have been shocked by what I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/98 "2017-01-30T06:45:52Z")
A sixth has died. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/99 "2017-01-30T16:34:01Z")
This “new world” people keep talking about terrifies me. My daughter keeps asking me questions that I have no idea how to answer or reassure her. I just keep returning all we can keep doing is being one of the lights… That seems so pathetic in the face of ongoing and senseless violence. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045/100 "2017-01-30T17:39:42Z")
As awful as something like this is, it’s the exception. The world is NOT a terrible place. Don’t fall for the myth that it is. You can’t let every atrocity ruin you on humanity or you end up a Trumpist. By any measure, things are getting better for the human race. There is less war than there used to be. The percentage of people living in abject poverty is lower than ever. People are living longer, healthier, and more peacefully. There’s bumps and valleys but it has been a long climb up. Don’t let the pessimists convince you to throw the baby out with the bathwater. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadadope-2017-celebrating-the-sesquicentennial-and-loving-it/776045.md?page=6)