# Canadian Parliament Attacked **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 22, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149 "2014-10-22T14:18:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/161 "2014-10-23T15:44:23Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > Also, the guy on monday is reported as having been “radicalized,” and had tried to travel to Syria to join ISIS, but the RCMP stopped him and confiscated his passport. See, there was the problem. They should have taken his passport and let him go to Syria and not let him ever come back! ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/162 "2014-10-23T15:44:54Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Why M-14s? The weapon does look very classy. It’s been upgraded through the years. It used to be a Springfield 1903, then the Garand now the M14. Mostly because it’s a nice hunk of wood that looks better than a plastic stocked M16. The Tomb Guards make their own stocks. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/163 "2014-10-23T15:51:38Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > He needs a cool quip, too. “Your citizenship is revoked,” or hopefully something good. > [@Malthus](#): > > “Sir, you are out of order”. “I stand on guard… for thee.” BLANG! “Sorry… for you. Désolé… pour vous.” ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/164 "2014-10-23T15:56:51Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > He needs a cool quip, too. “Your citizenship is revoked,” or hopefully something good. “Question Period is over.” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/165 "2014-10-23T15:57:41Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The Tomb Guards make their own stocks. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/166 "2014-10-23T15:58:45Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > I’m not into dressing up (well, I’ve never been big on the dressing thing at all), and I don’t wear a suit or a tie at the office. I don’t like having to gown for court and wear what is essentially a blanket that overheats me, snags on objects and keeps needing adjustment, but over the years I’ve grown to appreciate the a significant benefit from robing. I’ve noticed the behaviour of the public is better in the courtrooms and waiting areas when the lawyers are in formal attire. It makes for a better working environment, with fewer interruptions in the courtroom. > > While I was slowly coming to this conclusion, I was wondering why this was. My question was answered this year after a new courthouse had been erected in my town to hold both the the court for which we gown and the court for which we don’t gown. There is a lot of jurisdictional overlap in my practice area, so I attend at court on substantially similar matters in both courts, using the same law and the same procedure (and yes, unification of the courts in this practice area is moving forward, but is has not arrived in my region yet). The different courts have separate but identical floors in the building – only the coats of arms behind the daises and the colours of the judge’s sashes are different, aside from the lawyers’ attire. > > The difference in the public’s behaviour between the two courts is still noticeable. On the floors of the court for which we gown, the demeanor of the public is similar to what one would find in the adult section of a library. On the floors of the court for which we don’t down, the demeanor of the public is often disruptive, with loud talking and occasional outbursts. > > So here I am, admitting that a sartorial embuggerance is actually very helpful. During my commute, I have stopped to offer assistance at various car accidents, from a single-vehicle rollover to a child being struck while crossing the street. People always calm right down when I am in uniform, and ask for guidance. It definitely has an affect. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2014, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/167 "2014-10-23T16:13:41Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > A special sitting of the House of Commons has given Mr. Vickers a standing ovation: [http://youtu.be/-uB1bz1hCqo](http://youtu.be/-uB1bz1hCqo). Here’s a much longer clip (with a brief description of the actions taken by Mr. vickers), including the Speaker’s Parade, the very loud cheering of the Members of the House, and the full length of the standing ovation. Very moving. [https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890\_10152802032439604\_109519436\_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6&\_\_gda\_\_=1414222728\_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3](https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890_10152802032439604_109519436_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6& __gda__ =1414222728_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3) ---
**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:** [October 23, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/168 "2014-10-23T16:20:08Z")
[From Margaret Wente’s Globe and Mail article](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/terrorists-dont-have-a-chance-in-this-country/article21252026/?click=sf_globefb#dashboard/alerts): > [@](#): > > Mr. Vickers is the reason why terrorism doesn’t have a chance in this country. He has made a career of reaching out to Muslims, Sikhs, First Nations, and others who haven’t always been included in this country. When the Idle No More movement marched on Parliament Hill, he formally exchanged tobacco with a First Nations chief and said, “I understand your frustration. I understand the conditions in which you people live and I also understand the importance of tobacco and what it means as not only a gift, but as a sign of respect for your people.” After the Quebec National Assembly banned the kirpan, he made sure the ceremonial dagger would be allowed in the House of Commons. As he told one gathering of Sikhs, he doesn’t like the word “tolerance.” “No,” he said. “As head of security, I am going to accept and embrace your symbol of faith within the Parliamentary Precinct.” ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/169 "2014-10-23T16:20:39Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Here’s a much longer clip (with a brief description of the actions taken by Mr. vickers), including the Speaker’s Parade, the very loud cheering of the Members of the House, and the full length of the standing ovation. Very moving. > > [https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890\_10152802032439604\_109519436\_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6&\_\_gda\_\_=1414222728\_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3](https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890_10152802032439604_109519436_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6& __gda__ =1414222728_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3) Agreed. Moving is right. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/170 "2014-10-23T16:24:38Z")
This editorial cartoon nearly brought me to tears. > **[SaltWire | Halifax](https://www.saltwire.com/halifax/)** > > News by location across Atlantic Canada. ---
**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:** [October 23, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/171 "2014-10-23T16:27:10Z")
[And in 2009 Mr. Vickers was honoured by the Association of Progressive Muslims of Canada:](http://www.apmo786.org/ph_2009.htm) > [@](#): > > This year, the Association honoured Mr. Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms, House of Commons. He was recognized for his “long outstanding service to our country” and for his “efforts to promote bias-free policing and diversity in the workplace”. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/172 "2014-10-23T16:33:02Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > A special sitting of the House of Commons has given Mr. Vickers a standing ovation: [http://youtu.be/-uB1bz1hCqo](http://youtu.be/-uB1bz1hCqo) There’s a longer video out there that shows the whole thing. The applause went on… and on… and on for several minutes. While Mr. Vickers stood there looking for all the world like he’d rather chase down a _dozen_ rogue gunmen than have to endure being the center of all that bloody attention 🙂 ETA; ninja’d three posts up, dammit ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/173 "2014-10-23T16:33:06Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Here’s a much longer clip (with a brief description of the actions taken by Mr. vickers), including the Speaker’s Parade, the very loud cheering of the Members of the House, and the full length of the standing ovation. Very moving. > > [https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890\_10152802032439604\_109519436\_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6&\_\_gda\_\_=1414222728\_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3](https://fbcdn-video-i-a.akamaihd.net/hvideo-ak-xfa1/v/t42.1790-2/10699890_10152802032439604_109519436_n.mp4?oh=e15c88682be5b7ae58a2e9749b9f1b32&oe=544C1FF6& __gda__ =1414222728_2fb120dd5c94cfc21f75d9ee860a50f3) It’s a good thing I’m not at work right now, because I have tears streaming down my cheeks. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/174 "2014-10-23T16:40:09Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > [From Margaret Wente’s Globe and Mail article](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/terrorists-dont-have-a-chance-in-this-country/article21252026/?click=sf_globefb#dashboard/alerts): Great minds think alike. 😃 Or at least, choose the same quotes. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/175 "2014-10-23T16:56:04Z")
> [@Soylent\_Juicy](#): > > This editorial cartoon nearly brought me to tears. > > [http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorial-cartoon/2014-10-23-editorial-cartoon](http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorial-cartoon/2014-10-23-editorial-cartoon) That is a very moving cartoon. I’ve passed it on to others. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/176 "2014-10-23T17:58:55Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > During my commute, I have stopped to offer assistance at various car accidents, from a single-vehicle rollover to a child being struck while crossing the street. People always calm right down when I am in uniform, and ask for guidance. It definitely has an affect. Not as much when it is a Star Trek uniform, though - trust me, I know. > [@](#): > > But Kevin Vickers, who is 58 and looks it, reportedly can aim and fire with deadly precision when his nation is attacked, then go back into his office to reload. He’ll never brag about it, either. That would be un-Canadian. > > Mr. Vickers is the reason why terrorism doesn’t have a chance in this country. He has made a career of reaching out to Muslims, Sikhs, First Nations, and others who haven’t always been included in this country. When the Idle No More movement marched on Parliament Hill, he formally exchanged tobacco with a First Nations chief and said, “I understand your frustration. I understand the conditions in which you people live and I also understand the importance of tobacco and what it means as not only a gift, but as a sign of respect for your people.” After the Quebec National Assembly banned the kirpan, he made sure the ceremonial dagger would be allowed in the House of Commons. As he told one gathering of Sikhs, he doesn’t like the word “tolerance.” “No,” he said. “As head of security, I am going to accept and embrace your symbol of faith within the Parliamentary Precinct.” This is just fucking awsome. Waaaay back during the Iran hostage crisis, it came to light that the Canadian embassy in Iran had sheltered, secretly, six Americans for several months, and then smuggled them safely out of the country. Just because it was the right thing to do for a friend, and at risk of being kidnapped and held hostage themselves - the Iranians had already shown their contempt for diplomatic law. I feel now the way I did then . It is a privilege and an honor to be the neighbor, and to share the longest undefended border in human history, with a nation that breeeds such men. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/177 "2014-10-23T18:50:00Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > You can run around like Chicken Little yelling, “That’s unacceptable!” at the top of your lungs all you like, but the fact is that there is no protection against a lone, kamikaze gunman. Commenting on events that actually occurred and concluding that they are unacceptable is not “chicken littling”. I see that you are in the USA. Tell me, if a lone gunman made it deep into Congress and presented a real threat to Representatives would you conclude that security levels were “good enough” and that no alterations were needed or even available? Carry on, folks. Business as usual? And it is absolutely not a “fact” that there is no protection against a lone gunman. On the street, it’s true: there is little we can do against random attacks. But we are talking about a stationary, defendable, high-value position, here. You know, a building? High-value buildings are properly defended all over the world, all the time. I have been in local neighbourhood banks in Italy that were far better defended than Parliament. > [@Frank](#): > > If we tried, we wouldn’t be able to move for all the security forces surrounding each and every one of us each and every minute of the day. I’ve never suggested such an extreme. But, clearly, the “kumbaya, it’s-a-small-world” days at Parliament are over. And it should have happened a long time ago as the basic vulnerability demonstrated yesterday could have been observed with the most cursory glance by anyone at any time if they hadn’t been high on the “Hey, we’re just a quiet little country minding our own business and everybody loves us!” delusion. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/178 "2014-10-23T18:58:19Z")
For non-Canadians who may not have heard of this, compare this assassination attempt on the primer minister 19 years ago: [André Dallaire - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Dallaire) If the assassin had been half prepared and determined, the PM would be dead. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/179 "2014-10-23T19:04:23Z")
So a lone gunman should cause us to spend millions of dollars a year in added security and completely change the nature of the Parliament buildings. That’ll show em. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149/180 "2014-10-23T19:09:16Z")
> [@Shamozzle](#): > > Tell me, if a lone gunman made it deep into Congress and presented a real threat to Representatives would you conclude that security levels were “good enough” and that no alterations were needed or even available? Carry on, folks. Business as usual? FTR, [it’s happened before.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_shooting_incident_(1954)) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-parliament-attacked/702149.md?page=10)