I hope every journalism student sits down and watches Peter Manbridge’s coverage, live as events were unfolding, on the CBC, from yesterday. It was outstanding. I don’t think they broke away for commercials for a couple of hours!
Events were confusing, reports were conflicting, rumours were flying, and through it all his coverage was reasoned, calm, measured. Oh, and honest and factual, too. The CBC earned every penny of it’s funding yesterday, in my mind!
Indeed.
I’m of the opinion that ‘closing the barn door after the horse has escaped’ types of reactive security are pointless and undesireable.
Increasing security is always a trade-off - with decreasing access to and openness of the facilities and persons so protected.
Well, what do you think should be done?
This was the second attack by an ISIS-wannabe on Canadian soldiers in a week, wasn’t it? Is he going to be the last?
What if there are still some horses left in the barn?
Well since we simply must do something to stop these constant succesful attacks on Parliament, I guess you could install ways to segregate parts of the building quickly. So we don’t have to be so embarrassed by seeing MPs piling chairs against doors.
So we invest millions in increased security for parliament - and the next gunman chooses to attack on the TTC, at rush hour, rather than parliament.
Or we could increase security everywhere - failing to remember the dictum, “he who defends everything, defends nothing”.
Or how about this: take reasonable security precautions, and accept that, no matter what we do, there is nothing that can ensure perfect safety from attackers that are willing to die in attacks, and get on with our lives.
After all, in both recent terror attacks, the system basically worked: the attackers were immediately stopped (dead, in both cases) after having initated their unpredictable rampages.
Yes, I suppose you are right. Clearly the bad guys have abandoned their cause completely given yesterday’s failure on their part.
It would be inconceivable that they might return in a year or two with multiple numbers, auto weapons, and body armour. That would be inconceivable, as they are simply incapable of unprecedented, shocking acts against unsuspecting, vulnerable, complacent targets.
An excellent use of analogy, Sir.
It’s not inconceivable. What is your proposed budget for the creation of Fort Parliament?
I am well aware that we can’t defend everyone from everything all the time.
Rather, I’ve only suggested all along that we properly defend Parliament.
The precautions in place yesterday were not reasonable and the attacker was not immediately stopped.
We knew soldiers were vulnerable and yet the (perhaps) two most visible and symbolic soldiers in the country were left vulnerable and one thusly died.
Then, the single assailant armed with (I believe) a basic weapon was able to defeat the guards at the door and reach deep into the building to finally meet defeat by the freaking Sergeant-At-Arms who had to go back to his desk for his gun.
I agree - Peter Mansbridge did a terrific job.
I don’t see what the fuss is all about. In an open society, public buildings are going to be potential targets. You want a parliament immune to any possibility of an attack, then maybe North Korea is for you. One idiot with a gun isn’t cause for everyone to shit their collective drawers.
The most moronic of the Hate Radio hosts, Michael Savage, was blasting Obama for not calling this a terrorist attack. Again, what is the big fucking deal? Is the responsibility of the president, whenever someone is shot by a Muslim, to sprint to a microphone and shout “Terrorist! Terrorist! Olly olly oxen free!” We have an ongoing campaign against terrorists and one made a somewhat successful attack on Canadian soil. To the right wing, this is Obama’s fault why?
I hold dual citizenship and plan to retire to Canada in a few years. I am disgusted at the security theatre that has been going on in the U.S., and I hope that Canada will not have become U.S. Jr. by the time I get back there.
Canada’s people and institutions are strong enough to weather such piss-ant attacks as yesterday’s.
Please explain to me how you’ve excluded the reasonable possibility of attacks stronger than yesterday’s.
As a result of this the Cadets and Jr Rangers are activities are being suspended, so much for business as usual. Is this the way it’s going to be, that we start giving up everything we do because some lost, ignorant assholes want us to live in fear?
I can’t tell you how much that pisses me off.
Well, given yesterday, my proposed budget is “More”.
I see no reasonable expectation that such attacks are likely to occur in Canada.
Mansbridge has also done a terrific job interviewing various political figures, including President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Stephen Harper, and many others. To my mind he is THE voice of CBC News and arguably the best journalist and newscaster on the air today, anywhere.
It did happen. 1998 United States Capitol shooting - Wikipedia