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Canadian soldier, gunman dead in parliament attack

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By JEREMY HAINSWORTH and ROB GILLIES

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38 Comments
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Even an ACTIVE DUTY Military GUARD, in a HIGH profile position where this guard was posted, entrusted to CARRY a Rifle, but NOT ALLOWED any ammunition for the weapon he is required to carry all day....PATHETIC.

-14 ( +9 / -21 )

"Religion of peace" at it again?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We can all calm down now. President Obama has declared that this was just a minor case of workplace violence.

-22 ( +10 / -31 )

Even an ACTIVE DUTY Military GUARD, in a HIGH profile position where this guard was posted, entrusted to CARRY a Rifle, but NOT ALLOWED any ammunition for the weapon he is required to carry all day....PATHETIC.

I used to be a reservist myself in Ottawa and have personally carried an unloaded rifle for ceremonial purposes exactly like that soldier did (and in exactly the same place where this shooting happened).

This guy was not security personell, he was standing an honor guard at the war memorial, which is purely a ceremonial function despite the use of the word "guard" in the title. He was wearing his dress uniform, which is not something a person on "active duty" (not a term used by the Candian forces, but anyway) would wear if they were actually expected to use their weapon. There is absolutely no reason for Canadian soldiers engaged in ceremonial duties on the streets of Canadian cities to be carrying ammunition in the off chance that they are going to be attacked by some psycho, unless you think that everyone in the world should carry a loaded weapon just to be safe (a lunatic position that most Canadians don't accept).

I have a ton of friends in the Ottawa military community. The soldier killed was actually from a Hamilton unit, but its a tight community and they are hurting.

18 ( +23 / -5 )

RIP to the poor soldier, just performing his job honourably. Reports are coming in that it was likely just one attacker - a Canadian criminal with a history of drug crime. I guess what needs to be determined is the reason for the attack - the only good news is that the gunman has been dealt with.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

@Senseiman Excellent post. Glad to see some actual knowledge and sanity prevailing on this thread after the madness of the first two contributions.

8 ( +12 / -5 )

Radical Islamist? Reports say recent convert. Can a recent convert become a radical so soon? Ex-convict, was it Prison that turned him bitter? We have questions here, and "In the name of Islam" is beginning to tire non-Muslip people.

RIP Cpl. Nathan Cirillo. Your family and friends will miss you. Your Nation will honor you.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

“We will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.”

Then later...

"After the shootings, officials canceled two events in Toronto honoring Pakistani teenager and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, including one in which she was supposed to receive honorary Canadian citizenship. She was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 for supporting schooling for girls.

The usual double speak. An announcement of strength followed by actions of submission.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Very sad, but I think Al Qaeda etc..are looking for SOFT TARGETS! If they can NOT enter the USA and kill as many AMERICANS as they can, next best thing is to scare the USA by killing CANADIANS who look and sound, etc..like Americans. I could be wrong but there are radical terrorists,etc..in CANADA too, all over the world, my guess just waiting for ORDERS for when and where to attack. RIP Canadian solidiers

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Can a recent convert become a radical so soon?

We have our answer.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

A recent convert of trashy background perhaps! This guy barely knows what's Islam, and he cashed in his Jihad's perks already! There are plenty of his models in the West, and this scenario will happen more in many places. They are the fools and tools for extremist Muslim fascist Jihadists to use in the march of Caliphate for world conquering. The West are too busy with political correct and openness for this new Muslim Trojan horse. Ignorant of Islamic ideology and being addicted with oil lead many into terrible future as fews see this working progress. Wake up sooner is better. Shame.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Ex-convict, was it Prison that turned him bitter?

Prison is where many are recruited. Er, I mean converted. Same thing.

Rest in peace, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, and condolences to his family, friends, and fellow countrymen.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I am glad the gunman is dead.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Canada took the fight to other countries when they joined the US war of terror against terror, though the country had not been attacked and there was no immediate threat. They created an enemy that previously did not exist and now the enemy has come home. This shows that violence has blowback effects, though it is good for creating fear in society that the economic and political elites will exploit for personal gain.

-4 ( +4 / -9 )

I guess the left in Canada can't say it's because of Candian foreign policy, since Canada is not part of the coalition fighting against ISIS in Syria.

Canada tried to be the "anti-Bush" and USA and opened its doors to too many radicals. The Islamists there have argued for the rights for Sharia courts and to have their religious belifs imposed on others, and the Candians have obliged. One group who is really against this are the Sihks who emigrated to Canda back in the 60's and 70's. They came, and wanted to know why their kids couldn't carry their ceremonial daggers to schools, and realized that they had to follow the Candian rules, and they did, assimilated, and became very productive members of their society. They have been at the forefront of saying their governments policies towards letting them in and not assimilating is wrong. I guess the problems that the rest of the world is facing is starting to hit in Canada.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

anyone who thinks that ISIL or any other group of Muslim fanatics would have just chosen to attack Canada if Canada had not joined the US "war on terror" is deluded. and now we will see the usual hypocrisy from all sides. tragedy is some poor sap lies dead (how on earth he was on duty but no bullets is laughable) because of a needless political bad decision.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

It`s unfortunate that the soldier was killed in a non combative situation. That being said, get ready for even more over the top security and restrictions to justify this fight on terror.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

warispeaceOct. 23, 2014 - 12:16PM JST Canada took the fight to other countries when they joined the US war of terror against terror, though the country had not been attacked and there was no immediate threat. They created an enemy that previously did not exist and now the enemy has come home.

So, it was Canada's fault that this radical and the other murdered it's citizens. You are justifying the murder of anyone that fights against psychopaths, nice!

Your sides mindset allowed the Rwandan Genocide to happen.

warispeaceOct. 23, 2014 - 12:16PM JST This shows that violence has blowback effects, though it is good for creating fear in society that the economic and political elites will exploit for personal gain.

Tell me something, was Cpl Cirillo an elitist?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

So, it was Canada's fault that this radical and the other murdered it's citizens. You are justifying the murder of anyone that fights against psychopaths, nice!

Pointing out a reason does not equate to justification. That's a failure in logic.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

There still is no way to prevent a determined fanatic - especially a suicidal one - from killing innocent people for some personal, political or religious cause.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

StrangerlandOct. 23, 2014 - 12:30PM JST Pointing out a reason does not equate to justification. That's a failure in logic.

Condemning a nation for doing what is right doesn't equate to the justification of the murder of it's innocent citizens by psychopaths. Remember what he said, "They created an enemy", in fact Canada didn't create the enemy, the enemy was always there.

Normal citizens don't murder their fellow citizens because of their nations foreign policies. Normal citizens call their reps and voice their displeasure and if that doesn't work normal citizens show their displeasure by voting.

Again, Canada didn't create those enemies, those enemies and many more are living amongst normal peace loving citizens.

Remember voting is the only way to change minds, murdering innocent citizens only pisses off everyone else. The real blowback will come and it will be felt by some because of these kinds of attacks. Hopefully no more innocent lives will be lost because of these kinds of psychopaths.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Condemning a nation for doing what is right doesn't equate to the justification of the murder of it's innocent citizens by psychopaths.

Canada is not doing what is right by stepping into Iraq, where they have no business being.

Remember what he said, "They created an enemy", in fact Canada didn't create the enemy, the enemy was always there.

They were not an enemy of Canada until Canada made them an enemy of Canada.

But all of that doesn't change the fact that pointing out a reason, does not equate to justification. There is no justification for the actions of this man. But there are reasons why he chose to do what he did.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

@JoeBigs

US imperialism sowed the seeds for the 9.11 attack. Canada, under the Chretien Liberals, wisely did not join the false-intentioned and illegal US invasion of Iraq but under US pressure and Nato alliance agreements did send troops into Afghanistan, a country that had never threatened Canada. Now the hawkish Harper government is jumping in on the fight against ISIS, an organization that could only form and flourish because of the Iraq invasion and the arming of Syrian rebels, which were both a great binge for the US arms industry.

As I said, violence begets violence. The aggressive actions of the Canadian military oversees created blowback. It does not justify the loss of innocent life in this recent attack or that by drones or other terrorist means. These are always a scare on humanity, but they can be reduced if we foster more peaceful and less exploitative relations with each other.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

We, Albania are not too far from middle east, we have a muslim majority, our police isnt that expertised i should say like in canada and we havent felt an attack. canada that hasnt experienced a terror got it before albania. i think its society. canada has weak people that cant interact with people and are easily to brain wash them. although i live in canada seeing these issues with isis very close allows me to see how these radicals exploit west weakness. but wow in canada? thats shocking.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

On Monday, a man who Canadian authorities said was "radicalized" killed a Canadian soldier with his car. The man was then shot and killed. So add today's incident to this and you get the picture that the Islamist terrorists are alive and well in Canada. Canada even admits that they are holding the passports of up to 90 persons who were trying to leave Canada to go to Syria to join ISIS and other groups.

I don't want to hear the sad story of how "poverty" leads to peole acting this way, since Canda is such a great welfare country with socialzed medicine and other benefits to people who go there, and their efforts to be as accomodating as possible have not done anything to stem the rise of radicalism in Canda.

At least the RCMP lived up to their motto: "we always get our man", which should be modified with "maybe not with the first shot, but we get them."

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Immigration is nice and all but Canada lets far too many deadbeat immigrants into the country that mooch off the system. Canada has its fair share of social problems.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Please, don't turn this tragedy into US-baiting (using the US as the culprit in order to create an argument about an unrelated issue).

We don't know the motive, we don't much at all, but an innocent man was gunned down and his loved ones are hurting.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Can a recent convert become a radical so soon?

Um, yes, of course they can... is this a trick question or something?

Converts, generally speaking, tend to be more ardent about their religion than those born into it; shouldn't surprise anyone... after all, they chose to believe of their own free will.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Idiots like this help make the NSA possible

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"I don't want to hear the sad story of how "poverty" leads to peole acting this way,"

Indeed, he was from a wealthy background, and attended private schools. The problem is the supremacist and intolerant creed that he shared with millions of other West-hating bigots around the world.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

@senseiman - as a Canadian with PPCLI training and who recently visited that memorial and the Centre Block of our Parliament Buildings, I must say yours is the only post in this thread that demonstrates common sense about weapons and live ammunition in ceremonial situations, as well as empathy not only for the soldier who died there but also for his brethren.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Thanks. When I was in (mid-late 1990s) we used to go on parade on Rememberance Day and do an honor guard at different war memorials around Ottawa from year to year. We always carried unloaded rifles, it is just common sense - there would be no purpose to giving anyone ammunition in that situation and none of us in a million years would have wanted it anyway (just one more thing to carry around that would get you into a ton of trouble if you were to mishandle it).

My Facebook feed this morning was full of posts from Ottawa military people who are shocked by it all. Cpl. Cirillo seems like he was a pretty cool guy too, its a big loss for his unit.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

This was not an act of terrorism. Like what happened up the road at Ft. Hood a few years ago, this was another case of workplace violence.

Move along, people. Nothing to see here.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

SenseiMan:

There is absolutely no reason for Canadian soldiers engaged in ceremonial duties on the streets of Canadian cities to be carrying ammunition in the off chance that they are going to be attacked by some psycho,

OBVIOUSLY, there WAS some CREDIBLE THREAT to necessitate having LIVE AMMO; I think your statement(s) are a testament as to what type of "Soldier" you were/are. In THIS day & age, WHY BOTHER having someone Walk this Post, WITH a FUNCTIONING Rifle and NO Ammunition ?! " A Few Good Sitting Targets "...I guess you never SAW that Bumper Sticker up there.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I was a non-paranoid soldier who did his duty with a bit of common sense, as was Cpl. Cirillo. While that does offend the sensibilities of internet trolls who write in all caps, nobody who has ever served would call us pathetic for that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I was a non-paranoid soldier who did his duty with a bit of common sense, as was Cpl. Cirillo. While that does offend the sensibilities of internet trolls who write in all caps, nobody who has ever served would call us pathetic for that.

And once again you show you have a level head. Some people come from war-mongering countries riddled with guns, and cannot understand how things work in civilized lands.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

One thing I have never understood is that if you are a ceremonial guard with a gun why do they have empty magazines inserted into the gun? Why not just have an unloaded firearm with no magazine at all?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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