Canadian Politicians at it again.....

[America1]

I just wanted to know if Canadians ever take responsability for themselves? Your PM and mayor of Toronto blame the US for a gang related shooting.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/...e.ap/index.html

Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

[newbie]

I just wanted to know if Canadians ever take responsability for themselves? Your PM and mayor of Toronto blame the US for a gang related shooting. 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/...e.ap/index.html

Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where does it say that "Canada" blames the U.S. in this article? You have one guy who is quoted.

[mcqueen625]

I just wanted to know if Canadians ever take responsability for themselves? Your PM and mayor of Toronto blame the US for a gang related shooting. 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/...e.ap/index.html

Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Where does it say that "Canada" blames the U.S. in this article? You have one guy who is quoted.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have also read quotes where our assh--e PM has blamed the US for everything from gun violence to American style healthcare, to our free-trade woes. It is time that both the Prime Minister, and the Mayors of Toronto, and other large Canadian city to look at what our country has become under this Liberal government. We have a lawless society because our PM is content to sit back and allow a bunch of lawyers he and Chretien appointed to the Supreme Court, to make the laws in this country. This bunch of activist morons have virtually destroyed the morals and social values our society once had.

In my city we had last summer a 15 year old young criminal with a group of his friends badly assualt another group of kids. When the police were called this punk and some of his friends smashed the rear window out of the police cruiser, and caused other damage to it to the tune of several thousand dollars, and then he ran into his mother's house and hid under the bed while his mother locked the door in an attempt to prevent the police from arresting him. When the police followed him inside to arrest him he put up quite a struggle and he wound up with a black eye. His mother immediately claimed that the police used excessive force to arrest her son. This complaint was investigated and not found to be the case. The mother sued anyway and was awarded by the judge $3,300.00 in damages. Of course this is being appealed by both the police and the city, but can you imagine the message this sends to the criminal element, especially with imbaciles like this judge on the bench.

I can hear it now, his mother claiming that her little boy was doing absolutely nothing and the bad police officers manhandled him. The real sad part is that this mother doesn't have brains enough to realize that at some point her enabling will allow her the privilege of visiting him in prison. We need to do away with this Youth Justice Act or whatever the Liberal's are calling it this week, and put some teeth back into the justice system. To continue down the path we are going will bring about anarchy, and lawlessness, and with the shootings in Toronto, and other large Canadian cities this trend is already starting. In order to stop what is happening in this country we need to remove activist justices from the courts and replace them with some who are going to make examples of criminals by maximum sentencing, and making the prospect of going to jail a very scary future to look forward to.

I worked with Young Offenders for more than 10 years and I can tell you that instead of being afraid of committing criminal acts these kids think it is simply a big joke. They know that the chances of actually being locked up are remote. When you have mother suing the police after Johnny smashes the window out of a police car in front of many witnesses, and the judge awards $3,300.00 in damages, there is definitely something wrong with that picture.

This has nothing to do with the US, as Paul Martin and other's would have you believe, because there are plenty of firearms in the hands of the criminal element , and all of the gun registries, and bans are not going to do anything to change that fact, because these initiatives target the lawful gun owners. The criminal element did not register the weapons in their possession, and they're not about to turn these weapons over to the authorities or register them. Wake up people, criminals simply don't comply with the laws. Hand gun legislation was brought in around 1934, and an article I read stated that to date approximately only 20% of the hand-guns in this country were ever registered. I would be willing to be the same statistics apply to long-guns and shot-guns. So there you have it laws that are ineffective in taking guns out of the hands of the citzenry.

Australia introduced gun registration and then confiscated without compensation, all of the weapons that the people were stupid enough to register. Armed home invasions and armed robberies have shot up, and in Australia the only people with weapons are the police, the military and the criminals, and let's not forget those citizens who saw the writting on the wall when the government introduced their gun registry, and simply refused to register their weapons. In all likelihood the only people that need to worry about those guns in the hands of those otherwise law-abiding citizens, are those who might decide to break in and rob those people

[Leafless]

America1

We have existing gun laws and they are simply not enforced along with a problem of not allocating immigrants to where they are needed or insuring Canada receives only quality immigrants.

Large Canadian cities are now becoming problamatic with certain types of crime because of failed, short sighted Liberal policies equated to poor leadership.

We are ten years behind the U.S. in social conditions and with our Canadian charter our traditonal values and morals and democratic lifestyles are becoming non-existent. I am not looking forward to see what Canada will become during the next 10 years.

[PocketRocket]

Yeah, and Canada is a greater terror threat than Mexico.

And the big blackout a couple years ago was all Canada's fault, until it was found that the domino-effect grid failure started in a power plant in Michigan.

And the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attack all came from Canada, until it was found that they didn't.

And the softwood lumber dispute is all Canada's fault because the Canadian government has been subsidizing the Canadian forestry industry, except that it hasn't.

And the ban on Canadian beef in the USA, because of one case of BSE found in Canada is all our fault, too, even though there was no such concern when that case of BSE was found in the USA a few months back.

And Canada's plans to possibly legalize pot are going to be the downfall of the entire continent.

And Canada is responsible for all the drugs smuggled into the USA.

Etc etc etc....

This "blame game" works both ways.

We've simply seen a bit more of it from Canada, simply because being a "little" country, there's only so much blame that can be placed on Canada credibly.

The big, bad, rough, tough USA, on the other hand, which has so much more clout and influence, can have a finger of blame more credibly pointed at Her.

Politicians on both sides of the border have been doing this for years, and will continue to do so.

Get over it.

[PocketRocket]

Besides, you Americans are just a bunch of "Shatner-stealing Mexico-touchers".

Quote courtesy of an episode of "The Simpsons".

(In light of the thread topic, I couldn't resist. Sorry )

[GostHacked]

Only CNN and one other news site reported that Canada blamed the US. There has been no mention of it as far as I know, in the Canadian press.

I had this discussion on another website. The artilce was taken from AP. CNN took it at face value and ran the story without actually checking any facts about the story. SHAME on them. Most Trusted Name in News?? Total bull. To me this shows that there is no real journalism anymore. They are propaganda machines for whoever they are in bed with. This is a disservice to your listener/viewer. Picking and choosing articles. NO real news is reported these days. I go to several news websites a day to read how others report on the same topic. I did that day as well, no canadian news site that I read even mentioned the blame of the US.

I googled the quote and only CNN and the Seatle Post were the only two running that headline. Several more are running the same headline with the same article from AP. AP is a good source of news, but if you are someone like CNN, you should be able to do some real investigative journalism to find out what really was said. I have not seen those quotes about Miller saying it is all the US's fault.

CNN is a news service as much as Jerry Springer is a talk show host.

[America1]

Only CNN and one other news site reported that Canada blamed the US. There has been no mention of it as far as I know, in the Canadian press.

I had this discussion on another website. The artilce was taken from AP. CNN took it at face value and ran the story without actually checking any facts about the story. SHAME on them. Most Trusted Name in News??    Total bull. To me this shows that there is no real journalism anymore. They are propaganda machines for whoever they are in bed with. This is a disservice to your listener/viewer. Picking and choosing articles. NO real news is reported these days. I go to several news websites a day to read how others report on the same topic. I did that day as well, no canadian news site that I read even mentioned the blame of the US.

I googled the quote and only CNN and the Seatle Post were the only two running that headline. Several more are running the same headline with the same article from AP. AP is a good source of news, but if you are someone like CNN, you should be able to do some real investigative journalism to find out what really was said. I have not seen those quotes about Miller saying it is all the US's fault.

CNN is a news service as much as Jerry Springer is a talk show host.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

so, you think it was made up and that they never said anything of the sort?

[PocketRocket]

With apologies to GostHacked, I have to say I didn't believe that there was nothing about it in ANY Canadian press.

So I did a Google search using the words "canadian politicians blame USA for toronto gun violence".

Nothing. Nil. Zip.

Several American news sources, some blogs, and a whole lot of different forum comments were all that came up.

I find this suspicious as the Canadian press has usually been pretty quick to print any cross-border finger-pointing in recent times.

The upside is that the US press seems to have got the names right

[reddy_the_tory]

It's usually a way for us to get noticed. Sometimes I think Canadians have an inferiority complex. But at the same time we don't won't to be associated with Americans.

It's literally an oppurtunity to distinguish ourselves from our neighbors. Canada and the United States are so extrememly similar (when looking from a foreign perspective) that we usually play a blame game to differentiate ourselves.

Previous posters are correct...it's Miller's fault, it's McGuinty's Fault and it's Martin's fault. They honestly have no idea whose Jurisdiction all the gun violence is because it involves all three of them. If the Sun suddenly exploded, I'm sure a canadian politican somewhere would say that it was George W. Bush's fault for not doing enough for the environment.

[daniel]

Chretien/Clinton - Canada/US Relations were fine

Chretien/Bush - Canada/US Relations went sour. The only change I see was the change of US President. And it's Canada's fault?

[flashman]

Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

The American media that we see in Canada seems to be fascinated with gun violence. Whether it's TV shows, movies or video games, America seems to worship guns and gun culture.

The's obviously going to be a spill over cos we simply can't stop this.

[America1]

Canada blames U.S. for gun violence

The American media that we see in Canada seems to be fascinated with gun violence. Whether it's TV shows, movies or video games, America seems to worship guns and gun culture.

The's obviously going to be a spill over cos we simply can't stop this.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What are you trying to say? Does anyone speak flashman?

American's aren't fascinated with guns, many of us just feel we have every right to own them b/c it is a given right in our constitution. Why would you NOT want a gun to protect your family? I think it's very foolish not to own at least 1 gun. Newsflash, the criminals are going to have weapons, they don't care if they are illegal or not. So,,,,, I'm going to sure-as-hell have one. Granted, I do feel there should be regulations (which there are and I would even go further on some makes of guns.) but to say they should all be banned is down right foolish.

BTW, the recent shootings in Canada are not by licensed gun owners, they are by gang-bangers who could give a shit less what the gun rules are.

[Riverwind]

American's aren't fascinated with guns, many of us just feel we have every right to own them b/c it is a given right in our constitution. Why would you NOT want a gun to protect your family? I think it's very foolish not to own at least 1 gun.

Your statement proves the point: a large number of Americans are obsessed with guns. Only Americans think guns are necessary for an average citizen to protect themselves. Only Americans think owning a gun is a right.

[PocketRocket]

Only Americans think owning a gun is a right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello. I am Canadian, and proud of it.

I think I have the right to own a gun, or whatever the hell else I want to own, provided I don't use it to harm anyone else.

I do, in fact, own more than one firearm, and am quite proficient in their use.

And I pity the poor bastard who breaks into my house in the middle of the night.

[Biblio Bibuli]

Only Americans think owning a gun is a right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello. I am Canadian, and proud of it.

I think I have the right to own a gun, or whatever the hell else I want to own, provided I don't use it to harm anyone else.

I do, in fact, own more than one firearm, and am quite proficient in their use.

And I pity the poor bastard who breaks into my house in the middle of the night.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your semi-automatic is no match against someone with a fully-automatic.

Think of upgrading.

[flashman]

Your statement proves the point: a large number of Americans are obsessed with guns. Only Americans think guns are necessary for an average citizen to protect themselves. Only Americans think owning a gun is a right.

Owning them is one aspect. The point I'm trying to make is that that the media continually shows that using them is acceptable. It seems to demonstrate the paranoia of American society and that violence is the preferred solution to any perceived threats or disputes.

[Riverwind]

I think I have the right to own a gun, or whatever the hell else I want to own, provided I don't use it to harm anyone else.

There are always exceptions to every generalization. Many Americans share the view Canadian/European/Japanese view that their is no reason to have a gun and gun ownership is a not a right. Only the Americans have turned gun ownership into a cultural symbol.

What is unfortunate about this debate is most people do not/cannot distiguish between rifles and simlar long guns that have legimate hunting uses and handguns/automatic weapons that are designed only for killing people.

[America1]

I think I have the right to own a gun, or whatever the hell else I want to own, provided I don't use it to harm anyone else.

There are always exceptions to every generalization. Many Americans share the view Canadian/European/Japanese view that their is no reason to have a gun and gun ownership is a not a right. Only the Americans have turned gun ownership into a cultural symbol.

What is unfortunate about this debate is most people do not/cannot distiguish between rifles and simlar long guns that have legimate hunting uses and handguns/automatic weapons that are designed only for killing people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Dude, stop, you have no idea what your talking about.

[America1]

Your statement proves the point: a large number of Americans are obsessed with guns. Only Americans think guns are necessary for an average citizen to protect themselves. Only Americans think owning a gun is a right.

Owning them is one aspect. The point I'm trying to make is that that the media continually shows that using them is acceptable. It seems to demonstrate the paranoia of American society and that violence is the preferred solution to any perceived threats or disputes.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Your arrogance is only out done by your ignorance.

[Riverwind]

Dude, stop, you have no idea what your talking about.

Do you deny that American cultural attitudes towards guns are unique in the industrialized world? No other industrialized country considers gun ownership a right.

[flashman]

Your arrogance is only out done by your ignorance.

Sorry. That's just more American influence just like the gun culture.

[newbie]

Dude, stop, you have no idea what your talking about.

Do you deny that American cultural attitudes towards guns are unique in the industrialized world? No other industrialized country considers gun ownership a right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

From the NRA website:

"...efforts include enacting laws that recognize the right of honest citizens to carry firearms for self-protection; preemption bills to prevent attacks on gun owner rights by local anti-gun politicians, and fighting for legislation to prevent the bankrupting of America’s firearms industry through reckless lawsuits."

Kinda says it all.

[PocketRocket]

Your semi-automatic is no match against someone with a fully-automatic.

Think of upgrading.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You have a good memory.

Full autos are still quite rare, and the odds that someone is carrying one to to a burglary in the middle of the night are quite low.

Nonetheless, most people that carry haven't had extensive time practicing, either outdoors or at a range.

One bullet or a hundred, only the one that finds its target counts.

I'm quite comfortable with the armament I currently have.

[PocketRocket]

Do you deny that American cultural attitudes towards guns are unique in the industrialized world? No other industrialized country considers gun ownership a right.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Talk to people that live in rural area of Canada.

Talk to farmers in northern Ontario.

To hunters and wilderness outfitters.

Hell, talk to me.

I consider gun ownership a right of any law-abiding citizen.

But with that right comes responsibility.

Both must be considered.