Canada's view on guns!

"Death's Door" by Michael Slade | 2001 Copyrighted by Headhunter Holdings, Ltd. | Michael Slade

[raybbr]

The huge difference between the United States and Canada is the attitude towards guns. It's not that Canada doesn't have them-guns are around, although strictly controlled-it's that Canada doesn’t have a history of the cult of the gun.

In other words, guns aren’t worshipped.

The difference in attitude goes back to the American Revolution. Down south, the right to bear arms equates with the nation’s resolve to protect hard-won freedoms. The Stars and Stripes and the cult of the gun were born of the same mother. Packing a piece harks back to holding the line against armed Redcoats. North of the border, however, there is no history of revolution. The head of state-the queen-represents laws that been in continuous effect since the Norman Conquest of 1066, and perhaps before. The guardians of those laws are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, direct descendants of the British colonial army, so in Canada today, guns remain where they used to be in America: firmly in the hands of the redcoats.

This historical schism plays out in many ways. In America, a gun is viewed as an “equalizer.” If a kid feels bullied at school or a laid-off employee feels unfairly treated, then a gun makes a good equalizer to get even with those responsible (and perhaps take out a dozen innocents for good measure). In Canada, those packing guns don’t carry them to enforce the unequal power given to them by law. Yes, there’s a limited right to bear arms-a right that says if you’re packing, you’re a cop.

[raybbr]

I must start out by saying this is a book of fiction. It is about a series of gruesome murders that take place in Vancouver. I find it ironic that he speaks this way about guns in a book where victims are tortured in some of the most unimaginable ways. Maybe if they had been able to protect themselves by being armed they would have survived.

My question is: Is this the way Canadians see us and our gun culture?

Canadian Freepers help us out.

I plan to email them and confront them on this issue. I wiil post the reply if anyone is interested.

[ggekko]

Who cares what Canadians think? At this point in time Canada is a glorified protectorate of the United States. They tend to define their culture and politics by disagreeing with the US in essentially trivial ways.

What a bore.

[farmer18th]

It's fairly simple: intelligent Canadians recognize the value of gun ownership. Historically ignorant Canadians trust the Queen's men to maintain order. It's a pity Carleton was such a good leader in the wrong cause.

[sailor4321]

The writer ignors the common law of England which is the root from which both US and Canadian law spring.....our right to bear arms precedes the revolution (the one in America)....

[BenLurkin]

Here's a certificate for Mr. Slade to put his name on and hang on his wall:

[LibKill]

My question is: Is this the way Canadians see us and our gun culture?

We don't have a 'gun culture'. We have a Freedom Culture. Guns are just a means to that end.

[muawiyah]

Canada is a conquered country. Whereas it was originally peopled (for the most part) by French settlers and Indians, and was, in their respective areas, owned, operated and used for their benefit, after the Brits conquered Canada in the "French & Indian War", it became peopled by a race of slaves.

Slaves are usually not provided with guns.

In Canada, the Brits convinced the First Nations and the French that it was better to not have guns.

That's pretty much the history of guns in Canada.

[Snowyman]

That's pretty much the history of guns in Canada

No . That's pretty much the history of someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.

[muawiyah]

Look, you Brits have created a pretty story concerning the suppression of guns in Canada, but it all gets down to the fact that the only way you controlled the place as long as you did was by disarming the natives and earlier immigrants.

It's truly disgusting how well you have convinced the conquered people to believe that story!

[Snowyman]

It's truly disgusting how well you have convinced the conquered people to believe that story!

We gained control by disarming the natives and earlier immigrants? You really don't have a clue.

btw, I'm Canadian. Eighth generation. Originally from Ireland. Don't know any poms.

[muawiyah]

Again, truly amazing, patrilineally speaking, my folks did all the hard initial survey work and began the first settlements in Canada.

It was stolen from them by the English - and on more than one instance!

In another line (this one involving White Coats) they retreated to South of Vincennes and prepared to holdout against the English for as long as it took. When George Rogers Clark came calling, they joined up instantly!

What you people have done with Canada since you conquered it is a shame!

[Mulder]

bang

[Snowyman]

What you people have done with Canada since you conquered it is a shame

Yeah, we're all broke up about it.

Feb 22 (Reuters) - Job growth at 15-year highs, economic output near full potential and interest rates not drawing a mention is the dream of many Group of Seven rich nations and officially, it is the Canadian example they aspire to, according to Canadian Finance John Manley on Saturday.

Canada had the most robust economy of the G7 last year and expects 3.2 percent growth in 2003 with inflation easing back to 2.2 percent -- targets countries like the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France and Italy should aim to reach.

Canada is running a fiscal surplus for the sixth year in a row and is the only G7 state with public finances in the black.

United States is budgeting a record $300 billion deficit this year as well as another one in 2004 while much of Europe bumps up against its growth and fiscal targets.

Canada also continues to post trade surpluses, although narrower than expected in December, compared to the United States where the trade deficit unexpectedly ballooned more than 10 percent in December to a record $44.2 billion

[muawiyah]

And amazingly you do all of that without an Army, Navy or Air Force.(/sarcasm)

[Allan]

And in addition to that
each year the entire graduating class in Computer Science
at Waterloo University
leaves the country
and moves to the USA.

[Snowyman]

Really, Got news for you. My step son graduated from U of Waterloo in math and computers. Deans list . Still here , doing fine.

Did you ever wonder why those grads are in such demand? One of the best universities, especially the math grads, in the world, that's why.

btw Some of his class mates did go south. Big bucks, stock options, lots of perks. They've since been unemployed. He hasn't.

[Allan]

They've since been unemployed.

So the moved back to Canada, did they?

[Atlas Sneezed]

"Canada is running a fiscal surplus"

I think you mean that the Canadian GOVERNMENT is running a surplus. Congratulations on having created a even more robust and powerful government than we have.

Here, at least, we are fighting to keep the government from taxing us more in order gain for itself the status you have granted yours.

[Snowyman]

I think you mean

Nope . I didn't mean anything other than what the Minister of Finance John Manely said . Those aren't my words.