We're only three days into the work week and already two Canadian soldiers may have paid with their lives for this prime minister's stupidity.
On Monday, a soldier was run down and killed outside CFB St. Jean. Harper wasted no time declaring it a terrorist attack.
"What took place yesterday is clearly linked to terrorist ideology," Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney told reporters in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office said the man was known to federal authorities, and that there were clear indications he had become "radicalised", a term the government has used to refer to those who support militant Islam.
"I want to express that the authorities can count on our full support in order to get to the bottom of this terrible act," Mr Harper said in a statement.
Canadian security officials have worried for years about the threat of radicalise young men, and the concern became more intense after Canada sent six fighter jets to take part in the campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq.
MOS: At this time, it is not even clear that it is domestic terrorism. CBC has reported that the shooter had a 10 year criminal record related to drugs in Quebec.
ReplyDeleteAlso, seems Wynne kept the Ontario Legislature going, saying that she refused to be intimidated. Meanwhile, Parliament was shut down, Harper was spirited away, and there was Jason Kenney, I think, tweeting that Canadians refused to be intimidated or something like that.
Anon, terrorism these days is whatever the Harper government wants to say it is. They have an entire unit made up of RCMP, CSIS, CSEC and border security agents to identify, monitor and track environmentalists because they supposedly present a terrorism risk to pipelines.
ReplyDeleteApparently the shooter Michael Zehaf-Bibeau was another one of the 80/90 people that had their passports taken and that CSIS/RCMP were watching.
ReplyDeletehttp://heavy.com/news/2014/10/michael-zehaf-bibeau-ottawa-parliament-shooting-terro-attack/?utm_content=buffer5b22d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
It might be a good idea to round these people up.
Of course as you suggest, with Harper any such changes to laws to do so would end up with David Suzuki under house arrest with the bird watchers
Terrorist ideology = any ideology not in agreement with his?
ReplyDeleteWilly, under Harper Canada has been transformed into a true surveillance state. From the backroom boys at CSIS and CSEC to the CRA Tax Stasi, they're all over ordinary, law abiding, genuinely concerned Canadians. Their track record on real terrorism, however, is pathetic.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you nailed it.
.. got home from work in time to see Chaos on Parliament Hill, Ottawa. Police, snipers, dogs with packs, robots, security, Mounties.. packs of armed men running all over the grounds, flashing lights everywhere, men peering up a the roof, scoped guns aimed, looking in wastebaskets, running down the hallways with two hands on their revolvers.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can gather, a lone deranged gunman drove up, murdered a ceremonial sentry at our military tomb, right in front of stunned tourists, then assaulted the Parliament Building on foot. After entering seems he was shot dead during a firefight, dozens and dozens of shots fired as journos and MP's watched and whipped out their cel phones. Gawd knows how many of our finest pumped a few shots into the inert perp once he was down. A full clip after this day could look bad
Seemingly nobody in a security role could clarify how many men the lone gunman was. He slipped in unseen after dashing passed the eternal flame with a weapon in hand? It took hundreds and hundreds to 'clear' the building? The security cameras weren't working yesterday? Damn, there's a lot we just don't know
Our fearless 'leader' was 'whisked away' as Manbridge gravely intoned, to an undisclosed secret location where he could manage the crisis.. one hopes Ray Novak was whisked away as well plus our PM's hair and makeup person.
Another fine Canadian Forces man down.. It can't be true his weapon was strictly ceremonial.. Hw was guarding the tomb of an unknown Canadian Soldier .. with an empty weapon? Say it aint so, Stephen Harper.. You are 'the Authorities' .. and you're wearing this.. on your watch. Whisked away ... oh really ..
Makes you wonder, doesn't it Sal? We know they had elevated the threat risk after the St. Jean killing yet they still sent that young corporal to the war memorial with an unloaded weapon. He stood there in the uniform of the Argyll & Sutherlands as perfect a target as there could be for some degenerate looking to make a statement. All they didn't do was pin a bulls-eye on that soldier.
ReplyDeleteThe security cameras on the Hill weren't working yesterday? That's awfully hard to believe especially coming from a government that so effortlessly lies to the public at the best of times.
Harper should be made to wear this but that sort of confrontation is beyond our opposition leaders. I'm sure they would find that somehow undignified, beneath them.
The whole business, this political theater of the absurd, is sickening.
Sergeant-at-Arms being the hero of the day will likely lead Harper to begin agitating to have the position terminated. Can't have traditional, ceremonial officers of Parl't upstaging the boys and girls in SWAT gear.
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