They shoot Canadians, don't they?

[Deleted07]

I agree XDreamerx, I think most people are inclined to chit chat to eachother in a line or waiting room, or in public and not get all defensive. I'm not American so I can't say whether its just a cultural different or what?

I agree with the comment that its the gun nuts who just dream of these sordid situations where they can blow someone away, that to me is just trigger-happy and unnecessary. Its these type of people who will escalate a situation to something worse, when if they had of just used tact, it wouldn't have escalated to begin with.

[Lainey]

As a Canadian living in Calgary with a mother that loves to talk to strangers, I'm grateful that this man is not allowed to carry a gun around while visiting. :? And seriously, what is up with the hyphens every-where.

Me too! Except I'm the one that sometimes likes to talk to strangers. And I would totally ask a couple out for a walk in Nose Hill Park if they'd been to the Stampede yet. :?

ETA: And it's possible they were trying to sell them their Stampede tickets, but I think it's just as likely that they were just trying to be friendly. I don't really buy the "menacing tone" or whatever part. Saying, "Have you gone to the Stampede yet?" in a menacing tone would just make no sense at all.

[cjsmom]

I live about 4 hours from Calgary. If I'm ever there during Stampede (which I try to avoid as the city gets so busy), I can't go anywhere without being asked if I'd been to the Stampede yet. I'm really glad that visitors aren't allowed to carry guns while here.

[Lainey]

Ahahahahahahahaha! I love the Twitter feed about this: http://www.openfile.ca/calgary/blog/201 ... -pistol-po

My favourite tweet so far: "Thank god they weren't armed with free pancakes." :lol:

[YPestis]

I think some people have this fantasy that they are like John Wayne with their guns on their side. It makes them feel bigger, like they can take over the world or something. I don't like guns and I feel fine without them. I never understand why some people feel like countries with no guns or strict gun control are less safe. Last I checked, Japan is still a safe place to live and it has a lower violent crime rate then here so obviously more guns are not required in order to have a safe society. This guy is a bigger idiot and the reason I don't like our gun laws. We get idiots we think its better he points a gun at two guys who were probably just scalpers. Frankly, attitude and behavior such ad that only makes others feel less secure. Im not sure why this idiot thought having a gun to brandish at every wrong look is superior to the Canadian system of...you know, not letting any lunatic have one.

[Lainey]

I think some people have this fantasy that they are like John Wayne with their guns on their side. It makes them feel bigger, like they can take over the world or something. I don't like guns and I feel fine without them. I never understand why some people feel like countries with no guns or strict gun control are less safe. Last I checked, Japan is still a safe place to live and it has a lower violent crime rate then here so obviously more guns are not required in order to have a safe society. This guy is a bigger idiot and the reason I don't like our gun laws. We get idiots we think its better he points a gun at two guys who were probably just scalpers. Frankly, attitude and behavior such ad that only makes others feel less secure. Im not sure why this idiot thought having a gun to brandish at every wrong look is superior to the Canadian system of...you know, not letting any lunatic have one.

I doubt they were even scalpers. There are some reports that they were giving out free Stampede passes. This is not uncommon during Stampede--if you're in the right place at the right time, you can get tons of stuff just handed to you--admission tickets, concert tickets--you name it. The public relations guy for the Stampede said they weren't giving out free tickets, but that doesn't mean much. There are oil companies that will buy a bunch and then give them out. Why do they do it? Because they have more freaking money than they know what to do with, so they give stuff away.

ETA: Because it's funny, that's why: http://twitpic.com/ahdbpb

[E Street Fan]

Thank the *~* Lord Jesus Chriiiiiist ~*~ that guy is an American. I think I can speak for most Canadians when I say we really don't want his kind here.

I don't real-ly want him in Mi-chi-gan ei-ther. There are enough in-secure red-neck ass-holes here al-ready.

My stepgrandfather was a retired cop. Walt Wawra's attitude is pretty common, unfortunately.

[SisiL78]

I doubt they were even scalpers. There are some reports that they were giving out free Stampede passes. This is not uncommon during Stampede--if you're in the right place at the right time, you can get tons of stuff just handed to you--admission tickets, concert tickets--you name it. The public relations guy for the Stampede said they weren't giving out free tickets, but that doesn't mean much. There are oil companies that will buy a bunch and then give them out. Why do they do it? Because they have more freaking money than they know what to do with, so they give stuff away.

ETA: Because it's funny, that's why: http://twitpic.com/ahdbpb

That seems like a plausible reason for the question. Can you imagine that the guy wanted to shoot these fellows for asking that question and wanting to give them free tickets?

I volunteer at concerts and see that kind of thing all the time. Your friends bale and you have extra tickets, or they were a gift or a corporate thing whatever... And people go up to others outside of the building and ask them if they have tickets. What kind of world would it be if someone trying to do something nice like give you a free ticket ended up getting shot because you wanted to "Defend yourself".

[Burris]

I think some people have this fantasy that they are like John Wayne with their guns on their side. It makes them feel bigger, like they can take over the world or something. I don't like guns and I feel fine without them. I never understand why some people feel like countries with no guns or strict gun control are less safe. Last I checked, Japan is still a safe place to live and it has a lower violent crime rate then here so obviously more guns are not required in order to have a safe society. This guy is a bigger idiot and the reason I don't like our gun laws. We get idiots we think its better he points a gun at two guys who were probably just scalpers. Frankly, attitude and behavior such ad that only makes others feel less secure. Im not sure why this idiot thought having a gun to brandish at every wrong look is superior to the Canadian system of...you know, not letting any lunatic have one.

That's part of the reason why it's all so ridiculous. Wade Michael Page, the racist guano-sack who shot up a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, was slowed in his rampage by the elderly temple president, who stabbed Page more than once with the only weapon available to him: a butter knife kirpan.

This idea that people are only as heroic as the weapons they carry - well, it's really quite destructive. Look what a fearful creature it made of a police officer of 20 years, who was so afraid to go about unarmed that he felt menaced by a couple of rowdy kids.

ETA: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." -- Matthew 26:52

[Samantha]

I don't real-ly want him in Mi-chi-gan ei-ther. There are enough in-secure red-neck ass-holes here al-ready.

My stepgrandfather was a retired cop. Walt Wawra's attitude is pretty common, unfortunately.

You took the wo-rds out of my mo-uth. I hate living in ru-ral Michi-gan with dumb-ass-es like him.

In all seriousness though, my introverted ways make me feel uncomfortable when people randomly approach me to talk but I'd never want to pull a gun on them. I just try to be polite.

[Maude]

Well now, that is just rude. Way to embody the stereotype of rude Americans. If he'd answered them there's no doubt they would have given him advice or recommendations and the way I figure it, you can't beat local advice. They tend to tell you about the things that aren't well known to tourists.

I talk to people all of the time. My friend from England was visiting a few years back and she was kind of surprised when I passed strangers on the street and said hello, good morning, etc. to them. She waited until we'd gotten out of ear shot and whispered, "Did you know him?" "Never laid eyes on him in my life." "Then why did you speak to him?" "Well it would've been rude not to.". Sometimes if I'm really not sure or in a bad mood I'll dial it down to head nod or a smile but that's about it.

One time at the dentist office, I was waiting for my parent to come and get me and a perfect stranger came over and started making conversation with me. Within 10 minutes she had told me of her children and their various tooth related ailments and other random snipits about her life. I wasn't particularly enthralled by this encounter, but I was raised right so I pretended to be. I figured she was probably just lonely. My dad arrived and was taking care of the insurance details and the lady offered to walk me outside. It was winter so I figured she was trying to ensure I didn't have one of those slip and fall accents Sam Berstein is always on about. I told her I would be alright but she insisted. So I accepted. Eventually we leave and my dad asks me who she was. "Not a clue" "Well that was nice of her." "Yeah a little clingy but what could I do right? She was just being nice."

See that is how you deal with strangers unsolicited conversations, you just passively and pleasantly accept because that's what we do. If you absolutely have to you make an exit by apologizing and making it look like your fault.

Sounds about right. Talking to strangers, acknowledging others on the street, etc. is just normal here.

[gardenvarietycitizen]

...in remote areas, for protection from bears.

That's actually the one possible reason I might wish we could more easily take a gun across the border - well, if the particular vacation ever gets around to happening! Luckily we sleep in our nice metal VEHICLE though :)

You can get portable electric fences for your tent. Ah, technology.

[itsnikki05]

That is pretty darn hilarious and I'm showing my Canadian friend. He'll get a kick out of it. Seriously. "OMG... the guy is TALK-ING to me! He might KI-YULL MEEEEE!" *sigh* I know... our moms drum "don't talk to strangers" into our heads but some folks take that a LITTLE too far, right?

[IamCanadian]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. My deepest sympathies to the good people of Kalamazoo for having to put up with this armed nutcase for 20 years, and in a position of authority no less! One would think that a police officer would be a little tougher than this guy.

I hope he never visits my home province of Newfoundland. We're known for striking up (and inserting ourselves into) conversations with (and the lives / business of) random strangers. He'd be terrified to leave his hotel room unless he could shoot up a storm of self defence in downtown St. John's.

[Creaky Mom]

I know a Canadian policeman who went on a ride-along with a Michigan police officer. The Canadian policeman said the Michigan officer pulled his gun more times in the first four hours of the shift, than he has in 20 years as a Canadian officer. He said it was wild and scary, and he was very,very glad to get back to Canada.

I'm glad we don't do guns here and think nothing of making small talk to strangers. The two dudes probably looked bewildered because of the weird answer the American guy gave them to their question.

Mais, c'est la vie.

Glad I live in socialist, uni-ver-sal health care, Ca-na-da,

despite Ste-phen Harp-er.

[thoughtful]

Because it's funny, that's why: http://twitpic.com/ahdbpb

:lol: :clap: :dance:

ETA: I loved this tweet:

In light of recent events, maple leaves around Officer Wawra's home are understandably dropping "less aggressively."

[xDreamerx]

It made Global National tonight:

http://www.globalnational.com/GlobalNat ... s=dd#video

Apologies if non-Canadians can't watch. Not sure of the licensing situation.

[Lainey]

ETA: I loved this tweet:

Haha! :lol:

It's because of stuff like this that I've heard at least one radio announcer refer to the US as "The Excited States of America." I know all Americans aren't like that, but...some sure are!

I also saw a pic somewhere of a restaurant's sandwich board. Written in chalk was, "Have you been to the Stampede yet? Just kidding--don't shoot!" I liked that one, too. Damn us Canadians and our menacing hospitality! I had asked some American tourists at Safeway if they had gone to Stampede. I guess I'm lucky they didn't shoot me. :? In fact, they were quite friendly in return.

[MrsYoungie]

That's part of the reason why it's all so ridiculous. Wade Michael Page, the racist guano-sack who shot up a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, was slowed in his rampage by the elderly temple president, who stabbed Page more than once with the only weapon available to him:a butter knife.

That doesn't seem quite right. I thought one of the laws of the Sikh religion was to always have a cermonial dagger on your person. There is a big to do about this every year when school starts and some Sikh student isn't allowed to bring his kirpan to school. I know they are only ceremonial, but surely still more threatening than a butter knife.

[Burris]

That doesn't seem quite right. I thought one of the laws of the Sikh religion was to always have a cermonial dagger on your person. There is a big to do about this every year when school starts and some Sikh student isn't allowed to bring his kirpan to school. I know they are only ceremonial, but surely still more threatening than a butter knife.

[2xx1xy1JD]

We're actually planning to be in Calgary in a couple of week. I'll be packing....good conversational skills. [it's a bit of a culture shock, albeit a nice one, to someone from Toronto. Unlike other parts of Canada, folks in Toronto never talk to strangers, unless one of the following situations applies:

1. Temperature dips below -20 degrees, at which point it is acceptable to say "cold enough for ya?"

2. You are stuck on a bus for 4 hours due to an ice storm. After the first 90 minutes spent sitting in completely silence, conversation may commence.

3. We have just won the World Series, in which case it is acceptable to cheer in public and yell "Way to go!"

4. There is a life and death emergency.

5. You notice that someone is obviously a tourist.

6. You are the parent of a small child, in which case you may strike up a conversation with the parent of another small child. It is also acceptable for anyone to comment that a baby is cute.

[Glass Cowcatcher]

I can only assume that this guy would die of fright if he ever visited the Lone Star State. People are very friendly and smalltalky and most people you don't know are "Ma'am" and "Sir."

[Cherokee2000]

We're actually planning to be in Calgary in a couple of week. I'll be packing....good conversational skills.

I'm from Edmonton, 3 hours north of Calgary, and there has always been a rivalry between the two cities. A rivalry almost but just a hair short of completely good-natured. I personally (and in a very biased manner) believe that Edmonton is friendlier than Calgary. :lol: ****(With humble apologies to Lainey, who of course is as friendly as any Edmontonian ;) ) ****

But if I ever happen to find myself in Calgary during Stampede, I put on my cowboy hat and join the fun! There's no parallel to being part of the Stampede action. Everyone can be an honorary Calgarian during the Stampede (yes, even bozo gun-crazy cops from Kalamazoo)! You don't even have to go to the expensive events -- just walk around the main drag, chat with absolutely everyone who says hello, and graciously accept any invitations or free tickets that come your way.

Go, Cowtown! :animals-cow:

[Cherokee2000]

I wish I had thought of this, but someone else did:

Gentle-men, I have no need to talk to you, but Wawra's on the side of

righteousness. Jesus Christ, the son of God, talked peace and love but

packed serious heat.

Adapted from Luke 10:

While walking through Samaria with his "friend" Mary Magdalene, two

ne'er-do-wells approached. "Have you been to Shechem yet?" one asked and

looked at Jesus askance. Hearing no reply, the second asked in a

none-too-saintly tone and, speculatively, the work of Satan his

intention, "Hey, have you been to Shechem?" Stepping between the two

delinquents and his "friend", Jesus replied, "Gentle-men, I have no need

to talk with you, goodbye." Then Jesus pulled his Glock and capped

their unholy @sses.

[Lainey]

I'm from Edmonton, 3 hours north of Calgary, and there has always been a rivalry between the two cities. A rivalry almost but just a hair short of completely good-natured. I personally (and in a very biased manner) believe that Edmonton is friendlier than Calgary. :lol: ****(With humble apologies to Lainey, who of course is as friendly as any Edmontonian ;) ) ****

:

;) I am fond of Edmonton and Edmontonians, and have no stake in this rivalry, myself. Except, of course, when it comes to hockey! :mrgreen:

ETA: There are no cowboy hat smileys. :( Sadcat. And yes, the only acceptable thing to do during Stampede is: leave town, or join in the fun! I'm getting to the point in the last couple of years that I'd just as soon leave town, lol, but everyone else beats me to it. So I suck it up and eat free pancakes and enjoy the camaraderie. It's a difficult life... :whistle: