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Life in New Orleans turns tragic for Canadians

ALAN FREEMAN

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 10:57 AM EDT 06/01/07

Wife slain, husband takes four bullets protecting child as home invasion jolts U.S. city that is no stranger to crime ...Read the full article

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  1. Bob McDonald from Canada writes: No one - not even a crowd of NeoCon redneck Alberta farmers are going to convince me that gun control is wrong in any form. Guns give idiots power which they immediately abuse and good people die.
  2. ck f from Canada, but living in (how do I get rid of the comma?), United States writes: 'Paul's brother, Adam, said his brother didn't move to the United States to escape Canadian medicare. Quite the opposite, he came to New Orleans because he wanted to work in a Third World environment and he felt his skills were needed.'

    I really don't think most Americans could take this in. To many here, Canadians are 'Dirty Canadians' who must be unimaginably primitive. I have actually been asked whether we have electricity in Canada.
  3. Jim Corrigan from Dundas, Canada writes: I find it difficult to underscore the death and tragedy of an event such as this to give someone an opportunity to present their own personal agenda, no matter how right they feel about it. The person who made #1 comment really should ask themselves some serious questions about reality. Crime has sadly continued to overshadow many urban cities, New Orleans being one of the worst at this time - I hardly think these criminals honor gun control. I still remember in the aftermath of the hurricane(s), the fully equipped 101st Airborne had to be brought in just to get control of the city. Despite this mayhem, it is clear Ms. Hill still found hope in the anarchy. Being one of four who died when she was murdered, I offer my sincerest condolences to all those impacted by this tragedy.
  4. Gerry Vee from Winterpeg, Canada writes: This is a real tragedy. My sincerest condolences to the families and loved ones. Guns are nothing but tools. This is not about gun control. This is about a mentality within an entire community where life has no value. The lawlessness is nothing new to this area. The problems have only been made worse by Katrina and yet the country's focus is in foreign lands on the other side of the planet.
  5. Chris Lalonde from Singapore writes: Poster #1 Bob McDonald, I agree with you in part that there must be SOME gun control. For example, why would anyone need semi-automatic and automatic assault rifles other than to kill LOTS of people. However, you shouldn't assume that lots of guns translates to lots of gun crime. The Swiss have had mandatory military service for decades and assault rifles could have been found in many homes (ready for MS). The same goes for Israel. However, you don't see many of these countrymen turninng the gun on each other. Alot of the equation has do with culture and upbringing.
  6. Peter Pecek from LEDUC, writes: Typical, USA style viloence.....till they prohibit making violent movies in Hollywood and will vote decent polititians and start punishing children for bad behaviour and bad language in schools, this society and this goes for Canada as well, will not get any better! USA army does not belong to IRAQ, they have plenty of work to fight terrorists at home! The personal freedom for any behavour and human rights for the criminals just goes too far, all crime is the result of bad precedence, bad leadership, the world (USA) cannot win any wars by dropping bombs and by destruction - if they came to IRAQ with bread, butter and ice-cream for the civilan population, they may have succeeded....all this is related to bad leadership - new approach is needed to start creating a better society.....
  7. Barbara J. Stewart from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: Serious, chronic crime been trending in this direction for a long time. Katrina has unfortunately only exacerbated an already existing problem. So how did Ray Nagin get re-elected? Toxic sludge isn't only covering now-abandoned sections of that lost city - it's also flowing through the body politic.
  8. Michael Jahonneson from Victoria, Canada writes: 'Paul's brother, Adam, said his brother didn't move to the United States to escape Canadian medicare. Quite the opposite, he came to New Orleans because he wanted to work in a Third World environment and he felt his skills were needed.'

    Hey, you can't say that about Chocolate City! (I am allowed to say 'Chocolate City' because that is how Nagin referes to NO.)

    'Using a style described by a local music critic as a cross between singing and rapping, his lyrics explore universal health care, flag burning and early anarchist Emma Goldman.'

    Other than this sounds like bona fide moonbat music, I researched a bit about Emma Goldman. I believe it adds additional information to your article about these characters. Emma goldman was a believer in 'Attentat, the use of targeted acts of violence, including assassinations of politically significant individuals as a necessary tool to inspire political and social change.' (source wiki).

    So, let me get this straight? One can deduce that this couple admired Emma the Anarchist. The same Emma who was an early advocate of terrorism to achieve political ends. The same Emma who was imprisoned for opposing WW1 conscription and later deported). The same Emma who has abortion clinics (not that there is anything wrong with that) named after her.

    The irony of one avowed anarchist dying and another one injured at the hands of thug(s) in a swirling maelstrom...of anarchy in New Orleans. Nuff said and thank you google because, with your wonderful tool, I can now find more information on any news story published in any publication in minutes.

    My prayers go out to the kid.
  9. Del R from Canada writes: I was in New Orleans many years ago. It was a big slum then, and its even worse now after Katrina. Why anyone would wan't to live there is beyond imagination. As for gun control as poster #1 mentions, shake your head...somethings stuck. Billions of guns in North America, and the crimanals are going to register theirs or give them up.....get real.
  10. John McCaffery from Warragul, Australia writes: Please, let's lay the blame for this horror in the rightful place; and that is, the murderous and hateful heart of the person pulling the trigger. Stop these mindless excuses by suggesting more gun control. Do we really want to live in a world were people want to kill others, but don’t only because they can’t get a gun? They’ll use knives. What kind of world is that? We have a problem, New Orleans has a problem, but it is not guns!
  11. Ray Japan from Japan, Japan writes: #2 -- the 'third world' comment also caught my attention. Mind you, one American thought all Canadians lived in igloos. But that was a random American and not a national newspaper. But, since it's a direct quote... As for gun control, right on, Bob (#1)! And no, Jim (#3), this isn't about honoring gun control laws. If you have them, then even if someone hasn't been shot, you can arrest them for gun possession. Also, it is far easier to pull a trigger than swing a knife; the number of victims would be far less. Many countries in the world do have gun control laws; if you live in one just for a little bit, you'll quickly notice the difference. Many required a tragic incident for laws to be made -- how tragic does it have to be for the USA to go down this path. Will it ever happen?
  12. David Bakody from Dartmouth, writes: My sincere heartfelt prayers go out to this fine family in their time of need.

    WRT the comments on gun control, America is not repeat, not Canada, having a gun is like breathing to Americans, know and understand that or stay home! Gun control is Canadian and we must continue to make it so here, because we can see the future in this event and many thousands like it south of the border. What bothers me is the fact that American citizens are willing to put up with spending two billion $$$$$ per week killing and having their brave soldiers killed, 3008 and counting in Iraq for oil revenue while Washington turns a blind eye on the home front and it's disaster sticken population backing a hell bent to leather neo conservative administration, and to think many Canadains not only support US policies they want Ottawa to follow suite with our elected neo conservatives. More than ever stay healthy and vote.
  13. The Guinea from mississauga, Canada writes: To poster #1 WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! How on earth can you compare US gun control to ours? There is no comparison. Almost all our crimes are committed with guns smuggled from the US, not from guns purchased legally here. So enough already with these broad comments about rednecks and farmers. Why dont you attack the real problem which is all politicians who have failed to created stiff penalties for all crimes committed with a firearm.
  14. Jason Cullum from Edmonton, Canada writes: My thoughts go out to the families. Any chance we can give them just 24 hours before turning their loss into our political commentary?
  15. Astalanya Noway from Canada writes: New Orleans is a city that, geographically, shouldn't even be where it is. Placing a major community at the delta of a river, below sea level, surrounded by swamps: we all know how that adds up. But to see this added atop it almost further reinforces that serious social problems also affect the area that need to be addressed. This high a homicide rate seems to go unchecked, and is it an issue of race politics? Many of the people shot are African-American. Is it only because a Caucasian was shot that they are up in arms and drawing attention?
  16. Dark Angel from The West, Canada writes: I believe it was in the late 1990's that New Orleans had over 600 murders. It has been or possibly still is the murder capital of the USA. Considering its population the murder rate is three times higher per capita than any other US city. The reason: drugs and poverty. The scourge of our times unfortunately.
  17. Groovy Vee from Canada writes: Tragic - tragic - tragic. If only the family knew how many caring people there are who would like to share the family's pain and to help in any way possible. We are all deeply sorry - I believe we, the global public- and politicians in particular, have allowed things like this to happen.

    Let's consider this hypothetical situation: let's say that guns were totally banned to the public. That manufacturers had to account for every single piece which rolled out of their factories. That public access to armaments was only available through government controlled outlets. That each purchaser had to be fingerprinted.

    Yes - illegal weapons would still be out there but not in the quantity we currently have. Perhaps the crime rate wouldn't be reduced but I bet it wouldn't be as easy for some deranged criminal, or spaced-out junkie rembling for a fix to get their hands on a gun. It wouldn't be as easy to kill someone.

    Yes - violence will still happen but it gives victims the ability to fight back or run away when a gun is not involved. Guns make violence too easy.

    We might only be mourning a serious injury today instead of a tragic death

    Get the point?
  18. Anthony B. from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: A sad, sad story. Too bad the US administration wouldn't address the anarchy in places like New Orleans before trying to impose 'peace, freedom and democracy' on other countries.
  19. Bobby Bitman from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: Crazy, angry people with guns kill innocent people. Lax sentencing for the criminals also kills people. I have nothing but the deepest sympathies to the families.
  20. Time Out from Canada writes: What a terrible terrible tragedy. New Orleans has always been an armpit of crime and immorality. Time to let it sink into oblivion.
  21. Cymro yn byw yma Canada from Canada writes: ck f from Canada comments.'I really don't think most Americans could take this in. I have actually been asked whether we have electricity in Canada'. Not surprising.
    Many, many Americans are supremely ignorant of the rest of the world. In the USA the disparities of income, standards of living and education are astounding. Many Americans laud their country as a democracy whereas in fact it is a dollarocracy with an 18th century electoral system. Somebody like Bush could not have been elected in the developed world. Problem is it is an economic powerhouse run by an elite and has an immense influence throuout the world. Bush as the 'leader of the free world'. Huh?
  22. John Hinkley from Thornhill, Canada writes: Life truly is unfair. This another senseless tragedy.

    And, certainly another reason why there should be zero tolerance for persons commiting crimes with guns regardless of their age.

    RE: Comment #1 - pull your head from where the sun doesn't shine. This has nothing to do with gun control. Criminals will find guns regardless of any controls. In Toronto, if you know the right people, apparently criminals can rent guns by the hour.

    My condolences to the families.
  23. poida smith from Canada writes: Such a tragic story, time for some 'tough medicine' in NO....if they have to bring in the National Guard to reign in the thugs, so be it!

    Regrettably, America has a 'gun culture', it's been a 'way of life' since the Mayfair and it shaped much of their internal and external history, the Wild West, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and many foreign wars.....and it is not going to change overnight or anytime soon. Mix guns, drugs, day-to-day human nature (envy, anger, depression etc.) and add poverty/unemployment and well....you've got a real foundation for trouble.

    You look at any society on this planet where guns are readily available and you will see death by guns....plain and simple, whether it's Bagdad or New Orleans or Rio ......Canada, Sweden, and many other countries have gun controls and guess what, less gun crime than places that don't....duhhhh!
  24. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes: # 19 has it right: Bobby Bitman from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: 'Crazy, angry people with guns kill innocent people. Lax sentencing for the criminals also kills people. I have nothing but the deepest sympathies to the families.'

    Short of closing down the hand gun manufacturing industry which flourishes in the US, and trying to fight the powerful NRA lobby, no amount of gun control laws will ever change the illegal possession of them, and the crime and murder involved .

    I sort of see another spin on this massive problem. Is it really guns or is it something else, like illegal drugs that causes much of this crime-both directly and indirectly.

    What are the statistics or crime and murder both directly and indirectly associated with illegal drugs?

    The demand for drugs causes crime ( need cash to buy them-robbery and thefts that go wrong, with gun toting drugged up crazies shooting up people..)
    The supply of drugs causes crime ( gang controlled and related turf wars-drive by shootings....)
    Being doped out ( Crazy, angry people ) shooting up people causes crime.

    Control the dope and you control the majority of crime!
  25. andrew papp from Ottawa, Canada writes: My memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
    New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim

    'New Orleans Is Sinking' - Tragically Hip
  26. Edward Tilton from Buffalo, NY, United States writes: Readers may not be aware of the fact that the city of New Orleans embarked upon a broad program of confiscating legally owned firearms in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. This very Canadian approach to firearms, that is, removing them from law abiding citizens while doing little to suppress criminal activity, has resulted in a predictable surge of crime. Without the means to defend themselves, the citizens of New Orleans now fall prey to criminals who know that government did what they could never do: disarm their victims.
  27. F A from BC, Canada writes: Actually Mr Corrigan from Dundas, crime is not overshadowing most cities. It is verifiable clearing----- the crime numbers are dropping.

    The numbers of crimes involving guns is on the rise (ie Toronto). Number one may be omiss in singling out Alberta's farmers, he is not omiss in singling out guns. Guns are the sole reason people die of GUNSHOT wounds, and anyone lobbying for gun ownership has to share in every death.
  28. Eric MacKinnon from Canada writes: It is truly ironic that many posters from the left side of the spectrum attempt to present themselves as opposing violence. They speak out in favour of gun control, bash the Bush administration for the war in Iraq etc. But when it comes to the killing of unborn human beings, suddenly violence becomes a 'right.' Killing of defenceless human biengs becomes masked by the empty slogan 'pro choice.' The left's unwavering stance in favour of oppresssion and against the very foundational right (to life) must be changed before it will have any credibility on humnan rights issues.
  29. Richard C from Waterloo, Canada writes: Regarding gun control and the American right to bear arms:

    'For the purposes of a well regulated Militia, the right to bear arms shall not be infringed'
    when that clause was written a well trained soldier could fire 4 rounds a minute with a musket.

    Secondly, what is a 'Well Regulated Milita' - if you have ever seen the movie the Patriot with Mel Gibson as Col. Francis Marrion, that is what comes to my mind! #5 gives 2 good modern examples where every adult male is a reservist!
  30. Michael Jahonneson from Victoria, Canada writes: #18: It is called states rights. It is the role of the government of Louisiana to control crime. If Washington ever got involved in local law enforcement there would be a public uproar. The federal government is responsible for foreign affairs. So your comment makes no sense. I recommend you read a few books about the Civil War; it actually had a lot to do with states rights and the encroachment of the federal government into the domain of the lower case state. Iraq and issues of the states vis a vis law enforcement are wholly different and have no overlap. In fact, the reason the National Guard did not appear on the scene in the aftermath of Katrina was not because Bush wanted to commit genocide it had to do with the Constitution and Louisiana law. The governor has to ASK for the troops before the CIC can send them in. Nagin waited too long and that is on the historical record.

    #7: Could not agree with you more. I am shocked that Nagin would get re-elected (remembered the photos of all those busses sitting in water?). And then who can forget Democratic Rep. William Jefferson's freezer with $90,000 in it? New Orleans has a storied history riddled with stories of corruption and a devastating crime wave that politicians cannot stem for fear of being called racist.
  31. mick markus from Toronto, Canada writes: I have lived in New Orleans unlike many of the people that generally post on this site. New Orleans was once a amazing place in spite of its reputation as a violent city. There were genuine efforts to curb the violence, most of which was gang-related. Hurricane Katrina obviously put a stop to all that. My heart goes out to the families of the victims of this horrible crime. This wonderful Canadian family obviously saw something in this amazing city that many of us who have visited or lived there saw and paid a terrible price. I am genuinely hopeful that New Orleans will be rehabilitated after the disaster that befell it in the aftermath of Katrina because it would be wonderful to be able to live and work there again someday. It truly was the singularly most amazing city I have ever lived in.
  32. Allen Stewart from Vancouver, Canada writes: I met a nice retired couple from New Orleans here in Canada over the holidays. We had a discussion on the best places to live in the world. She told me that they had been everywhere in the world to search for a place to retire and live out the rest of their lives. She said it is so bad down there (USAin general) that they are leaving the country. She also said that when she entered Canada it was as if the weight of the world came off her shoulders and they decided on Vancouver.
  33. tom bell from Peterborough, Canada writes: Regarding the slaying of the filmmaker and the assault on the doctor in New Orleans - this tragedy has roots in fundamental inhumanity people are exhibiting to one another - basic loss of dignity that humanity is experiencing. It is a sad commentary on us. A lady I have met who went down to help save abandoned pets was telling me she was incredibly dismayed at the lack of concentrated efforts by the US government at helping the devastated poor get back on their feet. The only care being provided was by regional church and local aid groups. The US is becoming a nasty, dysfunctional society.
  34. Gord Cee from Canada writes: My experience with New Orleans is that Bourbon Street can be a wonderful place to visit however if you happen to stray off onto a side street too far your life could end quite quickly. I believe New Orleans is largely populated with violent. criminal scum and the best option would be to cease all redevelopment and bulldoze the whole city. The amount of money required to secure the city against future hurricanes is absurd and the area should be returned to swamp
  35. Carly MacKay from United States writes: Some of you posters make me sick. This was an article about a horrific tragedy suffered by a Canadian family who came to New Orleans to make a difference. Yet so many turn this into an opportunity to bash every American south of the border. Here is a newsflash, Americans don't think you live in igloos, we know you have electricity, the vast majority of us see the problems we face with a bozo in the White House, 3000 soldiers dead in Iraq, huge gaps between the rich and the middle class and the poor, AND yes for what ever reason Ray Nagin was re-elected in NO. So when one American makes a statement or asks a question like 'Is there electricity in Canada?' don't jump to the conclusion that all Americans are ignorant. Sometimes the only way some people can feel good about themselves is by degrading and insulting others. I wish some of the posters on this comment board had one speck of the intelligence, compassion and understanding that this couple had. I just wish that they had not gone to New Orleans. They will be in my thoughts and prayers. God bless Canada.
  36. Chris Aronofsky from Toronto, Canada writes: I can't believe the lunacy I'm seeing on this board. Guns should be outlawed altogether. It doesn't matter if its something systemic in the culture - it still allows killing. It doesn't matter if they won't listen to the laws and won't fix the problem - it will help and decrease these instances. This is a terrible event that happened to compassionate, smart people who wanted to help society. It's a bloody shame that the world is the way it is. Guns should not even exist, if they are needed in war, well what can I do. But in the greater society? No way.
  37. Kim Morton from Canada writes: #1 Bob; You got it backwards. If all house holds had guns and you were allowed to fight back there would be much less gun violence. Especially in uncivilized places like cities where police would rather harass motorists than catch criminals.
  38. I Santi from Canada writes: A terrible story, thoughts go out to this family and all families of innocent murder victims in New Orleans. A serious issue and a pathetic one considering the US government is out in the global community dictating with their current policies, and this serious issue continues within their own boundaries.

    Hand guns need to be banned outright (exception law enforcement with procedures). Legal guns do become illegal guns through theft, smuggling, etc. The number of legal guns needs to be reduced period, start with the those that need them the least... the public.

    Yet, stiffer sentences, no handguns, still may not have stopped this and many of New Orleans murders. When you have nothing to live for you are going to do illegal things no matter what. The social programs are needed and I hate to make this a political issue but it is... hopefully Democrates will be in power sooner than later in America and start putting money towards the 'root of the problems' instead of being simply reactionary.
  39. sonny singh sandhu from vancouver from Canada writes: For all of those that reference American ignorance, think about our own. How much does the average Canadian know about Canada's north, or Newfoundland, or Saskatchewan for that matter. It seems from reading postings on these boards (I think the first poster referenced neocon rednecked Alberta Farmers) that ignorance isn't cornered by the Americans.
  40. Michael Bowen from Halifax, Canada writes: I can outrun a knife, I cannot outrun a bullet. It is, apparently, also psychologically more difficult to stab someone to kill them than it is to pull the trigger on a gun to kill them. For those claiming that murders would happen whether guns were available or not, I suggest you give your head a shake.

    Gun control should be about (dramatically) reducing availability. Criminals steal guns from legal gun owners....they cannot buy* them because they have criminal records. Duh. Draw your own conclusions as to how you can reduce criminals being able to get their hands on them. (and for those arguing about the smuggling from the US? It's simple, search every vehicle crossing the border into Canada. Permanently impound any vehicle with a weapon in it. The US does that for *pot for crying out loud, why don't we do it for guns?
  41. MJ Patchouli from Regina, Canada writes: What a tragic story! Heartfelt compassion to the family, and thank you to the Globe and Mail for giving us a real in-depth portrait of the people who suffered this tragedy. You made this family real to us, instead of just faceless victims of violence, and that is important. Why is life so cheap to so many?

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