Why the World Laughs at America

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

Well, here's Exhibit A at any rate. Brief synopsis: Michigan cop takes a trip to Alberta with his wife and doesn't bring his handgun because he had been told he wouldn't need it. While visiting Nose Hill Park, the couple was approached by two men who asked them if they had been to the Stampede. The cop ignored them and, when they repeated their question, he and his wife walked off angrily. The matter didn't end there, however. The cop proceeded to write an angry letter to the Calgary Herald in which he described feeling threatened by the two men and lamented not having his gun at the time in case they were about to attack. See #nosehillgentlemen for details and/or general mockery.

[JohnE]

So asking a tourist if they've been to the local attraction is threatening? Good to know, I guess.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

My favourite part is that all of this happened in my city.

There's nothing even remotely odd about a Calgarian asking a stranger if they've been to the Stampede -- even weeks after it's ended. People here are often very friendly and open with strangers. I've had several random people at the bus stop, etc. ask me if I attended the Stampede this summer. Granted, I wasn't present during the incident, so it's possible that they were behaving creepily or trying to pick a fight, but I have a really hard time believing that the situation presented any significant danger to this guy and his wife, much less that it would require a weapon. It's Nose Hill in broad daylight, for Christ's sake, not 4plex row in Forest Lawn or the 7th/8th Macs at 3am.

Edit (from his letter):

I quickly moved between these two and my wife, replying, "Gentle-men, I have no need to talk with you, goodbye." They looked bewildered, and we then walked past them.

They looked bewildered because you were acting like a douche.

Anyone interested in seeing some of the responses people sent in from my local paper? They're delightfully snarky.

[MadCatTLX]

People like this are why the sane, responsible gun enthusiasts can't have nice things! (like a mini-gun)

I take it he felt threatened because he assumed the two guys were gay, and not two friends hanging out in a park like most people would think first until told otherwise. Because two guys never hang out in the park if they're straight platonic friends. I can get being slightly uncomfortable if a random stranger talks to you maybe, but not threatened.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

This is great.

Edit: Also, from here: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/08/09/walt-wawra/

And now it’s emerging that the “very aggressive” strangers he encountered may have just been representatives from an oil company giving out free passes to the Stampede.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

Anyone interested in seeing some of the responses people sent in from my local paper? They're delightfully snarky.

Yes pleez.

Also, a rogue butterfly flew in front of my head today. Wish I had my gun.

[armandtanzarian]

May I ask, what is The Stampede?

[TheUnknown]

Well, here's Exhibit A at any rate. Brief synopsis: Michigan cop takes a trip to Alberta with his wife and doesn't bring his handgun because he had been told he wouldn't need it. While visiting Nose Hill Park, the couple was approached by two men who asked them if they had been to the Stampede. The cop ignored them and, when they repeated their question, he and his wife walked off angrily. The matter didn't end there, however. The cop proceeded to write an angry letter to the Calgary Herald in which he described feeling threatened by the two men and lamented not having his gun at the time in case they were about to attack. See #nosehillgentlemen for details and/or general mockery.

Not only does it give bad impressions about US citizens, it also gives bad implications about US society from a foreign perspective.  After all, what kind of run down society does one come from where they feel completely unsafe if they don't carry a loaded gun with them, and live in constant paranoia to the point where you have to assume that two strangers asking about an event are only out to mug/rape/kill you?

[DasFuchs]

In Michigan's defense, the guy is from Kalamazoo, they are kinda known as the frothing psychos in that corner of the state.

[Cerim Treascair]

In Michigan's defense, the guy is from Kalamazoo, they are kinda known as the frothing psychos in that corner of the state.

I lived in Chelsea, 15 minutes from Ann Arbor, for 8 months.  I knew how bad K-zoo was inside of two weeks after I moved.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

May I ask, what is The Stampede?

Yearly festival based around Calgary's western roots. There's a parade downtown; fairgrounds with rides, midway games, a casino, live bands, cultural exhibits, chuck-wagon races, bull-riding, etc.; fireworks; various western-themed events around town; free breakfasts around the city; etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Stampede

It's a huge draw of tourism revenue for the city.

[Cerim Treascair]

May I ask, what is The Stampede?

Yearly festival based around Calgary's western roots. There's a parade downtown; fairgrounds with rides, midway games, a casino, live bands, cultural exhibits, chuck-wagon races, bull-riding, etc.; fireworks; various western-themed events around town; free breakfasts around the city; etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary_Stampede

It's a huge draw of tourism revenue for the city.

That sounds like a complete BLAST! I know where I'm going when I visit Canada!

[Kit Walker]

In Michigan's defense, the guy is from Kalamazoo, they are kinda known as the frothing psychos in that corner of the state.

SHUSH! They already know about Amway, Detroit, and Flint. We don't need to let them in on Kazoo too.

Seriously though, beautiful state here. But man are some of the residents less than cool. First time someone managed to be a national embarrassment while not in elected office though, I think.