G20 in Toronto

[Ghost Dog]

Sometimes I miss tball. Especially at moments like this, when his take would likely be "they're all a bunch of evil jerktards."

So the G8 leaders are meeting up in swishy cottage country this week, then by Friday the whole G20 gang will be in downtown Toronto. They have fenced off the downtown core. The University of Toronto will be closed, the main strip of musical theatre will be be dark, the train won't stop at the main train station, to name but a few of the inconveniences.

We are spending $1 billion on security. Yes Dr. Evil, ONE BILLION DOLLARS!

So here's my problem: I think the protesters are sort of full of shit. I agree with much of what they are saying (rich countries are mean to poor people, duh) but I don't think they make any friends or change any minds with their actions. They are largely a bunch of scruffy lefties with bad facial hair, living the anarchy dream before they start an organic yogurt factory or whatever.

BUT. Aren't the leaders of the "free world" sworn to protect us all from those who seek to take away our right to say our government leaders are a bunch of weenies? Isn't the right to protest our most fundamental (and perhaps most important) freedom?

SO. Why is it we are spending $1 billion to intimidate, trample on the rights of, beat, gas and sound cannon into submission a bunch of 20 year olds whose worst crime is a seriously simplistic interpretation of Karl Marx?

I KNOW. They throw rocks and shit, and cause trouble. Yes, some of them do. But, the more firepower we assemble to "keep the peace" the more vested interest the authorities have in making sure we "need" to exercise that power. The cops have to find a bogeyman somewhere, and they will, and they will crack their heads to prove to ME that that guy who I normally see kicking a hackey sack in front of my Satrbucks is in fact a dangerous terrorist.

So kids: Who am I supposed to be afraid of?

[Monica]

both

[faemum]

be afraid of Australian comedians who are so subtle about slipping through G20 security .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdnAaQ0n5-8
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/top-cop-livid-over-chaser-apec-stunt/story-e6freuy9-1111114365813

[faemum]

sorry , this one was at APEC

[faemum]

in the lead up to APEC when areas of the city were cordoned off and people were told they could be stopped , questioned and searhed at any time ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U49i99ONhI4&feature=related

[Ghost Dog]

APEC, OPEC, G20, whatever. Same farm, different assholes.

It's going to be a nightmare here.

[Monica]

I don't understand the destruction of property that happens at these protests or any protest for that matter or when a sports team wins a championship.  I don't even look at your message any more when you are being a jerkwad and destroying somebody else's property. 

[Ghost Dog]

I think it is partly an age and anger thing.

Most of the world's violent protestors, most of the world's violent terrorists, and most of the world's soldiers doing somebody else's killing are men under 25.

What are these privileged little white boys so freakin' angry about? Do they REALLY care that much about Palestine, or Israel, or East Timor or baby seals or lipstick testing bunny rabbits to burn and smash stuff about it?

Grow up and grow a pair angry young men.

[nomorewirehangers]

I think it is partly an age and anger thing.

Most of the world's violent protestors, most of the world's violent terrorists, and most of the world's soldiers doing somebody else's killing are men under 25.

What are these privileged little white boys so freakin' angry about? Do they REALLY care that much about Palestine, or Israel, or East Timor or baby seals or lipstick testing bunny rabbits to burn and smash stuff about it?

Grow up and grow a pair angry young men.

ita :-)

[tballscreamer]

Here's my take.

Yup, the G8 is the rich making sure they stay the richest, and throwing around whatever influence they can muster.

The protesters are largely comprised of poorly informed "economics" students, power hungry manipulators with political ambition, confrontation happy folks who like to "fuck shit up", lefties, righties, bible thumpers, loudmouths, and guys who scheme to get laid by appearing "edgy". 

Add to that mix about 20-50 actual dangerous people who really want to kill a politician and you haz a trade summit.

What some call mischievious fun is irresponsible behavior that gets people killed and I'm not a fan.  Definitely fuck the power hoarders.  But also fuck the pricks who throw bricks at fire trucks and firebomb ambulances.  First responders are not the enemy.

When the G20 rolls through here, i'll be the guy under the bridge on I-96 clotheslining "social activists" off of their fixed gear bikes.

[Ghost Dog]

The protesters are largely comprised of...guys who scheme to get laid by appearing "edgy". 

This city is full of them. I hope the detention centre was a good place to pick up chicks.

My reasoned guess is that the "Photo-op Vandals," er so called Black Block are more likely political science students who are uniformly white, male, under 25, of middle or upper middle class stock and have taken it upon themselves to speak for the oppressed and execute the class war.

We need them like Africa needs Bono.

The real voices of dissent, who have a right to be heard, and real points to make were silenced. Again. Thanks assholes.