Northern Light
Superstar
Let me begin my comments by both expressing disgust with those who needlessly destroyed property, intimidated innocent by-standers, looted or otherwise damaged property to no useful purpose, regardless of one's politics.
I would also like to express my sympathy to said victims, and my sympathy to the front-line police, who in all fairness are an in an extraordinarily tough position.
***
Having said that, and without for one minute excusing criminal nonsense or the like........
I have a grave concern that this was entirely predictable; as protests turning violent is not new to these types of meetings, nor has it happened even once before. (rather several times)
Yet it does not happen, when Obama comes to Canada or the U.K or France etc. for a summit; even though the Americans (fairly or unfairly) are often to portrayed as the greatest villains by some groups.
I think this does have something to do with the way in which these events are planned and run; and that doesn't excuse criminal behavior; but rather does mean their may be ways to prevent it, which have not been adopted.
First, while I absolutely understand the need to secure a hotel in which many of the world's power brokers are staying, or a convention facility and a small adjacent area; setting up a gigantic perimeter with several thousand police, with a militaristic fence etc etc........does have the effect of a suggesting world leaders need not hear or heed legitimate protest; and does seem like waving the red flag in front of proverbial bull.
That the bull does violent things after seeing the red flag does make the bull right, or excuse its conduct, but neither does it makes those waving the red flag seem sensible.
It strikes me that what keeps this nonsense from happening at everyday summits is that many people and all media can get in close, ask questions and protest within sight of visiting leaders, normally.
This tends to take all the 'fun' and the steam out of those who want to create a big mess.
As soon as you set up a gigantic fence, its reminiscent of teliling your 14 year old SEX IS BAD, you can't even date. See what happens?
Right, note that U.S. (the most sexually repressed major country) has the highest teen pregnancy rate; while those who are most liberal (Swedes, Dutch) have the lowest.
As soon as your parents say its cool; your not so interested anymore; its still ok, LOL, but your not in the same hurry to rebel.
I would rather they moved these huge summits to tele-conference....
But if they must hold them; they should allow the protesters almost to the door. They should agree to let representatives present or read a petition, and if they get enough signers, maybe even get 5 min. to address the G20.
That would make these protests dissipate quickly, I think, and take the steam out of most (but not all) troublemakers.
Once that's done though, the few who remain as mere thugs will stand out more; and have far less protection from the crowd.
That's just my 2 cents.
I would also like to express my sympathy to said victims, and my sympathy to the front-line police, who in all fairness are an in an extraordinarily tough position.
***
Having said that, and without for one minute excusing criminal nonsense or the like........
I have a grave concern that this was entirely predictable; as protests turning violent is not new to these types of meetings, nor has it happened even once before. (rather several times)
Yet it does not happen, when Obama comes to Canada or the U.K or France etc. for a summit; even though the Americans (fairly or unfairly) are often to portrayed as the greatest villains by some groups.
I think this does have something to do with the way in which these events are planned and run; and that doesn't excuse criminal behavior; but rather does mean their may be ways to prevent it, which have not been adopted.
First, while I absolutely understand the need to secure a hotel in which many of the world's power brokers are staying, or a convention facility and a small adjacent area; setting up a gigantic perimeter with several thousand police, with a militaristic fence etc etc........does have the effect of a suggesting world leaders need not hear or heed legitimate protest; and does seem like waving the red flag in front of proverbial bull.
That the bull does violent things after seeing the red flag does make the bull right, or excuse its conduct, but neither does it makes those waving the red flag seem sensible.
It strikes me that what keeps this nonsense from happening at everyday summits is that many people and all media can get in close, ask questions and protest within sight of visiting leaders, normally.
This tends to take all the 'fun' and the steam out of those who want to create a big mess.
As soon as you set up a gigantic fence, its reminiscent of teliling your 14 year old SEX IS BAD, you can't even date. See what happens?
Right, note that U.S. (the most sexually repressed major country) has the highest teen pregnancy rate; while those who are most liberal (Swedes, Dutch) have the lowest.
As soon as your parents say its cool; your not so interested anymore; its still ok, LOL, but your not in the same hurry to rebel.
I would rather they moved these huge summits to tele-conference....
But if they must hold them; they should allow the protesters almost to the door. They should agree to let representatives present or read a petition, and if they get enough signers, maybe even get 5 min. to address the G20.
That would make these protests dissipate quickly, I think, and take the steam out of most (but not all) troublemakers.
Once that's done though, the few who remain as mere thugs will stand out more; and have far less protection from the crowd.
That's just my 2 cents.
