G8

[Wild Bill]

When it comes right down to this the blame for all of this, it goes to Harper for having it in Toronto. He jumped to quick for having it and then he jumped to quick by NOT listening to the Mayor of Toronto for having it downtown, what a stupid moron! The Justice minister said he knew that what happen would probably happen then why didn't HE tell the police because they didn't think it would get this bad on the streets.

Hey, the mayor of Toronto is David Miller! That guy is so far left that if Harper had have held the conference ANYWHERE within 100 miles of Toronto Miller would have said it was a terrible idea!

Really, when someone is just like a jukebox, where you can push a button and know exactly what he's going to say, why bother listening to him?

[Shady]

Wasssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhew! Close one! If the delegates had got even a whiff of marijuana they woud have wanted a billion dollars worth of sandwiches!

Well done billion dollar rent-a-pigs!

Why are they pigs? Most of these so-called pigs are just regular middle class people doing their job.

[nicky10013]

Hey, the mayor of Toronto is David Miller! That guy is so far left that if Harper had have held the conference ANYWHERE within 100 miles of Toronto Miller would have said it was a terrible idea!

Really, when someone is just like a jukebox, where you can push a button and know exactly what he's going to say, why bother listening to him?

This is ridiculous. The city and the mayor recommended having it at the ex.

[g_bambino]

When it comes right down to this the blame for all of this, it goes to Harper for having it in Toronto.

One of the stupidest comments I've heard. Unfortunately, I've heard it more than once.

A meeting of this size has to take place in a location with adequate infrastructure. Not one person who's whinged about Harper choosing Toronto for this summit has said where else it should have gone, besides idiotic suggestions like a military base or a cruise ship; they're just not big enough (the largest passenger ship in the world right now can only hold 5,000 people, and what base in Canada is big enough and has all the necessary facilities?). Or, is this really all just latent NIMBYism?; what the complainers are really saying is: "why didn't Harper choose Calgary or Winnipeg, so those cities could get trashed? I don't care who suffers, so long as it isn't me..."

[nicky10013]

One of the stupidest comments I've heard. Unfortunately, I've heard it more than once.

A meeting of this size has to take place in a location with adequate infrastructure. Not one person who's whinged about Harper choosing Toronto for this summit has said where else it should have gone, besides idiotic suggestions like a military base or a cruise ship; they're just not big enough (the largest passenger ship in the world right now can only hold 5,000 people, and what base in Canada is big enough and has all the necessary facilities?). Or, is this really all just latent NIMBYism?; what the complainers are really saying is: "why didn't Harper choose Calgary or Winnipeg, so those cities could get trashed? I don't care who suffers, so long as it isn't me..."

It's not NIMBYism. As I posted above, there were other locations for the summit that weren't in the heart of the downtown core that could've just as easily worked. Also another complaint was that the government wasn't going to cover damage from protesters. How many storefronts have been smashed which aren't going to be reimbursed?

Furthremore, I don't know of a person who didn't laugh when they said that the summit was good because it put Toronto on the world stage. We all knew what was coming. Protestors clashing with police, tear gas etc. Can someone explain to me how the destruction of storefronts and pictures of burning police cruisers in the streets is good for the local economy?

With more planning and a lot less money, a lot of this could've been avoided or at least minimized. No one really objects to the summit, the summit in Toronto or spending money on the summit. What people have been objecting to is the absolute waste of money for a summit that was horribly planned with next to no time and poorly executed. Everyone saw this coming.

[bjre]

Last night, city TV said they will continue report the protest today. But I did not see any news on the protest on City TV till now. And did not find anything on other channel in air. All are entertainment programs.

Why they make this change suddenly simultaneously?

Is there anyone who control the media behind the scenes?

Edited June 27, 2010 by bjre

[g_bambino]

No one really objects to... the summit in Toronto...

Er...

When it comes right down to this the blame for all of this, it goes to Harper for having it in Toronto.

[T]here were other locations for the summit that weren't in the heart of the downtown core that could've just as easily worked.

You mean at Exhibition Place? That wouldn't have changed anything. The exhibition grounds are barely out of the downtown core and anarchists would still have run through the city smashing what they like to smash best: whatever they interpret as a symbol of capitalism and authority.

[c/e]

Edited June 27, 2010 by g_bambino

[nicky10013]

Er...

You mean at Exhibition Place? That wouldn't have changed anything. The exhibition grounds are barely out of the downtown core and anarchists would still have run through the city smashing what they like to smash best: whatever they interpret as a symbol of capitalism and authority.

[c/e]

If you've been watching the news at all, the anarchists have been pushing towards the fence around the convention centre. If the fence is around the ex, it naturally pulls them out of downtown where there are far less businesses.

[g_bambino]

If you've been watching the news at all, the anarchists have been pushing towards the fence around the convention centre. If the fence is around the ex, it naturally pulls them out of downtown where there are far less businesses.

I don't believe that would be the case at all. They need to smash up businesses in order to lure police away from the fence. That tactic would not have changed had the meeting been held at Exhibition Place. Plus, the only hotels available for the leaders to sleep in are still in the downtown core. You think the anarchists would simply ignore that fact?

[nicky10013]

I don't believe that would be the case at all. They need to smash up businesses in order to lure police away from the fence. That tactic would not have changed had the meeting been held at Exhibition Place. Plus, the only hotels available for the leaders to sleep in are still in the downtown core. You think the anarchists would simply ignore that fact?

I think you're giving them too much credit.

[GostHacked]

Idiots.

This does not help the protesters out or protesting in general. All this means is that you wreck a cruiser, you've just pissed away about 100,000.

Firebombing shit, setting cars on fire, breaking windows of businesses, works against you if you are protesting.

But it could be another Montebello incident where it was found that it was the police department themselves initiating the violence. I would not put it past them.

[Topaz]

Hey, the mayor of Toronto is David Miller! That guy is so far left that if Harper had have held the conference ANYWHERE within 100 miles of Toronto Miller would have said it was a terrible idea!

Really, when someone is just like a jukebox, where you can push a button and know exactly what he's going to say, why bother listening to him?

This doesn't have anything to do with what party you belong to, this is about common sense, and so far from what I heard Canadians say on TV, across this country is that it shouldn't have been in Toronto and its shouldn't been held downtown. Now having said that, the Tories will NEVER admit to they made a mistake because they are always right no matter what.

[Shady]

But it could be another Montebello incident where it was found that it was the police department themselves initiating the violence. I would not put it past them.

That seems to be the meme those on the left seem to be going with. It must be the police that are secretly responsible for initiating violence. Because protestors have never been known to commit violent acts on their own.

[Born Free]

This doesn't have anything to do with what party you belong to, this is about common sense, and so far from what I heard Canadians say on TV, across this country is that it shouldn't have been in Toronto and its shouldn't been held downtown. Now having said that, the Tories will NEVER admit to they made a mistake because they are always right no matter what.

We all know just how far "right" Harper is.

Harper decided on Toronto because he hates Torontonians. Nobody here votes for him. Heaven forbid had he held it in Calgary.

Edited June 27, 2010 by Born Free

[GostHacked]

That seems to be the meme those on the left seem to be going with. It must be the police that are secretly responsible for initiating violence. Because protestors have never been known to commit violent acts on their own.

Hey it's a definite possibility. Because it has happened before.

[Shady]

Hey it's a definite possibility. Because it has happened before.

LOL. You sound like Glenn Beck!

[bjre]

Dozens of University of Toronto male and female students arrested because they possess some black articles

http://i48.tinypic.com/aoo085.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2e5liy1.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/2a9tlxt.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/fc0g14.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/20upcae.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/33vkx93.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/nqz9jl.jpg

University of Toronto residence the target of a police action to round...

http://i45.tinypic.com/3130mfr.jpg

Police fire "muzzle blast" at protestors

[scribblet]

Hey it's a definite possibility. Because it has happened before.

Tin foil hat time

[GostHacked]

LOL. You sound like Glenn Beck!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2010/06/18/g20-activists.html

Pointing to the 2007 Montebello summit of North American leaders, where Quebec police admitted that three of their officers disguised themselves as demonstrators during protests, the People's Summit urged officials to prohibit any attempt to incite violence to justify what they dubbed a "billion-dollar boondoggle."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfzUOx53Rg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfzUOx53Rg

[Moonlight Graham]

Firebombing shit, setting cars on fire, breaking windows of businesses, works against you if you are protesting.

I disagree. Sometimes it can work, and this time i believe its working. What has been plastered all over the news this weekend? I've been explained on the news a few times already what exactly "anarchy" is. Do you think even a fraction of that coverage of the protests would exist if the protests were peaceful and without incident?

Violence gets headlines, unfortunately. How many people knew what "Al-Qaeda" was on Sept. 10, 2001?

However, i do think civil disobedience and non-violent protests can also be very effective.

[bush_cheney2004]

Dozens of University of Toronto male and female students arrested because they possess some black articles

Only males and females...oh no...where were the hermaphrodites! LOL!

What difference does the gender of the protester make? I like the "muzzle blast"...look at those wankers run.

[g_bambino]

I think you're giving them too much credit.

Well, think that if you wish. Their intentions and methods were all planned out, well in advance.

[g_bambino]

What has been plastered all over the news this weekend?

Burning cars and broken windows.

In all that, I've barely caught a glimpse of any legitimate group's banner, placards, or heard their message.

[GostHacked]

I disagree. Sometimes it can work, and this time i believe its working. What has been plastered all over the news this weekend? I've been explained on the news a few times already what exactly "anarchy" is. Do you think even a fraction of that coverage of the protests would exist if the protests were peaceful and without incident?

The thing is, when police cruisers and storefronts get damaged, it's the taxpayer that will pay in the end. I mean essentially we are burning our own money. Now mind you that's a drop in the bucket compared to what the security costs for this summit. So overall it does not amount to much.

And you are right , it gets headlines, but for what? Does it draw attention to the things that people are actually protesting about regarding these summits? Or is it there to simply cause trouble to make headlines. It seems self defeating.

Violence gets headlines, unfortunately. How many people knew what "Al-Qaeda" was on Sept. 10, 2001?

However, i do think civil disobedience and non-violent protests can also be very effective.

I am all for civil disobedience, and non-violent protests, and agreed they are very effective.

[nicky10013]

I am all for civil disobedience, and non-violent protests, and agreed they are very effective.

I disagree. Protesters want to effect change and not just have their voices heard. You want to protest, go straight ahead, but guaranteed people will have next to, or no sympathy for the method. I was in student government and along with the administration we passed a plan for a new student centre. It cost quite a bit of money. We held multiple town hall sessions where we took imput with the administration and the architects to make it as open as possible. There was still people protesting. Though they didn't know who I was or that I was actually a representative that could take ideas to the administration, they still would've rather shove a sign in my face rather than send an email to me to set up a time where we could meet with a few people to address concerns. Why the hell would I want to listen to them?

If you ask me, the whole protesting bit is either naive or meant to fail. No matter what, rather than actually getting involved in the process, they can scream and bitch all they want and in the end be able to claim victim status. Clearly, my experience is far less important than what is currently takign place on the world stage. However, there are multiple places where you can get involved and help to push your issue in a certain direction. Join a party, write (or set up a meeting with) your representative or a letter to the editor. All of these are so much more effective than any protest. Making signs with clever slogans and coming up with chants implies that the people they're trying to influence are stupid and 99% of the time it's quite the opposite.