G20 summit

[Walsingham]

I read this morning that the policing cost of the G20 will be around 8 million. Am I the only person who has considered the useless fethers doing a cyber-conference instead? Or is there too much danger of the pics leaking?

[Darth InSidious]

Personally I'm more worried about the environmental effect of all the hot air that this, like all global white elephants, will inevitably generate.

Edited April 1, 2009 by Darth InSidious

[Guard Dog]

I used to think the folks who were protesting at these meetings against some phantom "one world government" were a little nutty. They are starting to make a little more sense after the events of the last six months.

[Walsingham]

Surely the colossal **** up of the last six months just proves no-one is at the tiller?

 

I lost all possible respect for these fools when Russell Brand showed up at the protest at the bank of England.

[Meshugger]

While i do not agree with the protesters, i do think it is healthy for the politicians and other higher-ups in the financial sector to get a dose of the everymans rage now and then. Often in forms of rotten eggs, tomatoes, manure and good 'ole "****"-yous. I think that it keeps them, the political elite, a bit more levelheaded.

[Purkake]

I used to think the folks who were protesting at these meetings against some phantom "one world government" were a little nutty. They are starting to make a little more sense after the events of the last six months.

 

 

It's like protesting against an earthquake or rain. Some people just want to protest.

[Enoch]

Yeah, I was living in downtown DC during the IMF meeting protests in April of 2000. I took a stroll around the barricades for fun. It was a seductive social environment-- a street-fair setting fueled by righteous anger. I can see how a certain type of person could be caught up in it. Also, a good place to pick up hippie chicks, if you're into that sort of thing.

 

The most entertaining part to me, though, was the frathouse on the GWU campus (which is right near the IMF building and along the area the police cordoned off) that was charging a hefty fee for all the anti-capitalist protesters who wanted to use its bathroom. I never had so much respect for frat boys as I did that day.

[Guard Dog]

Yeah, I was living in downtown DC during the IMF meeting protests in April of 2000. I took a stroll around the barricades for fun. It was a seductive social environment-- a street-fair setting fueled by righteous anger. I can see how a certain type of person could be caught up in it. Also, a good place to pick up hippie chicks, if you're into that sort of thing.

 

The most entertaining part to me, though, was the frathouse on the GWU campus (which is right near the IMF building and along the area the police cordoned off) that was charging a hefty fee for all the anti-capitalist protesters who wanted to use its bathroom. I never had so much respect for frat boys as I did that day.

 

I nominate this post of the Post of the Day Award!

[SteveThaiBinh]

I read this morning that the policing cost of the G20 will be around 8 million. Am I the only person who has considered the useless fethers doing a cyber-conference instead?

I agree. All over the globe there are World Bank offices with state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities, many of which are rarely used. Putting the whole thing online would actually make it more participatory, and easier for ordinary people to put questions directly to their leaders.

[Purkake]

I read this morning that the policing cost of the G20 will be around 8 million. Am I the only person who has considered the useless fethers doing a cyber-conference instead?

I agree. All over the globe there are World Bank offices with state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities, many of which are rarely used. Putting the whole thing online would actually make it more participatory, and easier for ordinary people to put questions directly to their leaders.

 

There are some things that are better when done in person, especially diplomatic stuff. You don't sign peace treaties over the phone.

 

What's with all the protests against the G20 stuff anyway? Are these the anti-globalists or are they just pissed that they lost their job/home/money? They should probably hold the conferences in safer and less crowded places.

 

Also 8 million is pocket change compared to the bailouts and whatnot, if you want to save money stop wasting so much on the military.

[SteveThaiBinh]

What's with all the protests against the G20 stuff anyway? Are these the anti-globalists or are they just pissed that they lost their job/home/money? They should probably hold the conferences in safer and less crowded places.

It's a mix of different groups with different agendas. Sadly, the violent ones get most news coverage - they seem to be almost professional protestors by now, moving from venue to venue following the politicians. I don't know about this time, but there have always been lots of environmental groups, pro-development organisations and churches involved in previous protests.

[Purkake]

What's with all the protests against the G20 stuff anyway? Are these the anti-globalists or are they just pissed that they lost their job/home/money? They should probably hold the conferences in safer and less crowded places.

It's a mix of different groups with different agendas. Sadly, the violent ones get most news coverage - they seem to be almost professional protestors by now, moving from venue to venue following the politicians. I don't know about this time, but there have always been lots of environmental groups, pro-development organisations and churches involved in previous protests.

 

Just goes to show that people like to break things and pick fights. If they really wanted to change things they would vote or run for office themselves.

[Walsingham]

My favourite intel tidbit is that the 'anarchists' are highly organised. They have coordinated disguises. They stockpile weapons and armour. They timetable targets. It's not quite as profound irony as pro-lifers killing people. But it's getting there.

 

I agree that it is crap that violent people get the coverage. But I am ar more pleased by the notion that some of these woolly-headed cretins will see at least some real blood and anger. On both sides.

[taks]

I read this morning that the policing cost of the G20 will be around 8 million. Am I the only person who has considered the useless fethers doing a cyber-conference instead? Or is there too much danger of the pics leaking?

no grandstanding. therefore not worth the effort.

 

taks

[Purkake]

My favourite intel tidbit is that the 'anarchists' are highly organised. They have coordinated disguises. They stockpile weapons and armour. They timetable targets. It's not quite as profound irony as pro-lifers killing people. But it's getting there.

 

I agree that it is crap that violent people get the coverage. But I am ar more pleased by the notion that some of these woolly-headed cretins will see at least some real blood and anger. On both sides.

 

They should organize wrestling matches or something between the groups so that people could release all that pent hate and violence in a fun way. Maybe government funded work where they carry rocks from one side of a field to the other and then back like in France?

 

Apparently bored people are the most dangerous.

[Humodour]

I used to think the folks who were protesting at these meetings against some phantom "one world government" were a little nutty. They are starting to make a little more sense after the events of the last six months.

 

Oh no, socialism is coming! To arms, to arms!

[taks]

your village is calling, krezack.

 

taks

[Tigranes]

they seem to be almost professional protestors by now, moving from venue to venue following the politicians

 

There are, in fact, professional protesters who will help with organisation, moving bodies and getting media coverage for your event.

[Humodour]

your village is calling, krezack.

 

taks

 

Thanks. It was nothing major. They just wanted to let me know that the shipment of tinfoil hats I ordered for you guys has finally arrived.

[Walsingham]

I've been looiking at the pictures and a thought occurred to me. 'Peaceful protest' is the middle class football hooliganism. An excuse to get violent and confrontational, look tough, and maybe shoe a copper. I don't believe these so-called 'anarchists' are any better than that.