The majority of Canadians who even bothered to watch the news over the weekend had to have been disgusted by the senseless chaos surrounding the G8 and G20 summits in Toronto.
While a number of protesters were assembled to conduct peaceful demonstrations, a group of so-called protesters were determined to use the opportunity to launch acts of senseless violence and vandalism. Anyone with any common sense could quickly see those who created the chaos were not really protesters at all.
Clad in black from head to toe, they were obviously up to no good from the beginning.
How does setting police cars on fire, attacking store fronts and creating havoc on the streets of Toronto accomplish anything? The summits were unaffected by the problems outside the gated streets and fenced-off buildings. What went on behind closed doors among world leaders had nothing to do with what was going on outside.
The so-called protesters were playing to the media. It was calculated, it was senseless and it was ridiculous. Those who paid the price were merchants in the path of the destruction and police who were forced to deal with the idiots.
It is not like no one saw this coming. Whoever hatched the idea of holding the summits in Toronto should be held accountable for what went on over the weekend. Anytime a group of world leaders get together, the location should be selected for the ability of security forces to isolate the gathering and keep those who would cause a scene for the benefit of media, away from anything they might decide to destroy just because they can.
In this era of seemingly weekly technological advancements, why is it that world leaders cannot teleconference and tackle the world’s problems. Let’s be honest — how much is really accomplished by bringing everyone together in the same room?
Enough goes on behind the scenes before and after the summit that it seems a bit ridiculous to go to all the trouble and outrageous expense to bring everyone under the same roof.
If a teenager can carry on several simultaneously conversations through text messaging, then the world leaders should be able to figure out a way to hold a summit without having to be in the same place at the same time.
The chaos and cost have gotten way out of hand, and anyone that thinks either are worth it when you consider what is actually accomplished at the summits, then think again. The millions upon millions of dollars that are spent to bring the world leaders together is not only wasteful, but hurtful, considering the economic crisis many nations are facing and the struggles average citizens are facing. It would be money better spent somewhere else.