Lots One Could Chat About

G8/G20 come and gone.. whew...zillions of things one could chat or even rant about.

Watched bits of whole weekend on media.. seems to be several things happened.

A large group of peaceful protesters made their way along a route on Saturday.

A smaller group of protesters went on other routes

A much smaller group of protesters engaged in 'criminal' behaviour by smashing windows and damaged police cars - you know they call themselves anarchists but I know several philosophical anarchists who would never damage others' property. I am not an anarchist myself but form what I do understand the so-called 'anarchists' this past weekend in Toronto were not anarchists at all - they seemed to be bent on grabbing headlines but all they managed to do was destory property and destory those actions of thousands of peope who really feel the G20 leaders just don't get it in terms of social change.

I don't know if the communique after either G8 or G20 meetings will help alleviate poverty anywhere in the world. The commitment to reduce public sector spending and deficits seems to me to be a commitment NOT to take steps to reduce income and opportunity inequality throughout the world.. such a shame.

I am not a police officer and don't really know the 'ins and outs' of police force 'rules of engagement'. From what I understand some actions on Saturday gave the impression the police were 'allowing' criminal activity to occur. Then on Sunday the police applied maximum police enforcement actions on lots of folks many of whom were guilty of nothing but being at the wrong place at the wrong time. So the police department is in a 'no win' position. People will rightfully criticize them for actions both Saturday and Sunday. I was upset about Saturday's violence and quite disturbed by Sunday's sweeping arrests of many innocent folks.

Our Prime Minister got his summit successes. Achieving consensus among such a disparate group countries is a 'feather in his cap'...but I only wish the consensus meant the world will be a better place...sadly I don't think this is really the case.