G20

(photo sources: cbc.ca, ctv.ca)

I was up all last night, eyes glued to the television watching the chaos unfold in a city that I normally live 45 minutes away from. Police cars set on fire, shops and media headquarters vandalized, arrests...it wasn't the Toronto that we are used to seeing

Yesterday and today Toronto will be hosting the G20 Summit, a meeting for world leaders to get together and talk about the pressing issues of today. Some say it is an important venue for leaders to come together and talk. Others argue against it and say that it is an undemocratic meeting, that it excludes other countries from the discussion table, only allowing the wealthy countries to come together. And some argue that all that comes from these summits are empty promises, a huge bill to foot (they have spent at least 1 billion dollars in security alone), a lot of talk and not enough action.

And while I see merit in the criticism of the G20 I don't see how violence and criminal action can be justified. Really when it comes down to it, why on earth would anyone want to listen to an angry violent criminal? And who are these anarchists trying to punishing when they set fires to shops and police cars....the people they are punishing are the public, the shop owners, the tax payers. Keep it peaceful people!

Call me crazy, but doesn't it make more sense to be productive in your criticism of the injustices in our society?

This is what I would say to those angry anarchists who seem to have so much energy to spare. So you hate the fact that there are many homeless people in your city and that they are left marginalized with no rights? Then why not go down to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter and volunteer your time to make a difference? Why not help out through service?

What also angers me is the fact that the police are dragged into this whole mess in the first place. I heard it over and over again. Do you think they used enough force with the protesters? Why did it get so out of hand? Did they use too much force? It's the classic case.They can never do right.

My husband was out at 7 am yesterday and ever returned to his hotel last night. He worked into the night doing one thing, restoring order from the chaos that was caused by those senseless supposed anarchist protesters. He, just like the other men and women out there is a parent, a spouse and a very caring person who just as much as the next person wants to live peacefully. Sadly however, he and the other thousands of police officers who worked around the clock yesterday will be criticized for what they did or didn't do. No thanks or gratitude will be shown towards them, instead they will be asked how could this have been played out differently. But tell me, what would happen if there were no police? I sincerely hope that those who are so against the police never have to call on them for help.

A messy state. I hope that it turns around for today but something tells me that it won't.

xox