G8 G20

It's instructive to consider the G 20 and G 8 meetings held recently in Toronto, but also the ones held elsewhere.

Isn't it interesting that there are protests and not throngs of adoring constituents that show up to great the "leaders"? This is largely because there aren't any adoring masses clamouring for a view of these figureheads for all that is bad about capitalism (come to think of it, most every thing is bad about capitalism....). Mostly, they are greeted, from outside their fortresses, by those that have legitimate grievances.

I have also come to realise that the greatest instigation to violent confrontation is the fences, walls, and massive police presence. The Toronto Police Service seems to be up to the, at least North American, standard set by the Chicago Police in 1968 for being goons and bullies. I wonder why police forces attract (or maybe recruit) such a disproportionate number of bullies, goons, and racists.

I challenge the rulers of the world to encounter the people who elect to (or tolerate there being in) office and listen to their grievances without fences or walls between them.

One last thought: Could be that the fences were there to produce a zoo-like effect, and we were meant all along to come and look at -- but not to feed -- the animals.