Comments on: Why Are These Folks Protesting The G20 Summit?

By: Mitch

Mitch — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:22:14 +0000

Thanks Tim; trying to make points, you know.

By: Tim Manni

Tim Manni — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:10:26 +0000

Great points Mitch regarding Dr. King and Gandhi.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:56:13 +0000

Well BP, this concept of subsidizing these types of products is an interesting one, something I’ve never quite been able to reconcile in my own mind. Our government pays farmers to destroy crops, rather than send them to countries to feed the hungry, in order to alter prices in some fashion. I’m thinking that’s not such a good thing, but I really haven’t ever explored all the ramifications of it to know for sure. But my mind thinks that some products don’t need to be exported or imported to places that are already growing it, unless one was superior to the other. But, as I said, I don’t really know enough about it to offer a valid opinion.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:52:17 +0000

Exactly, Tim. I mean, I remember when they were in Seattle and all the mess they caused. How does that kind of action make people respect your position about anything? That’s why I hate most PETA people; if one ever tried throwing anything on me it would be the last thing they ever did, and I wouldn’t only take out the one person. That’s not what either Gandhi or Dr. King taught, and look what they achieved.

By: BP

BP — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:36:34 +0000

Can the USA stop wasting money by subsidizing things we don’t need to grow domestically, e.g. cotton and sugar among others? This floods the market lowers prices and impoverishes 3rd world farmers. Capitalism is awesome, horribly flawed capitalism maintained by the ignorant is deadly. Can we please get some more skeptics out there?

By: Tim Manni

Tim Manni — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:40:09 +0000

I’ve read that many of the protesters defined themselves as anarchists…So I suppose the protesting makes sense (for them at least). Despite its many flaws, capitalism allows us to select our own jobs, make as much money as we want, and buy whatever we want. I don’t know about those protesters, but I like those liberties. But greed, which goes hand in hand with both human nature and capitalism, is the catalyst that spoils the whole system. While I admire those willing to protest against things they fundamentally disagree with, but I agree with Sire — why the destruction, why the violence, and go do something more constructive with your time. But hey, if they’re willing to protest, I’m sure they feel it’s constructive enough.

Tim

By: Mitch

Mitch — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 13:25:10 +0000

Hi Andrew,

I’m all for free speech and the like, but how is any one voice heard when there are so many there yelling about their own thing? By comparison, when we see Middle Eastern countries protesting, they’re all yelling about the same thing, and it’s a bit more effective,… I guess, since, sometimes, it seems they’ll protest at the drop of a hat over some of the oddest stuff. lol

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:39:50 +0000

Mitch, Back in 2000, when we had large protests in Melbourne due to a World Trade Organization event, I remember wandering down there during my lunch break to see for myself what it was all about. Your observations are right on, there were many different people and groups protesting about lots of different things, and there was a lack of a consistent theme running through the protesters as a whole. That said, we live in a society which values freedom of speech, and people have every right to voice their opinion. I guess many may feel that these types of events represent one of the few forums where they can have their voices heard. Andrews last blog post..Should disgruntled staff kidnap the boss?

By: Mitch

Mitch — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:27:26 +0000

You’re right in saying that I am under that assumption. Still, people can’t have it both ways. One can’t say we want jobs and someone to spread the wealth without having another option, which, right now, is capitalism. However, many of the people protesting aren’t interested in financial issues at all, just a gathering of people to protest whatever they wish to protest. It kind of reminds me of what’s going on here in NY, where people are complaining because money is being taken from here and there, but no one wants to name where else the Governor should be taking money from, just not them. Protest means nothing if there’s no real purpose to it, or the venue isn’t appropriate.

By: Josh

Josh — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:58:45 +0000

Mitch,

Something you’re missing here is that you’re under the assumption that capitalism, wealth and foreign aid are good things.

Some people see foreign aid as imperialism (if I help you out, I own you), they equate capitalism with greed (gimme that apple – and all your oil too!), and wealth with slave-holding (I have the money and therefore the power, go do stuff for me).

A lot of people may not understand how to best express their declaration of injustice, but a lot of people sure do some injustice going on.

Joshs last blog post..Balancing the public knowledge with the actual knowledge

By: Mitch

Mitch — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:15:01 +0000

I’m with you, Sire. I just don’t understand why people protest for no real reason at all. Not that there aren’t times when protest makes sense, but this isn’t one of them, if you ask me.

By: Sire

Sire — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 02:06:43 +0000

Yeah we usually get a lot of protests when it's held here as well, usually by what seems to be a lot of hired protesters that go from one protest to another just for something to do. It seems no matter what you do there are always someone to complain you are not doing enough. I wonder if perhaps these protesters all got together and did something more constructive, other than wasteful protests, that maybe they could actually contribute something other than the violence that sometimes ensues. Sires last blog post..There Is No Way In Hell That A Man Can Please A Woman