Nobody was "destroying" Toronto. The response was way out of proportion to the threat - and what little threat there was, from the 'black block' - was utterly ignored.
Plus, they spent about $1.2 billion producing this show. Ridiculous.
Not sure what you've been watching. Several police cars destroyed, stores damaged. What would you have preferred the response to be? How would you run it, if you were in charge? Or do you prefer just to be critical?
The police cars were parked in the middle of intersections and left unattended, obvious decoys designed to lure just this sort of destruction.
Two of the cars (on Bay Street) were torched by the 'black block' people, which as I mentioned were not hindered at all in their activities. The bulk of the damage to stores (mostly windows) was also the result of black block people being allowed to roam unhindered.
Meanwhile, the Police were moving on the picnickers and dog-walkers far away at Queens Park, arresting people who were not doing any damage at all, and were no threat to do so (including, for example, two National Post photographers).
The third police car was destroyed on Queen Street, near the CITY-TV building. It was torched by people who had nothing to do with the protests - it was just the usual Saturday night crown on Queen Street attacking an empty and unattended police car.
And again - the main demonstration went off without a hitch, with the police very clear in their statement that the organizers (eg. public service unions) were very cooperative, had marshalls, etc.
With half a brain, the police could have cordoned off the black block people, who actually spit from the main protest, and limited the damage to zero, all the while allowing the main protest to proceed unhindered. It did not. It was far more interested in a show of force than in preventing any damange. Because, after all, the damage is the 'justification' for such a massive response and huge expense.
p.s. Fans in Montreal did more damage after their playoff win - yet we see no corresponding crack-down or billion dollar expense.
>The third police car was destroyed on Queen Street, near the CITY-TV building. It was torched by people who had nothing to do with the protests - it was just the usual Saturday night crown on Queen Street attacking an empty and unattended police car.
Sure Stephen, this is an every Saturday night occurrence in T.O.
>With half a brain, the police could have cordoned off the black block people, who actually spit from the main protest, and limited the damage to zero, all the while allowing the main protest to proceed unhindered.
I love armchair quarterbacks! I wonder that you would consider helping as a strategist at these events?
>It did not. It was far more interested in a show of force than in preventing any damange. Because, after all, the damage is the 'justification' for such a massive response and huge expense.
Clearly, you believe in conspiracy theories.
Do you think maybe the large police presence was a deterrent at all? Are you suggesting Toronto Police left their cars there to encourage their destruction? Are you kidding?
And right, of the 500 or so people that have been arrested, all are dog-walkers, picnickers and media. Sure.
>p.s. Fans in Montreal did more damage after their playoff win - yet we see no corresponding crack-down or billion dollar expense.
Comparing apples to oranges. No G20 leaders in Montreal at the time of that game to protect, only Ovechkin and his teammates, perhaps, so I am speculating that security is a little tighter at the G20.
What crackdown are you referring to? The arrests of Black Bloc members? I thought you were recommending the police do just that?
And a sickening price tag to all of this ...
ReplyDeleteWhat alternative? Let them destroy Toronto?
ReplyDeleteNobody was "destroying" Toronto. The response was way out of proportion to the threat - and what little threat there was, from the 'black block' - was utterly ignored.
ReplyDeletePlus, they spent about $1.2 billion producing this show. Ridiculous.
Not sure what you've been watching. Several police cars destroyed, stores damaged. What would you have preferred the response to be? How would you run it, if you were in charge? Or do you prefer just to be critical?
ReplyDeleteThe police cars were parked in the middle of intersections and left unattended, obvious decoys designed to lure just this sort of destruction.
ReplyDeleteTwo of the cars (on Bay Street) were torched by the 'black block' people, which as I mentioned were not hindered at all in their activities. The bulk of the damage to stores (mostly windows) was also the result of black block people being allowed to roam unhindered.
Meanwhile, the Police were moving on the picnickers and dog-walkers far away at Queens Park, arresting people who were not doing any damage at all, and were no threat to do so (including, for example, two National Post photographers).
The third police car was destroyed on Queen Street, near the CITY-TV building. It was torched by people who had nothing to do with the protests - it was just the usual Saturday night crown on Queen Street attacking an empty and unattended police car.
And again - the main demonstration went off without a hitch, with the police very clear in their statement that the organizers (eg. public service unions) were very cooperative, had marshalls, etc.
With half a brain, the police could have cordoned off the black block people, who actually spit from the main protest, and limited the damage to zero, all the while allowing the main protest to proceed unhindered. It did not. It was far more interested in a show of force than in preventing any damange. Because, after all, the damage is the 'justification' for such a massive response and huge expense.
p.s. Fans in Montreal did more damage after their playoff win - yet we see no corresponding crack-down or billion dollar expense.
>The third police car was destroyed on Queen Street, near the CITY-TV building. It was torched by people who had nothing to do with the protests - it was just the usual Saturday night crown on Queen Street attacking an empty and unattended police car.
ReplyDeleteSure Stephen, this is an every Saturday night occurrence in T.O.
>With half a brain, the police could have cordoned off the black block people, who actually spit from the main protest, and limited the damage to zero, all the while allowing the main protest to proceed unhindered.
I love armchair quarterbacks! I wonder that you would consider helping as a strategist at these events?
>It did not. It was far more interested in a show of force than in preventing any damange. Because, after all, the damage is the 'justification' for such a massive response and huge expense.
Clearly, you believe in conspiracy theories.
Do you think maybe the large police presence was a deterrent at all? Are you suggesting Toronto Police left their cars there to encourage their destruction? Are you kidding?
And right, of the 500 or so people that have been arrested, all are dog-walkers, picnickers and media. Sure.
>p.s. Fans in Montreal did more damage after their playoff win - yet we see no corresponding crack-down or billion dollar expense.
ReplyDeleteComparing apples to oranges. No G20 leaders in Montreal at the time of that game to protect, only Ovechkin and his teammates, perhaps, so I am speculating that security is a little tighter at the G20.
What crackdown are you referring to? The arrests of Black Bloc members? I thought you were recommending the police do just that?
I'm not going to waste my time arguing with an anonymous troll. I watched the protest. Apparently you didn't. End of story.
ReplyDeleteTroll? Is this your term for those that disagree with your statements? Ad hominem away if you like, it's your blog after all.
ReplyDeleteKarl J.
Seems that this officer did not intend to have his cruiser destroyed:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/829587--the-fire-the-accused-and-the-cop?bn=1
Yeah, I never thought the car on Queen was intentional. It's at the side of the road and was obviously in use.
ReplyDeleteThe two on Bay Street, parked right in the middle of intersections and abandoned, are another story.