Toronto on fire

So, we had the G20 Summit in downtown Toronto. Our Prime Minister Harper said it will "...put Canada and Toronto on the map..." He didn't say the map of WHAT? Did he mean tourism? But, how? The most recognizable touristic icon of the town, the CN Tower, was deep within the fenced-off "security zone" and was closed for visits. Actually, the first ladies had a lunch-gathering there, but no tourists were allowed near. So how is Toronto supposed to benefit from the summit?

So far during all G-something summits, there were violent protest, trashing and burning. On Saturday, that happened here too. The masked rioters smashed store-windows, burned police cars and sprayed graffiti on the walls. The cops were just watching. Then they moved on the protesters and, missing the real culprits, made over 600 arrests by Sunday night.

Oh, now I get it - our PM Harper must have thought this is going to put us on the map as a new-born police state! Move over Burma, here's Canada competing for the title of the most-oppresive.

I must say though, that I don't understand the protesters either. Once they saw that the protests have turned into riots, and the police had no intention of standing and watching any longer, why didn't they disperse? Why did they keep gathering in large groups and shouting slogans against the police?

I understand civil rights and democracy. I also understand vandalism and, most of all common sense. My fellow Canadians confused their protests with the fight for the freedom of expression. I don't believe the constitution has been suspended. Since the police obviously lost its good humour after the trashing and burning in the downtown, that's when a sensible person puts the freedom of expression behind the common sense and personal safety, and moves away. Otherwise, who can blame the cops for painting all the protesters with the same brush?

On a personal note - I'm appalled that we spent $1 billion for security and the vandals still managed to do significant damage. Instead of preventing it, the police bullied everyone else into submission. I'm glad we wisely stayed in our little sleepy paradise north of Toronto.