Posted by Kevin Bates Protesters are more or less promising violence, and the leaders who gather are the masters of economic, miilitary and political violence. Posturing as peace-makers and the voices of a free world, many of them have resorted to violent means of various sorts to obtain their positions of power and to maintain themselves in these positions. This is a pessimistic view of these people, but it contains I believe some sort of truth. It is not the whole truth as there are no doubtr some noble motivations and noble deeds accompanying the power-plays employed by many of these leaders. While ever the bottom line is competition and economic growth, then there will be many people who get burnt and who are inclined to protest loudly. Seeing our lovely city host this event is exciting in one sense, and a sobering reminder in another sense, of the state of the world at the moment. Terror and global destruction of the enivronment are key agenda items. I'm sure much good work will be done at APEC, but wonder at how effective the whole thing will be in bringing any kind of peace or creative environmental response. I hope I am wrong but am not hopeful that I'll be wrong! At least I suppose we have a whole group of diverse leaders talking with each other - and hopefully listening beyond their own interests. The sooner the Great Wall of Sydney comes down and the place is returned to its people the better! Then we can get on with our election!!
on September 4, 2007, 11:32 am
As one wit on the ABC called it , the "rabble-proof fence" is now a feature of our lovely city of Sydney. A symbol of division, and a reminder of the fears that shape our culture so profoundly these days.
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