WTO 5 years later
 

Anyone remember the riots in Seattle. Does anyone remember what it was all about? Has anything changed? Is the world better off with the WTO, IMF, WB agendas or are we worse off. Are we doing anything currently to address the issue? Has protesting forever been changed because of the actions of some anarchists?

I think the public's right to protest and speak their collective mind has been substantially curbed since then and especially since 9/11 using terrorism as an excuse to keep discontent citizens from interacting with policy makers, whether they are private like the WTO or public like at the DNC or GOP NC. Police now baracade the peoples voice far away from where it needs to be heard and prevent marches and effective demonstrations. I think for change to occur these groups need to be taken head on and that if baracades need to be crossed than they should be crossed.

Still the question for you and anything else you have to say on the matter. Does the WTO, IMF, WB, help society or hurt society? They were the enemy back in 1999. Are they now your buddy, your pal your chum? Whats what?

I don't know much about them really. I think a lot of protestors, don't either. I think a lot of people protest because it's fashionable or it's fun or it's something to brag about or it's a chance to get on tv or whatever.

I think the dumbest protestors I ever saw were a couple of people holding "Queers for Palestine" signs.

You, like, need to tell us what those abbreviations stand for. 'Cause I'm thinkin' "What The Oblong!" I'M Fool!" and "Warner Bros." That can't be right.

My favorite sign ever, was at the RNC this year and it said,
"kerry eats babies!"

While this is true to some extent, remember that these protesters at things like the WTO or G8 summits aren't people like your thinking. These protesters travel accross international boundaries to attended, with the single purpose of making holding such a summit difficult because no one will host it, by basically rioting in the streets.

Your freedom to assemble cannot be used to limit my freedom to assemble. Nor does your freedom to assemble allow you to wreck public or private property, or even break local laws. (These statements apply specifically to the US protection of freedoms, but I'd say the idea is generally true.)

Although terrorism is the excuse given, the lack of civility in those who protest is at least part of the cause and more importantly, a part that shouldn't be overlooked.

WTO - World Trade Organization
IMF - International Monetary Fund
WB - World Bank
DNC - Democratic National Convention
GOP NC - Grand Ol' Party National Convetion (Republicans)
G8 - Group of 8. The 8 largest industrial powers. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Thanks. That makes a lot more sense now.