This is a movie blog...but every now and then, movies have to take a back seat to real life.
Today, in the shadow of a G20 summit, a few hundred cowardly anarchists decided that they needed to rip the shit out of my city to make a point against capitalism. The area they tore up, took over, broke and burned was where I work, live, and play. It's where my friends and family work, live and play.
Admittedly, at first I was grumpy that I couldn't make a movie I was hoping to see...but as this has gone on, I feel increasingly angry and disgusted.
I don't care what you stand for...if you even stand for something. The minute you start throwing stones at cops and setting cruisers on fire, I've stopped listening to your cause.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thug Life
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17 comments:
Wow, well first and foremost, I hope you, your loved ones, and friends are alright, and didn't suffer any damages, physical or possession wise.
Secondly, I do agree. Some people in this world have all the desire for change, and not 1/10000th the intellect to make it happen. When was the last time a riot caused massive political change? Especially in modern times. All you end up doing is hurting those you think you're fighting for.
It's just stupid.
Jeez, hope nobody died.
I hate people who insist everyone should bend to their way of thinking. Throwing the equivalent of a tantrum isn't helping your cause, man.
That's a routine occurrence in LA when the Los Angeles Lakers win a championship.
Holy crap, this is horrible and very sad. I feel sorry for the people who did this though, vigilantes are so ignorant that the constant words of "fighting for freedom" become misconstrued and in their misguided way they think they're fighting for a better cause when they're really destroying everything around them - themselves included.
@ Univarn... All accounted for and unharmed, thanks. What especially upstes me is the fact that these jokers took the emphasis off some truly valid and important protests.
@ Simon... So far, so good. A few injuries have been reported, but nothing severe. Thanks.
@ MVP... No it's not, not like this.
@ Andrew... Agreed. Here's hoping that one day they can wake up and understand that the message is far more important than the medium.
People are fucking insane. I feel your pain. Especially as an American who wishes my country wasn't full of fuck-tards. I hope everything with you and yours is okay.
i saw this on the coverage here in london. funnily enough - i did think of you (who else do i know in toronto?)
It did crossed my mind that maybe, if you were a part of it, i might have seen you on the news... but alas, i would have no way of knowing what you look like. Mental stuff though - i completely agree with the police point. the police are trying to up stand 'the law'. its hardly their fault for capitalism and corrupt officials - if thats your frustration.
Glad to know you are not directly involved with the rioting anyhoo!
Simon
www.screeninsight.com
In beautiful Toronto of all places! This is very common place in every city where the G-20 or G-8 convenes. I just don't get what those thugs are trying to achieve by burning a few cars or breaking some windows...
What the hell??!!! This is so messed up. I'm glad you posted this and I did some reading about it online after seeing this. I hope that everyone you know and who you are close to are all ok...
Funny how "peaceful" people who want to help change the world for the better are always the first to tear shit up and hurt/kill others.
Glad to hear everyone is safe and sound, Hatter.
When will violence stop being a replacement for discourse?
I'm not the biggest admirer of how the world economy is run these days, but how in heavens name anarchists ever expect to get people are their side is beyond me.
Maybe they don't even want people 'on their side', just for those in power to take a different look at the consequences of their actions. Nonetheless, advocating for a different structuring of the world economy is all fine and dandy, but an honourable stance alone can only forgive so much. It doesn't forgive shit like what they're doing in downtown Toronto now.
"Some people just want to watch the world burn." -Alfred Pennyworth
@ Blake... I'll never understand it, and I do feel very bad for every level-headed protestor who got the message drowned out and/or was arrested in error.
@ Simon... Wow! We made headlines across the pond - awesome!! None of me and mine were involved, and I wasn't even dumb enough to get down there with my camera.
@ Castor... I don't even think *they* know what they're trying to achieve.
@ Peter... It got pretty bad. A lot of innocent people have been grabbed in the fray and are now in a pretty shitty makeshift holding pen. I feel bad for them, especially since a lot of THOSE people had some valid peaceful messages to convey.
Wrong place, wrong time I suppose.
@ Edgar... Amen.
@ Sean... Yeah, I was thinking that a few times over the course of the day. I assume you & yours managed to stay out of harm's way too?
Nah, I was documenting a wedding on Saturday, and taking care of a sick wife while watching DAZED & CONFUSED on Sunday (sometimes I think I was born in the wrong era...).
So strange to me, as if this kind of rioting has ever changed anything. Mindless.
I saw this on TV, I didn’t realise it was so close to home for you. The idiots who go around smashing things clearly don’t believe in the issues, you have to wonder if they believe in anything, they are not winning any friends and as you say the message of the real protestors is lost in all the bullshit. Strangely I thing Sean really sums it up!
Glad to hear you and yours are okay and that there no serious injuries.
@ Sean... Good. So far everyone I know was able to stay out of harm's way. And now you have me wanting to re-watch DAZED.
@ Aiden... Strangest thing about anarchists organizing a riot like this - coulda swore that organizing runs counter to their ethos.
@ Andy... It wasn't quite in my backyard, but the main corridor they tore up is an avenue I'm on damned near everyday. You said it though - they're putting everything back together now, and not a single message has truly been declared.
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