It seems to me that just about every time the world leaders get together to meet, whether it be for the G8, the EU or the IMF, a tradition of mass demonstration has arisen.

Unfortunately, these demonstrations have been totally side tracked by their own radical elements who seem to think that a street battle is going to make any difference (they should take a close look at Germany's foreign minister) and this, almost every time, completely steals the media's attention away from the actual majority of the demonstrators.

The question I would pose is; Is a valid perspective being missed here? Do those peaceful demonstrators have a valid point?

And if they do, then what does it mean that they are always ignored and dismissed?


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Peaceful protest has a valid place in aiding government to set policy.

However, the protesters that follow the G8, IMF, etc. like it was some kind of Grateful Dead concert do themselves no favors! They make themselves look like idiots, liars and nut jobs. They, in turn, make the peaceful protesters efforts worse than useless.

i as a person would like the psycho social profile of alot of protestors, just to look at. but anytime a protest is going, it has to have some point in base. other then just being a collective idiot.

Was was the valid point of the protestors in France that were saying I love the Iraqi people, and Bush is a Nazi? Doesn't seem valid to me, just sounds like a prototypical bleeding heart demonstration.

CP

I don't understand what you mean Pat...

There were protesters with signs that showed peace signs with those phrases on them, my point was they really didn't have much of a point.

CP

I'm with Pat on this. Peaceful demonstrators do have a message, it's those fringe members that carry signs equating Bush with Hitler that get the attention and take away from the real message of the peace activists.

I did want to mention something...I noticed that Bush and Chirac sat down today and had a little chat with the press indicating they could still talk about issues yadda yadda. What I found interesting was the interpreter.

Why does Chirac need an interpreter whispering in his ear when he speaks fluent English? Do you think there could have been a hidden message there?

beladonna

I would not be surprised.

When a Roman general returned to Rome after a glorious victory, he would be allowed a 'triumph'. A victory parade.

As he drove his chariot through the streets, a slave would stand behind him holding a laurel over his head and whispering in his ear; "Remeber but thou art only mortal".

Just in case he got any idea's above his station.

Perhaps Chirac requires an underling to whisper in his ear; "Remember, this man is more powerfull than you are"

Just in case he got any idea's above his station.

There is a valid point: peace, however, it is unfortunate that the media chooses to portray the protesters as the crazy fringe element and emphasizes their "shocking" signs and slogans rather than the message behind them.