5 September 2007

Sydney-siders escape to Canberra

| GnT
Join the conversation
23

The big national news this week is APEC, and with Sydney in lockdown, Australian Capital Tourism is hoping people will come here. Even if it is just on their way to the snow or the coast, Canberra could stand to benefit from APEC while Sydney businesses are feeling the pinch.

In some ways I think APEC should be hosted by Canberra, being the national capital, but from a practical point of view I’m glad it’s them dealing with all this BS not us.

Join the conversation

23
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

So that’s the best you can come up with? I’ll let the admins know next week where you can contact me, for my VB.

Let it be offical then that pieeerce has officaly backed out of this one.

She was on a hiding to nothing to start with.

Of course I know you would scoff at VB, with you being a champagne sipping elitist.

So what was it you were arguing again? Something to do with left wingers (as usual). Actually to start with I don’t think you were arguing anything, except that there would be no violence at APEC.

Yes pieerce, you are a tool.

Run along now.

No Ralph, I think I’ll stick to my original terms, as “cars torched” is more quantifiable and VB sits just a smidge about Fosters, Powers and XXXX.

I’m glad to see you that you’ve recognised your OTT hyperbole for what it is though and are now furiously backpedalling away from it. Shame it only takes a quick scroll up for anyone to see that was no “may” anywhere in the prophecy of doom.

I’m happy for everbody (sic) to make up their own minds – given that even though we may disagree on some matters, most people here are able to construct an argument containing more than simple Faux news style naysaying or name-calling.

No pierce, I said violent protests, which may include cars getting torched.

You’re on.

Before you lose, everbody already knows you’re a tool.

Box of VB.

By the by Thumper – Gandhi’s method was civil disobedience – just more of a “beat us over the head with your clubs until you get tired” form.

Ok, so you can’t embed youtube video in comments – try here

If you can’t be bothered, Quebec police had to admit that three officers were exposed dressed as protesters at a quiet protest when they refused to put down rocks in their hands when asked to by protest organisers.

Cars getting torched? You’re on ralph

The wager – loser has to post “I was wrong, I’m a tool” 100 times if this happens.

As for what role police might play in protest violence – I’d like to think it wouldn’t happen here but there are precedents internationally.

Pierce, the problem is that there ARE idiots amongst the protest groups who will resort to violence because they’re stupid a-holes: which of course spoils it for the genuinely peaceful protesters who march for whatever reason. No doubt there will again be 500 different placards on display with everything from anti-war sentiments to global warming to abortion to womyns rights, etc.

I’m wondering if many people turn out on Saturday, because all this talk of potential violence will no doubt deter a lot of people. I don’t believe this is a deliberate Police ploy or anything though.

I call you, pierce.

Violent protests will occur this Saturday, with peoples’ private property destroyed, cars torched etc.

Want to bet otherwise?

And what happens to the issues the protesters are trying to raise?

All their issues are poppycock.

Anticipating, or planning?

Where exactly did all this talk about violent protesters come from anyway?

The best evidence the cops could come up with is that someone maybe published a flyer for the hardcore anarchists (who would potentially make up around .1% of the whole protest) saying that a hanky doused in vinegar counters tear gas and it might be a good idea to wear runners.

They found no secret army of anarcho-ninjas out there, no plans to do anything but march and chant and sell copies of green left weekly as far as I can see.

You’d almost think that the powers that be want a bit of civic strife, the way they’re trying to pump everyone up. (Reminds me a little of the leadup to Cronulla actually)

And what happens to the issues the protesters are trying to raise? Silenced in the fear campaign.

I call shenanigans.

Absent Diane1:24 pm 06 Sep 07

i like violent protests because of my deep passion for chaos/disaster etc – of course viewed from afar. I wanna see some shite go down – it makes for great TV.

But Thumper, the protesters are doing it all for us – because they care!

I must admit, I can’t wait to see the carnage when the water cannon lets rip! 🙂

Quite frankly I am sick to death of hearing how much of an inconvenience APEC is to Sydney! The media (and some Sydneysiders) constantly say that Sydney should be the capital city of Australia anyway, but when an event like this occurs they whinge about all the hassle it creates!

I’d rather have all this security, rather than take the risk of having a foreign leader topped because we all like to think it’s all so safe here. And it’s not all about Bush either – any of those APEC leaders could be a target for some looney.

Plus, some of those violent tossers who are threatening to cause all sorts of chaos at the protest on Saturday are part of the reason for some much security too. I think peaceful protests are a great thing, but I truly hope the Police beat the living crap out of the ones who cause trouble.

Surely the wall they built at huge expense was unneccessary. They don’t do that when the Asian countries host APEC do they?

I think the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

It’s supposed to showcase Sydney on the world stage. But the dignitaries wont get to see the city pulsing with life, tourists at the Opera House, buskers at Circular Quay, masses of boats on the harbour, they won’t even get to see the animals at Taronga Zoo. They’ll go home and say “Sydney is a dead, boring city”.

By the way, do you think if Dubya went for a morning walk with 2 security guards, like JW, that anything would happen? I reckon they (we?) have necessitated all this OTT security due to a culture of fear. Then again, if he went out without his security detail and something did happen, there’d be hell to pay.

“Showcase Sydney on the world stage” I believe was one of the reasons given. Though I think that’s what the Olympics were for.

Deadmandrinking11:57 pm 05 Sep 07

V8, I agree. What’s the point of having them in a major population centre if no-one is going to see them? It’s not like they’re really doing anything anyway – nothing that’s not properly handled through secret telephone calls and behind-closed-door handshakes. Screw them. This is yet another nail being quickly hammered shut on the coffin of the Howard Government.

Hubby is in Sydney working for APEC, and he’s just called me from a pub near the Intercontinental to say that they’ve been locked into the area – there are big gates up and they’ve been locked closed. When he asked security how long they’d be locked they said they couldn’t tell him. I guess I can think of worse places to be locked in, at least he’s got the pub!

VYBerlinaV8 now_with_added grunt8:57 pm 05 Sep 07

Why don’t they just rent out a whole Whitsunday Island or something? Nicer than Sydney, no room for protesters (or even opportunity to get there), armed forces patrols sea and air. Easy! And, it doesn’t disrupt normal life.

Sydney can keep the APEC chaos.

I feel sorry for the small business people that have had their trade completely buggerred for a whole week so that little Johnny can play big grown up world leader with his mate Dubya.

Dickhead.

Telegraph website didn’t have comment enable for this story so I though I post the following remark in responce to a comment by Dubya here.

“”I’m looking forward to you buying me lunch today. I’m a meat guy,”
-George W “dubya” Bush (quote from Telegraph)

Doesn’t he mean “i’m a meathead”

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.