I’m pretty sure that PM Harper’s pinky finger must be tied down recently.  If not, it’d be springing up Dr. Evil-style as he says “$1 Billion Dollars for security for the G8 and G20″.

A Billion Dollars?  Is he absolutely @#$##$ing loopy?  I realise it’s trendy to bash Harper if one lives in a city, but seriously, this is crazy.  What’s the benefit?  “Showcasing Toronto to the World”?  That doesn’t make a lick of sense.  None.  Nada.  Totally and absolutely none.  If you want to showcase Toronto, let members visit when it’s not LOCKED DOWN LIKE A PRISON YARD DURING RIOTS.  Oh wait, the riots will be outside as the demo area will be around Queen’s Park a good km further north than the tightest security ring.

I used to work right beside the European Parliament. We went for drinks in the square leading up to it (the sunshine reflecting off the mirrored building made for 5C warmer summer  nights).  The Parliament is surrounded by many of the Commissions’ Ministries with literally tonnes of foreign dignitaries every day.  I’ve seen demos there, even the occasional one that turns into riots.  It’s not a big deal.  Tear gas and it’s done.  I highly doubt that anyone is that interesting in blowing up some politicians.  If they are, then why book it downtown?  Why not have it up north as was planned, and do a day-trip for the many G20ers.  I’m sure they’d do it themselves if it wasn’t officially planned.  Throw in some free vouchers to non-expense account-able strip clubs and it’s a sure thing.

The City of Toronto was desperate to have the G20 at the CNE grounds as it’s 5 min from downtown, secure, has tonnes of exhibition place, and has good transit links.  I’m not an apologist for the fools on city council, but this time they had it right.   Take just $100 million to upgrade security in the Toronto Exhibition area and you could reasonably expect to have lower costs, with a long-term benefit for future events.  Oh and it’d not shut down the core of the money generation machine of the country, as well as divert the return of Roy Haliday to Toronto.

Even the most aggressive cheerleaders of the Conservative Party, the National Post, wrote a scathing review of the Harper plan for the G20.  I tend not to vote for the party with the best policies, but rather the party that i think will do the least worst job.  I was on the fence of where I was going to vote federally next time, but my god the NDP and Liberals would have to start firebombing daycares before they could rival this shitshow.

I’m leaving below for a list of other idiocies regarding this — feel free to add to the comments with notes, and I’ll add ‘em here.

Downtown restaurant owners are upset they’ll have to shut down their patios for two weeks before the G20 summit begins on June 26.  Source: CTV.