Is it worth it? I do not know! The final votes are not out yet. As I write this, the show is still going on. In fact, it has just begun. Wait, it has begun quite a while ago but it is reaching its climax in a few days.
It appeared small at the beginning, just eight participants but whoever was writing the scripts did not think it was interesting enough. So, more were invited. But the original eight seemed focused on their plot, so another plot had to be created, this time with twenty characters, Are the original eight included in the second plot? I am not very sure. In fact, I am a bit confused. Is the first plot, not connected with the second?
And then the setting of the show started to emerge. What appeared to be a one act presentation emerged to be at least two or are there three?
The setting (or settings) appeared to be very problematic. In fact they seemed to have called more attention than the plot. And whoever is controlling the budget for this show has decided to splurge. The company members have not been informed about the plans and have started a ruckus about costs. But the planners have stood firm. The expenses are worth the results expected. This is a grand show for the whole world to view. It deserves the pillars that were built to protect the participants in this extravaganza.
But the members of the company who are stockholders but not included in the planning did not expect barricades wherein they themselves would not be allowed to cross or peep in. They think this is gross. Even their human rights and freedoms have been violated, and important secrets were guarded until the final execution of the plans was completed. It seemed too late to appeal for the violation of their rights as members of the company.
Before the setting was actually completed, the members found that it included a lake. Yes, a fake lake built within walking distance to a real vast lake. This was a grand place to lounge in complete with deck chairs and drinks surrounded by piles of canoes. (Can you use those canoes in that lake?)
And how much did this lake cost? A cool 1.9 million bucks! Well, the planners reasoned out, “the journalists who would come to promote this event need a place to relax.” And do not worry; this lake will attract people to see our city. It has promotional values after the show. And the preparation for the grandiose event continued. Everyday, the papers, radio and television reported of something coming up downtown and which roads would be closed during this weekend.
By Friday, another secret was out in the open. The police had been given special powers to demand for identifications from people who came close to five meters of the barricades. “Our rights and freedom are being violated!” the protesters cried. “Our city has become a police state.
But many of the people complied with the police. They did not mind the showing of ID’s or the closing of certain areas of the city, as long as these rules would keep the people and property safe.
The important people, the most powerful leaders of the world started arriving. They are called the G20. They proceeded to Huntsville, the first setting of the big show. We have not heard much of what they had done. All we had seen and heard were the photo ops here, photo ops there, a meeting of first ladies in their finery in a hotel, not much really. Is this worth the billion dollars?
And then it was Saturday! Quite a gloomy day with rain and poor visibility. Will the weather ruin the show everybody is waiting for?
The weather seemed to cooperate, the skies cleared at noontime and the parade of protesters, about four thousand of them men and women of all ages with children in strollers peacefully and orderly marched, guided by thousands of police in bikes, on foot and on horses. They carried banners, big and small stating their legitimate messages, They wanted more attention for the poor, the return of the lands of aboriginals, better health care for children and seniors, more food for the hungry in this wasteful society.
It looks like many did not believe in any lost freedom. Hundreds of onlookers were out to see how the billion dollars spent have effectively kept things orderly and peaceful. What a pity that the powerful leaders who should have seen the protesters and their messages were not around to witness this great display of emotions, demands, opinions and suggestions of the common people whose one billion has been spent for this occasion!
A lot of people (including me) stayed at home and watched on television. There was really not much interesting happening. Over and over the thousands of police in combat gear appeared on the screen. Well, the billion dollars were well spent. They moved with precision. They were well trained. But they did not seem to have too much to protect. Were the critics right that this was an over reaction?
It looked like the day would end uneventfully. Everything was happening according to the script. And then, all of a sudden, hell broke lose!
A number of the protesters who claimed they belonged to an organized group called the Black Bloc suddenly emerged from the crowd and started a rampage. They threw bricks, stones, whatever they could find – at shop windows, at cars, at banks and other corporate property. They torched police cars, broke business properties, looted some stores, wrecked whatever they could.
It was frightening, these black clad anarchists whose sudden and unexpected vandalism and destruction seemed to have taken the police forces aback. They attacked suddenly and then disappeared in the crowd, leaving burning cars and wrecked property, broken glasses, windows strewn all over the place. Where were the police and the firemen?
Was it a blessing that the police used considerable restraint? There were no serious injuries. Very few apprehensions were shown on television but the news the next morning report that there were about a hundred taken into custody.
Was this a part of the billion dollar budget? Training our police force in time of mayhem to avoid the destruction worsen by keeping retaliatory action? If it is, this member of the community heartily agrees.
We have one more day of the show. What would the next day bring? We will report it to you in the next issue with the complete assessment of what the people think about their billion dollars spent. Was the show worth the expense?