The Summit

such a curious phenomenon ..apart from the fact they were all trying to outdo each other with overstated composure ..speaking with the kind of gravitas peculiar to ocaissions of great moment ..even if it was before history had the time to bestow it   ..no ..it was not even their competitive altruism ..outshining each other to be first off the block to up the ante with this or that aid or stimulus package or condemn this or that rogue nation ..it was all about the photo opportunity ..certainly there were numerous enough of them ..as they went strolling about the lawns or chatting at a state dinner  ..having one on ones with each other ..displaying the obvious warmth they shared   ..until the cameras were spotted ..even if discreetly situated to catch that candid moment of mutual rapport ..out came the index fingers ..to give the impression that one is holding forth ..the other is listening dutifully ..they seem to be no different from any of us ..and there you have it ..a simple explanation for all those photographs that captured all those statesmen in the frame with their business fingers in plain view