World Politics

[blutto]

....must read great awesome wonderful amazing article on the machinations behind the IMF role in the Greek Crisis....

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/08/31/whitewashing-the-imfs-destructive-role-in-greece/

....oh, did I mention this is real good....

Cheers

 

[Irondan]

Re:

When the Russians start parading their own crack SEAL team, you know that an the east-west confrontation is in full swing:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7e3_1440888381

Is this a response to the Obama sanctions?

Oleg must be sleeping good tonight knowing his leaders are preparing for the new cold war. lol

 

[wendybnt]

Re: Re:

When the Russians start parading their own crack SEAL team, you know that an the east-west confrontation is in full swing:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7e3_1440888381

Is this a response to the Obama sanctions?

Oleg must be sleeping good tonight knowing his leaders are preparing for the new cold war. lol

Well, it would be a response to EU sanctions rather than US, as that is Russia's primary trading partner. It's really the global crash and more importantly the fall in energy prices that are putting the squeeze on Russia.The US doesn't want a war. It can't afford one, and neither can Russia. Both sides know this

 

[python]

some very serious violence is taking place in kiev at the very moment. the ultra nationalists protesting the parliament vote threw a hand grenade at the police. the guardian seems got the finger on the pulse:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/blast-kiev-parliament-ukraine-mps-back-more-autonomy-for-rebels

according to other sources, over 100 people were wounded, several are dead (no firm numbers). one dead national guardsman was said to die of a bullet. meaning that that earlier NOT reported fire arms were used...the magnitude of the violent demonstrators i gather was relatively small, around 500...

dont know if this is going to grow into a new 'revolution'.

 

[blutto]

Re:

some very serious violence is taking place in kiev at the very moment. the ultra nationalists protesting the parliament vote threw a hand grenade at the police. the guardian seems got the finger on the pulse:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/blast-kiev-parliament-ukraine-mps-back-more-autonomy-for-rebels

according to other sources, over 100 people were wounded, several are dead (no firm numbers). one dead national guardsman was said to die of a bullet. meaning that that earlier NOT reported fire arms were used...the magnitude of the violent demonstrators i gather was relatively small, around 500...

dont know if this is going to grow into a new 'revolution'.

....the glorious revolution in full splendour,what a wonderful thing it is....can hardly wait until the IMF style austerity hammer comes down and the glorious revolution erupts full bore...

Cheers

 

[Amsterhammer]

Re:

....must read great awesome wonderful amazing article on the machinations behind the IMF role in the Greek Crisis....

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/08/31/whitewashing-the-imfs-destructive-role-in-greece/

....oh, did I mention this is real good....

Cheers

Excellent find, Sir Blutto, muchas thanks. Have digested and shared.

 

[blutto]

Re: Re:

....must read great awesome wonderful amazing article on the machinations behind the IMF role in the Greek Crisis....

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/08/31/whitewashing-the-imfs-destructive-role-in-greece/

....oh, did I mention this is real good....

Cheers

Excellent find, Sir Blutto, muchas thanks. Have digested and shared.

...yeah Hudson is pretty good eh ?.....and on the Counterpunch site check out Whitney who is always worth a boo...

Cheers

 

[Irondan]

Re: Re:

When the Russians start parading their own crack SEAL team, you know that an the east-west confrontation is in full swing:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7e3_1440888381

Is this a response to the Obama sanctions?

Oleg must be sleeping good tonight knowing his leaders are preparing for the new cold war. lol

Well, it would be a response to EU sanctions rather than US, as that is Russia's primary trading partner. It's really the global crash and more importantly the fall in energy prices that are putting the squeeze on Russia.The US doesn't want a war. It can't afford one, and neither can Russia. Both sides know this

I disagree. The US can always afford a war.

It's a position that I'm terribly annoyed of as I'm an American.

Don't kid yourself though, the US government loves war. The war machine is great for the economy.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re: Re:

I disagree. The US can always afford a war.

It's a position that I'm terribly annoyed of as I'm an American.

Don't kid yourself though, the US government loves war. The war machine is great for the economy.

Some folks back in the 60's thought it would be good to have wars for economy but these days it does not work as well in my opinion.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re:

*deleted by mod*

You guys (German, France, Holland etc.) Seem to be getting overrun. In this day and age it is not possible to call things like you see them so I guess I will have to stop before I get run?

 

[Pazuzu]

On the US national news they showed Hungary building fences to impede undocumented immigrants. Why bother? The immigrants don't want to stay in Hungary. They're aiming for richer EU countries like Germany and Sweden, which is only logical. If I were Hungary, I'd give them all a map to Germany and guarantee safe passage thereto. Problem solved.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re:

On the US national news they showed Hungary building fences to impede undocumented immigrants. Why bother? The immigrants don't want to stay in Hungary. They're aiming for richer EU countries like Germany and Sweden, which is only logical. If I were Hungary, I'd give them all a map to Germany and guarantee safe passage thereto. Problem solved.

Hell yeah. I saw the same report. And if I was a immigrant on the run as these guys are my line would be for France. Land of the Free home of the brave .....french fries and all. Fug Hungary Im not hanging around brahs Im up out and on my way to the free land.

 

[Amsterhammer]

Re: Re:

*deleted by mod*

You guys (German, France, Holland etc.) Seem to be getting overrun. In this day and age it is not possible to call things like you see them so I guess I will have to stop before I get run?

Insofar as the word "overrun" can be used, it applies only to Germany at this time. Neither France nor Holland are being "overrun". It is a source of great shame and embarrassment to progressive Europeans how the EU has dragged its heels about dealing with the refugee crisis, which is indeed, a crisis. They have scheduled a meeting of ministers to discuss what to do about the crisis - in two weeks, ffs!

All credit to Merkel, and to all the good Germans for taking the lead, and standing up and welcoming these miserable people, almost all of whom are fleeing horrific conditions that none of us here could begin to imagine. The rest of Europe urgently needs to respond to the German generosity, and also accept refugees in proportion to their country's relative size, and financial means. Like many, I lost a lot of respect for Germany over the Greek crisis, but have to admit that the way Germany has stood up for the refugees, so far alone, has won back much admiration. The current state of affairs should be a cause of deep, deep shame to the rest of Europe, excluding the front line countries of Greece and Italy.

As I have pointed out previously as a point of information for non-German readers, the pages linked are far right sites, who use the kind of melodramatic, ultra-nationalist, hyperbole beloved of far right demagogues in the US.

Thankfully, the vast majority of the German people have stood up to be counted, and beaten back - literally, and metaphorically. The very vast majority of Germans appear to be deeply embarrassed by the far right, anti-immigrant, lunatic fringe's worldwide bad press. There were signs saying 'Welcome refugees' at many German football games this last weekend, and people have been turning out in droves to welcome the asylum seekers to reception centers in their towns and villages. Germany, and the vast majority of German people, have to a large degree earned the moral high ground on the current refugee crisis, and have earned much respect from all quarters, except from the ultra-nationalist far right.

 

[Brullnux]

I completely agree with you Amsterhammer. But you forgot to mention one thing, and explain from where migrants are coming. Over 60% come from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq or Sudan (Darfur). These are not economic migrants. These are refugees. There is no discussion about it.

I also believe that where blame can be placed on European countries, they should take more. For example, Iraq and Afghanistan are problems caused by US and UK. The Taliban have most their weapons because the two countries have it to them to fight the Soviets. Iraq, well , was a stupid disaster that amounts to a war crime. One that David Cameron voted for. He is in part responsible in my mind for Iraq. Darfur is also UK/France's fault for their oppressive colonialism and their lacklustre care about borders and tribes. You cannot put two warring tribes in the same country. More blame here goes to UK as they controlled Sudan, and had the power to change the borders if they cared. Syria isn't really anyone's fault, as not much can be done.

Others from Nigeria, Eritrea, Somalia and West Africa are also Europe's fault. Namely Italy for Eritrea especially, and also Somalia. UK for Nigeria and Somalia and parts of west Africa, and France for west Africa. Other countries are also involved. Out of the imperial countries only Italy is doing their share, France are making them stay in Italy and the UK, despite what the Daily Mail's racist, xenophobic 'help me black and Muslim people are coming in SWARMS' propaganda might say, have taken in a criminally low number. The Germans have done well, Sweden like usual have done well and Greece I think has done the best, a country without any money is taking decent care of refugees before they leave, because none of them wish to stay in Greece. They have escaped war and poverty to reach poverty if they stay in Greece.

One more thing: people in Africa and the middle east have never heard of the NHS. In fact, most people in Europe have never heard of it either, or maybe to joke about its beef service, or praise the fact it's free. No one comes here for the NHS. They have better health service in other countries.

 

[Amsterhammer]

The wonderful people of Iceland are putting the rest of Europe - with the notable exception of Germany - to shame. There are around 300k Icelanders, so 11k is an amazing number.

More than 11,000 Icelanders offer to house Syrian refugees to help European crisis

Thousands of Icelanders have called on their government to take in more Syrian refugees – with many offering to accomodate them in their own homes and give them language lessons.

Iceland, which has a population of just over 300,000, has currently capped the number of refugees it accepts at 50.

Author and professor Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir put out a call on Facebook on Sunday asking for Icelanders to speak out if they wanted the government to do more to help those fleeing Syria. More than 12,000 people have responded to her Facebook group “Syria is calling” to sign an open letter to their welfare minister, Eygló Harðar.

Speaking on Iceland’s RÚV television, Bjorgvinsdottir said her country’s attitude was being changed by the tragic news reports. “I think people have had enough of seeing news stories from the Mediterranean and refugee camps of dying people and they want something done now,” she said.

“Refugees are human resources, they have experience and skills,” the Icelandic letter reads.

“Refugees are our future spouses, best friends, or soulmates, the drummer for the band of our children, our next colleague, Miss Iceland in 2022, the carpenter who finally finished the bathroom, the cook in the cafeteria, the fireman, the computer genius, or the television host.”
Syrian refugees: four million people forced to flee as crisis deepens
Read more

Many of those posting on the group have said they would offer up their homes and skills to help refugees integrate. “I have clothing, kitchenware, bed and a room in Hvanneyri [western Iceland], which I am happy to share with Syrians,” one wrote. “I would like to work as a volunteer to help welcome people and assist them with adapting to Icelandic society.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/more-than-11000-icelanders-offer-to-house-syrian-refugees-to-help-european-crisis-10480505.html

 

[patricknd]

Re:

The wonderful people of Iceland are putting the rest of Europe - with the notable exception of Germany - to shame. There are around 300k Icelanders, so 11k is an amazing number.

More than 11,000 Icelanders offer to house Syrian refugees to help European crisis

Thousands of Icelanders have called on their government to take in more Syrian refugees – with many offering to accomodate them in their own homes and give them language lessons.

Iceland, which has a population of just over 300,000, has currently capped the number of refugees it accepts at 50.

Author and professor Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir put out a call on Facebook on Sunday asking for Icelanders to speak out if they wanted the government to do more to help those fleeing Syria. More than 12,000 people have responded to her Facebook group “Syria is calling” to sign an open letter to their welfare minister, Eygló Harðar.

Speaking on Iceland’s RÚV television, Bjorgvinsdottir said her country’s attitude was being changed by the tragic news reports. “I think people have had enough of seeing news stories from the Mediterranean and refugee camps of dying people and they want something done now,” she said.

“Refugees are human resources, they have experience and skills,” the Icelandic letter reads.

“Refugees are our future spouses, best friends, or soulmates, the drummer for the band of our children, our next colleague, Miss Iceland in 2022, the carpenter who finally finished the bathroom, the cook in the cafeteria, the fireman, the computer genius, or the television host.”
Syrian refugees: four million people forced to flee as crisis deepens
Read more

Many of those posting on the group have said they would offer up their homes and skills to help refugees integrate. “I have clothing, kitchenware, bed and a room in Hvanneyri [western Iceland], which I am happy to share with Syrians,” one wrote. “I would like to work as a volunteer to help welcome people and assist them with adapting to Icelandic society.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/more-than-11000-icelanders-offer-to-house-syrian-refugees-to-help-european-crisis-10480505.html

Iceland? haven't they suffered enough?

 

[ScienceIsCool]

Re:

*deleted by mod*

So these refugees aren't fleeing Syria, Lybia and Eritrea for their lives? Not running from a Western-created ISIS with nothing more than what fits in a backpack? Those aren't children that men and women are carrying in their arms, they're weapons of mass-cultural-destruction?

I wonder why they are fleeing to the EU (see: Nobel Prize 2012)? Perhaps, just maybe when countries like France and Britain bomb civilian population centers (a la Syria) they have a responsibility to host the fleeing immigrants. The rest of the EU is perhaps, just maybe obliged to help out their wayward comrades in ameliorating the humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding on their doorstep.

Or... maybe you're right! A half million Syrians woke up last Tuesday and collectively thought: "Let's leave behind everything we own and our native land to go f*ck with German society. It'll be a hoot". The nice thing is that as mercenaries they're all getting paid $___ USD per month to do this. Financed by _____ who had too many billions kicking around anyways.

John Swanson

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

The wonderful people of Iceland are putting the rest of Europe - with the notable exception of Germany - to shame. There are around 300k Icelanders, so 11k is an amazing number.

More than 11,000 Icelanders offer to house Syrian refugees to help European crisis

Thousands of Icelanders have called on their government to take in more Syrian refugees – with many offering to accomodate them in their own homes and give them language lessons.

Iceland, which has a population of just over 300,000, has currently capped the number of refugees it accepts at 50.

Author and professor Bryndis Bjorgvinsdottir put out a call on Facebook on Sunday asking for Icelanders to speak out if they wanted the government to do more to help those fleeing Syria. More than 12,000 people have responded to her Facebook group “Syria is calling” to sign an open letter to their welfare minister, Eygló Harðar.

Speaking on Iceland’s RÚV television, Bjorgvinsdottir said her country’s attitude was being changed by the tragic news reports. “I think people have had enough of seeing news stories from the Mediterranean and refugee camps of dying people and they want something done now,” she said.

“Refugees are human resources, they have experience and skills,” the Icelandic letter reads.

“Refugees are our future spouses, best friends, or soulmates, the drummer for the band of our children, our next colleague, Miss Iceland in 2022, the carpenter who finally finished the bathroom, the cook in the cafeteria, the fireman, the computer genius, or the television host.”
Syrian refugees: four million people forced to flee as crisis deepens
Read more

Many of those posting on the group have said they would offer up their homes and skills to help refugees integrate. “I have clothing, kitchenware, bed and a room in Hvanneyri [western Iceland], which I am happy to share with Syrians,” one wrote. “I would like to work as a volunteer to help welcome people and assist them with adapting to Icelandic society.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/more-than-11000-icelanders-offer-to-house-syrian-refugees-to-help-european-crisis-10480505.html

When I went to Iceland our guide, a great man named Hilmur, told us that the thing Iceland needs is people. Since there are just 300,000 people in Iceland, they need more people to work in all departments, especially IT and workers for even make geothermal plants. And how to get more people? Immigrants. Hilmur told us Iceland needs immigrants. Not 10,000, at least 500,000 he said. He is now my favourite person in the world. He then bought us pizza

 

[mrhender]

Yes, posts are moved. And they will continue to be so if they are off topic.

 

[mrhender]

Re:

Let's not insult people who are banned and cannot defend themselves. Not classy.

Anymore talk on the foxxy ban here will be deleted so you all might as well take it to the proper thread.
And if anyone thinks that there are free shots to be taken they are seriously mistaken.

 

[BigMac]

Amster, your posts weren't deleted. They were moved in light of the recent events, and they were always to be reinstated. You have been told this times and times in the last hour, please be patient.

 

[Afrank]

I've moved and edited some posts so this thread should be back together and discussion can continue. Please remember to stay on topic and not discuss other posters. Thank you.

 

[frenchfry]

Re:

....must read great awesome wonderful amazing article on the machinations behind the IMF role in the Greek Crisis....

http://www.counterpunch.org/2015/08/31/whitewashing-the-imfs-destructive-role-in-greece/

....oh, did I mention this is real good....

Cheers

Some random comments regarding this article.

1. The word “austerity” is often used to portray policies or actions that are negative, unfair and unjust. However one definition of austerity is “a situation in which there is not much money and it is spent only on things that are necessary” - which seems to be basic good sense to me.

As I have said before, when France is in the same position as Greece we will only have ourselves to blame, as we are spending borrowed money on unnecessary things. Should we eventually blame the IMF when in fact we are totally responsible for our own stupidity?

2. The IMF is described as a “horde of ideologues”. Can’t we also use this term to describe our political class who have neglected basic economics and common sense by overspending for decades? Many of whom I have heard say that deficits and debt are nothing to worry about.

3. If the Greek debt is forgiven, have they committed to living within their means going forward (ie. no further deficits)? If not, the same problem will resurface in a very short time as there will be no incentive to do otherwise.

4. If spending is necessary in order to promote long-term economic health, wouldn’t we know it by now? Most countries in the world have been spending like drunken sailors for decades and yet we find ourselves in the mess we are currently in. We can always say is someone else’s fault, but maybe it is our own.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Re: Re:

When the Russians start parading their own crack SEAL team, you know that an the east-west confrontation is in full swing:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=7e3_1440888381

Is this a response to the Obama sanctions?

Oleg must be sleeping good tonight knowing his leaders are preparing for the new cold war. lol

Well, it would be a response to EU sanctions rather than US, as that is Russia's primary trading partner. It's really the global crash and more importantly the fall in energy prices that are putting the squeeze on Russia.The US doesn't want a war. It can't afford one, and neither can Russia. Both sides know this

The GDP of the US is 75 times bigger than Russia. California is twice what Russia's is, NY and Texas are bigger as well. Add NATO/EU and Russia is like a 4th world nation in comparison. Russia is struggling economically, no amount of videos of Vlad and his 'boy', Dimitri lifting little girl weights will change that.

 

[python]

the UK labour party just elected its new leader -jeremy corbyn. he's interesting, controversial and as far left as i would say is palatable in the current british politics... strong anti war rhetoric, populist, and what's most curious to me, he's very far from rubber stamping the current UK foreign office policies more or less established in washington.

i know there are several brits posting here - i mean the uk posters regardless of their ethnic root. i would be interested in their take on jeremy