Iceland did something right in the credit crisis, perhaps offering lessons both for Greece and Occupy Wall Street protesters
By Michael Scott Moore, Miller-McCune
The latest euro rescue plan lurched into crisis this week after the Greek prime minister decided to put the package to a popular vote. This unexpected gesture of independence “sent tremors through Europe’s financial markets,” according to The New York Times, and “hammered” U.S. markets, “showing once again how the domestic politics of even the smallest members of the European Union can create troubles” beyond all proportion.
The panic over Greece, of course, is panic over the euro. Another European country, Iceland, took a far more radical path than did Greece, yet it went largely unnoticed. Iceland, in 2009, did what Greece would like to do now: it let its banks fail, and told their creditors to take a hike.
Two years on, Iceland’s economy is recovering, while Greece and Ireland and other euro-zone members struggle with huge taxpayer-funded bank bailouts and austerity measures that will probably fail to create jobs. “Iceland did the right thing by making sure its payment systems continued to function while creditors, not the taxpayers, shouldered the losses of banks,” Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel Prize-winning economist, told Bloomberg. “Ireland’s done all the wrong things, on the other hand. That’s probably the worst model.”
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TARIQ ALI: The Spirit of the Age
How do the 99% compare with mass protests of the past – and can they succeed?
“A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth glancing at,” wrote Oscar Wilde, “for it leaves out the one country at which humanity is always landing. And when humanity lands there, it looks out, and seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of Utopias.”
Papandreou’s Call for a Referendum Is No Greek Tragedy: View
The country that invented drama and democracy is not disappointing the world on either front. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Monday called for two high- stakes votes.
50 Ways to Leave Your Banker
He's been called a "credit terrorist," but Steven Katz says you shouldn't feel guilty about walking away from your debts.
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New Mental Health ‘Bible’ Will Lead To Almost Everyone Having A Disorder
An updated edition of a mental health bible for doctors could mean that soon no-one will be classed as normal, experts warned today.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Icelandic Model of Handling Debt Crises
Anonymous: Remember, Remember, the 5th of November
Hello world. This is a message from anonymous. This is a message to the world. Do you want to know why your peers are acting a bit strange? Do you want to know why the public is marching through Wall Street wearing masks? Do you want to know why there is a revolution brewing? I'll tell you why. They have sent our friends and fathers to perish in the deserts of Iraq, and the mountains of Afghanistan. As soon as we stepped foot out of our parents homes, they shackled our feet to the banks. They have poisoned our oceans, polluted our air, and burned our forests. They have stripped us of the right to the truth, surrounded the government in secrecy and increased their marketing campaigns. They have stolen trillions of dollars from our coffers, and said that they were too big to fail. We put our trust in hope, and voted for change, and we recieved empty promises and frail leadership. Our generation will never see social security. Our generation will never see the end of our debt. But we will see the end of these crooks and these liars, and you can help. The movement has gone global. The elites are terrified, and they should be. Rome is burning, Greece is rioting, London is clenching its fist, France is grinding its teeth, America is already in the midst of a revolution. On top of this, Anonymous brings word of a new operation. On November 5th we are asking every citizen of the world to pull their money out of corporate banks, and into local credit unions. Our goal is to shut their doors, and close their blinds. Our goal is to break their backs and blind their eyes. We are the antibodies of the world. We have come alive and active to rid the world of parasites and moral disease. Remember, remember the 5th of November. We are anonymous, we are legion. We do not forget. We do not forgive. Expect us.
On November 5th move your money out of corporate banks an into local credit unions. Make the banks hurt.
To find a credit union near you: http://www.findacreditunion.com/
For more information visit the official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/nov.fifth
http://LeakSource.wordpress.com
Original Video Uploaded By http://www.youtube.com/knsorens
Also remember...
Commemorate Parihaka on the 5th of November
Thursday, 3 November 2011, 4:19 pm
Press Release: Occupy Christchurch
November 3 2011, 4pm
For immediate public release
Commemorate Parihaka on the 5th of November with Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch
The 5th of November is an important date in the history of Aotearoa as it marks the day that Parihaka was invaded by British soldiers in 1881. This Saturday is November the 5th so Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch will host talks on Parihaka to remember the movement and learn valuable lessons on passive resistance.
In 1867 Maori prophets set up a peaceful community at Parihaka to protest against the illegal land confiscations of the colonial British empire. The community thrived and grew to more than 2000 people until it was stormed by 1600 British soldiers at the dawn of the 5th of November, 1881. Soldiers were greeted by hundreds of children skipping and offering kai, but destroyed the camp, arrested hundreds of nonviolent protesters and raped wahine. Parihaka is an important event in the history of this country and must be remembered.
Come down to Occupy Corner in South Hagley Park (opposite the hospital) from 10am on Saturday for Parihaka workshops, kai, music, and a free market where people can drop off their unwanted possessions and find new treasures. Workshops will focus on the spiritual component of the Parihaka movement, models of passive resistance and Parihaka's relevance to the Occupy Movement today. These talks will begin from 11am and finish by 1pm when we will travel to Hornby to picket the ANZCO offices in support of workers locked out of their jobs at Canterbury Meat Packers. Following that we will return to Occupy Corner around 6pm for a free dinner, General Korero and Guy Fawkes celebrations.
Occupy Ōtautahi Christchurch has been based in Occupy Corner at South Hagley Park for almost three weeks. In support of the Occupy Wall Street phenomena the group hold open daily general assemblies and ‘free markets’ as well as community events each weekend. They have been busy networking with community groups and organisations, and supply free kai and coffee to the public.
More information can be found at www.occupychristchurch.org.
Following continuous opposition, 5th of november will see a musical show instead of tomatina
Following continued opposition from the locals as well as non-governmental organizations, the organizers of Tomatina festival which was to be held at club west end in Saligao have decided hold a musical show instead on 5th of November. The decision came after social activists from Saligao village met with the organizers on Wednesday and requested them not to use tomatoes for the festival..
BREAKING World War 3 is going to start
Reports from the far side to musical accompaniment:
From nieuwsbreker:
Report: U.K. preparing for military strike on Iran nuclear facilities
The Guardian newspaper says U.K. increasingly concerned over Iran's enrichment program, and is preparing to deploy warships to assist a possible U.S. strike.
...and...
PHASE V OPERATION MARA'S KISS: Connecting the dots PART 10: The "New World Order" Examination of the 'Athens Greece' Economic Crisis: "Ordo Ab Chao"
-A Template for the Satanic "New World Order" Economic Takeover..
-A view from the "inside" of this carefully scripted economic crisis, to show you how a new dangerous "Monetary control apparatus" is taking shape which will eventually enslave the world's population to the "Beast system"
The Total Collapse
The Large Families that Rule the World
UNSUN - Whispers
UNSUN - Whispers. Taken from "The End Of Life" from Century Media 2008.
Occupy London says let the G7billion decide our future, not the G20
Main Media Phone: +44 (0) 845 299 6175; Additional media numbers: +44 (0) 7592 424578 / +44 (0) 7428 076610 / +44 (0) 7780572995 / +44 (0) 7719 626890
Email: press@occupylsx.org
Occupy London says let the G7billion decide our future, not the G20
As G20 leaders meet in Cannes, Occupy London Stock Exchange (OccupyLSX) has released a statement to occupations across the world with the aim of starting a collaborative project to achieve a unified global statement, representing the grievances and goals of the worldwide Occupy movement.
At OccupyLSX’s General Assembly yesterday – at St Paul’s Churchyard just by the London Stock Exchange and St Paul’s Cathedral – 500 people unanimously ratified the call to action highlighting the global structures which they believe to be unjust, unsustainable and undemocratic.
The statement is aimed at sending a powerful message to the G20 leaders meeting in Cannes, who will make key decisions that will impact on the lives of billions of people. The short, four point statement, which will continue to be drafted by occupations around the world and the G20 Counter Summit, criticises the current global system for creating inequality and environmental destruction. It calls for a global system which is democratic, just and sustainable, with the world’s resources favouring people not profit.
Ragnchild Dale, one of the authors of the statement said, “We want real dialogue and real debate to create a statement which represent the real voices of the people to counter the false dialogue of the G20 leaders. Our current global system is unjust and is only causing destruction and suffering.
At the occupation in London, a new banner has been erected, reading “Real Democracy Now”, reaffirming the principles and goals of the camp and against the lack of democracy protesters feel is present in their government and the G20 summit.
Jammie Arad, supporter of OccupyLSX, said, “We are asking questions that the G20 will never ask, such as why are decisions that affect 7 billion people made by a powerful elite behind closed doors? Why do we rely on a global economic system based on infinite growth when we know that the world’s resources are finite? Why do we assume the G20 are to be trusted to put people and sustainable living before profits and corporate interests?”
Proposed global Occupy Statement:
- Our global system is unsustainable. It is undemocratic and unjust, driven by profit in the interest of the few.
- An economic system based on infinite growth, but which relies on finite resources, is leading humanity and the environment to destruction. As long as this system remains in place, people of the world continue to suffer from an increasingly unfair share of income and wealth.
- We seek a global system that is democratic, just and sustainable. The world’s resources must not go to the military or corporate profit, but instead go towards caring for people’s needs: water, food, housing, education, health, community.
- An international, global collaboration has started, and is working on a statement that will unite the occupy movements across the world in their struggle for an alternative that is focused on and originates from people and their environment.
Source: OccupyLSX
image from http://www.spitting-image.net
