...to think the world is imploding?

[woollyideas]

Libya.
Ireland.
New Zealand.
Greece.
Berlusconi.
Condems.
Tunisia.
Egypt.
Bankers.

So many BIG stories in the news, all clamouring for our attention...

you could well be right jajas but as i dont watch the news i never hear of any of the facts. i only hear what people tell me on the street and all i hear is that everyone is skint (like me)

what happened in 1348?

The Black Death

Can you imagine the headlines in the UK media if 50+% of the population in Southern Europe and the Middle East had already died and it was heading our way?

What's happening now really is nothing in comparison.

loving this thread (!)...

think that hopefully, all the uprisings (and weren't the press ready for all out war - they love a good war - peaceful protesting, who'd of thought?!) will result in fairer social systems...

i do think we are part of the oppression though ; our demand for oil means that these dictators do get paid quite handsomely for 'keeping the peace'.

BooyFuckingHoo - the financial newswires are suggesting that Ireland is probably going to start the process of renegotiating or defaulting on its debts next week.

Yes you are right casbie. We need to get some perspective don't we - cossetted brats that we are.

We are electing a new government tomorrow. I will be as hell if we are defaulting on debts though.

Why? Ireland will be far better off if it defaults. Really it will. Iceland did.

God - who'd want that job? Poisoned chalice or what?

(no offence )

It's the morality of it, BeenBeta. I don't think you should take money from people and then not pay it back. I'm old fashioned like that.

Its perfectly OK. There is no morality in capital markets. Firms go bust all the time. So do Govt from time-to-time. Its expected and accepted.

I just think Ireland needs to stop bailing out its banks and imposing the debt on its people - that really is immoral.

@BEENBeta

Perfectly Ok for whom?

Is it normal even tho' its not actually accepted by the vast majority?

It perfectly OK for the Irish people. Its also perfectly normal to default when you can no longer pay your debts. Thats why we have bankruptcy laws for people and businesses. Many Govts have defaulted.

I read that the majority of Irish people are coming round to the idea that a default on the Irish national debt would be a good idea.

Ireland should do it and believe me - it will as there is no way the Irish economy can generate enough welath to repay the debt.

Its the right thing to do.

On the Libia issue - you can't beat it when the people FINALLY come together in a massive protest against corrupt dictator. It's a wonderful thing - it's progress!!

I'm skeptical about what's going on in the middle east. Doesn't the west have a habit of appointing their own 'men' who can be manipulated into positions of power in situations like this? OIL I fear is the reason for this no?

Don't get me wrong, I felt so emotional/proud when I saw the demonstrators in Tahrir Square standing up for the people but I think political unrest is instigated then hijacked for monetary/political gain.

According to the Metro (not the most reliable news source, but anyway):

• Gaddafi made a TV appearance and said that Al Qaeda has been spiking the drinks of the youth with LSD
• He's like the Queen
• 45 individuals have been arrested in Zimbabwe on charges of treason, for allegedly trying to instigate an Egyptian style overthrow

Yeah, if you think about the Medieval era and that - we have it so easy. You don't lose half your family to Black Death, we don't have to live through mini ice ages (like in the 15th century? I think? where the amount of arable land in Europe was reduced by about 5% leading to mass starvation, especially in places like Sweden).

Well I posted a link on another thread yesterday saying that the Iranian governmenr had arrested and imprisoned 3 pigeons and 5 squirrels on suspicion of spying for the west, so I think we are right to be on our guard about the region generally...

Abs- Gaddafi said (in response to critics who said he's been in power too long) something to the effect of "Well, I've been in power less time than Queen Elizabeth II and she's not getting deposed"

Limara- political stability, in any guise, is good for oil production, and therefore prices. However, Libya produces jack all oil in the scheme of things- only slightly more than the UK itself in fact and about 20% of what's produced by the US.

Bagged He doesn't really get it, does he?

He also said he has "moral authority". Yessssssssssssssssss

He seems to miss that yes, the Queen has been around for longer than him Buuuuuuuuuuuut:

• She doesn't really have any power
• she hasn't hired mercenaries to intimidate and kill the people in her country. As far as we're aware.

He is very much in the "Idi Amin" strand of leadership